EP3873823B1

EP3873823B1 - Pourer for a container, particular a bottle

Info

Publication number: EP3873823B1
Application number: EP19801975.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Giovannini; Luca Viale; Simone SCANU
Original assignee: Guala Closures SpA
Current assignee: Guala Closures SpA
Priority date: 2018-10-30
Filing date: 2019-10-22
Publication date: 2022-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-22
Also published as: IL282693A; ES2939019T3; MA54065A; IL282693B1; IL282693B2; EP3873823A1; IT201800009901A1; WO2020089731A1

Description

The present invention relates to a pourer for a container, for example a bottle. This pourer is particularly of the non-refillable type, i.e. has the purpose to prevent replenishment of the liquid in the container and, as a result, to prevent the container from receiving a liquid other than the one originally contained therein. This is particularly useful in the field of high-quality food supply (for example oil and alcoholic beverage supply) as it prevents alteration of the original product and introduction of a poorer-quality product into the container, unless the pourer is broken.
Multiple variants of a non-refillable pourer are known in the art. For example, IT 1 131 961 , by the Applicant hereof, discloses a closure for a bottle comprising a pourer. This pourer comprises a flat grille with narrow slits, which is designed to lie over a non-return valve. As liquid is poured on the grille, it interacts with the slits and creates a meniscus due to surface tension, which can prevent the fluid from flowing past the grille. In other words, the geometry of the grille and the inherent properties of the fluid create a "barrier effect" which prevents any unauthorized replenishment attempt.
Nevertheless, IT '961 recognizes that the grille alone is not sufficient to prevent refilling of the container, as a fluid poured from a greater height can overcome the barrier created by grille-fluid interaction. Therefore, IT '961 specifies the presence of a non-return valve in the container located inward from the grille.
The prior art also includes US patent application 2010/0018940 by Alcan Packaging Capsules . This patent application discloses a non-refillable pourer, in which the above discussed barrier effect is provided by a convex member having a plurality of holes. These holes are adapted to allow the passage of the liquid that flows out of the pourer, while creating the above discussed barrier effect in case of attempted unauthorized filling.
US '940 describes several variants of the convex member, having various degrees of convexity. All these variants show a uniform arrangement of holes on the surface. Also, the holes have converging axes. Finally, the smallest dimension of the holes is less than 0.7 mm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant noted that one drawback of the above arrangements is that liquid pouring from prior art pourers is hindered in that the holes provide a partial "barrier effect" also during the pouring action.
A further drawback of prior art pourers is their construction complexity. Particularly referring to types of holes as disclosed in US '940, they have been found to be hardly formed by molding.
Therefore, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide a pourer for a container that can obviate the aforementioned prior art drawbacks.
In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a pourer for a container that can improve the pouring operation.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a pourer for a container that has a simpler construction.
The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by a pourer for a container that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the accompanying claims.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will result more clearly from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a pourer for a container as shown in the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pourer for a container of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top view of the pourer of Figure 1, with certain parts omitted to better show other parts;
Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the pourer of Figures 1 and 2, when applied to the neck of a container;
Figure 3a is a detail of the view of Figure 3, with certain parts omitted to better show other parts;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pourer for a container of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a top view of the pourer of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a sectional side view of the pourer of Figures 4 and 5, when applied to the neck of a container;
Figure 6a is a detail of the view of Figure 6, with certain parts omitted to better show other parts; and
Figure 7 is a sectional side view of the pourer of Figures 4 and 5, during a replenishment attempt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the annexed figures, numeral 1 designates a pourer for a container of the present invention.
The pourer 1 comprises a conduit 2. The conduit 2 is designed to be fixed to a neck 3 of a container, e.g. a bottle. The conduit 2 is designed to allow the passage of a liquid, e.g. oil. In the embodiment as described above, the conduit 2 has an axially symmetric, more particularly a substantially cylindrical shape. In certain alternative embodiments, not shown, the conduit 2 may have any shape whatever.
Referring to Figures 3 and 6, the conduit 2 has a central axis "A". The conduit 2 further defines a flow direction "B" for a liquid, which is parallel to the central axis "A".
More in detail, the conduit 2 has an inlet opening 4 that faces an interior compartment of the container and an outlet opening 5 opposite to the inlet opening 4. The inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 5 are arranged transverse to the flow direction "B" for the liquid. More particularly, the inlet opening 4 establishes fluid communication between the interior compartment of the container and the interior compartment of the conduit 2. Likewise, the outlet opening 5 establishes fluid communication between the interior compartment of the conduit 2 and the environment outside the container. In operation, the liquid flows in the flow direction "B" from the inlet opening 4 toward the outlet opening 5.
Particularly referring to the embodiments as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the inlet opening 4 is situated within the container, and the outlet opening 5 is situated outside. It shall be noted that the outlet opening 5 generally has a rim 5a which is specially shaped for drip control.
More in detail, the conduit 2 comprises a flange 6 which is externally placed between the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 5. In particular, the flange 6 is adapted to abut the neck 3 of the container, to stop the introduction of the conduit 2.
The flange 6 divides the conduit 2 into an upper portion 7 and a lower portion 8. In the illustrated embodiments, in operation the upper portion 7 is placed outside the container. Likewise, the lower portion 8 is placed within the container, and in particular is specially shaped to be restrained in the container by interference, or in any manner known to the skilled person.
In other embodiments, not shown, the inlet opening 4 is located at the flange 6. In this case, the entire conduit 2 will be located outside the neck 3.
In further embodiments, not shown, the outlet opening 5 is located at the flange 6. Therefore, the entire conduit 2 will be located within the neck 3.
A transverse wall 9 is placed inside the conduit 2. In particular, the transverse wall 9 is arranged transverse to the flow direction "B" between the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 5. More in detail, the transverse wall 9 extends along the entire cross section of the conduit 2. It shall be noted that the transverse wall 9 is designed to allow liquid to flow therethrough from the inlet opening 4 to the outlet opening 5 while being able to prevent the liquid from being introduced into the container, i.e. from flowing from the outlet opening 5 to the inlet opening 4.
More in detail, the transverse wall 9 comprises a top surface 9a that faces the outlet opening and a bottom surface 9b that faces the inlet opening 4. The top surface 9a has a central area 11a and a peripheral area 11b. The central area 11a is surrounded by the peripheral area 11b and both areas are centered on the central axis "A" of the conduit 2.
Particularly referring to the embodiment as shown in Figure 1, it shall be noted that the central area 11a and the peripheral area 1 1b of the top surface 9a are perpendicular to the central axis " A" of the conduit 2. In other words, the transverse wall 9 has a substantially flat shape.
Particularly referring to the embodiment of Figure 4, it shall be noted that the central area 11a is perpendicular to the central axis "A" of the conduit 2, whereas the peripheral area 11b is inclined with respect to the central axis. In other words, the top surface 9a of the transverse wall 9 has a concavity that faces the outlet opening 5.
In order to allow the liquid to flow, the top surface 9a of the transverse wall 9 is formed with a plurality of holes 10. Each hole 10 has a respective central axis "C". In particular, in the embodiments as described and illustrated herein each hole 10 preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape. In certain alternative embodiments, not shown, the holes 10 may have any shape.
Particularly referring to Figures 2 and 5, the holes 10 are grouped into a plurality of groups. Preferably, the holes 10 of each group are arranged along a respective circumference 12. In the illustrated embodiments, the central axes "C" of the holes 10 of each group are arranged along their respective circumference 12. Each circumference 12 has a radius that differs from that of the others. In particular, each circumference has its origin on the central axis "A" of the conduit 2. More in detail, the holes of each group are preferably angularly equally spaced with respect to the central axis "A" of the conduit 2. In other words, the holes 10 are evenly arranged in each respective group.
Preferably, at least one group of holes 10 is formed in the central area 11a and at least one group of holes 10 is formed in the peripheral area 11b. In the illustrated embodiments, a single group of holes 10 is formed in the peripheral area 11b, and two groups of holes 10 are formed in the central area 11a. More in detail, the holes 10 of each group may have a diameter other than that of the holes 10 of the other groups.
Particularly referring to the embodiment of Figure 1, the transverse wall 9 has an even arrangement of holes 10 over the entire top surface 9a. Furthermore, the central axis "C" of each hole 10 is parallel to the flow direction "B" of the conduit 2. Optionally, one of the groups of holes 10 formed in the central area 11a may be composed of a single hole 10. In particular, the single hole 10 is centered on the central axis "A" of the conduit 2.
In the embodiment as shown in Figure 4, a group of holes 10 is formed in the peripheral area 11b, and two groups of holes 10 are formed in the central area 11a. Furthermore, the central axis "C" of each hole 10 is inclined with respect to the flow direction "B" of the conduit 2.
In order to prevent refilling of the container, the pourer 1 comprises a plurality of rods 13 projecting from the transverse wall 9 to the outlet opening 5. In particular, these rods 13 project out of the top surface 9a of the transverse wall 9.
In the embodiment as shown in Figure 1, the rods 13 are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the flow direction "B" of the conduit. These rods 13 are closely spaced. Particularly referring to Figure 3, the rods 13 are placed at such a distance from each other that, when an attempt is made to refill the container, the surface tension between the liquid that is being introduced and the rods 13 stops the flow from the outlet opening 5 to the inlet opening 4. This will prevent the liquid from being poured into the container. In this embodiment the rods 13 have a thickness that ranges from 0.4 mm to 1 mm.
It shall be noted that the rods 13 generally span a portion of the volume between the outlet opening 5 and the top surface 9a of the transverse wall 9 that ranges from 60% to 90%. Advantageously, this greatly reduces the volume of liquid that can stay on the transverse wall 9. In addition, quick filling greatly hinders air exhaust from the container. These effects, both individually and in combination, further hinder refilling of the container. Furthermore, as a small volume is available, any replenishment attempt would cause the liquid to almost immediately flow out of the pourer 1, thereby fouling the exterior of the pourer 1 and of the container, and providing evidence of the attempted adulteration.
In the embodiment as shown in Figure 4, the rods 13 are inclined with respect to the flow direction "B" of the conduit. Here, the rods 13 are flexible, i.e. are able to bend under the action of the liquid both during normal pouring and during a replenishment attempt, for example as shown in Figure 7.
In operation, the pourer 1 has a flow configuration and a closed configuration. In the flow configuration, the rods 13 are spread apart for the liquid to flow from inlet opening 4 to the outlet opening 5. In the closed configuration, the rods are compacted to block the flow of the liquid from the outlet opening 5 to the inlet opening 4. In other words, when the liquid flows from the inlet opening 4 to the outlet opening 5, the rods are spread apart due to the action of the fluid. However, when the liquid flows from the outlet opening 5 to the inlet opening 4, the rods 13 bend and cover the holes 10 of the transverse wall 9. Furthermore, the bending rods 13 create a surface tension with the liquid such that, like in the previously discussed embodiment, a liquid-impervious barrier is created. More in detail, the rods 13 of the embodiment as shown in Figures 4 to 6 have a thickness that ranges from 0.001 mm to 0.02 mm.
The rods 13 have a length that ranges from 50 to 75% of a distance "D" between the top surface 9a of the transverse wall 9 and the outlet opening 5. In particular, in the embodiment of Figure 3, the distance "D" is the distance between the point of the top surface 9a of the side wall 9 and the outlet opening 5, along the central axis "A" of the conduit. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the distance "D" is the distance from the point of the top surface 9a of the side wall 9 that is closest to the the outlet opening 5 and the outlet opening 5, along the central axis "A" of the conduit.
Advantageously, the holes 10 of the transverse wall 9 have a diameter that ranges from 0.5 to 3 mm. This will eliminate the "barrier effect" created when the liquid flows from the inside to the outside of the container.
Advantageously, this "barrier effect" is conversely provided by the rods 13 that project out of the transverse wall 9. These rods 13 block of the liquid flow from the outside to the inside of the container.
Advantageously, the "barrier effect" provided by the rods 13 in the embodiment of Figure 4 is twofold: first, as they bend toward the flow direction "B" they cover the holes 10 and in addition their mutual contact forms a liquid-impervious barrier due to the surface tension created between the rods 13.
Advantageously, the pourer as disclosed herein is made by molding, which affords simpler manufacture as compared with prior art pourers.

Claims

A pourer (1) for a container comprising:
- a conduit (2) for the passage of liquid, which can be fixed to a neck (3) of a container, and comprises an inlet opening (4) and an outlet opening (5) opposite to each other, said inlet opening (4) being adapted to face an interior compartment of the container, said conduit (2) having a liquid flow direction (B) from said inlet opening (4) to said outlet opening (5),

- a transverse wall (9) arranged within said conduit (2) and transverse to said flow direction (B), said transverse wall (9) having a plurality of holes (10) through which the liquid can flow;
characterized in that:
- said pourer (1) comprises a plurality of rods (13) projecting out of said transverse wall (9) toward the outlet opening (5).
A pourer (1), as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transverse wall (9) comprises a top surface (9a) that faces the outlet opening (5) and a bottom surface (9b) that faces the inlet opening (4), said conduit (2) having a central axis (A), said top surface (9a) having a central area (11a) and a peripheral area (11b) surrounding said central area (11a).
A pourer (1), as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central area (11a) is perpendicular to the central axis (A) and said peripheral area (11b) is inclined with respect to the central axis (A).
A pourer as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said transverse wall (11b) has a concavity that faces said outlet opening (5).
A pourer (1), as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central zone (11a) and said peripheral zone (11b) are perpendicular to the central axis (A) of the conduit (2).
A pourer (1), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said holes (10) are grouped into a plurality of groups, the holes (10) of each group being arranged along a respective circumference (12).
A pourer (1), as claimed in claim 6, wherein each circumference (12) has a radius differing from that of the others, said circumferences (12) being centered on the central axis (A) of the conduit (2).
A pourer (1), as claimed in claimed in claim 6, with at least one group of holes (10) is formed in the central area (11a) and at least one group of holes (10) is formed in the peripheral area (11b).
A pourer (1), as claimed in claim 8, wherein said holes (10) of each group are arranged angularly and equally-spaced with respect to the central axis (A).
A pourer (1), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said rods (13) are oriented parallel to each other and to the flow direction (B).
A pourer (1), as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, having a flow configuration in which said rods (13) are opened apart, for the liquid to flow from the inlet opening (4) to the outlet opening (5), and a closed configuration in which the rods are compacted to stop the liquid flow from the outlet opening (5), to the inlet opening (4).
A pourer (1), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said rods (13) extend to a length ranging from 50 to 75% of the distance "D" between the transverse wall (9) and the outlet opening (5).