Patent ID: 7017628

Claim:
An ecological funnel apparatus for use with a solvent container, comprising: (a) a funnel having a conical, tapered body portion having a relatively wide open upper end and a relatively narrow lower end defining an internal passage therethrough, the funnel comprising means for displacing air and configured to extend from a position within the upper end of the funnel through the stem of the funnel, and (b) an adaptor for adapting the funnel and the solvent container, the adaptor comprising, (i) an upper portion configured for mounting and seating the funnel to the adaptor, (ii) a lower portion for inserting into the solvent container and mounting the adaptor onto the solvent container, wherein the lower portion comprises a terminal extension that extends into the solvent container by a length sufficient to preserve an air reserve volume in the container that is equal to or greater than a maximum fill volume of the funnel body, (iii) an internal passage extending from the upper portion of the adaptor to the lower portion of the adaptor through the terminal extension, wherein the internal passage is in fluid communication with the means for displacing air, the internal passage of the conical body and the terminal opening of the adaptor, and (iv) a coupling mechanism attached to the adaptor for securely mounting the adaptor to the solvent container to form an airtight seal.