IL25805A - Container and fluid dispensing means therefor - Google Patents

Description

25805/2 iiiay β»ια»ί HVATT a y»oKi b»a Container and fluid dispensing means therefor REXALL DRUG AJTD CHEMICAL COMPAQ This invention relates to dispensing containers and more particularly to dispensing containers of the type exhibiting an upstanding spout wherein means are provided for directing the flow of fluid from such spout. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a container having a spout upon which a collar member is ve rtically slidable thereupon from a retracted lowe r position to an upper fluid dispensing position wherein said collar membe r acts as a fluid directing means by which fluid within such container may be dispensed therefrom through such spout means .

Prior art devices of this type particularly adapted for dis pensing of viscous materials such as syrup and the like present several disadvantages both in utility and structure among which is the use of a separate fluid dispensing means operable with the spout or neck of a fluid container which directing means must be as sembled in relationship to the neck or spout of the container for each use thereof and thereafter removed. Another disadvantage is the inability of many of such prior art devices to pe rmit a positive closure of the neck or spout area thereof while the fluid directing means is in contact therewith or mounted thereupon. A further shortcoming of such devices is the use of drip or flow cut-off structures which do not permit flexibility in use or a degree of controlled fluid dispensing and shut-off.

Thus, the major object of this invention is to provide means which avoid or overcome the aforementioned disadvantage s of prior art structures and which pre sent a compact, easy to use and clean combination container, closure and dispensing means .

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings .

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a containe r with portions cut away and the dispensing means of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the dispenser shown in Figure 1 of the drawings ; Figure 3 is a side view with the major portion of the container cut away and shows the relationship between the container closure and the dispensing means ; Figure 4 is a partial sectional view along the line 4-4 in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a partial side view similar to the showing set forth in Figure 3 but wherein the container is shown in a partially inverted condition and wherein the dispensing apparatus is in position to direct flow of fluid therefrom; Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the dispensing structure of the present invention and shows in particular the relationship between the upper portions of the spout and surrounding collar; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the collar member of the present invention; Figure 8 is a plan view of the collar member shown in Figure 7 of the drawings; Figures 9a, 9b and 9c are partial sectional views showing re spectively the relationship of the fluid directing means of the pre sent invention in dispensing operation, in intermediate non-dispensing position and in full non-dispensing position; Figure 10 is a partial perspective view similar to Figure 1 but showing the collar rotated about the spout to a temporary non-use and storage position; and, Figure 1 1 is a plan view of the dispenser shown in the position set out in Figure 10.

Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the drawings .

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, there is shown a container 10 of general ovate cros s -sectional configuration and a container closure 1 Z therefor. A fluid seal is formed between the container closure and the peripheral internal lip of the container itself in the manner as set forth in U . S. Patents 2, 789, 608 and 2, 859, 786. The closure 12 is further provided with a centrally depres sed wall 14 which forms the top wall of the container 10, which wall 14 is further provided with an upstanding spout structure 16. Such spout 16 is as best shown in Figure 4 of the drawings of thin wall hollow cylindrical configuration and is integrally formed with the top wall 14 so that such spout 16 provides an opening into the interior of the container body 10. The spout thus is vertically upstanding in relationship to the top wall 14 and is further provided at its upper terminus with an outwardly flared portion 18.

Also integral with the top wall 14 is a spaced trunnion struc -ture 20 in which a spout closure member 22 having a rearwardly extending strap 24 is engaged for pivotal movement thereabout. The spout closure 22 is furthe r provided with a downwardly opening U -shaped peripheral groove 26 formed by means of an outer wall 28, an inner wall 30 and a connecting wall 32. Centralled depres sed of the U -shaped rim is an imperforate wall 34 to complete the structure of the spout closure 22. As can be best seen from Figure 4 of the drawings, the interrelationship of the outwardly flared peripheral rim 18 and the U-shaped groove 26 is such that the closure 22 forms an air -tight seal therebetween much in the manne r as set forth in U. S. Patent 2, 487, 400, The outer wall of the U -shaped peripheral groove 26 is further provided at the side distal to the strap 24 with a finger engageable tab 36 so that the spout closure 22 may be readily removed from the spout 16 in a particular manner as will hereinafter be brought out.

The dispensing device of the present invention is further provided with a collar member 38 surrounding the spout 16 and vertically slidable thereupon from a lower retracted positions as shown in Figures 3 and 4 to an upper fluid directing dispensing position as shown in Figures 5 and 6, As such collar membe r 38 has a lower cylindrical neck portion 40 defining an opening 41 , fluid directing means 42 and an outwardly flared intermediate wall portion 44 connecting the lower neck portion with the fluid directing means .

The lower neck portion is generally of cylindrical configuration and is of a diameter generally approximating that of the spout member 16 so that such will lie in contiguous relationship to each other in operative conditions. The inner surface of the lower neck portion 40 is further provided with at least one inwardly directed circumferential bead 46 which are constructed of a de -formable material and in use are partially flattened against the outside portions of the spout 16 so as to inwardly urge the upper most portions of the intermediate wall 44 into contact with the peripheral rim 18 and the spout 16 in a manner as will hereinafter be more fully explained. The collar member 38 also has a concave rim portion 48 which is integral with and upwardly and outwardly directed from the peripheral portions of the intermediate wall 44, which concave rim is provided at one side thereof with a lip 50 which smoothly merge s therewith. The lip 50 outwardly terminates abruptly along line 52 and is provided outwardly thereof with a downwardly and outwardly directed lip extension 54. This lip extension 54 terminates in an extremely thin edge 56. The lower neck portion 40 terminate s at the lower end thereof along edge 58.

Turning now in particular to Figure 6 of the drawings , it should be pointed out that the outward flare of the peripheral spout rim 18 is preferably generally the same as that of the outward flare of the intermediate wall portion 44 of the collar member 38. Also as shown in Figure 6„ the vertical extent of the rim 18 and the intermediate wall 44 are approximately the same . In this manner then, when the collar member 38 is in its upper dispensing position such as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a smooth transition is presented betwe-en the xrpper «dge 19 of the peripheral rim 18 and the lowermost portions of the fluid directing means integrally extending from the top portions of the intermediate wall 44. Thus, as shown in Figure 6, the se portions smoothly abut each other and are in adjacent fayed relationship to each other. In this manner then, a smooth uninterrupted path is presented for fluid flow the re over. The coaction of the se flared members further provides a stop of progre s sive increased frictional resistance through which the user may conveniently position the collar 38 upon the spout 16 in the proper dispensing attitude as represented by Figures 5 and 6.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6 the respective approximately equal outward flare of the intermediate wall 44 and the peripheral rim 18 makes pos sible a tight sealing contact between the contiguous inner surface of the intermediate member 44 and the outer surface of the peripheral rim 18 so that fluid material passing over the smooth uppermost transition between such members does not tend to collect on said respective surfaces . This action may be enhanced by the provision of inwardly directed beads 46 on the lower cylindri cal portion 40 of the collar 38 wherein such beads not only serve to present a deformed slide contact point between the inner surface of the neck 40 and the outer surface of the spout 16, but additionally by slightly spacing such, surfaces tend to arcuately urge the upper portions of intermediate wall 44 towards the right as shown by the arrow in Figure 6 so as to further enhance the sealing effect be tween the inner surfaces of the outwardly flared surfaces of the collar member and the spout.

Turning now to Figure 4. of the drawings it particularly may be seen that the vertical extent of the collar member 38 is some what les s than that of the spout 16 so that the closure member 22 may be positioned thereupon when the collar member 38 is in its retracted position as shown. In such retracted position, the lower terminal rim 48 of the collar 40 contactingly abuts the top wall and thus limits its downward slidable extent on the outside surfaces of the spout 1 .

The operation of the device is as follows: Starting with the container 10 and the dispensing means of the present invention in the position generally shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the user grasps the finger tab 36 and removes the closure 22 from the spout opening by an arcuate movement to the position as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The outside arcuate portions of the fluid dispensing means 42 may then be grasped and upwardly urged so as to slidably move the collar 38 along the outside surfaces of the spout 16 until the intermediate outwardly flared side wall 44 thereof abuttingly contact the outside surface s of the peripheral rim 18 as depicted in Figure 6 of the drawing. The container is then tilted in the manner as shown in Figure 9a of the drawing wherein fluid is readily dispensed therefrom as shown by the direction of the arrows therein. When it is desired to reduce further dispensing of fluid, the container 10 is tilted in the reverse direction so that the dispensing means alternatively takes on an intermediate position shown by Figure 9b of the drawings and a final re sting position as shown by Figure 9c. Figure 9c thus represents the position of the dispensing means 42 and its relationship with the peripheral rim 18 of the spout when the container 10 is supported by a supporting surface. The operation of the lip extension 54 is best illustrated by reference to intermediate position as represented by Figure 9b of the drawings in which the pouring lip 50 is shown in a generally horizontal position. In such showing it should be noted that the knife edge 56 of the lip extension 54 acts to cleanly interrupt the flow of material thereover and serves as a point for drip formation and release of any material temporarily present on the lip extension 54.

The general over -all configuration of the fluid flow path as determined by the cooperative configuration of the peripheral rim 18 and the dispens ing flow directing means 42 serves to permit a degree of control to be exerted over the termination of the fluid flow. Thus, fluid pas sing out of the container 10 must initially flow upwardly and outwardly over the peripheral rim 18, then in turn downwardly and outwardly over the lip 50 and finally downwardly outwardly over the lip extension 54. It may thus be apparent that three separate flow paths of varying slope are present and by means of such, flow may be terminated in degrees as indicated in Figures 9a, 9b and 9c wherein the bulk of fluid flow passing out of the container is terminated at an intermediate point as depicted by Figure 9b wherein the lip 50 is in approximately horizontal position by the abrupt change of direction between the lip 50 and the lip extension 54 along the line 52. At the same time a sharp flow cut-off to prevent dribble is afforded at the knife edge termination 56 of the lip extension 54 also as shown in Figure 9b. When the container is returned to its normal supported position as illustrated by Figure 9c of the drawings, the fluid is free to return over the smooth transition provided by the fayed abutment and between the peripheral rim 18 and the intermediate wall portion 44 of the collar in the direction of the arrows therein shown and thus fluid necessarily present within the fluid directing means is returned to the container 10. The shape of the collar 38 in presenting three flow paths of varying slope thus affords a higher degree of fluid flow termination than would be afforded by a conventional pouring lip or spout whether such conventional lip or spout is provided with a drip cut-off edge or not.

After the fluid flow has been terminated the user may then by downwardly urging the collar 38 so as to place such in a retracted position and additionally expose the peripheral rim 18 so that the spout opening may be closed by means of closure member 22.

Occasionally when dispensing extremely viscous substance s such as pancake syrup and the like, a sugary residue is formed on the collar 38 and in particular along the upper surfaces of the lip 50 and may inconveniently come into contact with the user' s fingers when it is desired to reopen the spout opening by arcuately swinging the closure 22 therefrom. Accordingly, the cooperation between the spout 16 and the collar 38 is such that rotation of the collar in relation thereto is pos sible . Thus, as may be apparent from Figures 10 and 1 1 of the drawings, the collar 38 may be rotated to the position as therein shown in such a manner that the finger engaging tab 36 of the closure member 22 projects over the upper portions of the collar and may be utilized to open and close the spout without the need for the user to contact the lip 50. This operation serves to prevent sticky fingers ensuing from the use of the dispensing device of the present invention.

It should also be brought out that the collar 38 is deformably removable from the spout if such be de sired for periodic cleaning, although cleaning of the fluid contacting surfaces is normally effected by directing a flow of cleansing water upon the uppe r sur faces of the lip 50, which water is then directed about the other fluid contacting surfaces. Such ordinary cleaning may take place with the closure 22 either opened or closed, with the latte r preferred so that water would not enter the container through an open spout in that position. The provision of rotatably mounting the collar 38 upon the spout 16 further affords the advantage of being able to swing such about so that the fluid directing portions of such are wholly within the circumferential confines of the container closure 12 as illustrated in Figure 1 1 , which position affords increased compactnes s during shipping and handling of the device and storage .

It is thus believed,, therefore, that the present invention sets forth the preferred embodiment for a container and dispenser therefor which is simple, clear and positive in its operation which affords advantages over prior art construction as set forth in the preceding objects . It should also be noted that it is possible to produce still other embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts herein disclosed and as set forth in the following claims: 25805/2,

Claims (1)

1. A container for storing and dispensing a fluid substance and having a spout extending upwardly from the upper surface and a collar enclosing the spout and of lesse height than the spout and dxsplaceable between a lower retracted position and an upper dispensing position and an upper dispensing position characterised in that the collar has a cylindrical superimposed conical inner surface, that the spout has a corresponding cylindrical and conical outer surface, and that the cylindrical portion of the collar has at least one peripheral rim engaging the spout* ■ 2· A container according to claiis 1, characterised in that the inner and outer surfaces of respectively the collar and the spout are in sealing engagement in the dispensing position of the collar, and that in this position there is a smooth and liquid-tight transition from the spout to the upper liquid directing portion of the collar* 3* A container for storing and dispensing a fluid substance substantially as hereinbefore described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings* 2?or the Applicants BE. REIMGLD COM AMD PARTNERS IS/DD