GB2505571A

GB2505571A - Pourer including air vent

Info

Publication number: GB2505571A
Application number: GB201315717A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Joseph Slevin; Adam Michael Robinson; Thomas William Eales
Original assignee: DISRUPTIVE DOSING Ltd
Current assignee: DISRUPTIVE DOSING Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-04
Filing date: 2013-09-04
Publication date: 2014-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-04
Also published as: GB201215732D0; GB201315717D0; GB2505571B

Abstract

A pourer comprises a conduit 5 having an inlet 7 and an outlet 12; sealing means 2 comprising a plurality of sealing members extending radially from the conduit and dimensioned to engage an interior surface of a bottle neck; an air vent 9 having an inlet 11 and an outlet 10; the inlet and outlet of each of the conduit and air vent being located on opposite sides of the sealing means; wherein the pourer has no component with a diameter greater than a diameter to engage completely within the bottle neck. In this way, the pourer is configured to be inserted into a bottle neck in use without any part of the pourer extending outwardly from the bottle neck. The pourer may include a baffle and an asymmetric weight arranged so that the pourer rotates as the pourer is rotated in a horizontal orientation.

Description

POURER

This invention relates to a pourer for use in facilitating pouring of a liquid from a bottle, particularly but not exclusively for reducing the likelihood of a surge of liquid or splashing during pouring into a drinking glass, to allow the velocity and direction of the liquid flow to be controlled.

Pour spouts commorfly comprise a cylindrical body member and a protruding spout. The body may be dimensioned to be received in various sizes of bottle neck.

A disadvantage in use of such pourers is that the liquid in the bottle is permanently exposed to the ambient atmosphere. While this may not be a problem in a busy bar, there is a risk of spoilage or contamination, for example by insects in a less busy bar or domestic environment. Sealing mechanisms are known but these introduce complications and have varying degrees of effectiveness. Resealing with the original cap is a superior option but removal of the pourer after each use is inconvenient.

US 20 10/0230447 discloses an aftermarket pour spout having a flange which extends out of the botfie neck. Such a pourer may be fitted after removal of the bottle cap. Alternatively a pourer may be fitted before the bottle is capped but this would make it necessary to alter the tooling of the capping apparatus to accommodate the increased length of the bottle neck.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a pourer comprises a conduit having an inlet and an outlet; sealing means comprising a plurality of sealing members extending radially from the conduit and dimensioned to engage an interior surface of a bottle neck; an air vent having an inlet and an outlet; the inlet and outlet of each of the conduit and air vent being located on opposite sides of the sealing means; wherein the pourer has no component with a diameter greater than a diameter to engage completely within the bottle neck.

The pourer of this invention may be configured to be inserted into a bottle neck in use without any part of the pourer extending outwardly from the bottle neck.

The porn-er is preferably used for pouring bottled liquid, for example, bottled alcoholic beverages including spirits or liqueurs. A free flow of liquid is provided when a bottle to which the pourer is fitted is tilted or inverted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a bottle having a neck and a pourer in accordance with the first aspect located in the neck. The bottle may further include a cap or cork stopper closing the neck.

The pourer of this invention has the advantage that it may be inserted into a bottle neck after filling and prior to capping of the bottle, without any need for alteration of the tooling of a capping apparatus. Use in botdes closed by cork stoppers is also facilitated because the pourer may be located a sufficient distance within the bottle neck to accommodate a cork.

The pourer, being wholly located within the neck may be concealed by the foil wrapper or label applied to the neck of the bottle.

The conduit preferably comprises a cylindrical tube extending from an inlet located inwardly of the sealing means to an outlet located outwardly of the sealing means.

Use of an axial conduit is preferred. This has the advantage that the rate of pouring is independent of rotation of the bottle.

The sealing means preferably comprises an array of radially extending resilient flanges arranged in axially spaced relation, the diameter of each flange being selected to allow liquid-tight engagement with an interior surface of a bottle neck. A pourer may be configured for use with a particularly dimensioned bottle. A selection of pourers may be provided for use with a range of bottles, for example as used by a particular drinks manufacturer. The sealing means may have flexible flanges to accommodate a range of common bottle sizes.

In particularly advantageous embodiments the air intake extends inwardly of the sealing means in relation to the inlet of the conduit so that the outlet of the air intake is located inwardly relative to the inlet of the conduit. Preferably, the air intake extends inwardly of the sealing means by distance sufficient to prevent bubbles from entering the conduit or becoming entrained in the liquid flow into the conduit inlet during pouring. This also allows the flow of liquid to create suction to draw air into the bottle through the air intake.

The distance between the outlet of the air intake and the sealing means is preferably equal to the axial thickness of the sealing means or greater. The distance of the air intake may be preferably 5-50mm or more preferably 10-50mm from the inner surface of the sealing means.

The diameter of the air intake may be sufficiently small that surface tension and the viscosity of the liquid with which the pourer is intended to be used, prevents liquid from passing into the air intake in use.

In preferred embodiments the air intake may extend from the sealing means towards the interior of the bottle as an annular member, for example a cylindrical tube. In embodiments in which the conduit extends inwardly from the sealing means, the air intake and conduit may be formed integrally into a single member to reduce the likelihood of damage during use, for example when being inserted into the neck of a bottle.

In a first embodiment of the invention the outlet of the conduit is located outwardly of the sealing means so that the conduit extends outwardly of the sealing means to form a pourer tube.

In a second embodiment the conduit has an outlet generally co-planar with an outer surface of the sealing means.

In a third embodiment the inlet of the conduit may be located inwardly of the sealing means so that the conduit extends inwardly of the sealing means to form an inlet tube.

In a fourth embodiment the conduit has an inlet generally co-planar with an inner surface of the sealing means.

In a particulady preferred pourer the second embodiment is present together with the third embodiment. Alternatively the first embodiment may be present together with the fourth embodiment. In such pourers the conduit has a sufficient length to permit controlled flow of liquid from the bottle.

Any combustion of the first to fourth embodiments may be employed.

However preferred pourers have the location of the conduit outlet and air intake configured so that the air and liquid flows are kept separate during pouring of the liquid, preferably irrespective of the rotational orientation of the bottle.

In an embodiment in which the conduit extends inwardly of the sealing means, one or more inlets may be provided in the conduit adjacent the sealing means.

One or more, preferaHy two opposed apertures may be dimensioned to control the maximum rate of liquid flow. The apertures may also be configured to facilitate drainage of the last quantity of liquid from a bottle in use. The apertures may be located on opposite sides of a tubular conduit to improve drainage at any orientation of the bottle.

The conduit may extend inwardly from one or more inlets.

An auxiliary inlet may be located at the inner end of the conduit.

The auxiliary inlet may serve to equalise pressures created within the bottle neck and conduit during pouring.

Preferably the conduit extends outwardly of the sealing means by a distance greater than the distance of the inlet of the air vent from the sealing means. This ensures that liquid pouring from the outlet does not enter the inlet of the air vent to avoid choking of the air vent.

S

In preferred embodiments, the distance of the outlet is more than 1 mm, preferably 5-50 mm, more preferably 10-50 mm, from the sealing means. The dislimce may be more than twice, preferably more than three times, the internal diameter of the conduit.

This invention may not related to to attachments used to permit a straw to be located in a bottle neck, for example to prevent tampering with contents of the bottle.

Such arrangements do not facilitate pouring of the contents of a bottle in a free flow of liquid.

In a preferred embodiment the sealing members may extend radially from a generally cylindrical body, the body having an internal cavity communicating with the inlet of the conduit. The cavity may be cylindrical or conical in shape. The cavity may serve to provide a funnel to direct a flow of liquid into the conduit. In addition, the hollow sealing means decreases the available volume within the bottle neck occupied by the pourer.

In preferred embodiments the air vent extends parallel to the pourer axis at a radial distance greater than the circumference of the conduit. The air vent may be located circumferentially of the pourer. A plurality of circumferentiafly located air vents may be provided.

In the first embodiment a closing baffle may be provided at the outer end of the conduit, arranged to be located within the neck of the bottle in use and co-planar with the rim of the neck. The baffle may have one or more apertures to permit air flow to the air vent.

The baffle may serve as a drip guard. A plurality of apertures which serve as air intakes may be located to form an annular array around the conduit.

The air vent preferably has a cross sectional area smaller than the conduit.

Preferably air intake has a smaller diameter. This serves to restrict liquid flow into the intake due to surface tension and viscosity of the liquid.

One embodiment the air intake comprises an annubr passageway.. For example the conduit and air intake may be provided as two concentric tubes. The narrow dimension of such an air intake may serve to minimise fluid ingress during use.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the pourer further comprises sealing means having an annular bearing and a pourer body rotatably mounted within the bearing; the pourer body including a radially asymmetric weight, arranged so that the pourer body rotates as the pourer is rotated in a horizontal orientation; the air intake being located diametrically opposite the weight.

In such an embodiment the conduit may be located circumferentially rather than axially of the pourer body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a bottle having a neck fitted with a pourer in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention and sealed with a screw cap.

Use of a pourer in accordance with this invention confers several advantages.

The quantity of a liquid poured from a bottle may be controlled, avoiding splashing and reducing the likelihood of an unnecessarily portion being supplied independent of the rotational angle of a bottle or if a bottle is rotated during pouring. This may be particularly beneficial if alcoholic spirits are being poured and the consumer does not wish to over indulge. The pourer may be inserted into the bottle during the bottling process, but does not impede application of a screw cap or a cork stopper inserted into the neck. Re-tooling of bottling apparatus is avoided. Furthermore, the pourer may be concealed by the foil wrapper applied to the neck of a bottle or by a suitable label.

The invention is further described by means of example. but not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first pourer in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 shows the pourer inserted into the neck of a bottle; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a bottle neck shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows views of the pourer shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second pourer in accordance with this invention' Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the pourer inserted in the neck of a bottle; Figure 7 shows various views of a pourer shown in Figures 5 and 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further pourer in accordance with this invention; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the pourer of Figure 8 inserted in the neck of a bottle; Figure 10 shows various views of a pourer shown in Figures 8 and 9; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a further pourer in accordance with this invention; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the pourer of Figure ii inserted in the neck of a bottle; Figure 13 shows various views of the pourer shown in Figures ii and i2; Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a further pourer insered in the neck of a bottle; Figure 15 shows various views of the pourer shown in Figure 15; Figure 16-21 show various views of further pourers in accordance with the invention; Figure 22 shows an exploded perspective view of another pourer in accordance with this invention; Figure 23 shows various views of the assembled pourer shown in Figure 22; and Figure 24 shows various views of a further pourer in accordance with this invention.

Figures 1-4 show a first pourer in accordance with this invention. A cylindrical body (1) disposed axially of the pourer. Four cylindrical disc-like flanges (2) extend radially from the body (I) and are dimensioned to engage an inner surface (3) of a bottle neck (4) as shown in Figure 3.

The body (1) forms a cylindrical conduit (5) extending axially of the pourer and bottle neck in use. A cylindncal inlet conduit (6) extends inwardly into the bottle neck in use, downwardly as shown in the Figures. The inlet conduit (6) has rectangular primary inlet openings (7) disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the conduit (6) adjacent the inner surface of the innermost sealing means (2). The conduit (6) has a further opening (8) at the innermost end. This may serve as a secondary inlet.

An air vent (9) extends from an inlet (10). The inlet is co-planar with the outer surface of the sealing means. The air vent has an outlet (11) facing inwardly of the pourer on the inner side of the sealing means. In the embodiment shown, the conduit (6) and air vent (9) have the same axial length so that the air inlet (10) and conduit outlet (12) are generally co-planar with the sealing ring (2). The conduit inlet (8) and air outlet (11) are located at the same axial distance from the sealing means (2). This provides a preselected distance between inlet opening (7) and air outlet opening (ii) to prevent entrainment of air within the liquid flow.

In use the sealing means may be inserted into the neck of a bottle either before or after filling of the bottle, so that the sealing means is wholly located within the neck of a bottle, without leaving any part of the sealing means extending beyond the neck. In the embodiment shown, the pourer may be concealed by the bottle cap and foil covering (13 of Figure 2) applied to the outer surface of the bottle neck.

Figures 5-7 show a second pourer in accordance with this invention. The pourer has a configuration generally similar to the first embodiment except that the conduit has an outlet portion (20) extending outwardly (upwardly as shown in the Figures) from the sealing means (21) to form a pourer spout. In this embodiment liquid pouring from the outlet opening (22) is directed away from the air inlet (23), preventing any possible ingress of liquid into the air inlet (23). The sealing means (21) is located at a greater depth within the neck of a bottle (24) so that the outlet (20) is whofly disposed within the neck in use.

A further embodiment is shown in Figures 8-10. A cylindrical body (30) has five radially extending annular sealing means (31,32,33,34,35) dimensioned to engage the inner surface of a bottle neck (36) as shown in Figure 9. A conduit (37) extends from an inlet (38) in the outermost sealing member (31) and extends outwardly to an outlet (39) to form a pourer tube. The body (30) has a generally cylindrical chamber (40) with an opening (41) in the innermost sealing member (35) communicating with the interior of the bottle neck (36). The chamber (40) serves as a funnel to gather liquid before entry into the conduit (37).

Air vent (42) extends inwardly from the sealing means so that air can pass from the intake inlet 43) to the air vent outlet (44). The outlet (44) is located at a sufficient distance from the sealing means so that bubbles passing into the liquid do not cause turbulence in the liquid passing into the chamber (40) and conduit (37). The air vent (42) is located at a radial distance greater than the diameter of the conduit (37).

Figures 11-13 show a further pourer in accordance with this invention, generally similar to the pourer shown in Figures 5-7, with the addition of a baffle (50) located on the outer end of conduit (51) to form a drip guard extending from the conduit outlet (53) to a circumferential rim configured to be adjacent or to engage the interior of the bottle neck (54) as shown in Figure 12.

A circumferential rebate (52) in the circumference of the rim serves to permit flow of air from the exterior to the intake (55) of the air vent (56). The aperture (52) is preferably located diametrically opposite to the air intake (55) to reduce the nsk of entry of liquid into the air intake (55).

Figures 14 and 15 show a further embodiment similar to that shown in Figures 8-10 with the addition of a baffle (60) as described in relation to Figures 11-13.

Figure 16 shows a further embodiment generally similar to that shown in Figures 11-13. In this embodiment the baffle has an annular aperture (71) divided into three segments by bridging member (72) to allow passage of air through the baffle (70) to air intake (73).

Figure 17 shows a further embodiment generally similar to Figure 15 but having an annular aperture (80) in the baffle (81) surrounding the outlet (82) of conduit (83) as described in the embodiments shown in Figures iS and i6.

Figure 18 shows a further embodiment generally similar to that shown in Figures 5-7, except that three air intakes (90) are symmetrically located around the conduit (91) to ensure constant flow of air irrespective of orientation of the bottle in use.

Figure i9 shows a further embodiment wherein the body of the sealing means (100) has a cylindrical chamber (lOl) and wherein three air intakes (102) are symmetrically disposed around the conduit (103).

Figure 20 is a further embodiment wherein the sealing means and conduit are similar to the arrangement shown in Figures 5-7. However, the air intake comprises three equidistantly spaced part-cylindrical apertures which together form a generally aimular passageway concentric with the conduit inlet tube (111). The liquid inlets (112) are located between the air intake portions (110).

The annular aperture (71) located around the outlet (74) forms a conduit (75) to allow passage of air irrespective of the angular position of the bottle neck.

Figure 2i is a further embodiment wherein the air intake arrangement of Figure 20 is used with a body, sealing means and conduit in configuration as shown in Figures 9-11. Three part-cylindrical air intakes (120) extend inwarffly from the outermost sealing means (121). Three air inlets (122) interrupted by connecting portions (123) form a generally annular air inlet in the sealing means (121).

Figures 22-24 show further embodiments of the invention wherein the pourer is formed in two parts. In the embodiment shown in Figures 22 and 23, the sealing means encompasses a cylindrical body (130) having outwardly extending sealing members (131) configured to engage the inner surface of a bottle neck (not shown).

The body (130) forms a cylindrical aperture (132) within which a rotatable cylindrical member (133) is received. The cylindrical member (133) has a conduit outlet (134) aiid air intake (135) as described in the previous embodiments. A conduit inlet tube (136) has a pair of diametrically opposed rectangular inlets (137) and a downwardly extending portion having an auxiliary inlet tube (138) at the lower end. The cylindrical member (133) has an eccentric configuration and is loaded with a heavy weight so that it rotates to a selected orientation when the bottle neck is horizontal. In the selected orientation, the air intake (139) is located above the conduit (136) so that liquid poured from the conduit does not enter the inlet (135) of air intake (139).

Figure 24 shows an embodiment generally similar to that shown in Figures 22 and 23 wherein the conduit (140) does not extend beyond the sealing means (141) having an inlet (142) on the inner side of the sealing means and an oudet (143) on the extenor of the sealing means. The air intake (144) extends inwardly of the sealing means so that bubbles do not cause turbulence in the liquid poured through the conduit (142,143).

Claims

CLAIMSI. A pourer comprising a conduit having an inlet and an outlet; sealing means comprising one or a plurality of sealing members extending radially from the conduit and dimensioned to engage an interior surface of a bottle neck; an air vent having an ifflet and an oudet; the inlet and outlet of each of the conduit and air vent being located on opposite sides of the sealing means; wherein the pourer has no component with a diameter greater than a diameter to engage completely within the bottle neck.
2. A pourer as claimed in claim i, wherein the air intake extends inwardly of the sealing means by a greater distance than the distance of the inlet of the conduit from the sealing means.
3. A pourer as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the outlet of the air intake is located inwardly relative to the inlet of the conduit.
4. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein liquid maybe poured in a free flow to the conduit when the pourer is tilted or inverted.
5. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the conduit comprises a cylindrical tube extending from an inlet located inwardly of the sealing means to an outlet located outwardly of the sealing means.
6. A pourer as dairned in any preceding claim comprising an axial conduit.
7. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sealing means comprises an array of radially extending flanges arranged in axially spaced relation.
8. A pourer as claimed in any preceding daim, wherein the outlet of the conduit is located outwardly of the sealing means.
9. A pourer as daimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the conduit has an outlet generally co-planar with an outer surface of the sealing means.
10. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inlet of the conduit is located inwardly of the sealing means.
11. A porn-er as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the conduit has an inlet generally co-planar with an inner surface of the sealing means.
12. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the conduit extends inwardly of the sealing means and one or more inlets are provided in the conduit adjacent the sealing means.
13. A pourer as claimed in claim 12, wherein the conduit extends inwardly from the one or more inlets.
14. A pourer as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a secondary inlet located at an inner end of the conduit.
15. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a dimension of the conduit inlet is selected to limit a maximum flow of liquid dunng pounng.
16. A pourer as claimed in claim 6 or any preceding claim dependent on claim 6, wherein the conduit extends outwardly of the sealing means by a distance greater than the distance of the inlet of the air vent from the sealing means.
17. A pourer as chimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outlet of the air vent extends inwardly of the sealing means.
18. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sealing members extend radially from a generally cylindrical body, the body having an internal cavity communicating with the inlet of the conduit.
19. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the air vent extends parallel to the pourer axis at a radial distance greater than the circumference of the conduit.
20. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the air vent is located circumferentially of the pourer.
21. A pourer as claimed in claim 8 or any claim dependent on claim 8, wherein a closing baffle is provided at the outer end of the conduit.
22. A pourer as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising sealing means having an annular bearing and a pourer body located within the bearing; the pourer body including a radially asymmetric weight, arranged so that the pourer body rotates as the pourer is rotated in a horizontal orientation; the air intake being located diametrically opposite the weight.
23. A bottle having a neck and a pourer in accordance with any preceding claim.
24. A pourer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A bottle including a pourer substantially as hereinbefore descnbed with reference to the accompanying drawings.