| 摘要 |
A self-supporting funnel assembly and drip catcher for selective use in applications in which a user desires to free both the user's hands from holding the funnel in position and desires to prevent spillage of the funnelled fluid during and after use. The funnel is made up of a wider conical portion, the mouth of the funnel, and a narrower portion, the spout of the funnel; a base housing defining several openings; generally L-shaped clamping members, each having a vertical component projecting below the base housing and a horizontal component; and a springing mechanism, operably connected to each clamping member and the base housing. The funnel components so that a horizontal component of the clamping members appear through the side of the base housing as push-buttons, which may be simultaneously compressed with the thumb and forefinger. The springing mechanism, being housed within the base, resists this compressive action, but allows each clamping member to be brought into close relationship to one another temporarily. A vertical component of the clamping members may thus be inserted into an opening. Upon release of the push-buttons, the springing mechanism decompresses the clamping members against the walls of the opening. Thus, the invention may be positioned in an upright position regardless of the horizontal orientation of the opening and secured in place. A second embodiment of the inventive funnel is also described with an externally configured springing mechanism and connecting ring from which the clamping members depend.
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