Patent ID: 6631823
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A drink spout system and drink container, comprising:a drink container having an opening, and an internal compartment adapted to contain drink fluid; and a drink spout system comprising: a body with a base portion coupling the drink spout system to the drink container so that the drink spout system is positioned to receive drink fluid passing through an opening in the drink container, wherein the body further includes a dispensing portion with an outlet through which drink fluid passes as it is dispensed from the drink spout system, wherein the dispensing portion defines at least a portion of a fluid conduit through which drink fluid flows through the drink spout system to the outlet; a valve assembly adapted to selectively permit drink fluid to flow through the fluid conduit to the outlet, wherein the valve assembly is selectively configurable between a dispensing position, in which drink fluid may flow through the fluid conduit to the outlet, and a closed position, in which the valve assembly prevents drink fluid from passing through the fluid conduit to the outlet, wherein the valve assembly is adapted to be configured from the closed position to the dispensing position upon application of a user-applied force urging drink fluid through the dispensing portion, and wherein the valve assembly is adapted to automatically return to the closed position upon removal of the user-applied force, an air return system adapted to permit air from external the compartment to enter the compartment as drink fluid is dispensed from the outlet, wherein the air return system includes at least one air return inlet on the body through which air from external the drink container may be drawn as drink fluid is dispensed through the drink spout system, at least one air return outlet in fluid communication with the at least one air return inlet and adapted to deliver the air into the compartment as drink fluid is dispensed through the drink spout system, and at least one passage interconnecting the at least one air return inlet and the at least one air return outlet; and a flow restrictor adapted to restrict the air entering the compartment through the air return system from being drawn as air bubbles into the fluid conduit as drink fluid is dispensed from the drink container, wherein the flow restrictor includes at least one of a sleeve and a partition that extends into the compartment to divide at least a portion of the compartment into a region generally beneath the at least one air return outlet and a region generally beneath the fluid conduit relative to the outlet.