Funnel Apparatus

Abstract

A funnel apparatus for facilitating pouring substances into pliable bags includes a tubular wall that converges inwardly from a top end to a bottom end. A clip is mounted to the tubular wall adjacent to the bottom end. A grip is mounted to the tubular wall adjacent to the top end. The clip may position a rim of a bag around the tubular wall adjacent to the bottom end.

1 . A funnel apparatus for filling pliable bags, the apparatus comprising:
 a tubular wall having a top end and a bottom end, the tubular wall defining a channel therein with a top opening at the top end and a bottom opening at the bottom end, the tubular wall converging inwardly from the top end to the bottom end such that the channel decreases in width from the top opening to the bottom opening;   a clip mounted to an exterior surface of the tubular wall, the clip having a pair of jaws, the clip being positionable in an open configuration in which the jaws are spaced from each other, the clip being positionable in a closed configuration in which the jaws abut each other, the clip being configured to grasp a bag via the jaws and position a rim of the bag around the tubular wall between the bottom end and the top end thereof, one of the jaws of the clip immediately bordering the bottom end of the tubular wall; and   a grip mounted to and extending away from the exterior surface of the tubular wall, the grip being positioned adjacent to the top end of the tubular wall.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular wall has a conical shape. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clip comprises a biasing member configured to bias the clip toward the closed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spring. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the grip is planar and lies on a common plane with the top end of the tubular wall. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness between a top surface and a bottom surface of the grip is uniform. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the grip is positioned diametrically opposite to the clip across the tubular wall. 
     
     
         10 . A funnel apparatus for filling pliable bags, the apparatus comprising:
 a tubular wall having a top end and a bottom end, the tubular wall defining a channel therein with a top opening at the top end and a bottom opening at the bottom end, the tubular wall converging inwardly from the top end to the bottom end such that the channel decreases in width from the top opening to the bottom opening, the tubular wall having a conical shape;   a clip mounted to an exterior surface of the tubular wall, the clip having a pair of jaws, the clip being positionable in an open configuration in which the jaws are spaced from each other, the clip being positionable in a closed configuration in which the jaws abut each other, the clip being configured to grasp a bag via the jaws and position a rim of the bag around the tubular wall between the bottom end and the top end thereof, one of the jaws of the clip immediately bordering the bottom end of the tubular wall, the clip comprising a biasing member configured to bias the clip toward the closed configuration, the biasing member comprising a spring; and   a grip mounted to and extending away from the exterior surface of the tubular wall, the grip being positioned adjacent to the top end of the tubular wall, a top surface of the grip being planar and lying on a common plane with the top end of the tubular wall, a thickness between the top surface and a bottom surface of the grip being uniform, the grip being positioned diametrically opposite to the clip across the tubular wall.