MXPA00002188A - Pouring device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pouring device for a container, the pouring device (5) comprising a first, rear portion (15a) and a second, front portion (20a) and means for retaining the device in association with a container, wherein in a first non-pouring position the second portion is in sealing engagement with the container, while, in use, depressing of the first portion causes at least part of the second portion to move from the first non-pouring position to a second pouring position. Releasing the first portion causes the second portion to readopt the first non-pouring position. The pouring device is preferably used for pouring oil into a vehicle's engine. The device includes tamper evident means. The pouring device can be used to control the rate of flow of oil from a container.

Description

WASTE DEVICE This present invention relates to an improved pouring device and to a container including such a pouring device, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a liquid container. There are several problems with the currently known pouring devices and with the containers that incorporate such pouring devices. For example, containers for motor oil usually consist of a screw cap that is screwed onto a threaded neck of the container. During use, a user separates the lid of the container, places the neck of the container on the filling point of a vehicle engine and pours the oil into the engine. This type of container has the disadvantage that the oil can spill out of the container before the neck is correctly positioned on the filling point of the engine and while oil is being poured into the engine. This type of container also has the disadvantage that the flow velocity of the oil from the container can not be controlled easily. In addition, commonly known containers employ pouring devices comprising two or more separable parts, for example, a body providing an opening for emptying and a cover that can be separated, such as a screw cap. When the removable lid is separated from the pouring device, it is possible to misplace the lid, the known containers, also frequently require the use of two hands to facilitate emptying. An object of the present invention is to eliminate or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned problems in the prior art. Another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a pouring device which, with use, does not require parts of the device to be separated.

Another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a container having a pouring device that allows a user to control the flow velocity of the fluid or liquid through the pouring device. Another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a container that allows a pouring device of a container containing fluid or liquid to be placed in a non-vertical emptying position, which may be, for example, approximately 45 °. from the vertical, on a receiver for the fluid or liquid, before some of the fluid or liquid leaves the container. In particular, it is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a container for an engine oil which prevents spillage of the engine oil while the container is being placed over a filling point of a vehicle engine and placed in the engine. a emptying position. In particular, another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a container for an engine oil that allows a user of the container to control the flow rate of the oil from the container in order to reduce or prevent spillage when the Oil is drained to the vehicle engine. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pouring device for a container, the pouring device consisting of a first rear portion and a second front portion and the means for retaining the device in association with a container, wherein in a first position without pouring, the second position is in sealing engagement with the container, while in use, the inclination of the first portion causes at least part of the second portion to move from the first position without pouring to a second position of emptied In use, the component parts of the pouring device are not separated in remote positions. This, therefore, will prevent the component parts of the device from being misplaced. A user of a container having the pouring device of the present invention can control the flow velocity of the fluid or liquid in the container. Controlling the flow rate of fluid or liquid in a container will allow a user to reduce or prevent spills of fluid or liquid. A user of a container having the pouring device of the present invention can also place the container in its emptying position, not vertical before some of the fluid or liquid comes out of the container. Therefore, this will allow a user to prevent the fluid or liquid from prematurely leaving the container. A first hinge is advantageously located between the first and second portions. A second hinge may also be formed at the most posterior end of the first portion. The first portion can be of a folded flat shape. The second portion may have a pivot point provided in this separated from the first hinge. Thus, in use, the inclination of the first portion may cause bending of the first hinge thereby causing the second portion to rotate about the pivot point, thereby causing at least part of the second portion to move away from the pivot point. the first position without pouring to the second emptying position. The oppression of the first portion of preference is carried out by the action of downward pressure of the user's thumb or finger in the first portion, preferably in a receiving depression of the thumb in the first portion. Advantageously, the device comprises a first part of the body carrying the first and second portions and preferably also a second part of the body carrying the means for retaining the device in association with the container. The first part of the body and the second part of the body preferably form a one-piece component. The first and second parts of the body can be retained in association, with each other, by a third hinge. The pushing means may be provided such that, in use, by oppressing the first portion the pushing means is caused to force the first and second portions to re-adopt the first position without pouring. The second portion may carry the first and second lugs at the pivot point, which lugs may be received within the first and second corresponding recesses formed in the second body part. The second portion may carry the sealing means which, when the second portion is in the first position causes a seal to be formed between the device and a discharge opening. In a first embodiment, the emptying opening is not formed in the device but is provided in the container.

In a second embodiment, the emptying opening is formed in the second "body part" The sealing means can provide an inverted V-shaped slot in a more frontal portion thereof The device can incorporate an anti-glug device. The anti-glug device is preferably integrated with the pouring device The second portion of the body can carry one or more lugs or fasteners turned inward which, in use, coerce with the respective openings or recesses formed in the container to retain the device and the container together Advantageously, the device can provide the means for showing adulteration, for example, frangible tabs to show adulteration formed between the first portion or second portion and the second part of the body, the first pressing of the first portion making that the tabs are cut in. The means to show adulteration preferably is clearly visible to a user. The device may also provide a frangible transit lock, for example, frangible seal (s) between the first and second body parts, the seal (s) of which is broken by the oppression of the second portion. .

The device may also provide an interlocking mechanism for locking the second front portion in the non-pouring position. The interlocking mechanism will prevent leakage of the container when it is in transport or when it is in storage. The device can be made of a molded plastic material. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a container that includes a pouring device according to the first aspect of the present invention. The container may include a handle. The container may include two or more handles. In use, a user can hold the container with one hand and with the thumb / finger of this hand press the first portion of the device thereby making the second portion move to the second position allowing the contents of the container to be emptied. The container of the present invention, therefore, can be used with only one hand. The container may be adapted to contain liquids and, particularly, viscous liquids. The container may be particularly adapted to contain liquid hydrocarbons, for example, oil, and in particular, motor oil.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for emptying the contents of a container, the container including a pouring device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method consists in: holding the container with one hand; pressing the first portion with a thumb / finger of this hand while tilting the container to empty at least part of the contents of the container; and release the first portion. The release of the first portion advantageously causes the second portion to readopte the first position without pouring thereby closing the container. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described by means of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are: Figure 1 a side, sectional view of a first embodiment of a pouring device according to the present invention in a first position without pouring, assembled tightly to a container; Figure 2 is a top, sectional, partial view of the pouring device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of one side and on the pouring device of Figure 1 in an unassembled position; Figure 4 (a) is a side, sectional, schematic view of the pouring device of Figure 1 in the first position without pouring; Figure 4 (b) is a side, sectional, schematic view of the pouring device of Figure 1 in a second emptying position, assembled; Figure 5 is a perspective, partial view of one side and the rear side of the pouring device of Figure 1 in the first position attached to a container; Figure 6 is a perspective, partial view of one side and the rear side of the pouring device of Figure 1 in the second position attached to a container; Figure 7 is perspective, partial view of another side and the front of the pouring device of Figure 1 in the second position, attached to a container; Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of one side and the back of a second embodiment of a pouring device according to the present invention in a first position without pouring attached to a container; . Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the other side and the front of the pouring device of Figure 8 in a second emptying position attached to a container; Figure 10 is a perspective, partial view of one side and the back of the pouring device of Figure 8 in the second position, attached to a container; FIG. 11 a side, sectional view of a third embodiment of a pouring device according to the present invention in a first, unfilled, assembled position; Figure 12 is a side, sectional view of the pouring device of Figure 11 in a second emptying position, assembled; Figure 13 is a perspective view for one side and the top portion of the pouring device of Figure 11 in a disassembled position; Figure 14 is a perspective view and below the pouring device of Figure 11 in an unassembled position; Figure 15 is a side view of the pouring device of Figure 11 in the first position; and Figure 16 is a perspective view from an upper side and toward the rear of the pouring device of Figure 11 in the first position. First of all with reference to Figures 1 to 7 a first embodiment of a pouring device, generally designated 5a, according to the present invention attached to a container 10a is illustrated. The pouring device 5a consists of a first back portion 15a and a second front portion 20a and a means for retaining the device 5a in association with the container 10a, wherein, in a first position without pouring A, the second portion 20a is in engagement sealing with the container 10a while, in use, oppression of the first portion 15a causes at least part of the second portion 20a to move from the first position A to a second emptying position A first live hinge 25a is provided between the first and second portions 15a, 20a. Another second living hinge 30a is formed at the rearmost end of the first portion 15a. The first portion 15a is of a flat angled shape (curve) while the second portion 20a has a pivot point 35a provided therein spaced apart from the first hinge 25a. In this way, during use, the oppression of the first portion 15a causes the flexure of the first hinge 25a, thereby causing the second portion 20a to rotate about the pivot point 35a, and by this means do so when the less part of the second portion 35a moves from the first position without pouring A to the second emptying position B. In this embodiment, the device 5a consists of a first part of the body 40a carrying the first and second portions 15a, 20a and also a second part of the body 45a carrying the means for retaining the device 5a in association with the container 10a. The first and second parts of the body 40a, 45a are retained in association with one another by a third hinge 50a. The biasing means are provided in the form of a molded spring 55a so that, during use, the oppression of the first portion 15a ceasing causes the spring 55a to urge the first and second portions 15a, 20a to reattach the first position without pouring A. The second portion 20a carries the first and second lugs 60a, 65a at the pivot point 35a, which lugs 60a, 65a can be received within the first and second corresponding recesses 70a, 75a formed in the second part of the body 45a . In addition, the second portion 20a carries the obturating means 80a which, when the second portion 20a is in the first position A forms a seal formed between the device 5a and a discharge opening 85a. In this embodiment, the emptying opening 85a is not formed in the device 5a but is provided in the container 10a. However, it should be appreciated that in a modification, such as in the embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 16, the emptying opening 85a may be formed in the second part of the body 45a. In the first embodiment, the obturating means 80a is in the form of a frusto-cylindrical body providing an inverted V-shaped groove 90a in the most frontal portion thereof. The second part of the body 45a carries a plurality of lugs or fasteners 95a facing inwardly that, during use, coerce with the respective opening or recesses 100a formed in the container 10a to retain the device 5a and container 10a from each other. The device 5a provides means for showing adulteration, consisting of frangible tabs showing the adulteration 105a formed between the first portion 15a (or the second portion 20a) and the second part of the body 45a, the first oppression of the first portion 15a causing the cut of tabs showing adulteration 105a. A device 5a further provides a frangible transit padlock consisting of a frangible seal (s) 110a between the first and second body portions 40a, 45a, which seal (s) 110a is broken by the oppression of the second portion. 20 a. The device 5a can be produced in one piece from a suitable molded plastic material. During use, a user can hold the container 10a with one hand by means of a handle 115a and with a thumb / finger of this hand pressing the first portion 15a of the device 5a thereby making the second portion 20a move to the second position B, allowing to empty the contents of the container 10a. Due to the arrangement of springs 55a, the release of the first portion 15a causes the second portion 20a to readopte the first position without pouring A thereby closing the container 10a. Now with reference to Figures 8 to 10 a second embodiment of a pouring device 5b according to the present invention attached to a container 10b is illustrated. The parts of the device 5b are identified by the same numbers as those used in the device 5a of the first mode but with the suffix? B 'instead of a'. The device 5b provides a strip showing adulteration 120c in the second portion 20b and the second body part 45b, which, when the device 5b is used for the first time is broken but is retained in the second portion 20b. Finally, with reference to Figures 11 to 16 a third embodiment of a pouring device 5c according to the present invention attached to a container 10c is illustrated. The parts of the device 5c are identified by the same numbers as those used in the device 5a of the first mode but with the suffix? C 'instead of * a'.

The device 5c is similar to the device 5a in many aspects. However, the device 5c provides an alternative form of molded spring 55c, and further provides a pour opening 85c integrally formed in the second body part 45c. It should be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention so far described are provided as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims (28)

1. A pouring device for a container that is suitable for liquids or fluids, the pouring device consists of a first back portion, a second front portion, means for retaining the device in association with the container and pushing means; wherein in a first position without pouring the second portion is in engagement with the container, while during use, pressing the first portion causes at least part of the second portion to move from the first position without pouring into a second position. emptying position; and by oppressing the first portion the pushing means is caused to force the first and second portions to re-adopt the first position without pouring.

2. The pouring device as recited in claim 1, wherein a first hinge is provided between the first and second portions.

3. The pouring device of claim 1 or 2, wherein a second hinge is formed at the rearmost end of the first portion.

4. The pouring device as mentioned in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion is a folded planar shape.

5. The pouring device as recited in any of claims 2-4, wherein the second portion has a pivot point provided therein separate from the first hinge.

6. The pouring device as mentioned in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion has a depression that receives the thumb or finger.

7. The pouring device as mentioned in any of the preceding claims, wherein the device consists of a first body part carrying the first and second portions and preferably also a second body part carrying the means for retaining the device in association with the container.

The pouring device as recited in claim 7, wherein the first and second body parts may be retained in association with each other by a third hinge.

The pouring device as recited in any of claims 7 or 8, wherein the second portion carries the first and second lugs at the pivot point, which lugs can be received within the first and second corresponding recesses formed in the second body part.

The pouring device as recited in any of claims 7-9, wherein the second portion carries the sealing means which, when the second portion is in the first position, causes a seal to be formed between the device and the opening. of emptying.

11. The pouring device as recited in any of claims 7-10, wherein a pour opening is formed in the second part of the body.

The pouring device as recited in claim 10, wherein the sealing means provides an inverted V-shaped groove in a more frontal portion thereof.

13. The pouring device as mentioned in any of the preceding claims, wherein the device further includes an anti-glug device [sic], the anti-glug device preferably being integrated with the pouring device.

14. The pouring device as recited in any of claims 7-13, wherein the second portion of the body bears one or more lugs or fasteners facing the interior which, during use, coerce with the respective openings or recesses. formed in a container to retain the device and the container j ntos.

15. The pouring device as mentioned in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pouring device further includes the means for displaying adulteration.

The pouring device as recited in claim 15, wherein the means for displaying adulteration consists of frangible tabs to show adulteration formed between the first portion or the second portion and the second part of the body, the first tightness of the first portion causing the lugs to be cut.

17. The pouring device as mentioned in any of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a frangible transit lock.

18. The pouring device as recited in claim 17, wherein the frangible transit lock is at least one frangible seal between the first and second body parts, the seal of which is broken by oppression of the second portion.

19. The pouring device as mentioned in any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is made of a molded plastic material.

20. A container including the pouring device as mentioned in any of claims 1-19.

21. The container mentioned in claim 20, the container contains an integrated handle.

22. The container as recited in claim 20 or 21, wherein a pour opening is provided in the container.

23. The container as recited in claims 20, 21 or 22, wherein the container can be used with only one hand.

24. The container as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is suitable for liquids or viscous fluids.

25. The container as recited in claim 24, wherein the liquid is a liquid hydrocarbon.

26. The container as recited in claim 25, wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is an engine oil.

27. A method for emptying the contents of the container mentioned in any of claims 20-26, the method consists in: holding the container with one hand; pressing the first portion with a thumb / finger of this hand while tilting the container to empty at least part of the contents of the container; and release the first portion. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein releasing the first portion causes the second portion to readopte the first portion without pouring, thereby closing the container.