Funnel

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a funnel for use in refilling a vehicle fuel tank from a container. The funnel is adapted to be fixed to the fuel tank inlet so that a person adding fuel to the vehicle fuel tank does not need to hold it in place during the refilling operation. This allows a person to use both their hands to hold the container containing fuel and decant the fuel in a more controlled manner. The funnel also has an inlet opening where the peripheral rim is substantially horizontal when the funnel is fixed in an operational position. With the peripheral rim being substantially horizontal the funnel is able to receive and direct fuel into the fuel tank with minimal spillage.

Claims

1. A funnel for use to decant fuel into a fuel tank where there is a fuel tank inlet on the side of a vehicle, the fuel tank inlet has a screw thread on or about the opening of the fuel tank inlet, comprising: a container portion that has a wide open inlet; an elongate channel portion that has a comparatively narrow outlet and a screw thread that is complementary to the screw thread associated with the fuel tank inlet, wherein the elongate channel portion is longer than the length of the container portion, a longitudinal axis of the funnel extends through both the wide open inlet and the narrow outlet to provide an unimpeded flow path; wherein a peripheral plane of said wide open inlet is at an angle and non-parallel relative to a peripheral plane of said narrow outlet; said container portion and elongate channel portion extends away from a perpendicular axis from the peripheral plane of said wide open inlet; and wherein in use the funnel is attached by the complementary screw threads to the fuel tank inlet so that the wide open inlet is horizontal, proud of the vehicle fuel tank inlet and spaced from a vehicle fuel cap cover so that fuel can be decanted into the container portion without interference from the fuel cap cover or the need to physically hold the funnel.

2. A funnel as in claim 1, wherein said wide open inlet is oval-shaped or substantially rectangular-shaped.

3. A funnel as in claim 1, wherein there is a locking nut that locks the funnel in a fixed position to the fuel tank inlet and prevents it from accidental movement.

4. A funnel as in claim 1, comprising a grip section that includes one or more concentric rings providing an uneven surface to allow a person to grip the funnel.

5. A funnel as in claim 1, wherein said funnel includes a filter member selected from a mesh bag or portion thereof inserted within the container portion and a mesh disc positioned within the container portion.

6. A funnel as in claim 1, wherein there is a filter member that is positioned within the elongate channel portion or at the opening of the narrow outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first preferred embodiment of the funnel;

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic front view of a first preferred embodiment of the funnel;

(4) FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic bottom view of a first preferred embodiment of the funnel;

(5) FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the funnel;

(6) FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the funnel with a locking nut;

(7) FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a locking nut associated with the second preferred embodiment of the funnel; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the funnel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) Three preferred embodiments of the funnel will be described in detail. The preferred embodiments are funnels that are used to fasten to the opening inlet of a vehicle fuel tank. These embodiments are by way of example of the invention and the funnel can be used with respect to different containers and fuel tanks and not just in respect of vehicles.

(10) With respect to FIGS. 1 to 4 there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the funnel 10. The funnel 10 has a container portion 11 and a channel portion 12.

(11) The container portion 11 has a comparatively wide inlet opening 14. The container portion 11 has a substantially oval shape and the wide inlet opening 14 has a peripheral rim 15 that is substantially oval shaped. With reference to FIG. 2, the oval shaped inlet periphery 15 is orientated so that the longitudinal axis of the oval shaped inlet opening 14 is the same or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the funnel 10.

(12) The channel portion 12 has a comparatively narrow outlet opening 17 that is at the opposite end to the wide oval shaped inlet opening 14. Channel portion 12 at or adjacent the outlet opening 17 has a threaded outer surface section 18. The threaded outer surface section 18 has a thread 19 that is complementary to a thread on the inner surface about the fuel tank inlet opening. The arrangement of the thread 19 about the outer surface of the channel portion 12 is such that the funnel 10 can be fitted to the inlet opening of the fuel tank so that it is fastened in a position where the container portion 11 is in an upright position.

(13) The channel portion 12 is elongate and slightly curved. The channel portion 12 is substantially longer than the length of the container portion 11. The length and curvature of the channel portion 12 is arranged so that when the funnel 10 is in an operational position, the container portion 11 is positioned so that the peripheral rim 15 is substantially horizontal, the inlet opening 14 is proud of the vehicle fuel cap cover and spaced from the vehicle fuel cap cover so that fuel can be decanted into the container portion 11 without interference from the fuel cap cover.

(14) The channel portion 12 also has a grip portion 21 adjacent the threaded surface section 18. The grip portion 21 comprises four concentric rings 22 about the channel portion 12 providing an area of an uneven surface to allow a person to grip the funnel 10. The number of rings can vary between two and six rings, but the first preferred embodiment has four concentric rings 22.

(15) With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a second embodiment of the funnel 30. The second embodiment of the funnel 30 has identical features to the first embodiment and for purposes of convenience the features will be numbered similarly. The only difference with the second embodiment is that the funnel 30 has a locking nut 31 that winds onto the thread 19 of the threaded surface portion 18 and secures the fastened funnel 30 in position preventing accidental dislodgement of the funnel 30 from an operational position.

(16) The funnel 10, 30 of the preferred embodiments can be fitted and fastened with the opening of a fuel tank inlet. The thread surface portion 18 has an arrangement of threads 19 that allows the threads 19 to be wound and fastened to the inlet of the fuel tank whereby the wide inlet opening 14 of the funnel 10, 30 is in an upright position and the peripheral rim 15 of the wide inlet opening 14 is substantially horizontal. In the second embodiment, the funnel 30 uses a locking nut 31 to lock the funnel in the operational position to avoid accidental dislodgement of the funnel 30 from the operational position.

(17) When the funnel 10, 30 is in an operational position fastened to the inlet of the vehicle fuel tank a person may decant fuel from a container by lifting the container with both hands thereby controlling the flow of fuel into the wide inlet opening 14 of the funnel 10, 30. The person decanting the fuel does not need to hold the funnel 10, 30 in position and need only direct their attention to pouring the fuel into the funnel 10, 30. Removing the need to hold the funnel 10, 30 in position makes the job of pouring the fuel from a container more manageable, avoids or minimizes accidental spillage and decreases the time needed to decant the fuel from the container.

(18) When the fuel has been added to the fuel tank the funnel 10, 30 is removed by reversing the procedure of fitting the funnel 10, 30. The funnel 10, 30 can be conveniently stored under the seat or in a confined space because of the substantially oval shaped container portion 11.

(19) With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown a third preferred embodiment of the funnel 50. The funnel 50 has a container portion 51 and a channel portion 52. The funnel 50 is substantially the same as the funnel 10 and 30 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, except that the container portion 51 has a substantially rectangular shape. The funnel 50 also has a comparative wide inlet opening 54 that has a peripheral rim 55. The peripheral rim 55 has a substantially rectangular shape.

(20) The channel portion 52 is elongated and slightly curved. The length and curvature of the channel portion 52 is arranged so that when the funnel 50 is in an operational position, the container portion 51 is positioned so that the peripheral rim 55 is substantially horizontal, the inlet opening 54 is proud of the vehicle fuel cap cover and spaced from the vehicle fuel cap cover so that fuel can be decanted into the container portion 51 without interference from the fuel cap cover.

(21) The funnel 50 also includes a comparatively narrow outlet opening 57. The funnel 50 has a threaded outer surface section 58. The threaded outer surface section 58 has a thread 59 that is complementary to a thread on the inner surface about the fuel tank inlet opening.

(22) In use, the funnel 50 is fitted to the fuel tank inlet opening via thread 59 so that funnel 50 is fixed in a position where the container portion 51 is in an upright position.

(23) The funnel 50 further includes a grip portion 61 adjacent the thread surface section 58. The grip portion 61 comprises five concentric rings 62 about the channel portion 52 to allow a person to grip the funnel 50.

(24) The funnel can be fitted with a locking nut to lock the funnel to or about the fuel tank opening in a similar way as the second preferred embodiment.

(25) The preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to a funnel for use in refilling a vehicle fuel tank from a container. The funnel is adapted to be fixed to the fuel tank inlet so that a person adding fuel to the vehicle fuel tank does not need to hold it in place during the refilling operation. This allows a person to use both their hands to hold the container containing fuel and decant the fuel in a more controlled manner. The funnel also has an inlet opening where the peripheral rim is substantially horizontal when the funnel is fixed in an operational position. With the peripheral rim being substantially horizontal the funnel is able to receive and direct fuel into the fuel tank with minimal spillage.

VARIATIONS

(26) It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

(27) Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.