U.S. patent application number 11/356619 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for inflatable funnel.
Invention is credited to Bret Larence Kumler.
Application Number | 20080017697 11/356619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38982601 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080017697 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kumler; Bret Larence |
January 24, 2008 |
Inflatable funnel
Abstract
Inflatable funnel that can be inflated into any shape, deflated
into any shape, folded up into any shape and stored in a minimal
amount of space.
Inventors: |
Kumler; Bret Larence; (San
Clemente, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bret Kumler
8315 Manifesto Cir
Huntington Beach
CA
92646
US
|
Family ID: |
38982601 |
Appl. No.: |
11/356619 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60654402 |
Feb 18, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
232/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67C 11/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
232/043 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/14 20060101
A47G029/14 |
Claims
1. A funnel for pouring material, the funnel comprising: a sloped
funnel segment; a plurality of inflatable pockets, each comprising
a left end, a right end, a top end and a bottom end; the plurality
of inflatable pockets wherein each of the plurality of inflatable
pockets is connected at one end to the sloped funnel segment and at
the left end to the right end of another one of the plurality of
inflatable pockets; A valve for blowing air and releasing the air;
the plurality of pockets filling up when air is blown in through
the valve; A plug is placed in valve to prevent the plurality of
pockets from releasing air.
2. The funnel according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
pockets releasing or collapsing air through the valve.
3. The funnel according to claim 2, wherein the sloped funnel
segment releasing or collapsing air through the valve.
4. The funnel according to claim 1, wherein the placement of valve
on any plurality of pockets.
5. The funnel according to claim 1, wherein the placement of valve
on the sloped funnel segment.
6. The funnel according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of
pockets at least some of inflatable.
7. The funnel according to claim 3, wherein the sloped funnel
segment at least some of inflatable.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The complete subject matter of the above-referenced U.S.
Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated herein by
reference, in its entirety. In addition, this application makes
reference to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/654,402, entitled "Inflatable Funnel", and filed Feb. 18, 2005,
the complete subject matter of each of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference, in its entirety.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] [Not Applicable]
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[0003] [Not Applicable]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Most funnels are used for adding oil to an engine and are
made of hard bulky plastic. With most funnels, the more liquid you
would like to hold, the bigger the funnel and storage space it will
take up. Most funnels don't bend very well in hard to reach places.
Prior patents for the collapsible funnels have been issued and are
not truly collapsible to a point of fitting into small places for
storage. Savage U.S. Pat. No. 743,570 shows an inflatable snake or
the like that is provided with a valve for inflation and "slow
leakage" (p. 1, line 40), so that the toy assumes various shapes
during inflation and deflation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A broad object of the present invention is to provide an
inflatable funnel which can be constructed of many inflatable
pockets, filled with air through a valve and a plug is placed in
the valve to prevent air from releasing the many inflatable
pockets.
[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide an inflatable
funnel which can have many sloped inflatable pockets.
[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide an
inflatable funnel which can release air from a valve thus causing
the air in the many inflatable pockets to be released and or
collapsed.
[0008] Still a further object of the invention is to provide an
inflatable funnel which can release air from a valve thus causing
the air in the many sloped inflatable pockets to be released and or
collapsed.
[0009] Still a further object of the invention is to provide an
inflatable funnel which can have a valve located on any of the
inflatable pockets.
[0010] Still a further object of the invention is to provide an
inflatable funnel which can have a valve located on any of the
sloped inflatable pockets.
[0011] Still a further object of the invention is to provide an
inflatable funnel which can have some inflatable pockets.
[0012] Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an
inflatable funnel which can have some sloped inflatable
pockets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a wired diagram of the inflatable funnel
with components.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the inflatable funnel.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of the inflatable
funnel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a wired diagram of the inflatable funnel.
The inflatable funnel (101) is connected to the tube (102). There
can be any number of tubes (102) connected to the inflatable funnel
(101). There's a valve (103) which is connected to the inflatable
funnel (101). There's also a plug (104) which can be connected to
the valve (103) and an optional one at the end of the tube(s)
(102). The inflatable funnel (101) is comprises of many inflatable
pockets (105, 106, 107, 108 109), when combined together, they
create the inflatable funnel (101). These same inflatable pockets
(106, 107, 108 & 109) deflate and are the pieces which make the
inflatable funnel (101) collapse for storage. When fully assembled,
you should have a complete inflatable funnel (FIG. 3). The funnel
and its components are made of vinyl and can vary in size.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates the inflatable funnel. The funnel is
inflated through (203). During the inflation, through the valve
(203), parts (201) and (202) are filled with air pressurizing areas
(201 and 202), refer to FIG. 1 for more details. In order to
prevent the air from leaking out of the valve (203), a plug (204)
is inserted in to the valve (203). Deflating the funnel is done
through the valve (203). The un-pressurized parts/areas are
discussed in more detail in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of the inflatable funnel.
The inflatable funnel must be unfolded in order to used. In order
to do so you should unravel/unfold (306, 305, 304 and 302). After
unraveling/unfolding, remove plug (309) from the valve (303) and
fill the funnel with air, through the valve (303). Air should
pressurize/inflate (301 and 302), (304, 305, 306, 307 and 308) will
not be inflated. Make sure the plug (309) is inserted into the
valve (303) to keep air in sections (301 and 302). Remove the plug
(310) from the end of the tube (307). Once pressurized, liquid,
particles or fluid can be poured in to the inflatable funnel, which
will travel through sections (308, 304, 305, 306 and 307). To stop
flow of liquid, particles or fluid, fold in half section (304 or
305 or 306) or use the plug (310). When you are done with the
inflatable funnel, squeeze the valve (303) to un-pressurized the
funnel (301 and 302). You can proceed to fold up the funnel by
folding sections (306, 305, 304 and 302) together.
[0019] Steps to inflate the funnel are as follows: Refer to FIG. 2,
remove plug (204) from valve (203); Blow air into valve (203) until
air fills up in areas (201 and 202); Insert plug (204) back into
valve (203).
[0020] Steps to deflate the funnel are as follows: Refer to FIG. 2,
remove plug (204) from valve (203); Squeeze areas (201 and 202);
Air will exit valve (203). At this point, leave plug (204) out of
the valve (203) or insert the plug (204) back into the valve
(203).
[0021] Steps to fold away/store the inflatable funnel are as
follows: Refer to FIGS. 2 and 3, remove plug (204) from valve
(203). Squeeze areas (201 and 202). Air will exit valve (203). At
this point leave plug (204) out of the valve (203) or insert the
plug (204) back into the valve (203). Flatten, fold and store.
* * * * *