Vented spout for a liquid storage container

The spout can be used on a rigid or a nonrigid container. It includes a first member slidingly movable with reference to a second member so as to open and close a valve located at a front end of the spout. In use, the liquid flow can automatically be decreased and even stopped when the receptacle is full. The spout can include an annular outer gasket to create an airtight connection between the spout and the opening of the receptacle during pouring. This allows nonrigid containers to be emptied without collapsing. It also allows any airborne droplets and vapors present in the opening of the receptacle to be drawn into the container with the incoming air during pouring, thereby preventing or minimizing the presence of such droplets and vapors in the surrounding environment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates generally to vented spouts for liquid-storage containers.

BACKGROUND

Many different kinds of spouts have been proposed over the years for use during a gravity transfer of liquids from a container into a receptacle, such receptacle being for instance another container, a reservoir or a tank, to name just a few. Some of these spouts include an air vent to admit air inside the container when the liquid flows, and also a shutoff valve to control the liquid flow during the transfer. Examples can be found, for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,403,185 and 8,561,858.

While most of the prior arrangements have been generally useful and convenient on different aspects, there are still some limitations and challenges remaining in this technical area for which further improvements would be highly desirable.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, there is provided a vented pouring spout for a liquid-storage container, the spout including: a first member including an elongated and generally tubular first main body having at least two longitudinally extending internal passageways, one being an air duct through which an air circuit passes when air enters the container and the other being a liquid duct through which a liquid circuit passes when the liquid flows out of the container, the air duct being generally positioned along a top side of the first main body and being smaller in cross section than that of the liquid duct, the air duct being segregated from the liquid duct; a valve having a valve member provided at a front end of the first member, the valve member including an outer circumferential groove in which is positioned a valve gasket; a second member including an elongated second main body inside which the first main body is slidingly axially movable, the second main body having a front section and a rear section, the front section having a front open end defining a valve seat that is engaged by the valve gasket when the spout is in a normally closed position to interrupt the air circuit and the liquid circuit, the valve gasket being out of engagement with the valve seat when the spout is in a fully opened position, the valve member having an outer periphery that is smaller than an inner periphery of the valve seat, whereby the valve gasket holds the first and second members together when positioned in the outer circumferential groove and, when removed from the outer circumferential groove, allows the first member to be pulled out from the second member; and a biasing element positioned between the first member and the second member to urge the spout towards the normally closed position.

There is also provided a vented pouring spout for a liquid-storage container, the spout including: a first member including an elongated and generally tubular first main body having at least two longitudinally extending internal passageways, one being an air duct through which an air circuit passes when air enters the container and the other being a liquid duct through which a liquid circuit passes when the liquid flows out of the container, the air duct being generally positioned along a top side of the first main body and being smaller in cross section than that of the liquid duct, the air duct being segregated from the liquid duct; a valve having a valve member provided at a front end of the first member; a second member including an elongated second main body inside which the first main body is slidingly axially movable, the second main body having a front section and a rear section, the front section having a front open end defining a valve seat that is engaged by the valve when the spout is in a normally closed position to interrupt the air circuit and the liquid circuit, the valve being out of engagement with the valve seat when the spout is in a fully opened position; and a biasing element positioned between the first member and the second member to urge the spout towards the normally closed position.

Details on the different aspects of the proposed concept will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a rear isometric view of an example of a spout100as improved. This spout100includes a first member102and a second member104. The first member102can be longer than the second member104, as shown in the illustrated example. This first member102, however, is only partially visible inFIG.1since it is located inside the second member104. The first and second members102,104can be made of a plastic material, for instance using an injection molding process. Other materials, manufacturing processes, configurations and arrangements are also possible.

The illustrated spout100is shown with a threaded annular collar106. This collar106can be used to removably attach the spout100to a container. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the collar106can be a part already present on a container. The spout100can be manufactured and sold without the collar106. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The first and second members102,104can be substantially rectilinear conduits extending along a longitudinal axis108, as shown in the illustrated example. This overall arrangement was found to be optimal for many implementations, such as for pouring liquid products from relatively small containers. It can also minimize manufacturing costs. Nevertheless, other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the first member102or the second member104, or even both, can have a different shape. Still, although the first and second members102,104as well as other parts of the illustrated spout100are generally circular in cross-section, both internally and externally, using noncircular shapes remains possible in some implementations. The present description refers to the diameters of some of the parts only for the sake of simplicity and not because they necessarily must have a circular cross-section. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The spout100generally extends between a base110and a tip112. The spout base110is the general area at the rear end of the spout100where liquid enters and where air exits during pouring. The spout tip112is the general area at the front end of the spout100where liquid exits and where air enters.

The spout100includes a built-in shutoff valve system located at the spout tip112. The spout100can also include a locking arrangement, as shown in the illustrated example. This locking arrangement can be useful to keep the spout100in a locked position and prevent the valve system from being opened unless a specific operation is performed to unlock the spout100. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of the parts thereof can be designed differently or be omitted. The locking arrangement can be entirely omitted in some implementations. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.2is a longitudinal cross section view of the spout100shown inFIG.1being positioned on an example of a generic liquid-storage container130. This container130can be, for instance, a portable container or canister designed for transporting and storing liquids. The illustrated spout100is well adapted for use with liquids stored in portable containers to be transferred to a receptacle at one point in time. Examples of liquids include chemical products used in industrial processes, for instance liquid ink or solvents, or liquids used in vehicles, such as washing fluids, coolant fluids and urea, to name just a few. The spout100can also be used with many other kinds of liquids, including nonhazardous liquids, or with volatile liquids such as gasoline, diesel or other liquid fuel products.

The container130illustrated inFIG.2is only an example for the sake of illustration. The spout100can be used with many other kinds of liquid-storage containers, including ones that are not portable. The containers can be rigid or nonrigid (i.e., having a relatively soft outer shell). With a rigid container, air continuously enters during pouring to compensate the volume of liquid being poured, otherwise the flow of liquid coming out of the container can eventually be severely reduced and even be interrupted. Many portable containers include an auxiliary air vent opening on a top part thereof to release built-in pressure or to admit air when pouring liquids using non-vented spouts. An auxiliary air vent opening is relatively small in size and is often closed by a corresponding threaded cap or the like. A vented spout such as the illustrated spout100alleviates the need of having an auxiliary air vent opening, or having to open it if one is present, since air is admitted through the spout100itself. Hence, any auxiliary air vent opening on a container can and should remain completely closed when pouring liquid using the vented spout100. The spout100can still be used even if the auxiliary air vent opening on a given container is partially or fully opened, but the user will then forgo some of the benefits of the spout100. For the sake of simplicity, the rest of the present description will assume that air can only enter a container, for instance the container130, through the vented spout100during pouring.

Unlike a rigid container, a nonrigid container can be progressively collapsed to become more compact, at least up to certain degree, so as to compensate the volume of liquid flowing out of it. Air generally enters a nonrigid container at some point during the pouring, often through the opening by which the liquid exits. Containers made of a relatively soft material can be pressed by hand to expel the liquid more rapidly, but this may overflow the receptacle and result in a spillage, among other things. However, the spout100as improved can allow liquids to be poured quickly out of a nonrigid container without collapsing when the junction between the spout100and the opening of the receptacle can be sealed with an airtight connection during pouring.

The spout100can be secured to a threaded neck portion132of the container130using the collar106, as shown inFIG.2. The collar106can have internal threads matching the external threads on the neck portion132. The collar106can include a central opening through which the parts beyond the spout base110extend. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of these parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The spout100ofFIG.2is generally oriented upwards. Pouring liquid out the container130through the spout100can require, among other things, the container130to be tilted in a counterclockwise direction in the context of the illustration.

FIGS.3to5are, respectively, a right-side view, a top side view and a bottom side view of the spout100shown inFIG.1.FIGS.6and7are, respectively, a front-end view and a rear-end view of the spout100shown inFIG.1.

An annular outer gasket114can be provided around the second member104at a given distance from the spout tip112, as shown in the illustrated example. This outer gasket114can create an airtight connection between the spout100and the opening of a receptacle when liquid is poured out of the container130through the opening of this receptacle. The parts of the spout100in front of the outer gasket114and the interior of the receptacle in which these parts are inserted can be sealed from the surrounding outside environment, namely the space in which stands the user holding the container130. Among other things, this airtight connection can improve the flow of liquid out of the container130, prevent spillage of the liquid and prevent airborne droplets or vapors from spreading in the environment. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of these parts can be designed differently or be omitted, and at least some of these features can be omitted in some implementations. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.8is a front isometric view of the outer gasket114on the spout100shown inFIG.1.FIG.9is a cross-section view thereof. As can be seen, the outer gasket114can have a conical shape, as shown in the illustrated example. The outer gasket114can be made of a resilient material, for instance a polymeric material. Other materials, configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the outer gasket114could be replaced by another element, such as a coextruded part, or by something else. The spout100can be operated without using or having the outer gasket114and it can thus be entirely omitted in some implementations. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.10is an enlarged longitudinal cross section view of the spout100shown inFIG.1. This spout100is shown in a closed position.FIGS.11and12are views similar toFIG.10but showing, respectively, this spout100being in a partially open position and in a fully opened position.

The first member102can include an elongated and generally tubular first main body140that extends over almost the entire length of the spout100, as shown. It can have at least two longitudinally extending internal passageways, one being an air duct142through which an air circuit144(FIG.13) passes when air flows towards the container130and the other being a liquid duct146through which a liquid circuit148(FIG.13) passes when liquid flows out of the container130. The air duct142is generally positioned along a top side of the first main body140and is smaller in cross section than that of the liquid duct146. The air duct142and the liquid duct146can run essentially parallel to one another, as shown, and this air duct142can be segregated from the liquid duct146, i.e., be physically separated from it, along the entire length of the first main body140by an intervening wall150. The intervening wall150extends transversally and is relatively flat along most of the air duct142in the illustrated example. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of these parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The liquid duct146can include an inlet portion146ahaving a tapered shape, as shown in the illustrated example, this liquid duct146decreasing in cross section within this tapered inlet portion146aand the cross-section can then remain relatively constant up to the spout tip112. This tapered inlet portion146acan be generally located at the spout base110, as shown. The reduction in the cross section area at the inlet can be useful to ensure that the whole liquid duct146can be filled with liquid when pouring a large quantity of liquid out of the container130while the spout100is fully open. The force of gravity acting on the column of liquid present in the liquid duct146can enhance the suction effect and increase the liquid flow. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the tapered inlet portion146acan be designed differently or be omitted in some implementations. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The spout100can include an enlarged outer rim portion152, as shown in the illustrated example. The outer rim portion152is slightly larger in diameter than the inner diameter of the neck portion132of the container130. It is made just large enough to engage the front edge of the neck portion132but it still fits inside the collar106, thereby allowing the inner threads of the collar106to mesh with the outer threads of the neck portion132. The rest of the spout100can be made smaller in width to fit through the central opening of the collar106and extend out of the collar106, as shown. The interior rim around the opening of the collar106can engage the opposite side of the outer rim portion152and the collar106can then be tightened on the neck portion132until the spout100is solidly secured and the junction between the spout100and the neck portion132is sealed. An outer U-shaped gasket154can be provided around the outer rim portion152to enhance the sealing engagement, as shown in the illustrated example. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the U-shaped gasket154can be entirely omitted in some implementations, for instance if the material or the configuration of the parts already provides a suitable sealing engagement for the intended use. The outer rim portion152can be omitted as well. Some implementations can be secured to a container without using the collar106. Other variants are possible as well.

The air duct142can include a portion projecting in the longitudinal direction beyond the inlet of the liquid duct146, as shown in the illustrated example. The air duct142can include a downstream end180projecting towards the rear beyond the outer rim portion152. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of these parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The second member104can include an elongated and generally tubular second main body160inside which the first main body140is slidingly movable, as shown. This second main body160has a front open end162. It can also include a front section164and a rear section166(FIG.17) that are juxtaposed to one another. These sections164,166can be coaxial and the front section164can be shorter than the rear section166, as shown in the illustrated example, this front section164being about a third of the length of the rear section166. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of these parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The illustrated example further shows that the rear section166can have inner and outer diameters larger than that of the front section164. The two sections164,166can be made integral with one another and the junction between them can create an annular ridge168on the second main body160, as shown. Having a larger rear section166can be useful for mounting other parts therein. The annular ridge168can also act as a stopper against which the outer gasket114abuts, as shown in the illustrated example. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the outer gasket114can be held in place using another arrangement or method. At least some of the parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The valve of the spout100is generally identified at170. This valve170can include a valve member172and the valve member172can engage a valve seat174when the spout100is in the normally closed position, as shown inFIG.10. The valve member172is provided at the front end of the first member102. The axial position of the valve member172can be shifted by changing the relative position of the second member104with reference to the first member102along the longitudinal axis108. This can be done by pulling the second member104towards the collar106or, alternatively, by pushing the first member102while holding the second member104in position. The valve seat174can be a recessed part of a front open end162of the second main body160. The geometric center of this valve170can correspond approximately to the geometric center of the second main body160, as shown in the illustrated example, the outer diameter of this valve170being essentially as wide as the outer diameter of the second member104. This can maximize the liquid flow during pouring. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the recessed valve seat174can be omitted in some implementations and the valve seat174can simply be the basic flat end surface surrounding the front open end162, for instance. The valve seat174can be offset with reference to the geometric center of the second main body160in some implementations. At least some of the other parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The valve member172can include an outer circumferential groove176to receive a valve gasket178, for instance an O-ring or the like. This valve member172can then engage the valve seat174through the valve gasket178, as shown. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the valve gasket178can also be entirely omitted in some implementations, for instance if the material and the configuration of the parts already provide a suitable sealing engagement for the intended use. At least some of the other parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The valve gasket178can hold the first and second members102,104together, as shown in the illustrated example. Removing this valve gasket178from its outer circumferential groove176can allow the first member102to be pulled out the second member104from the rear end thereof. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, this feature can be omitted in some implementations. Other variants are possible as well.

As shown in the illustrated example, the spout100can include a biasing element190provided to urge the valve member172, thus the spout100, towards a normally closed position when no actuating force is applied by a user or when such force is released. This biasing element190can be a compression helical spring concealed inside the spout100, as shown. It can counterbalance an actuating force230applied by the user when this valve member172is open. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, other kinds of biasing elements are possible, and the biasing element can be positioned differently on the spout100, including being outside the spout100. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

FIGS.11and12show, among other things, that the biasing element190of the illustrated spout100can be progressively compressed when the valve member172moves away from the valve seat174. The biasing element190could even become fully compressed or almost fully compressed at the fully opened position in some implementations. Other configurations and arrangements are possible.

In use, some air can enter the container130through the air circuit144during pouring to replace a proportional volume of liquid flowing out of the container130. Air stops entering the container130when the flow of outgoing liquid stops. However, interrupting the incoming airflow can significantly reduce and even stop the liquid flow shortly thereafter if a negative pressure, relative to the ambient air pressure, increases beyond a certain point inside the container130. The negative pressure built up can start when the spout tip112is submerged into the liquid inside the receptacle200during the pouring of liquid from the container130. A negative pressure is what causes the air to enter the container130but if no more air enters, the negative pressure can prevent liquid from flowing out. Now, since the tip112of the illustrated spout100is where both the liquid outlet and the air inlet are located, the flow of liquid through the spout100can automatically decrease and can even stop soon after the spout tip112is immersed inside the liquid. The user can then release the actuating force230on the container130that keeps the valve170open. The biasing element190can move the second member104forward with reference to the first member102and close the valve170. Some liquid can still be present in the liquid duct146and even in the air duct142at this instant. However, since the valve170is located at the spout tip112, the liquid will be kept within the spout100and will flow into the container130once it is tilted back to the upstanding position shown inFIG.2. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of the parts can be designed differently or be omitted, and at least some of the features can be omitted in some implementations. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.13is a semi-schematic view of the spout100shown inFIG.12when transferring the liquid from the liquid-storage container130into a receptacle200. The liquid-storage container130and the receptacle200are schematically depicted inFIG.13. The spout100is shown being pressed against an inlet opening of the receptacle200and the container130is located above. The front part of the spout100can be inserted into the inlet opening of the receptacle200up to the outer gasket114, this outer gasket114being larger than the inlet opening. An airtight sealing engagement can be created and maintained by the user pressing down on the container130with an actuating force230so as to urge the outer gasket114against the rim of the opening of the receptacle200. The actuating force230exerted by the user can also maintain the spout100opened when the first member102is pushed forward with reference to the second member104. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of these parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The spout100can be designed so that the air required for filling the container130can only come from the receptacle200because of the airtight connection, as shown inFIG.13. Since air is expelled out of the receptacle200to compensate the volume of the incoming liquid and that air is required inside the container130to compensate the volume of the outgoing liquid, air can simply be transferred from one to the other and there can be no need to draw air from outside. The flow can then be constant, efficient and optimum. Among other things, air pushed out of the receptacle200by incoming liquid can be forced to exit only through the air duct142when the junction between the spout100and the receptacle200is entirety sealed. The pressure created can then facilitate the air admission into the container130through the air duct142, and airborne droplets or vapors present around the spout tip112during pouring can be drawn into the container130with the incoming air, thereby significantly minimizing the exposure of the user to these droplets or vapors. The supply of air through the spout100into the container130can greatly improve the liquid flow and can prevent the container130, if this is a nonrigid one, from collapsing. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of these parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

Some receptacles200or implementations may not allow a sealing engagement to be created between the spout100and the opening of the receptacle200. Nevertheless, if the spout tip112is located within the opening or very close to it during pouring, most of the air entering the container130can originate from within the receptacle200. Airborne droplets or vapors can be drawn into the container130as well. Still, the flow of liquid can automatically slow down and even stop once the spout tip112is below the liquid level, even if there is no sealing engagement. Other configurations and arrangements are possible.

FIGS.14to16are, respectively, a rear isometric view, a right-side view and a top view of the first member102in the spout100shown inFIG.1. As can be seen, the first member102can include a plurality of spaced apart radially projecting longitudinal ribs210, as shown in the illustrated example. There are six longitudinal ribs210in this example and these longitudinal ribs210are projecting from the outer surface of the first member102to guide it within the rear section166of the second main body160, the interior of the second main body160being larger than the exterior of the first main body140in this part of the spout100. The top edges of these longitudinal ribs210can be rectilinear and be in a sliding engagement with the interior of the rear section166, as shown. These longitudinal ribs210can keep the first member102centered with reference to the second member104. Their presence can also improve the structural rigidity of the first member102. Nevertheless, other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the number of longitudinal ribs210, their relative position, or even both, can be different. The longitudinal ribs210can be replaced by other features or be entirely omitted in some implementations. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The front end of the first member102of the spout100can include a top air inlet opening156and a bottom liquid outlet opening158, both made through the first main body140, as shown in the illustrated example. The top air inlet opening156can be smaller in length than that of the bottom liquid outlet opening158, as shown. Both openings156,158can be separated by a front section of the intervening wall150and the top side150aof this front section can be flat. The front section can also include a bottom side150bthat is curved, with a relatively large radius of curvature, so as to redirect the liquid in a substantially radially outward direction as it leaves the liquid duct146inside the first member102, as shown. This curved bottom side150bcan mitigate splashes and the creation of airborne droplets since the liquid can be prevented from abruptly impinging on a surface at the back of the valve member172. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of these parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.17is a side view of the second member104in the spout100shown inFIG.1.FIG.18is a longitudinal cross section view thereof.

As aforesaid, the spout100can include a locking arrangement, for instance a locking system120, as shown in the illustrated example. This locking system120can be designed essentially to provide a basic safety measure and is not necessarily a child-resistant closure. It can include a pair of substantially L-shaped openings122at the rear end of the second member104. These openings122can be diametrically opposite to one another, as shown. Each opening122can include two adjacent sections124,126that are distinct in length, the first section124being shorter than the second section126. These openings122can cooperate with corresponding radially extending tabs128(seeFIGS.14to16) projecting out of the first member102next to the outer rim portion152, as shown in the illustrated example. These two opposite tabs128are adjacent to the longitudinal ribs210. However, they are radially taller, longitudinally shorter and larger in width compared to the longitudinal ribs210. The second member104can be pivoted with reference to the first member102over a few degrees, just enough to change the relative angular position between them, thereby moving the tabs128between the sections124,126. The pivot motion can be made by the user in both directions and the biasing element190in the illustrated example is not designed to generate torque. The angular position is thus only selected by the user in this implementation. When the tabs128of the illustrated example are positioned in the first section124, no space is available to slide the first member102with reference to the second member104and the spout100is then in a locked position. However, when the tabs128are in the second section126, there can be enough space to slide the first member102with reference to the second member104and the spout100is then in an unlocked position. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, a locking system can be implemented using only one opening122and one corresponding tab128. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. The locking system120can be entirely omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.19is a front isometric view of the plug220forming constricted openings in the spout100shown inFIG.1. The plug220is a part that can be added at the downstream end180of the air duct142during manufacturing. During pouring, this arrangement can accelerate the airflow before air enters the liquid and form bubbles inside the liquid of the container130. The accelerated airflow, among other things, can prevent the liquid from entering the air duct142at the beginning of the pouring. Keeping liquids out of the air duct142can greatly improve the initial airflow and the liquid can start flowing out of the spout100very fast after opening the valve170. Nevertheless, other configurations and arrangements are possible. For instance, although the plug220can lower the manufacturing costs and reduce the complexity of manufacturing the spout100, one or more constricted openings can be molded directly at the downstream end180of the air duct142. Some implementations may not require having a constricted opening and the downstream end180could remain wide open. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The plug220can have a substantially T-shaped configuration, as shown inFIG.19. It can include an elongated upstream portion222and a larger transversal downstream portion224. The upstream portion222can be designed to fit inside the downstream end180of the air duct142. It can be attached by an interference fit or by any other suitable method. The rear edge of the downstream portion224can abut against the front edge at the downstream end180of the air duct142and cover the entire area thereof. The downstream portion224can leave only two small spaced-apart openings226at the top through which the incoming air can exit the air duct142. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the plug220can have only one opening226or more than two openings226in some implementations. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

The air duct142can include an end portion142athat has a tapered shape, as shown in the illustrated example. This tapered end portion142ais generally located at the spout base110. The increase in the cross section area can create a larger chamber immediately upstream the plug220in which air pressure can increase before passing through the openings226. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the tapered end portion142acan be omitted in some implementations. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.20is a front isometric view of the inner gasket240in the spout100shown inFIG.1. This inner gasket240can be provided between the first member102and the second member104to seal in an airtight manner an intervening peripheral space between the first main body140and the second main body160, as shown. The inner gasket240can be useful to prevent air from entering the air duct142when the receptacle into which the liquid is transferred is full and the spout tip112is immersed into the liquid. A negative relative pressure can be created inside the container130if air can no longer enter the spout tip112and the inner gasket240can prevent outside air from entering the air duct142through the small peripheral space between the first main body140and the second main body160when this occurs. The inner gasket240can include an elongated cylindrical body242having an enlarged annular flanged portion244at one end to engage the interior of the annular ridge168, as shown in the illustrated example (see for instance inFIG.13). The interior of this inner gasket body242can include a plurality of small spaced-apart annular ribs246. The inner gasket240can be made, for instance, of a polymeric material. Other materials, configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the inner gasket240can be omitted in some implementations. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.21is an isometric view of the intervening ring250provided between the inner gasket240and the biasing element190in the spout100shown inFIG.1. The ring250used in the illustrated example is essentially a spacer keeping the inner gasket240in place and providing a surface against which one end of the biasing element190, in this case the helical spring positioned around the first member102, is engaged. The ring250can be made of a rigid plastic material or any other suitable material. The opposite end of the biasing element190can engage the front end of one or more of the longitudinal ribs210, as shown in the illustrated example. These parts, namely the biasing element190, the longitudinal ribs210, the inner gasket240and the ring250, can be located in the larger intervening peripheral space between the exterior of the first main body140and the interior of the rear section166of the second main body160, as shown. Other materials, configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the ring250can be omitted in some implementations. At least some of the other parts can also be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.22is an isometric view of the U-shaped gasket154provided around the enlarged outer rim portion152on the spout100shown inFIG.1. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the U-shaped gasket154can be omitted in some implementations. Other variants are possible as well.

FIG.23is a rear isometric view of another example of a spout100as improved.FIG.24is a right-side view of the spout100shown inFIG.23. The spout100illustrated inFIGS.23and24also includes a locking system120. These figures show the spout100being in a locked position. This spout100is relatively similar to the example shown inFIG.1but it includes a built-in threaded cap300instead of the enlarged outer rim portion152. This threaded cap300can be made integral with the first member102, as shown in this illustrated example. The other parts of this spout100are similar or identical to the ones already described and illustrated. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, the spout100ofFIGS.23and24can be secured directly on a container, such as the container130ofFIG.2, without using the collar106. It could also fit on ajar or a bottle if the threads match. At least some of the parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

FIGS.25and26are, respectively, a front-end view and a rear-end view of the spout100shown inFIG.23.FIG.27is an enlarged longitudinal cross section view of the spout100shown inFIG.23.FIG.28is a rear isometric view of the first member102in the spout100shown inFIG.23. As can be seen, the spout100can include a rearwardly projecting annular flange302extending from a radially extending portion300aof the threaded cap300and surrounding both the air duct142and the liquid duct146. This annular flange302can create an annular space304delimited by the exterior of the annular flange302as well as the interior of the radially extending portion300aand the interior of a longitudinally extending portion300bof the threaded cap300, as shown. This annular space304can receive, for instance, the front edge section of the neck portion132of the container130. The annular space304can be designed so that the front edge section of this neck portion132fits tightly therein so as to seal the junction without using a gasket. This can simplify manufacturing and lower costs. Other configurations and arrangements are possible. Among other things, at least some of these parts can be designed differently or be omitted. Other variants are possible as well.

Overall, the spout100as proposed herein can have, among other things, one or more the following advantages:the spout100can be used with rigid or nonrigid containers;when used with a nonrigid container, the spout100can allow the container to be emptied very efficiently without collapsing when the junction between the opening of the receptacle and the spout100can be made airtight;the flow can automatically be decreased and then stopped when the spout tip112is immersed in the liquid of the receptacle200;the spout100can be designed to minimize the creation of airborne droplets during pouring;airborne droplets or vapors present around the spout tip112during pouring can be drawn into the container130with the incoming air, thereby preventing or at least minimizing the presence of droplets or vapors in the surrounding environment;the liquid output can be maximized because the flow restrictions can be minimized;the liquid duct146can be entirely filled with liquid during pouring at the fully opened position and the force of gravity acting on the column of liquid therein can improve the suction effect, thereby further increasing the flow;the initial response time can be very fast, and the liquid can start flowing fast almost immediately after opening the spout100;the number of parts required for manufacturing the spout100can be minimized, thereby lowering costs;the parts of the spout100can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

The present detailed description and the appended figures are meant to be exemplary only, and a skilled person will recognize that variants can be made in light of a review of the present disclosure without departing from the proposed concept. Among other things, and unless otherwise explicitly specified, none of the parts, elements, characteristics or features, or any combination thereof, should be interpreted as being necessarily essential to the invention simply because of their presence in one or more examples described, shown and/or suggested herein.

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