Flexible pouring spout

A flexible pouring spout of segmented tubing having an internally threaded adapter cap at one end for connecting with a threaded neck of a fluid container, and an externally threaded terminal end which is adapted to connecting with the adapter cap thereby enabling the device to form a loop of itself. Thus, the interior of the spout remains clean even if it has a sticky or oily substance thereon, and any fluid within the device is retained therein. Also provided is a sealable air inlet valve for allowing air to be drawn into the spout when in use to prevent fluid lock in the device and bottle collapse, and to facilitate rapid and efficient pouring of the fluid from its container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to spouts and funnels for fluids, and more particularly to elongate flexible pouring spouts for pouring fluid from a container into relatively narrow orifice or opening, such as for example, pouring automotive fluids from their containers into receptacles for same on motor vehicles.

2. Description of Related Art

One difficulty with some prior art funnels or elongated flexible pouring spouts is that they frequently become contaminated, particularly if they are used with some sticky substance such as oil, coolant and the like. When such spout is not in use, the oily surface of the interior attracts and retains dust and dirt so that the next time the spout or funnel is used, the oil or other liquid becomes contaminated. Further, when such flexible spouts or funnels are hung up for storage, they tend to drip and cause unsightly stains and contamination of the underlying surface by the fluid. A further drawback of some of the prior art spouts or funnels is that they are not adapted to fit closely to the mouth of the container from which the fluid is poured, thus spills are frequent when either the spout or container is inadvertently moved, resulting in an inconvenience to the user for having to clean up the spill or a detrimental environmental impact in the case of oils and coolants leaking into the ground. Yet another drawback of some of the prior art spouts or funnels is that they often become fluid locked as a result of the inability to efficiently draw air into their fluid passageway once said passageway becomes blocked with the fluid, resulting in slow fluid flow through the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to address some of the shortcomings in the prior art, some aspects of the present invention provide a flexible pour spout made of a flexible, tubing having a first end provided with an internally threaded adapter cap for connecting with a threaded neck of a fluid container, and an externally threaded terminal end which is adapted to connecting with the adapter cap on the flexible pour spout (when not in use) thereby forming a loop of itself. Thus, the interior of the spout remains clean even if it has a sticky or oily substance thereon, and since the spouts of the present invention form a loop when coupled to themselves, they are easy to hang up for storage and do not drip. The flexible pouring spouts of the present invention are also provided with a sealable air inlet valve or a spring biased one-way air inlet valve for allowing air to be drawn into the spout when in use to aid in rapid fluid flow through the device. In the case of a spring biased one-way air inlet valve, the valve is drawn open as a result of the negative pressure created by the flow of fluid through the spout, but which is allowed to close in the absence of such negative pressure in the spout to limit the escape of fluid from the air inlet means. The air inlet means thereby prevents a fluid lock and bottle collapse, and facilitates very rapid and efficient pouring of the fluid from its container.

In some embodiments, the flexible pouring spout of the present invention is also provided with a segmented flexible tubing in a configuration that enables articulation of the tubing.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a flexible pour spout for pouring fluids from a container with a threaded neck portion into an orifice, the flexible pour spout comprising a container adapter having a first threaded portion having internal threads and being adapted to connecting with the threaded neck portion of the fluid container; a hollow body connected to the container adapter and in fluid communication therewith; an elongate flexible tube having a first end connected to the hollow body and in fluid communication therewith, and a terminal end being suitable for insertion into an orifice, the tube having a length sufficient to enable the terminal end to being inserted into the container adapter when the device is not in use, thereby defining a storage configuration; a sealable air inlet valve connected to the hollow body that allows air to be drawn into the device when the air inlet valve is open to facilitate a rapid flow of fluid through the device, and which prevents the escape of fluid through the air inlet valve when it is closed; and a connector portion attached to the terminal end and having external threads that are adapted to engage the internal threads of the container adapter when the terminal end is inserted into the container adapter in a manner that provides a fluid tight seal between the container adapter and the connector portion, or between the container adapter and the terminal end, to prevent fluid from escaping from the device when it is in the storage configuration.

In some embodiments, the sealable air inlet valve may comprise a spring biased one-way inlet valve which allows air to be drawn into the device as a result of a negative pressure generated by fluid flowing through the device that overcomes a biasing force of the spring tending to close the valve, and which closes in the absence of fluid flowing through the device to limit the escape of fluid from the device via the valve.

In some embodiments, the container adapter may include a second threaded portion having internal threads of different size from the first threaded portion and being adapted to connecting with a different sized threaded neck of a fluid container than the first threaded portion.

In some embodiments, the container adapter may be rotatably connected to the hollow body in a manner that provides a fluid tight seal between them but which enables the container adapter to rotate relative to the rest of the device to facilitate connecting the container adapter to a container when the device is intended to be used, or to the connector portion when the device is intended to be stored.

In some embodiments, a sealing cap may be provided that cooperates with the sealable air inlet valve and that is moveable between an open position in which it allows air to be drawn into the valve and a closed position in which it seals the valve to prevent fluid escape.

In some embodiments, the elongate flexible tube may comprise a first flexible corrugated portion adjacent the first end, a second flexible corrugated portion adjacent the terminal end, and a resilient straight portion in between said first and second corrugated portions to maintain the device in a generally oval shape when in the storage configuration.

The embodiments of the present invention are generally adapted for use in pouring fluid from a container having an externally threaded neck. Particularly, the flexible pouring spouts are suited for pouring oil from a typical oil container, such as at service stations, where the oil must be frequently poured into a relatively small or inaccessible opening or orifice in a motor vehicle engine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularlyFIGS. 1-5, by reference characters, the flexible pouring spout10of the present invention includes a length of a flexible hose or tubing12having a first end such as inlet end14and terminal end such as outlet end16. The flexible tubing12may be a convoluted plastic or rubber tubing (as illustrated) although it could be made of various materials and, of course, the material of which it is made must be selected to be inert to the fluid for which the spout is intended to be used. The flexible tubing comprises a plurality of segments60joined to each other that enables the tubing to be articulated.

At the inlet end14, the flexible tubing is connected to a hollow body such as breather valve assembly18. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-5, the breather valve assembly18comprises a T-junction tube20comprising of a longitudinal tube portion22and lateral tube portion24which are in fluid communication. The bottom end of the longitudinal tube portion22is connected to the inlet end14by means of complementary threads on the respective structures in the illustrated embodiments, although other ways of connecting them may be used as would hereafter be apparent to the skilled reader.

The top end of the longitudinal tube portion22is connected to a bottle or container adapter such as duplex adapter cap30which has two (first and second) internal threaded portions of different diameters, each matching the most commonly used oil container neck diameters and thread patterns, thereby enabling the duplex adapter cap30(hence the pouring spout10) to be integrally connected to such popular oil containers. While the adapter cap30is shown having two internal threaded portions, this is not a requirement and other embodiments of the present invention may have an adapter cap with only one internally threaded portion, or with more than two internally threaded portions.

The inside of the lateral tube portion24is provided with an annular sealing flange32towards the open outer end33. A ball34within the lateral tube portion24is seated against the sealing flange32as a result of a biasing force provided by spring36. The base of the spring36is seated against a retainer sleeve38that is snap-fit into the longitudinal tube portion22. The retainer sleeve38includes a port40that is adjacent the lateral tube portion22and allows fluid communication between the lateral tube portion24and the longitudinal tube portion22. Either the sealing flange32, the ball34, or both are preferably made of an elastomeric material to provide for an enhanced seal between them. The spring36is one that provides sufficient biasing force to seat the ball34against the sealing flange32under ambient conditions, but which allows the ball34to be drawn inwardly away from the sealing flange32as a result of negative pressure in the spout10caused by fluid flowing therethrough. Consequently, the breather valve assembly18functions to allow air to be drawn into the spout10to relieve any negative pressures within the spout, thereby preventing fluid lock in the spout and container.

The flexible tubing12terminates in outlet end16that is suitably larger than the tubing and smooth (not convoluted) for easy insertion in an opening of a fluid receptacle on the vehicle or the like. The outlet end16connects to a spout end46having a connector portion such as externally threaded portion48which is adapted to being threaded to the duplex adapter cap30such that the spout10may be coupled to itself to form a loop, thereby enclosing its internal surfaces when the spout10is not in use, as show inFIG. 3. In this storage configuration the interior of the spout10will be sealed and thus not be in contact with ambient dust or the like. Further, if these surfaces are oily, there will be no tendency for the liquid to drip from the spout10, even when it is hung up or otherwise stored. To use the spout10again, it is only necessary to unthread the spout end46from the duplex adapter cap30(such as by twisting the device) and connect the adapter cap to the neck of an oil container as is shown inFIG. 2.

The spout end46may be clear (i.e. comprised of a clear plastic) to enable a user to monitor the flow of fluid through the spout10and to know when the fluid container becomes empty. A transmission fluid end spout50having an elongate nozzle portion may also be provided for ease of filling transmissions with oil. The transmission fluid end spout50may be connectible to the spout end46or the outlet end16, and it may also be clear.

Referring now toFIGS. 6-9, there are shown other embodiments of the breather valve in the breather valve assembly.

InFIG. 6, the breather valve assembly18ais shown, and comprises a T-junction tube20acomprising of a longitudinal tube portion22aand lateral tube portion24awhich are in fluid communication. The bottom end of the longitudinal tube portion22ais connected to the inlet end14of the flexible tube12by means of complementary threads on the respective structures in the illustrated embodiments, although other ways of connecting them may be used. The top end of the longitudinal tube portion22ais connected to a duplex adapter cap30. The inside of the lateral tube portion24ais provided with an annular sealing flange32atowards the open outer end33a. A hemispherical member34awithin the lateral tube portion24ais seated against the sealing flange32aas a result of a biasing force provided by spring36a. The base of the spring36ais seated against a retainer sleeve38athat is snap-fit into the longitudinal tube portion22a. The retainer sleeve38aincludes a port40athat is adjacent the lateral tube portion22aand allows fluid communication between the lateral tube portion24aand the longitudinal tube portion22a. Either the sealing flange32a, the hemispherical member34a, or both are preferably made of an elastomeric material to provide for an enhanced seal between them. The spring36ais one that provides sufficient biasing force to seat the hemispherical member34aagainst the sealing flange32aunder ambient conditions, but which allows the hemispherical member34ato be drawn inwardly away from the sealing flange32aas a result of negative pressure in the spout10caused by fluid flowing therethrough. Consequently, the breather valve assembly18afunctions to allow air to be drawn into the spout10to relieve any negative pressures within the spout, thereby preventing fluid lock in the spout and container.

InFIG. 7is shown a variation of the breather valve in the breather valve assembly18bwith a conical member34binstead of a hemispherical member34a.

InFIGS. 8 and 9, a breather valve assembly18cis shown, and comprises a T-junction tube20ccomprising of a longitudinal tube portion22cand lateral tube portion24cwhich are in fluid communication. The bottom end of the longitudinal tube portion22cmay be connected to the inlet end14by means of complementary threads on the respective structures in the illustrated embodiments, although other ways of connecting them are available. The top end of the longitudinal tube portion22cis connected to a duplex adapter cap30. The inside of the lateral tube portion24cis provided with an annular sealing flange32ctowards the open outer end33c. A flap member34chaving a hemispherical seal portion35cis hinged by hinge pin37cwithin the lateral tube portion24csuch that the hemispherical seal portion35cabuts the sealing flange32cas a result of a biasing force provided by spring36c. The base of the spring36cis seated against a retainer sleeve38cthat is snap-fit into the longitudinal tube portion22c. The retainer sleeve38cincludes a port40cthat is adjacent the lateral tube portion22cand allows fluid communication between the lateral tube portion24cand the longitudinal tube portion22c. Either the sealing flange32c, hemispherical seal portion35c, or both are preferably made of an elastomeric material to provide for an enhanced seal between them. The spring36cis one that provides sufficient biasing force to seat the hemispherical seal portion35cagainst the sealing flange32cunder ambient conditions, but which allows the flap member34cto be drawn inwardly to swing away from the sealing flange32cas a result of negative pressure in the spout10caused by fluid flowing therethrough. Consequently, the breather valve assembly18cfunctions to allow air to be drawn into the spout10to relieve any negative pressures within the spout, thereby preventing fluid lock in the spout and container.

While the embodiments as illustrated and described herein are of a spring biased one-way air inlet valve, in which air is allowed to be drawn into the device as a result of a negative pressure generated by fluid flowing through the device that overcomes the biasing force of the spring tending to close the valve, and which closes in the absence of fluid flowing through the device to limit the escape of fluid from the device via the valve, it should be apparent to the skilled reader that other sealable air inlet valve mechanisms may be used in other embodiments of the present invention. For example, a manually sealable air inlet valve may be used in which a sealing cap may be provided that cooperates with the sealable air inlet valve and that is moveable between an open position in which it allows air to be drawn into the valve and closed position in which it seals the valve to prevent fluid escape. Thereby, such sealable air inlet valve also allows air to be drawn into the device when the air inlet valve is open to facilitate a rapid flow of fluid through the device, and which prevents the escape of fluid through the air inlet valve when it is closed

Referring toFIGS. 10-17, by reference characters, the flexible pouring spout110of the present invention includes a length of a hose or tubing112having a first end such as inlet end114and a terminal end such as outlet end116. The tubing112may include two flexible convoluted portions115and117, made of plastic or rubber, adjacent the inlet end114and the outlet end116respectively. A more resilient straight portion119may be provided in between flexible convoluted portions115and117. This kind of structure imparts a relatively compact oval configuration to the spout110when it is looped upon itself in the storage configuration, as shown inFIGS. 11,13and16. The tubing112could be made of various materials, and of course the material of which it is made must be selected to be inert to the fluid for which the spout is intended to be used. The flexible convoluted portions115and117each comprise a plurality of segments160joined to each other that enables these portions of the tubing112to be articulated.

At the inlet end114of the flexible tubing112is connected to a hollow body such as breather valve assembly118. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 10-17the breather valve assembly118comprises an offset T-junction tube120comprising of a longitudinal tube portion122and lateral tube portion124that is angled upward. The longitudinal tube portion122and lateral tube portion124are in fluid communication. The bottom end of the longitudinal tube portion122is connected to the inlet end114by means of a tight fit of the inlet end114over the bottom end, and an adhesive may also be used in between these parts provided that it is chemically inert to the fluid for which the spout is intended to be used. Alternatively or in addition, complementary threads on the respective structures may be provided. It will be apparent to the skilled reader that other ways of connecting these parts may be used.

The top end of the longitudinal tube portion122is connected to a bottle or container adapter such as adapter cap130that has two (first and second) internal threaded portions130aand130bof different diameters, each matching the most commonly used oil container spout diameters and thread patterns, thereby enabling the duplex adapter cap130(hence the pouring spout110) to be integrally connected to such popular oil containers. While the adapter cap130is shown having two internal threaded portions, this is not a requirement and other embodiments of the present invention may have an adapter cap with only one internally threaded portion, or with more than two internally threaded portions. Two sealing washers131aand131bare provided to fit in the base of the threaded portions130aand130brespectively. The duplex adapter cap130is configured such that one of washers131aor131babuts the terminal edge on the container spout onto which the adapter cap130is threaded—depending on the size of container spout—when the flexible pour spout110is in use.

The connection between the top end of the longitudinal tube portion122and the duplex adapter cap130is a rotatable connection such that the duplex adapter130may rotate relative to the longitudinal tube portion122. This enables the duplex adapter cap130to be readily spun onto the threaded neck of the fluid container. With reference toFIG. 17, the rotatable connection is achieved in the illustrated embodiment by a pair of circumferential flanges171and172that are received within and engaged by channel174provided on the inside surface of the top end of the longitudinal tube portion122. A fluid tight seal between the longitudinal tube portion122and the duplex adapter cap130is provided by an elastomeric O-ring176that is received within channel178provided adjacent the lower end of the duplex adapter cap130and that abuts the inside surface of an adjacent portion of the longitudinal tube portion122. While a particular configuration of a rotatable connection between an adapter cap and a longitudinal tube portion is illustrated and described herein, it will henceforth become apparent to a skilled reader that other configurations are possible to provide a rotatable, yet fluid tight, connection between an adapter cap and a longitudinal tube portion. The important consideration is that if a rotatable connection is provided, it should be fluid tight with regard to the type of fluid for which the spout is designed to prevent leakage of said fluid from such rotatable connection.

Referring particularly toFIG. 14, into the inside of the lateral tube portion124is press-fit a spring biased one-way air inlet valve such check valve assembly136, such as that manufactured and distributed by Neoperl GmbH of Germany (and related entities) under model number OF20 (at the time of filing of this application). The internal spring within the check valve assembly136should be such that it provides sufficient biasing force to seat the valve closed under ambient conditions but which allows the valve to be drawn open as a result of negative pressure in the spout110caused by fluid flowing there through, thereby allowing the check valve assembly136to draw air into the spout110. Consequently, the check valve assembly136functions to allow air to be drawn into the spout110to relieve any negative pressures within the spout, thereby preventing fluid lock in the spout and container. While it has been found to be convenient to use an off-the-shelf, commercially available, one way check valve assembly as described, it will henceforth be apparent to the skilled reader that other suitable check valve assemblies may be used or other configurations of breather valves may be employed in the present invention, including some of the embodiments of breather air valves previously described herein. The important consideration is that the check valve or breather valve operate in a manner to be closed under ambient conditions (to prevent fluid leakage out of valve when the device is not in use), but be drawn open as a result of negative pressure in the flexible pour spout when fluid flows through the spout. The operation of the check valve or breather valve in this manner allows air to be drawn into the spout to release any negative pressures within the spout, thereby preventing fluid lock in the spout and container, and facilitating a rapid flow of fluid from the container into the desired receptacle on the motor vehicle (or otherwise as the case may be).

A breather cap161may be slidably mounted over the end of the lateral tube portion124, for slidable movement relative thereto, to provide an additional sealing means for preventing the escape of fluid form the spout110via the check valve assembly136. The breather cap161may be indexed between an open position, which allows air to be drawn in through the check valve assembly136, and a closed position in which a flexible seal162on the inside of the breather cap161provides a fluid tight seal between the breather cap161and the lateral tube portion124to prevent the escape of fluid thereform. The indexing of the breather cap161may be provided by ramp portion163on an external surface of the lateral tube portion124that cooperates with a complementary protrusion (not shown) on the inside of a side portion166on the breather cap161. In addition, cap position markings167may be provided to indicate the closed or open position of the breather cap161via a window opening165provided through the breather cap161.

The flexible tubing112terminates in the outlet end116that is connected to a spout end146adapted for easy insertion in an opening or orifice of a fluid receptacle on a motor vehicle or the like. The spout end146includes a connector portion such as external annular threaded member148which is adapted to being threaded to the threaded portion130aon the duplex adapter cap130such that the spout110may be coupled to itself to form a loop, thereby enclosing its internal surfaces when the spout110is not in use, as show inFIGS. 11-13and16. To accomplish this, the annular threaded member148is brought into contact with threads130aon the adapter cap130and the adapter cap130is rotated (via the rotatable connection between an adapter cap and a longitudinal tube portion) to engage the threads on the annular threaded member148. In this storage position the interior of the spout110will be sealed from contact with ambient dust or the like. Further, if these surfaces are oily, there will be no tendency for the liquid to drip from the spout110even when it is hung up or otherwise stored. Accordingly, the seal between the annular threaded member148and the duplex adapter cap130should be fluid tight with regard to the type of fluid for which the spout is designed to prevent leakage of said fluid from this connection. To use the spout110again, it is only necessary to unthread the annular threaded member148from the duplex adapter cap130by rotating the duplex adapter cap130so that threads130adisengage the threads on the annular threaded member148, and to connect the adapter cap to the threaded neck of an oil container.

The spout end146may be clear (i.e. comprised of a clear plastic) to enable a user to monitor the flow of fluid through the spout110and to know when the fluid container becomes empty. A transmission fluid end spout150having an elongate nozzle portion may also be provided for ease of filling transmissions with oil. The transmission fluid end spout150may be connectible to the spout end146and it may also be clear. In addition, the flexible tubing112may be made from a translucent elastomeric material which enables the monitoring of the flow of fluid through the spout110.

While the embodiments as illustrated and described herein are of a spring biased one-way air inlet valve such as check valve assembly136, in which air is allowed to be drawn into the device as a result of a negative pressure generated by fluid flowing through the device that overcomes the biasing force of the spring tending to close the valve, and which closes in the absence of fluid flowing through the device to limit the escape of fluid from the device via the valve, it should be apparent to the skilled reader that other sealable air inlet valve mechanisms may be used in other embodiments of the present invention. For example, a manually sealable air inlet valve may be used comprising of an opening—such as the opening of the lateral tube124—which may be manually sealed and unsealed using a sealing cap such as breather cap161that is moveable between an open position in which it allows air to be drawn into the valve and closed position in which it seals the valve to prevent fluid escape. Thereby, such sealable air inlet valve also allows air to be drawn into the device when the air inlet valve is open to facilitate a rapid flow of fluid through the device, and which prevents the escape of fluid through the air inlet valve when it is closed.

While the above description and illustrations constitute preferred or alternate embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.