Funnel
Assignee2146844 Ontario Limited
InventorPaolo Cremasco
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A funnel can include an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice and a sidewall extending axially between the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice. The funnel can also include a tool holder for holding at least one tool and that is disposed within the funnel. At least first and second support members can extend between an inner surface of the sidewall and the tool holder to support the tool holder within the funnel. The first support member, second support member and tool holder may be rotatable with the sidewall about a funnel axis to rotatably drive a tool connected to the tool holder when the funnel is rotated about the funnel axis by a user.
Claims29
(canceled)
The funnel of claim 4, wherein the sidewall, tool holder and support member are of integral, one-piece construction.
The funnel of claim 4, wherein the inlet orifice has an inlet flow area that is transverse to the funnel axis and the tool holder has a holder area that is transverse to the funnel axis and is between about 3% and about 25% of the inlet flow area.
A funnel comprising:
- an inlet orifice;
- an outlet orifice axially spaced apart from the inlet orifice along a central funnel axis about which the funnel can be rotated by a user;
- a sidewall extending axially between the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice and generally tapering toward the outlet orifice to guide a liquid entering the inlet orifice toward the outlet orifice;
- a tool holder for holding at least one tool and being disposed within the funnel and axially between the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice, the tool holder having an upper surface that is axially spaced apart from and faces the inlet orifice, and an opposing lower surface that is axially spaced apart from, faces and at least partially overlies the outlet orifice in a lateral direction that is transverse to the funnel axis;
- and
- at least a first support member and a second support member spaced apart from the first support member, each support member extending between an inner surface of the sidewall and the tool holder to support the tool holder within the funnel,
- wherein the first support member, second support member and tool holder are rotatable with the sidewall about the funnel axis to rotatably drive a tool connected to the tool holder when the funnel is rotated about the funnel axis by a user, and
- wherein first and second flanges are positioned on substantially laterally opposite sides of the funnel.
(canceled)
The funnel of claim 13, wherein the first support member extends between the tool holder and an inner surface of the sidewall to support the tool holder within the funnel so that the tool holder is spaced apart from the inner surface of the sidewall.
The funnel of claim 13, wherein the tool holder entirely overlaps the inlet orifice in the lateral direction.
The funnel of claim 13, wherein the tool holder overlies the outlet orifice.
The funnel of claim 13, wherein the tool holder comprises an upper surface that faces and is axially spaced apart from the inlet orifice, and an opposing lower surface that faces and is axially spaced apart from the outlet orifice.
(canceled)
A funnel, comprising:
- an inlet orifice;
- an outlet orifice axially spaced apart from the inlet orifice along a central funnel axis about which the funnel can be rotated by a user;
- at least one sidewall extending between the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice and generally tapering toward the outlet orifice to guide a liquid entering the inlet orifice toward the outlet orifice;
- a tool holder for holding at least one tool and positioned to at least partially overlap the inlet orifice in a lateral direction that is transverse to the funnel axis;
- at least a first support member extending between the tool holder and the sidewall to support the tool holder, the support member and tool holder being rotatable with the sidewall about the funnel axis to rotatably drive a tool connected to the tool holder when the funnel is rotated by a user;
- and
- at least one grip member on an outer surface of the sidewall whereby a user can grip the funnel to impart rotation of the funnel about the central funnel axis,
- wherein the at least one grip member comprises a first flange extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sidewall, and a second flange extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sidewall and being spaced apart from the first flange around a perimeter of the sidewall, the first and second flanges being graspable by the fingers of a user.
(canceled)
20-22. (canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
29-32. (canceled)
A method of opening a drain opening in a boundary wall of a container retaining a fluid using a funnel having a tool holder disposed within the funnel and supporting a tool, the method comprising:
- a) positioning an inlet orifice of the funnel adjacent the boundary wall so that the drain opening is located within the funnel;
- b) moving the funnel relative to the container to impart a corresponding movement of the tool supported by the tool holder whereby the tool engages the container and opens the drain opening allowing fluid to flow out through the drain opening;
- c) catching the fluid flowing out through the opening in the funnel and conveying the fluid to an outlet orifice while the funnel is being rotated about the funnel axis.
34-38. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.