Abstract:
A spout for containers with pourable contents configured to be securely retained to the container. The spout remains secure by the shape and/or design of the spout, most notably the interaction of circumferential beads on the outer wall of the spout with an inwardly extended bead on the neck of the container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/360,331, filed Feb. 28, 2002. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to spouts for liquid containers and more particularly to spouts that are configured to improve spout retention within the container. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Designs for containers used for storing, dispensing, and measuring pourable contents such as liquids, powders, and other pourable substances typically include a container for holding the pourable substance, a cap that attaches to the container and a spout attached to the container for facilitation of pouring of the contents. Various spout configurations are known, and have various other properties (e.g., drip free, etc.) However, while these designs have proven generally successful with consumers, the spout may become detached from the container. For example, during the filling operation, if the spout is not securely affixed to the container, the spout may either fall into or otherwise be removed from the container. In such a case, leakage of the contents of the container may occur. 
   Particularly problematic is the case where the spout is caused to fall into the container. When the spout falls into the container it is difficult to remove given the typically narrow nature of the orifice into which the spout is placed. 
   Prior attempts to develop a spout that addresses some of the above disadvantages have been met with varied success. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,009 entitled “Leak and Drip Resistant Storage Dispensing and Measuring Package” and issued to Davidson et al., generally discloses an outwardly extending collar located at the very upper edge of a spout, which rests or engages a top edge of the neck of a container and is intended to keep the spout from falling into the container. 
   There are various benefits, however, to a spout that does not have such an outer collar and accordingly, there remains a need for spouts thus configured. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a spout that is configured to be securely retained to a container for pourable contents that addresses many of the shortcomings of the prior art. For example, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a spout is configured to engage a neck of a container such that the spout is maintained in the neck without falling into the container and/or such that the spout is not readily removable from the neck. 
   In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spout accomplishes this by its shape and configuration. In one exemplary embodiment, intermittent circumferential beads are provided on the outer wall between the top and the bottom of the spout. The circumferential beads are configured to engage with generally corresponding inwardly extending beads found on the inner surface of the neck of the container. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, engagement of the circumferential beads with the neck beads thus provides a seal between the spout and container and/or tends to prevent the spout from either falling into or otherwise being easily removed from the container. Additionally or alternatively, the spout may be configured with a frustoconical shape or otherwise taper from a larger upper edge to a smaller lower edge, further aiding in preventing the spout from falling into the container. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Additional aspects of the present invention will become evident upon reviewing the non limiting embodiments described in the following specification and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing  FIG. 1  illustrating a side view of an exemplary spout in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The following description of the present invention is of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description merely provides convenient illustrations for implementing illustrative embodiments of the invention. For example, various changes may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements (e.g., the material and shape of the spout) described in these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
   That being said, generally, in accordance with the present invention, a spout  18  is provided that is configured to be securely retained in a container  12  for pourable contents. For example, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, spout  18  is configured to engage a neck  14  of container  12  such that spout  18  is suitably maintained in the container during preparation (e.g., filling of container  12 ) and use thereof, for example, in connection with the dispensing of cleaning materials (e.g., detergents) delivered through use of container  12 . 
   In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to  FIG. 1 , spout  18  preferably includes a locking mechanism comprising varying shapes and configurations. As will be explained in greater detail herein below, in accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a raised bead formed in the spout which preferably cooperates with a portion of neck  14  of container  12 . Additionally, in certain embodiments, such as is shown in the illustrated embodiment, the overall shape of spout  18  aids in suitably securing spout  18  to container  12 . 
   Briefly, in the illustrated embodiment, spout  18  is configured for use with a liquid container  12  and a cap  24 . These components are typically molded from plastic materials. In the illustrated embodiment, container  12  preferably includes a threaded neck  14  so that cap  24  can be attached to neck  14 . 
   In various embodiments of the present invention, locking mechanism comprises a locking device formed on spout  18  which cooperates with a portion of neck  14  of container  12 . For example, with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , locking mechanism of spout  18  comprises intermittent circumferential beads  20 ,  22  on an outer wall of spout  18  between an upper edge  26  and a lower edge  28  of spout  18 . In the presently described embodiment, multiple beads, namely beads  20 ,  22 , which are offset along the axis of spout  18 , are utilized. However, any number of beads and/or bead configurations may likewise be substituted, including the use of only one bead, and likewise may be configured in any number of position besides being offset. Additionally, beads  20 ,  22  need not be intermittent, but rather may comprise continuous, concentric rings. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that any number of configurations for locking mechanism may fall within the scope of the present invention to the extent that the locking mechanism aids in securely retaining spout  18  in neck  14  of container  12 . 
   In the presently described embodiment and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , beads  20 ,  22  preferably are suitably configured and positioned on/in wall of spout  18  between upper edge  26  and lower edge  28  to engage retaining devices found on container  12 . For example, in the presently described embodiment, retaining devices comprise an inwardly extending bead  16  formed on an inner surface of neck  14  of container  12 , which engages beads  20 ,  22 . The engagement of beads  20 ,  22  with neck bead  16  may be accomplished in any manner (such as by “snap” or “press” fit), and on a particularly preferred aspect of this embodiment of the present invention, the engagement of beads  20 ,  22  with neck bead  16  suitably provides a seal between spout  18  and container  12  such that the contents of container  12  will not pass between spout  18  and neck  14 . In any event, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, spout  18  is suitably secured to neck  14  such that spout  18  is adequately prevented from either falling into container  12  or being removed from container  12  during such operations as filling of container  12 , use of container  12  and the like. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that retaining devices may include any number of configurations to the extent that retaining devices engage with beads  20 ,  22 . 
   Additionally, in its various embodiments, spout  18  may be configured with an overall shape that prevents spout  18  from falling into container  12 . For example, spout  18  may have a substantially frustoconical shape or otherwise taper from larger upper edge  26  to smaller lower edge  28 , further aiding in preventing the spout from falling into the container. 
   Lastly, it should be appreciated that the present invention has been described above with reference to various exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it should be appreciated that spout  18  may be suitably configured to include various other features, including, without limitation, drip-free characteristics and the like. Various other changes to the circumferential beads and overall shape of the spout may also be made. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as set forth herein.