U.S. patent application number 13/274072 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-18 for funnel for filling sandbags.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mike Arnold, Steve Campion. Invention is credited to Mike Arnold, Steve Campion.
Application Number | 20130092292 13/274072 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48085181 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130092292 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arnold; Mike ; et
al. |
April 18, 2013 |
FUNNEL FOR FILLING SANDBAGS
Abstract
A funnel for filling sand bags includes a bowl having a
reinforced wall and a reinforced lip extending along a perimeter of
the bowl. The funnel further includes an elongate section formed
integrally with the bowl and defining a flow path from the bowl.
The elongate section includes an opening distal to the bowl, and
also includes at least one rib formed in the elongate section and
extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the elongate
section. A base is formed integrally with the elongate section and
is sized and shaped to allow the funnel to be free-standing when
receiving sand. A stop integrally formed with the base includes a
flange that extends along at least a portion of the interior
surface of the base.
Inventors: |
Arnold; Mike; (Bakersfield,
CA) ; Campion; Steve; (Bakersfield, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Arnold; Mike
Campion; Steve |
Bakersfield
Bakersfield |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48085181 |
Appl. No.: |
13/274072 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 67/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/331 |
International
Class: |
B65B 39/00 20060101
B65B039/00 |
Claims
1. A funnel for filling sand bags, the funnel comprising: a bowl
for receiving sand, the bowl comprising a reinforced wall and a
reinforced lip integrally formed with the bowl and extending along
a perimeter thereof; an elongate section formed integrally with the
bowl and defining a flow path from the bowl for receiving sand from
the bowl, the elongate section defining an opening at an end
thereof distal to said bowl, the elongate section further
comprising at least one rib formed therein and extending along at
least a portion of a perimeter thereof; a base formed integrally
with the elongate section distal to said bowl and allowing the
movement of sand therethrough, the base and sized and shaped to
allow the funnel to be free-standing when receiving sand; and a
stop integrally formed with the base, the stop comprising a flange
formed along at least a portion of an interior surface of said
base.
2. The funnel of claim 1 wherein the reinforced bowl comprises a
scalloped wall.
3. A funnel for filling sand bags, the funnel comprising: a bowl
comprising a reinforced wall, the bowl further comprising a first
opening for receiving material therein and a second opening, the
first opening being wider than the second opening to direct
material out of the bowl; an elongate section in fluid
communication with the bowl and defining a path for the flow of
material exiting the bowl; and a base in fluid communication with
the elongate section and defining a path for the flow of material
exiting the elongate section, the base having an opening distal to
the elongate section for allowing material to exit the base,
wherein the base is sized and shaped to allow the funnel to be
free-standing when receiving sand.
4. The funnel of claim 3 wherein the elongate section includes at
least one rib formed therein and extending along at least a portion
of a perimeter thereof.
5. The funnel of claim 3 further comprising a stop integrally
formed with the base, the stop comprising a flange formed along at
least a portion of an interior surface of said base.
6. The funnel of claim 3 wherein the bowl comprises a reinforced
lip integrally formed with said bowl and extending along a
perimeter thereof.
7. The funnel of claim 3 wherein the reinforced bowl comprises
scalloped edges.
8. A funnel for filling sand bags, the funnel comprising: a body
comprising a first end, a second end, and a wall extending between
the first and second end, the wall tapering between the first and
second end and defining a flow path therebetween, at least a
portion of the wall being reinforced; a first opening defined by
the body at the first end; and a second opening defined by the body
at the second end, wherein the first opening is wider than the
second opening, and further wherein the second opening is sized and
shaped to allow the funnel to be free-standing when receiving
sand.
9. The funnel of claim 8 wherein the body includes at least one rib
formed therein and extending along at least a portion of a
perimeter thereof.
10. The funnel of claim 8 further comprising a stop integrally
formed with the body, the stop comprising a flange formed along at
least a portion of an interior surface of said body.
11. The funnel of claim 8 wherein the first end of the body
comprises a reinforced lip integrally formed with said body at the
first opening and extending along a perimeter thereof.
12. The funnel of claim 8 wherein the portion of the wall that is
reinforced comprises a scalloped wall.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a funnel, and
more particularly to a funnel for filling sand bags with sand.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] The use of sand bags is well known in the art. Sand bags are
commonly used to control water when rivers overflow, or when dikes
or levees become damaged or break. They are also used as
fortifications in military applications, for protection of
individuals or structures from damage during a military engagement.
They may also be used to prevent erosion of soil around a structure
or at other locations, or even to provide material for inexpensive,
environmentally-sustainable housing.
[0006] Under many circumstances, particularly during emergencies
such as during flooding or during military engagements, it is
essential that sand bags be filled quickly. Often, there may be few
people available to devote to the task of filling sand bags.
Filling sand bags can be a cumbersome and time-consuming process,
particularly when one person is acting alone.
[0007] What is needed, therefore, is a device to allow one person
to more efficiently fill a sand bag with sand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a funnel for filling sand
bags. In one aspect of the invention the funnel includes a bowl
having a reinforced wall and a reinforced lip extending along a
perimeter of the bowl. The funnel further includes an elongate
section formed integrally with the bowl and defining a flow path
from the bowl. The elongate section includes an opening distal to
the bowl, and also includes at least one rib formed in the elongate
section and extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of
the elongate section. A base is formed integrally with the elongate
section and is sized and shaped to allow the funnel to be
free-standing when receiving sand. A stop integrally formed with
the base includes a flange that extends along at least a portion of
the interior surface of the base.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the reinforced wall of
the bowl includes a scalloped wall.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, the funnel includes a
bowl with a reinforced wall, the bowl having a first opening for
receiving material and a second opening. The first opening of the
bowl is wider than the second opening to direct material out of the
bowl. An elongate section is in fluid communication with the bowl
and defines a flow path for material exiting the bowl. A base is in
fluid communication with the elongate section and defines a path
for the flow of material exiting the elongate section. The base has
an opening distal to the elongate section for material to exit the
base. The base is sized and shaped to allow the funnel to be
free-standing when receiving sand.
[0011] In still another aspect of the invention, the funnel
includes a body having a first end and a second end, and a wall
extending between the first and second ends and defining a flow
path between the ends. The wall tapers between the first and second
ends, and at least a portion of the wall is reinforced. A first
opening is defined at the first end of the body and a second
opening is defined at the second end of the body. The first opening
is wider than the second opening, and the second opening is sized
and shaped to allow the funnel to be free-standing when receiving
sand.
[0012] In still another aspect of the invention, the body includes
at least one rib that extends along at least a portion of the
perimeter of the body.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a stop is formed
integrally with the body. The stop includes a flange formed along
at least a portion of the interior surface of the body.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention, the body includes a
reinforced lip integrally formed with the body at the first opening
and extending along a perimeter of the first opening.
[0015] In still another aspect of the invention, the portion of the
wall that is reinforced includes a scalloped wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention, wherein a top opening of the funnel is
visible.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the
present invention showing multiple funnels in stacked
arrangement.
[0018] FIG. 3 cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present
invention taken along line 3 of FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a magnified view of the area of the device of FIG.
3 indicated by the numeral 4.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a magnified view of the area of the device of FIG.
3 indicated by the numeral 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention provides a funnel device for the
efficient filling of sand bags by, if necessary, a single
individual. Although the funnel of the present invention is
preferably integrally formed as a single, unitary device, the
following description refers to various sections of the device for
purposes of clarity. The present funnel can also be conceptualized
as a single body with a wide opening at a first end and a narrower
opening at a second end, the body being generally tapered between
the first and second ends and having other features described
below. It is further contemplated that the present device may be
constructed from individual pieces that are assembled to produce
the final device.
[0022] Turning to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like
parts, FIG. 1 provides an perspective view of one embodiment of a
funnel 10 of the present invention. Funnel 10 includes generally a
reinforced bowl 12, an elongate section 14, annular ribs 16, base
18, reinforced lip 20, and stop 22. The present Figures and
accompanying description, below, describe exemplary embodiments of
the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. For
example, while reinforced bowl 12 is shown in the Figures as having
a scalloped wall, it is contemplated that any suitable reinforcing
structure may be used with reinforced bowl 12. Also, while ribs 16
are referred to herein as "annular" ribs, in accordance with the
cylindrical embodiments of the present device shown in the figures,
it is to be understood that ribs 16 may be any ribs extending
wholly or partially along a perimeter of the present device, and
may not be annular in embodiments of the present invention that are
wholly or partially non-cylindrical.
[0023] Funnel 10 is preferably a free-standing funnel with base 18
sized and shaped such that funnel 10 is available to stand on its
own in a sand bag or on another surface while funnel 10 is being
filled with sand. Likewise, it is preferred that funnel 10 is
constructed of a suitably strong material such that funnel 10 is
stable when standing on base 18 and receiving sand. Exemplary
materials that may be used in the construction of funnel 10 include
polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene,
polycarbonates, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, carbon
fiber, fiberglass, and combinations of these. It is contemplated,
however, that any suitable material may be used for construction of
funnel 10, and that the list above is not exhaustive.
[0024] Funnel 10 is preferably formed such that it has a unitary or
one-piece construction. Bowl 12 is generally wide-mouthed and
presents an upward opening when funnel 10 rests on base 18 in its
free-standing position. The mouth of bowl 12 receives sand and
directs the sand downward, through an opening at the bottom of bowl
12 and into integrally formed elongate section 14. Bowl 12 is
preferably reinforced such that it is strengthened to withstand the
weight of sand introduced therein. In the embodiment of funnel 10
shown in the Figures, the wall of bowl 12 is scalloped to provide
additional strength to the bowl. Bowl 12 also preferably includes a
reinforced lip 20, so that funnel 10 is not damaged by the weight
of sand entering the funnel, or by a shovel or other tool used to
introduce sand into funnel 10.
[0025] Elongate section 14 extends from bowl 12 and is preferably
formed integrally therewith. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3,
elongate section 14 is preferably tapered, having a wider diameter
at the opening to bowl 12 than near base 18. Elongate section 14
defines a flow path from bowl 12 to base 18, along which sand
received by bowl 12 and directed into elongate section 14 is able
to pass. Elongate section 14 preferably includes one or more
annular ribs 16, which are raised along at least a portion of an
exterior circumference of elongate section 14. Annular ribs 16
provide increased strength to elongate section 14, and also serve
to prevent "sticking" of multiple funnels 10 when funnels 10 are
stacked. As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the exterior surfaces of
annular ribs 16 of a first funnel 10 engage the interior wall of
elongate section 14 of a second funnel 10, into which the first
funnel 10 has been inserted base-first. This prevents the funnels
10 from sticking to one another and allows convenient storage of
multiple funnels 10, and easy removal of stacked funnels 10 when
necessary or desired.
[0026] Base 18 is preferable integrally formed with elongate
section 14 and extends away therefrom at an end of elongate section
14 distal to bowl 12. It is preferred that the portion of base 18
formed immediately adjacent elongate section 14 have an interior
circumference less than that of the end of elongate section 14 and
base 18. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, this creates a flange along an
interior circumference of funnel 10, the ridge comprising stop 22.
As base 18 extends away from stop 22, base 18 preferably grows
larger in circumference, having a size and shape at its terminal
edge that allows funnel 10 to stand on its own when funnel 10 is in
use and receiving sand.
[0027] Methods of manufacturing the present device may vary
according to the materials used to produce funnel 10. Such methods
of manufacturing are known in the art and will be readily
ascertainable to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this
disclosure. For embodiments of funnel 10 constructed from
thermoplastic polymers, for example, funnel 10 may be produced by
injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, and the like.
[0028] The description provided above is exemplary of certain
embodiments of the present invention and is provided for
illustration and clarity. It is contemplated that various
modifications to the invention will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, those such
modifications are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of
the present invention. For example, while the present device is
shown in figures as being generally cylindrical and having a
circular cross-section, it is contemplated that any suitable
geometric shape may be used for production of the present device,
and that various embodiments of the present device may have ovular,
square, triangular, or rectangular cross-sections, or any other
suitable geometric cross-section.
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