GB2496924A

GB2496924A - Anti-gulp / pressure equalisation device for bottles or cartons

Info

Publication number: GB2496924A
Application number: GB1200763.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frahaan Hussain
Original assignee: THUNDERKEYBOLT
Current assignee: THUNDERKEYBOLT
Priority date: 2011-11-27
Filing date: 2012-01-17
Publication date: 2013-05-29
Also published as: GB201120414D0; GB201200763D0

Abstract

An anti-gulping device / pressure equalisation device in the form of a disc 10 or the like may be integral or inserted in to the mouth or spout 23 of an associated container, bottle or carton 20. Device 20 comprises a plurality of holes (11, Fig 5) therein. Tabs 13 may hold the device in place when inserted in to spout 23 which may also have a screw thread 21 and cap 22. In one embodiment it is intended that the device does not protrude in to the cavity of container 20 or the spout 23 and that it is positioned below the rim of spout 23.

Description

DESCRIPTION

All liquid holding vessels such as cartons and bottles have one fundamental design fault, that is that in order to pour the liquid (usually into a glass or jug) the vacuum space created in the vessel needs to be filled with air. This equalisation of pressure of inside and outside is a necessity in order for the liquid to continue to pour successfully. If air pressure is not equalised then the liquid will soon stop pouring.

Additionally the pouring action -even at slow speeds -results in spillage due to the common and often seen gulping effect.

The new device needs to be simple, unobtrusive, cost effective to produce and easy to integrate into the existing and well established worldwide manufacturing processes. The device solves the two problems as described above, in that the gulping effect is drastically reduced (or completely eliminated) and allows for the air pressure equalisation to occur more efficiently but without obstructing the flow of the liquid -even at maximum pouring speeds.

The device is a disk made of the same material as the pouring spout 23 (usually plastic) and will be manufactured at the same time and as an integral part of the spout 23 following minimal changes to existing tooling. The device or disk is as depicted in FIG. 1 and in situ within the spout 23 as in FIGS. 5 & 6.

The implementation of this modification to the regular manufacturing process of liquid vessels will not only reduce spillage but much more importantly the organisation who implements it first an edge over its competitors with regards to a feel good factor about the product. This will, through advertising and word of mouth, lead to positive PR which will in turn boost sales leading to increased turnover.

The amount and degree of wastage of liquid and damaged containers through consumer frustrations will reduce wastage of raw materials and be kinder to the environment, another PR positive.

FIGs. 1 a, b, c & d show four further variations of prototyped and tested devices -the only difference being the pattern, number and layout of holes 11 for the liquid to pass through. All of them reduce the problem of gulping but FIG.1 performs the best.

Although there are other products in either development or in the marketplace this one is the simplest in design and execution by far. It will produce less waste materials, be unobtrusive and virtually impossible to detect unless you actually look into the spout 23 directly. None of the above advantages as described affect the device or consumer adversely.

Drawings FIG. 1 lop down view of inside of spout 23 and the new device 10 which is attached via the four tabs 13 FIG. 1 a (Alternate design) Top down view of inside of spout 23 and the new device 10 which is attached via the four tabs 13 FIG. lb (Alternate design) lop down view of inside of spout 23 and the new device 10 which is attached via the four tabs 13 FIG. 1 c (Alternate design) Top down view of inside of spout 23 and the new device 10 which is attached via the four tabs 13 FIG. id (Alternate design) Top down view of inside of spout 23 and the new device 10 which is attached via the four tabs 13 FIG. 2 lhree quarter view of device showing holes 11 for liquid and air flow and tabs 13, also showing the very narrow edge 12 FIG. 3 Edge on view of new device 10, showing shallow thickness and 3 of the 4 tabs 13 FIG. 4 lhree quarter view of standard carton 20 showing standard spout 23, screw cap 22 and cap screw thread 21. New device is inside spout 23 and out of view FIG. 5 Top down view of standard carton 20 showing spout 23, screw thread 21 and new device 10 fitted inside, clearly showing flow holes hand attachment Tabs 13 FIG. 6 lop down and closer view of spout 23 only clearly showing screw thread 21 and new device 10 including flow holes 11 and Tabs 13 FIG. 7 Side view of standard carton 20 showing just top third with spout 23, screw thread 21, screw cap 22 and new device 10 and attachment tabs 13.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMSThe claims are: 1. A liquid storage and pouring vessel which has a substantially reduced gulping' effect when the liquid is poured from it, particularly with high speed pouring using an integral addition to pouring spout 23. This device would allow the passage of liquid and air simultaneously using the specific design and layout of the holes 11.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The additional part would be integral to the design and manufacture of an existing and tooled component 23.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The device is not available as a separate item but comes attached and part of the spout 23.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The new effective part of the vessel is inconspicuous and does not in any other way interfere with the filling (the vessels are filled prior to spout 23 being fitted), storage, and use thereof.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The spout 23 is no bigger or longer than the existing dimensions for a given vessel.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The additional device does not protrude into the cavity of the vessel nor does it protrude out of the confines of the spout 23.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The newly designed device enables the air pressure of the inside of the vessel to equalise with atmospheric pressure outside.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The new device is moulded and positioned at the base of the pouring spout length below the rim of the spout 23.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The screw cap 22 is of the standard type for that vessel and is not affected by the new design/device.</claim-text>