Patent ID: 6216903
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A47G

Abstract:
The combination of a container and a bi-directional closure to dispense liquid through the container open mouth comprising:a container shaped pouring member fitting into the container open mouth to seal the mouth, said pouring member having a pair of spaced outlet ports comprising cutouts in the outer edge of the pouring member spaced apart by 180.degree.;a lid fitting within said container shaped pouring member and being rotatably mounted relative to said pouring member, said lid having a pair of spaced liquid pouring openings, a pair of spaced air holes, and an operation lever protruding outwards from the pouring member, said pair of spaced pouring openings and said pair of spaced air holes comprising cutouts in the lid outer edge with said pouring openings spaced apart at an angle less than 180.degree. around said lid;a handle mounted on the container body and projecting therefrom;said container shaped pouring member fitting into the container open mouth to seal the mouth when said pair of spaced outlet ports are positioned respectively on the right and the left with respect to said handle mounted on the container body; andsaid lid in a home position relative to said pouring member with said lid operation lever substantially aligned with said handle sealing said pair of outlet ports of said pouring member, rotation of said lid relative to said pouring member in a first direction from said home position by a predetermined amount to a first position by operating said operation lever aligning a respective one of said lid pouring openings with a pouring member outlet port and one of said lid air holes with the other of said pouring member outlet ports, and rotation of said lid relative to said pouring member in a second direction opposite to said first direction by a predetermined amount to a second position by operating said operation lever aligning the other of said lid pouring openings with the other outlet port of said pouring member and the other of said lid air holes with said pouring member one outlet port.