Variable flow funnel construction

Claim 2

A variable flow funnel construction comprising: (a) a primary shell structure including a hollow shell portion integral with and communicating with a delivery tube portion; and (b) at least one shell insert adapted to fit coaxially within the delivery tube portion of said primary shell and selectively adjustable in relation thereto to provide a space therebetween or seal said space to control the flow of liquid through the funnel.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1, in which means are provided between said delivery tube portion and said shell insert to maintain the coaxial relationship thereof.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 1, in which baffle means are provided on said shell insert to maintain the coaxial relationship of said shell insert with said primary shell and to channel the flow of liquid therethrough.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 1, in which the delivery tube of said primary shell is provided with a plurality of thread segments on the inner periphery thereof spaced circumferentially thereabout, and said shell insert is provided with a plurality of threaded segments complimentary and threadably engageable with the thread segments on said delivery tube whereby said shell insert may be threadably engaged with said primary shell.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 1, in which seal means are provided on said shell insert adapted to selectively seal the space between said shell insert and said primary shell when it is desired to diminish the flow of liquid through the funnel.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 1, in which means are provided on said shell insert to prevent inadvertent separation of said shell insert from said primary shell.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 1, in which a second shell insert is provided adapted to fit coaxially within said first mentioned shell insert and selectively adjustable in relation to said first mentioned shell insert to provide a space therebetween or seal said space to control the flow of liquid through the funnel.

Claim 9

The combination according to claim 1, in which a plurality of coaxially arranged shell inserts are provided adapted to be telescoped together as a sub-assembly with each shell insert being separately and selectively adjustable axially in relation to the remaining shell inserts, said sub-assembly of shell inserts being adapted to fit coaxially within the delivery tube portion of said primary shell whereby selective adjustment of one or more of said shell inserts controls the flow of liquid through the funnel.

Claim 10

The combination according to claim 1, in which said hollow shell portion is generally conical in its configuration including an open base end and an apex end, and said delivery tube is integral with the apex end thereof.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 1, in which said delivery tube portion of said primary shell includes integral upper and lower sections arranged end-to-end and said shell insert is coaxially disposed within said lower section.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 1, in which said delivery tube portion of said primary shell includes a first section of one diameter and a second section of a smaller diameter, and said shell insert is coaxially disposed within said smaller diameter section.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 1, in which said delivery tube portion of said primary shell includes a first section next adjacent said hollow shell portion and integral therewith at one end and a second section remote from said hollow shell portion and integral with the other end of said first section and coaxially arranged therewith.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 1, in which said delivery tube portion of said primary shell includes; (1) a first section of one diameter; (2) a second section of a smaller diameter; (3) a generally conical intermediate section integrally interconnecting said first and section sections; and (4) said shell insert is coaxially disposed within said smaller diameter section and includes: (1) a generally conical truncated flange portion having an apex end and a base end and adapted to selectively sealingly seat on said conical intermediate section; (2) a delivery tube portion integral with the apex end of said conical truncated flange portion and extending coaxially through said second section of smaller diameter of said delivery tube of the primary shell and defining an annular passageway therebetween; (3) a plurality of elongated baffle plates disposed in said annular passageway to retain the shell insert coaxially disposed within said primary shell; (4) means on said delivery tube portion adjustably engaging said second section of smaller diameter of said delivery tube of the primary shell whereby rotation of said shell insert effects axial displacement thereof to selectively sealingly seat said conical truncated flange portion on said conical intermediate section or provide a space therebetween.

Claim 15

The combination according to claim 1, in which said hollow shell portion of the primary shell structure comprises a truncated conical shell portion having a base end and an apex end, and said delivery tube portion is integral with the apex end of said truncated conical shell portion.

Claim 16

The combination according to claim 1, in which an assembly of three shell inserts are provided, the shell inserts of said assembly including a shell insert of a first diameter to define with said delivery tube portion of the primary shell an annular passageway through which liquid may flow, a shell insert of a second smaller diameter coaxially disposed within said shell insert of a first diameter to define therewith an annular passageway through which liquid may flow, and a shell insert of a third smaller diameter coaxially disposed within said shell insert of a second diameter to define therewith an annular passageway through which liquid may flow, and means interengaging said shell inserts whereby a selected one or ones may be rotated in relation to the others to control the flow of liquid through said annular passageways.