CA1233434A - Dispensing and piercing spout for liquid-containing pouch - Google Patents
Dispensing and piercing spout for liquid-containing pouchInfo
- Publication number
- CA1233434A CA1233434A CA000476585A CA476585A CA1233434A CA 1233434 A CA1233434 A CA 1233434A CA 000476585 A CA000476585 A CA 000476585A CA 476585 A CA476585 A CA 476585A CA 1233434 A CA1233434 A CA 1233434A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- spout
- piercing
- support means
- rearwardly
- tapering
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B7/00—Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers
- B67B7/24—Hole-piercing devices
- B67B7/26—Hole-piercing devices combined with spouts
- B67B7/28—Hole-piercing devices combined with spouts and associated with receptacle hodlers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOURE
A dispensing spout for a flexible pouch held in a rigid container. The spout is tubular, having a front end and a rear end which forms a sharp point. The rear portion of the spout tapers rearwardly and is formed with a pair of opposite lateral slots communicating with the longitudinal bore of the spout, thereby preventing any liquid from remaining in the spout between uses. Support means support the spout adjacent the upper front wall of the rigid container and in a downwardly- rearwardly-inclined position.
A dispensing spout for a flexible pouch held in a rigid container. The spout is tubular, having a front end and a rear end which forms a sharp point. The rear portion of the spout tapers rearwardly and is formed with a pair of opposite lateral slots communicating with the longitudinal bore of the spout, thereby preventing any liquid from remaining in the spout between uses. Support means support the spout adjacent the upper front wall of the rigid container and in a downwardly- rearwardly-inclined position.
Description
~;~33~3~:~
r'IELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to spout devices adapted to communicate with -the interior of a liquid container and dispense the liquid, more particularly to an improved such device having a piercing portion Eor penetration of a flexible pouch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Liquid~containing pouches made of flexible plastic material are now in widespread use owing to their hygienic and convenience characteristics, especially in the foot industry, (eg. millc pouches). Normally, such pouches are placed in a rigid, closely-dimensioned container, such that the upper portion oE the pouch extends above the top edge of the container.
To dispense the liquid contents, a user snips or culs a~Ya~
the upper, forward corner of the pouch and then lifts and tilts the container for pouring.
One disadvantage of thusly opening a poùch is that it is relatively easy to spill -the liquid between the inner surface of the container and the pouch. Another disadvantage is that scissors or knives are not always ready at handO
In response, the prior art has introduced tap-like devices having a sharp piercing portion which penetrates a desired area of a sealed pouch and the liquid is made to flow through the tap. For example, the Canadian Patent to Winstead et al, i.ssued February 4, 1974-and bearing numher 6?9,5~0, discloses a probe device adapted to pierce a container wall and an inner fluid-containing package. This device is designed primarily to prevent accidental withdrawal of the probe fro.-n the COII-stainer. In any case, it cannot be used independently of an enclosing rigid container or, as in Figure 5 o the Patent, with a plastic materlal oE high density which i9 selE-suppor-tillcJ.
Desjardlns dic;closes another devlce in Canadian l'aten-t number 1,124,6fl7 issued Jun(3 1, 19fl2, wherein the I, ~23~
iercing element projects downwardly at a right angle to the spout. This construction could be simplified. Moreover, the rigid container must be modified to support the spout and for pouch replacement.
Yet another Canadian Patent number 999,258, issued to 5mith on November 2, 1976, teaches a tubulax element which is placed inside the pouch at the time the latter is manufac- !
tured. Clearly, thls extra operati`on in making the pouch adds to the overall cost of producing the same.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a piercing spout for use with a flexible pouch in a rigid container ar.d which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.
It is another object of the inventlon to provlde a piercing-spout of the character described, which is in complete concordance with health legislatibn.
It ls still another object of the present invention to provide a piercing spout of the character describedt whlch is simple and inexpensive.
SVMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention are realized according to a preferxed embodiment, comprising a generally tubular spout having a front end and a rear piercing portion. The latter t~pe~s rParwardI~ to sharp point. The spook has a longitudinal bore An essential feature of the present invention resides in the provision of at least one slot formed longitudinally it the tapering portion of thy spout. The slot communicates 30 wi-th the bore, the latter preferabLy terminating just forwardly t' of the sharp point. The slot serves as a means to ensure thaw no fluid remains in thy spout between ~Ises~ as will be further explained herebeLow.
~33~3~
Prefexably, the spout is further formed with a least 9no. aperture communicating with the bore and located forwardly of the slot Closure means may be provided at the front pourln.g end of the spout. ^ !;
A second essential feature of the invention involves the provision of a spout support means by which the spout may be supported adjacent the front upper edge of the rigid container which holds the plastic liquid-containing pouch The support 10 means is arranged to hold the spout in a downwardly-, rearwardly-inclined position According to a first embodiment of the support`
means, no modification o the rigid container is required, while acoording to an alternate embodiment, a very slight modification of the same is effected BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above will be more clearly understood by having rPferral to the preferred embodiments of the invention, illus-trated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the spout of the 20 invention in operative position in a fluid-co~taining oh also showing a first embodiment of the support means;
Figure 2 is a partially vertically-sectioned view -of the front portion of Figure l showing the spout in side elevation; . ; ; .~
Figure 3 is anther vertica11-y-.sec~io~ed v1ewlof the front portion of figure 1J but showing tne spou'~ in a pouring position Figure 4 1s a perspective view of a first embodiment of the support means in place on a rigid container shown in dashed I.
30 oukline; g Flgures 5 and 6 are rear and side eLevations of the support means ox E':Lyure 4, respectively;
Figure 7 i.s a top v:Lcw oE the support mealls Qf , .
.1 ~;~3~3'~L
Figure 4;
Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the ' spout and an alternate embodime.nt of the support means.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal cros~-section of the taper-in portion of the spout; and ' I-Figure l0 is a cross-sectioned view taken at a right angle to the view of Figure 8.
Like reference characters indi.cate like'elements throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure l shows the spout of the invention, generally indiaated by-the-numeral l, fully inserted into a flexible plastic sealed pouch 2~ Pouch 2 i5 inserted into a rigid containex 3 having a generally elliptical cross-section and a rear handle 4. Pouch contains a liquid 5, such as milk, and is sealed by conventional heat treatment process along' upper seam 2'.
Refèrring to Figures 2 and 3, spout l is shown in detail. It comprisss an elongated rigid tube having a longitudinal bore 6 and having a front and 7 and a rearmost sharp point 8. Front end 7 is provided w.ith a closure cap 9 pivotally secured to an upper transverse pivot: pin l0.
Spout l has a tapering portion }l which is generally conical in,shape for approximately one'-third ~,;its1oy~rall."
length. Portion ll'is wormed with two oppo~it~ sl~ts~l2,which, -communicate with bore 6; ' '' Spout l further includes a pair ox opposite circular apertures 13 which also communicate with bore 6 and which are located i~rlediataly forwardly of tapering portion :ll.
Thus, the liquid 5 can flow through slots 12 and ape.rtures 13 into bore 6 and thence out of front end 7. tip , will be noted that aap 9 opens end closes solely by gravit:y, as seen in E'igure.s 2 and 3).
:~33~3~
Figures 1 and 2 depict spout 1 in its normal non use postion; I downwardlyl rearwardly inclined. Also, aperture 13 and slots 12 are exactly lateral respectivelyi in other words, they are at the same level. This is essential in the case of slots 12, because it allows the fluid to drain completely from spout 1 once the level of the liquid falls blow sharp po~'nt 8 af er a certain volume has been poured out of pouch 2 thr~ug~ spout 1. To-urther lensure that llquid 5 does not remain`ih the spout between uses, an inner ridge 14, having a front apex 14', extends'verticall~ between the rearmost ends of slots 12. Icf Figures 9 and 10). Ridge ]4 directs any remaining liquid to either or both the slots.
Thus, spout 1 remains liquid-free between uses owing to its inclined position and the design described hereabove. This is -in conformity with health regulations.
The spout support means for spout 1 is comprised of:
a collar 14, preferably integra,lly formed with spout l, at its mid-length ars3a. Collar 14 lies a rear shoul~e~ ,and ' has opp~site-flat lateral sid~6'L~'.' As clearly seen in Figure 8, each flat side 14' is formed with a diagonal groove 16.
Spout 1 is made of a suitable mol'dable plastic.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support means further comprises an upright plate 16 having at either side a pair of upwardly-projecsting arms 170 The inner edges ; , ,~
of thes'e arms are adapted to enga'ge grooves 16 o"f'collar ~14~ (cf Figures 1 to 3).
Plate 16 includes three integrally formed spatulate legs 18, 19, 20 exrending downwardly from its lower edge.
Tha two outer legs 18, 20 are at a slightly rearward angle, while the middle lag 19 is transverse and is slightly forwardly spaced by an upper jutting portion 19''. 'The two outS~r 1egs 18, 20 are adapted to abut the inner front surface of rigid container 3, while mlddle leg 19 securely abuses the outer front :~233~3~
surface thereof.
An alternate emhodiment of the support means is shown in Figure 8, wherein plate 16 and its s,patulate legs are not used. Instead a rectangular notch 2 is ormed on the upper front surface of container 3. Notch 21'is dimen-sioned to receive and engage grooves 16 of spout 1.
Rear shoulder 15 of collar 14 serves to sealingly retain the perforated ecqe o- the plastlc material of pouch 2.
I.
i r .. .
r'IELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to spout devices adapted to communicate with -the interior of a liquid container and dispense the liquid, more particularly to an improved such device having a piercing portion Eor penetration of a flexible pouch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Liquid~containing pouches made of flexible plastic material are now in widespread use owing to their hygienic and convenience characteristics, especially in the foot industry, (eg. millc pouches). Normally, such pouches are placed in a rigid, closely-dimensioned container, such that the upper portion oE the pouch extends above the top edge of the container.
To dispense the liquid contents, a user snips or culs a~Ya~
the upper, forward corner of the pouch and then lifts and tilts the container for pouring.
One disadvantage of thusly opening a poùch is that it is relatively easy to spill -the liquid between the inner surface of the container and the pouch. Another disadvantage is that scissors or knives are not always ready at handO
In response, the prior art has introduced tap-like devices having a sharp piercing portion which penetrates a desired area of a sealed pouch and the liquid is made to flow through the tap. For example, the Canadian Patent to Winstead et al, i.ssued February 4, 1974-and bearing numher 6?9,5~0, discloses a probe device adapted to pierce a container wall and an inner fluid-containing package. This device is designed primarily to prevent accidental withdrawal of the probe fro.-n the COII-stainer. In any case, it cannot be used independently of an enclosing rigid container or, as in Figure 5 o the Patent, with a plastic materlal oE high density which i9 selE-suppor-tillcJ.
Desjardlns dic;closes another devlce in Canadian l'aten-t number 1,124,6fl7 issued Jun(3 1, 19fl2, wherein the I, ~23~
iercing element projects downwardly at a right angle to the spout. This construction could be simplified. Moreover, the rigid container must be modified to support the spout and for pouch replacement.
Yet another Canadian Patent number 999,258, issued to 5mith on November 2, 1976, teaches a tubulax element which is placed inside the pouch at the time the latter is manufac- !
tured. Clearly, thls extra operati`on in making the pouch adds to the overall cost of producing the same.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a piercing spout for use with a flexible pouch in a rigid container ar.d which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.
It is another object of the inventlon to provlde a piercing-spout of the character described, which is in complete concordance with health legislatibn.
It ls still another object of the present invention to provide a piercing spout of the character describedt whlch is simple and inexpensive.
SVMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention are realized according to a preferxed embodiment, comprising a generally tubular spout having a front end and a rear piercing portion. The latter t~pe~s rParwardI~ to sharp point. The spook has a longitudinal bore An essential feature of the present invention resides in the provision of at least one slot formed longitudinally it the tapering portion of thy spout. The slot communicates 30 wi-th the bore, the latter preferabLy terminating just forwardly t' of the sharp point. The slot serves as a means to ensure thaw no fluid remains in thy spout between ~Ises~ as will be further explained herebeLow.
~33~3~
Prefexably, the spout is further formed with a least 9no. aperture communicating with the bore and located forwardly of the slot Closure means may be provided at the front pourln.g end of the spout. ^ !;
A second essential feature of the invention involves the provision of a spout support means by which the spout may be supported adjacent the front upper edge of the rigid container which holds the plastic liquid-containing pouch The support 10 means is arranged to hold the spout in a downwardly-, rearwardly-inclined position According to a first embodiment of the support`
means, no modification o the rigid container is required, while acoording to an alternate embodiment, a very slight modification of the same is effected BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above will be more clearly understood by having rPferral to the preferred embodiments of the invention, illus-trated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the spout of the 20 invention in operative position in a fluid-co~taining oh also showing a first embodiment of the support means;
Figure 2 is a partially vertically-sectioned view -of the front portion of Figure l showing the spout in side elevation; . ; ; .~
Figure 3 is anther vertica11-y-.sec~io~ed v1ewlof the front portion of figure 1J but showing tne spou'~ in a pouring position Figure 4 1s a perspective view of a first embodiment of the support means in place on a rigid container shown in dashed I.
30 oukline; g Flgures 5 and 6 are rear and side eLevations of the support means ox E':Lyure 4, respectively;
Figure 7 i.s a top v:Lcw oE the support mealls Qf , .
.1 ~;~3~3'~L
Figure 4;
Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the ' spout and an alternate embodime.nt of the support means.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal cros~-section of the taper-in portion of the spout; and ' I-Figure l0 is a cross-sectioned view taken at a right angle to the view of Figure 8.
Like reference characters indi.cate like'elements throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure l shows the spout of the invention, generally indiaated by-the-numeral l, fully inserted into a flexible plastic sealed pouch 2~ Pouch 2 i5 inserted into a rigid containex 3 having a generally elliptical cross-section and a rear handle 4. Pouch contains a liquid 5, such as milk, and is sealed by conventional heat treatment process along' upper seam 2'.
Refèrring to Figures 2 and 3, spout l is shown in detail. It comprisss an elongated rigid tube having a longitudinal bore 6 and having a front and 7 and a rearmost sharp point 8. Front end 7 is provided w.ith a closure cap 9 pivotally secured to an upper transverse pivot: pin l0.
Spout l has a tapering portion }l which is generally conical in,shape for approximately one'-third ~,;its1oy~rall."
length. Portion ll'is wormed with two oppo~it~ sl~ts~l2,which, -communicate with bore 6; ' '' Spout l further includes a pair ox opposite circular apertures 13 which also communicate with bore 6 and which are located i~rlediataly forwardly of tapering portion :ll.
Thus, the liquid 5 can flow through slots 12 and ape.rtures 13 into bore 6 and thence out of front end 7. tip , will be noted that aap 9 opens end closes solely by gravit:y, as seen in E'igure.s 2 and 3).
:~33~3~
Figures 1 and 2 depict spout 1 in its normal non use postion; I downwardlyl rearwardly inclined. Also, aperture 13 and slots 12 are exactly lateral respectivelyi in other words, they are at the same level. This is essential in the case of slots 12, because it allows the fluid to drain completely from spout 1 once the level of the liquid falls blow sharp po~'nt 8 af er a certain volume has been poured out of pouch 2 thr~ug~ spout 1. To-urther lensure that llquid 5 does not remain`ih the spout between uses, an inner ridge 14, having a front apex 14', extends'verticall~ between the rearmost ends of slots 12. Icf Figures 9 and 10). Ridge ]4 directs any remaining liquid to either or both the slots.
Thus, spout 1 remains liquid-free between uses owing to its inclined position and the design described hereabove. This is -in conformity with health regulations.
The spout support means for spout 1 is comprised of:
a collar 14, preferably integra,lly formed with spout l, at its mid-length ars3a. Collar 14 lies a rear shoul~e~ ,and ' has opp~site-flat lateral sid~6'L~'.' As clearly seen in Figure 8, each flat side 14' is formed with a diagonal groove 16.
Spout 1 is made of a suitable mol'dable plastic.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support means further comprises an upright plate 16 having at either side a pair of upwardly-projecsting arms 170 The inner edges ; , ,~
of thes'e arms are adapted to enga'ge grooves 16 o"f'collar ~14~ (cf Figures 1 to 3).
Plate 16 includes three integrally formed spatulate legs 18, 19, 20 exrending downwardly from its lower edge.
Tha two outer legs 18, 20 are at a slightly rearward angle, while the middle lag 19 is transverse and is slightly forwardly spaced by an upper jutting portion 19''. 'The two outS~r 1egs 18, 20 are adapted to abut the inner front surface of rigid container 3, while mlddle leg 19 securely abuses the outer front :~233~3~
surface thereof.
An alternate emhodiment of the support means is shown in Figure 8, wherein plate 16 and its s,patulate legs are not used. Instead a rectangular notch 2 is ormed on the upper front surface of container 3. Notch 21'is dimen-sioned to receive and engage grooves 16 of spout 1.
Rear shoulder 15 of collar 14 serves to sealingly retain the perforated ecqe o- the plastlc material of pouch 2.
I.
i r .. .
Claims (8)
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED, ARE
DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In combination with a flexible liquid-containing pouch and rigid pouch container, a piercing spout comprising a tubular member having a front end and a rear tapering piercing portion tapering rearwardly to a sharp point; said tubular member having a longitudinal bore; at least one slot formed longitudinally in said tapering portion and communicat-ing with said bore; said member further including at least one aperture communicating with said bore and located for-wardly of said tapering portion; further comprising support means for the spout, whereby the latter is firmly held in rearwardly- downwardly-inclined position adjacent the front upper edge of said rigid container.
2. The piercing spout of claim 1, wherein gravity-responsive closure means are provided at said front end.
3. The piercing spout of claim 1, wherein said tapering portion is formed with two opposite exactly lateral slots terminating adjacent said sharp point, whereby no liquid remains in the spout between uses.
4. The piercing spout of claim 3, wherein an inner ridge extends forwardly between the rearmost ends of said slots; said ridge having a frontwardly-oriented apex.
5. The piercing spout of claim 4, wherein there are two opposite exactly lateral said apertures, both apertures being circular in shape.
6. The piercing spout of claim 2, wherein said spout is integrally formed with a collar at its mid-length portion; said collar defining a rear shoulder and opposite flat lateral sides; each said side being formed with a diagonal groove.
7. The piercing spout of claim 6, wherein said support means comprises an upright plate having a pair of upwardly-projecting arms at either side thereof; said arms having inner edges adapted to engage said grooves; further comprising three integrally-formed spatulate legs extending downwardly from the lower edge of said plate; including two outer legs disposed slightly angularly rearwardly; and a middle transverse leg slightly forwardly spaced relative to the two outer legs.
8. The piercing spout of claim 6, wherein said support means consists of a rectangular notch formed in the upper front surface of said rigid container; said notch being sized to receive and engage said grooves.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000476585A CA1233434A (en) | 1985-03-14 | 1985-03-14 | Dispensing and piercing spout for liquid-containing pouch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000476585A CA1233434A (en) | 1985-03-14 | 1985-03-14 | Dispensing and piercing spout for liquid-containing pouch |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1233434A true CA1233434A (en) | 1988-03-01 |
Family
ID=4130030
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000476585A Expired CA1233434A (en) | 1985-03-14 | 1985-03-14 | Dispensing and piercing spout for liquid-containing pouch |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1233434A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6378730B1 (en) | 2000-10-27 | 2002-04-30 | Nestec S.A. | Quick-locking device for effecting hygienic transfer of flowable material from a container by piercing |
-
1985
- 1985-03-14 CA CA000476585A patent/CA1233434A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6378730B1 (en) | 2000-10-27 | 2002-04-30 | Nestec S.A. | Quick-locking device for effecting hygienic transfer of flowable material from a container by piercing |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |