Multipurpose collapsible funnel and method for making a collapsible funnel

Abstract

A collapsible funnel and a method for making a collapsible funnel is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the collapsible funnel may be provided with a screen for filtering fluids placed into the funnel. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a funnel is provided which includes multiple adjacent panels and a glue strip adjacent to one end, which enables the funnel to be manufactured with conventional process machines.

1 . A funnel blank for a collapsible funnel comprising:
 a blank formed from a flat piece of stock formed with a plurality of panels and a glue strip disposed on one end defining an end panel on an opposing end, said plurality of panels forming a funnel when said end panel is joined together with said glue strip defining a fluid inlet opening and a fluid outlet opening.   
   
   
       2 . The funnel blank as recited in  claim 1 , further including one or more header cards releasably attached to one or more of said plurality of panels. 
   
   
       3 . The funnel blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said panels are defined by a fold line formed between adjacent panels. 
   
   
       4 . The funnel blank as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said one or more header cards are attached to said one or more panels by way of one or more perforations. 
   
   
       5 . The funnel blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality is four. 
   
   
       6 . A collapsible funnel comprising:
 a funnel blank formed from a piece of flat stock defining a plurality of panels defined by fold lines, said funnel blank configured to form a collapsible funnel having a collapsed configuration and expanded configuration defining a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end in said expanded configuration; and   a screen adapted to filter fluids received in said fluid inlet end.   
   
   
       7 . The collapsible funnel as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said screen is formed separate from said funnel and inserted therein. 
   
   
       8 . The collapsible funnel as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said funnel includes at least one header card, releasably attached to a panel and said screen is formed in said header card and adapted to be removed and inserted in said funnel. 
   
   
       9 . The collapsible funnel as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said screen is affixed to said funnel with an adhesive. 
   
   
       10 . The collapsible funnel as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said screen is affixed to said funnel with a staple. 
   
   
       11 . The collapsible funnel as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said fluid outlet end of said container is closed and one or more apertures are formed in one or more panels adjacent said fluid outlet end and one or more screens are secured to said one or more apertures defining fluid outlet ports. 
   
   
       12 . A method for making a collapsible funnel comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing at least one irregularly shaped funnel blank having a plurality of panels and a glue strip adjacent one end defining an end panel on an opposing end; and   (b) feeding said at least one irregularly shaped funnel blank into a conventional folder gluer machine, said conventional folder gluer machine configured to fold said glue strip and panel adjacent to said and said end panel to position said glue strip adjacent said end panel and gluing said end panel to said glue strip.   
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein step (b) comprises feeding said at least one irregularly shaped funnel blank into a conventional folder gluer machine further configured to fold said end panel over said panel adjacent said glue strip forming a collapsed funnel. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein step (b) comprises feeding said at least one irregularly shaped funnel blank into a conventional folder gluer machine further configured to stack a plurality of collapsed funnels and affixing said collapsed funnels together.