CA2315028A1 - Spill-resistant container - Google Patents

Abstract

A spill-resistant container for storing and dispensing a liquid, the container having a curved neck which prevents the liquid from spilling when being poured out of the opening of the container. For example, the spill-resistant container may have a curved neck in the form of a number " 7 ", a letter " Z " or a letter " S ". When the spill-resistant container that is full of liquid is tilted such that the liquid level inside the container is higher than the liquid level at the opening of the container, no liquid flows out of the container. The liquid will start to flow out of the container only after the container is tilted beyond a predetermined start-to-pour angle. The start-to-pour angle is reached when the container is tilted enough so that the outside air starts to enter the container and the liquid inside the container starts to flow out of the container. This design makes pouring a liquid from a full container much less likely to spill. The curved passageway creates additional flow restriction in comparison with the ordinary containers without such design. This added flow restriction results in longer filling time and more "glugging" while pouring. A separate vent passageway of this disclosure is an improvement to overcome glugging due to the additional flow restriction in the curved passageway. This vent passageway provides a separate route for the release of inside air during filling process and allows ambient air to enter the container during pouring. Therefore, it improves the filling time and eliminates or greatly reduces the "glugging" of pouring. A special designed liquid level indicator is also provided to indicate liquid level within a small viewing area of the liquid container. The container finds particular application as a separate water container to be connected to planter inserts for self-watering planters.