EP1590255A1

EP1590255A1 - Safety and pouring plug

Info

Publication number: EP1590255A1
Application number: EP04701899A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jorgen Rodhus; Erik Schelde Petersen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-18
Filing date: 2004-01-14
Publication date: 2005-11-02
Also published as: WO2004065240A1; DK174774B1; WO2004065240A8

Abstract

A safety and pouring plug is provided with a duct (3) in which is provided a ball (2). When using the plug (1), the ball (2) can be placed in an outlet (9). For avoiding direct contact and thereby risk of contamination, a resiliently bending flap (12) is formed at the outlet (9). By manual actuation with a user’s finger (21), the flap (12) can press the ball (2) free from its engagement with the outlet (9) of the duct.

Description

Safety and Pouring Plug

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a safety and pouring plug with a duct containing a ball retained in the duct, including a first duct section with one or more apertures through which liquid can flow into the duct and with an inner cross-section which is slightly greater than the diameter of the ball, and with a retainer surface for the ball, so that during normal pouring the ball is retained at a first position in the first duct section in contact with the retainer surface; and a second duct section with a conical, tapering shape of circular cross-section and ending in a outlet through which the liquid can flow out of the duct by a usual emptying action of a container on which the plug is fitted, the inner cross-section of the duct at the outlet being slightly less than the diameter of the ball so that the ball can be retained in the duct at a second position immediately within the outlet so that the ball is blocking outflow of the liquid.

Different types of pouring plugs for bottles are known, which enable closing off for the contents of the bottle when pouring is not performed. These pouring plugs may possibly be opened and closed by cover means. Alternatively, opemng and closing can occur by using a ball mounted in the through-going duct of the plug.

An example of a pouring plug for a bottle is known e.g. from US patent 3,152,712.

When the bottle is in normal, upright or vertical position, this pouring plug can close off the outlet and thereby prevent evaporation and the like. In a normal pouring situation, the ball may dispose itself in an annular, radially outwards facing compartment. Hereby, liquid can flow through the chamber and past the ball. The shown plug en- ables closing of the outlet if the bottle is disposed bottom up. The plug can, however, not act as a safety plug preventing outflow of liquid if a bottle is turned over, and it is also unhygienic as there will be required to press the ball loose with the user's fingers.

Another example of a plug of the kind mentioned in the introduction is known from EP 264 181. In this publication, the plug includes a ball disposed in a cavity in a bottleneck. The ball may be pressed to sealing contact in the bottleneck and thereby ensure that an overpressure in the bottle is maintained. When the contents are to be emp- tied, a manual pressing force is applied on the ball which thereby is pressed down into the bottleneck, where an annular, radially outwards facing compartment is provided in which the ball may be received by pouring the contents of the bottle. This construction does not provide any safety either against inadvertent outflow caused by the bottle falling over, and is also unhygienic as there will be need for the ball to be pressed loose by the user's fingers.

A safety and pouring plug of the kind indicated in the introduction is also known from EP 684 925. This plug is made with a duct, the interior of which having a circular cross-section with a diameter which is only slightly greater than the diameter of the ball. Retention of the ball in the tubular duct occurs between an annular valve seat at each end of the duct, as a radial chamber including a retainer surface is provided, having a size corresponding substantially to half the size of the ball. The chamber is provided in a position immediately over the ball when the latter in position of use will be in contact with the valve seat being closest to the container on which the plug is mounted.

This plug has appeared to function satisfactorily and provides sufficient safety against inadvertent outflow if the bottle falls over. However, it is unhygienic since there will be a need for pressing the ball loose with the user's fingers.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a safety and pouring plug of the kind mentioned in the introduction, and which enables easy and unencumbered emptying of a container, preferably a bottle, and which simultaneously shuts off the flow when the container is inadvertently overturned, and which simultaneously can be released from its closing position without requiring a user's direct contact with the ball.

According to the present invention, this is achieved with a plug of the type mentioned in the introduction, which is peculiar in that at least one projecting flap is formed at the circumference of the outlet, the flap being resiliently bendable into or against the outlet to such extent that it will contact the ball when the ball is in the second position.

The flap can be activated by the user who press it in abutment against and releases the ball from the second position where it is wedged in the outlet. It may thus thereby be pressed back into the second duct section for opening the outlet without need for the user to make direct contact with the ball. The risk of dirtying the ball with matter on the user's fingers is thereby avoided, as do the risk of the user's fingers being dirtied with the contents from the container on the surface of the ball.

In the same way as in the above mentioned plugs, the ball may pass by the retainer surface which e.g. can be formed by a projection or a hollow in the duct wall when by overturning the container it is flung through the first duct section and into the tubular second duct section. The closing is achieved even by a relatively slow fall of the container, as the ball will just roll into contact with the retainer surface when this is directed approximately downwards during the overturning of the container, and when the "overturning'' occurs as a slow pouring action. If slow overturning is beginning to occur, the ball can also be brought into contact with the retainer surface, but by in- creased overturning speed, before the container falls, the ball may be thrown past the retainer surface in a secure way, thus ensuring the closing of the duct.

When the container is closed, manual release of the ball from frictional engagement or resilient squeezing engagement in the outlet can occur by pressing the flap against the ball. The ball will automatically be moved to its original position that enables renewed pouring, or which again makes the plug ready to act as a safety plug which will close for inadvertent outflow if the container falls over. At the returning of the ball to the bottom of the duct nearest the container, remaining liquid in the duct will not rest upon or around the ball. The passage of this liquid into the container may occur in a simple way through the apertures in the first duct section while bypassing the ball.

By usual pouring, at beginning inclination the ball will roll towards or, in its position of rest, be retained against the retainer surface. The liquid can flow in a safe way through the apertures formed in the first duct section without risk of the liquid carry- ing the ball to a closing position within the second tubular duct section.

The plug will preferably be made with the edge area of the outlet bevelled to foπn a sharp-edged spout provided in the same radial position as the retainer surface, but in another radial position than where the flap is.

Hereby it is particularly safeguarded that the ball will always be positioned against the retainer surface which is disposed in the same direction as the spout. As the men- tioned, at least one flap is formed at a radial position different from the radial position for the stop surface, the liquid will not run over the flap and dirty it. Therefore, the flap will be dry and may be used by the user for releasing the ball from a position in the closing position in the outlet in a hygienic way.

By making the plug with an oblique front end and a bevelling in order to form a spout, it is furthermore avoided that drops will run down along the outer side of the plug and the container.

It is particularly preferred that the second duct section has an oblique cut-off at the outlet relative to the longitudinal axis of the duct, so that the outlet can act as a spout with a forwards directed extension, and that the at least one flap is formed at a radial position diametrically opposite the extension. Thus, the plug always appears asymmetrical with a forwards directed spout so that the user will always pour with the spout pointing forwards and downwards towards the glass, cup or the like in which the con- tents of the container is to be emptied.

A projection, on which the retainer surface is formed and protruding radially into the duct, will have such a size that the ball cannot pass by, even when the container is emptied by disposing it largely upside down.

In practice, it has appeared that the ball is not carried out of the first duct section by a normal emptying of the container. The liquid can flow unhindered through the apertures in the first duct section without the ball being taken past the retainer surface.

When the container falls over, the ball will be flung through the duct and into the second tubular duct section. This duct section is designed with a slightly conical slope so that a wedging effect can be achieved due to the kinetic energy released by the movement provided by inertia of the ball. The outermost part of the second duct section is preferably made of a flexible, resilient material, preferably plastic, so that the ball will be wedged or jammed in its contact at the outlet. This provides that the plug can also be used for liquids with gas contents, e.g. carbon dioxide. By the flinging of the the ball against its second position where it is in contact against the second duct section, a gastight closing is achieved, so that carbon dioxide or other gas is not released from the liquid. This effect can be used where it is desired to plug a bottle between pourings. This is effected by a turn with the wrist.

Alternatively, the ball can be coated with a resilient material that produces a wedging effect in an embodiment with a duct of a rigid material, e.g. steel.

Since the duct is only a little larger than the ball diameter, it has surprisingly appeared that the ball will always be flung out and come into contact in the second tubular duct section when the bottle is overturned. It is assumed that this effect is attained, as the ball is not in danger of loosing its inertia and thus the impact action due to the ball being thrown back and forth between opposite side walls in the duct during its movement through the duct.

By an accident, the ball will automatically close for inadvertent outflow, when the container falls over. At the same time, the plug can be used as pouring plug as the ball is disposed against the retainer surface by normal use.

At the end of a pouring, one may turn by the wrist so that the ball can pass by the retainer surface. The ball can hereby be used for closing when finishing pouring.

It has appeared that the plug can have a length of about 2-7 times the ball diameter, but the best results are attained with a plug where the second tubular duct has a length of about 3-4 times the ball diameter.

In order to achieve better retention of the ball in a closing position in contact with the duct, it is possible to provide ball/seats with magnet(s). In that way, magnetic retention will interact with the wedging effect. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further embodiments and advantages appear from the accompanying claims, and the invention will then be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, where:

Fig. 1 shows a view of a safety and pouring plug mounted in a container and with the ball in a resting position (original position), Fig. 2 shows a view corresponding to Fig. 1 by normal use (pouring) as seen from above, Fig. 3 shows a view of the safety and pouring plug in case of an accident (the bottle is overturned), Fig. 4 illustrates a partial view of the safety/pouring plug at the releasing of the ball, and Figs. 5 and 6 show views of a further embodiment of a safety and pouring plug accord- ing to the invention with and without the ball placed in the outlet.

Fig. 1 shows a view of a first embodiment of a safety and pouring plug according to the invention. The plug 1 includes a ball 2 disposed in a duct 3 with a first duct section 103 and a second largely tubular, conically tapering duct section 203 within a housing 4.

The housing 4 is provided with a conical part 5 for engagement with a container, preferably a bottle 6. The ball 2 is provided inside the duct 3 in such a way that it can move between the first position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the second position shown in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the ball is in contact with a bottom 7 situated at the side of the first duct section 103 facing the bottle 6 and is simultaneously in contact with a retainer surface 14 (see Fig. 3) which is formed by a side wall on a projection 13.

In the second position illustrated in Fig. 3, the ball 2 is in contact with an annular seat 8 which is provided inside the second, tubular duct section 203 in immediate vicinity of the outlet 9 of the duct. In this position, the ball 2 will block for inadvertent liquid flow out of the outlet 9 in case that the bottle 6 falls over, so that the ball 2 is flung or pressed against the seat 8.

In the shown embodiment, a flap 12 is formed in an edge 10 at the circumference 11 of the outlet 9. The flap 12 is projecting relative to the duct 3 and is resiliently bending into or against the outlet 9 to such extent that it can contact the ball 2 when the latter is in the second position in contact with the seat 8.

In the shown embodiment, the ball 2 is made of stainless steel, and the housing 4 of plastic material. The housing 4 is preferably made with a bushing constituting the conical part 5. For that application, rubber or soft plastic is preferred, which are materials that more readily adapt to variations in the opening of a bottleneck. In the remaining part of the housing 4 it is preferred to use a harder plastic material. Alternatively, it is possible to use other materials, it is only to be ensured that the ball has sufficient weight in order to be thrown against the seat 8, and that the materials are providing mutual sealing at the frictional engagement or wedging of the ball 2 in the seat 8. Alternatively, the ball 2 can be coated with plastic or rubber.

The plug may also be used for normal pouring. This is illustrated in Fig. 2 which is a view from above showing the plug in pouring position but where the bottle is omitted for the sake of clarity. The first duct section is formed by three longitudinal bars 15 defining the first duct section with a cross-section which is between ^lA and 5% greater diameter of the ball 2.

The plug 1 has an obliquely cut front edge 10 with formation of a forwards directed spout 16. The spout 16 is disposed at the same radial position as a bar 15' provided with the projection 13 on which the retainer surface 14 is formed, and which is disposed diametrally opposite the flap 12.

In the rest position of the ball 2 in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be in contact against the retainer surface 14 as well as against the bottom 7. This position will allow passage of the liquid through apertures 17 formed between the bars 15 and into the second tubular duct 203 and out through the outlet 9 at the front edge 10. Alternatively, the ball may only be in contact against the bottom 7 so that it by normal pouring it will slowly roll into contact with the sidewall 14 of the projection 13.

The projection 13 will thus always be directed downwards as the user will always will direct the forwards directed spout 16 forwards and down towards the glass or the cup into which is poured. Hereby is achieved particularly great safety against the ball being in abutment with the retainer surface 14 of the projection 13.

After use, the ball is in contact with the bottom 7 when the bottle 6 is disposed in its raised position.

When the bottle falls over, the ball 2 will be flung outwards through the second duct section 203 and pressed against the seat 8. The ball will jam and stop for inadvertent outflow. In order to achieve that the ball will stay in its engagement against the seat 8, the second duct section 203 is conical with a small inclination so that a wedging effect is achieved due to the speed and the inertia of the ball.

After an accident, the ball 2 is easily pressed free by pressing the flap 12 in abutment with the ball and the ball will return to its contact against the bottom 7. The bottom 7 may preferably be oriented obliquely relatively to the longitudinal axis of the duct.

Hereby is ensured that the ball 2 is moved down behind the projection 13.

Figure 4 shows that the flap 12 is formed as an integrated extension of the wall 18 of the second duct section 203 and is designed for resilient impression against the ball 2.

The plug 1 can be made of two component parts or be cast in one piece.

The spout 16 is provided with a bevelling for forming a sharp edge in the spout 16. Hereby is ensured that liquid will run back into the second duct 203 and not down along the outer side of the plug 1.

By cleaning, the ball 2 can be pressed out of the outlet 9 of the tubular, second duct 203 or be taken out by dismounting the bottom 7. In Figs. 5 and 6 is seen a plug 1 consisting of a plastic housing 19 on which is mounted a funnel-shaped metallic outlet member 20.

The flap 12 is made in one piece with the housing 19. In Fig. 5 is shown a situation where the ball 2 is engaging the seat (not shown) in the outlet 9 of the plug. In this situation, the flap 12 is directed so that it extends largely in parallel with a longitudinal axis for the duct through the plug 1.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a situation where the flap 12 is pressed inwards and downwards so that the ball (not shown in Fig. 6) is released and pressed back into the duct. In Fig.

6 is shown a situation where the ball is pressed in by using the user's finger 21, and it thus appears that the user's finger does not come into direct contact with the ball 2. When the finger is removed, the flap 12 will assume the position shown in Fig. 5 due to resilient action.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and 6 differs from that in Figs. 1 - 4 by a first duct section 103 being tubular instead of being formed of bars. However, the function of the flap 12 will be the same in both embodiments.

Claims

1. Safety and pouring plug with a duct containing a ball retained in the duct, including: a first duct section with one or more apertures through which liquid can flow into the duct and with an inner cross-section which is slightly greater than the diameter of the ball, and with a retainer surface for the ball, so that during normal pouring the ball is retained at a first position in the first duct section in contact with the retainer surface; - a second duct section with a conical, tapering shape of circular cross-section and ending in a outlet through which the liquid can flow out of the duct by a usual emptying action of a container on which the plug is fitted, the inner cross-section of the duct at the outlet being slightly less than the diameter of the ball so that the ball can be retained in the duct at a second position immediately within the outlet so that the ball is blocking outflow of the liquid, characterised in that at least one projecting flap is formed at the circumference of the outlet, the flap being resiliently bendable into or against the outlet to such extent that it will contact the ball when the ball is in the second position.

2. Plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one flap is formed at a radial position which is different from the radial position of the retainer surface.

3. Plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the edge area of the outlet is bevelled to form a sharp-edged spout provided in the same radial position as the re- tainer surface.

4. Plug according to claim 3, characterised in that, the second duct section has an oblique cut-off at the outlet relative to the longitudinal axis of the duct, so that the outlet appears as a spout with a forwards directed extension, and that the at least one flap is formed at a radial position diametrically opposite the extension.

5. Plug according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the wall of the duct and the at least one flap are formed of plastic and made as an integral element.

6. Plug according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the ball is of metal, preferably acid-proof or stainless steel.

7. Plug according any preceding claim, characterised in that the at least one flap covers a small arc of a circle, preferably with a size between 3 and 20°.

8. Plug according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the diameter of the duct is from 1.005 to 1.05 times the diameter of the ball.

9. Plug according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the tubular duct has a length between two and seven times the ball diameter, preferably a length three to four times the ball diameter.