WO2001056917A1

WO2001056917A1 - Adjustable funnel-shaped tube

Info

Publication number: WO2001056917A1
Application number: PCT/DK2001/000072
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan K. MØLLER; Jan R. RØDLAND
Original assignee: Moeller Jan K; Roedland Jan R
Priority date: 2000-02-02
Filing date: 2001-02-01
Publication date: 2001-08-09
Also published as: AU2001228332A1; DK200000171A

Abstract

An adjustable funnel-shaped tube comprising a flexible resilient sheet material which is workable for assuming a funnel shape, furthermore comprising a coupling mechanism for retaining the funnel shaped by activation of the coupling mechanism, where the coupling mechanism comprises a first and a second coupling means engaging each other after activation of the coupling mechanism, and where the first and the second coupling means are mutually displaceable for varying the cross-section of the funnel.

Description

Adjustable funnel-shaped tube

Background of the invention

The present invention concerns an adjustable funnel-shaped tube as described in the preamble of claim 1.

The invention furthermore concerns a method for producing and a use of such a tube.

In the patent literature, different funnels formed by a flexible resilient sheet material have been disclosed. There are a number of advantages connected with such funnels.

Firstly, they are easy and cheap to produce, which is one of the reasons why this principle is used for disposable funnels. Secondly, they are easy to clean as opposed to funnels having a given shape where it may be very difficult to clean the outlet at the lower part of the funnel.

Different adjustable funnels are also disclosed in patent literature. These are distinguished by the advantage that the outlet may be varied in cross-section and in this way may be adapted to the actual purpose.

In US patent 5 078 189 there is described a funnel coming from a rectangular piece of flexible plastic with a row of parallel ducts at the outer side of the funnel and locking means along one of the edges which is intended for engaging one of the ducts for forming the funnel. The locking means and the duct are functioning according to the trade mark registered ZIPLOCK principle.

This funnel is relatively expensive and difficult in production as many ducts have to provided for allowing a size adaptation in relatively small steps. A stepless adjustment of this funnel is not possible.

In US patent 4 896 707 is disclosed a funnel resulting from forming a sheet of flexible material. The funnel shape is ensured by means of a strip of glue on the sheet. This funnel may be formed in different sizes by placing the edge with the glue strip at different places on the outer side of the funnel. The principle is intended for disposable funnels and not suited for funnels to be used many times.

The purpose of the invention is to provide an adjustable funnel which is cheap and easy to make, which is easy to clean, which takes up very little space and where the principle may be used for funnels that may be used repeatedly.

This purpose is achieved by a funnel of the kind mentioned in the introduction and which is peculiar as described in the characterising part of claim 1.

In the following, the funnel-shaped tube is designated a funnel.

The starting point is a sheet material that may be shaped to a funnel. In this funnel there is provided a coupling mechanism comprising two coupling means brought into mutual engagement for retaining the funnel shape. These two coupling means are mutually displaceable for varying the cross-section of the funnel. Such a funnel according to the invention is adjustable and easy and cheap to produce as the material is mainly a piece of sheet material which may be cut out or punched in serial production. As the funnel may be unfolded, it very easy to clean the narrow end of the funnel. In the unfolded condition, the funnel also takes up very little space and may easily be stored, e.g. in a drawer, a handbag or in a glove compartment in a car. The material may be chosen so that it may endure multiple use of the funnel by suitable application.

By shaping the coupling means so that they are mutually stepless displaceable is effected that the funnel is stepless variable in size. In particular, the outlet of the funnel is stepless variable over a certain interval.

Preferably, the first coupling means is located at an edge area and the second coupling means on the first surface at a certain distance from the periphery, where the first surface is the one including the outer surface of the tube or the funnel, respectively. Where the two coupling means are brought into mutual engagement, an overlap of edge area occurs. By choosing a suitable distance of the second coupling means from the edge, a sufficient overlap is achieved for the funnel being tight against liquid seeping out along the side of the funnel. It is a condition for liquid application that the funnel is made of a material impenetrable for liquid.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet material has a straight edge, and the first coupling means is elongate and following at least a part of this straight edge, also the second coupling means is elongate and following a part of a straight line extending from the first end of the tube to the second end of the tube. Thereby is achieved two coupling means which, when engaging each other, stabilise the funnel against deformations due to twisting of the material, e.g. when holding around it. It is noted that the sheet material is not limited to one straight edge, but usually there will be only one coupling means disposed on one of the straight edges.

The angle between the two elongate coupling means, when the sheet material is unfolded and in a plane condition, is typically between 30° and 180°, preferably 90°. The lesser the angle, the narrower the funnel.

In a second embodiment, the first coupling means is a rail along an edge area. The second coupling means is provided as a duct following a part of a line extending from the first end of the tube to the second end of the tube. In order to retain the shape of the funnel, the rail is brought to engaging the duct. Then the rail may be slided in the duct along the duct whereby the size of the outlet of the duct may be stepless varied. The rail and the duct are preferably straight but may also curve. Thereby, a curving edge area may be utilised as location for the rail if this is suitable.

As described, the rail may preferably extend along the edge of the material but there is also the possibility that it may be provided at a certain distance from the edge.

In a further, preferred embodiment of the invention, the duct and the rail are provided as a folding of the sheet material. This is an embodiment where the funnel is very cheap to produce. In a further embodiment of the invention, the coupling mechanism comprises press buttons. That does not allow mutual stepless adjustment of the coupling means but is a very easy way of assembling the funnel which is advantageous for elderly people having restricted muscular activity and/or sight.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the coupling mechanism comprises at least one magnet. In this embodiment of the invention, the funnel shape is retained by means of magnets. Preferably, the magnets are constituted by strips disposed against each other. Also, there is the possibility that one of the coupling means is a magnet strip and the other is a metal strip on which the magnet is fixed. Furthermore, the magnets may be a part the press buttons. This embodiment ensures a very easy handling for the user during the shaping of the funnel from the sheet material.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the coupling mechanism furthermore comprises a handle for positioning the funnel. In case of hot liquid or powder being poured through the funnel, it may be a problem to hold directly onto the outer surface of the funnel. In this case it may be an advantage that a holding feature is provided, e.g. in the form of a handle.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the coupling mechanism comprises coupling means interacting by means of static electricity. This implies a very simple method in the shaping for the user as this does not require the user to manipulate special coupling means. This embodiment is therefore particularly suited for the elderly user having difficulty with manipulating relatively small items, e.g. due to muscular activity restrictions in hands or by reduced sight.

Description of the drawing

The invention is now explained in the following with reference to the drawing, where:

Fig. 1 shows a sheet material for and method of folding a funnel according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the rail 6 and the duct 7 from Fig. 1 in cross- section,

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the coupling mechanism,

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the coupling mechanism where the duct and the rail appear by folding the sheet material,

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of the coupling mechanism comprising a magnet,

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the coupling mechanism, where the coupling mechanism functions as a clip and comprises a handle, Fig. 7 shows an embodiment for the coupling mechanism comprising press buttons,

Fig. 8 outlines use of the funnel in a container opening,

Fig. 9 is a cross-section of Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of the coupling mechanism where the duct tapers upwardly, Fig. 11 shows the embodiment of Fig. 10 where the sheet material has been unfolded,

Fig. 12 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment of the sheet material,

Fig. 13 shows the embodiment of Fig. 12 where the funnel is placed in a container opening,

Fig. 14 shows an embodiment where the sheet material is circular, Fig. 15 shows a second embodiment where the sheet material is circular and has a two-piece rail.

Figs, la- Id shows a possible embodiment for a sheet material 1 for a funnel according to the invention and a method for folding and fixing the funnel shape. The shown sheet material 1 has a first surface 2 and a second surface 3 together with a straight edge 4 and a curved edge 5. Along the straight edge is fastened a first coupling means of a coupling mechanism in the shape of a rail 6 which is intended to be placed in engagement with a second coupling means in the form of a corresponding duct 7 which is provided on the first side 2.

As illustrated on Fig. lb, the sheet material 1 is folded and the rail 6 is pushed into the duct 7. If the rail 6 is only pushed a small distance into the duct 7, the funnel 8 has a relatively large opening 9 with a diameter A as shown on Fig. 1 c, whereas the funnel has a relatively small opening 10 with a diameter a if the rail 6 is slided far into the duct 7 as shown on Fig. Id. This design of the coupling mechanism allows a stepless adjustment of the outlet opening of the funnel 8 between a maximum size and a mini- mum size.

(Fig. 1) Typical sizes of the openings A and a are 20 mm and 2 mm, respectively; the sizes of the openings are, however, not fixed to these sizes but may generally vary depending on the size and shape of the funnel.

Fig. 2b shows a possible embodiment of the rail 6 and the duct 7 from Fig. 1 in cross- section along the cross-sectional line B-B. 2a shows the rail and the duct before they are coupled together. The duct 7 may, for example, be disposed on the first surface 2 by bonding, welding, vulcanisation, ultrasonic welding or moulding. One of these methods may also be used for providing the rail 6 on the edge 4.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the coupling mechanism, where Fig. 3 a shows the coupling mechanism before the coupling, and Fig. 3b shows the first coupling means engaging the second coupling means. In this case also, the first coupling means is a rail 6 and the second coupling means a duct 7. In this embodiment, however, the rail 6 may not only be pushed into the duct 7 but may also be pressed into the elasti- cally formed duct 7. By means of this principle, the coupling is easier and quicker to perform for the user. In production, this principle is advantageous as the duct 7 as well as rail 6 may be shaped as foldings in the sheet material 1, making the production process rapid and resulting in low production costs. It is noted that the first folding 6 may also lie at the edge 4 of the sheet material. By laying this fold 6 at a distance from the edge 4 and providing the sheet material 1 in the vicinity of the edge with a bend 26, an edge area 27 is created which may be used as handle for the funnel 8.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In this case, the first coupling means 11 has a hook-shaped cross-section while the second coupling means 12, which is elongate like a rail, has a cross-section with a corresponding edge in which the hook-shaped coupling means may be fixed. In this embodiment, the sticking together of the first 11 and the second coupling means 12 is very easy to perform for the user as this only requires a sufficiently compressed folding of the funnel, after which the two coupling means 11,12 become wedged due to the elastic, outwardly directed force of the sheet material. The first coupling means 11 is, however, only wedged so much into the second 12 that mutual displacement may easily be performed, resulting in adjustment of the size of the funnel.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In this case, the first coupling means 13 comprises a magnet, preferably in the form of a strip. The second coupling means 14 may also comprise a magnet but may alternatively be a metal strip onto which the first coupling means 13 adheres. This system of coupling means 13,14 is extremely easy to handle and is thus particularly suited for users with impaired sight and/or impaired muscular activity in fingers or hands. It is noted that the first coupling means 13 may also lie at the edge 4 of the sheet material. However, by laying the first coupling means 13 at a distance from the edge 4 and provide the sheet material 1 in the proximity of this edge with a bend 26, an edge area 27 is created which may be used as handle for the funnel 8.

As alternative to the disclosed examples, Velcro bands may be used as coupling mechanism. This embodiment is distinguished by giving the funnel a very great stability in shape.

As further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 shows cross-section of a rail section 16 that may be used together with a rail 17 for fixing the funnel 8 after the folding. By squeezing the two edges 18,19 together, the beak 20 is opened sufficiently for the fitting rail 17 to be inserted, after which the two edges 18,19 are released and the rail 17 is fixed. The beak may be designed so that the sliding of the rail 17 inside the beak 20 may be performed without the edges 18,19 are to be squeezed together, or it may be designed so that the edges 18,19 are to be squeezed together so that the coupling means 17 and 16 may be mutually displaced. By forming the beak 20 with two grooves 21,22, both of these two latter functions may be achieved with the same sec- tional rail 16; if the rail 17 is provided in the first groove 21 of the sectional rail 16, adjustment of the funnel by mutual displacement of the rail 17 in the sectional rail 16 may be performed without having to squeeze the edges 18,19 together. If the rail 17 is placed in the second groove 22, the edges 18,19 have to be squeezed together in order to perform displacement. Thereby the user has the possibility of choosing the function most suitable for himself.

Fig. 7 shows a funnel 8 according to the invention where the coupling mechanism 23 comprises a row of press buttons 24. By having more than one press button 24, the size of the funnel 8 may be varied, however not steplessly but in steps determined by the distance between press buttons 24. The coupling means may furthermore be provided with a handle 25 so that the user may hold the funnel 8 when hot liquid is poured through the funnel 8. The latter is, however, only relevant if the sheet material 1 is heat conducting.

In a further development, a static electric material is chosen as sheet material. If the sheet material is folded to a funnel, the static electricity will cause that the formed funnel fit tightly at the overlap. Such a funnel is very easy to form, and adjusting is stepless.

(Fig. 8) When a funnel 8 is used with the funnel outlet 9,10 fitting tightly at the edge of a container opening 28, there is the risk that splashes occur when the liquid runs from the funnel 8 and down into the container 28. Most container openings are circular. Therefore, in a further development of the invention, allowance has been made for avoiding such splashes by circular container openings. Technically, this is effected by forming the lower opening 9,10 of the funnel 8 to be non-circular. In a simple version, the funnel opening 9,10 is elliptic or of other non-circular shape. By placing an elliptic funnel opening in a circular container opening there is, however, the risk that the funnel 8 cannot be placed in the container opening without support but tends to overturn sideways. (Fig. 8) By letting the duct 7 and or the rail 6 extend completely down to the funnel opening 9,10 according to a further development of the invention as shown on Figs. 8a, 8b and Fig. 9a, 9b, which is as cross-section along the line C-C, an interspace 30 is achieved between the outer surface 2 and the inner edge 29 of the container opening 28. The duct on Fig. 9 is drawn as the duct 7 on Fig. 2 but the other embodiments described on Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 may also be used in similar way to prevent splashing. Corresponding effect may be achieved with a slight embossing or folding 41 ,42 in the sheet material 1 as shown on Fig. 12 where this folding 41,42 is also shown in cross-section along the line G-G for the two different embodiments 41 and 42.

Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of a funnel 8 according to the invention. In this case, the duct 7 in the sheet material 1 of the funnel 8 is provided with a cross-section as outlined on Fig. 3. At this funnel, the duct extends completely down to the lower opening 9,10 whereby splashing is also prevented as the inner of the duct itself is functioning as air duct so that air from the container may evade when liquid is filled through the funnel 8. The embodiment shown on Fig. 10 differs from the hitherto described, however, by the duct opening 39 of the duct 7 tapering from the lowermost opening 9,10 of the funnel 8 to the uppermost opening 31 of the funnel 8. Furthermore, the first coupling means 32 is relatively short which, however, is not a neces- sary limitation. By the lowermost part 33 of the duct 7 having a wider duct opening, it is relatively easy to insert the first coupling means 32 in the duct 7. When the first coupling means 32 is then displaced upwardly, the constriction of the duct opening at the upper part 39 of the duct causes that the first coupling means 32 is retained in the duct 7 with increasing force. This is advantageous as also the outwardly directed elas- tic force of the funnel 8 increases due to the elasticity of the sheet material 1 when the first coupling means 32 is displaced upwardly in the duct 7, and the funnel 8 is contracted thereby.

On Fig. 11 , this embodiment is shown with the sheet material in a non-folded condi- tion. Also, there is shown cross-section D-D of the lower part 33 of the duct 7 and cross-section E-E of the upper part 39 of the duct 7. The first coupling means 32 is also shown in cross-section F-F and F'-F' with two different embodiments. In both embodiments, the coupling means 32 is provided with a handle 27.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of the sheet material 1 appearing to particularly advan- tageous for ensuring a suitable function of the funnel 8. The circumference of this shape appears by a circular arc 15 of 90° with centre in origo 34. From the upper point 35 of the circle, the further course of the circumference is constituted by an elliptic curve 36 intersecting the straight edge 37 onto which the rail 6 is mounted. The sheet material 1 is provided with a small embossing or folding 41,42, where this embossing or folding 41,42 is also shown in cross-section along the line G-G for two different embodiments 41 and 42.

The angle 40 between the two elongate coupling means 6,7, when the sheet material 1 is unfolded and in plane condition, is typically between 30° and 180°, preferably 90°. The lesser the angle, the narrower the funnel 8.

Fig. 13 shows a cross-section of the funnel 8 in a container opening 28 in case the funnel 8 has resulted from folding of the sheet material 1 as shown on Fig. 12. The embossing or folding 41,42 results in that an interspace 30 between the funnel 8 and the inner edge 29 of the container opening 28 is achieved.

Fig. 14a shows a further embodiment of sheet material 1 in the shape of a circle. In this case, the first coupling means is shaped as a rail 6 following the periphery over a certain angle from a first point 44 to a second point 45. The second coupling means is shaped as a duct 7 in which a rail is inserted as shown on Fig. 14b. The duct 7 is placed outside the centre of the circle delimiting the sheet material 1. With this embodiment, the opening angle 43 of the funnel may be varied over a broad range.

Fig. 15a shows a further embodiment of sheet material in the shape of a circle. In this case, the first coupling means is shaped as a two-part rail 6,6' following the periphery through a certain angle from a first point 44 to a second point 45, and from a third point 46 to a fourth point 47. Alternatively, the two parts 6,6' may also be coherent. (Figs. 15b, 15c) Both parts of the rail 6,6' may be inserted in the duct 7. Depending on which part of the rail 6,6' is inserted in the duct, the opening angle 43 of the funnel is greater or lesser by same size of the outlet opening of the funnel 8, which is due to the duct 7 being disposed closer to the first part 6 of the rail than to the second part 6' of the rail. In this way, the flexible funnel is provided one more degree of freedom. A further degree of freedom is additionally provided the funnel by forming the duct with two ducts 7,7' which are shown on Fig. 15d. Even further possibilities are thereby achieved for suitably adjusting the funnel 8 for the required task.

Other shapes of the sheet material 1 than shown in Figs. 12 and 14 are possible for a funnel 8 according to the invention. Thus the sheet material may have edges, or may have another, more complex shape including more curves as well as edges.

The sheet material 1 is resiliently flexible, for example a thin sheet of polymer including synthetic materials or polymers of naturally based materials, metal, plastic-metal laminate, cardboard, or any combination of these materials. Even though the principle according to the invention may be applied to funnels that may be reused several times, the invention may, however, also be utilised in connection with disposable funnels. In this case, the choice of material may be made under economically and production- technologically favourable considerations. A second consideration to be made may be that the production procedure as well as the sheet material are environmentally friendly. In this case, the choice of sheet material will primarily be directed toward materials that are decomposable in nature and not contaminating.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to use a material with hydrophobic properties because the funnel thereby keeps tight against seeping out of liquid along the side of the funnel more easily. The surfaces may be smooth or have different forms of structures that may be functionally or aesthetically suitable. In the method of production of the fun- nel, punching, vacuum shaping, hot pressing, bonding, injection moulding, welding, ultrasonic welding or induction welding may be used with advantage. Index

1. sheet material

2. first surface 3. second surface

4. straight edge

5. curved edge

6. rail

7. duct 8. funnel

9. greater opening

10. lesser opening

11. first coupling means

12. second coupling means 13. first coupling means as magnet or metal strip

14. second coupling means as magnet or metal strip

15. circular arc

16. second coupling means as profiled rail

17. first coupling means as rail 18. first edge

19. second edge

20. beak of profiled rail

21. first groove

22. second groove 23. coupling mechanism with press buttons

24. press buttons

25. handle at coupling mechanism with press buttons

26. folding at edge area

27. handle at edge area 28. container opening

29. inner edge of container opening

30. interspace 31. upper opening

32. first coupling means

33. lower part of duct opening

34. origo 35. upper point of circumference

36. elliptic curve

37. straight edge

38. straight section of circumference

39. upper part of duct opening 40. angle between coupling means

41. embossing or folding in first embodiment

42. embossing or folding in second embodiment

43. opening angle of the funnel

44. first point on circular periphery 45. second point on circular periphery

46. third point on circular periphery

47. fourth point on circular periphery

Claims

1. An adjustable, funnel-shaped tube comprising a flexible, resilient sheet material with a first surface and a second, opposite surface and one or more edge areas defining the periphery of the sheet material, where the sheet material is workable for assuming a funnel shape, furthermore comprising a coupling mechanism for retaining the funnel shape by activating the coupling mechanism, where the coupling mechanism includes a first and a second coupling means engaging each other after activation of the coupling mechanism, characterised in that the first and the second coupling means are mutually displaceable for varying the cross-section of the funnel, comprising:

- a duct and a rail where the coupling means is activated by inserting the rail in the duct, the rail and the duct being mutually axially displaceable; or

- an elongate magnetic strip and an elongate metal strip where the coupling means is activated by the metal strip contacting the magnetic strip, the magnetic strip and the metal strip being displaceable in direction along the magnetic strip and the metal strip, respectively; or

- two elongate magnetic strips where the coupling means is activated by mutual contact of the two magnetic strips, the magnetic strips being mutually displaceable in their longitudinal direction.

2. An adjustable, funnel-shaped tube according to claim 1, characterised in that the first and the second coupling means are mutually stepless displaceable.

3. An adjustable, funnel-shaped tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first coupling means is located at an edge area, and that the second coupling means is located on the first surface at a certain distance from the periphery, where the first surface is the one including the outer surface of the tube.

4. An adjustable, funnel-shaped tube according to claim 3, characterised in that the first coupling means is elongate and following at least a part of a straight edge, that the second coupling means is elongate and following a part of a straight line extending from the first end of the tube to the second end of the tube.

5. An adjustable, funnel-shaped tube according to claim 4, characterised in that the angle between the two longitudinal coupling means, when the sheet material is unfolded and in a plane condition, is between 30° and 180°, preferably 90°.

6. An adjustable, funnel-shaped tube according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the first coupling means comprises a rail along an edge area, and that the second coupling means comprises a duct following a part of a line which extends from the first end of the tube to the second end of the tube.

7. An adjustable, funnel-shaped tube according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the first coupling means comprises a duct, and that the second coupling means comprises a rail, and where the duct and/or the rail are provided as a folding of the sheet material.

8. An adjustable, funnel-shaped tube comprising a flexible, resilient sheet material with a first surface and a second, opposite surface and one or more edge areas defining the periphery of the sheet material, where the sheet material is workable for assuming a funnel shape, furthermore comprising a coupling mechanism for retaining the funnel shape by activating the coupling mechanism, where the coupling mechanism includes a first and a second coupling means engaging each other after activation of the coupling mechanism, characterised in that the first coupling means comprises a number of press buttons positioned in row and the second coupling means a number of press button holes positioned in row, where the coupling mechanism is activated by the press buttons engaging the press button holes, where the row of the press buttons and the row of corresponding press button holes for varying the cross-section of the funnel are mutually and stepwise displaceable in direction along the press button row.

9. An adjustable, funnel-shaped tube according to any preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the coupling mechanism comprises a handle for positioning the funnel.

10. An adjustable funnel-shaped tube comprising a flexible, resilient sheet material with a first surface and a second, opposite surface and one or more edge areas defining the periphery of the sheet material, where the sheet material is workable for assuming a funnel shape which is retained after working due to mutual interaction between the first surface and the second surface by means of static electricity.