Funnel-shaped container with capped ends

Abstract

A container includes a funnel having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end, the funnel defining a funnel volume between the first and second openings and the first opening being larger than the second opening; a first cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from the funnel at the first end, the first cap sealing the first opening when attached to the funnel; and a second cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from the funnel at the second end, the second cap sealing the second opening when attached to the funnel. When a liquid or fine-grained substance (e.g., a powder) is placed within the funnel volume, attaching the first and second caps to the funnel at the first and second openings seals the liquid or fine-grained substance within the funnel volume.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A container for storing an amount of a fine grained edible substance, comprising:
 a conical portion extending between a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, the conical portion defining a conical portion volume between the first and second openings and the first opening being larger than the second opening;   a first cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from the container at the first opening, forming a seal when attached; and   a second cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from the container at the second smaller opening, the second cap sealing the second opening when attached,   wherein when the fine-grained edible substance is located in the conical portion volume, attaching the first and second caps to the conical portion at the first and second openings seals the fine-grained edible substance within the container volume, and   wherein the amount corresponds to a serving of the fine grained edible substance.   
     
     
         35 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the first and second caps each comprise a disc-shaped planar portion sized to cover the first and second openings, respectively. 
     
     
         36 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the caps are screw-on caps. 
     
     
         37 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the caps are snap-on caps. 
     
     
         38 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the container volume is in a range from 10 ml to 500 ml. 
     
     
         39 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the container volume is 100 ml or less. 
     
     
         40 . The container of  claim 34 , further comprising one or more ridges and/or grooves extending along an outer surface of the conical portion between the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         41 . The container of  claim 40 , wherein the one or more ridges/grooves have a height/depth in a range from 0.01 mm to 3 mm. 
     
     
         42 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the container is formed from a plastic, a cardboard, a glass, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic. 
     
     
         43 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the first and second caps are formed from a plastic, a cardboard, a glass, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic. 
     
     
         44 . The container of  claim 41 , further comprising discontinuities or undulations in a circumferential direction around the second opening. 
     
     
         45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the conical portion has a cone angle in a range between 10° and 60°. 
     
     
         47 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the fine grained edible substance is a nutritional supplement. 
     
     
         48 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the second smaller opening has a diameter in a range from 0.5 cm to 5 cm. 
     
     
         49 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the second smaller opening is sized to fit within the opening of a bottle. 
     
     
         50 . A disposable container for storing a pre-measured amount of a fine grained edible substance, comprising:
 a conical portion extending between a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, the conical portion defining a conical portion volume between the first and second openings and the first opening being larger than the second opening;   a first single use foil seal or cardboard cap covering the container at the first opening, the first foil seal or cardboard cap sealing the first opening; and   a second single use foil seal or cardboard cap covering the container at the second opening, the second foil seal sealing the second opening,   wherein when the fine grained edible substance is placed in the conical portion volume the first and second foil seals or cardboard caps seal the fine-grained edible substance within the container, and   wherein the pre-measured amount corresponds to a serving of the fine grained edible substance.   
     
     
         51 . The container of  claim 50 , wherein the first and/or second foil seals or cardboard caps comprise a tab extending beyond the respective funnel openings, the tabs being sufficiently large to be gripped between a person's thumb and forefinger. 
     
     
         52 . The container of  claim 51 , wherein the cardboard cap includes a valve comprising an opening in the cap and an element that seals the opening. 
     
     
         53 . The container of  claim 51 , wherein the foil seals are secured to the funnel by a releasable adhesive. 
     
     
         54 . The container of  claim 51 , wherein the container volume is in a range from 10 ml to 500 ml. 
     
     
         55 . The container of  claim 51 , wherein the container volume is 100 ml of less. 
     
     
         56 . The container of  claim 51 , wherein the fine grained edible substance is a nutritional supplement. 
     
     
         57 . The container of  claim 51 , wherein the second smaller opening has a diameter in a range from 0.5 cm to 5 cm. 
     
     
         58 . The container of  claim 51 , wherein the second smaller opening is sized to fit within the opening of a bottle.