AU2006308494A1 - Container with an insert for pouring spout - Google Patents

Description

WO 2007/048173 PCT/AU2006/001560 CONTAINER WITH AN INSERT FOR POURING SPOUT 5 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 10 full with liquid. Background of the Invention Containers for bulk handling of liquids ie. in excess of one litre of liquid, especially 15 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. 20 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 25 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. 30 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.

WO 2007/048173 PCT/AU2006/001560 2 In another aspect the invention seeks to provide an insert for a spout directed to smoothing the flow of liquid pouring from the spout. 5 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 10 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 15 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. 20 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. 25 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 30 may be formed as an annular passage between the insert and spout when the insert is mounted co-axially within the spout.

WO 2007/048173 PCT/AU2006/001560 3 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. 5 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. 10 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. 15 Preferred aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings 20 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; 25 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; 30 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.

WO 2007/048173 PCT/AU2006/001560 4 The various elements identified by numerals in the drawings are listed in the following integer list. Integer List 5 20 Insert 22 Tubular member 24 Inlet 26 Outlet 10 28 Spacer 29 Ramped portion 30 Lug 32 Step 40 Container 15 41 Body 43 Spout 44 Screw thread 45 Handle 47 Hollow interior 20 49 Collar 51 Gallery 53 Passageway 55 Air 57 Fluid 25 59 Construction 61 Tubular member 62 Spacer 63 Smaller thickened section of insert wall 64 Larger thickened section of insert wall 30 65 Recessed section insert wall 66 Spout entrance 67 Lower spout bore 68 Container handle WO 2007/048173 PCT/AU2006/001560 5 69 Container 90 Insert 110 Air 111 Liquid 5 112 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. 10 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 15 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 20 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. 25 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 30 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.

WO 2007/048173 PCT/AU2006/001560 6 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. 5 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 10 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. 15 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. 20 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 25 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 30 bore of the spout 112. The insert forms the passage through which liquid 111 will flow out of the container 69.

WO 2007/048173 PCT/AU2006/001560 7 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 fonned in the lower spout bore 67. 5 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 10 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 fonned 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 15 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 20 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 25 "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, 30 an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (15)

1. A container with a spout for pouring fluid comprising, a tubular member having an inlet, and an outlet for the fluid, the tubular 5 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 10 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. 15

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 20 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. 25

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 30 co-operates with the step to provide the seal. WO 2007/048173 PCT/AU2006/001560 9

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. 5

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 10 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, 15 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 20 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. 25

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. 30

14. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. WO 2007/048173 PCT/AU2006/001560 10

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