Free low popcorn funnel 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 large enough for free flow of popcorn.

1 . Funnel 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 funnel apparatus further including a funnel wall converging upwardly from the base to a reduced in cross section mouth having a transverse width greater than 1½ inches to allow for free flow of popcorn from the base through the mouth.   
     
     
         2 . The funnel apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 the retainer ring is resilient.   
     
     
         3 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the funnel wall is conical.   
     
     
         4 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the wall is formed with reinforcing ribs.   
     
     
         5 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the wall is frusto conically shaped to converge radially inwardly from the retainer ring.   
     
     
         6 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the retainer ring is flexible.   
     
     
         7 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the annular flange is flexible.   
     
     
         8 . The funnel 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.   
     
     
         9 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the wall is constructed to terminate in the mouth being an opening at least 1¾ inches wide.   
     
     
         10 . The cap apparatus of  claim 1  that includes:
 an annular, upwardly facing shoulder interposed between the base and the funnel wall.   
     
     
         11 . Combination popcorn container and funnel 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 funnel 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 funnel further including a longitudinally extending scoop converging distally inwardly from the opposite sides of the base to a reduced in cross section mouth greater than 1½ inches wide.   
     
     
         12 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the container is constructed of paper.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the funnel is constructed of plastic.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the funnel is formed with the mouth at least two inches wide.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the flange is flexible.   
     
     
         16 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the funnel wall is formed about the mouth with an inturned bead.   
     
     
         17 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the mouth is circular having a diameter of at least 1¾ inches.   
     
     
         18 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the mouth has a diameter of substantially 2 inches.   
     
     
         19 . Funnel 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 funnel wall projecting distally from the shoulder and formed to converge distally inwardly to a reduced in diameter mouth greater than 1½ inches wide.   
     
     
         20 . The funnel apparatus of  claim 19  wherein:
 the funnel wall is conically shaped and is formed with a radially inturned bead disposed about the mouth and terminating in a radially inner edge having a diameter of substantially two inches.