Spill proof funnel

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward various embodiments of a funnel device and methods of using the same. Funnel devices of the present invention employ the use of an actuator gauge which is positioned within the conical and stem portion of the funnel and extends into the fill space of a collection container. The actuator gauge is designed to allow a user pouring materials into the funnel to fill the container to a desired volume. The funnel devices described herein reduce the chance of spilling the materials or overfilling the container.

1 . A funnel device comprising: 
 a conical tapered body portion;    a stem having an upper end attached to and extending downwardly from the body portion and an open bottom portion;    an actuator gauge positioned within the body portion and the stem of the device which extends beyond the bottom portion of the stem; and    a throat valve positioned over the upper end of the stem which positions the actuator gauge.    
     
     
         2 . The funnel device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator gauge has a bottom portion of an open cylindrical tube shape.  
     
     
         3 . The funnel device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator gauge is graduated.  
     
     
         4 . The funnel device of  claim 1 , wherein the throat valve has a diameter that is greater than the stem.  
     
     
         5 . The funnel device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator gauge has a head which is positioned above the throat value.  
     
     
         6 . The funnel device of  claim 1;  wherein the actuator gauge has a density less than a predetermined value such that the actuator gauge will be able to move upwards in the body portion and the stem of the device once a liquid is poured into the body portion of the device, the liquid having a density greater than said predetermined value.  
     
     
         7 . The funnel device of  claim 1 , wherein the throat valve has a density that is less than a predetermined valve such that the throat valve floats on a liquid having a density greater than the predetermined valve.  
     
     
         8 . A funnel device comprising: 
 a conical tapered body portion;    a stem having an open bottom portion and an upper end attached to and extending downwardly from the body portion;    an actuator gauge positioned within the body portion and the stem of the device which extends beyond the bottom portion of the stem, wherein the actuator gauge comprises;    a head; and    a throat valve positioned over the upper end of the stem,    wherein the actuator gauge is positioned between an opening in the throat valve and the head is positioned above the throat valve.    
     
     
         9 . The funnel device of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator gauge has a bottom portion of an open cylindrical tube shape.  
     
     
         10 . The funnel device of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator gauge has a bottom portion of an occluding ball.  
     
     
         11 . The funnel device of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator gauge is graduated.  
     
     
         12 . The funnel device of  claim 8 , wherein the throat valve has a diameter that is greater than the stem.  
     
     
         13 . The funnel device of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator gauge has a density less than a predetermined value such that the actuator gauge will be able to move upwards in the body portion and the stem of the device once a liquid is poured into the body portion of the device, the liquid having a density greater than the predetermined value.  
     
     
         14 . The funnel device of  claim 8 , wherein the throat valve has a density that is less than a predetermined valve such that the throat valve floats on a liquid having a density greater than the predetermined valve.  
     
     
         15 . A funnel device comprising: 
 a conical tapered body portion;    a stem having an upper end attached to and extending downwardly from the body portion and an open bottom portion;    an actuator gauge positioned within the body and stem of the device;    a throat valve positioned over the upper end of the stem which positions the actuator gauge; and    an occluding ball attached to the actuator gauge extending beyond the bottom portion of the stem.    
     
     
         16 . The funnel device of  claim 15 , wherein the occluding ball is shaped to form a seal with the open bottom portion of the stem.  
     
     
         17 . The funnel device of  claim 15 , wherein the occluding ball has a diameter that is greater than the stem.  
     
     
         18 . The funnel device of  claim 15 , wherein the occluding ball has a density that is less than a predetermined value such that the occluding ball floats on a liquid having a density greater than the predetermined value.  
     
     
         19 . The funnel device of  claim 15 , wherein the actuator gauge is graduated.  
     
     
         20 . The funnel device of  claim 15 , wherein the actuator gauge has a density less than a predetermined value such that the actuator gauge will be able to move upwards in the body portion and stem of the device once a liquid is poured into the body portion of the device, the liquid having a density greater than said predetermined value.  
     
     
         21 . The funnel device of  claim 15 , wherein the throat valve has a density that is less than a predetermined valve such that the throat valve floats on a liquid having a density greater than the predetermined valve.  
     
     
         22 . A method of pouring a substance into a collection container comprising a neck portion using a funnel and actuator gauge system comprising the steps of: 
 placing the funnel and actuator gauge system into the neck portion of the container such that an actuator gauge extends beyond the stem into the container;    pouring the substance into the funnel; and    filling the container to a desired volume.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the funnel and actuator gauge system comprises a funnel body, a funnel stem, an actuator gauge positioned within the body and stem of the funnel, and a throat valve positioned over the stem.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the funnel and actuator gauge system further comprise an occluding ball attached to the actuator gauge extending into the volume of the container.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the actuator gauge has a bottom portion of an open cylindrical tube shape.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the funnel and actuator gauge system further comprise a head attached to the actuator gauge to position the actuator gauge within the throat valve.