BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Fields of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a funnel apparatus used for filling of liquids,
including anti-freeze liquids or liquids for heat exchangers, and more specifically,
for filling of oil into automobiles' motor generator tanks, cooling agents and anti-freeze
liquids for automobiles' heat radiators. The present invention provides a more expedient
and express way for introducing and filling of liquids into a specified container.
2. Descriptions of Related Art
[0002] One known prior art is
US5626174, which comprises a funnel having a fluid receiving body and a tubular member formed
to receive fluid therefrom; wherein the tubular member is used to extend into the
filling opening of the radiator of an automobile; and a stopper means having a stem,
a plug portion integrally extending at one end thereof, and a handle integrally connected
at the other end thereof, to close the bore through the spout of the funnel.
[0003] The function of the above-identified stopper is to close the tubular member, which
translates to mean that when the fluid is at its fullest level inside the radiator
after filling, and when the receiving body still has extra fluid, the stopper works
to block the tubular member, in order to prevent fluid from proceeding to spill from
the tubular member. The above-identified stopper is not fixedly connected to the funnel,
this means there is a possibility that the stopper may be lost as a result of misplacement
or insufficient care for storage.
[0004] Document
US 1 942 282 A discloses a funnel according to the preamble of claim 1, with means to control the
flow of a liquid into the container and to permit the air to escape from the container
when the liquid enters the container. It comprises a funnel, a breather tube, a bracket
supporting the breather tube and a stopper at the lower end of the breather tube and
brace rods connected to one side of the breather tube. The breather tube is slidably
mounted in the funnel but with limited lateral movement by using a wire. Moreover,
the outside of the tubular member of the funnel is formed in a cushion to the neck
of the container with a pliable material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention presents a funnel apparatus for filling of liquids according
to claim 1, particularly for automobiles, comprising a funnel, a sealing member, a
locking means, and a soft tube. The funnel has a fluid receiving body and a tubular
member provided for carrying fluids. One end of the receiving body is disposed with
a limiting portion, the limiting portion being a circle around the perimeter defined
by the inner diameter of the receiving body to fix a locking means hereto. The above-identified
tubular member is fixed at the filling opening of the automobile, which has a top
end portion and a bottom end portion that are used to introduce a fluid from the receiving
body into the filling opening. In addition, the above-identified sealing member has
a plunger rod, which has a top end and a bottom end, the top end integrally extends
to be disposed with a handle, the bottom end is disposed with a stopper for blocking
the tubular member, wherein the plunger rod has recessed portions patterned toward
a longitudinal orientation thereon. The above-identified locking means has an assembly
bore and a rim. The rim is connected to the assembly bore with a series of spokes.
All of which are locked in at one end of the receiving member of the funnel, so that
the plunger rod of the sealing means can be stretched over the assembly bore, and
to be mounted axially movable on the assembly bore. The above-identified soft tube
passes through the recessed portion of the plunger rod, to provide an air ventilation
functionality during fluid transport.
[0006] A main objective of the present invention is to construct the sealing means to be
fixed inside the receiving member of the funnel, making it to be interposed onto the
locking means while also preserving axial mobility for the sealing means within the
perimeter penned by the inner diameter of the assembly bore of the locking means.
Another objective of the present invention is to insert a soft tube through the plunger
rod of the sealing means, wherein the plunger rod has slits. The soft tube extends
to reach the tubular member centrally and passes out therefrom. Another objective
of the present invention is to provide an adapter which enables to change flexibly
the diameter of the tubular member of the funnel in accordance to the reservoir opening.
This design choice eliminates the above-identified shortcomings. For one aspect, the
sealing means is fixedly disposed in the funnel, so the issue of likelihood of losing
a device part would be non-existent. As a means for providing air ventilation, the
above-identified soft tube can facilitate a fluid to flow from a receiving body through
a tubular member and ultimately be introduced smoothly into the filling opening of
the radiator. In other words, when a fluid is introduced into the filling opening
of the radiator, the air content inside the radiator is conducted to flow out by mediation
with the soft tube. Having the structural benefit thereof, a circulatory mechanism
is established, and the fluid can be smoothly introduced into the radiator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve
the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded diagonal perspective of the funnel apparatus;
FIG. 2 shows an assembled diagonal perspective of the funnel apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the funnel apparatus along a Cartesian x-axis;
FIG. 4 is an exploded top perspective frontal view of the funnel apparatus;
FIG. 5 is an example of the funnel apparatus operating in an open installation;
FIG. 5-1 is an enlarged view of the plunger rod, showing an example for the situation
when the stopper is pushing against the assembly bore; and
FIG. 6 shows an example for the situation when the funnel apparatus operates in a
closed installation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0008] In order to enable a person skilled in the relevant technology to practice the invention
described in the specification, the objectives, technical features and effects will
be further understood in connection with the Preferred Embodiments and in conjunction
with the Drawings below. Further, the description presented below intends not to limit
the technological scope of the present invention.
[0009] First, referring to the drawings in FIGs. 1 to 4, the assembled and exploded drawings
for the funnel apparatus for filling of fluids in the present invention are presented,
comprising a funnel 1, a locking means 2, a sealing means 3, and a soft tube 4. The
funnel 1 has a fluid receiving member 11 and a tubular member 12 for passing fluid.
One end of the receiving member 11 is disposed with a limiting portion 11 a. The above-identified
limiting portion 11 a is formed circularly around the perimeter described by the inner
diameter of the receiving member 11, to lock a locking means 2 fixed hereto. The above-identified
tubular member 12 can be fixed at the filling opening 6 of an liquid reservoir of
an automobile, to introduce the fluid from the receiving member 11 into the filling
opening 6. The tubular member 12 has a top end portion 121a and a bottom end portion
121b.
[0010] The sealing means 3 has a plunger rod 31, the plunger rod 31 has recessed portions
311, slits 312, a handle 32 and a stopper 33. The above-identified recessed portions
311 are set to be formed in a longitudinal orientation along the body surface of the
plunger rod 31. A top end 31 a of the plunger rod 31 integrally broadens to be disposed
with a handle 32, to work as a facilitator in the form of a grip structure for aiding
pulling or pressing during the axial movement of the sealing means 3. The bottom end
31b of the plunger rod 31 is disposed with a stopper 33, which serves to block the
tubular member 12. The above-identified stopper is tightly attached onto the perimeter
defined by the inner diameter of the bottom end 31b of the plunger rod 31. The plunger
rod is equipped with holes and is designed to be matching with respect to the recessed
portion 311 of the plunger rod 31. By way of the above, the soft tube 4 is provided
to be inserted into the recessed portion 311 of the top end 31a of the plunger rod
31, passes through the stopper 33, extends to reach the tubular member 12, before
passing out of the funnel 1 whereby a section of the soft tube 4 is exposed to work
for ventilating air during fluid transport. The slits 312 are disposed on the outer
wall surface of the plunger rod 31 in a longitudinal orientation, in such a way as
the slits 312 can serve as an inspection tool for the user for examining the soft
tube 4 inserted in the recessed portion 311, whether to check if the soft tube 4 is
congestion-free.
[0011] The locking means 2 has an assembly bore 21 and a rim 22. The rim 22 is connected
to the assembly bore 21 with a series of spokes 23. The rim 22 is fixedly locked onto
the limiting portion 11 a of the receiving member 11 of the funnel 1. The assembly
bore 21 of the locking means 2 stretches over a connecting hub 24. An end of the connecting
hub 24 has an extending lip 24a and the other end thereof has a tubing 24b. The extending
lip 24a is configured to push against an end of the assembly bore 21, the tubing 24b
is tightly attached to a perimeter defined by an inner diameter of the assembly bore,
and the bottom end 31b of the plunger rod 31 of the sealing means 3 is passed through
the connecting hub 24 before the stopper 33 is tightly attached onto the bottom end
31b of the plunger rod 31. As a result of the above configuration, the plunger rod
31 can move in a direction co-axially to the locking means 2.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows an example for an embodiment of the present invention in its open state.
In the open state, the fluid inside the receiving member 11 is introduced into the
filling opening 6 of the radiator. The stopper 33 of the plunger rod 31 is pushed
against the assembly bore 21. FIG. 5-1 provides an enlarged view detailing a portion
of this limiting structure. An end of the perimeter defined by the inner diameter
of the assembly bore 21 is disposed with extending fingers 211. The above-identified
stopper 33 is disposed with a circular recessed groove 331. By way of the above, when
the stopper 33 is fixed at the assembly bore 21, the extending fingers 211 of the
assembly bore 21 work to push against the circular recessed groove 331. As a result,
the passageway of the circular member 12 is presented to be in an open state. By the
benefit of this structural design, the fluid can flow toward the tubular member 12
for exit, and from there the soft tube 4 that extends into the radiator can transfer
the air therein for exit, to guide the fluid smoothly into the radiator.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, and in an effort to increase flexibility
for the perimeter described by the inner diameter of the tubular member 12 to be adaptable
for locking filling openings 6 of all sizes, there is further disposed an adapter
5 with a matching opening diameter. The adapter 5 has variable diameters, to help
the funnel to be fixed in place and avoid disproportionate posture leading to fluid
spillage. The adapter 5 has a lid 51 and a tubular member 52. The outer diameter of
the tubular member 52 thereof matches the inner diameter of the filling opening 6,
and can be set to probe deeper into the opening diameter of the filling opening 6.
The shape of the lid 51 is matching to the filling opening 6, and is pushed over the
outer perimeter of the filling opening 6.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment for the funnel apparatus of the present invention in its
closed state. In this state, the tubular member 12 of the receiving member 11 is closed,
and the fluid is stopped from being introduced into the filling opening 6 of the radiator.
As shown by the figure thereof, the handle 32 of the plunger rod 31 is pressed downward
in an axial direction to cause the stopper 33 to detach from the assembly bore 21.
Further, the stopper 33 works to block the passageway of the tubular member 12. As
a result of this, the passageway of the tubular member 12 is presented in a closed
state, and in this state, the fluid can be stopped from flowing toward the tubular
member 12 for exit. The funnel 1 can be removed from the filling opening 6, and the
remaining fluid can be retained inside the receiving member 11.
[0015] The above sections are only for the description of the preferred embodiments of the
current invention, not for limiting the scope of the current invention.
1. A funnel apparatus for filling of liquids, comprising:
a funnel (1) which has a liquid receiving member (11) and a tubular member (12) provided
for carrying fluids; and
a stopper (33) which can be controlled manually by a handle (32) to close the tubular
member (12), to avoid the liquid to flow out from the funnel (1); and
a tube (4) to provide air ventilation;
characterized in that:
an end of the receiving member (11) has a limiting portion (11a) that encompasses
a circular area with an inner diameter of the receiving member (11); and
the tubular member (12) has a passageway and has a top portion (121a) and a bottom
portion (121b) through which the fluid flows from the receiving member (11) into a
filling opening portion, whereby the limiting portion (11a) is provided in order for
locking means (2) to be locked thereon, and the tubular member (12) is provided in
order for being locked onto the filling opening portion of a liquid reservoir of an
automobile;
the locking means (2) having an assembly bore (21) and a rim (22), wherein the rim
(22) is connected to the assembly bore (21) with a series of spokes (23), which are
fixed at the limiting portion (11a) of the receiving member (11), wherein the assembly
bore (21) is plunged onto a connecting hub (24), which has an extending lip (24a)
and a tubing (24b), wherein the extending lip (24a) pushes against an end of the assembly
bore (21), the tubing (24b) being tightly attached onto the inner diameter of the
assembly bore (21);
the funnel (1) further comprising sealing means (3) ,
wherein the sealing means (3) comprise a plunger rod (31), wherein the plunger rod
(31) has a top end (31a), a bottom end (31b), and a recessed portion (311) patterned
in a longitudinal orientation, wherein the plunger rod (31) has a plurality of slits
(312) disposed in a longitudinal orientation on an outer surface thereof, whereby
the slits (312) enable inspection of said tube (4), being a soft tube (4) inserted
in the recessed portion (311); and
wherein the top end (31a) integrally broadens and is disposed with said handle (32)
and
wherein the stopper (33) is tightly attached onto the bottom end (31b) of the plunger
rod (31) of the sealing means (3) wherein the bottom end (31b) of the plunger rod
(31) of the sealing means (3) passes through the connecting hub (24), in such a way
that the plunger rod (31) can move axially on the locking means (2); said stopper
(33) acting as a valve for blocking or opening the tubular member (12); and
wherein the soft tube (4) has a long-strip shape and is inserted into the recessed
portion (311) of the plunger rod (31) to pass through the stopper (33) to stretch
through the tubular member (12) and traverse the funnel (1) with a predetermined length
of the soft tube (4) reaching outside the funnel.
2. The funnel apparatus for filling of liquids according to claim 1, wherein extending
fingers (211) are formed at an end of the inner diameter of the receiving member (11).
3. The funnel apparatus for filling of liquids according to claim 1, wherein the stopper
(33) is provided with a circular recessed groove (331).
4. The funnel apparatus for filling of liquids according to claim 1 and 2 comprising
an adapter (5) with variable diameters comprising a lid (51) and a tubular member
(52) and being fixable to the tubular member (12).
1. Trichtervorrichtung zum Abfüllen von Flüssigkeiten, umfassend:
einen Trichter (1), der ein Flüssigkeitsaufnahmeelement (11) und ein röhrenförmiges
Element (12) zum Übertragen von Flüssigkeiten aufweist, und
einen Stöpsel (33), der manuell durch einen Handgriff (32) gesteuert werden kann,
um das röhrenförmige Element (12) zu verschließen, sodass ein Herausfließen der Flüssigkeit
aus dem Trichter (1) vermieden werden kann, und
einen Schlauch (4) zur Bereitstellung einer Belüftung,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
ein Ende des Aufnahmeelements (11) ein Begrenzungsteil (11a) aufweist, das eine kreisförmige
Fläche mit einem Innendurchmesser des Aufnahmeelements (11) umschließt, und dass das
röhrenförmige Element (12) einen Durchgang und ein oberes Teilstück (121 a) und ein
unteres Teilstück (121 b) aufweist, durch welche die Flüssigkeit von dem Aufnahmeelement
(11) in ein Einfüllöffnungsteil fließt, wobei das Begrenzungsteil (11a) bereitgestellt
wird, um eine Verriegelungseinrichtung (2) daran zu arretieren, und wobei das röhrenförmige
Element (12) bereitgestellt wird, dass es auf dem Einfüllöffnungsteil eines Flüssigkeitsbehälters
eines Kraftfahrzeugs arretiert werden kann,
wobei die Verriegelungseinrichtung (2) eine Montagebohrung (21) und einen Rand (22)
aufweist, wobei der Rand (22) durch eine Mehrzahl an Speichen (23), die an dem Begrenzungsteil
(11a) des Aufnahmeelements (11) fixiert sind, mit der Montagebohrung (21) verbunden
ist, wobei die Montagebohrung (21) auf eine Verbindungsnabe (24) gesteckt ist, welche
einen Erweiterungslippe (24a) und ein Rohr (24b) aufweist, wobei die Erweiterungslippe
(24a) gegen ein Ende der Montagebohrung (21) drückt, wobei das Rohr (24b) fest mit
dem Innendurchmesser der Montagebohrung (21) verbunden ist, wobei der Trichter (1)
ferner eine Abdichteinrichtung (3) beinhaltet, wobei die Abdichteinrichtung (3) eine
Druckstange (31) umfasst, wobei die Druckstange (31) ein oberes Ende (31 a), ein unteres
Ende (31 b) und ein ausgespartes Teilstück (311) aufweist, das in einer Längsrichtung
strukturiert ist, wobei die Druckstange (31) eine Mehrzahl an Schlitzen (312) beinhaltet,
die an deren Außenfläche in einer Längsrichtung angeordnet sind, wobei die Schlitze
(312) eine Überprüfung des besagten Schlauchs (4) ermöglichen, der ein weicher Schlauch
ist, der in das ausgesparte Teilstück (311) eingeschoben ist, und
wobei das obere Ende (31 a) integral verbreitert ist und mit dem besagten Handgriff
(32) versehen ist, und
wobei der Stöpsel (33) fest an dem unteren Ende (31 b) der Druckstange (31) der Abdichteinrichtung
(3) angebracht ist, wobei das untere Ende (31 b) der Druckstange (31) der Abdichteinrichtung
(3) so durch die Verbindungsnabe (24) hindurchgeführt ist, dass sich die Druckstange
(31) axial an der Verriegelungseinrichtung (2) bewegen kann, wobei der besagte Stöpsel
(33) als ein Ventil zum Sperren oder Öffnen des röhrenförmigen Elements (12) dient,
und
wobei der weiche Schlauch (4) eine langgestreckte Form hat und in das ausgesparte
Teilstück (311) der Druckstange (31) eingeschoben ist, sodass er durch den Stöpsel
(33) hindurchgeht, sich durch das röhrenförmige Element (12) erstreckt und den Trichter
(1) durchquert, wobei eine vorgegebene Länge des weichen Schlauchs (4) aus dem Trichter
heraussteht.
2. Trichtervorrichtung zum Abfüllen von Flüssigkeiten nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher an
einem Ende des Innendurchmessers des Aufnahmeelements (11) verlängerte Finger (211)
ausgebildet sind.
3. Trichtervorrichtung zum Abfüllen von Flüssigkeiten nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher der
Stöpsel (33) mit einer kreisförmigen vertieften Rille (331) ausgebildet ist.
4. Trichtervorrichtung zum Abfüllen von Flüssigkeiten nach Anspruch 1 und 2, welche einen
Adapter (5) mit variablem Durchmesser umfasst, der einen Deckel (51) und ein röhrenförmiges
Element (52) beinhaltet und an dem röhrenförmigen Element (12) befestigbar ist.
1. Appareil à entonnoir pour remplir des liquides comprenant :
un entonnoir (1) qui un organe récepteur de liquide (11) et un organe tubulaire (12)
prévu pour porter des fluides et
un bouchon (33) qui peut être commandé manuellement par une poignée (32) pour fermer
l'organe tubulaire (12) pour éviter que le liquide ne s'écoule hors de l'entonnoir
(1) et
un tube (4) pour fournir une ventilation d'air,
caractérisé en ce
qu'une extrémité de l'organe récepteur (11) a une portion de limitation (11a) qui encercle
une zone circulaire avec un diamètre intérieur de l'organe récepteur (11) et
l'organe tubulaire (12) a un passage et a une portion de dessus (121 a) et une portion
inférieure (121 b) par laquelle le fluide s'écoule de l'organe récepteur (11) dans
une portion d'ouverture de remplissage, la portion de limitation (11a) étant prévue
pour verrouiller un moyen (2) à verrouiller sur celle-ci et l'organe tubulaire (12)
étant prévu pour être verrouillé sur la portion d'ouverture de remplissage d'un réservoir
de liquide d'une automobile,
le moyen de verrouillage (2) ayant un trou de montage (21) et un rebord (22), le rebord
(22) étant relié au trou de montage (21) avec une série de rayons (23) qui sont fixés
sur la portion de limitation (11 a) de l'organe récepteur (119, le trou de montage
(21) étant plongé sur un moyeu de liaison (24) qui a une lèvre d'extension (24a) et
un tubage (24b), la lèvre d'extension (24a) poussant contre une extrémité du trou
de montage (21), le tubage (24b) étant attaché hermétiquement sur le diamètre intérieur
du trou de montage (21), l'entonnoir (1) comprenant de plus un moyen de scellement
(3),
le moyen de scellement (3) comprenant une tige de piston (31), la tige de piston (31)
ayant une extrémité supérieure (31 a), une extrémité inférieure (31 b) et une portion
évidée (311) conçue dans une orientation longitudinale, la tige de piston (31) ayant
une pluralité de fentes (312) disposées dans une orientation longitudinale sur une
surface extérieure de celle-ci, les fentes (312) permettant l'inspection dudit tube
(4), le tube étant un tube souple (4) inséré dans la portion évidée (311) et
l'extrémité supérieure (31 a) s'élargissant complètement et étant disposée avec ladite
poignée (32) et
le bouchon (33) étant attaché hermétiquement sur l'extrémité inférieure (31 b) de
la tige de piston (31) du moyen de scellement (3), l'extrémité inférieure (31 b) du
moyen de scellement (3) traversant le moyeu de liaison (24) de telle manière que la
tige de piston (31) peut se déplacer axialement sur le moyen de verrouillage (2),
ledit bouchon (33) agissant comme une valve pour bloquer ou ouvrir l'organe tubulaire
(12) et
le tube souple (4) ayant une forme de bande longue et étant inséré dans la portion
évidée (311) de la tige de piston (31) pour traverser le bouchon (33) pour s'étirer
à travers l'organe tubulaire (12) et traverser l'entonnoir (1) avec une longueur prédéfinie
du tube souple qui s'étend à l'extérieur de l'entonnoir.
2. Appareil à entonnoir pour remplir des liquides selon la revendication 1, des doigts
d'extension (211) étant formés à une extrémité du diamètre intérieur de l'espace récepteur
(11).
3. Appareil à entonnoir pour remplir des liquides selon la revendication 1, le bouchon
(33) étant pourvu d'une rainure évidée circulaire (331).
4. Appareil à entonnoir pour remplir des liquides selon la revendication 1 et 2 comprenant
un adaptateur (5) avec des diamètres variables comprenant un couvercle (51) et un
organe tubulaire (52) et pouvant être fixé à l'organe tubulaire (12).