US3630083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fill-indicator funnel
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-04-06
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1990-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A funnel having a fill-indicator as an integral part thereof. The funnel has a tapered body portion with a spout projecting downwardly from the narrow or small end thereof. A tubular member is aligned within the spout and extends into the body portion. The lowermost termination of the tubular member is at a location within the lower half of the length of the spout but is preferably spaced in recess fashion from the lowermost end of the spout. The uppermost termination of the tubular member is at a location within the upper half of the body portion without extending beyond the wide mouth opening thereof. A filter screen is fixed transversely within the tapered body portion to the interior surface of that portion and to the exterior surface of the tubular member; and this filter screen is the sole support means extending between the tubular member and tapered body portion of the funnel. A rod is aligned within the tubular member and has a float fixed to its lower end and a visual level indicator fixed to its upper end. A guide member for longitudinal aligned movement of the rod within the tubular member is located within the tubular member at a position proximate to the small end or throat end of the tapered body portion. A minimum of structural elements are employed, with plural functions performed by most of the elements especially those forming the fillindicator mechanism and those supporting or fixing it as an integral part of the funnel.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor Gorans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/30; G01F23/56; G01F23/58; B; B01; B01D; B01D29/00; B01D29/085; B01D35/00; B01D35/14; B01D35/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A fill-indicator funnel consisting essentially of a tapered body portion with a lip edge at its upper wide mouth opening and a constricted throat at its lower end, a straight discharge spout fixed to and projecting downwardly from said throat end of said body portion, a tubular member aligned within said discharge spout and extending into said body portion, said tubular member being of essentially uniform cross section throughout its length, the lowermost termination of said tubular member being at a location within the lower half of the length of said spout and not extending beyond the lowermost end of said spout, the uppermost termination of said tubular member being at a location within the upper half of said body portion and not extending beyond the mouth opening thereof, a filter screen fixed transversely within said body portion to the interior surface of said body portion and the exterior surface of said tubular member, said filter screen being the sole support means extending between said tubular member and said body portion and serving to support said tubular member in position, a rod aligned in said tubular member, a float fixed to the lower end of said rod, a visual level indicator fixed to the upper end of said rod, and means for guiding said rod during limited up-and-down longitudinal movement thereof aligned with said tubular member, said float being wholly within the confines of said tubular member at both extremes of said up-and-down movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A fill-indicator funnel consisting essentially of a tapered body portion with a lip edge at its upper wide mouth opening and a constricted throat at its lower end, a straight discharge spout fixed to and projecting downwardly from said throat end of said body portion, a tubular member aligned within said discharge spout and extending into said body portion, said tubular member being of essentially uniform cross section throughout its length, the lowermost termination of said tubular member being at a location within the lower half of the length of said spout and not extending beyond the lowermost end of said spout, the uppermost termination of said tubular member being at a location within the upper half of said body portion and not extending beyond the mouth opening thereof, a filter screen fixed transversely within said body portion to the interior surface of said body portion and the exterior surface of said tubular member, said filter screen being the sole support means extending between said tubular member and said body portion and serving to support said tubular member in position, a rod aligned in said tubular member, a float fixed to the lower end of said rod, a visual level indicator fixed to the upper end of said rod, and means for guiding said rod during limited up-and-down longitudinal movement thereof aligned with said tubular member, said float being wholly within the confines of said tubular member at both extremes of said up-and-down movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The funnel of claim 1 wherein said means for guiding said rod during said limited up-and-down longitudinal movement consists essentially of a guide member located within said tubular member at a position proximate to the throat end of said body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The funnel of claim 1 wherein the upper end of said tubular member is substantially closed but provided with at least one port for air escape and wHerein said level indicator fixed to the upper end of said rod is wholly within the confines of said tubular member at both extremes of said up-and-down movement, said tubular member being transparent at least in the portion thereof within which said level indicator is movable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The funnel of claim 1 wherein the upper end of said tubular member is substantially closed but provided with a central opening through which said rod extends as well as through which air may escape, said level indicator fixed to the upper end of said rod being exterior to said tubular member at both extremes of longitudinal movement for said rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The funnel of claim 1 wherein the upper end of said tubular member is substantially closed but provided with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal slots in the sidewalls of approximately the upper half of the part of said tubular member located within said tapered body portion, and wherein said level indicator consists essentially of a horizontal bar extending through said slots for slide movement along the length of said slots during said up-and-down longitudinal movement of said rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The funnel of claim 1 wherein said lowermost termination of said tubular member is spaced in recessed fashion from the lowermost end of said spout.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The funnel of claim 1 wherein a support member assists in holding said tubular member aligned within said spout, said support member consisting essentially of a pin mounted on the interior wall surface of said spout and extending through a lower terminal portion of said tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The funnel of claim 1 wherein a support member assists in holding said tubular member aligned within the spout portion of said funnel, said support member consisting essentially of pin means between said spout portion of said funnel and the portion of said tubular member in said spout portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The funnel of claim 1 wherein said filter screen is the sole and exclusive member serving as support means extending between said tubular member and any part of said funnel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |