ZA200903074B

ZA200903074B - Accessory for a container

Info

Publication number: ZA200903074B
Application number: ZA200903074A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Friedel Troskie
Original assignee: Friedel Troskie
Priority date: 2008-07-23
Filing date: 2009-05-05
Publication date: 2010-09-29
Also published as: WO2010010443A2; WO2010010443A3

Description

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ACCESSORY FOR A CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an accessory for a container for facilitating the pouring of a liquid from the container. The invention also extends to a container arrangement including such an accessory. The invention further extends to a cap arrangement for a container and to a cap arrangement and container assembly.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Viscous and semi-viscous liquids such as, medicinal liquids, aroma oils, syrups, and the like can be stored in a variety of containers. However, the pouring of such a liquid can be problematic. For example, when a user tilts the container so as to pour the liquid from an open end of the container, and thereafter returns the container to its upright position, residual liquid on the edge of the container's mouth tends to drip downwards along the outer surface of the container. Such dripping is not only wasteful but also unsightly and messy, and thus necessitates periodic cleaning of the exterior of the container.

’ OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide an accessory for a container and a container arrangement including such an accessory for facilitating the pouring of a liquid from the container; and a cap arrangement for a container and a cap arrangement and container assembly, which addresses, at least in part, the abovementioned shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided an accessory for a container having a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, the accessory comprising: a liquid stopping member that can be securely fitted to the container's neck so as to extend away from at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the neck; and displacement means provided for the liquid stopping member to allow operative displacement of the member between a liquid stopping position wherein the member is positioned on a substantially lower portion of the neck and a liquid dispensing position in which the liquid stopping member is positioned on a substantially upper portion of the neck.

In an embodiment of the invention the liquid stopping member is adapted to convey liquid when the liquid stopping member is in the liquid dispensing position so that when liquid is poured from the container, through the aperture, its flow is directed by the liquid stopping member. Conveniently, the liquid stopping member includes a channeled pouring projection.

In an embodiment of the invention the liquid stopping member defines a collar that extends substantially perpendicularly to, and surrounds, the neck’s peripheral edge, an inner circumferential edge of the collar defining an aperture for allowing the collar to be snugly and securely fitted to the container's neck; alternatively, the collar is angled

: relative to the neck’s peripheral edge to define a liquid retaining area between the inner circumferential edge of the collar and the neck’s peripheral edge; further alternatively, the collar defines a slit that extends across part of the collar for facilitating fitting of the liquid stopping member onto the container’s neck.

In an embodiment of the invention an outer circumferential edge of the collar is at a distance away from the neck’s peripheral edge, which distance is smaller than a radius of the body portion, thereby allowing the collar to be snugly and securely fitted to the container’s neck in a semi-permanent manner for marketing the collar in combination with the container.

In an embodiment of the invention the displacement means is a bead formed on an inner circumferential edge of the collar to facilitate displacement of the collar along the neck.

The bead is shaped and dimensioned to mate with complementary interlocking engagement means on the neck; alternatively, the bead smoothly tapers away at the inner circumferential edge to fit between complementary threaded formations formed on the neck so that the liquid stopping member can easily be screwed between the liquid stopping and liquid dispensing positions.

In an embodiment of the invention the liquid stopping member comprises a liquid absorbing material.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container arrangement including a container having a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, and an accessory, as described above, securable to the neck of the container.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for facilitating the pouring of a liquid from a container including a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, the method comprising: removing a closure member, that closes the aperture, from the neck so as to open the aperture;

displacing a liquid stopping member from a liquid stopping position wherein the member is positioned on a substantially lower portion of the neck to a liquid dispensing position in which the liquid stopping member is positioned on a substantially upper portion of the neck; and tilting the body portion to allow liquid to flow towards the aperture; pouring the liquid from the container through the aperture with the liquid stopping member conveying the liquid, so as to obtain dripless dispensing.

In an embodiment of this third aspect of the invention the method includes returning the - container to its upright position so that residual liquid on a rim of the container's neck can drip downwards onto the liquid stopping member.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a cap arrangement for a container having a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, the cap arrangement comprising: a cap including a top wall having a depending outer skirt, the outer skirt being adapted for securement onto a peripheral edge of the neck; and a liquid stopping member releasably connected to the cap, the liquid stopping member being adapted to be securely fitted to the neck’s peripheral edge so as to extend away from at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the neck.

In an embodiment of this fourth aspect of the invention the liquid stopping member is releasably connected to the cap by way of tamper evident formations, which, depending on whether broken or not, function to indicate whether or not the cap has been removed from the neck.

In an embodiment of this fourth aspect of the invention the outer skirt includes a threaded inner surface while the neck includes complementary threaded formations to oT allow the skirt to be screwed onto or from the neck so as to close or open the aperture; alternatively, an inner skirt depends from an inner portion of the top wall, the inner skirt having a diameter smaller than that of the outer skirt so that an annular zone is defined between the skirts for receiving a rim of the neck when the cap is secured to the neck to close the aperture.

In an embodiment of this fourth aspect of the invention the liquid stopping member defines a collar that extends substantially perpendicularly to, and surrounds, the neck’s peripheral edge, the collar defining an aperture for allowing the collar to be snugly and securely fitted to the neck’s peripheral edge; alternatively, the collar is angled relative to the neck's peripheral edge to define a liquid retaining area between the inner circumferential edge of the collar and the neck’s peripheral edge; further alternatively, the collar defines a slit that extends across part of the collar for facilitating the fitting of : the liquid stopping member onto the container’s neck.

In an embodiment of this fourth aspect of the invention the liquid stopping member comprises a liquid absorbing material.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a cap arrangement and container assembly including a container having a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, and a cap arrangement, as described above in the fourth aspect of the invention, securable to the neck of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container arrangement according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the container arrangement comprising a container and an accessory securable to a neck of the container;

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Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the container arrangement shown in

Figure 1, with the accessory shown secured to the containers neck;

Figures 3a - 3c respectively show detailed cross-sectional views of the neck of the container being fitted with the accessory, as shown in Figure 2, the accessory being shown positioned on a lower portion, an intermediate portion and an upper portion of the neck;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the container arrangement shown in

Figure 2, with the container being tilted and the accessory being positioned around the neck of the container as shown in Figure 3c;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the container arrangement shown in

Figure 4, with the container being returned to its upright position and the accessory preventing residual liquid to drip down the neck;

Figures 6a -6b respectively show detailed cross-sectional views of the container’s neck of the container arrangement of Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 7 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of a cap arrangement for a container according to a further embodiment of the invention, the cap arrangement includes a cap and a liquid stopping member fitted to a container having a threaded neck;

Figure 8 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the cap arrangement of

Figure 7, with the cap removed from the liquid stopping member and : from the threaded neck;

Figure 9 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of a cap arrangement for a container according to a yet further embodiment of the invention, the cap arrangement includes a cap and a liquid stopping member fitted to a container having a non-threaded neck;

’ ! ’ ) ] Figure 10 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the cap arrangement of

Figure 9, with the cap removed from the liquid stopping member and : from the non-threaded neck;

Figures 11a —11b respectively show perspective and plan views of the accessory shown in Figures 1 to 6;

Figures 12a - 12b respectively show perspective and plan views of a differently shaped accessory that can be used as an alternative to the accessory shown in Figures 11a — 11b; and

Figures 13a — 13b respectively show perspective and plan views of the accessory shown in Figures 11a — 11b with a slit that extends across part of the accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring first to Figures 1 to 6, a container arrangement 10 comprises a container 12 : including a body portion 14 terminating in a neck 16 that defines an aperture or open end 18 through which a liquid 19 within the container 12 can be dispensed. The container arrangement 10 further comprises an accessory 20 securable to the neck 16 of the container 12, the accessory 20 comprising a liquid stopping member 22 that can be securely fitted to the container's neck 16 so as to extend away from a portion of a peripheral edge of the neck 16. It is also envisaged that the container arrangement 10 may include a cap 23.1 for closing the open end 18 after pouring liquid 19 from the container 12. Similarly, the container arrangement 10 may include a lid or other cover instead of the cap 23.1 shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the liquid stopping member 22, shown in Figures 1 to 6, takes the form of a collar. In further discussing this embodiment of the invention, the liquid stopping member 22 will be referred to as collar 22.

Collar 22 is displaceable between a liquid stopping position wherein it is positioned on a

Pp ' = 9 ’ substantially lower portion of the neck 16 and a liquid dispensing position in which it is positioned on a substantially upper portion of the neck 16. Figures 3a to 3b respectively show detailed cross-sectional views of the neck 16 having the collar 22 fitted around it at different positions. The position of the collar 22 around neck 16 shown in Figure 3a of the drawings illustrates a typical liquid stopping position while Figure 3b shows an intermediate position. When the collar 22 is in the position as shown in Figure 3c it can function both as a liquid stopper and a liquid dispenser. However, it is preferred to have the collar 22 in the position as shown in Figure 3c when dispensing since the cap 23.1 needs to be replaced after use and therefore the collar 22 must be returned to its liquid : stopping position on a substantially lower portion of the neck 16 in which it remains until one needs to again pour from the container 12.

The collar 22 is shown in more detail in Figures 11a and 11b and extends substantially perpendicularly to, and surrounds, the peripheral edge of the neck 16. It will be appreciated that collar 22 may take a variety of shapes and configurations, such as the round shape of the accessory depicted in Figures 12a and 12b, as long as it could be positioned around the container's neck 16 and displaced along the neck for liquid stopping and dispensing respectively. In this embodiment of the invention, the collar 22 conveys liquids, such as, medicinal liquids, aroma oils, syrups and the like, when the collar 22 is in the liquid dispensing position. Moreover, when the liquid 19 is poured from the container 12, through the open end 18, the liquid's flow is directed by the collar 22.

The collar 22 includes a channeled pouring projection or spout 28 for facilitating the pouring of liquid 19 within the container 12 into, for example, a dispensing spoon or applicator.

An inner circumferential edge of the collar 22 terminates in a bead 24 that defines an aperture 26 for allowing the collar 22 to be snugly and securely fitted to the container's neck 16. The bead 24 functions as displacement means for the liquid stopping member 22 and allows it to be operatively displaceable between the liquid stopping position and the liquid dispensing position.

The collar 22 may also be angled relative to the peripheral edge of the neck 16 to define a liquid retaining area between the bead 24 of the collar 22 and the neck’s peripheral edge. A slit 29 is optionally defined on the collar 22 as shown in Figures 13a and 13b

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Co and may extend across part of the collar 22 so as to facilitate fitting of the collar 22 onto the container's neck 16. It will be appreciated that sides of the collar 22, between which the slit 29 is defined, are biased to each other so that the collar 22 has a tendency to remain in a closed configuration around the container’s neck 16.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an outer circumferential edge 30 of the collar 22 is at a distance D away from the neck’s peripheral edge, which distance is smaller than a radius R of the body portion 14. This allows the collar 22 to be snugly and securely fitted to the lower portion of the neck 16 in a semi-permanent manner for marketing the collar 22 in combination with the container 14. In preparation of saleable products it is foreseen that before the cap 23.1 is secured to the neck 16 to close the open end 18, the container will be filled with liquid 19, and the collar 22 will be fitted to the lower portion of the neck 16 to form the container arrangement 10. ‘The container arrangement 10 is then easily accommodated within commonly known packaging such as boxes and cartons. Thus, the collar 22 does not provide any packaging constraints.

The bead 24 is typically shaped and dimensioned to mate with complementary interlocking engagement means on the neck 16. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings, the bead 24 smoothly tapers away towards the centre of the aperture 26 to fit between complementary threaded formations 32 formed on the neck so that the collar 22 can easily be screwed between the liquid stopping and liquid dispensing positions. It is also foreseeable that the bead 24 may be manufactured from a sheet-like plastics material which could aid to seal the collar 22 to the neck 16 when positioned on the neck for liquid stopping purposes. The bead may take a shape complementary to that of the formations 32 which in this case tapers towards the neck 16.

In an embodiment of the invention the collar 22 comprises a liquid absorbing material such as paper, cotton, polystyrene and plastics with liquid absorbing properties.

In use, a user (not shown) when pouring the liquid 19 from the container 12 removes the cap 23.1, that closes the open end 18, from the neck 16 so as to open the open end 18.

The user then displaces the collar 22 by screwing it from the liquid stopping position shown in Figure 3a to the liquid dispensing position shown in Figure 3c. The user tilts

Co : -11- } the body portion 14 to allow the liquid 19 to flow towards the open end 18 before he pours the liquid 19 from the container 12 through the open end 18 with the collar 22 conveying the liquid 19, so as to obtain dripless dispensing. The user may then return the container 12 to its upright position so that residual liquid 19 on a rim 50 of the container’s neck 16 can drip downwards onto the collar 22.

Figures 7 and 8, both show a cap arrangement and container assembly 33.1 that includes a container 12, similar to the container shown in Figures 1 to 6, and a cap arrangement 34.1 securable to the neck 16 of the container 12. Thus, similar reference numerals will be used. The container 12, therefore, also includes a body portion 14 terminating in a neck 16 that defines an aperture or open end 18 through which a liquid 19 can be dispensed. :

Figure 7 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the cap arrangement 34.1 for the cap arrangement and container assembly 33.1. The cap arrangement 34.1 includes a cap 23.2 and a liquid stopping member or collar 22.2 fitted to the threaded neck 16.

Similarly, Figure 8 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the cap arrangement 34.1 of

Figure 7, with the cap 23.2 removed from the collar 22.2 and from the threaded neck 16.

The cap 23.2 includes a top wall 36.1 having a depending outer skirt or side walls 38.1.

An inner surface 40.1 of the outer skirt 38.1 has a threaded configuration while the neck 16 includes complementary threaded formations 32 to allow the outer skirt 38.1 to be screwed onto or from the neck 16 so as to close or open the open end 18 of the container 12.

As can be seen from the drawings the collar 22.2 is releasably connected to the cap 23.2 by means of tamper evident formations 42 or weakened plastic strips, which, depending on whether broken or not, function to indicate whether or not the cap 23.2 has been removed from the neck 16. Conveniently, in this further embodiment of the invention, the liquid stopping member or collar 22.2 functions as a tamper evident seal.

The collar 22.2 is also extending away from a lower portion of the peripheral edge of the neck 16, but can not be displaced along the neck 16 of the container 22.2. A retaining bead 52 is therefore provided on the lower portion of the neck 16 so that the collar 22.2 can function as a tamper evident seal which remains on the neck 16 after removal of the cap 23.2. :

A yet further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings. This embodiment comprises a cap arrangement and container assembly 33.2.

The cap arrangement 34.2 includes an inner skirt 44 that depends from an inner portion 46 of the top wall 36.2, the inner skirt 44 having a diameter smaller than that of the outer skirt so that an annular zone 48 is defined between the skirts for receiving a rim 50, in this case an annular rim of the neck 16, when the cap 23.3 is secured to the neck 16 to close the open end 18. This embodiment of the invention particularly relates to containers with non-threaded necks in which the cap 23.3 clips into position onto the rim 50. A retaining bead 52 is therefore provided on a lower portion of the neck 16 so that the collar 22 can function as a tamper evident seal just as described in the preceding embodiment. The cap arrangements 34.1, 34.2 are only non-limiting examples of the invention and it is also foreseen that another cap arrangement may function without tamper evidencing means and just as a closure for an open end of a container, wherein the closure or cap is integrally formed with the liquid stopping member or collar 22.

Similarly, the liquid stopping member or collar 22 may also comprise a liquid absorbing material such as paper, cotton, polystyrene and plastics with liquid absorbing properties.

In use, after the liquid 19 has been poured from the container 12, and the container 12 is thereafter returned to its upright position, residual liquid 19 on the edge of the container’s mouth will drip downwards along the neck 16 of the container 12, but will now be caught by the fluid stopping member 22 of the cap arrangement 34.1, 34.2. This saves the user from having to clean the outer surface of the container 12 after use.

Some known fluid stopping members are securable to and positionable at a selected and fixed position around a neck of a container so as to prevent the accumulation of undesirable, sticky deposits on the outside container surface. Unfortunately, such members only function as fluid stopping members and nothing more. The applicant believes that the accessory for a container and a container arrangement including such an accessory for facilitating the pouring of a liquid from the container; and a cap arrangement for a container and a cap arrangement and container assembly, as described above, at least in part, provide fluid stopping members with additional functionality which could prove to be beneficial in industry.

Claims

oe CLAIMS

1. An accessory for a container having a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, the accessory comprising: a liquid stopping member that can be securely fitted to the container's neck so as to extend away from at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the neck; and displacement means provided for the liquid stopping member to allow : operative displacement of the member between a liquid stopping position wherein the member is positioned on a substantially lower portion of the neck and a liquid dispensing position in which the liquid stopping member is positioned on a substantially upper portion of the neck.

2. The accessory of claim 1, in which the liquid stopping member is adapted to convey liquid when the liquid stopping member is in the liquid dispensing position so that when liquid is poured from the container, through the aperture, its flow is directed by the liquid stopping member.

3. The accessory of claim 2, in which the liquid stopping member includes a channeled pouring projection. 4, The accessory as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the liquid stopping member defines a collar that extends substantially perpendicularly to, and surrounds, the neck’s peripheral edge, an inner circumferential edge of the collar defining an aperture for allowing the collar to be snugly and securely fitted to the container’s neck.

S. The accessory of claim 4, wherein the collar is angled relative to the neck’s peripheral edge to define a liquid retaining area between the inner circumferential edge of the collar and the neck’s peripheral edge.

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6. The accessory of claim 4 or 5, wherein the collar defines a slit that extends across part of the collar for facilitating the fitting of the liquid stopping member onto the container’s neck.

7. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein an outer circumferential edge of the collar is at a distance away from the neck'’s peripheral edge, which distance is smaller than a radius of the body portion, thereby allowing the collar to be snugly and securely fitted to the container's neck in a semi-permanent manner for marketing in combination with the container.

8. The accessory as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, in which the displacement means is a bead formed on an inner circumferential edge of the collar to facilitate displacement of the collar along the neck. :

9. The accessory of claim 8, in which the bead is shaped and dimensioned to mate with complementary interlocking engagement means on the neck. -

10. The accessory of claim 9, in which the bead smoothly tapers away at the inner circumferential edge to fit between complementary threaded formations formed on the neck so that the liquid stopping member can easily be screwed between the liquid stopping and liquid dispensing positions.

11. The accessory as claimed in any one of the above claims, in which the liquid stopping member comprises a liquid absorbing material.

12. A method for facilitating the pouring of a liquid from a container including a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, the method comprising: removing a closure member, that closes the aperture, from the neck so as to open the aperture; displacing a liquid stopping member from a liquid stopping position wherein

] the member is positioned on a substantially lower portion of the neck to a’ liquid dispensing position in which the liquid stopping member is positioned on a substantially upper portion of the neck; and tilting the body portion to allow liquid to flow towards the aperture; E pouring liquid from the container through the aperture with the liquid stopping member conveying the liquid, so as to obtain dripless dispensing.

13. The method of claim 12, including returning the container to its upright position so that residual liquid on a rim of the container's neck can drip downwards onto the liquid stopping member.

14. A container arrangement including a container having a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, and an accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 securable to the neck of the container.

15. The container arrangement of claim 14, including a cap.

16. . A cap arrangement for a container having a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, the cap arrangement comprising: a cap including a top wall having a depending outer skirt, the outer skirt being adapted for securement onto a peripheral edge of the neck; and a liquid stopping member releasably connected to the cap, the liquid stopping member being adapted to be securely fitted to the neck’s peripheral edge so as to extend away from at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the neck.

17. The cap arrangement of claim 16, wherein the liquid stopping member is releasably connected to the cap by way of tamper evident formations, which,

. depending on whether broken or not, function to indicate whether or not the cap has been removed from the neck.

18. The cap arrangement of claim 17, in which the outer skirt includes a threaded inner surface while the neck includes complementary threaded formations to allow the skirt to be screwed onto or from the neck so as to close or open the aperture.

19. The cap arrangement of claim 16 or 17, in which an inner skirt depends from an inner portion of the top wall, the inner skirt having a diameter smaller than that of the outer skirt so that an annular zone is defined between the skirts for receiving a rim of the neck when the cap is secured to the neck to close the aperture.

20. The cap arrangement of claim 18 or 19, wherein the liquid stopping member defines a collar that extends substantially perpendicularly to, and surrounds, the neck’s peripheral edge, the collar defining an aperture for allowing the collar to be snugly and securely fitted to the neck’s peripheral edge.

21. The cap arrangement of claim 20, wherein the collar is angled relative to the neck’s peripheral edge to define a liquid retaining area between the inner circumferential edge of the collar and the neck’s peripheral edge.

22. The cap arrangement of claim 20 or 21, wherein the collar defines a slit that extends across part of the collar for facilitating the fitting of the liquid stopping member onto the neck’s peripheral edge.

23. The cap arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22, in which the liquid stopping member comprises a liquid absorbing material.

24. A cap arrangement and container assembly including a container having a body portion terminating in a neck that defines an aperture through which a liquid can be dispensed, and a cap arrangement, as claimed in any one of claims 15 to

23.1, securable to the neck of the container.

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25. An accessory for a container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 1 to 6 or in any one of Figures 11a to 12b of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

26. A container arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

27. A cap arrangement for a container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 7 and 8 or in any one of Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

28. A cap arrangement and container assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 7 and 8 or in any one of : Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. DATED THIS 5™ DAY OF MAY 2009 ( lia GILFILLAN INC (JOHN & KERNICK) FOR THE APPLICANT