U.S. patent application number 13/191768 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for funnel-shaped container with capped ends.
Invention is credited to Jonathon Derek Gascoine.
Application Number | 20120097556 13/191768 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45972044 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120097556 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gascoine; Jonathon Derek |
April 26, 2012 |
FUNNEL-SHAPED CONTAINER WITH CAPPED ENDS
Abstract
A container includes a funnel having a first opening at a first
end and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end,
the funnel defining a funnel volume between the first and second
openings and the first opening being larger than the second
opening; a first cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from
the funnel at the first end, the first cap sealing the first
opening when attached to the funnel; and a second cap shaped to
repeatedly attach to and detach from the funnel at the second end,
the second cap sealing the second opening when attached to the
funnel. When a liquid or fine-grained substance (e.g., a powder) is
placed within the funnel volume, attaching the first and second
caps to the funnel at the first and second openings seals the
liquid or fine-grained substance within the funnel volume.
Inventors: |
Gascoine; Jonathon Derek;
(New York, NY) |
Family ID: |
45972044 |
Appl. No.: |
13/191768 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61406450 |
Oct 25, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2205/00 20130101;
B67C 2011/40 20130101; B65D 1/06 20130101; B65D 83/06 20130101;
B67C 2011/20 20130101; B65D 2501/0045 20130101; B65D 1/0223
20130101; B65D 2203/04 20130101; B65D 41/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/216 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00; B65B 39/00 20060101 B65B039/00 |
Claims
1. A container, comprising: a funnel having a first opening at a
first end and a second opening at a second end opposite the first
end, the funnel defining a funnel volume between the first and
second openings and the first opening being larger than the second
opening; a first cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from
the funnel at the first end, the first cap sealing the first
opening when attached to the funnel; and a second cap shaped to
repeatedly attach to and detach from the funnel at the second end,
the second cap sealing the second opening when attached to the
funnel, wherein when a liquid or fine-grained substance is placed
within the funnel volume, attaching the first and second caps to
the funnel at the first and second openings seals the liquid or
fine-grained substance within the funnel volume.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first and second caps each
comprise a disc-shaped planar portion sized to cover the first and
second openings, respectively.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the first cap is shaped to
screw on to the funnel at the first opening.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein the second cap is shaped to
screw on to the funnel at the second opening.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the first cap is shaped to
snap on to the funnel at the first opening.
6. The container of claim 5, further comprising a hinge element
that fixedly attaches the first cap to the funnel.
7. The container of claim 5, wherein the second cap is shaped to
snap on to the funnel at the second opening.
8. The container of claim 7, further comprising a hinge element
that fixedly attaches the second cap to the funnel.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel volume is two
liters or less.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel volume is one
liter or less.
11. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel volume is 500 ml
or less.
12. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel volume is 100 ml
of less.
13. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel volume is 10 ml or
more.
14. The container of claim 1, further comprising one or more ridges
and/or grooves extending along an outer surface of the funnel
between the first opening and the second opening.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein the one or more
ridges/grooves have a height/depth in a range from 0.01 mm to 3
mm.
16. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel includes scale
markings.
17. The container of claim 1, wherein the first cap comprises a
valve.
18. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel is formed from a
plastic, a cardboard, a glass, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic.
19. The container of claim 1, wherein the first and second caps are
formed from a plastic, a cardboard, a glass, a metal, an alloy, or
a ceramic.
20. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel comprises a
threaded portion at the first end, and the first cap comprises a
threaded portion shaped to mate with the threaded portion of the
funnel at the first end.
21. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel comprises a
threaded portion at the second end, and the second cap comprises a
threaded portion shaped to mate with the threaded portion of the
funnel at the second end.
22. The container of claim 1, wherein the funnel comprises a first
conical portion.
23. The container of claim 22, wherein the first conical portion
has a cone angle in a range between 10.degree. and 90.degree..
24. The container of claim 22, wherein the cone angle is in a range
between 10.degree. and 60.degree..
25. The container of claim 22, wherein the cone angle is in a range
between 10.degree. and 45.degree..
26. The container of claim 22, wherein the funnel comprises a
second conical portion having a different cone angle from the cone
angle of the first conical portion.
27. The container of claim 22, wherein the funnel comprises a first
cylindrical section.
28. The container of claim 27, wherein the first cylindrical
section is located at the first end of the funnel.
29. The container of claim 27, wherein the funnel comprises a
second cylindrical section.
30. The container of claim 29, wherein the first cylindrical
section is located at the first end of the funnel and the second
cylindrical section is located at the second end of the funnel.
31. A container, comprising: a funnel having a first opening at a
first end and a second opening at a second end opposite the first
end, the funnel defining a funnel volume between the first and
second openings and the first opening being larger than the second
opening; a first foil seal covering the funnel at the first end,
the first foil seal sealing the first opening; and a second foil
seal covering the funnel at the second end, the second foil seal
sealing the second opening, wherein when a liquid or fine-grained
substance is placed within the funnel volume the first and second
foil seals seal the liquid or fine-grained substance within the
funnel volume.
32. The container of claim 31, wherein the first and second foil
seals comprise a tab extending beyond the respective funnel
openings, the tabs being sufficiently large to be gripped between a
person's thumb and forefinger.
33. The container of claim 31, wherein the foil seals are aluminum
foil seals.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Application
No. 61/406,450, filed Oct. 25, 2010, the entire contents of which
is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to funnel-shaped containers for
storing, transporting, and transferring materials such as liquids
and powders.
[0003] Funnels are pipes with a wide opening at one end and a
narrow opening at the other. They are generally used to channel
liquids or fine-grained substances (e.g., powders) into containers
with a small opening, such as a bottle, in order to avoid
spillage.
SUMMARY
[0004] The inventor has recognized that providing a funnel with
removable caps at each end provides additional utility to a
funnel.
[0005] Various aspects of the invention are summarized as
follows.
[0006] In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a
container, including a funnel having a first opening at a first end
and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end, the
funnel defining a funnel volume between the first and second
openings and the first opening being larger than the second
opening; a first cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from
the funnel at the first end, the first cap sealing the first
opening when attached to the funnel; and a second cap shaped to
repeatedly attach to and detach from the funnel at the second end,
the second cap sealing the second opening when attached to the
funnel. When a liquid or fine-grained substance (e.g., a powder) is
placed within the funnel volume, attaching the first and second
caps to the funnel at the first and second openings seals the
liquid or fine-grained substance within the funnel volume.
[0007] Embodiments of the container can include one or more of the
following features. For example, the first and second caps can each
include a disc-shaped planar portion sized to cover the first and
second openings, respectively.
[0008] The first cap can be shaped to screw on to the funnel at the
first opening. The second cap can be shaped to screw on to the
funnel at the second opening.
[0009] The first cap can be shaped to snap on to the funnel at the
first opening. The container can include a hinge element that
fixedly attaches the first cap to the funnel. The second cap can be
shaped to snap on to the funnel at the second opening. The
container can include a hinge element that fixedly attaches the
second cap to the funnel.
[0010] The funnel volume can be two liters or less (e.g., one liter
or less, 500 ml or less, 100 ml of less, 90 ml or less, 80 ml or
less, 70 ml or less, 60 ml or less, 50 ml or less, 40 ml or less,
30 ml or less, 20 ml or less, 10 ml or less).
[0011] Generally, the funnel volume should be sufficiently large so
that upon removal of the caps the material contained in the funnel
is removed due to gravitational flow. The openings should be
sufficiently large so that the material does not become trapped in
the funnel due to its surface energy.
[0012] The container can include one or more ridges or grooves
extending along an outer surface of the funnel between the first
opening and the second opening. The one or more ridges(grooves) can
have a height(depth) in a range from 0.01 mm to 3 mm.
[0013] The funnel can include scale markings. The first cap can
include a valve.
[0014] The funnel can be formed from a plastic, a cardboard, a
glass, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic.
[0015] The first and/or second caps can be formed from a plastic, a
cardboard, a glass, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic.
[0016] The funnel can include a threaded portion at the first end,
and the first cap can include a threaded portion shaped to mate
with the threaded portion of the funnel at the first end. The
funnel can include a threaded portion at the second end, and the
second cap comprises a threaded portion shaped to mate with the
threaded portion of the funnel at the second end.
[0017] The funnel can include a first conical portion. The first
conical portion has a cone angle in a range between 10.degree. and
90.degree. (e.g., in a range between 10.degree. and 60.degree., in
a range between 10.degree. and 45.degree..
[0018] The funnel can include a second conical portion having a
different cone angle from the cone angle of the first conical
portion. The funnel can include a first cylindrical section, e.g.,
located at the first end of the funnel. The funnel can include a
second cylindrical section, e.g., at the second end of the
funnel.
[0019] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a
container, including: a funnel having a first opening at a first
end and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end,
the funnel defining a funnel volume between the first and second
openings and the first opening being larger than the second
opening; a first foil seal covering the funnel at the first end,
the first foil seal sealing the first opening; and a second foil
seal covering the funnel at the second end, the second foil seal
sealing the second opening, wherein when a liquid or fine-grained
substance is placed within the funnel volume the first and second
foil seals seal the liquid or fine-grained substance within the
funnel volume.
[0020] Embodiments of the container can include one or more of the
following features and/or features of other aspects. For example,
the first and second foil seals can include a tab extending beyond
the respective funnel openings, the tabs being sufficiently large
to be gripped between a person's thumb and forefinger. The foil
seals can be aluminum foil seals. Among other advantages,
funnel-shaped containers can conveniently function to both store a
liquid or fine-grained substance and to transfer the liquid or
substance to another container in a manner that avoids spillage.
Using such containers, a person can avoid having to carry both a
funnel and a separate container.
[0021] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
funnel-shaped container with the caps separated;
[0023] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the funnel-shaped container
shown in FIG. 1A with the caps attached;
[0024] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
funnel-shaped container; and
[0025] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view through a wall of the
funnel shown in FIG. 2A, showing the profile of a ridge.
[0026] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1A, a funnel-shaped container 100 is
composed of a funnel 110, a first cap 120, and a second cap 130.
Funnel 110 is a pipe including a conical section 116 (i.e., a
frustum) between a two cylindrical sections 117 and 118. FIG. 1A
shows container 100 with caps 120 and 130 detached from funnel 110.
FIG. 1B shows the caps attached. At one end, funnel 110 has a wide
opening 112. At the opposite end, the funnel has a narrower opening
114. The diameter of funnel 110 decreases monotonically from along
the length of conical section 116. Cylindrical sections 117 and 118
include screw threads on their outer surface for securing the
funnel to caps 120 and 130, respectively.
[0028] Caps 120 and 130 each include a disc-shaped planar portion
(122 and 132, respectively) and a cylindrical portion (124 and 134,
respectively). Disc-shaped planar portions 122 and 132 are sized to
cover funnel openings 112 and 114, respectively. Cylindrical
portions 122 and 134 include screw threads on their inner surfaces
that mate to the screw threads, allowing one to easily secure the
caps to and detach them from the funnel. When attached, caps 120
and 130 seal the funnel openings so that a liquid or powder, for
example, in the funnel volume doesn't leak out. The caps can
include an o-ring seal to facilitate a good seal with the
funnel.
[0029] Funnel 110 also includes a scale, allowing one to meter then
amount of liquid or other substance placed into container 100.
[0030] In general, the volume and shape of funnel 110 can vary as
desired and typically depends on the intended use for the funnel.
The funnel volume can be in a range from 10 ml (e.g., 20 ml, 50 ml,
60 ml, 70 ml, 80 ml, 90 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml, 200 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml,
500 ml) to 1 liter or more. The size of each opening can also vary
as desired. In some embodiments, smaller opening 114 has a diameter
in a range from 0.5 cm (e.g., 0.75 cm, 1 cm, 1.5 cm, 2 cm, 2.5 cm)
to 5 cm. Larger opening 112 can have a diameter in a range from 2
cm (e.g., 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm) to 10 cm or more
(e.g., 15 cm, 20 cm). The ratio between the diameter of the large
opening to the smaller opening can be 2-to-1 or more (e.g., 3-to-1
or more, 4-to-1 or more, 5-to-1 or more).
[0031] The length (i.e., distance between the openings) of the
funnel can also vary as desired. In some embodiments, the funnel
has a length of 5 cm or more (e.g., 7.5 cm or more, 10 cm or more,
12 cm or more, 15 cm or more, 20 cm or more, 25 cm or more, 30 cm
or more, 40 cm or more, 50 cm or more). The ratio between the
length of the funnel and the diameter of the wide opening can be
1-to-1 or more (e.g., 4-to-3 or more, 3-to-2 or more, 2-to-1 or
more, 3-to-1 or more, 4-to-1 or more, 5-to-1 or more, 6-to-1 or
more).
[0032] The cone angle of conical section 116 can vary as desired.
The cone angle refers to the angle the conical section would form
if extended to an apex. Generally, the cone angle should be
sufficiently low so that the material in the funnel can flow out of
the small opening under gravity when the small opening faces
downward. The cone angle can be in a range from 10.degree. (e.g.,
15.degree., 20.degree., 25.degree., 30.degree.) to 90.degree.
(e.g., 75.degree., 60.degree., 45.degree.) or more. In some
embodiments, conical section 116 includes portions having different
cone angles. For example, section 116 can include a portion
adjacent wide opening 112 has a first larger cone angle, while a
portion adjacent opening 114 has a lower cone angle, e.g., forming
a spout.
[0033] While the funnels described above have smooth outer walls,
other form factors are also possible. For example, in some
embodiments, the outer wall of the funnel can include ridges or
grooves extending between the two orifices. Referring to FIGS. 2A
and 2B, for example, a funnel-shaped container 200 includes a
funnel 200 that has ridges 212 on its outer surface. Ridges run
between the funnel orifices and protrude a height, h, from the
surface of funnel 200. Generally, h can vary. In some embodiments,
h is in a range from 0.1 mm (e.g., 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm,
1 mm) to 3 mm.
[0034] Ridges or grooves may be beneficial as they can provide
separation between the outer wall of the funnel and the inner
surface of a container into which the funnel is used to transfer
material. The separated surfaces provide channels through which
displaced gas from the container can exit. This can facilitate
easier funneling of liquid or powder into the container as
displaced gas can exit the container through channels other than
the funnel.
[0035] Alternatively, or in addition to having grooves or ridges on
the outer surface of the funnel, when the container includes
threaded portions (i.e., for screw on caps), the threading may
include discontinuities or undulations to avoid having the
threading form a seal with the opening of a receiving
container.
[0036] While the foregoing funnel-shaped containers use threading
to secure the caps to the funnel, other securing mechanisms are
also possible. For example, snap-on caps can be used, such as those
found in many commercially-available storage containers, such as
containers branded Tupperware or Rubbermaid. Snap on caps can be
fixedly attached to the funnel at each end with a hinge element.
Generally, any securing mechanism that provides the user with the
ability to easily (e.g., using only their hands) and repeatedly
remove and secure the caps to the funnel, and that adequately seal
the container can be used.
[0037] While the caps described above are intended to repeatedly
seal and un-seal the funnel openings, in some embodiments the
openings can be sealed with a single use seal, such as an aluminum
foil seal secured to the funnel at the openings by a releasable
adhesive. The foil seal can include a tab to facilitate removal.
The foil seal can be similar to those use in commercially-available
food containers, such as yoghurt containers. In some embodiments, a
cap, e.g., a snap-on cap, can be provided at one or both openings
in addition to a removable seal.
[0038] In general, the funnel-shaped containers can be formed from
a variety of materials, such as plastics, glasses, or a metal or
alloy (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel). In some embodiments, the
containers are formed from a plastic considered safe for storage of
food or other nutritional products. Useable plastics may include,
for example, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polystyrene, Polycarbonate,
Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, High-density polyethylene,
Low-density polyethylene, and Polypropylene (PP). Useful glasses
include, for example, commercially-available glasses used for
kitchenware or laboratory purposes, e.g., pyrex. In some
embodiments, the funnel can be formed from a ceramic material.
[0039] In some embodiments, funnel-shaped containers are formed
from cardboard, e.g., with a plastic liner to provide adequate
sealing for liquid storage.
[0040] In general, the caps and funnel can be formed from the same
material, or from different materials. For example, the funnel can
be formed from a glass, while the caps are formed from a
plastic.
[0041] The funnel-shaped containers can be formed using a variety
of known methods, such as injection molding (e.g., for plastic
containers) or conventional glassware-shaping methods (e.g., for
glass containers).
[0042] In general, the containers disclosed herein can be used for
a variety of purposes. For example, they can be used by consumers
for the storing, transport, and transfer of pre-measured amounts of
a nutritional substance. For example, funnel-shaped containers can
be used to store, transport, and/or transfer pre-measured amounts
of baby-formula or a nutritional supplement (e.g., a protein powder
or other dietary supplement). The volume of such containers can
correspond to one or more servings (e.g., one, two, three, or four
or more scoops) of the baby formula or nutritional supplement.
[0043] Funnel-shaped containers can be used by airline passengers
to store, transport, and/or transfer airline-security-permitted
volumes (e.g., 3.4 oz, 100 ml or less) of liquids or powders in
their carry-on luggage. For example, travellers can use
funnel-shaped containers to store airline-security-permitted
volumes of toiletries or nutritional substances.
[0044] Funnel-shaped containers can also be used in a medical or
laboratory environment. For example, containers can be used to
transport, store and/or transfer medical specimens. In a
laboratory, funnel-shaped containers can be used to transport,
store, and/or transfer, e.g., specimens or reagents.
[0045] A number of embodiments of the invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, in some embodiments one or
both caps can include a valve (e.g., a stopper that plugs a small
opening in the planar portion of the cap) that allows one to purge
the funnel volume while emptying the container through the opposite
opening. Such a valve can prevent formation of vacuum in the
container that hinders removal of the liquid or substance from the
container. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of
the following claims.
* * * * *