Funnel Having Stabilizing Weight

Abstract

A weight for supporting a funnel in an upstanding orientation, the weight comprising a periphery defining an internal void, the void receiving the neck of the funnel, and also having a filler housed within the periphery, the filler providing mass to the weight. Other embodiments include a funnel with a weight incorporated therein, and a funnel system comprising a funnel, a removable weight and indicator means operatively coupled with the funnel.

1 . A weight for supporting a funnel in an upstanding orientation, the weight comprising:
 a periphery defining an internal void, the void receiving the neck of the funnel; and   a filler housed within the periphery, the filler providing mass to the weight.   
   
   
       2 . The weight of  claim 1 , wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of foam, sand, sponge, buckwheat, cornhusks, beans, various gel substances or putty, feathers and pellets. 
   
   
       3 . The weight of  claim 1  further comprising a magnet housed within the periphery. 
   
   
       4 . A funnel comprising:
 a mouth and a neck in fluid communication; and   a weight circumscribing the neck.   
   
   
       5 . The funnel of  claim 4 , wherein the weight comprises:
 a periphery defining an internal void, the void receiving the neck of the funnel; and   a filler housed within the periphery, the filler providing mass to the weight.   
   
   
       6 . The funnel of  claim 5 , wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of foam, sand, sponge, buckwheat, cornhusks, beans, various gel substances or putty, feathers and pellets. 
   
   
       7 . The funnel of  claim 5 , wherein the weight further comprises a magnet housed within the periphery. 
   
   
       8 . A funnel system comprising:
 a funnel; and   a weight circumscribing the neck of the funnel, wherein the weight is removable from the funnel.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the weight comprises:
 a periphery defining an internal void, the void receiving the neck of the funnel; and   a filler housed within the periphery, the filler providing mass to the weight.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of foam, sand, sponge, buckwheat, cornhusks, beans, various gel substances or putty, feathers and pellets. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the weight further comprises a magnet housed within the periphery. 
   
   
       12 . A funnel system comprising:
 a funnel;   indicator means communicating with the funnel to provide visual indication of fluid level; and   a weight circumscribing the neck of the funnel.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising an attachment assembly coupling the indicator means within the funnel. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment assembly comprises:
 a support;   at least one arm outwardly depending from the support, the at least one arm having a curvilinear form for engaging the inner wall of the funnel; and   a guide downwardly depending from the support, the guide receiving indicator means.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein indicator means comprises:
 a linearly elongated body comprising a float at a terminal end of the body; and   indicia placed along the body visually indicating when a receiving container is filled.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein indicator means comprises:
 an overfill ring operatively coupled with a float; and   the ring coupled to the float through the guide, wherein upon overfilling the funnel the ring may be pulled upward urging the float into the guide and obstructing flow of the fluid therethrough to a receiving container.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein indicator means further comprises at least one arm depending from the body for inhibiting indicator means from descending through the guide. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the funnel further comprises at least one edge for preventing the attachment assembly from escaping the funnel. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the weight comprises:
 a periphery defining an internal void, the void receiving the neck of the funnel; and   a filler housed within the periphery, the filler providing mass to the weight.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of foam, sand, sponge, buckwheat, cornhusks, beans, various gel substances or putty, feathers and pellets. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the weight further comprises a magnet housed within the periphery.