US2630943A

US2630943A - Pouring attachment for containers having means for cutting a discharge opening

Info

Publication number: US2630943A
Application number: US30261A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mooradian Leon
Original assignee: BAKER Manufacturing CO
Current assignee: BAKER MANUFACTURING Co
Priority date: 1948-06-01
Filing date: 1948-06-01
Publication date: 1953-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 1970-03-10

Description

March 10, 1953 MOORADlAN 2,630,943

POURING ATTACHMENT FOR CONTAINERS HAVING MEANS FOR CUTTING A DISCHARGE OPENING Filed June 1, 1948 fm en for Z e on Woo/ 4 alan After/15y Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POURING ATTACHMENT FOR CONTAINERS HAVING MEANS FOR CUTTING A DIS- CHARGE OPENING Leon Mooradian, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Baker Manufacturing Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application June 1, 1948, Serial N 0. 30,261

ject of the invention to provide a simple, practical, effective device applicable to a container to form a discharge opening therein, normally serving as a closure for the opening thus formed and operable to a position where it is effective as a pouring spout.

Various materials, and particularly foods of various kinds, are handled or sold in containers formed of paper, or the like, requiring that discharge holes be punched or otherwise formed to permit the contents to be discharged. In such a container, unless provision is made for closing the discharge opening after it is formed, the material in the container is subject to contamination, t undesirable moisture entering the container, or to the contents being readily spilled as the container is moved or handled. Further,

the contents of such a container may be such that they do not discharge satisfactorily froma hole merely punched in the container as such a hole is ordinarily somewhat irregular or ragged.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device applicable to a container such, for example, as a paper container, which device is of simple, inexpensive form and construction and is such that it can be easily and quickly applied to a container to establish a discharge opening therein and effectively remains engaged with the container upon being applied thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the general character referred to that involves but two elements, namely a frame and a closure, both of which are extremely simple and inexpensive of manufacture and at the same time most effective in operation. The frame of the structure is a simple, substantially U-shaped element that can be advantageously formed of a single continuous sheet of material. Likewise the closure is such that it may be a simple one-piece element.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device of the general character re-' ferred to in which the closure has fingers that serve as stops and also act to eifectively and completely fold back the flap formed in the course of establishing the discharge opening in the container so that the flap is no way inter feres with or restricts the free flow of material from the container.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a structure of the general character referred to in which the closure; has a perforated, portion through-which the material must'pour' as it discharges from the container, giving the device the action of a shaker or sprinkler.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the followforms and applications of the invention,

throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. '1 is a perspective view of a typical container, showing the device of the present invention applied thereto and in closed position, and the container arranged in an upright position, the device being applied to the upper end thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container shown in Fig. 1 showing the device open and showing the container positioned so that material pours therefrom through the device of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device provided by the present invention, showing it apart from the container. Fig. 4. is an enlarged detailed sectional View through a portion of a container showing a device embodying the present invention applied to the container and in vertical section, and showing the device in the closed position. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the device open. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 1-1 on Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a plan section taken as indicated by line 8-8 on Fig. '7. Fig. 9 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 5 showing a modified form of construction, and Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line ill-4B on Fig. 9. The device embodying the present invention involves, essentially, two elements or sections, one a frame A and the other a closure 13. The sections A and B are coupled or pivotally connected by a suitable connecting means C.

The structure of the present invention is ap-' plicable, generally, to cartons, containers, boxes,

or like objects formed of paper or like material, that is of material that can be readily pierced and cut by hand operated tools. I will refer to the device as being applied to a paper container, or the like, and I have shown a container D with a, round or cylindrical body l0 closed at its end by fiat end members. 'In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the device of the present invention is shown applied to the top H of the container. However, it is to be understood that in'practice it may be applied to or inserted in any part of a container as circumstances may require, and- 55. furthermore, his to be understood that the container'may vary Widely in form and character and need not be of the form or shape illustrated in the drawings.

The frame A of the device is an elongate rigid element involving, primarily, a base plate 12, side plates l3 and flanges I4. The several parts of the frame are preferably formed of or from a single integral sheet of material such as a body of sheet metal, the sheet being shaped or formed so that the frame is generally U-shaped in cross sectional configuration, as appears from the drawings. The frame serves primarily as a cutter for piercing the container and for a mounting or support for the closure B.

The base l2 of the frame is preferably a flat plate-like part with the side plates [3 projecting from its longitudinal edges, with a flange Hi projecting from its upper end, and a pointed penetrating portion [5 at its lower end. It is to be understood, of course, that the ends of the frame are designated as upper and lower ends merely to facilitate an understanding of the structure, and that in practice the device may be positioned in any suitable manner.

The penetrating portion 15 of the base i2 is located at or projects from the lower end portion of the base and has converging edges I6 that join or terminate at a point ll which is such as to readily enter the material of the container. From Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be apparent that when the point i! is placed against the exterior of the container and the frame is thrust toward the container the point will pierce the container and the edges I6 will sever or slit the material in opposite directions from the point where the container is initially pierced, in order to establish a cut wide enough to allow the frame to enter the container.

The side plates [3 of the frame are joined to the longitudinal edges of the frame and project therefrom so that they are normal to the base 12 and parallel with each other. The side plates 13 extend from the upper end of the frame, where their upper ends are in the same horizontal plane as the upper end of the base plate and where each side plate carries a flange 14, to the lower end portion of the base plate or to the point where the portion 15 starts. It will be apparent from the drawings that the inner portion of each side plate joins the base plate along an edge of the base plate, while the outer edge 28 of each side plate extends at an angle or diagonally from the upper end of the frame to the point where the portion 15 starts. The edges 26 serve to sever or cut the material of the container so that when the frame is thrust into the container beyond the point where the portion l5 enters the container and to the point where the flanges l4 rest o the exterior of the surface being penetrated, the edges 20 make parallel cuts continuing at right angles from the ends of the cut made by the portion l5, establishing a flap 2! in the container hinged to the uncut portion of the container at 22.

The flanges 14 that project outwardly from the upper ends of the side plates l3 start with their inner ends 23 where the side plates join the base plate and continue along the upper ends of the side plates so that their outer ends 24 occur at or extend slightly beyond the hinge point 22 of the flap 2 I.

In accordance with the present invention the base plate I2 is perforated to readily admit or pass material from the interior of the container D to the closure member B which, when in the open position, extends or continues from the up-.

per end of the base plate, as clearly shown in Fig.

5 of the drawings. In the particular case illustrated a large opening is provided in the upper end portion of the base plate and longitudinally disposed elongate openings 3| are spaced apart in the lower end portion of the base plate. A transverse webv Portion 33 is left or established between the upper ends of the openings ill and the lower end of the opening 39 while a longitudinal web portion 34 is established between the longitudinal openings 3i. In accordance with the present invention a stiffening rib 35 is formed on or along the web portion 34 and continues downwardly therefrom in the penetrating portion 15. The rib 35v may, in practice, be formed by suitably indenting the. parts where the ribs occur, and in practice it serves to materially strengthen the frame and particularly the penetrating portion [5, which must be rigid and which is otherwise Without reinforcement, since the side plates l3 do not continue below the point where the portion l5 starts.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention the upper outer corner of each side plate 13 is notched or cut away somewhat, as shown at to receive the hinge portion 22 and to establish a projecting part M on each side plate 53 immediately below the hinge 22 when the device is fully engaged in the container, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. Through this structure the frame is effectively retained in operating position when it has been inserted through a wall or part of the container until the flanges M are flush with or bear upon the surface penetrated by the device. v

From the foregoing description it will be understood how the frame A may be advantageously formed of a. single body or sheet of metal and it will be apparent how it can be advantageously operated by pressing on its upper end to force the penetrating portion I5 into a wall of a container to be followed by the plate and sides of the frame until the flanges l4 engage the penetrated surface. As the frame is being inserted the flanges M form a flat, surface convenient for the hand of they operator and the combined action of the portion 15 and the edges 26 of the side plates establish a flap 2| at the opening cut in the container, which flap will ordinarily be depressed into the container somewhat to a position such as is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The closure B is a trough or spout-like element involving, generally, a plate and cheeks 5i joined to the side edges of the plate and projecting therefrom. The plate is preferably sub-. stantially rectangular in plan configuration having an inner edge portion '52 which occurs at and parallel with the upper edge of the base plate I2 of frame A. The plate 50 has an outer edge 54 that occurs at the outer ends 24 of the flanges, 14 provided on the side plates l3 of frame. A, while the side edges 56 of the plate 50 occur at and extend parallel with the upper edges of the side plates [3 from which the side flanges, M project. In the preferred form of the invention a suitably shaped or rounded lip portion 5?; is provided on or projects from'the outer ed e 5 of the plate 50 to provide a part to slightly overlap the penetrated surface of the container and to form a part that can be conveniently gripped when it is desired to open the closure.

The cheeks 5| of the closure are preferably formed with upper portions Ell that adjoin the side edges 56 of the plate 50 and extend downwardly. therefrom, lower portions 61, and connect ing portions 62 that, join the portions 60 and BI...

The upper portions 60 extend lengthwise of the side edges 56 of the plate and are of considerable extent vertically while the lower portions 6| are of limited extent vertically and are joined to the portions 68 by the connecting portions 62 so that they are somewhat offset inwardly or toward each other from the portions 60, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawings.

The cheeks 5| have outer curved edges 63 substantially concentric with the axis of the pivotal connecting means C and extending from the outer end portion of plate 50 to the lowermost parts of the cheeks, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The outer edges 63 of the cheeks are such as to effectively engage the flap 2| and move it to a position substantially as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, in the event that the edges 20 of the frame should fail to move the flap to the position shown in Fig. 5 in the course of the formation thereof.

In accordance with the present invention fingers Ill project from the lowermost portions of the cheeks 5| and are such as to engage the flap 2| in the course of the closure being operated from the normal closed position shown in Fig. 4 to an open position such as is shown in Fig. 5, so that the flap is positively folded completely up against the under side of the Wall in which the opening has been established. In Fig. 5 the flap is shown in the fully folded position. It is to be noted that when the closure is in the open position shown in Fig. 5 the fingers 70 not only engage the flap to hold it fully folded but at the same time serve to stop further outward movement of the closure. The fingers are preferably so located as to effectively stop the closure with the plate 50 extending substantially parallel with the base plate |2 of frame A, as shown in Fig. 5. In the preferred form of the invention the inner edge portion 52 of the plate 5|] is rounded somewhat to bear or roll on the upper end portion of the base plate, 12 in the course of operating the closure between the open and closed positions. Through this construction a reasonably tight joint is at all times maintained between the closure and the upper end portion of thebas'e plate of the frame. It will be understood from the preceding description how the portions 6|] of the cheeks 5| fit snugly between the upper edge portions of the side plates |3 of the frame maintaining an effective seal at these points when the closure is in the normal position shown in Fig. 4. Further, when the closure is in the closed position the outer edge portion 54 with the lip 57 preferably overlaps the hinged part 22 so that an effective closure is maintained at this point. Themeans C pivotally connects the frame A and the closure B on an axis extending transversely of the device at the upper inner corner of the frame. The units of the means C preferably pivotally connect the engaged portions 60 of the cheeks 5| and the side plates 1 3 of the frame. At each unit of the means C a trunnion 8B is formed on one of the connected parts to engage in an opening 8| provided in the other of the connected parts. In the case illustrated the trunnions are formed on or from the side plates l3 of the frame A and project from the inner sides of the plates to extend into holes 8| providedin the portionsfill of the cheek plates. Through this construction the desired pivotal connections areestablished, utilizing material of the structure hereinabove described and without the necessity of adding pivot pins or other extra parts. Further, with the construction just described it will be apparent that the closure with the opening 8| properly established therein is effectively coupled to the frame when the side plates |3 of the frame are established to project from the base plate I 2 of the frame in the manner hereinabove described.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, the closure B is confined to the structural features hereinabove described and when it is in the open position it forms a trough or spout receiving material from within the container and effectively dispensing it as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the cheek plates serving as guides confining the material into a suitable stream.

In practice the structure may include suitable means acting to hold the closure closed, open or in an intermediate position. I show a detent means for this purpose including a projection or button 90 on the plate I3 cooperating with sockets or depressions 9| in the plate 5|. The depressions 9| are located to receive the button 90 when the closure is in the closed position, and when it is in a partially open position. When it is in the fully open position the fingers 10 act to stop the closure.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings the closure includes a screen member preferably in the form of a perforated plate projecting from the inner end portion of the closure plate 5|! at right angles to the closure plate and between the cheek plates to occur across the opening in the container when the closure is in the open position, as shown in Fig. 9. When the perforated plate-85 is employed the projecting edge portion Hi thereof may serve in place of the fingers H3 in the form of the invention above described. When this form of construction is used the edge portion 86 of the cheek plates may be joined to the plate 85 or may merely abut the plate 85, and in either case the parts 85 and 5| being engaged efiectively brace or strengthen each other.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the device provided by the present invention is not only of simple inexpensive construction but it is simple and convenient to apply to a container, and when applied and in the normal closed position it has no parts projecting from the container to be undesirable or in any way dangerous or disagreeable, but rather it serves as an effective closure or seal and protects the contents of the container in a most advantageous manner. When the closure is swung to the open position the structure materially facilitates the discharge of material from the container. .In the case of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, the device serves to deliver a neat stream of material, whereas in the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10 it operates effectively as a shaker.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my. invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled'in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device applicable to a container including, an elongate frame having a fiat base extending from one end of the frame to the other and flat parallel imperforate sides projecting at one side of the base and from the longitudinal edges of the base to be substantially normal to the plane of the base, the base and sides cooperating to make a U-shaped cut in a container wall when the device is applied thereto, the said cut pro- Viding the container with a flap portion, a closure including a hat plate and flat cheeks projecting from the opposite edges of the plate, and means pivotally connecting the closure and frame on an axis adjacent one edge of the plate and adjacent the outer end of the base, said axis being in the plane of the base and transverse of the frame, the cheeks having curved exposed edges concentric with said axis and the closure having projections at the ends of said curved edges engageable with the flap portion of the container to fold it.

2. A device applicable to a container including, a frame having an elongate, flat, perforated base and flat, parallel, imperforate sidesprojecting in the same direction from the longitudinal edges of the base, a closure including a fiat, imperferate plate and fiat, parallel, i-mperioratecheeks projecting in the same direction from opposite edges of the plate, and means piVotall-y connecting the closure and frame on an axis transverse of the frame and adjacent one edge of th'eplate and adjacent one end of the base for pivotal movement of the closure from a closedposition where the plate is across one end of the frame and normal to the plane of the frame and an open position where the plate projects from the base of the frame beyond said end of the frame and is substantially parallel therewith forming a spout, the base and sides of the frame having edges adapted to out a hole in the container and to leave a flap on one edge of the hole, the cheeks having arcuate exposed edges concentric with said axis each with an end terminating at the plate and the closure having projecting parts at the other ends of the arcuate edges adapted to engage and fold the flap inward inthecontainer as the closure moves from the closed position to the open position.

3. A device applicable to a container including, a frame having an elongate, flat base and flat, parallel, imperforate sides projecting in the same direction from the longitudinal edges of theba-se a closure including afiat, imperiorate plate and flat, parallel, imperiorate cheeks projecting from one edge of the plate and having arcuateouter edges each with an endadjoining the base, and means pivotally connecting the closure and one end portion of the base on an axis adjacent and parallel with said edge of the plate and adjacent said end of the base for pivotal movement of the closure from a closed position where the plate is across one end of the frame normal to the plane of the base and an open position where the plate projects from the base or the frame beyond said end of the frame to be substantialiy parallel therewith and forming a spent, the said edges of the cheeks being concentric with said axis, the closure having stop fingers projecting radially outward from the other ends or said edges of the cheeks and away from the base of the frame and beyond the sides; of the frame when the. closure is. in the open position, there being a material passing opening in; saidinend portion of the base. 7

4. A device. for piercing the wall. of a container including, a frame having an elongate, flat, perforated base with a pointed end: and flat, -imperforate sides projecting in the same direction from the longitudinal edges of the base, a clo sure including a fiat, imperforateplate and flat, imperforate cheeks projecting in the same direction from opposite side edges of the plate, and means pivotally connecting the closure and frame on an axis adjacent one edge of the plate and adjacent one end of the base and extending transverse of the base, the closure having a perforated wall projecting from the plate and between the cheeks and extending radially of said axis.

5-. A device applicable to a container including, a frame having an elongate, fiat, perforated base and flat, imperforate sides projecting in the same direction from the longitudinal edges of the base, a closure including a flat, imperforate plate and flat, imperforate cheeks projecting from the plate, and means pivotally connecting the plate of the closure and one end or the frame on an axis transverse of the frame and adjacent one edge of the plate and adjacent one end of the base for pivotal movement of the closure from a closed position where the. plate is across one end of the frame and an open position where the plate projects from the base of the frame beyond said end of the frame forming a spout, the closure having a perforated wall substantially normal to the plate and projecting from the said edge of the plate radially of said axis and between the cheeks and having a projecting outer portion adapted to engage. with the container and stop the closure in the open position, the other end of the base being pointed.

6. A device applicable to a container including, an elongate frame having a longitudinal, flat, perforated base with a pointed lower end, a flange projecting outwardly from the upper end of the base, fiat, imperforate. sides projecting in the same. direction from the. longitudinal edges of the base, and flanges projecting outward from the sides at the upper end of the frame, the edges or the sides being curved and being recessed adjacent the flanges on the sides, a, closure having a flat, imperforate plate and flat, imperforate cheeks; projecting in the same direction from the side edges. of the'plate, and means pivotally connecting the closure adjacent the inner edge portion of the plate to the upper end portion of the frame adjacent the base for movement of the closure about an axis transverse of the frame and between a. closed position where the plate is across the upper end of the frame and an, open. position where the plate projects from. the upper end of the base, the cheeks having frictional engagement with. the sides of the frame when the closure is in the closed position, the closure having a flat, perforated wall substantially normal to the plate and radial of said axis and projecting from the inner edge thereof and between the cheeks.

LEON MOORADIAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS