Non-spill funnel

• US 5,168,908 A
• Filed: 12/20/1991
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Holland Molds, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Glenn Boyum
• Inventors: Boyum, Glenn
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US07/811,108
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: 141/331, 141/337, 141/338, 141/98, 141/340-342, 141/344, 141/345, 141/311 A, 141/363-366, 248/94
• US Class Current: 141/340
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 11/02 without discharge valves

Abstract

A non-spill funnel for introducing liquids and flowable materials into tanks or containers which includes a bowl which is integrally formed with a pour spout or nozzle and wherein the nozzle includes an outwardly spaced arcuate flange which extends in spaced relationship thereto for purposes of engaging the sidewall of the fill spout opening into the tank or container so as to retain the nozzle against the sidewall thereof so that a visual inspection may be made as to the level of liquid or other flowable material relative to the opening.

Claims

1. A funnel which is self-supported in relationship to the fill spout of a tank or container wherein the fill spout has an opening of a first diameter, the funnel comprising, a bowl portion and a nozzle extending from said bowl portion to a lower open end, said nozzle having a second diameter which is substantially less than said first diameter, an arcuate mounting flange connected to and extending outwardly from and generally parallel to only a portion of the periphery of said nozzle adjacent said lower open end thereof, an open arcuate groove defined between said flange and said nozzle in which a segment of the fill spout is selectively received so that said nozzle and a substantial portion of said flange abuts a portion of the fill spout thereby permitting a visual inspection to be made between the remaining portion of the fill spout and the nozzle.

2. The funnel of claim 1 in which said mounting flange includes a plurality of generally parallel outwardly spaced ribs which are oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to the orientation of said nozzle, said ribs extending from said mounting flange toward said nozzle.

3. The funnel of claim 2 in which said mounting flange extends at least approximately 90°

with respect to the periphery of said nozzle.

4. The funnel of claim 3 in which said mounting flange is integrally formed with said nozzle.

5. The funnel of claim 1 in which said mounting flange extends at least approximately 90°

with respect to the periphery of said nozzle.

6. The funnel of claim 5 in which said mounting flange includes side edges, said side edges being flared outwardly with respect to said nozzle.

7. The funnel of claim 1 in which said mounting flange includes side edges, said side edges being flared outwardly at an angle relative to said nozzle.

8. The funnel of claim 1 in which said mounting flange is integrally formed with said nozzle.