WO2007048173A1

WO2007048173A1 - Container with an insert for pouring spout

Info

Publication number: WO2007048173A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001560
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Hughes; Robert Gulbrandson; Rodney John Granat; Michael Sweeney
Original assignee: Gravity Solutions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-26
Filing date: 2006-10-23
Publication date: 2007-05-03

Abstract

A container (4) with a spout (43) for pouring fluid (57) comprising, a tubular member (22) having an inlet (24), and outlet (26) for the fluid, the tubular member being mountable within the spout, at least one spacer (28) for spacing the tubular member from the spout in such a fashion as to provide a passageway for air between the tubular member and spout, and a seal (32, 59) for limiting flow of fluid into the passageway arranged so as to separate a stream of fluid flowing out of the spout through the tubular member from air flowing into the container through the passageway.

Description

CONTAINER WITH AN INSERT FOR POURING SPOUT

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a pouring spout for fluids. In a particular aspect, it relates to an insert which may be used in the spout of a container to smooth the flow of liquid pouring from the spout of the container, especially when the container is relatively full with liquid.

Background of the Invention

Containers for bulk handling of liquids ie. in excess of one litre of liquid, especially plastic containers, are typically formed with a spout which is sealed with a closure.

The spout is generally formed with an external thread which is complementary to a thread formed in the closure making sealing and unsealing of the spout by a user a simple and convenient operation.

Especially when the container is full of liquid, it has been found that the normal method of pouring liquid through the spout of such a container involving turning the container so that the spout is at a lower level and tipping the container to pour liquid out of the spout, results in splashing and uneven flow of liquid from the spout. This is because air has to enter the spout to compensate for the partial vacuum created in the container as the liquid pours out of the spout. The air enters as a series of discrete bubbles which periodically interrupt the flow followed by a sudden increase in flow as each bubble has passed through the spout.

In one aspect, the present invention seeks to provide a construction which is directed to obviating or ameliorating splashing problems associated with pouring liquid through a container spout. W

In another aspect the invention seeks to provide an insert for a spout directed to smoothing the flow of liquid pouring from the spout.

Disclosure of the Invention

The invention provides in one aspect a container with a spout for pouring fluid comprising, a tubular member having an inlet, and an outlet for the fluid, the tubular member being mountable within the spout, at least one spacer for spacing the tubular member from the spout in such a fashion as to provide a passageway for air between the tubular member and spout, and a seal for limiting flow of fluid into the passageway arranged so as to separate a stream of fluid flowing out of the spout through the tubular member from air flowing into the container through the passageway.

The tubular member may comprise an insert moulded from plastics material. It may have a generally circular cross-section.

The at least one spacer may comprise one or more vanes provided on the outer surface of the insert. There may be four or more vanes. They may be formed with a wedge shape or a ramped portion to facilitate insertion of the insert into the spout.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one spacer may be formed on the inside of the spout.

The at least one spacer may be arranged so as to space the insert from the spout around the complete circumference of the tubular member. Thus the passageway may be formed as an annular passage between the insert and spout when the insert is mounted co-axially within the spout. The insert may be provided with a step for sealing against the spout. The step may be a circumferential step. It may be constructed so as to form a seal with a circular constriction in the spout.

Retaining means may also be provided on the insert. The retaining means may comprise a plurality of lugs located on the exterior surface of the insert at a position along its length intermediate the inlet of the insert and the step.

The spout may be provided with a gallery in communication with the passageway. The gallery may be at least partially annular. It may in turn communicate with a conduit for directing air flowing through the passageway and gallery into the container. The conduit may comprise a hollow interior formed in a handle provided on the container.

Preferred aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an insert according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the insert of Figure 1 inverted;

Figure 3 shows the section X-X taken on Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a partially cut away view of a container and spout in which the insert is mounted; Figure 5 shows a magnified view of the circled area shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative form of insert according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a plan view of the insert retained within the spout of a container; Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of a tilted container employing the insert of Figure 6 to smooth the flow of liquid from the container; and

Figure 9 shows a cross-section of the insert applied to the spout of a container. 2

The various elements identified by numerals in the drawings are listed in the following integer list.

Integer List

20 Insert

22 Tubular member

24 Inlet

26 Outlet

28 Spacer

29 Ramped portion

30 Lug

32 Step

40 Container

41 Body

43 Spout

44 Screw thread

45 Handle

47 Hollow interior

49 Collar

51 Gallery

53 Passageway

55 Air

57 Fluid

59 Construction

61 Tubular member

62 Spacer

63 Smaller thickened section of insert wall

64 Larger thickened section of insert wall

65 Recessed section insert wall

66 Spout entrance

61 Lower spout bore

68 Container handle 69 Container

90 Insert

110 Air

111 Liquid 112 Spout

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown an insert generally designated 20 for use with the invention. Typically, the insert may be made of plastics material. It may be made by a conventional plastics moulding process such as injection moulding.

The insert comprises a tubular member 22 having an inlet end 24 and an outlet end 26.

A plurality of spacers 28 formed as vanes are provided around the outer perimeter of the tubular member. The spacers are formed with a ramped portion 29 which facilitates insertion of the insert into the spout of a container.

A step 32 is formed intermediate the inlet and outlet ends of the insert and a number of lugs 30 are provided between the step and inlet end. The lugs 30 are arranged at generally equal spacings around the perimeter of the insert.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a container 40 having a container body 41 and an integrally formed spout 43.

The spout is formed with a screw thread 44 as is known in the art and an integral handle 45 extends from the side of the spout to a side of the container opposite the side near which the spout is formed.

The handle is formed with a hollow interior 47 which effectively provides a conduit between the interior of the container and the gallery 51. The gallery is formed by the collar 49 extending around the perimeter of the spout. It can be seen that the gallery is in turn in communication with the passageway 53 for air. The passage way is generally annular. It is created by the spacing of the insert from the interior of the spout by the spacers 28.

An annular constriction 59 formed near the bottom of the spout is located so as to make a sealing engagement with the step 32 of the insert. It also co-operates with the lugs 30 to hold the insert in place once it has been inserted into the spout.

Thus, when fluid 57 is poured through the spout, the seal between the step 32 and annular constriction 59 prevents fluid from within the container entering the passageway 53. The fluid pours through the tubular member leaving the passageway 53 clear for air 55 to enter the passageway to replace displaced fluid. The air flows into the gallery 51 and thence through the hollow interior 47 of the handle to enter the top of the container body as fluid pours out.

As the passage of air and fluid is separated, the fluid flow is not disrupted by air flow replacing displaced fluid with the result that a relatively controlled pour can be achieved.

An added advantage of the separation of air and fluid flow is that the same effect can also improve the process of filling a container leading to higher rates of filling.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings the insert 90 comprises a tubular member 61 which has spacers 62 around its circumference. These extend vertically along the top of the recessed section of the insert wall 65.

The spacers 62 create a passageway for air between tubular member and the spout 112 of a container 69. The spacers are dimensioned so that when the insert is assembled with the spout 112, a friction fit is formed between the spacers 62 and the bore of the spout 112. The insert forms the passage through which liquid 111 will flow out of the container 69. Referring to Figures 6 to 9, the smaller thickened section of insert wall 63 may also form secondary friction fit in the lower spout bore 67. This can assist in stabilising the insert within the spout 112. The larger thickened section of insert wall 64 forms a shoulder that can rest atop of the circular step formed in the lower spout bore 67.

This is to prevent the insert from being able to pass through the lower spout bore 67 and can provide a seal which prevents fluid entering the air passageway defined between the insert and spout. The secondary friction fit between the smaller thickened section of insert wall 63 and the lower spout bore 67 can additionally or alternatively provide a seal between the insert and the lower spout bore 67.

Figures 8 and 9 demonstrate how air 110 can enter the container 69 through the passageway formed between the spout entrance 66 and the recessed section of the insert wall 65. During pouring air 110 has direct passage into the container 69 via the handle 68. As the flow of exiting fluid and incoming air are separated, the fluid can flow relatively smoothly.

Whilst the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention.

It will be also understood that where the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A container with a spout for pouring fluid comprising, a tubular member having an inlet, and an outlet for the fluid, the tubular member being mountable within the spout, at least one spacer for spacing the tubular member from the spout in such a fashion as to provide a passageway for air between the tubular member and spout, and a seal for limiting flow of fluid into the passageway arranged so as to separate a stream of fluid flowing out of the spout through the tubular member from air flowing into the container through the passageway.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the at least one spacer comprises a plurality of vanes provided around the outer surface of the tubular member.

3 The container of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least one spacer provides a friction fit between the spout and tubular member.

4. The container of any one of the preceding claims wherein the tubular member comprises an insert moulded from plastics material, the at least one spacer comprises a plurality of vanes provided around the insert so as to space the insert from the spout around the circumference of the tubular member whereby the passageway is formed as an annular passage between the insert and spout when the insert is mounted co- axially within the spout.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein the seal comprises a step provided on the insert, the step being configured to seal against the spout.

6. The container of claim 4 comprising a circular constriction in the spout which co-operates with the step to provide the seal.

7. The container according to claim 6 comprising a plurality of lugs located around the exterior surface of the insert and arranged to co-operate with the circular constriction to facilitate retention of the insert within the spout.

8. The container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spout comprises an annular gallery in communication with the passageway.

9. The container according to claim 8 wherein the container comprises a hollow handle which provides communication between the annular gallery and the interior of the container.

10. An insert for controlling fluid flow through the spout of a container comprising, a tubular member having an inlet and an outlet for fluid, a plurality of spacers extending from the perimeter of the tubular member, and a circumferential step formed by a reduction in diameter of the tubular member.

11. The insert of claim 10 wherein the spacers comprise a plurality of radially extending vanes which extend in a region intermediate the outlet and the circumferential step.

12. The insert according to claim 11 wherein the vanes comprise ramped portions shaped so as to facilitate insertion of the insert into the spout of a container.

13. The insert according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of lugs arranged around the perimeter of the reduced diameter portion of the tubular member.

14. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

15. An insert substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.