FUNNEL STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF

Abstract

A funnel storage system includes a housing which defines a funnel storage chamber with an access opening, a cover, a funnel retention mechanism, and a containment tray. The cover is detachably coupled to the housing across the access opening. The funnel retention mechanism is coupled to the housing in the funnel storage chamber and is configured to detachably retain one or more funnels within the funnel storage chamber in the housing. The containment tray is slidably engaged within another opening to the housing adjacent a floor of the funnel storage chamber.

Claims

1. A funnel storage system comprising: a housing which defines a funnel storage chamber with an access opening; a cover detachably coupled to the housing across the access opening; a funnel retention mechanism coupled to the housing in the funnel storage chamber, wherein the funnel retention mechanism is configured to detachably retain one or more funnels within the funnel storage chamber in the housing; and a containment tray slidably engaged within another opening to the housing adjacent a floor of the funnel storage chamber.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises: at least one divider wall coupled to opposing sides of the housing and extending across the funnel storage chamber to separate the detachably retention of at least two of the funnels within the funnel storage chamber in the housing; a separate container slot opening defined within the funnel storage chamber in the housing configured to support a fluid container; and a handle coupled to and extending away from the housing.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a first sealing mechanism positioned about the access opening; and a second sealing mechanism positioned about the another opening; wherein the first sealing mechanism and the second sealing mechanism hermetically seal the funnel storage chamber when the cover is detachably coupled to the housing across the access opening and the containment tray is fully engaged within the container slot opening.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the funnel retention mechanism further comprises: one or more retention members coupled to housing; wherein each of the one or more retention members have a slot sized and shaped to detachably mate with a projection from one of the one or more funnels within the funnel storage chamber.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the slot is sized to allow movement of the projection from one of the one or more funnels in one direction.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein two or more of the retention members are spaced along the wall of the housing to allow adjustment of the one of the one or more funnels in at least one other direction.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the funnel retention mechanism further comprises: a funnel retention platform coupled to the housing; wherein the funnel retention platform has one or more openings in the funnel storage chamber each sized to have a circumference which is smaller than a largest circumference of each of the one or more funnels.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein at least one part of the funnel retention platform is engaged with a wall of the housing and allows adjustment of one of the one or more funnels in at least one direction.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the at least one part of the funnel retention platform is engaged in the wall of the housing in at least two or more directions.

10. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the containment tray further comprises one or more replaceable fluid absorbent elements in the containment tray.

11. A method for making a funnel storage system, the method comprising: providing a housing which defines a funnel storage chamber with an access opening; detachably coupling a cover to the housing across the access opening; coupling a funnel retention mechanism to the housing in the funnel storage chamber, wherein the funnel retention mechanism is configured to detachably retain one or more funnels within the funnel storage chamber in the housing; and slidably engaging a containment tray within another opening to the housing adjacent a floor of the funnel storage chamber.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the providing the housing further comprises: coupling at least one divider wall to opposing sides of the housing and extending across the funnel storage chamber to separate the detachably retention of at least two of the funnels within the funnel storage chamber in the housing; forming a separate container slot opening within the funnel storage chamber in the housing configured to support a fluid container; and coupling a handle to and extending away from the housing.

13. The method as set forth in claim 11 further comprising: placing a first sealing mechanism about the access opening; and placing a second sealing mechanism about the another opening; wherein the first sealing mechanism and the second sealing mechanism hermetically seal the funnel storage chamber when the cover is detachably coupled to the housing across the access opening and the containment tray is fully engaged within the container slot opening.

14. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the coupling a funnel retention mechanism further comprises: coupling one or more retention members to housing; wherein each of the one or more retention members have a slot sized and shaped to detachably mate with a projection from one of the one or more funnels within the funnel storage chamber.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the slot is sized to allow movement of the projection from one of the one or more funnels in one direction.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein two or more of the retention members are spaced along the wall of the housing to allow adjustment of the one of the one or more funnels in at least one other direction.

17. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the coupling the funnel retention mechanism further comprises: coupling a funnel retention platform to the housing; wherein the funnel retention platform has one or more openings in the funnel storage chamber each sized to have a circumference which is smaller than a largest circumference of each of the one or more funnels.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein at least one part of the funnel retention platform is engaged with a wall of the housing and allows adjustment of one of the one or more funnels in at least one direction.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the at least one part of the funnel retention platform is engaged in the wall of the housing in at least two or more directions.

20. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the slidably engaging the containment tray further comprises: placing one or more replaceable fluid absorbent elements in the containment tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary funnel storage system with a cover in a closed and sealed position and a containment tray in a partially open and unsealed position;

[0008] FIG. 2A is a partial phantom perspective view of the exemplary funnel storage system shown in FIG. 1 with a cover in an open and unsealed position and a containment tray in an open and unsealed position;

[0009] FIG. 2B is a partial phantom perspective view of the exemplary funnel storage system shown in FIG. 1 with the cover in a closed and sealed position and a containment tray in a closed and sealed position;

[0010] FIG. 3A is a top view of the exemplary funnel storage system shown in FIG. 1 with the cover in the open and unsealed position;

[0011] FIG. 3B is a top view of another exemplary funnel storage with the cover in the open and unsealed position;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the funnel storage system shown in FIG. 1 with funnel retention platforms adjustable in two directions; and

[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of a wall of a housing of the funnel storage system with another funnel retention system shown in FIG. 3B adjustable in two directions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] An exemplary funnel storage system 10(1) is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3A and 4. In this particular example, the funnel storage system 10(1) includes a housing 12 which defines a funnel storage chamber 14 with an access opening 16, a cover 18, funnel retention platforms 42(1)-42(2), and a containment tray 22, although the system may comprise other types and/or numbers of other devices, systems, components, and/or elements coupled together via other topologies. Another example of a funnel storage system 10(2) is shown in FIGS. 3B and 5. The funnel storage system 10(2) has the same components, structure, and operation as the funnel storage system 10(1), except as otherwise illustrated or described by way of the examples herein. Additionally, the various elements in the different examples illustrated and described herein can be selectively combined together and/or left out in other examples of this technology. This technology provides a number of advantages including providing funnel storage systems for more effectively storing one or more funnels after use.

[0015] Referring more specifically to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, perspective and partial phantom perspective views of the exemplary funnel storage system 10(1) in various open and closed states are illustrated. In this example, the housing 12 has walls 30(1)-30(6) which define a funnel storage chamber 14, although the housing 12 may have other shapes and/or sizes with other numbers of walls and/or openings. By way of example, the side walls 30(2)-30(5) of the housing 12 may be tapered from the top wall 30(1) which includes the cover 18 to the bottom wall 30(6) to conform to the general shapes of exemplary funnels F1 and F2. In this example, the exemplary funnel storage system 10(1) is configured for two exemplary funnels F1 and F2 for pouring and draining of a fluid, respectively, although the funnel storage system can be configured to store other types and/or fewer or greater numbers of funnels.

[0016] In this example, the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12 is designed to be hermetically sealed when the cover 18 is detachably coupled to the housing 12 across the funnel access opening 16 in a closed position and the containment tray 22 is detachably coupled to the housing 12 in the containment slot opening 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B, although the funnel storage chamber and the housing can be configured in other manners. In the closed and sealed position, containments are blocked from entering the funnel storage chamber 14 and adhering to the funnels F1 and F2.

[0017] In this example, the housing 18 has the funnel access opening 16 in one of the walls 30(1) which is sized and shaped to detachably mate with the cover 18 and a containment slot opening 24 in another one of the walls 30(5) which is sized and shaped to detachably mate with the slidable containment tray 22 and optionally to receive a sliding plate 27, although the housing could have other types and/or numbers of other openings which are configured to detachable mating with other devices or other objects. Accordingly, the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12 is designed to be accessible to retrieve from or place in one or more of the funnels F1 and/or F2, in this example, via the access opening 16 when the cover 18 is detachably removed. Additionally, the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12 is designed to be accessible to withdraw or insert the slidable containment tray 22 and optional absorbent material 35 for cleaning or replacement via the containment slot opening 24. Further, in some optional examples the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12 is designed to receive a separate optional cleaning plate 27 which can be inserted over the top of the containment tray 22 and fully into the housing 12 to form and preserve the hermetic seal when the containment tray 22 and optional absorbent material 35 is withdrawn for cleaning or replacement.

[0018] The exemplary funnel storage system 10(1) also has a first seal 34 which is positioned about the funnel access opening 16 and a second seal 36 is positioned about the containment slot opening 24 to assist with the formation of the hermetic seal, although other types and/or numbers of other sealing mechanisms may be used in other examples. In this example, the first seal 34 and the second seal 36 assist in hermetically sealing the funnel storage chamber 14 when the cover 18 is detachably coupled to the housing 12 across the funnel access opening 16 and the containment tray 22 is fully engaged within the container slot opening 24.

[0019] The housing 12 may also have a handle 32 which is coupled to and extends away from the housing 12 to allow the funnel storage system 10(1) to be transported. In this example, the housing 12 further comprises at least one divider wall 26 that is coupled between opposing side walls 30(3) and 30(5) of the housing 12 and extends across the funnel storage chamber 14 to separate the detachably retention of at least two of the funnels F1 and F2 within the funnel storage chamber 14. Further in this example, the housing 12 may further have a structure 33 which defines a container storage area or retention device within the funnel storage chamber 14 to support and store a fluid container (not shown) which contains the fluid used with one or both of the funnels F1 or F2 in this example as shown FIG. 3B, although other types and/or numbers of storage areas may be used, such as one for each of the funnels F1 and F2 in this example. With this container storage area, an operator can quickly see from the stored container in the container storage area what fluid was being used with the funnels F1 and/or F2 to avoid cross contamination and also has quick access to the necessary fluid for the next operation.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2A, 3A, and 4, funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) is adjustable in two directions along a wall 30(2) of the housing 12 is shown, although again the system may have other types of funnel retention systems in other configurations and the platform may be adjustable in other directions and manners. Although in this example, the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) comprises two separate pieces which are individually adjustable, other types of platforms, such as a one piece funnel retention platform can be used by way of example. Additionally, in this example the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) are smaller in one direction than the funnel storage chamber 14 in the same direction to allow adjustable movement in that direction, e.g. horizontally. Further, in this example, the funnel retention platform 42 has a detachable latching mechanisms 44, such as shelving supports by way of example, to engage with and be repositioned along the inner surface of wall 30(2) and divider wall 26 and along the inner surface of wall 30(4) and divider wall 26 to allow adjustments in another direction, e.g. vertically, to allow adjustment in two directions, e.g. horizontally and vertically in this example, to accommodate funnels of different heights and/or widths. Each of the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) has a corresponding one of the openings 46(1) and 46(2), respectively, sized to have a circumference which is smaller than a largest circumference of each of the one or more funnels F1 and F2 in this example.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3B and 5, an alternative funnel retention system is illustrated. In this example, funnel retention members 40(1), 40(2), and 40(3) with slots 41(1), 41(2), and 41(3) are positioned along walls 30(2) and 30(4) of the housing 12 and enable adjustment in two directions, although the system may have other types and/or numbers of funnel retention systems in other configurations. In this example, each of the slots 41(1), 41(2), and 41(3) of the funnel retention members 40(1), 40(2), and 40(3), respectively, is shaped to detachably receive and mate with a projection from one of the funnels F1 and F2 to support the funnels F1 and F2 when detachably engaged in this manner in this example. Additionally, in this example the slots 41(1), 41(2), and 41(3) of the funnel retention members 40(1), 40(2), and 40(3) are wider than each of the projections from the funnels F1 and F2 to allow horizontal adjustment of the funnels F1 and/or F2 in this example. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 the funnel retention members 40(1) and 40(3) with slots 41(1) and 41(3) on wall 30(4) in this example may be spaced apart vertically to allow the projection from one of the funnels F1 and F2 to be placed in one of the slots 41(1) and 41(3) on wall 30(4) to allow vertical adjustment. For ease of illustration, wall 30(4) is illustrated with the funnel retention members 40(1) and 40(3) with slots 41(1) and 41(3) and the other wall 30(2) in this example can be configured in the same manner.

[0022] By way of another example, yet another exemplary funnel retention system which is the same in structure, components and operations as funnel retention system 10(1) except as illustrated and described by way of examples herein may alternatively comprise one or more hooks which have a first end which is designed to detachable mate with and be retained by one or more vertically stacked projections along one or more of the walls 30(2) or 30(4) of the housing 12 to allow vertical adjustment to accommodate funnels of different heights and/or widths. The other end of each of these hooks is designed to detachably mate within an opening on a projection of the funnels F1 or F2 in this example to detachable retain the funnels F1 and/or F2, although again other types of funnel retention systems may be used.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 4 an example of the containment tray 22 is illustrated. In this example, the containment tray 22 is sized and shaped to detachably mate and slidably engage with the containment slot opening 24 against the second seal 36 in another one of the walls 30(5) adjacent a floor of the funnel storage chamber 14 in the housing 12. The containment tray 22 mat be constructed of a material or materials which is not corroded or otherwise impacted by any excess fluid which drips off of the funnels F1 and/or F2 in this example. The containment tray 22 may further comprise one or more replaceable fluid absorbent elements 35 in the containment tray 22, such as sponge or other absorbent material by way of example, to capture and retain any excess fluid from the funnels F1 and/or F2. In this example, one fluid absorbent material 35 is shown, but in other examples other types and/or numbers may be used and the containment tray 22 may further comprise a separate compartment which may also house a separate one of the fluid absorbent materials to facilitate more targeted cleaning and replacement.

[0024] An example of the operation of the exemplary funnel storage system 10(1) will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-3A and 4. The operation of the exemplary funnel storage system 10(2) is the same as the operation of the exemplary funnel storage system 10(1) except as otherwise illustrated and described herein.

[0025] Initially, the handle 36 may be used to position the exemplary funnel storage system 10(1) near where the next job or operation is to be performed. In this example, the exemplary funnel storage system 10(1) has the cover 18 and the containment tray 22 in a closed and sealed position with the first seal 34 positioned about the funnel access opening 16 and the second seal 36 positioned about the containment slot opening 24, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B. In this closed and sealed position, the funnels F1 and F2 in this example are advantageously hermetically sealed in the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12 to prevent any containments from entering and adhering to either of the funnels F1 or F2. As a result, with the exemplary funnel storage system 10(1) the funnels F1 and/or F2 can be deployed for use more quicky because there is no concern of contamination since the last use.

[0026] To initiate use, the cover 18 is detachably removed from the access opening 16 and the first seal 34 to enable retrieval from or placement in of one or more of the funnels F1 and/or F2, in this example. Depending on the particular size and shape of each of the funnels F1 and F2, each of the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) can be vertically adjusted to a different pair of the detachable latching mechanisms 44 on the inner surface of wall 30(2) and divider wall 26 and along the inner surface of wall 30(4) and divider wall 26. Additionally, since the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) in this example are smaller in one direction than the funnel storage chamber 14 in the same direction, the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) can be adjusted horizontally to accommodate the particular differing size of the funnels F1 and F2 in this example. Accordingly, an operator can adjust either or both of the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) in two directions in this example.

[0027] Next, the funnels F1 and/or F2 in this example can be placed in the openings 46(1) and 46(2) in the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) for retention and storage. Each of the openings 46(1) and 46(2) is sized to have a circumference which is smaller than the largest circumference of each of the one or more funnels F1 and/or F2 in this example. The particular height of the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) can be adjusted based on how much of each of the funnels F1 and/or F2 sits above the funnel retention platforms 42(1) and 42(2) so that the cover 16 can seal with the access opening 16 and the first seal 34. Similar adjustments in two directions for the exemplary funnel storage system 10(2) can be made when funnel retention members 40(1), 40(2), and 40(3) with slots 41(1), 41(2), and 41(3) are positioned along a wall 30(2) and 30(4) of the housing 12 are used in another example. Additionally, in a further example wall 30(2) could also have multiple numbers of funnel retention members each with one of the slots to allow for vertical adjustment based on the particular funnel retention member and horizontal based on sliding the lip of one of the funnels F1 or F2 within the slot while being detachably or frictionally engaged in this example.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12 for the exemplary funnel storage system 10(2) may further include the structure 33 which defines a container storage area or retention device within the funnel storage chamber 14 to conveniently support and store a fluid container (not shown) used with one or both of the funnels F1 or F2 in this example as shown FIG. 3B. In this manner, the operator can store the fluid container(s) with the funnels F1 and/or F2 in this example and later also quickly determine what type of fluid has been previously used with the funnels F1 and/or F2 based on that stored fluid container to avoid cross contamination with another fluid or the necessity to clean the funnels F1 and/or F2. Once the funnel F1 and/or F2 is in place in the funnel storage chamber 16 in the housing 12, then the cover 18 can be placed in a closed and sealed position with the first seal 34 positioned about the funnel access opening 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B.

[0029] Next, the operator may withdraw the slidable containment tray 22 via the containment slot opening 24 into the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12 for cleaning or replacement of the optional absorbent material 35. During this cleaning or replacement process, an optional cleaning plate 27 may be inserted over the top of the containment tray 22 and fully into the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12 to form and preserve the hermetic seal when the containment tray 22 is withdrawn for cleaning or replacement. In this closed and sealed position, the funnels F1 and F2 in this example are advantageously hermetically sealed in the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12 to prevent any containments from entering and adhering to either of the funnels F1 or F2 while the containment tray 22 is serviced. Once this servicing is completed, the containment tray 22 can be slid back into the container slot opening 24 until fully engaged within the container slot opening 24 and with second seal 36. At this point, the optional cleaning plate 27 may be removed from the funnel storage chamber 14 of the housing 12.

[0030] Accordingly, as illustrated and described by way of the examples herein this technology provides funnel storage systems for more effectively storing one or more funnels after use. In particular, examples of this technology, enable funnels to be stored within a hermetically sealed funnel storage chamber to avoid containments from entering the storage environment and adhering to the used funnels. Additionally, examples of this technology advantageously enable capture of any residual fluids which may remain on the one or more funnels with a replaceable absorbent material within a containment tray configured to maintain the hermetic seal to avoid contamination. Further, examples of this technology, utilize unique funnel retention mechanisms which allow adjustments in two or more directions to accommodate funnels of different diameters and/or heights within the housing 12. As a result, example of this technology provides a unique system for effectively storing funnels between uses which minimizes contamination and facilitates quick reuse.

[0031] Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will be rather apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.