CA2765761A1 - Pour enhanced spout and vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pour enhanced vessel device having a spout extending from the neck of the vessel, the spout having one or more spaced apart v-notches disposed within the spout top, a spout thread disposed on the spout below the spout top, a screw cap removably disposed upon the spout, spout screw cap having an outer lip spaced apart from an inner lip, a cap thread matching the spout thread, and an inner lip length extended slightly beyond a top of the spout thread. The present invention also relates to a pouring spout for application to a vessel of the type having a vessel neck with an open end. The pouring spout is a collar having a lower portion for engaging with the open end of the vessel neck and an upper portion having a top edge defining an opening, said top edge of the pouring spout including at least one notch.

Description

POUR ENHANCED SPOUT AND VESSEL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a pour enhanced spout and vessel for both solids and liquids that would benefit from enhanced pour characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] The pouring of container contents has long troubled users. Over the past few years, various detergent containers have seen pour enhanced designs, for example, much to the appreciation of consumers. Some vessels have extended overall height by elongating the neck and spout with greater extended neck lengths and top lengths. Such designs provide for greater storage problems and shipping problems, to name but a few of the problems associate with vessels. Automotive fluid needs provide an excellent example of such. Adding oil to an engine provides further examples of such. Another problem associated with vessels is sealing and resealing. Many of today's vessels are originally equipped with not only a cap but also a seal disposed within the cap that must be broken prior to pouring out vessel contents. Anyone who has used such designs is quite familiar with two problems. First, breaking such seals usually requires some kind of tool, as hands are poorly equipped if at all capable of breaking the seals.
Second, fragments of such seals typically remain stuck to the vessel spout top, thereby providing an excellent chance of content leakage should the cap be replaced to conserve remaining unused contents. The present device provides new enhancements and solves existing problems in container pour, cap sealing, and cap resealing design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] The general purpose of the pour enhanced vessel device and the pour enhanced spout of the present invention, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a pour enhanced vessel device which has many novel features that result in an improved pour enhanced vessel device and pour spout which are not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.

[004] To attain this, the pour enhanced vessel device of the present invention aids in pouring both liquids and solids. The device employs several features that enhance sealing of cap to spout, resealing of cap to spout, and also provides enhanced pour characteristics. The cap seal/reseal features negate the need for typically initially added secondary seals between a vessel and a cap. The device is configured to provide for an initially slow pour to aim the contents of the vessel to an intended target, followed by a successful faster pour of the content I

inside of the intended target. The initial slow pour is provided by a relatively low overall vessel height that is accomplished by the relatively abrupt neck length as compared to existing longer neck lengths that begin vessel pour at an early tilt angle. Slow initial pour is also enhanced by notch feature of the spout. Notches may be provided in any number, for example four notches.
Notches may be provided in any suitable shape, for example v-shaped notches.
Notches may also by spaced apart and oriented in various directions. One arrangement may be provided by orienting the notches toward each of the vessels sides.

[005] The pour enhanced vessel device of the present invention aids in sealing both liquids and solids so that no leakage occurs either prior to first opening or after repeated opening and cap reinstallation. The spout length and cap length aid in this feature. The cap inner lip aids with the same feature. The top taper and reverse taper aid in providing this feature.

[006] Cap resealing is aided by preventing cap and spout damage in cap replacement. Such damage is negated by the lip taper of the inner lip that prevents damage to the spout top upon cap reinstallation.

[007] Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the improved pour enhanced vessel device so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

[008] An object of the pour enhanced vessel device is to provide enhanced pour of liquids or solids characteristics from a vessel.

[009] Another object of the pour enhanced vessel device is to provide enhanced sealing characteristics between a spout of the vessel and a cap.

[010] A further object of the pour enhanced vessel device is to negate the need for typically initially added secondary seals between a vessel and a cap.

[011] An added object of the pour enhanced vessel device is to provide for an initially slow pour of the contents of the vessel into an intended target followed by a faster pour of the contents into the intended target.

[012] And, an object of the pour enhanced vessel device is to aid in sealing both liquids and solids.

[013] Yet another object of the pour enhanced vessel device is.to aid in pouring both liquids and solids.

[014] Another object of the pour enhanced vessel device is to promote cap resealing by preventing cap and spout damage in cap replacement.

[015] Still another object of the pour enhanced vessel device is to shorten relative overall vessel height.

[016] Another object of .the present invention is to provide a pouring spout for application to a vessel of the type having a vessel neck with an open end, the pouring spout comprising a collar having a portion for engaging with the open end of the vessel neck and another portion having a spout with a top edge defining an opening, said top edge of the pouring spout including a notch.
In one embodiment, the spout adaptor may include two or more spaced apart notches. In another embodiment the portions of the pour spout are arranged substantially coaxially on axially opposite sides of the sleeve.

[017] As such, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to pour enhanced vessel device comprising, in combination: (a) a vessel comprising a body defining an inner cavity and a neck extending from an upper end of the body to a top edge defining an opening; (b) a spout extending from the neck, the spout having a spout top disposed atop the spout;
(c) a notch disposed within the spout top; (d) a spout thread disposed on the spout below the spout top;
and (e) a screw cap removably disposed upon the spout, the spout screw cap comprising: (i) a cap top; (ii) an outer lip spaced apart from an inner lip, the outer and inner lips extending from the cap top, the inner lip having a length extending beyond a top end of the spout thread; and (iii) a cap thread on the outer lip matching the spout thread.

[018] In another embodiment the present invention relates to a pouring spout for application to a vessel of the type having a vessel neck with an open end, the pouring spout comprising a collar having a lower portion for engaging with the open end of the vessel neck and a top portion having a top edge defining an opening, said top edge of the pouring spout including a notch.

[019] In another embodiment the present invention relates to a method of pouring the contents of the pour enhanced vessel device of the present invention into an intended target, the method comprising the steps of tilting the vessel to promote a slow flow of contents through the notch of the pouring spout until the slow flow of contents is directed to the intended target, and increasing the flow of the pour inside the intended target.

[020] In another embodiment the present invention relates to a method of pouring the contents of a vessel into an intended target with the use of the pouring spout of the present invention connected to the neck of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of tilting the vessel to promote a slow flow of contents through the notch of the pouring spout until the slow flow of contents is directed to the intended target, and increasing the flow of the pour inside the intended target.

[021] Intended targets include an engine's oil spout, an engine's break fluid spout, an engine's windshield fluid bottle, an engine's transmission fluid spout, a detergent receptacle, a bottle and any target having a relatively small opening.

[022] These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the improved pour enhanced vessel device and spout will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the improved pour enhanced vessel device when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view with screw cap removed.

[024] FIG. 2 is a top plan view with screw cap removed.

[025] FIG. 3 is a first side elevation view.

[026] FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of Figure 3, taken along the line 4-4.

[027] FIG, 5 is a perspective view of a pouring spout in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention.

[028] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side view of the pouring spout of FIG. 5 removed from a vessel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[029] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the pouring spout of FIG. 5 engaged to a vessel neck in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention.

[030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pouring spout in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[031] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGs. 1 through 4 thereof, the principles and concepts of the pour enhanced vessel device generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

[032] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a vessel, such as a bottle, having an integral pour spout, the vessel may include a body defining an inner cavity and the integral pour.

spout extending from an upper end of the body to a top edge defining an opening, said top edge of the integral spout including a notch or spaced apart notches.

[033] Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the device 10 partially includes the vessel 20 which may have a first side 21 spaced apart from a second side 22, a third side 23 spaced apart from a fourth side 24. It should be understood that the pour enhanced vessel of the present invention may take other forms, for example a tubular form.

[034] Referring to FIG. 3, the vessel 20 may further include a top 25 spaced apart from a bottom 26.

[035] Referring to FIG. 1, the vessel 20 may further include neck 27 seamlessly melded into the top 25. The neck 27 may be about equidistant from the third side 23 and the fourth side 24. The neck 27 may be most proximal to the first side 21. A first angle 28 may be disposed most proximal to the first side 21 and the third side 23. A second angle 29 may be most proximal to the second side 22 and the fourth side 24. The first angle 28 is less than the second angle 29. A vertically disposed spout 30 may be seamlessly melded into the neck 27.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the spout 30 has a spout length 32. A spout top 31 is disposed atop the spout 30.

[036] Referring to FIG. 4, a top taper 35 may be disposed atop the spout top 31. A number of spaced apart notches 34 may be disposed within the spout top 31. It should be understood that any number of notches may be used, including just one notch. A spout thread 33 may be disposed on the spout 30 below the spout top 31.

[037] A screw cap 40 may be removably disposed upon the spout 30. The screw cap 40 may further include a cap length 47 about equal to the spout length 32, an outer lip 42 spaced apart from an inner lip 44, an lip taper 45 disposed downwardly on the inner lip, a cap thread 43 matching the spout thread 33, an inner lip length 46 extended slightly beyond a top of the spout thread 33, and a reverse taper 48 in sealable contact with the top taper 35.

[038] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the plurality of v-notches 34 disposed within the spout top 31 further comprises four v-notches 34 that are oriented toward the four vessel 20 sides.

[039] With reference to FIGs. 5, 6 and 7 in one embodiment, the present invention relates to a pouring spout 500 for application to a vessel 200 of the type having a vessel neck 270 with an open outflow end 280. The spout 500 may take the form of a collar, which may be a substantially cylindrical tube, having a portion 520 for engaging with the vessel neck 270 and another portion 530 having a top edge 550 defining an opening 560. The top edge 550 of the pouring spout 500 may include a notch 570 or a plurality of spaced apart notches. The two portions 520, 530 may be arranged substantially coaxially on axially opposite sides of the collar.
A screw cap, such as screw cap 40 illustrated in FIG. 4, may also be disposed atop of the spout adaptor top edge 550. Pouring spout 500 may also include a stopper 510 which may prevent the spout 500 from slipping further into the vessel's neck and for preventing leaking of contents from the vessel.

[040] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 5, 6 and 7 the spout 500 engages the outside surface of the neck 270. For example, the neck engaging portion 520 may include internal thread 533 matching the thread 233 of the vessel neck 270. In another aspect of the present invention, elements having reference number 533 may also illustrate ribs or ring elements designed to receive and frictionally engage the neck of the vessel like a sleeve and create a tight fit against the outer surface of the neck.

[041] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a pouring spout 800. In this embodiment of FIG. 7, the pouring spout 800 may be dimensioned in such a way that it can be inserted or frictionally inserted in the neck of a vessel. The spout 800 may include a portion 820 for engaging the inside of the neck of a vessel or bottle, another portion 830 having a top edge 850 defining an opening 860. The top edge 850 may include one or more notches 870.
The two portions 820, 830 may be arranged substantially coaxially on axially opposite sides of the sleeve. A screw cap, such as screw cap 40 illustrated in FIG. 4, may also be disposed atop of the spout adaptor top edge 850. In this embodiment, the diameter of the engaging portion 820 may be smaller than the diameter of the vessel's neck. The lower neck may include features that may create a tight fit between the lower portion 820 and the inside of the vessel's neck and to create a seal for preventing liquid from leaking. For example, the engaging portion 820 may include one or more ribs or ring structures 880 which may be sufficiently elastic to be able to frictionally engage the inside of the vessel's neck create a tight fit with the interior of the vessel neck. Pouring spout 800 may also include a stopper 810 which may prevent the spout 800 from slipping further into the vessel's neck and for preventing leaking of contents from the vessel.

[042] The pouring spout of the present invention may be used as an adaptor on any container or vessel, including insulated flasks such as Thermos'"", car fluid bottles such as oil, break fluid, transmission fluid and so forth, liquor bottles, detergent containers and so forth. The pouring spout may re re-usable or disposable.

[043] From the above description, it is evident that the use of the vessel device or pouring spout of this invention comprises the steps of aiming the spout to an intended target and tilting the vessel, bottle or container having the spout of the present invention to promote a slow flow of contents through the notch of the pouring spout until the slow flow of contents is directed to the intended target. Intended targets may include the fill spout of an engine for the oil, break fluid, the windshield washer fluid reservoir, the spout of an engine's transmission fluid, a detergent reservoir, any opening of a container, such as a bottle and so forth. Once the slow flow of the contents is being poured inside the intended target, the slow pour may be followed by a faster pour inside the intended target.

[044] Advantages of the spout of the present invention include (a) a pour enhanced device that can be provided as an integral part of a vessel or as a re-usable or disposable adaptor, (b) funnels, which are large and difficult to storage are no longer needed to fill containers through relatively small openings, and (c) when provided as a re-usable adaptor, a device that can be easy to store.

[045] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, unless indicated otherwise, except within the claims, the use of "or" includes "and" and vice versa. Non-limiting terms are not to be construed as limiting unless expressly stated or the context clearly indicates otherwise (for example "including", "having" and "comprising" typically indicate "including without limitation"). Singular forms including in the claims such as "a", "an" and "the" include the plural reference unless expressly stated otherwise.

[046] Directional terms such as "front", "back", "in", "out", "downward", "upper", "lower", and the like may have been used in the description. These terms are applicable to the embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely used for the purpose of description in connection with the drawings and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the pour enhanced vessel device may be used.

Claims (18)

1. A pour enhanced vessel device comprising, in combination:

a) a vessel comprising a body defining an inner cavity and a neck extending from an upper end of the body to a top edge defining an opening;

b) a spout extending from the neck, the spout having a spout top disposed atop the spout;

c) a notch disposed within the spout top;

d) a spout thread disposed on the spout below the spout top; and e) a screw cap removably disposed upon the spout, the spout screw cap comprising:

f) a cap top;

g) an outer lip spaced apart from an inner lip, the outer and inner lips extending from the cap top, the inner lip having a length extending beyond a top end of the spout thread; and h) a cap thread on the outer lip matching the spout thread.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the vessel includes a first side spaced apart from a second side, a third side spaced apart from a fourth side, and a top spaced apart from a bottom.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the neck is located about equidistant from the third side and the fourth side, the neck being most proximal to the first side than to the second side.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of notches is disposed spaced apart within the spout top.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein four notches are disposed spaced apart within the spout top.

6. The device according to claim 2 wherein four notches are disposed spaced apart within the spout top and the four notches are oriented toward the four vessel sides.

7. The device according to any one of claim 1 to 6 wherein the notch or notches is a v-shaped notch or v-shaped notches.

8. A pour enhanced vessel device comprising, in combination:

a) a vessel having a first side spaced apart from a second side, a third side spaced apart from a fourth side, and a top spaced apart from a bottom;
b) a neck seamlessly melded into the top, the neck about equidistant from the third side and the fourth side, the neck most proximal to the first side, a first angle disposed most proximal to the first side and the third side, the second angle most proximal to the second side and the fourth side, the first angle lesser than the second angle;

c) a vertically disposed spout seamlessly melded into the neck, the spout having a spout length;

d) a spout top disposed atop the spout;

e) a top taper disposed atop the spout top;

f) a plurality of spaced apart v-notches disposed within the spout top;
g) a spout thread disposed on the spout below the spout top; and h) a screw cap removably disposed upon the spout, the spout screw cap further comprising:

I. a cap top;

II. an outer lip and an inner lip extending from the cap top, the outer lip spaced apart from the inner lip;

III. an lip taper disposed downwardly on the inner lip;

IV. a cap thread on the outer lip matching the spout thread;

V. an inner lip length extended beyond a top end of the spout thread;
and VI. a reverse taper in sealable contact with the top taper.

9 9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of v-notches disposed within the spout top are four v-notches.

10. The device according to claim 9 wherein the four v-notches are oriented toward the four vessel sides.

11. A pouring spout for application to a vessel of the type having a vessel neck with an open end, the pouring spout comprising a collar having a lower portion for engaging with the open end of the vessel neck and an upper portion having a top edge defining an opening, said top edge of the pouring spout including a notch.

12. The pouring spout of claim 11 wherein said top edge includes two or more spaced apart notches.

13. The pouring spout adaptor of claim 11 wherein the notch or notches is a v-shaped notch.

14. The pouring spout adaptor of claim 11 wherein the upper portion of the pouring spout includes a thread disposed below the spout top edge, said thread for receiving matching threads of a screw cap.

15. A method of pouring the contents of the pour enhanced vessel device of claim 1 into an intended target, the method comprising the steps of tilting the vessel to promote a slow flow of contents through the notch of the pouring spout until the slow flow of contents is directed to the intended target, and increasing the flow of the pour inside the intended target.

16. A method of pouring the contents of a vessel into an intended target with the use of the pouring spout of claim 11 connected to the neck of the vessel, the method comprising the steps of tilting the vessel to promote a slow flow of contents through the notch of the pouring spout until the slow flow of contents is directed to the intended target, and increasing the flow of the pour inside the intended target.

17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the intended target is an opening in a container.

18. The method of claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the intended target includes an engine's oil spout, an engine's break fluid spout, an engine's transmission fluid spout, an engine's windshield fluid bottle, a detergent receptacle and an opening in a bottle.