WO2000010882A1

WO2000010882A1 - Container from which a product is poured

Info

Publication number: WO2000010882A1
Application number: PCT/GB1999/002725
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Arthur Charles Chown
Original assignee: Chown Peter A C
Priority date: 1998-08-19
Filing date: 1999-08-18
Publication date: 2000-03-02
Also published as: AU5434699A; GB9818094D0

Abstract

A container (2) comprising a body (4), an outlet (6) from which a product in the container (2) is poured, and air inlet means (14) for letting air into the body (4) in order to allow smoother pouring of the product from the outlet (6) than would occur without the air inlet means (14).

Description

CONTAINER FROM WHICH A PRODUCT IS POURED

This invention relates to a container and, more especially, this invention relates to a container from which a product is poured.

There are many different types of containers from which a product is poured, examples of which are bottles, cans and tubes. The containers have a body and an outlet from which a product in the container is poured. During pouring, the product tends to leave the container in a non-smooth manner. The problem is well known and the product is often referred to as glugging as it is poured from the container. The problem is especially well known when the product is an engine oil which is being poured from a container into an oil inlet in an engine . The engine oil tends to glugg very substantially and it is extremely difficult to pour the oil directly into the oil inlet in the engine. The result is usually that a substantial amount of oil is discharged over the engine.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a container comprising a body, an outlet from which a product in the container is poured, and air inlet means for letting air into the body in order to allow smoother pouring of the product from the outlet than would occur without the air inlet means.

The container of the present invention operates such that the air inlet means allows air to get behind the product during the dispensation of the product from the container. This avoids a vacuum being formed behind the product which in turn stops the glugging and allows the smoother pouring. The product can be any known product that is poured from a container. Thus the product will usually be a liquid but it may be a gel, a granular material or a powder.

The container may be made of any of the known materials currently employed for containers. Thus, for example, the container may be made of glass, a plastics material or tin. Where the container is made of a thin walled plastics material, it will not be necessary to squeeze the container in order to dispense the product.

The container will usually be one in which the air inlet means is positioned remote from the outlet. Preferably, the air inlet means will be positioned on a bottom part of the body. Other positions for the air inlet means may however be employed so that, for example, the air inlet means may be positioned on a top part or a side part of the body, or in a handle of the container. 00/10882 3

Usually, the air inlet means will be a manually operable air inlet means. Automatically operable air inlet means may however be employed.

The air inlet means is preferably located in a recessed portion of the body. This helps to prevent the air inlet means from being accidentally operated.

The recessed portion of the body may have a lid for helping to prevent unauthorised operation of the air inlet means by children.

The air inlet means may be a spring biased air inlet means which is spring biased by a spring to a closed position in which air is not admitted to the container by the air inlet means. Preferably the spring is a coil spring but other types of spring may be employed.

The air inlet means may comprise a plunger which is biased by the spring to a position in which the plunger closes an air inlet aperture.

Other types of air inlet means may be employed so that, for example, the air inlet means may be a rotary valve air inlet means. The rotary valve air inlet means may have a rotary ball valve.

Alternatively, the air inlet means may be an adhesive label. Still further, the air inlet means may comprise an externally threaded neck, and a screw threaded cap which screws over the neck. As indicated above, the container may be any suitable and appropriate type of container including a bottle, can, tube or carton.

The present invention also provides a watering can when provided with a container according to the invention, the container being such as to allow dispensation of a product in the container into the watering can.

The watering can may include a measuring chamber for receiving a measured amount of the product from the container, and transfer means for transferring the measured amount of the product from the measuring chamber into a body part of the watering can, the body part of the watering can being for receiving water for watering purposes .

The transfer means may be a manually operable device for opening and closing an inlet port to the body part of the watering can. The manually operable device may be a push button operated plunger device. Other types of manually operated devices may however be employed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a section through a first container in the form of a bottle; Figure 2 is a section through a second container in the form of a can;

Figure 3 shows an alternative type of air inlet means to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 ;

Figure 4 shows another type of air inlet means to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 ;

Figure 5 is a section through a container in the form of a tube ;

Figure 6 is an end view of the air inlet means employed in Figure 5 ;

Figures 7-10 show different types of air inlet means to that employed in Figure 5 ;

Figure 11 shows the container of Figure 5 in use on a watering can;

Figures 12 and 13 show two different types of container with air inlet means positioned on the side of each container; and

Figures 14-22 show different views of part of a container having combined air inlet means and pouring means .

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a container 2 which is the form of a bottle and which comprises a body 4 and an outlet 6 from which a product in the container 2 is poured. The outlet 6 is formed in a neck part 8 of the container 2. The outlet 6 is closed by a screw cap 10 which screws over a threaded portion 12 of the neck part 8 of the container 2.

The container 2 comprises air inlet means 14 for letting air into the body 4 in order to allow smoother pouring of the product from the outlet 6 than would occur without the air inlet means 14. As can be seen from Figure 1, the air inlet means 14 is positioned in a bottom part 16 of the container 2 so that the air inlet means 14 is positioned remote from the outlet 6.

The air inlet means 14 is a manually operable air inlet means 14. The air inlet means 14 is located in a recessed portion 18 of the body 4.

The air inlet means 14 is spring biased by a coil spring 20 to a closed position in which air is not admitted to the container 2 by the air inlet means 14. More specifically, the coil spring 20 surrounds a plunger 22. The plunger 22 supports a sealing washer 24 which is biased by the coil spring 20 into closing engagement with an aperture 26 in the bottom part 16 of the body 4.

The end of the plunger 22 remote from the sealing washer 24 terminates in a head member 28. The head member 28 is accessible to a user of the container 2 via the recessed portion 18. When the head member 28 is depressed towards the outlet 6, the sealing washer 24 is caused to move off its seat around the aperture 26. The aperture 26 is larger than the diameter of the plunger 22 and thus air can enter into the body 4. Thus, as the container 2 is tilted to effect pouring of the product from within the container 2, the head member 28 can be pressed on to allow the air to enter behind the product. This will then enable the product to be poured smoothly from the outlet 6, and glugging caused by a vacuum behind the product being poured will be prevented. When finger or thumb pressure on the head member 28 is released, the coil spring 20 will move the plunger 22 back into position in which the sealing washer 24 is on its seat around the aperture 26 and seals the aperture 26 against leakage of the product from the body 4.

Figure 2 shows a container 30 in the form of a can. The container 30 is provided with air inlet means 14 of the same construction and operation as the air inlet means 14 shown in Figure 1. Similar parts have thus been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

Figure 3 shows alternative air inlet means 32 to the air inlet means 14. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 3, it will be seen that the head member 28 has a skirt 34. Also the plunger 22 has a different shaped end 36 holding the sealing washer 24 in place.

Figure 4 shows another air inlet means 38. It is very similar to the air inlet means 32 shown in Figure 3. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. the end 36 is differently shaped from the end 36 shown in Figure 3 as can be seen from a comparison of Figures 3 and 4. In Figure 4, the recessed portion 18 is provided with a groove 40 for enabling a cap 42 to be a push fit in position in the recessed portion 18. The cap 42 has a bead 44 which locates in the groove 40. The cap 42 thus closes the recessed portion 18 and helps to prevent unauthorised operation of the air inlet means 38 by children.

Figure 5 shows a container 46 in the form of a tube. The container 46 has an outlet 6 formed in a neck part 8. The neck part 8 has a threaded portion 12. The container 46 is filled from an open end 48 with product 50, this being the normal way in which tubular containers are filled. The open end 48 is then sealed by air inlet means 52. The air inlet means 52 is constructed in the form of a plug having an externally threaded portion 54 so that the air inlet means 52 can screw into the open end 48 of the body 4 of the container 46 and then be sealed in position. Apart from the provision of the threaded portion 54, the air inlet means 52 is of the same construction as the air inlet means 32 shown in Figure 3. Similar parts have thus been given the same reference numerals.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the air inlet means 52 shown in Figure 5. It will be seen that the air inlet means 52 is circular in plan.

Figure 7 shows air inlet means 56 which is substantially the same as the air inlet means 38 shown in Figure 4 except that the air inlet means 56 is formed as a plug for insertion into the open end 48 of the body 4 of the container 46 shown in Figure 5, and subsequent sealing in position.

Figure 8 shows air inlet means 58 in the form of a plug for insertion into the container 46. The air inlet means 58 is such that it is a rotary valve air inlet means having a rotary ball valve 60. The ball valve 60 has a through bore 62 which can be aligned with the aperture 26.

Figure 9 shows air inlet means 64 having an aperture 26 closed by an adhesive label 66.

Figure 10 shows air inlet means 68, again in the form of a plug and having an aperture 26 closed by a screw threaded cap 70 which screws over a screw threaded neck portion 72. Access to the cap 70 is restricted by a lid 74 as shown. The open position of the lid 74 is shown in solid lines, whilst the closed position of the lid 74 is shown in broken lines.

Figure 11 shows the container 46 of Figure 5 being passed through an aperture 76 in a support member 78. The neck part 8 screws into a screw threaded recess 80 in a measuring chamber 82. The measuring chamber 82 is secured to a top part 84 of a watering can 86. The watering can 86 has a handle 88 and a pouring spout 90.

The measuring chamber 82 includes transfer means 90 for transferring a measured amount of product in the measuring chamber 82 from the measuring chamber 82 into a body part 94 of the watering can 86. The transfer means 92 comprises a head member 96 which operates against a coil spring 98 mounted on a plunger 100. An aperture 102 in the bottom of the measuring chamber 82 is sealed by means of a sealing washer 104. When the watering can 86 is held vertically with the pouring spout 90 directed upwardly, then operation of the air inlet means 52 will cause product in the body 4 to pass into the measuring chamber 82. A measured amount of product can be passed into the measuring chamber 82 simply by releasing the air inlet means 52 when it is desired to stop transfer of the product from the container 46 into the measuring chamber 82, and simultaneously returning the watering can 86 to the position shown in Figure 11. Operation of the transfer means 92 can then be effected to cause the measured amount of the product in the measuring chamber 82 to enter the body 94 of the watering can 86. Water can then be added to the watering can as usual so that fertilisers, weed killers or other appropriate ingredients can be watered in with the normal watering from the watering can 86.

The use of the container 46 and the measuring chamber 82 avoid contact with the product in the container 46 so that the container 46 can contain a product which may be harmful, for example a caustic product .

Figure 12 shows a container 106 in the form of a bottle having a body 108 and an outlet 110 closed by a lid 112 which is a screw fit onto a neck part 114 of the body 108. Air inlet means 14 of the type shown in Figure 1 is provided in a side of the container 106 as shown .

Figure 13 shows a container 116 which is of a construction having an inclined top 118. The container 116 is of a type used as a milk carton for containing milk. One side 120 of the inclined top 118 is provided with air inlet means 14 of the type shown in Figure 1. The other side 122 of the inclined top 118 is provided with an adhesive label 66 of the type shown in Figure 9. Referring now to Figures 14-22, Figure 14 shows a top plan view of part of a container 124 having an air inlet aperture 126 and a pouring aperture 128. The air inlet aperture 126 and the pouring aperture 128 are sized in the ratio of 1:3 as can be appreciated from Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 shows the air inlet aperture 126 and the pouring aperture 128 closed by closure lids 130, 132 respectively.

Figure 15 is a view like Figure 14 but shows the closure means 130, 132 open. It can be seen from Figures 15 and 16 that the closure lid 130 has a plug 134 for going in the air inlet aperture 126 and thus re-sealably closing the air inlet aperture 126. Similarly, the closure lid 132 has a plug 136 for going in the pouring aperture 128 and re-sealably closing the pouring aperture 128.

Figure 16 shows the container part of Figures 14 and 15 but turned through 90°. In Figure 16, the closure lid 130 is open, and the closure lid 132 is closed.

The closure lids 130, 132 are formed as hinged lids on a one-piece plastics moulding. Tamper evident means in the form of a tear-off tag 138 is provided. The tag 138 has to be torn off before the lids 130, 132 can be opened. This provides evidence of unauthorised tampering with the contents of the container 124. The lids 130, 132 snap shut onto catch members in the form of beads 140, 142 as best seen from Figures 14 and 18. The lids 130, 132 are each provided with an integral member 144 which protrudes from the remainder of the lids 130, 132 as shown and which is for being grasped by a finger nail or thumb nail and which thus facilitates opening of the lids 130, 132.

Figure 17 is a side view of the container 124 as shown in Figure 14. Figure 20 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 17. Figure 18 is a side view of the container 124 as shown in Figure 15. Figure 21 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 18. Figure 19 is a side view of the container 124 as shown in Figure 16. Figure 22 is a sectional view of the container 124 as shown in Figure 19.

The container 124 shown in Figures 14-22 is especially advantageous for providing a re-sealable facility in a good hygienic manner. Thus the container 124 is especially useful for receiving milk, other beverages and pourable food products which are not used up all at once.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the container may be of different shapes to those shown in the drawings. Other types of air inlet means may also be employed.

Claims

1. A container comprising a body, an outlet from which a product in the container is poured, and air inlet means for letting air into the body in order to allow smoother pouring of the product from the outlet than would occur without the air inlet means.

2. A container according to claim 1 in which the air inlet means is positioned remote from the outlet.

3. A container according to claim 1 in which the air inlet means is positioned on a bottom part of the body.

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the air inlet means is a manually operable air inlet means.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the air inlet means is located in a recessed portion of the body.

6. A container according to claim 5 in which the recessed portion has a lid for helping to prevent unauthorised operation of the air inlet means by children.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the air inlet means is a spring biased air inlet means which is spring biased by a spring to a closed position in which air is not admitted to the container by the air inlet means.

8. A container according to claim 7 in which the spring is a coil spring.

9. A container according to claim 7 or claim 8 in which the air inlet means comprises a plunger which is biased by the spring to a position in which the plunger closes an air inlet aperture.

10. A container according to any one of claims 1-6 in which the air inlet means is a rotary valve air inlet means .

11. A container according to claim 10 in which the rotary valve air inlet means has a rotary ball valve.

12. A container according to any one of claims 1-6 in which the air inlet means is an adhesive label.

13. A container according to any one of claims 1-6 in which the air inlet means comprises an externally threaded neck, and a screw threaded cap which fits over the neck.

14. A container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the container is a bottle, can, tube or carton.

15. A container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A watering can when provided with a container according to any one of the preceding claims, the container being such as to allow dispensation of a product in the container into the watering can.

17. A watering can according to claim 16 and including a measuring chamber for receiving a measured amount of the product from the container, and transfer means for transferring the measured amount of the product from the measuring chamber into a body part of the watering can, the body part of the watering can being for receiving water for watering purposes.

18. A watering can according to claim 17 in which the transfer means is a manually operable device for opening and closing an inlet port to the body part of the watering can.

19. A watering can according to claim 18 in which the manually operable device is a push button operated plunger device.