WO1991017929A1

WO1991017929A1 - Funnel cap

Info

Publication number: WO1991017929A1
Application number: PCT/AU1991/000221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Stephen Batchelor
Original assignee: Australian Design Products Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1990-05-21
Filing date: 1991-05-21
Publication date: 1991-11-28

Abstract

A nozzle assembly (1) for use with a receptacle (2) of the kind used to contain liquid such as motor oils and the like and having a receptacle opening (3) in liquid communication with the receptacle interior. The assembly comprises a nozzle (4) defining a channel for conducting liquid to or from the receptacle interior, a nozzle adaptor (7) for releasably securing the nozzle to the receptacle and a closure element (9) cooperable with the receptacle opening mounted intermediate the receptacle opening and a free end of the nozzle for movement between a first position in which the channel is closed and the receptacle opening is sealed and a second position in which the channel is open and the receptacle opening unsealed. The relative dimensions of the nozzle (4) and nozzle adaptor (7) are such that the assembly in an inverted position can also function as a funnel to facilitate replenishment of the receptacle.

Description

"FUNNEL CAP" TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to closures and in particular to a nozzle assembly for use with a receptacle of a kind used to contain fluids.

The invention has been developed primarily for use as a nozzle assembly for a receptacle adapted to contain motor oils or the like and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND ART Hitherto, closures for oil receptacles have included a conventional cap or a spout. Whilst the use of a cap prevents the accidental spillage or contamination of the contents of the receptacle it does not provide for ease of transfer of the contents from the oil receptacle. This is a particular problem where the contents of the oil receptacle are to be transferred to second receptacle which may be another receptacle for receiving a predetermined quantity of oil for a suitable mix, an oil filling port for an engine or the like, having an opening of smaller cross sectional area than that of the oil receptacle opening.

The use of elongated spouts has enabled oil to be more easily directed from a receptacle due to the smaller cross sectional area opening at the narrower end of the spout but does not prevent accidental spillage. Furthermore, when oil is required to be placed in the motor of a vehicle the usual practice is to invert the receptacle, and by use of the operator's thumb covering the narrow end of the spout, the oil is contained. When the receptacle and spout are suitably positioned, the thumb is removed to allow the flow of the oil. Should the quantity to be transferred be less than that which is contained in the receptacle, spillage may occur upon termination of the pouring operation.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a nozzle assembly which at least in its preferred form removes or substantially ameliorates some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a nozzle assembly for use with a receptacle of the kind used to contain liquid and having a receptacle opening in liquid communication with the receptacle interior, the assembly comprising a nozzle defining a channel for conducting liquid to or from the receptacle interior, a nozzle adaptor for releasably securing the nozzle to the receptacle and a closure element mountable intermediate the receptacle opening and a free end of the nozzle for movement between a first position in which the channel is closed and a second position in which the channel is open.

Preferably, the closure element is integrally formed with the nozzle adaptor and comprises

(a) a member having a cross sectional area equal to or greater than the cross sectional area of the channel and

(b) at least one radially extending resilient support for securing the member to the nozzle adaptor. Desirably, the member is resiliently biased by the at least one support against the receptacle opening wherein said channel is substantially closed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the member is a plate having a radially extending internal rib adapted to engage an internal edge of an uppermost rim of the receptacle. Further, the nozzle is substantially funnel shaped wherein one opening is substantially larger than the other opening and the nozzle is releasably securable to the nozzle adaptor at or adjacent the larger opening.

In a preferred form, the channel is opened by rotating either the receptacle or the nozzle adaptor to release the bias applied to the closure element and to lift the member away from the receptacle opening, thus allowing any liquid contained in the receptacle to flow through an aperture defined by the at least one support and out through the nozzle.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid dispenser comprising a liquid receptacle having a nozzle assembly according to the first aspect releaseably attached thereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a nozzle assembly according to the invention attached to a receptacle;

Figure 2 is a section taken along 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the closure; and Figure 4 is a front view of the nozzle assembly in the inverted configuration. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Referring to the drawings the nozzle assembly 1 is adapted for use with a receptacle 2 of the kind used to contain liquid, having a receptacle opening 3 in liquid communication with the receptacle interior.

Assembly 1 comprises a substantially funnel shaped nozzle 4 wherein one opening 5 is substantially larger than the other opening 6 and defines a channel for conducting liquid to or from the receptacle interior. Nozzle 4 is releasably secured to receptacle 2 by means of nozzle adaptor 7 which is, in turn, threadably mounted to a threaded portion 2A of the receptacle. Nozzle adaptor 7 is provided with snap lock joints 8 for releasably securing the nozzle to the nozzle adaptor at or adjacent the larger funnel opening 5.

Referring more particularly to figure 2, a closure element 9 is mounted intermediate receptacle opening 3 and a free end 10 of the nozzle for movement between a first position (illustrated) in which the channel is closed and receptacle opening 3 is sealed and a second position in which the channel is open and the receptacle opening unsealed. Closure element 9 is integrally formed with nozzle adaptor 7 and includes a member in the form of a plate 11 having a cross-sectional area equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of receptacle opening 3. Plate 11 is resiliently biased against the receptacle opening, wherein the channel is substantially closed, by at least one radially extending resilient support 12 extending downwardly and outwardly from an edge 13 of plate 11 and terminating at the nozzle adaptor 7.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, closure element 9 includes four supports 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D equispaced about plate 11. Plate 11 is provided with a radially extending internal rib 15 adapted to engage an internal edge of receptacle rim 14 and the supports are of a substantially "W" shape. In that configuration, the supports are able to supply the required bias for sealing the receptacle opening upon pressure being exerted upon plate 11 by rim 14. To ensure a truly liquid-tight seal, nozzle adaptor 7 is desirably further provided with sealing means in the form of an elbow 16 for forming a secondary liquid-tight seal against a corresponding elbow 17 in the receptacle body. Preferably, receptacle 2 includes a transparent section 18 for transmitting sufficient light to perceive the contents of the receptacle and indicia 19 for providing a numerical indication representative of the volume of liquid remaining in the receptacle. The nozzle assembly and indicia allow a predetermined volume of oil to be selectively dispensed from the container. This is especially relevant to applications where a required mix of say oil and petrol is sought.

Referring to Figure 4, nozzle 4 is shown in an inverted position wherein it functions as a funnel to facilitate replenishment of receptacle 2. This is particularly advantageous in that it provides for the ready disposal of sump oil or other waste in an environmentally safe manner. Following the replenishment operation the nozzle assembly is re-engagable with nozzle adaptor 7 so as to allow convenient reuse as described below. In use, the nozzle assembly illustrated is threadedly mounted to the receptacle in a configuration in which the larger opening 5 of funnel-shaped nozzle 4 is releasably secured by way of snap lock joints 8 to the nozzle adaptor 7. Plate 11 is resiliently biased against the receptacle opening 3 wherein the channel is closed and the receptacle opening is sealed.

Receptacle 2 is then inverted in the sealed configuration such that the nozzle 4 is inserted into the filler port, tank aperture or the like. To open the channel and unseal the receptacle opening, receptacle 2 is rotated relative to nozzle assembly 1. Nozzle assembly 1 is held still by an operator and the body of the receptacle twisted through say half a turn such that the bias applied to plate 11 is released and the plate is lifted away from receptacle opening 3 to allow any liquid contained in the receptacle to flow between supports 12 and be conducted through nozzle 4. The rate of flow of the liquid between supports 12 can be varied by varying the degree of rotation of the receptacle. However, the supports require only a limited amount of axial movement between nozzle assembly 1 and receptacle 2 for allowing the sealing or unsealing of opening 3.

To stop the liquid flow, the body of the receptacle is rotated back to its original position to close the channel and seal the opening 3. The receptacle is then removed from the filler port and returned to an upright position .

The nozzle assembly according to the invention can take many forms. For example, the nozzle assembly may be further provided with a dust cap (not illustrated) to ensure that the nozzle interior remains free of impurities between uses whilst in an alternate embodiment, (not illustrated), the nozzle adaptor includes abutment means for preventing the unintentional removal of nozzle assembly 1 from the receptacle in the event of the receptacle being given a full turn. However, when upright, nozzle assembly 1 can be removed from the body by turning the assembly or receptacle until the abutment means is engaged, then applying pressure to either side of the nozzle adaptor. In yet another embodiment (not illustrated), the support or supports 12 are of a substantially "W" shape in their unbiased configuration and resiliently deform to a substantially linear configuration when pressure is exerted upon plate 11 by rim 14 so as to tension the plate against the receptacle opening. Upon release of the bias applied to the plate, the supports return to the substantially "W" shape" .

The use of the nozzle assembly of the present invention is particularly advantageous in that it prevents unnecessary wastage that occurs with the use of conventional closures due to spillage of any contents during the liquid transfer. Furthermore, the re-sealing of the opening prevents contamination of the remaining fluid in the receptacle since any film of liquid remaining in the upper part of the nozzle cannot leak back past the closure element. The invention as presently contemplated provides a closure for a receptacle which will enable ease of dispensing of liquids such as oils and the like, in both retail and domestic situations.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

1. A nozzle assembly for use with a receptacle of the kind used to contain liquid and having a receptacle opening in liquid communication with the receptacle interior, the assembly comprising a nozzle defining a channel for conducting liquid to or from the receptacle interior, a nozzle adaptor for releasably securing the nozzle to the receptacle and a closure element mountable intermediate the receptacle opening and a free end of the nozzle for movement between a first position in which the channel is closed and a second position in which the channel is open.

2. A nozzle assembly according to claim 1 wherein the closure element is integrally formed with the nozzle adaptor, said element comprising a member having a cross sectional area equal to or greater than the cross sectional area of the channel and at least one radially extending resilient support for securing the member to the nozzle adaptor.

3. A nozzle assembly according to claim 2 wherein the member is resiliently biased by the at least one support against the receptacle opening wherein said channel is substantially closed.

4. A nozzle assembly according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the at least one support is of a substantially "W" shape.

5. A nozzle assembly according to claim 4 wherein the at least one support is adapted to deform to a substantially linear configuration so as to tension the member against the receptacle opening thereby to close the channel.

6. A nozzle assembly according to any one of the claims 2 to 5 wherein the member is a plate having a radially extending internal rib adapted to engage an internal edge of an uppermost rim of the receptacle.

7. A nozzle assembly according to any one of the claims 3-6 wherein the channel is opened by rotating the receptacle or the nozzle assembly to release the bias applied to the closure element and to lift the member away from the receptacle opening so as to allow the liquid contained in the receptacle to flow through an aperture defined by the at least one support and out through the nozzle.

8. A nozzle assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the nozzle adaptor is threadably mountable with respect to the receptacle.

9. A nozzle assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the nozzle is substantially funnel shaped and wherein one opening is substantially larger than the other opening.

10. A nozzle assembly according to claim 9 wherein the nozzle is releasably securable to the nozzle adaptor at or adjacent the larger opening.

11. A nozzle assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the nozzle adaptor is further provided with sealing means for forming a secondary liquid-tight seal against the receptacle body.

12. A liquid dispenser comprising a liquid receptacle having a nozzle assembly according to any one of the claims 1 to 11 releasably attached thereto.

13. A nozzle assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the drawings.

14. A liquid dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the drawings.