Carton with integral detachable funnel

Abstract

One or more disposable funnels are provided as integral and detachable portions of the walls of a carton in which cans or bottles of a pourable product such as oil are enclosed. In this manner, the funnels are can be conveniently marketed along with the product, and are handy, disposable, and economical and they are constructed by perforating preexisting carton walls. Each funnel is defined by a substantially continuous severance line that distinguishes the periphery of the funnel from the remainder of the carton wall. The funnel is detached from the carton wall by breaking the severance line. Then, the funnel is configured for use by folding or otherwise reshaping the funnel to include a channel for controlling the flow of the product as it is poured from a container, and a handle for holding the funnel in position.

1 . A carton having a plurality of walls, the carton comprising; 
 a substantially continuous frangible line extending across at least a portion of at least one of the walls; and    a detachable funnel at least partially integral to the carton and defined by the frangible line, the detachable funnel comprising a channel that is configurable to controllably direct the flow of a poured substance.    
   
   
       2 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is defined in part by at least one fold line that extends at least partially across the length of the channel.  
   
   
       3 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable funnel further comprises a catch for securing the channel in the configured condition.  
   
   
       4 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein the catch comprises a tab and a notch.  
   
   
       5 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein the catch comprises at least one securing means for securing the channel, the securing means comprising one or more of the following: magnets, non-permanent adhesives, permanent adhesives, and hook and loop fasteners.  
   
   
       6 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said channel comprises a relatively narrower end and a relatively wider end.  
   
   
       7 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is configurable into one of the following configurations: a cone, a trough, or a furrow.  
   
   
       8 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable funnel further comprises a handle connected to the channel, the handle being for stabilizing the channel as the substance is poured.  
   
   
       9 . A package, comprising: 
 a plurality of containers, each container containing a pourable substance; and    a carton enclosing the containers, the carton comprising:    a plurality of walls, each hingedly connected to at least one other wall; 
 a substantially continuous frangible line extending across at least a portion of at least one of the walls; and  
 a detachable funnel at least partially integral to the carton and defined by the frangible line, the detachable funnel comprising a channel foldable along its length into a configuration that enables controllably pouring a substance through the channel.  
   
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the detachable funnel further comprises a handle connected to the channel, the handle being for stabilizing the channel as the substance is poured.  
   
   
       11 . A package for enclosing containers, each container containing a pourable substance, the package comprising: 
 a plurality of containers; and    a carton enveloping the containers, the carton comprising: 
 a plurality of walls formed from foldable sheet material, each wall being hingedly connected to at least one other wall;  
 detachable means for channeling the pourable substance as it is poured from one of the containers, the channeling means being formed from at least a portion of at least one of the walls, the channeling means comprising a channel for directing the flow of the pourable substance.  
   
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the detachable funnel further comprises a handle connected to the channel, the handle being for stabilizing the channel as the substance is poured.