Flat-sided funnel

Abstract

A funnel that includes at least four flat sides. The sides form a passage with a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is wider and taller than the second opening. At least one of the four flat sides includes one or more slots for attaching a bag such as a leaf bag. The funnel can be pre-formed or cast. However, the funnel preferably is made from a flat piece of material that includes at least two end sections, at least three middle sections, and creases between the end sections and the middle sections. When the piece of material is folded at the creases such that the end sections at least partially overlap, the piece of material forms the funnel.

1 . A funnel, comprising at least four flat sides that form a passage with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening being wider and taller than the second opening, wherein at least one of the four flat sides includes one or more slots for attaching a bag.  
   
   
       2 . A funnel as in  claim 1 , wherein the bag is a leaf bag, the first opening is wider and taller than an opening of the leaf bag, and the second opening is narrower and shorter than the opening of the leaf bag.  
   
   
       3 . A funnel as in  claim 1 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are perpendicular to at least one of the four flat sides.  
   
   
       4 . A funnel as in  claim 1 , wherein a first plane is defined by edges of at least three of the four flat sides at the first opening, a second plane is defined by edges of at least three of the four flat sides at the second opening, and the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to at least one of the four flat sides.  
   
   
       5 . A funnel as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the four flat sides extends past the second opening.  
   
   
       6 . A funnel as in  claim 1 , wherein a first plane is defined by edges of at least three of the four flat sides at the first opening, a second plane is defined by edges of at least three of the four flat sides at the second opening, and at least one of the four flat sides extends past the second plane.  
   
   
       7 . A funnel as in  claim 1 , wherein one of the four flat sides is a base on which the funnel sits, and wherein one or more wings extend beside the base to help support the funnel.  
   
   
       8 . A funnel as in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the funnel is made from a flat piece of material that includes at least two end sections, at least two middle sections, and creases between the end sections and the middle sections; and    wherein when the flat piece of material is folded at the creases such that the end sections can be secured together, the piece of material forms the funnel.    
   
   
       9 . A funnel as in  claim 8 , wherein the flat piece of material includes three middle sections, and wherein the end sections at least partially overlap when secured together.  
   
   
       10 . A flat piece of material, comprising 
 at least two end sections;    at least two middle sections; and    creases between the end sections and the middle sections;    wherein when the flat piece of material is folded at the creases such that the end sections can be secured together, the piece of material forms a funnel including at least four flat sides that form a passage with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening being wider and taller than the second opening.    
   
   
       11 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 10 , wherein the flat piece of material includes three middle sections, and wherein the end sections at least partially overlap when secured together.  
   
   
       12 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 11 , wherein the end sections further comprise flaps that can be interleaved to secure or to help secure the end sections together.  
   
   
       13 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the sections includes one or more slots, and wherein when the flat piece of material is formed into the funnel, the slots are positioned for attaching a bag.  
   
   
       14 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 10 , wherein when the flat piece of material is formed into the funnel, the first opening is wider and taller than an opening of a leaf bag and the second opening is narrower and shorter than the opening of the leaf bag.  
   
   
       15 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 10 , wherein when the flat piece of material is formed into the funnel, the first opening and the second opening are perpendicular to at least one of the four flat sides.  
   
   
       16 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 10 , wherein when the flat piece of material is formed into the funnel, a first plane is defined by edges of at least three of the four flat sides at the first opening, a second plane is defined by edges of at least three of the four flat sides at the second opening, and the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to at least one of the four flat sides.  
   
   
       17 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 10 , wherein when the flat piece of material is formed into the funnel, at least one of the four flat sides extends past the second opening.  
   
   
       18 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 10 , wherein when the flat piece of material is formed into the funnel, a first plane is defined by edges of at least three of the four flat sides at the first opening, a second plane is defined by edges of at least three of the four flat sides at the second opening, and at least one of the four flat sides extends past the second plane.  
   
   
       19 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 10 , further comprising flaps adjacent to two of the middle sections, wherein when the flat piece of material is formed into the funnel, one of the four flat sides is a base on which the funnel sits, and wherein the flaps form wings that extend beside the base to help support the funnel.  
   
   
       20 . A flat piece of material as in  claim 10 , wherein the material is cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, or corrugated plastic.  
   
   
       21 . A method of making and using a leaf funnel, comprising: 
 making the leaf funnel from a flat piece of material that includes at least two end sections, at least two middle sections, and creases between the end sections and the middle sections, the funnel made by folding the flat piece of material at the creases and securing the end sections together;    placing the leaf funnel in an opening of a leaf bag; and    inserting leaves or other materials into the leaf bag through the leaf funnel.