Popcorn cap apparatus

Abstract

A popcorn container funnel cap including a mounting flange to engage under the bead of a popcorn container and including a longitudinally projecting open sided spout converging to a reduced in cross section mouth.

1 . Cap apparatus for attachment to the top of an open top upright popcorn container having a flexible upper marginal edge formed with a radial bead comprising:
 a base formed with a retainer ring configured with a downwardly projecting annular flange for gripping the marginal edge and including radially inturned bearing elements for releasingly engaging under the bead;   the cap apparatus further including a scoop wall converging upwardly from the base to a reduced in cross section mouth and open on one side for free flow of popcorn from the base to the mouth.   
   
   
       2 . The cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 the retainer ring is resilient and open on one side.   
   
   
       3 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the base is formed with a handle.   
   
   
       4 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the wall is in the form of a semi-circular concave trough having opposite walls originating on the diametrical opposite sides of the base and formed with respective edges curving radially outwardly and distally from the ring funnel.   
   
   
       5 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the wall is formed with reinforcing ribs.   
   
   
       6 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the wall is frusto conically shaped to converge radially inwardly from the retainer ring at a first angle relative to the axis thereof and to thereafter project distally and slope radially inwardly at a second angle relative to the axis, the second angle being smaller than the first angle.   
   
   
       7 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the retainer ring is flexible.   
   
   
       8 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the annular flange is flexible.   
   
   
       9 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the annular flange is formed with a plurality of laterally inwardly projecting, circumferentially spaced teeth defining cam surfaces to engage the bead.   
   
   
       10 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the flange is constructed of resilient material and is split to be discontinuous about its periphery and is formed to, in an unflexed condition, yielding grip the bead and is sufficiently flexible to be flexed from its unflexed condition to be fitted over the bead.   
   
   
       11 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  that includes:
 an annular, upwardly facing shoulder interposed between the base and cap.   
   
   
       12 . Combination popcorn container and cap apparatus comprising:
 a cup shaped open top receptacle formed with a bottom wall and side walls terminating in a marginal upper edge configured with a radially outwardly projecting circumferential bead;   a container cap including a base formed with a downwardly projecting annular flange encompassing the bead and configured with radially inwardly projecting retainer cam elements disposed below the bead;   the bead or retainer flange being flexible;   the cap further including a longitudinally extending scoop converging distally inwardly from the opposite sides of the base to a reduced in cross section mouth and open on one side for free flow of popcorn.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein:
 the container is constructed of paper.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein:
 the cap is constructed of plastic.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein:
 the flange is opened on one side.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  includes:
 an elastic bead bridging the open side of the flange.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein:
 the cap is formed with a handle.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein:
 the flange is flexible.   
   
   
       19 . Cap apparatus for an open top, upright popcorn container comprising:
 a base formed with a retainer ring to be received over the top of the container;   retaining means for holding the base on the container;   a cap including a scoop wall converging upwardly from the base to a reduced in cross section mouth and being open on one side for free flow of popcorn from the base to the mouth.   
   
   
       20 . The cap apparatus of  claim 19  wherein:
 the retainer ring is split to, when on the top of the container, form ring spaced apart ends; and   the retaining means includes an elastic band connected between the ends.   
   
   
       21 . Cap apparatus for attachment to an upright, open top popcorn container having a flexible upper marginal edge formed with a radially outwardly projecting bead, the apparatus comprising:
 a base formed with a peripheral retainer ring configured with a downwardly projecting annular flange formed with teeth spaced circumferentially there around and projecting laterally inwardly and formed with cam surfaces which taper radially inwardly and upwardly, the flange further being formed at the upper extremities of the respective cam elements with radially outwardly projecting groove segments for nesting receipt of a bead;   a frusto conically shaped, annular shoulder projecting radially inwardly from the upper extremity of the flange; and   a scoop wall projecting distally from the shoulder and formed on one side with a longitudinal opening for the passage of popcorn, the wall being formed with opposite sides which converge distally inwardly toward one another to a reduced in diameter mouth for dispensing popcorn therefrom.