Back to results
US 7,017,628 B2Granted
Ecologically friendly funnel
AssigneeCalifornia Pacific Lab, Inc.
InventorRamin Najafi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for the environmentally safe transfer and disposal of solvents, such as waste solvents, and eliminate atmospheric contamination from evaporated solvents. The apparatus may also be used for the transfer of solvents into storage containers for further recycling and re-use. In addition, the apparatus eliminates the multiple steps and tedious procedures that are typically required for transferring solvent into storage or waste containers for storage and disposal.
Claims23
An ecological funnel apparatus for use with a solvent container, comprising:
- (a) a funnel having a conical, tapered body portion having a relatively wide open upper end and a relatively narrow lower end defining an internal passage therethrough, the funnel comprising means for displacing air and configured to extend from a position within the upper end of the funnel through the stem of the funnel, and
- (b) an adaptor for adapting the funnel and the solvent container, the adaptor comprising,
- (i) an upper portion configured for mounting and seating the funnel to the adaptor,
- (ii) a lower portion for inserting into the solvent container and mounting the adaptor onto the solvent container, wherein the lower portion comprises a terminal extension that extends into the solvent container by a length sufficient to preserve an air reserve volume in the container that is equal to or greater than a maximum fill volume of the funnel body,
- (iii) an internal passage extending from the upper portion of the adaptor to the lower portion of the adaptor through the terminal extension, wherein the internal passage is in fluid communication with the means for displacing air, the internal passage of the conical body and the terminal opening of the adaptor, and
- (iv) a coupling mechanism attached to the adaptor for securely mounting the adaptor to the solvent container to form an airtight seal.
3 more elements
An ecological funnel apparatus for use with a solvent container, comprising:
- (a) a funnel having a conical, tapered body portion having a relatively wide open upper end and a relatively narrow lower end defining an internal passage therethrough, the funnel comprising means for displacing air and configured to extend from a position within the upper end of the funnel through the stem of the funnel, and
- (b) an adaptor for adapting the funnel and the solvent container, the adaptor comprising,
- (i) an upper portion configured for mounting and seating the funnel to the adaptor,
- (ii) a lower portion for inserting into the solvent container and mounting the adaptor onto the solvent container, wherein the lower portion comprises a terminal extension that extends into the solvent container by a length sufficient to preserve an air reserve volume in the container that is equal to or greater than a maximum fill volume of the funnel body,
- (iii) an internal passage extending from the upper portion of the adaptor to the lower portion of the adaptor through the terminal extension, wherein the internal passage is in fluid communication with the means for displacing air, the internal passage of the conical body and the terminal opening of the adaptor, and
- (iv) a coupling mechanism attached to the adaptor for securely mounting the adaptor to the solvent container to form an airtight seal;
- and
- (c) a solvent container selected from the group consisting of carboys, JUSTRITE containers, EAGLE containers, Pig Corporation containers, Protectoseal containers, glass or HDPE containers, various solvent disposal containers made form high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene materials, or drums.
5 more elements
An ecological funnel apparatus for use with a solvent container, comprising:
- (a) a funnel having a conical, tapered body portion having a relatively wide open upper end and a relatively narrow lower end defining an internal passage therethrough, the funnel comprising means for displacing air and configured to extend from a position within the upper end of the funnel through the stem of the funnel, and
- (b) an adaptor for adapting the funnel and the solvent container, the adaptor comprising,
- (i) an upper portion configured for mounting and seating the funnel to the adaptor,
- (ii) a lower portion for inserting into the solvent container and mounting the adaptor onto the solvent container, wherein the lower portion comprises a terminal extension that extends into the solvent container by a length sufficient to preserve an air reserve volume in the container that is equal to or greater than a maximum fill volume of the funnel body,
- (iii) an internal passage extending from the upper portion of the adaptor to the lower portion of the adaptor through the terminal extension, wherein the internal passage is in fluid communication with the means for displacing air, the internal passage of the conical body and the terminal opening of the adaptor, and
- (iv) a coupling mechanism attached to the adaptor for securely mounting the adaptor to the solvent container to form an airtight seal;
- wherein the funnel and adaptor are formed from a single mold.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.