GB2369113A

GB2369113A - Bottle top with dispensing spout

Info

Publication number: GB2369113A
Application number: GB0027942A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Townsend
Original assignee: OLYMPIC PROMOTIONAL WATCHES LT
Current assignee: OLYMPIC PROMOTIONAL WATCHES LT
Priority date: 2000-11-16
Filing date: 2000-11-16
Publication date: 2002-05-22
Also published as: GB0027942D0

Abstract

A top 10 for a bottle, e.g. an olive oil or vinegar bottle, comprises an internally threaded screw-cap 14 and a pouring spout 12 projecting from an upper surface of the cap 14. The top 10 may be formed from three parts, namely a screw-cap 14 having internal threads 22, a tubular spout 12 which passes through an aperture in the screw-cap 14, and a sealing member 24. The sealing member 24, which lines the inside of the cap 14, has an annular flange, normal to the axis of the spout 12, which is held in axial contact with the bottle mouth when the cap 14 is screwed onto the bottle, and a cylindrical gripping member 26 which grips the spout 12. The spout 12 may be provided at its open end with a cover or flap 20 pivotally connected to a collar 16, such that the flap 20 opens automatically during pouring, and closes automatically when the bottle is returned to an upright position to prevent the ingress of dirt or dust.

Description

BOTTLE TOP WITH POURING SPOUT

The present invention relates to a bottle top with a pouring spout. Such a bottle top is suitable for bottles containing condiments, such as olive oil or vinegar.

To fit a pouring spout to a conventional bottle of olive oil, it is common to provide a stopper, formed of a frictional material such as a cork, into which a spout has been inserted. Because it is possible for the cork to separate from the bottle, users tend to hold the cork, and this will often smear oil on the user's hand.

The invention seeks therefore to provide a bottle top having a pouring spout that can be more securely attached to a bottle.

According to the invention, there is provided a top for a bottle comprising a cap having an internal screw thread for engaging an external screw thread surrounding the mouth of the bottle and a pouring spout projecting from the upper surface of the cap.

Bottles are commonly sealed by a screw cap during transit and the present invention takes of advantage of the existing thread surrounding the mouth of the bottle to attach a pouring spout to the bottle in placing of the sealing cap.

To enable the bottle top to be manufactured inexpensively, it is preferred to form the bottle top of three separate components, namely a screw cap, a tubular spout passing through a hole in the screw cap and an annular sealing member having a cylindrical contact surface in radial contact with the outer wall of the tubular spout and a flat sealing surface normal to the axis of the tubular spout for making axial contact with the mouth of the bottle.

In the construction proposed above, there is no need to form a permanent connection between the spout and the cap as the sealing member inside the cap achieves the necessary sealing around the base of the spout. Aside from reducing the labour in the manufacture of the bottle top, this constructions also permits the cap to be formed of the same thin sheet metal as used in disposable bottle caps. In this way, the entire bottle top and spout can be made sufficiently inexpensively to be disposable.

It is envisaged that each bottle may be sold fitted with a sealing cap for use during storage and transportation and with an additional bottle top and spout of the invention loosely attached to the bottle for the user to fit to the bottle after the sealing cap ahs been removed. Once the bottle is empty, the bottle top and spout can be disposed of at the same time as the bottle.

It is preferred for the tip of the spout to be provided with a hinged lid that opens automatically during pouring and closes automatically to prevent ingress of dirt into the bottle when the bottle is returned to an upright position.

Such a hinged lid may be pivoted on two flanges that project from a collar secured to the tip of the spout.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a bottle top of the invention, and Figure 2 is a partial axial section through the bottle top at the base of the spout.

The drawings show a bottle top 10 that comprises a tubular pouring spout 12 projecting from a sheet metal screw cap 14. The tip of the spout 12 is fitted with a collar 16 that partially wraps around the spout 12 and grips it either

by virtue of its own resilience or by being welded or glued to it. The collar defines two projecting flanges 18 on which a lid 20 is pivoted. As oil is poured from the bottle, the lid 20 pivots away from the mouth of the spout 16 and when the bottle is returned to an upright position, the lid 20 covers the mouth of the spout 12 as shown in Figure 1.

The screw cap 14 is constructed in a manner similar to the conventional caps used for closing bottles. In particular, it is formed of a sheet metal and has an internal thread 22 to engage the external thread on the bottle. A sealing member 24 lines the inside of the cap 14 to seal axially against the mouth of the bottle in the usual manner.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the spout 12 is not attached directly to the cap 14 but instead passes through a hole in the cap 14 and is gripped in a cylindrical sleeve 26 that is formed as an integral part of the sealing member 24. An annular deformation 28 of the tubular spout 12 prevents from being pushed too far into the cap 14.

Claims

1. A top for a bottle comprising a cap having an internal screw thread for engaging an external screw thread surrounding the mouth of the bottle and a pouring spout projecting from the upper surface of the cap.

2. A bottle top as claimed in claim 1, comprised of three separate components, namely a screw cap, a tubular spout passing through a hole in the screw cap and an annular sealing member having a cylindrical contact surface in radial contact with the outer wall of the tubular spout and a flat sealing surface normal to the axis of the tubular spout for making axial contact with the mouth of the bottle.

3. A bottle top as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the tip of the spout is provided with a hinged lid that opens automatically during pouring and closes to prevent ingress of dirt into the bottle when the bottle is returned to an upright position.

4. A bottle top as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hinged lid is pivoted on two flanges that project from a collar secured to the tip of the spout.

5. A bottle top constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.