WO1996010533A1

WO1996010533A1 - Funnel

Info

Publication number: WO1996010533A1
Application number: PCT/SE1995/001111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Sverker Rydberg
Original assignee: Karl Sverker Rydberg
Priority date: 1994-09-30
Filing date: 1995-09-29
Publication date: 1996-04-11
Also published as: SE9403311D0; AU3624395A; SE9403311L

Abstract

The invention relates to a funnel for use when introducing preferably dry bulk substances through an opening in a container. The funnel consists of two substantially flat, identical portions (1a, 1b) of a resilient sheet material. The portions (1a, 1b) are joined to each other along two opposite converging edges (2a, 2b). The two portions can, by pressure against the converging edges, be arched from each other. At least one of the portions (1a, 1b) is provided with means for locking the funnel in a use position in the opening of the container.

Description

Funnel

The invention relates to a funnel in accordance with the preamble to claim 1.

It has become more and more common to mix baby formula and other baby foods from powder directly in a baby bottle, which is thereafter placed in a microwave oven for heating. It is quicker, simpler and requires less dishwashing than previous¬ ly used methods. Even without a microwave oven it can be practical to make formula and the like directly in the bott- le, for example when a kitchen is not available. Since it is unsuitable for hygienic reasons to store mixed formula for long periods of time, it can be advantageous to mix warm water from a thermos, for example, with the powder directly in the bottle.

Another factor which makes it suitable to mix formula direct¬ ly in the bottle is that baby bottles are often provided with volume graduations, so that the desired amount of 'liquid can be easily checked directly during filling. Babyfood and formula manufacturers also encourage preparation in a micro¬ wave oven, but the required aids for doing this have been lacking.

For preparation in a microwave oven, first the desired amount of water is poured into the bottle, and the corresponding amount of powder is then poured in. The bottle is thereafter shaken until the powder has dissolved, whereafter the mixture is heated in the microwave oven until the desired temperature is reached.

One problem with this is that it is difficult to pour or feed the powder into the bottle. This is due to the fact that the bottle has a relatively small opening, which means that it will be difficult to pour the powder without spilling. It is also not possible to use a common kitchen funnel since the powder will jam up and not run down into the bottle. In order to solve this problem, plastic funnels have been distributed, but this solution has proved both expensive and difficult. Many parents of infants may also have a reluctance to use products made of materials which cannot be regarded as en¬ vironmentally friendly.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above disclosed problems and to achieve a funnel which facilitates filling powder through an opening in a container, such as for example the neck of a baby bottle. This is achieved by means of a funnel of the type described by way of introduction which is characterized by those features disclosed in the characterizing clause of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, where

F Fiigg.. 1 1 is a plan view of a blank for making a funnel according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig . 2 is a side view of a funnel, made from the blank shown in Fig. 1,

Fig . 3 shows the funnel according to Fig. 2 inserted in the neck of a bottle,

Fig . 4 shows a section along the line B-B in Fig. 3,

Fig . 5 is a plan view of a blank for making a funnel according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 6 is a side view of a funnel, made from a blank according to Fig. 5,

Fig . 7 shows a funnel according to Fig. 6 inserted in the neck of a bottle,

Fig . 8 shows the area a of Fig. 7 on a larger scale,

Fig . 9 is a plan view of a blank for making a funnel according to a further embodiment of the invention,

Fig . 11 is a side view of a funnel made from a blank according to Fig. 9,

Fig . 1. is a plan view of a blank for making a funnel according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 12 is a side view of a funnel, made from a blank according to Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a plan view of a blank for making a funnel according to still another embodiment of the in- vention, and Fig. 14 is a side view of a funnel, made from a blank according to Fig. 13.

Fig. 1 shows a blank 1 for making a funnel in accordance with the invention. The blank 1 is made from a sheet of material which is resilient when bent, for example cardboard or the like, and is shown in Fig. 1 in its flat state. The blank 1 has two converging edges 2a, 2b, of which the edge 2b is also provided with a flap 3. The blank 1 is designed to be folded along a score line 4, whereafter the flap 3 is folded about the edge 2a and is fixed to the same, for example by gluing. This produces a funnel as shown in Fig. 2, which is in its folded position, i.e. the two sheet portions la and lb are flat and in contact with each other.

At its narrow end, the blank 1 is provided with two essenti¬ ally parallel edge portions 5a, 5b, which are continuations of the edges 2a and 2b, respectively. Outside the edge portion 5b there is a flap 6 as well, which during manufacture is folded about the edge portion 5a and is glued to the sheet portion la near edge portion 5a.

The upper edge 7 of the blank 1 is, as can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, arcuate. This is so that, when used, the upper edge 7 will provide an inclined upper end opening of the funnel. This facilitates filling material into the funnel.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the funnel in its position for use. Fig. 3 shows the funnel inserted in the neck of a bottle 8 shown only schematically. When inserted into the bottle 8, a pres¬ sure is exerted against the lateral edges of the flattened funnel, so that the sheet portions la, lb will arch in the manner shown in Fig. 4. As can be seen in Fig. 2, thanks to the edge portion 5b and the flap 6, a lock means 9 is obtain¬ ed which, after insertion of the funnel into the bottle 8, contributes to locking the funnel in the desired position. In this manner, the funnel is held securely in the bottle 8 and material can be poured simply through the funnel and down into the bottle 8.

Fig. 5 shows a blank 10 for a funnel shown in Fig. 6. In this case as well, the funnel is shown in Fig. 6 in its flattened state. Two converging edges 11a, lib are designed to abut. Outside the edge lib there is a flap 12, which is folded about the edge lib and fixed thereto, for example by gluing.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, there is no pro- jecting locking means. Rather, the blank 10 is instead pro¬ vided at suitable locations with a number of slits 12.

As can be seen in Fig. 7, the slits 12 are placed so that when the funnel is used, they are at the opening of the neck of the bottle 8. Fig. 8 shows the area a of Fig.^" 7 on a larger scale. It is evident therefrom that the slots 12, in cooperation with the edge of the bottle neck provide a lock¬ ing effect which holds the funnel in the bottle 8.

Fig. 9 shows a blank 13 for making a funnel as. shown in Fig. 10. The blank 13 essentially corresponds to the blank 10 shown in Fig. 5, but the blank 13 is also provided with a score line 14 to facilitate folding. The slits 12 in this embodiment have also been replaced by score lines 15.

Fig. 11 shows a blank 16 for making a funnel as shown in Fig. 12. The blank 16 is similar to the blank 13 shown in Fig. 9, but the score lines 15 have been replaced by coatings 17 of friction-increasing material or the like.

Fig. 13 shows a blank 18 for making a funnel as shown in Fig. 14. The blank is similar to the blank 13 shown in Fig. 9, but the score line 19 have a rhombic shape. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the following claims. For example the locking means in the shape of coatings, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, may be omitted if the material used for the funnel has high friction proporties, e.g. by being a coated cardboard or the live.

Claims

1. Funnel for use in introducing preferably dry bulk material through an opening in a container ( 8 ) , characterized in that it consists of two essentially flat, identical portions

(la, lb) of a resilient sheet material, said portions being joined to each other along two opposite converging edges

(2a,2b), that the two portions can be arched from each other by pressure against said converging edges, and that at least one of the portions (la, lb) is provided with means (9) for achieving locking of the funnel in a position for use in the opening of the container (8) .

2. Funnel according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of a coherent blank (1) of cardboard or the like, said blank (1) being folded about its line of symmetry (4), so that the two portions (la, lb) essentially cover each other and are in contact with each other.

3. Funnel according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of two separate, flat, identical portions, which are joined together along two opposite converging edges.

4. Funnel according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that its upper edge (7) is obliquely cut relative to the longitudinal axis of the funnel, to form an inclined oval opening.

5. Funnel according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the lock means (9) consists of a projecting portion, which, in the position for use, presses against the edge of the opening of the container ( 8) .

6. Funnel according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the lock means consists of one or more slits (12), which, in the position for use, are located at the edge of the opening of the container (8).

7. Funnel according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the lock means consists of a coating of friction- increasing material or the like at those locations, which, when in the position for use, are located at the edge of the opening of the container ( 8) .

8. Funnel according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the lock means consists of one or more score lines (15, 19), which, in the position for use, are located at the edge of the opening of the container (8).

9. Funnel according to claim 8, characterized in that the score lines (15) are substantially straight and extend substantially along the edge of the opening of the container (8).

10. Funnel according to claim 8, characterized in that the score lines (19) have a substantially rhombic shape.