Milk Jug Funnel - 3D Printed Connector

This is a very simple 'tool' or 'hack' to enable you to reuse Milk Jugs, for all sorts of things, by creating a 'funnel' from another Milk Jug. They are connected via a 3D Printed 'connector', which simply threads the two bottle screw profile together, avoiding spillage.

It's not gonna change the world or anything, but I like the mindset behind the reuse of the bottle, and create a funnel by simple 'inversion' of another jug - cut to shape. I have been using it for the past couple of years, and it really is oddly satisfying. Milk Jugs after all are a really well designed thing, as they're cheap, ergonomic and durable.

I've kept a range of bird/duck/squirrel foodstuffs (for my kiddo), as well as gardening things like Iron Phosphate for the lawn (after the paper box got damp - which actually inspired the whole thing). Although Milk Jugs are not 'air tight' 100% - I've kept excess Plaster of Paris, and also excess Cement in them (left over from when you buy a large paper bag of the stuff), and it's done well for a few months, meaning I didn't waste any.

It's also been handy for unusual projects, such as making Gall Ink, as the 'galls' need to steep for weeks, and the process is kinda cross, so I'd not want to use a 'nice' container, as the smell would linger.

Anyway, you get the idea. Hope it's useful. 3D print the part, which is for UK Milk, so does this work in the US? Dunno - perhaps adjust the CAD (scroll down for files), and upload if you have a better version for a given country! Thanks in advance.

I've used a UK milk jug, and as mentioned, I've been doing this for a while now, and have tried different brands - and they all seem to work. And also also volumes (1ltr, 2ltr, 4ltr) all good.

You'll need some scissors, and to print the connector.

Remove the Label.

Cut diagonally as show, this 'saves' the handle, and means you can steady it whilst pouring into it.

I found doing a 'generous' cut first, and then 'tidying up' worked well to get it just so.

Screw as shown.

Yep - it is that simple. Hardly worth 2 steps really. Haha.

Very satisfying indeed.

With a handy Sharpie, permanent marker, you can label up your jugs.

My only slight warning would be to not put anything 'high risk' such as flammable liquids, caustic powders, etc. - as of course these would be lacking safety information, so please do use wisely.

Bask in the glory of your organised life. If only everything were this simple.

Some projects where this has come in handy, either because it was messy, or because cost was an issue:

River Clay for Ceramics: https://www.instructables.com/The-River-Clay-Project-From-Riverbed-to-Dining-Tab/

Wool Dying: https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Wool-Forage-Spin-and-Dye-Your-Own-Yarns/

Making Ink: https://www.instructables.com/Home-Made-Ink-From-Nature-Perfect-Purples/

Storing Left Over Concrete - to make mini blocks: https://www.instructables.com/Mini-Concrete-Blocks-All-Weather-Building/

Enjoy!

If you're interested - I also used HDPE (Milk Jug plastic) to Vac Form:

https://www.instructables.com/Milk-Jug-Vacuum-Forming-Recycled-HPDE-Plastic/

Thanks,

Jude

https://www.judepullen.com/

https://www.instagram.com/boredsmart/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/judepullen/

PS - I've also been writing about Repair and Design:

https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/the-fight-to-repair-prologue

It'd be interesting to consider how this sort of thinking might be useful in other projects, both at home and industry.