Dispensing container with funnel overlay

Abstract

The present invention provides a disposable dispensing container suitable for containing liquids comprising a hollow container; a funnel overlay that fits over the neck and top wall of the container during its storage condition and, when removed from its storage position, provides a funnel for dispensing the container's contents; and a removable cap being manually secured in engagement with the container to protectively maintain the cap over the container and over the funnel overlay in its storage position. Once the cap is disengaged from the container, and separated therefrom, the funnel overlay is readily converted into a funnel for dispensing the container's contents by removing the funnel overlay from its storage position and positioning the funnel overlay into an opening of a receptacle for receiving the contents of the dispensing container.

1 . A disposable dispensing container comprising: 
 a container for a product to be dispensed, said container including side walls and opposed top and bottom walls and an opening within said top wall for product dispensing;    a funnel overlay for overlaying and enclosing at least a portion of said top wall;    a removable cap for overlying at least a portion of said funnel overlay, the removable cap with manually operable securement means for selectively securing said cap to said container and removing said cap from said container;    said cap having a first and second operative condition with respect to said container;    said first condition characterized by said cap securement means being in engagement with cooperative container securement means for securably maintaining said cap over said funnel overlay and said top wall and providing a protective cover for said container opening and said portion of    said funnel overlay and said top wall; and    said second condition characterized as said cap securement means being disengaged from said container securement means, said funnel overlay being removed from said top wall and being reversed in orientation with respect to said first condition, the reversed orientation of said funnel overlay defining a funnel-shaped member for dispensing materials to be dispensed into an opening of a receiving container through said funnel-shaped member and container opening.    
   
   
       2 . In a disposable dispensing container according to  claim 1 , wherein said container including an annular extension surrounding said container opening to provide a spout, said annular extension having exterior and interior walls; said funnel overlay having an exterior wall dimensioned to overlay the exterior wall of said annular extension when said cap is in said second condition.  
   
   
       3 . In a disposable dispensing container according to  claim 1 , wherein said container top wall and cap having cooperating support surfaces for supporting said funnel overlay on said container top wall when said cap is in said first condition.  
   
   
       4 . In a disposable dispensing container according to  claim 3 , wherein the funnel overlay has a shape similar to a neck of the container to which the funnel overlay is attached.  
   
   
       5 . In a disposable dispensing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is made from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass, paperboard, and mixture thereof.  
   
   
       6 . In a disposable dispensing container according to  claim 5 , wherein the container is made from a plastic selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, high density polyethylene, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       7 . In a disposable dispensing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container defines corners between the front walls, the rear walls, the side walls, the top and the bottom that are curvilinear.  
   
   
       8 . In a disposable dispensing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the funnel overlay further includes at least one handle.  
   
   
       9 . In a disposable dispensing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the funnel overlay is made from a plastic selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, high density polyethylene, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       10 . In a disposable dispensing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the funnel overlay is transparent or translucent.