JP7664618B2 - Funnel and container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a funnel that can be formed by the user as needed.

When pouring liquid or powder into a container for refilling, a funnel may be used to prevent the liquid or powder from spilling out, especially if the opening of the container to which it is to be refilled is small.
Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a funnel in which the conical portion is made of paper, six creases are provided in the height direction of the conical portion, two of which are creased to open outward and the remaining creases are creased to open inward, the sides of the conical portion are folded inward, and there are two creases in the insertion margin so that the funnel is folded flat.
Patent Document 2 discloses a folding paper funnel in which a funnel-opening paper has fold lines along which four or more divided pieces can be bent from the center, and the divided pieces are folded to overlap each other to form a funnel, with a funnel hole provided in the center so that the overlapped divided pieces can be locked together.
Patent Document 3 discloses an assembly type funnel which includes a hollow polygonal pyramid-shaped main body having openings of different diameters at the top and bottom ends, and a lead-out portion formed as an extension integral with the edge of the smaller diameter side of the openings, the main body including a plurality of identical triangular pieces, an overlapping piece, a locking slit, and a locking protrusion, the plurality of triangular pieces are connected to each other via thin-walled fold lines to form a polygonal pyramid-shaped side-developed shape, the overlapping piece protruding from a side edge of the triangular piece located at one end of the plurality of connected triangular pieces via the thin-walled fold line, the locking slit penetrating the triangular piece located at the other end of the plurality of connected triangular pieces, the locking protrusion protruding from the side edge of the overlapping piece, and the main body being folded via the fold line so that the triangular pieces are stacked on top of each other.
Patent Document 4 discloses a funnel that is made of a flexible and highly elastic thin plate, has a substantially sector-shaped main body with a lower end cut off and a locking slit, a locking part protruding from one side of the sector, and a fixing part protruding from a circular curved side of the lower side of the main body, and has a developed shape in which the main body, locking part, and fixing part are integrally formed as a flat shape, and is assembled by locking the locking part into the locking slit. Paragraph 0034 also describes that the funnel may be attached to a container or a packaging box in a removable manner by applying a design or printing.
Furthermore, Patent Document 5 discloses a liquid injection aid which is a funnel consisting of an inverted truncated cone-shaped liquid receiving portion and a cylindrical liquid inlet portion, and which can be integrally molded from a single blank by a liquid receiving portion molding means and a liquid inlet portion molding means.
Also, U.S. Patent No. 5,399,633 discloses collapsible funnels that can be attached to a container or label or provided separately, and that can be formed into funnels using funnel blanks or collapsible funnels as substrates for printed indicia to be incorporated into or used as printed publications, such as sports programs, catalogs, or advertisements.
Furthermore, Patent Document 7 discloses a paper funnel in which a conical funnel is formed by folding a fan-shaped piece of paper, which is difficult for water or oil to filter, and gluing the mating surfaces together, and a supply port is formed by cutting the tip of the funnel to a size that matches the water or oil inlet.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-300841 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-70999 JP 2004-277014 A JP 2012-166844 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-152195 Special Publication No. 2004-529045 Microfilm of Utility Model Application No. 53-150489 (Utility Model Application No. 55-066999)

In the case of a paper funnel as described in Patent Documents 1 to 7, a user can form the funnel as needed and use it.
However, since paper funnels are basically disposable, it is wasteful to use them only as funnels, and there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of environmental conservation. In addition, Patent Documents 4 and 6 describe that the funnel can be used as a printed matter by applying a design or printing to it, but the expanded shape of the funnel is not simple, so there are many limitations when applying a design or printing to it.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a funnel that contributes to environmental conservation and is easy to handle, and a container having such a funnel wound around its outer periphery.

The funnel of the present invention described in claim 1 is made of a sheet of paper 20, 200, and can be changed from a first form wrapped around the outer circumference of a container 10 to a second form used as a funnel by forming a cone-shaped curve. It has a first form maintaining part 21 that maintains the first form and a second form maintaining part 22 that maintains the second form. The paper 20, 200 is rectangular, and the first form maintaining part 21 is a first notch 21A that is a cut provided on one short side 20A side from one long side 20C to the other long side 20D. , and a second cut 21B that is a cut made on the other short side 20B side from the other long side 20D toward one long side 20C, and a third cut 22A that is a cut made in the area between the first cut 21A and the second cut 21B without contacting any side as the second shape maintaining section 22, and the first shape is maintained by fitting the first cut 21A and the second cut 21B together, and the second shape is maintained by inserting one of the corners of the paper 20, 200 into the third cut 22A.

The present invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that in the funnel described in claim 1, a mark 23 is provided at the corner between one short side 20A and the other long side 20D, or at the corner between the other short side 20B and one long side 20C, indicating that this is the corner to be inserted into the third cut 22A.

The present invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that in the funnel described in claim 2, the mark 23 is a cut along the imaginary line X connecting the adjacent sides, and also serves to prevent the corner inserted into the third cut 22A from slipping out.

The present invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that in the funnel described in claim 2 or claim 4, the third cut 22A is provided on one long side 20C when the mark 23 is provided at the corner between one short side 20A and the other long side 20D, and is provided on the other long side 20D when the mark 23 is provided at the corner between the other short side 20B and one long side 20C.

The present invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that in the funnel described in any one of claims 2 to 4, the third cut 22A is provided at an angle to the short side of the paper 20, 200.

A container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the funnel according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is wrapped around the outer periphery of the container as a label.

The present invention provides a funnel that contributes to environmental conservation and is easy to handle, as well as a container with the funnel wrapped around its outer circumference.

FIG. 1 illustrates a sheet of paper forming a funnel according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the first and second containers. Figure 2 shows the process of forming the paper into a second form using the paper as a funnel FIG. 13 shows the second configuration. FIG. 1 shows a sheet of paper forming a funnel according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a procedure for forming the second embodiment.

The funnel according to the first embodiment of the present invention is made of a sheet of paper and can be changed from a first form wrapped around the outer circumference of a container to a second form used as a funnel by bending it into a cone shape, and is provided with a first form maintaining part that maintains the first form and a second form maintaining part that maintains the second form.
According to this embodiment, the piece of paper wrapped around the container can be removed and used as a funnel, allowing liquids, powders, etc. in the container to be poured into another container without spilling, and also encouraging the user to naturally separate the garbage.

A second embodiment of the present invention is a funnel according to the first embodiment, in which the paper is rectangular, and the first shape maintaining portion is provided with a first notch which is a notch made on one short side from one long side to the other long side, and a second notch which is a notch made on the other short side from the other long side to the one long side, and the second shape maintaining portion is provided with a third notch which is a notch made in the area between the first notch and the second notch without contacting either side, and the first shape is maintained by interlocking the first notch and the second notch, and the second shape is maintained by inserting one of the corners of the paper into the third notch.
According to this embodiment, the first configuration and the second configuration can be easily maintained.

A third embodiment of the present invention is a funnel according to the second embodiment, in which a mark is provided at the corner between one short side and the other long side, or at the corner between the other short side and one long side, to indicate that this is the corner to be inserted into the third cut.
According to this embodiment, it is possible to indicate to the user the corner to be inserted into the third cut.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the funnel according to the third embodiment, the mark is a notch along an imaginary line connecting adjacent sides, and also serves to prevent the corner inserted into the third notch from slipping out.
According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the corner from unintentionally coming out of the third cut.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is a funnel according to the third or fourth embodiment, wherein the third notch is provided on one of the long sides when the mark is provided at the corner between one short side and the other long side, and is provided on the other long side when the mark is provided at the corner between the other short side and the one long side.
According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the opening formed at the lower part of the funnel when in the second configuration.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention is the funnel according to any one of the third to fifth embodiments, wherein the third cut is provided obliquely with respect to the short side of the paper.
According to this embodiment, it becomes easier to insert the corner into the third notch, and the second shape can be made into a smooth pyramidal shape.

A seventh embodiment of the present invention is a funnel according to the sixth embodiment, wherein the diagonal direction of the third cut is opposite to the direction of the imaginary line connecting the adjacent sides at the marked corner.
According to this embodiment, it becomes easier to insert the corner into the third notch, and the second shape can be made into a smooth pyramidal shape.

An eighth embodiment of the present invention is the funnel according to the seventh embodiment, wherein the angle of the third cut with respect to the short side of the paper is between 0 degrees and 70 degrees.
According to this embodiment, it becomes easier to insert the corner into the third notch, and the second shape can be made into a smooth pyramidal shape.

A container according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention has a funnel according to any one of the first to eighth embodiments wrapped around its outer periphery as a label.
According to this embodiment, the label, which is a single piece of paper wrapped around the outer circumference of the container, can be used as a funnel, which saves resources. In addition, since the label is removed from the container to use it as a funnel, the label is prevented from remaining when the container is discarded. This promotes waste separation and leads to the promotion of resource reuse.

A funnel and a container with the funnel rolled up according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
Fig. 1 shows a sheet of paper forming a funnel according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a first container and a second container, with Fig. 2(a) showing the first container with the paper rolled up in the first form and Fig. 2(b) showing the second container with a stick inserted. Fig. 3 shows the formation of the second form using the paper as a funnel, and Fig. 4 shows the second form.

As shown in Fig. 2(a), a sheet of thin paper 20 that can be formed into a funnel is wrapped around the body 12 of the first container (container) 10. The first container 10 is made of a hard material such as metal, and has a narrow-mouthed bottle with a mouth 11 that is narrower than the body 12 and has a circular cross section when upright, and is filled with liquid (fragrance oil) for the reed diffuser.
The user opens the first container 10, pours a predetermined amount of liquid into the hard second container 1 made of glass, ceramic, resin, or the like, and inserts the stick 2 into the second container 1 (see FIG. 2(b)). The liquid is then sucked up by the stick 2 and diffused into the air, allowing the user to enjoy the scent.

The paper 20 is rectangular in an unfolded state as shown in Fig. 1. The paper 20 can be rolled into a cylindrical shape to assume a first form in which the paper 20 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the first container 10. In this case, the product name, manufacturer name, etc. can be written on one side of the paper 20, and the paper 20 is wrapped around the first container 10 with that one side facing out, allowing the funnel in the first form to function as a label.
The size of the paper 20 is appropriately set taking into consideration the diameter of the first container 10 around which it is to be wrapped. In this embodiment, the diameter of the body 12 of the first container 10 is 45 mm, and so the size of the paper 20 is set to approximately 63 mm x 175 mm.

The paper 20 has a first shape maintaining section 21 that maintains the first shape. The first shape maintaining section 21 in this embodiment has a first cut 21A that is a cut provided on the side of one short side 20A from one long side 20C toward the other long side 20D, and a second cut 21B that is a cut provided on the side of the other short side 20B from the other long side 20D toward the one long side 20C.
It is preferable that the distance from the short side of the first cut 21A and the second cut 21B is within a range of 5% to 10% of the length of the long side. In this embodiment, the first cut 21A is provided at a position about 15 mm from one short side 20A, and the second cut 21B is provided at a position about 15 mm from the other short side 20B.
The length of the first cut 21A and the second cut 21B is preferably 40% to 60% of the length of the short side of the paper 20. In this embodiment, the length of the first cut 21A and the second cut 21B is about 32 mm.
In the paper 20 formed into a cylindrical shape so that one short side 20A and the other short side 20B overlap, by fitting the first incision 21A and the second incision 21B together, the first form can be easily maintained with a good appearance without using glue, adhesive, etc. In addition, in the paper 20 formed into a cylindrical shape, by fitting the first incision 21A and the second incision 21B together so that the one short side 20A and the other short side 20B are located on the back surface (inner surface) side, it is possible to prevent the one short side 20A and the other short side 20B from protruding from the front surface (outer surface).

A funnel is useful for smoothly pouring the liquid from the first container 10 into the second container 1 without spilling it. Therefore, in the present invention, the paper 20 can be changed into a second form for use as a funnel.
The paper 20 has a second shape maintaining portion 22 that maintains the second shape. In this embodiment, the second shape maintaining portion 22 has a third cut 22A. The third cut 22A is provided in the area between the first cut 21A and the second cut 21B, and is not in contact with any side.
The procedure for changing the paper 20 into the second form will be described with reference to FIG. 3. First, the user removes the paper 20 in the state (first form) rolled up as a label from the first container 10. As described above, no glue or adhesive is used to hold the paper in the first form, so the paper 20 can be removed quickly and without tearing it. Next, the user holds the paper 20 and rolls it into a cone shape by wrapping one side around the other side (see FIG. 3(a)), and inserts one corner into the third notch 22A (see FIG. 3(b)). This changes the paper 20 into the second form used as a funnel. FIG. 4(a) is a photograph showing the front side of the paper in the second form, FIG. 4(b) is a photograph showing the back side, FIG. 4(c) is a photograph showing the bottom side, and FIG. 4(d) is a photograph showing the paper attached to a container simulating the second container.
In this way, one sheet of paper 20 can be used both as a label and a funnel. By removing the paper (label) 20 wrapped around the container and using it as a funnel, the user can pour liquid into the second container 1 smoothly without spilling the liquid. In addition, since it is necessary to remove the paper 20 from the first container 10 made of metal or the like in order to use it as a funnel, it is possible to prevent the first container 10 from being discarded with the label still wrapped around it. In addition, by inserting a corner into the third cut 22A, the second form can be easily maintained.

It is preferable that the corner to be inserted into the third cut 22A is a corner where the first cut 21A and the second cut 21B are not provided. Therefore, a mark 23 indicating that the corner is to be inserted into the third cut 22A is provided on the corner between one short side 20A and the other long side 20D, or the corner between the other short side 20B and one long side 20C. This makes it possible to show the user which corner should be inserted into the third cut 22A.
The mark 23 may be a letter, a symbol, or the like, but is preferably a notch that also serves as a prevention mechanism when inserted into the third notch 22A. In this embodiment, a notch that also serves as the mark 23 is provided at the corner formed by one short side 20A and the other long side 20D. By sliding the inserted corner to fit the notch into the third notch 22A, it is possible to prevent the corner from unintentionally coming out of the third notch 22A.

The cut to prevent the paper from slipping out is made along an imaginary line X connecting the adjacent sides at the corner where the mark 23 is made. The cut is preferably made obliquely with respect to the short side of the paper 20, and more preferably the angle is larger than the angle of the third cut 22A.
In this embodiment, the angle of the cut (the angle of the imaginary line X) for preventing the cut from coming off is about 45 degrees, the distance from the start point of the cut to the corner is about 10 mm, and the length of the cut is about 10 mm. The length of the imaginary line X is about 21 mm.
It should be noted that the notch that prevents the cover from falling out does not necessarily have to be provided in advance. For example, a perforation that also serves as a marker 23 may be provided in the corner, and the user may then cut part of the corner along the perforation to cause the notch to appear.

The third cut 22A is preferably provided on the side of one long side 20C when the mark 23 is provided at the corner between one short side 20A and the other long side 20D, and is preferably provided on the side of the other long side 20D when the mark 23 is provided at the corner between the other short side 20B and one long side 20C. This allows the diameter of the opening 24 formed at the bottom of the funnel in the second form to be reduced. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a cut that also serves as the mark 23 is provided at the corner between one short side 20A and the other long side 20D, so the third cut 22A is provided closer to one long side 20C. Furthermore, in order to make the second form as a funnel more appropriate, the position of the third cut 22A is closer to one short side 20A.
The length of the third cut 22A is preferably 20% to 40% of the length of the short side of the paper 20. In this embodiment, the length of the third cut 22A is about 20 mm. Also, the third cut 22A is preferably provided at an angle to the short side of the paper 20. This makes it easier to insert the corner into the third cut 22A and allows the second form to have a smooth pyramidal shape.
Moreover, it is preferable that the diagonal direction of the third cut 22A is opposite to the direction of the imaginary line X connecting the adjacent sides at the corner where the mark 23 is made. This makes it easier to insert the corner into the third cut 22A and allows the second form to have a smooth pyramidal shape.
The angle of the third cut 22A with respect to the short side of the paper 20 is preferably 0 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, and more preferably 20 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less. This makes it easier to insert the corner into the third cut 22A and allows the second form to have a smooth cone shape. In this embodiment, the angle of the third cut 22A with respect to the short side is about 28 degrees.
In addition, it is preferable that the third cut 22A is not provided within 10 mm from the long side. In this embodiment, the distance a between one end of the third cut 22A and one of the long sides 20C is about 13 mm, the distance b between the other end of the third cut 22A and one of the long sides 20C is about 30 mm, the distance c between one end of the third cut 22A and one of the short sides 20A is about 85 mm, and the distance d between the other end of the third cut 22A and one of the short sides 20A is about 75 mm.
It should be noted that the third cut 22A does not necessarily have to be prepared in advance. For example, a perforation or the like may be prepared, and the user may then cut part of the corner along the perforation or the like to cause the third cut 22A to appear.

The positions and lengths of the first notch 21A, the second notch 21B, the third notch 22A, and the notch for preventing slipping out can be appropriately set depending on the size of the paper 20, etc.
Furthermore, the surface of the paper 20 that will be the inside when in the second form may be subjected to a water-resistant treatment such as a coating.

Next, a funnel according to another embodiment of the present invention and a container with the funnel rolled up will be described. Figure 5 shows a sheet of paper forming the funnel according to this embodiment, and Figure 6 shows the formation procedure of the second form. Note that the same functional members as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.
In the paper 20 of the embodiment described above, the notch serving as a stopper and also serving as a marker 23 is provided on only one side from the long side to the short side, but the paper 200 of this embodiment has one stopper notch 210 that is provided from the short side to the long side, and the other stopper notch 220 that is provided from the long side to the short side, as a stopper notch that also serves as a marker 23. The size of the paper 200 is approximately 63 mm x 175 mm, the length of one stopper notch 210 and the other stopper notch 220 are each approximately 6 mm, and the distance between one stopper notch 210 and the other stopper notch 220 is approximately 10 mm.
By providing the notches on both sides to prevent the corner inserted into the third notch 22A from sliding in either direction, the notch can be fitted into the third notch 22A, and the size of the opening 24 formed at the bottom of the funnel can be easily adjusted. Note that the above-mentioned embodiment can also have notches on both sides to prevent the corner from slipping out, as in this embodiment.

The funnel of this embodiment also includes a cut line 230, a plurality of fourth cuts 240, and a fifth cut 250 on the other short side 20B of the paper 200.
The cut line 230 is provided from one long side 20C to the other long side 20D, and has a trapezoidal convex portion 230A at the midpoint that is convex toward one short side 20A. Of the trapezoidal convex portion 230A, the length of the upper base portion is approximately 8 mm, the length of the lower base portion is approximately 15 mm, and the length of the leg portion is approximately 7 mm.
The fourth cuts 240 are seven cuts provided from one long side 20C to the other long side 20D, each having a length of about 5 mm.
The fifth cut 250 is a cut that is provided parallel to the short side, is about 5 mm away from the other short side 20B, and has a length of about 13 mm.
It should be noted that the fourth cut 240 and the fifth cut 250 do not necessarily need to be prepared in advance; for example, perforations or the like may be prepared, and the user may then cut part of the corner along the perforations, thereby causing the fourth cut 240 and the fifth cut 250 to appear.

This embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiment in that the corner with the anti-pullout notch is inserted into the third notch 22A to maintain the second shape. However, this embodiment differs from the above-described embodiment in that a portion of the paper 200 cut off along the cutting line 230 is used as the leg of the funnel.
The procedure for forming the paper 200 into the second form will be described with reference to Figure 6. First, the user removes the paper 200 in the state (first form) rolled up as a label from the first container 10. Next, the paper 200 removed from the container is cut along the cutting line 230 to separate it into two pieces (Figure 6(a)). Note that by forming the cutting line 230 as a perforation, it is possible to cut the paper 200 without using scissors or the like.
Of the separated sheets of paper 200, the sheet of paper 200A including one of the short sides 20A is curved into a cone shape in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and the corner is inserted into the third notch 22A and fixed.
Of the separated pieces of paper 200, the piece of paper 200B including the other short side 20B is rolled thinly so that the short side is in the length direction, and the convex part 230A is inserted into the fifth cut 250 to maintain the thin rolled state (see FIG. 6(b)). If the fourth cut 240 is not provided in advance on the paper 200B, seven cuts are made along the perforations or the like before rolling. Next, the eight small pieces formed by the seven fourth cuts 240 are folded outward (see FIG. 6(c)). Next, the paper 200B is inserted into the paper 200A that has been curved into a spindle shape so that the eight small pieces are on the upper side. This completes a funnel with legs in which part of the paper 200B protrudes below the paper 200A (see FIG. 6(d)).

As explained above, according to the present invention, a label consisting of a single sheet of paper wrapped around the outer circumference of a container can be used as a funnel, thereby saving resources. In addition, since the label is removed from the container in order to use it as a funnel, the label is prevented from remaining when the container is discarded. This promotes waste separation and encourages the reuse of resources.

10 Container (first container)
20, 200 Paper (Funnel, Label)
20A: one short side; 20B: the other short side; 20C: one long side; 20D: the other long side; 21: first shape-maintaining portion; 21A: first notch; 21B: second notch; 22: second shape-maintaining portion; 22A: third notch; 23: mark (notch);
X Virtual line

Claims (6)

It consists of a single piece of paper,
The first form, in which the container is wrapped around the outer periphery, can be changed to a second form, in which the container is used as a funnel by forming a cone-like curve.
A first configuration maintaining unit that maintains the first configuration;
a second configuration maintaining portion for maintaining the second configuration,
the paper is rectangular;
The first shape maintaining portion includes a first cut which is a cut provided on one short side from one long side to the other long side, and a second cut which is a cut provided on the other short side from the other long side to the one long side,
The second shape maintaining portion includes a third cutout that is a cutout provided in a region between the first cutout and the second cutout without contacting any side,
The first shape is maintained by fitting the first notch and the second notch together;
A funnel, characterized in that the second configuration is maintained by inserting one of the corners of the paper into the third notch. The funnel according to claim 1, characterized in that the corner between the one short side and the other long side, or the corner between the other short side and the one long side, is marked to indicate that it is the corner to be inserted into the third notch. The funnel according to claim 2, characterized in that the mark is a notch along an imaginary line connecting adjacent sides, and also serves to prevent the corner inserted into the third notch from slipping out. The funnel according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the third cut is provided on the long side of the one side when the mark is provided at the corner between the short side of the one side and the long side of the other side, and is provided on the long side of the other side when the mark is provided at the corner between the short side of the other side and the long side of the one side. The funnel according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the third cut is provided at an angle to the short side of the paper. A container having a funnel according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wrapped around its outer periphery as a label.