GB2347915A

GB2347915A - Pouring lip attachment for containers

Info

Publication number: GB2347915A
Application number: GB9906244A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Currie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-18
Filing date: 1999-03-18
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-18
Also published as: GB9906244D0; GB2347915B

Abstract

A detachable pouring attachment eg for a paint can comprises a part cylindrical web 11 for abutment with the outer face of a container wall, and a spout member 13 extending from the top thereof. A lip 15 engages over the rim of the container, and the web 11 is detachably mounted on the wall 17 by an adhesive or magnetic strip 12.

Description

POURING LIP ATTACHMENT FOR CONTAINERS This invention relates to a pouring lip attachment for containers, particularly to a temporary or detachable pouring lip for use with containers for viscous liquids such as, for example, paint cans.

It is commonly found that a viscous liquid such as paint, when poured from a circular-rimmed container such as an unmodified paint can, does not pour in an easily controllable manner. The liquid spills over a broad arc of the can edge and may divide into a plurality of streams. When pouring into a smaller receptacle, for example for mixing, the flow is difficult to control and some of the liquid may well miss the smaller receptacle altogether.

Further, after completion of pouring, a quantity of the paint dribbles down the outer side of the pouring can over the pouring arc, leaving a deposit of dripped paint down the outer side of the can.

It is well known that the formation of a spout in the mouth of the container can overcome such pouring problems. However, for containers such as paint cans which have to be sealed during storage, transit and between uses, it is not practicable to make use of a container formed with a pouring spout.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pouring lip attachment for a container which may be attached to the container during pouring of a viscous liquid such as paint.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a pouring lip attachment adapted to be temporarily mounted on a container, the pouring lip being configured to provide a spout, and having means for connection of the lip to a rim of the container.

The pouring lip attachment maybe arcuate in form to be mountable on the container over an arc of the rim of the container.

The lip may be connected to a part-cylindrical web which is of a diameter to fit against the outer wall of the container, and the web preferably is provided with means for holding the web against the container outer wall, such as an adhesive strip or a magnetic strip, either of which may be protected before use by a peel-off release covering such as a silicone paper.

The lip member may be engageable with a paint can rim by being provided with a rib which engages over the upper edge of the rim of a container such as a paint can. This arrangement preferably allows the can to be sealed using its own lid between occasions of use.

The pouring lip may be reusable, that is be temporarily fitted to a paint can during use, and then removed for use with another can where for example a magnetic strip is used to hold the web to the container. A different size of lip attachment will require to be made for each standard diameter of paint can, or other container.

A preferred embodiment of pouring lip attachment will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pouring lip attachment; Figure 2 is a partly sectional side view; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the attachment fitted to the rim of a paint can; and Figures 4 & 5 illustrate the improvement in pouring efficiency obtained with the attachment according to the invention.

As shown, a pouring lip attachment for fitting to a container such as a paint can comprises an upper spout portion 10 and a part cylindrical web portion 11. The spout portion 10 is formed to provide a raised and forwardly directed spout for guidance of fluid in pouring, and the web portion 11 is adapted to be placed in contact with the outer face of a paint can, and remain in place thereupon during use of the can, to be discarded with the empty can. For this purpose an adhesive pad 12 is provided on the inner face of the web 11 to attach the web to a can outer surface. The adhesive pad 12 may be tacky and protectable before use with a peel-off silicone paper or may be a magnetic pad for attachment to steel cans. In the latter case, the attachment may be adapted for reuse, after any necessary cleaning.

The spout portion 10 has a down-turned rim 13 to help prevent drips and along its lower edge 14, which is curved to correspond to the radius of a can top edge, a rib 15 is provided which engages with the rim bead 16 of the can 17 (see Figure 3). This allows resealing of the can using its own lid between uses of the can. The attachment will normally be mounted by engaging the rib 15 in the bead 16 and then pressing the pad 12 against the side of the can.

Figure 4 shows the effect of pouring paint without use of a pouring lip attachment according to the invention. The paint spills over a broad arc of the can rim, and often divides into a plurality of streams. With the attachment according to the invention as shown in Figure 5, a spout is provided which achieves a narrow concentrated coherent flow which can be easily directed into a smaller vessel such as a mixing cylinder.

The attachment may be reusable or be discarded with the container, and may be made in various sizes for paint cans of a range of standard sizes and shapes.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A pouring lip attachment adapted to be temporarily mounted on a container the pouring lip being configured to provide a spout, and having means for connection of the lip to a rim of the container.
2. An attachment according to claim 1, wherein the attachment is arcuate in form so as to be mountable on the container over on arc of the rim of the container.
3. An attachment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lip is connected to a part-cylindrical web which is of a diameter to fit against the outer wall of the container and has means for holding the web against the container outer wait.
4. An attachment according to claim 3, wherein said holding means comprises an adhesive or magnetic strip which is covered before use by a peel-off release covering.
5. An attachment according to any preceding claim wherein the lip member is engageable with a paint can rim by means of a rib on the lip member which engages over the upper edge of the rim of the can.
6. A pouring attachment for temporary mounting on a receptacle, comprising a part cylindrical web having a diameter to match the outer diameter of the receptacle, holding means on said web for temporality mounting the web in contact with the outer face of the receptacle, spout means at one end of said web, and a rib extending oppositely from said one end of the web to said spout means, for engagement over the upper edge of the rim of the said receptacle.