PATENT DOCUMENT

Abstract:
A device that assists with equalizing air pressure within a bottle with the atmospheric air pressure as liquid is being poured from the bottle and includes one or more relatively short air tubes. The air tubes are situated with an upper inlet rim of the air tubes located flush with or relatively near the bottle rim. Whether an insert or integrated into the manufacture of a container, the one or more air tubes that extend partially into the container allow air to pass into the container as the liquid exits the container. The pressure equalizer not only minimizes or prevents the common glugging effect, but it allows liquid from a bottle to be poured smoothly at any angle and orientation. A cap incorporating a detachable pressure equalizer is also described.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/019,941 filed on Feb. 2, 2011, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,907, filed May 5, 2011, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/358,390, filed Jan. 25, 2012, each of which claim the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/301,133 filed on Feb. 3, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/319,030 filed on Mar. 30, 2010; the contents of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is related to a device that assists with equalizing air pressure within a bottle with the atmospheric air pressure, as liquid is being poured from the bottle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A person pouring liquid from a bottle is often faced with the liquid pouring erratically and even splashing due to “glugging” (that is, uneven flow during pouring) caused by unbalanced pressures between the atmospheric air pressure outside the bottle and the air pressure within the bottle. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a bottle  100  is shown in a cross-sectional view, wherein the cross-sectional alignment is taken along line  1 - 1  of the top elevation view of the bottle  100  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The bottle  100  includes a bottle wall  104  having an exterior surface  108 . The bottle wall  104  includes a base  112  and extends from the base  112  to the top  116  of the bottle  100 . The top  116  of the bottle  100  further includes a bottle opening  120  that leads to the bottle interior  124 . The bottle interior  124  is defined by an interior surface  128  of the bottle wall  104 . The bottle  100  has a bottle length B L , wherein the bottle length B L  is defined herein as the height of the bottle interior  124 ; that is, the distance between the interior surface  128  of the bottle wall  104  at the deepest portion of the base  112  of the bottle  100  and a top edge  132  of the bottle rim  136  at the top  116 . 
         [0004]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an enlarged cross-sectional view of an upper portion  140  of the bottle  100  is shown. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a variety of sealing mechanisms may be used to seal a bottle. By way of example, a threaded cap may be used to seal the bottle. Such a configuration is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , wherein a threaded cap  148  is depicted directly above the bottle  100 . The upper portion  140  of the bottle  100  includes a bottleneck  152 . Threads  156  along the exterior surface  108  of the bottleneck  152  are configured to engage threads within cap  148 . 
         [0005]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the bottleneck  152  includes a substantially constant bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . The bottleneck  152  itself extends from the bottle rim  136  to a location where the bottle  100  begins its taper outward. That is, where the diameter of the bottle  100  increases from the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . Accordingly, the bottleneck  152  has a bottleneck length L Bottleneck  that is defined as the distance between the bottle rim  136  and the bottleneck base  160 , which is the location where the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck  no longer remains substantially constant. 
         [0006]    Prior devices for attempting to provide for smooth fluid pouring have performance issues, require significant materials, and/or have other limitations, such as extending above the bottle top, thereby complicating or even preventing recapping/resealing of the bottle. Accordingly, there is a need for other devices to address the glugging problem associated with pouring liquids from a bottle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    It is to be understood that the present disclosure includes a variety of different versions or embodiments, and this Summary is not meant to be limiting or all-inclusive. This Summary provides some general descriptions of some of the embodiments, but may also include some more specific descriptions of other embodiments. 
         [0008]    One or more embodiments of the one or more present disclosures are directed to a device that assists with equalizing air pressure within a bottle with the atmospheric air pressure, as liquid is being poured from the bottle. Various embodiments of the pressure equalizers described herein can accommodate various bottle shapes, bottle sizes, liquids, and pouring angles. By way of example, the pressure equalizers are suitable for beverages, chemicals, solutions, suspensions, mixtures, and other liquids. In its most basic form, the pressure equalizer comprises two main fluid flow paths: (a) a channel that allows liquid to pass out of the bottle; and (b) one or more air tubes or air ducts to allow air to enter the bottle. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to equalizing air pressure within bottles, but rather may be utilized to equalize air pressure in any container or vessel. As a couple of non-limiting examples, embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed to equalize air pressure in cartons, jugs, or any other hollow or concave structure for storing, pouring, and/or dispensing liquids. 
         [0010]    At least one embodiment described herein utilizes one or more relatively short air tubes, as compared to the bottle length. The air tubes function by pressure differential and are not required to be in contact with an air cavity at the bottom of the bottle of liquid. In at least one embodiment, the pressure equalizer comprises at least one air tube with an air tube rim located substantially flush with the top of the bottle, or at least within 5% of the bottle rim relative to the length of the bottleneck. Unlike an insert used for alcohol bottles at a bar where the insert appears to be meant to slow the flow of liquid, embodiments described herein increase the flow of liquid and better facilitate air/gas entry into the bottle. More particularly, the pressure equalizers described herein mitigate or prevent the glugging effect that occurs when liquid is attempting to exit a bottle at the same time that air is attempting to enter the bottle. At least some embodiments of the pressure equalizers can be incorporated directly into a current bottle mold design, a new bottle mold, or as an inserted device. The device, regardless of how it is incorporated into a bottle, involves one or more air tubes that extend partially into the bottle and allow air to pass into the bottle as the liquid exits the bottle. This device not only minimizes or prevents the common glugging effect, but it can allow liquid from a bottle to be poured smoothly at any angle. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, a bottle insert for substantially equalizing atmospheric air pressure with air pressure within a bottle when pouring a liquid from the bottle is provided, the bottle having a bottle length B L , the bottle including a bottleneck and a bottle opening having an opening diameter, the bottleneck having an interior bottleneck wall and a bottleneck length L Bottleneck  extending between a bottle opening rim at the bottle opening to a bottleneck base at a top of a bottle taper of the bottle, the bottle opening rim circumscribing the bottle opening, the bottle insert comprising:
       a perimeter member adapted for contacting at least a portion of the interior bottleneck wall; and   an air tube attached to the perimeter member, the air tube including an upper inlet rim and a lower end edge, the air tube including an air tube length L Air Tube  extending between the upper inlet rim and the lower end edge, wherein the upper inlet rim is configured for positioning within a rim proximity distance of about 0% to 5% of the bottleneck length L Bottleneck  above or below the bottle opening rim, and wherein the air tube length L Air Tube  is equal to or greater than the bottleneck length L Bottleneck  and equal to or less than about 25% of the bottle length B L .       
 
         [0014]    In at least one embodiment, the perimeter member engages the bottle by a friction fit. In at least one embodiment, the air tube comprises a flared portion. In at least one embodiment, the flared portion includes a flared portion base that does not extend distally beyond the bottleneck base. In at least one embodiment, the bottle insert further comprises at least one additional air tube. In at least one embodiment, the at least one additional air tube includes a length equal to or greater than the bottleneck length L Bottleneck  and equal to or less than about 25% of the bottle length B L . 
         [0015]    One or more additional embodiments may comprise an air inlet channel in fluid communication with an air tube. Accordingly, a bottle insert for substantially equalizing atmospheric air pressure with air pressure within a bottle when pouring a liquid from the bottle is provided, the bottle having a bottle length B L , the bottle including a bottleneck and a bottle opening having an opening diameter, the bottleneck having an interior bottleneck wall and a bottleneck length L Bottleneck  extending between a bottle opening rim at the bottle opening to a bottleneck base at a top of a bottle taper of the bottle, the bottle opening rim circumscribing the bottle opening, the bottle insert comprising:
       an air inlet channel adapted for contacting at least a portion of the interior bottleneck wall and extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the interior bottleneck wall, the air inlet channel including a perimeter member contacting at least a portion of the interior bottleneck wall, the air inlet channel including a distal base and an interior channel wall located substantially parallel to at least a portion of the perimeter member and offset radially to the interior of the perimeter member by the distal base; and   an air tube attached to the air inlet channel and having a distal end extending equal to or less than about 25% of the bottle length B L , at least a portion of the air tube in fluid communication with the air inlet channel.       
 
         [0018]    In at least one embodiment, a top of the air inlet channel is situated within a rim proximity distance above or below the bottle opening rim, the rim proximity distance equal to or less than about 5% of the bottleneck length L Bottleneck . In at least one embodiment, the bottle insert further comprises at least one additional air tube wherein the at least one additional air tube has an air tube diameter D AirTube  between about 2% to 50% of the opening diameter of the bottle. In at least one embodiment, the bottle insert further comprises at least one additional air tube, the at least one additional air tube fluidly contiguous with the air inlet channel. In at least one embodiment, the bottle insert further comprises a flow block within the air inlet channel and situated between the air tube and the at least one additional air tube. 
         [0019]    One or more additional embodiments are directed to a liquid containment and delivery device that mitigates the glugging phenomena. Accordingly, a liquid containment and delivery device is provided, comprising:
       (a) a bottle having a bottle length B L , the bottle including a bottleneck and a bottle opening having an opening diameter, the bottleneck having an interior bottleneck wall and a bottleneck length L Bottleneck  extending between a bottle opening rim at the bottle opening to a bottleneck base at a top of a bottle taper of the bottle, the bottle opening rim circumscribing the bottle opening; and   (b) a pressure reliever comprising an air tube attached to the interior bottleneck wall, the air tube including an upper inlet rim and a lower end edge, the air tube including an air tube length L Air Tube  extending between the upper inlet rim of the air tube and the lower end edge of the air tube, wherein the upper inlet rim is positioned within about 0% to 5% of the bottleneck length L Bottleneck  above or below the bottle opening rim, and wherein the air tube length L Air Tube  is equal to or greater than the bottleneck length L Bottleneck  and equal to or less than about 25% of the bottle length B L .       
 
         [0022]    In at least one embodiment, the air tube comprises a flared portion. In at least one embodiment, the flared portion includes a flared portion base that does not extend distally beyond the bottleneck base. 
         [0023]    One or more embodiments include a pressure equalizer that includes an air tube having a flared portion. Accordingly, an article for holding and pouring a liquid is provided, comprising:
       a bottle including a bottle wall having an interior surface defining a chamber, the chamber extending between a bottle opening and an interior bottom of the bottle, wherein the bottle opening is located at an end of a bottleneck of the bottle, the bottleneck including a bottleneck diameter smaller than a chamber diameter located along a bottle length extending between the bottle opening and the interior bottom; and   a pressure equalizer located within the bottleneck and including at least one air tube with a flared proximal end having an inlet rim situated within a rim proximity distance of the bottle opening, the rim proximity distance equal to about 5% of the bottleneck length.       
 
         [0026]    In at least one embodiment, the air tube has an air tube length no greater than about 25% of the bottle length. In at least one embodiment, a distal portion of the air tube extends into a handle of the bottle. In at least one embodiment, multiple air tubes are used and are situated substantially equidistant around an interior perimeter of the bottleneck. In at least one embodiment, the article further comprises a cap, the cap being detachably connected to the pressure equalizer for installation in the bottleneck when the cap is applied to the bottle. 
         [0027]    In accordance with some embodiments, the air inlet tube variations can be combined. As an example, it is possible to combine one relatively small circular air inlet tube with one rectangular air inlet tube of larger size and two small triangular tubes that curve, all in one pressure equalizer device. 
         [0028]    In use, if a bottle does not include a pressure equalizer that is integrally made with the bottle, an embodiment of a pressure equalizer insert can be inserted into the bottleneck of the subject bottle. The bottle is then tilted to pour the liquid contained in the bottle. While pouring the liquid, air enters the bottle via the one or more air tubes of the pressure equalizer as liquid exits the bottle via the open space situated around the one or more air tubes. 
         [0029]    Various components are referred to herein as “operably associated.” As used herein, “operably associated” refers to components that are linked together in operable fashion, and encompasses embodiments in which components are linked directly, as well as embodiments in which additional components are placed between the two linked components. 
         [0030]    As used herein, “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. 
         [0031]    As used herein, a bottle, jug, carton, or similar container device may simply be referred to as a “bottle.” 
         [0032]    Various embodiments of the present disclosures are set forth in the attached figures and in the Detailed Description as provided herein and as embodied by the claims. It should be understood, however, that this Summary does not contain all of the aspects and embodiments of the one or more present disclosures, is not meant to be limiting or restrictive in any manner, and that the disclosure(s) as disclosed herein is/are understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to encompass obvious improvements and modifications thereto. 
         [0033]    Additional advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following discussion, particularly when taken together with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description is rendered by reference to specific embodiments, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The present disclosure is described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view (taken along line  1 - 1  as shown in  FIG. 2 ) of a bottle; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a top elevation view of the bottle depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the bottle depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4A  is a side cross-sectional view (taken along line  4 A- 4 A as shown in  FIG. 5 ) of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4B  is a detailed view of a bottleneck illustrating a rim proximity distance; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4C  is another detailed view of a bottleneck illustrating a rim proximity distance; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is a top elevation view of the device shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the bottle depicted in  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the bottle depicted in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  is a top side perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0045]      FIG. 9  is a bottom side perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 10  is a top elevation view of the device shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0048]      FIG. 12  is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0050]      FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0052]      FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 17  is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0054]      FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0055]      FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 20  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0057]      FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 22  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0059]      FIG. 23  is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 24  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0061]      FIG. 25  is a top elevation view of the device shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 26  is a side cross-sectional of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0063]      FIG. 27  is a top elevation view of the device shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 28  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0065]      FIG. 29  is a top elevation view of the device shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 30  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0067]      FIG. 31  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein and forming a portion of the device shown in  FIG. 30 ; 
           [0068]      FIG. 32  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0069]      FIG. 33  is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0070]      FIG. 34  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0071]      FIG. 35  is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 34 ; 
           [0072]      FIG. 36  is a top elevation view of the device shown in  FIG. 34 ; 
           [0073]      FIG. 37  is a side cross-sectional view of the device shown in  FIG. 34  (taken along line  37 - 37  as shown in  FIG. 36 ); 
           [0074]      FIG. 38  is a side perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0075]      FIG. 39  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0076]      FIG. 40  is a side perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0077]      FIG. 41  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0078]      FIG. 42  is a side perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0079]      FIG. 43  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0080]      FIG. 44  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0081]      FIG. 45A  is a side elevational view of a container according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0082]      FIG. 45B  is a cross-sectional side view (taken along line  45 B as shown in  FIG. 45C ) of a container according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0083]      FIG. 45C  is a front elevational view of a container accordaing to embodiments described herein; 
           [0084]      FIG. 46A  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0085]      FIG. 46B  is a side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0086]      FIG. 46C  is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0087]      FIG. 47A  is a side elevational view of a container accordig to embodiments described herein; 
           [0088]      FIG. 47B  is a cross-sectional side view (taken along line  47 C as shown in  FIG. 47C ) of a container according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0089]      FIG. 47C  is a front elevational view of a container according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0090]      FIG. 48A  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0091]      FIG. 48B  is a side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0092]      FIG. 48C  is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0093]      FIG. 49A  is a side elevational view of a container according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0094]      FIG. 49B  is a top elevational view of a container according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0095]      FIG. 50A  is a first side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0096]      FIG. 50B  is a second side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0097]      FIG. 50C  is a top elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0098]      FIG. 51A  is a front elevational view of a container according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0099]      FIG. 51B  is a top perspective view of the container depicted in  FIG. 51A ; 
           [0100]      FIG. 52A  is a side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0101]      FIG. 52B  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0102]      FIG. 53A  is a side elevational view of a container according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0103]      FIG. 53B  is a top perspective view of the container depicted in  FIG. 53A ; 
           [0104]      FIG. 54A  is a side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0105]      FIG. 54B  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0106]      FIG. 55A  is a side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0107]      FIG. 55B  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0108]      FIG. 56A  is a isometric view of a container according to embodiments described herein; 
           [0109]      FIG. 56B  is a side elevational view of the container depicted in  FIG. 56A ; 
           [0110]      FIG. 56C  is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line  56 C as shown in  FIG. 56B ; 
           [0111]      FIG. 57A  is an isometric view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0112]      FIG. 57B  is a top perspective view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0113]      FIG. 58A  is a side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0114]      FIG. 58B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  58 B as shown in  FIG. 58A ; 
           [0115]      FIG. 59A  is a side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0116]      FIG. 59B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  59 B as shown in  FIG. 59A ; 
           [0117]      FIG. 60A  is a side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; 
           [0118]      FIG. 60B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  60 B as shown in  FIG. 60A ; 
           [0119]      FIG. 61A  is a side elevational view of an embodiment described herein; and 
           [0120]      FIG. 61B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  61 B as shown in  FIG. 61A . 
       
    
    
       [0121]    The drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0122]    One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a pressure equalizer insert for placement in a bottle to allow a liquid to be poured from the bottle while at the same time substantially equalizing air pressure within the bottle with atmospheric air pressure. As a result, the liquid can be poured from the bottle without the typical glugging phenomena that generally accompanies pouring liquid from a bottle that does not possess the pressure equalizer. One or more additional embodiments include bottles having bottlenecks with the pressure equalizer device integrally formed within the bottle during manufacture of the bottle. For example, a plastic bottle, carton, or jug can be manufactured with the pressure equalizer device integrally formed in the bottleneck of the bottle, top of the carton, or neck of the jug when the bottle, carton, or jug is produced. The various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the text below and are illustrated in the attached drawings. 
         [0123]    Referring now to  FIG. 4A , a bottle  100  is shown that includes an embodiment of a pressure equalizer  400  inserted into the bottle  100 . More particularly,  FIG. 4A  depicts a bottle  100  and a pressure equalizer  400  in a cross-sectional view, wherein the cross-sectional alignment is taken along line  4 A- 4 A of the top elevation view of the bottle  100  and pressure equalizer  400  depicted in  FIG. 5 . The pressure equalizer  400  is located, at least in part, in the bottleneck  152  of the bottle  100 . In at least one embodiment, the pressure equalizer  400  includes at least one air tube  404 . As depicted in  FIGS. 4A-10 , the pressure equalizer  400  is shown with four air tubes  404 ; however, it is to be understood that embodiments of the pressure equalizer  400  may include more or less than four air tubes  404 . More specifically, and as will be discussed in more detail below, one or more embodiments include a single air tube  404 , while other embodiments include two or more air tubes  404 . Accordingly, the number of air tubes  404  may vary for a given application. 
         [0124]    With continued reference now to  FIGS. 4A-10 , each air tube  404  is sized to have an air tube diameter D AirTube  of between about 2% to 50% of the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . Here it is noted that for pressure equalizers using small air tubes, multiple air tubes are preferably used for situations where the air tube diameters D AirTube  are at or around 2% of the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . Although air tubes may occupy the entire interior space of the bottleneck (as shown in  FIGS. 42 and 43  and discussed below), for any given air tube  404  the diameter or equivalent diameter (allowing for different shaped air tubes, also discussed below) for the air tubes  404  preferably does not exceed 50% of the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . In addition, any given air tube  404  should not be so small as to induce capillary rise of the liquid within the bottle. Accordingly, by way of example and not limitation, a bottle having a bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck  (that is, an inside diameter) of approximately 0.875 inches could receive a pressure equalizer  400  with a variety of number and size air tubes, such as air tubes  404  whose diameters vary between about 0.0018 inches (2% of 0.875 inches) and about 0.438 inches (50% of 0.875 inches). 
         [0125]    Referring still to  FIGS. 4A-10 , and in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air tubes  404  include an upper inlet rim  408  and a lower end edge  412 . Accordingly, the air tubes  404  have an air tube length L Air Tube  extending between the upper inlet rim  408  and the lower end edge  412 . In at least one embodiment, the upper inlet rim  408  is configured for positioning substantially even with the bottle rim  136 . Alternatively, in at least one embodiment the upper inlet rim  408  of the air tubes  404  is situated within a rim proximity distance  414  of about 5% of the bottleneck length L Bottleneck  either above (as best seen in  FIG. 4B ) or below (as best seen in  FIG. 4C ) of the bottle rim  136 . In addition, in at least one embodiment, the air tube length L Air Tube  is equal to or greater than the bottleneck length L Bottleneck  and equal to or less than about 25% of the bottle length B L  (i.e., L Bottleneck ≦L Air Tube ≦25% B L ). Accordingly, by way of example and not limitation, a bottle having a bottleneck length L Bottleneck  of 1.0 inch and a bottle length B L  of 8.0 inches could receive a pressure equalizer  400  that includes one or more air tubes  404  whose upper inlet rim  408  is within 0.05 inches (5% of 1.0 inch) above or below the bottle rim  136 , and whose air tube length L Air Tube  is greater than or equal to 1.0 inch (the value of the bottleneck length L Bottleneck ) and less than or equal to about 2.5 inches (25% of 8.0 inches). 
         [0126]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , perspective views of pressure equalizer  400  are shown. As described above, the pressure equalizer  400  includes a plurality of air tubes  404 , and more specifically, four air tubes  404  are shown arranged substantially equidistant around the circumference and within a perimeter member  416 . For embodiments wherein the pressure equalizer  400  is an insert, the perimeter member  416  is configured to fixedly engage (e.g., by friction fit, threads, welding, adhesive, and/or fastener) the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  of the bottle  100 . Alternatively, if the pressure equalizer  400  is integrally formed as part of the bottle  100 , then the air tubes  404  may be positioned directly around the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152 . 
         [0127]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , in at least one embodiment the thickness of the perimeter member  416  includes a portion of the wall of the air tube  404 . More particularly, each air tube  404  includes a tube wall thickness T Air Tube Wall . The tube wall thickness T Air Tube Wall  forms a portion of the perimeter member  416 . Or, said differently, a portion of the perimeter wall thickness T Perimeter Wall  forms a portion of the air tube  404 . 
         [0128]    As noted above, pressure equalizers with one or more air tubes comprise various embodiments of the present disclosure. With reference now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a pressure equalizer  1100  is shown comprising a plurality of air tubes  404 , and more specifically, three air tubes  404 . The air tubes  404  of pressure equalizer  1100  are situated substantially at equal distances from one another around the circumference of the perimeter member  416 . Again, for an insert, the perimeter member  416  is adapted to engage at least a portion of the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  of a bottle  100 . If made integrally with the bottle  100 , then the three air tubes  404  of pressure equalizer  1100  are attached to a portion of the interior surface  128  of the bottle wall  104  of the bottleneck  152  of a bottle  100 . 
         [0129]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , and in accordance with at least one embodiment, a pressure equalizer  1300  is shown that includes a plurality of air tubes  1304 , wherein the air tubes have a cross-sectional shape other than circular. More specifically, the air tubes  1304  comprises a perimeter section  1308  having an arc  1310  that substantially matches the curvature of a portion of the perimeter member  416  (for an insert) or the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  (for an integrally formed pressure equalizer). The air tubes  1304  further include a substantially planar interior portion  1312 . In cross section, the air tubes  1304  are substantially that of a segment of a circle. Although of a different cross-sectional shape, the air tubes  1304  preferably include an equivalent diameter (by measuring the cross-sectional area of the air tube  1304  and solving for an equivalent diameter) that resides within the prescribed range of about 2% to 50% of the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . In addition, the length of the air tubes  1304  preferably also be within the prescribed values given above (that is, L Bottleneck ≦L Air Tube ≦25% B L ). Use of a portion of the perimeter member  416  as part of the air tubes  1304  is advantageous because less materials are used in the manufacturing process. 
         [0130]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , in at least one embodiment a pressure equalizer  1500  comprises air tubes  404  that include curved portions along their longitudinal length, such as along distal portions of their length. Such distal curved portions  1504  may provide advantageous routing of air as fluid exits the liquid flow channel of the pressure equalizer and air enters the bottle through the air tubes  404 . 
         [0131]    With reference now to  FIG. 17 , and in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a bottle in the form of a jug  1700  is shown that includes a pressure equalizer  1704  comprising a single air tube  404  having a curved distal portion  1504 . The curved distal portion  1504  extends into a handle  1708  of the jug  1700 . Accordingly, a single air tube located opposite the side of pour can prevent the glugging effect.  FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of an insert type of pressure equalizer  1704 . 
         [0132]    Referring now to  FIGS. 20-23 , and in accordance with at least one embodiment, a series of pressure equalizers are shown that include a single air tube having cross-sectional area shapes different from a circle. More particularly,  FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate a pressure equalizer  2000  with air tubes  2004 , wherein the air tubes  2004  comprise a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area shape.  FIGS. 22 and 23  illustrate a pressure equalizer  2200  with air tubes  2204 , wherein the air tubes  2204  comprise a substantially triangular cross-sectional area shape. Here, it noted that the air tubes  2004  and  2204  comprise a perimeter portion  2008  and  2208  that substantially match the curvature of a portion of the perimeter member  416 . That is, an arc  1310  is associated with the perimeter portions  2008  and  2208  that substantially match the curvature of a portion of the perimeter member  416  (for an insert) or the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  (for an integrally formed pressure equalizer). 
         [0133]    Referring now to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , a pressure equalizer  2400  is shown that includes a single air tube  404 , wherein the air tube is interiorly offset from perimeter wings, the perimeter wings constituting modified perimeter member. For pressure equalizer  2400 , the air tube  404  resides along struts  2408  that interconnect the air tube  404  to a first perimeter wing  2404   a  and a second perimeter wing  2404   b . As with other embodiments described herein, for embodiments wherein the pressure equalizer  2400  is an insert, the perimeter wings  2404   a  and  2404   b  are configured to fixedly engage (e.g., by friction fit, threads, welding, adhesive, and/or fastener) the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  of the bottle  100 . Alternatively, if the pressure equalizer  2400  is integrally formed as part of the bottle  100 , then struts  2408  interconnect the air tube  404  to the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152 . 
         [0134]    For the various embodiments of the pressure equalizers described above, the cross-sectional areas of the air tubes are depicted as being substantially constant from the upper inlet rim  408  to the lower end edge  412  of each air tube  404 . However, it is to be understood that the cross-sectional areas may vary. Moreover, with reference now to  FIGS. 26-29 , and in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressure equalizer  2600  is provided having one or more air tubes  2604 , wherein the air tubes  2604  include a proximal end  2608  with a flared portion  2612 . Accordingly, because of the presence of the flared portion  2612 , the cross-sectional area of the air tube  2604  decreases along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the air tube  2604 . That is, from the upper inlet rim  408  to the flared portion base  2616 . In at least one embodiment, the flared portion  2612  extends distally no further than the bottleneck base  160  of the bottleneck  152 . From the flared portion base  2616  of the flared portion  2612  to the lower end edge  412  of the air tubes  2604 , the air tubes  2604  have a substantially constant air tube diameter D Air Tube  that resides within the prescribed range of about 2% to 50% of the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . In addition, the length of the air tubes  2604  preferably also be within the prescribed values given above (that is, L Bottleneck ≦L Air Tube ≦25% B L ). Use of a flared portion  2612  as part of the air tubes  2604  is advantageous because it assists in routing the liquid away from the top of the air tubes, thereby mitigating the top of the air tubes from being flooded by the liquid exiting the container, allowing air to more easily enter the air inlet tubes. 
         [0135]    With reference now to  FIGS. 28 and 29 , the pressure equalizer  2600  is depicted as an insert. Accordingly, for embodiments wherein the pressure equalizer  2600  is an insert, the perimeter member  416  is configured to fixedly engage (e.g., by friction fit, threads, welding, adhesive, and/or fastener) the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  of the bottle  100 . Alternatively, if the pressure equalizer  2600  is integrally formed as part of the bottle  100 , then the air tubes  2604  are positioned directly around the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152 . 
         [0136]    Referring now to  FIG. 30 , and in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a bottle  100  is shown that includes pressure equalizer  3000  that includes a single air tube  3004 . As best seen in  FIG. 31 , the single air tube  3004  includes a flared portion  2612 . In at least one embodiment, the flared portion includes an arc  1310  associated with a perimeter portion  3008  that substantially matches the curvature of a portion of the perimeter member  416  (for an insert) or the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  (for an integrally formed pressure equalizer). Use of a flared portion  2612  as part of the air tube  3004  is advantageous because a single air tube  3004  can be associated with a bottle without a handle and the liquid can be poured without glugging and without regard to the direction that the bottle is oriented. 
         [0137]    Referring now to  FIGS. 32 and 33 , in at least one embodiment a pressure equalizer  3200  includes a perimeter air inlet channel  3204  and one or more air tubes  3208 . The air tubes  3208  are in fluid communication with the perimeter air inlet channel  3204  to facilitate flow of air from the perimeter air inlet channel  3204  to the one or more air tubes  3208  when liquid is being poured from a bottle having the pressure equalizer  3200 . As shown in  FIG. 32 , the perimeter air channel  3204  includes a perimeter member  416 , a base  3300  (as best seen in  FIG. 33 ), and an interior channel wall  3216  that is substantially parallel to the perimeter member  416 , but offset radially to the interior of the perimeter member  416 . The base  3300  may be a sloped region between the perimeter member  416  and the interior channel wall  3216 . Again, for embodiments wherein the pressure equalizer  3200  is an integral portion of a bottle, the perimeter member  416  may be a portion of the bottle wall  104 , such as a portion of the bottleneck  152 . In at least one embodiment, an upper rim  3228  of the perimeter air inlet channel  3204  substantially corresponds to the bottle rim  136  when the pressure equalizer  3200  is associated with a bottle  100 . 
         [0138]    Referring now to  FIG. 33 , in at least one embodiment, the upper extent  3304  of the air tube  3208  terminates at the base  3300  of the perimeter air channel  3204 . Alternatively, the upper extent  3304  of the air tube may be situated above the base  3300  of the perimeter air channel  3204 , but below the upper rim  3228  of the perimeter air channel  3204 . 
         [0139]    As depicted in  FIG. 32 , a channel top  3220  of the perimeter air inlet channel  3204  may be open. Alternatively, at least portions of the channel top  3220  may be closed (not shown) while one or more other portions of the channel top are open. 
         [0140]    Still referring to  FIGS. 32 and 33 , in use, regardless of the direction the bottle is oriented for pouring of the liquid relative to the one or more air inlet tubes  3208 , air can enter the bottle via the perimeter air inlet channel  3204  and the one or more air tubes  3208  as fluid is poured from the bottle via exit channel  3224 . 
         [0141]    Referring now to  FIGS. 34-37 , in at least one embodiment, a pressure equalizer  3400  includes a plurality of air tubes  3208  fluidly interconnected to a perimeter air channel  3204 , wherein the perimeter air channel  3204  may comprise one or more flow blocks  3404 . More particularly, the pressure equalizer  3400  includes a plurality of air tubes  3208  that are interconnected to the perimeter air channel  3204  at its base  3300 . The perimeter air channel  3204  includes flow blocks  3404  for preventing migration of liquid around the perimeter air channel  3204  when a bottle using the pressure equalizer  3400  is tipped for pouring a liquid from the bottle. At least one air tube of the plurality of air tubes  3208  is situated circumferentially between the flow blocks  3404  around the perimeter air channel  3204 . 
         [0142]    Referring now to  FIGS. 38 and 39 , in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressure equalizer  3800  is shown that includes a plurality of air tubes  3804 . Although not required, the air tubes are shown clustered within approximately one half of the bottleneck  152 . The air tubes  3804  preferably have an air tube length L Air Tube  within the prescribed values given above (that is, L Bottleneck ≦L Air Tube ≦25% B L ). In addition, each of the air tubes  3804  preferably has an air tube diameter D Air Tube  of between about 2% to 50% of the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . For the pressure equalizer  3800  shown in  FIGS. 38 and 39 , there are ten separate air tubes  3804  shown. However, it is to be understood that greater or fewer than ten separate air tubes  3804  are within the scope of the present embodiment. The air tubes  3804  may have uniform air tube diameters, or they may have differing air tube diameters. In addition, one or more of the air tubes  3804  may have flared portions. At least a portion of the upper inlet rim  408  of the air tubes  3804  is preferably situated within a rim proximity distance that is less than or equal to 5% of the bottleneck length L Bottleneck . 
         [0143]    Referring still to  FIGS. 38 and 39 , and as with other embodiments described and shown herein, when in use, air may enter the bottle  100  through one or more of the air tubes  3804 . In addition, liquid may exit the bottle  100  through one or more of the air tubes  3804  as air enters other air tubes  3804 . However, the existence of multiple air tubes  3804  facilitates separate flow paths for air to enter the bottle  100 , thereby enabling air to find a path into the bottle  100  while the liquid exits the bottle  100 . 
         [0144]    With reference to  FIG. 39 , the pressure equalizer  3800  is depicted as an insert. Accordingly, for embodiments wherein the pressure equalizer  3800  is an insert, the perimeter member  416  is configured to fixedly engage (e.g., by friction fit, threads, welding, adhesive, and/or fastener) the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  of the bottle  100 . Alternatively, if the pressure equalizer  3800  is integrally formed as part of the bottle  100 , then the air tubes  3804  are positioned around a portion of the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152 , and a number of the air tubes  3804  may be connected or interconnected to each other, particularly those air tubes  3804  residing within the inner interior portion of the bottleneck  152  and not situated directly adjacent the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152 . 
         [0145]    Referring now to  FIGS. 40 and 41 , in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressure equalizer  4000  is shown that includes a plurality of air tubes  4004 . The pressure equalizer  4000  has particular application to situations wherein a high volume and/or a high flow rate of liquid is anticipated. As can be seen, the plurality of air tubes  4004  occupies a significant portion of the bottleneck  152 . The air tubes  4004  preferably have an air tube length L Air Tube  within the prescribed values given above (that is, L Bottleneck ≦L Air Tube ≦25% B L ). In addition, each of the air tubes  4004  preferably has an air tube diameter D Air Tube  of between about 2% to 50% of the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . For the pressure equalizer  4000  shown in  FIGS. 40 and 41 , there are nineteen separate air tubes  4004  shown. However, it is to be understood that greater or fewer than nineteen separate air tubes  4004  are within the scope of the present embodiment. The air tubes  4004  may have uniform air tube diameters, or they may have differing air tube diameters. In addition, one or more of the air tubes  4004  may have flared portions. 
         [0146]    With reference to  FIG. 41 , the pressure equalizer  4000  is depicted as an insert. Accordingly, for embodiments wherein the pressure equalizer  4000  is an insert, the perimeter member  416  is configured to fixedly engage (e.g., by friction fit, threads, welding, adhesive, and/or fastener) the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  of the bottle  100 . Alternatively, if the pressure equalizer  4000  is integrally formed as part of the bottle  100 , then the air tubes  4004  are positioned around a portion of the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152 , and a number of the air tubes  4004  may be connected or interconnected to each other, particularly those air tubes  4004  residing within the inner interior portion of the bottleneck  152  and not situated directly adjacent the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152 . 
         [0147]    Referring still to  FIGS. 40 and 41 , and as with other embodiments described and shown herein, when in use, air may enter the bottle  100  through one or more of the air tubes  4004 . In addition, liquid may exit the bottle  100  through one or more of the air tubes  4004  as air enters other air tubes  4004 . However, the existence of multiple air tubes  4004  facilitates separate flow paths for air to enter the bottle, thereby enabling air to find a path into the bottle  100  while the liquid exits the bottle  100 . 
         [0148]    Referring now to  FIGS. 42 and 43 , in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressure equalizer  4200  is shown that includes a plurality of air tubes  4204  that resided within an air tube assembly  4208 . As with pressure equalizer  4000 , the pressure equalizer  4200  has particular application to situations wherein a high volume and/or a high flow rate of liquid is anticipated. As can be seen, the plurality of air tubes  4204  occupy a significant portion of the bottleneck  152 . The air tubes  4204  preferably have an air tube length L Air Tube  within the prescribed values given above (that is, L Bottleneck ≦L Air Tube ≦25% B L ). In addition, each of the air tubes  4204  preferably has an air tube diameter D Air Tube  (or equivalent air tube diameter as described herein) of between about 2% to 50% of the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . For the pressure equalizer  4200  shown in  FIGS. 42 and 43 , there are three concentric rings of air tubes with a further central air tube. The air tubes  4204  may have substantially uniform cross-sectional areas, or they may have differing cross-sectional areas with differing shapes. In addition, the air tubes  4204  residing within the air tube assembly  4208  may form a pattern or they may be randomly arranged. In addition, one or more of the air tubes  4204  may have flared portions. 
         [0149]    With reference to  FIG. 43 , the pressure equalizer  4200  is depicted as an insert. Accordingly, for embodiments wherein the pressure equalizer  4200  is an insert, the perimeter member  416  is configured to fixedly engage (e.g., by friction fit, threads, welding, adhesive, and/or fastener) the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152  of the bottle  100 . Alternatively, if the pressure equalizer  4200  is integrally formed as part of the bottle  100 , then the air tubes  4204  are positioned around a portion of the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152 , and a number of the air tubes  4204  may be connected or interconnected to each other, particularly those air tubes  4204  residing within the inner interior portion of the bottleneck  152  and not situated directly adjacent the interior surface  128  of the bottleneck  152 . Sidewalls between the air tubes  4204  may be shared. 
         [0150]    Referring still to  FIGS. 42 and 43 , and as with other embodiments described and shown herein, when in use, air may enter the bottle  100  through one or more of the air tubes  4204 . In addition, liquid may exit the bottle  100  through one or more of the air tubes  4204  as air enters other air tubes  4204 . However, the existence of multiple air tubes  4204  facilitates separate flow paths for air to enter the bottle, thereby enabling air to find a path into the bottle  100  while the liquid exits the bottle  100 . 
         [0151]    Referring now to  FIG. 44 , and in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a carrier cap  4400  is shown that incorporates a cap  148  with a pressure equalizer, such as any one of the pressure equalizers described herein. By attaching a pressure equalizer to the inside of a bottle cap  148 , a snap-capper or a rotary-chuck capping machine can install the pressure equalizer at the same time as the bottle is being capped, using the same machinery. Such a configuration provides time and cost savings for utilization of the pressure equalizers described herein. The pressure equalizer insert is attached to the cap in a similar way as the safety strip that is currently used to secure caps on bottles, such as two-liter beverage bottles. Accordingly, caps with pressure equalizer inserts are operatively associated with a bottle  100  when the caps  148  are applied with capping machines that insert the pressure equalizers with the caps  148  after filling the bottles  100 . The bottle  100  is then ready for use by the consumer, and the previously installed pressure equalizer is in place for mitigating glugging when the liquid is poured from the bottle  100 . Accordingly, in use, the pressure equalizer breaks free from the cap  148  when the consumer twists off the cap  148  for the first time in the same way that the consumer breaks the safety strip. 
         [0152]    Referring now to  FIGS. 45A-C , another embodiment of a container  45  will be described in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. Although the term “container” will be used with respect to this and other embodiments, it should be appreciated that term “container” as well as the term “bottle” used herein can both be used to refer to any liquid holding and/or dispensing unit. 
         [0153]    The container  45 , in some embodiments, corresponds to traditional gable top packaging. In this embodiment, the container  45  comprises an integral pressure equalizer  4500 . The pressure equalizer  4500  may be manufactured such that its outer surfaces which are exposed above the top of the container  45  are similar or identical to traditional spout fitments that are ultrasonically welded to the container  45 . Accordingly, the pressure equalizer  4500  may be configured to be ultrasonically welded to the container  45  and, therefore, can become an integral part of the container  45 . 
         [0154]    One difference between the container  45  and other bottles discussed herein is that the container  45  does not comprise a “neck” per se. However, the “bottle length” of the container  45  may be equal to the entire length of the container  45  from its base to its top most portion within the cavity of the container  45 . The “bottleneck length” of the container  45  may be equal to the height of the tilted opening of the container (e.g., from top of outer rim to bottom of outer rim). 
         [0155]    In some embodiments, the inner surfaces of the pressure equalizer  4500  may be similar to other pressure equalizers discussed herein. As can be seen in  FIGS. 45B-C  and  46 A-C, the pressure equalizer  4500  may comprise an air tube  4504 , which extends from an upper inlet rim  4508  to a lower end edge  4512 . The air tube  4504 , in some embodiments may be cylindrical. In some embodiments, the air tube  4504  comprises a cross-sectional shape other than circular (e.g., elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, etc.). In some embodiments, the air tube  4504  may have a tapered portion whereby the cross-sectional area of the air tube  4504  closer to the upper inlet rim  4508  is larger than the cross-sectional area of the air tube  4504  closer to the lower end edge  4512 . 
         [0156]    Another aspect of the pressure equalizer  4500  is that the outer surface  4524  may be configured to emulate traditional spout fitments that are integrated into containers similar to container  45 . In particular, the outer surface  4524  of the pressure equalizer  4500  may comprise one or more threads  4516  at its top most portion as well as a rim  4520  positioned at some point below the threads  4516 . The rim  4520  may extend beyond the outer circumference of the threads  4516  and the rim  4520  may comprise a thickness that is comparable to the thickness of the wall of the container  45 . In some embodiments, a transition feature  4528  resides between the threads  4516  and the rim  4520 , although a transition feature  4528  is not required. 
         [0157]    An inner surface  4532  of the pressure equalizer  4500  may be similar to the inner surfaces of other pressure equalizers discussed herein in that the inner surface  4532  may be generally cylindrical in nature except where the cylinder is disrupted by the air tube  4504  which is integrated into the perimeter member. The difference with this pressure equalizer  4500  is that the perimeter member comprises an outer surface  4524  with features which are configured to receive a screw-on-lid rather than to slide into the neck of a container. 
         [0158]    In some embodiments, the air tube  4504  extends beyond the rim  4520  but is not more than three times longer than the length between the rim  4520  and top of the pressure equalizer  4500 . In some embodiments, the air tube  4504  may not have a length greater than twice the length of the inner cylindrical surface  4532  of the perimeter member. 
         [0159]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is that the pressure equalizers descried herein do not necessarily have to be designed as inserts for containers. Rather, the pressure equalizer  4500  provides but one example of a pressure equalizer which is a spout fitment that can be ultrasonically welded to (or otherwise connected to) the container  45 . 
         [0160]    With reference now to  FIGS. 47A-C , a container  47  similar to container  45  will be described in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Container  47  also comprises an integrated pressure equalizer  4700 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 47B-C  and  48 A-C, the pressure equalizer  4700  may have an outer surface  4724  that is similar or identical to the outer surface  4524  of pressure equalizer  4500 . Specifically, the outer surface  4724  of pressure equalizer  4700  may comprise threads  4716 , a rim  4720 , and a transition feature  4728  located between the threads  4716  and rim  4720 . The pressure equalizer  4700  may be configured to be integrated into the container  47  during the container  47  manufacturing process rather than being inserted into the container  47  after it has been manufactured. 
         [0161]    The pressure equalizer  4700  differs from pressure equalizer  4500 , however, in that pressure equalizer  4700  comprises a plurality of air tubes  4704  located on the inner surface  4732  of the perimeter member. Each of the air tubes  4704  may comprise an upper inlet rim  4708  and a lower end edge  4712 . In some embodiments, the air tubes  4704  extend beyond the rim  4720  but are not more than three times longer than the length between the rim  4720  and top of the pressure equalizer  4700 . In some embodiments, the air tubes  4704  may not have a length greater than twice the length of the inner cylindrical surface  4732  of the perimeter member. 
         [0162]    In some embodiments, the length of each air tube  4704  may be the same within a machining tolerance. In some embodiments, the length of one air tube  4704  may differ from the length of at least one other air tube  4704 . In some embodiments, the lengths of two or more air tubes  4704  may differ from each other as well as at least one other air tube  4704 . In some embodiments, the air tubes  4704  are positioned symmetrically around the inner surface  4732  of the pressure equalizer  4700 , while in other embodiments the air tubes  4704  may be positioned assymmetrically around the inner surface  4732 . 
         [0163]      FIGS. 49A-B  depict yet another container  49  in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. The container  49  may be similar or identical to the jug  1700 . However, as can be seen in  FIGS. 50A-C , the pressure equalizer  4900  designed for the container  49  may be specifically designed to conform to the inner surfaces of the container  49 . More specifically, the container  49  may comprise a plurality of internal depressions or features along its bottleneck. In some embodiments, the pressure equalizer  4900  may comprise a number of exteranal features cut into the tops/outer surface(s) of the air tubes  4904 . As a non-limiting example, for conforming with the interior of the container  49 , the pressure equalizer  4900  may comprise a first tapered section  4908  just below the top surface of the pressure equalizer  4900 . Below the first tapered section  4908  there may be a first outer surface  4912  that partially cut into the air tubes  4904 . The first outer surface  3912  may comprise a first diameter that conforms with an upper-most diameter of the bottleneck in container  49 . 
         [0164]    A first transition feature  4916  may be provided that separates the first outer surface  4912  from a second outer surface  4920 . In some embodiments, the first transition feature  4916  comprises a stair-step feature and the second outer surface  4920  comprises a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter of the first outer surface  4912 . Furthermore, the second diameter may conform with a second diameter of the bottleneck in container  49 . It should be appreciated that the container  49  comprises additional internal features, the outer surface of the pressure equalizer  4900  may be cut, molded, or otherwise manufactured to conform therewith. 
         [0165]    In some embodiments, the pressure may further comprise a rim  4924  that locks into a notch established in the interior of the container  49 . The rim  4924  may further comprise one or more notches  4928  if the internal nature of the container  49  requires such a feature to conform therewith. Other features may be incorporated into the exterior of the pressure equalizer  4900  depending upon the type of container or bottle into which pressure equalizer  4900  is inserted. 
         [0166]    Another aspect of the present disclosure will now be discussed in connection with  FIGS. 50A-B . In some embodiments, the pressure equalizer  4900  may be compressed or squeezed by forces applied on its outersurface such that the diameter of the pressure equalizer  4900  at any circumference is reduced. In particular,  FIG. 50A  shows the pressure equalizer  4900  in a first state or pinched state.  FIG. 50B  shows the pressure equalizer  4900  in a second state or un-pinched state. By providing the pressure equalizer  4900  with the ability to temporarily deform under pressure and then return to its original geometry when the pressure is removed, the pressure equalizer  4900  can be more easily inserted into the bottlenecks of various containers or bottles. Furthermore, where a pressure equalizer  4900  is provided with one or more features on its outer surface, it is advantageous to pinch the pressure equalizer  4900  and then insert the pressure equalizer  4900  into the container  49 . Once inserted, the pressure equalizer  4900  can be released, thereby allowing the pressure equalizer  4900  to return to its initial geometry and recess itself into the depressions/features within the inside of the container  49 . 
         [0167]    In some embodiments it may be desirable to provide a pressure equalizer  4900  that is constructed of a material that is capable of deforming elastically under compression or tension such that its largest external feature can fit within the smallest internal feature of the container&#39;s  49  bottleneck. More specifically, the pressure equalizer  4900  may be at least partially constructed of a polymer such as plastic, rubber, and the like. Even more specifically, the pressure equalizer  4900  may be constructed of any recyclable material and the type of material selected for manufacturing the pressure equalizer  4900  may be based on the material(s) used to construct the container/bottle. In some embodiments, the material used for the pressure equalizer  4900  may correspond to the same material used to make the container  49 . More specific examples of materials that may be used to construct the pressure equalizer  4900  and other pressure equalizers described herein include, without limitation, polyethylene (high-density and low-density), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polycarbonate (PC), epoxy, polyamide (PA) or nylon, rubber, synthetic rubber, cellulose-based plastics, glass, or combinations thereof. 
         [0168]    Another aspect of the present disclosure will now be discussed in connection with  FIGS. 51A-52B . In particular, a modified container  51  is depicted having a pressure equalizer  5100  integrated thereto. Details of the pressure equalizer  5100  are depicted in  FIGS. 52A and 52B . 
         [0169]    In some embodiments, the container  51  comprises a neck and shoulder as in prior art containers, except that a portion of the neck is removed and the pressure equalizer  5100  is mounted to the remaining lower portion of the container  51 . By removing a portion of the neck, the amount of material required to produce the container  51  can be reduced. Furthermore, the most common point of failure in containers is the neck portion. By removing a portion of the neck, the strength of the container  51  (e.g., as measured by withstanding compression forces applied at the top of the container  51 ) is greatly increased, thereby enabling thinner sidewalls and further reducing the amount of material required to manufacture the container  51 . 
         [0170]    It should be appreciated that any of the pressure equalizers described herein may be used to greatly decrease the amount of material required to manufacture the container as a whole. In particular, while additional materials may be needed to construct the various component parts of the pressure equalizer, those additional materials are more than offset by the amount of material savings that can be realized for the container as a whole, thereby reducing the overall amount of material used to manufacture a container. 
         [0171]    Indeed, even without using pressure equalizers as described herein, wall thickness and other innovations have reduced weight and plastic (particularly PET) consumption, creating 500 ml bottles that weigh as little as 9.2 grams and have and interior bottleneck diameter of approximately 21.8 mm. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, however, a pressure equalizer can be used to further reduce the amount of material required to produce a 500 ml bottle made from PET (or a similar plastic/resin). As one non-limiting example, by implementing a pressure equalizer as described herein, the bottleneck diameter may be reduced to approximately 11.5 mm and the undesirable glugging can be avoided. Furthermore, by employing a pressure equalizer as described herein, the overall weight of a 500 ml bottle made from PET can be reduced by approximately 8.5 to 14.5 percent (e.g., have a weight of approximately 8.42 grams to approximately 7.87 grams). Indeed, a 500 ml bottle can be achieved with significantly less material, even though more material is included at the bottleneck vis-à-vis the pressure equalizer. These material savings result in substantial savings to bottle manufacturers and manufacturers of other types of containers. Meanwhile, the container now has the ability to pour liquids accurately and without glug, whereas if a container were manufactured with the smaller bottleneck of approximately 11.5 mm without a pressure equalizer, it would take significantly longer for fluid to pour from the container. 
         [0172]    One or more of the pressure equalizer designs described herein may be capable of reducing material requirements by up to 20 percent as compared to the most aggressive current container designs. In particular, certain embodiments of a pressure equalizer described herein have been shown to achieve 500 ml containers that are 20 percent lighter than current state-of-the-art 500 ml containers manufactured with similar materials. As material costs continue to increase, any amount of material savings without negatively impacting the container&#39;s performance is seen as a monumental step forward. 
         [0173]    Another advantage is that a smaller diameter bottleneck or opening may be employed even when the container has hard or rigid sidewalls along its body. In other words, the pressure equalizer may allow liquids (even highly viscous ones) to exit the container through a smaller opening without requiring the sidewalls to be highly deformable. This essentially means that structural integrity of the container can be maintained while simultaneously decreasing the diameter of the bottleneck/opening. 
         [0174]    As can be seen in  FIG. 51A , the pressure equalizer  5100  may comprise a flange  5104 . The flange  5104  may be used as the point of connection between the pressure equalizer  5100  and the rest of the container  51 . In some embodiments, the pressure equalizer  5100  may be produced in one manufacturing step and the body and neck of the container  51  may be produced in a separate manufacturing step. The flange  5104  provides the point of contact between the pressure equalizer  5100  and the container  51  and may be the point where the pressure equalizer  5100  is connected to the container  51  (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, heat-based welding, radio frequency welding, gluing, or the like). 
         [0175]    In some embodiments, the pressure equalizer  5100  and its component parts may be constructed of a material that is similar or identical to the material used to construct the container  51 . The component parts of the pressure equalizer  5100 , in some embodiments, may include the flange  5104  that separates an upper portion  5204  from a lower portion  5208  of the pressure equalizer  5100 . The upper portion may include threads  5212  and a neck  5216  that is positioned between the flange  5104  and a cap stop. As with other pressure equalizers discussed herein, the pressure equalizer  5100  may also comprise a number of air tubes  5220  that extend from the top of the opening of the pressure equalizer  5100  through the top portion  5204  and the bottom portion  5208 . The air tubes  5220  may be constructed by sidewalls  5232  that separate the main outlet  5224  from the air inlet portions  5228 . In some embodiments, the tubes  5220  may be constructed of extruded plastic tubes that are cut to dimension and then attached to the inner walls of the pressure equalizer  5100 . Such a manufacturing process enables a quicker and more cost-effective option for producing the finished container  51 . Specifically, the body of the container  51  can be manufactured via known methods and the pressure equalizer  5100  may be attached to the shoulder of the container  51  in a separate manufacturing step. 
         [0176]    In some embodiments, the diameter of the flange  5104  can be larger than the diameter of the shoulder of the container  51  to which the flange  5104  is attached. By providing a larger flange  5104 , the manufacturing process can be completed with more flexibility. In particular, there can be some room for error in the placement of the pressure equalizer  5100  relative to the shoulder of the container  51 . This makes the manufacturing process both faster and more cost-effective. 
         [0177]    With reference now to  FIGS. 53A-55B , another container  53  will be described in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The container  53  may be constructed similarly to the container  51  in that the portion of the container  53  above its shoulders (e.g., the pressure equalizer  5304 ) can be manufactured in a separate manufacturing process from the portion of the container  53  below its shoulders (e.g., the body portion  55 ). 
         [0178]    The embodiment of the container  53  differs from container  51  in that the pressure equalizer  5304  comprises a shoulder and neck portion  5308  that is skinnier (e.g., of a smaller diameter) than the shoulder and neck portion of a traditional container. Furthermore, the entirety of the pressure equalizer  5304  is above its flange  5312 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 54A and 54B , the pressure equalizer  5304  may comprise a cap stopper  5404  below the threading and the shoulder and neck portion  5308 . The taper of the shoulder and neck portion  5308  is greater than the taper of a shoulder and neck portion of a traditional two liter bottle. Accordingly, the diameter of the container  53  is the same at the flange  5312 , but the diameter of the opening of the pressure equalizer  5304  is significantly less than a diameter of the opening in a traditional two liter bottle. In some embodiments, the diameter of the opening of the pressure equalizer  5304  is around about 10.5 mm (inner diameter of opening). Most traditional two liter bottles have an opening diameter of about 22.23 mm (inner diameter of opening). Accordingly, the pressure equalizer  5304  enables a diameter of less than half of traditional bottles, while also allowing liquids to pour through smoothly and without “glug.” 
         [0179]    In some embodiments, the pressure equalizer  5304  comprises an opening diameter of about 10.5 mm and can accommodate the smooth (e.g., without “glug”) pouring of many types of liquids having various viscosities. As some non-limiting examples, the container  53  can hold liquids having a viscosity approximately equal to water at approximately similar temperatures. Even more specifically, the pressure equalizer  5304  enables the smooth pouring of liquids having a dynamic viscosity of approximately 1000 Centipoise at 20 degrees Celsius. Fluids having viscosities greater than water at room temperature (e.g., similar to molasses or oil at room temperature) may also be poured out of the container  53  through the pressure equalizer  5304  without glugging. By providing a container  53  with a smaller opening, the accuracy with which fluid is poured out of the container  53  can be greatly increased. Simultaneously, the material costs for the container  53  can be reduced because the overall amount of material required to produce the container  53  is also reduced. Further still, it is possible to achieve a container  53  with a smaller opening that does not have deformable walls. Rather, a typical bottle or container having substantially non-deformable body walls (e.g., body sidewalls that are not designed to be deformed or otherwise squeezed so as to completely depress the body of the container). In particular, the container  53  may be manufactured from a semi-crystalline PET and may have a density as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0108156, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0180]    Referring back to  FIGS. 54A and 54B , the component parts of the pressure equalizer  5304  may further include a main outlet port  5408 , one or more air inlets  5412 , and one or more dividing walls  5416  that separate the air inlets  5412  from the main outlet port  5408 . Similar to the pressure equalizer  5100  and other pressure equalizers discussed herein, the number of air inlets  5412  can vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0181]      FIGS. 55A and 55B  show an intermediate container  55  before the pressure equalizer  5304  is attached thereto. The intermediate container  55  may be similar to traditional containers except that it is cut off at its neck/shoulders. A lip or flange  5504  may be established at the top of the intermediate container  55  and may provide a surface that can be attached to the pressure equalizer  5304  (e.g., via ultrasonic welding, laser welding, radio frequency welding, gluing/chemical welding, friction welding, spin welding, shake welding, etc.). The size of the opening  5508  of the intermediate container  55  may be the same size as the inner diameter of the pressure equalizer  5304  at its flange  5312 , but the outer diameter of the flange  5312  may be larger than the outer diameter of the lip or flange  5504 . The difference in the out diameters of the flanges may facilitate easier attachment of the pressure equalizer  5304  to the intermediate container  55 . 
         [0182]    With reference now to  FIGS. 56A and 56B , yet another container  56  will be described in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The container  56  may comprise similar characteristics to container  53 , except that the pressure equalizer  5604  may be integrated into the body of the container rather than being produced in a separate manufacturing step. Accordingly, the pressure equalizer  5604  may comprise similar components to the pressure equalizer  5304  (e.g., a main outlet port  5608 , one or more air inlets  5612 , and one or more dividing walls  5616  that separate the air inlets  5612  from the main outlet port  5608 ). However, the pressure equalizer  5604  may not comprise a flange or any other feature for connecting to the body of the container  56 . Rather, the container  56  may be produced as a single integrated product and the sidewalls  5616  (e.g., features that create the air inlets  5612 ) may be added to the container  56  after the container has been created. In some embodiments, the air inlets  5612  (and specifically the materials of the dividing walls  5616 ) may be cut to the appropriate dimension and inserted in the opening of the container  56  (either before or after the container has been filled with a liquid). The cut portions of material may then be ultrasonically welded or otherwise attached to the inner surface of the bottleneck. 
         [0183]      FIGS. 57A and 57B  show yet another pressure equalizer  5704  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The pressure equalizer  5704  is similar to the pressure equalizer  5304  except that the pressure equalizer  5704  doesn&#39;t have a flange  5312 . The pressure equalizer  5704  is also similar to the pressure equalizer  5604  except that the pressure equalizer  5704  is attached to the body of a container in a separate manufacturing step. Accordingly, the component parts of the pressure equalizer  5704  may be similar or identical to the component parts of the pressure equalizer  5604  and may include a neck and shoulder  5708 , a main outlet  5712 , one or more air inlets  5716 , one or more dividing walls  5720 , and a cap stopper  5724 . As with other pressure equalizers discussed herein, the material with which the pressure equalizer  5704  is manufactured may include any type of known plastic, glass, synthetic, or the like. 
         [0184]      FIGS. 58A  thru  61 B depict other possible configurations of the inlet tubes that may be used to further enhance the effectiveness of any pressure equalizer described herein. Referring initially to  FIGS. 58A and 58B , a pressure equalizer  5804  is shown to include an air inlet  5808  that extends the path that fluid within the container would have to travel before arriving at the opening  5812 . By extending the flow path within the air inlet  5808 , the air inlet  5808  makes it more likely that air will flow from opening  5812  to opening  5816  rather than having fluid within the container flow from opening  5816  to opening  5812 . 
         [0185]    In some embodiments, the air inlet  5808  comprises a first opening  5812  proximate to the opening of the container and a second opening  5816  that is within the neck or shoulder of the container. A first bend  5820  may be positioned between the first opening  5812  and second opening  5816 . A first portion  5824  of the air inlet  5808  may be positioned between the first opening  5812  and first bend  5820  while a second portion  5828  of the air inlet  5808  may be positioned between the second opening  5816  and the first bend  5820 . The length of the first portion  5824  may be greater than the length of the second portion  5828 . Furthermore, the diameters and/or profiles of the first opening  5812  and second opening  5816  do not necessarily have to be the same. Rather, the first opening  5812  may be larger in diameter than the second opening  5816  or vice versa. Likewise, the shape of the first opening  5812  does not necessarily have to be the same as the shape of the second opening  5816 . 
         [0186]    The pressure equalizer  5904  in  FIGS. 59A and 59B  comprises an air inlet  5908  that is slightly different from air inlet  5808 . Specifically, the air inlet  5908  comprises multiple bends including a first and second upward bend  5920   a ,  5920   b  as well as a downward bend  5928 . A first portion  5924  of the air inlet  5908  may reside between the first opening  5912  and the first upward bend  5920   a . A second portion  5932   a  of the air inlet  5908  may reside between the first upward bend  5920   a  and the downward bend  5928 . A third portion  5932   b  of the air inlet  5908  may reside between the downward bend  5928  and the second upward bend  5920   b . The multiple bends between the first opening  5912  and the second opening  5916  may further increase the path that fluid would have to flow through the air inlet  5908 . Therefore, the fluid pouring out of the container having the pressure equalizer  5904  will naturally select the main outlet of the container rather than coming out of the air inlet  5908 . 
         [0187]    It should be appreciated that the number of bends in the air inlet  5908  may be greater or lesser than the number of bends shown in  FIGS. 59A and 59B . Specifically, the air inlet  5908  may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, or more bends without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further still, the bends do not necessarily have to be 180 degree bends, but rather can be bends of any amount. In some embodiments, the bends may be 90 degree bends and the direction in which the second opening faces is orthogonal to the direction in which the first opening faces. Any other variations of the air inlets may also be performed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0188]    Referring now to  FIGS. 60A and 60B , yet another type of pressure equalizer  6004  comprising yet another type of air inlet  6008  is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The air inlet  6008  may comprise a helical shape and contours or follows the inner diameter of the bottleneck. Similar to other air inlets, the air inlet  6008  may comprise a first opening  6012  and a second opening  6016  with a helical portion  6020  there between. The helical portion  6020  of the air inlet  6008  may be integrated into the pressure equalizer  6004  or it may be manufactured separately and connected to the inside wall of the bottleneck in a separate manufacturing step (e.g., via ultrasonic welding). In some embodiments, the helical portion  6020  may be attached continuously to the inside wall of the bottleneck. In other embodiments, the helical portion  6020  may be spot welded at discrete points to the inside wall of the bottleneck. 
         [0189]      FIGS. 61A and 61B  show still another type of pressure equalizer  6104  having multiple air inlets  6108   a ,  6108   b . Each of the air inlets  6108   a ,  6108   b  may comprise helical portions that wrap around the inner wall of the bottleneck. Each air inlet  6108   a ,  6108   b  may also comprise first opening  6112   a ,  6112   b  and a second opening  6116   a ,  6116   b . The first openings  6112   a ,  6112   b  may be positioned across from one another (e.g. on opposite sides of the bottle opening) and the helical portions of each air inlet  6108   a ,  6108   b  may fit next to each other as they spiral down the bottleneck. Each air inlet  6108   a ,  6108   b  may be similar or identical to the air inlet  6008 . Accordingly, it should be appreciated that a pressure equalizer may be equipped with one, two, three, four, or more similar types of helically-shaped air inlets. 
         [0190]    As described herein, any number of manufacturing methods (e.g., fully-automated, partially-automated, manual) may be employed to produce a container having a pressure equalizer. In some embodiments, a manufacturing method may: (1) employ blow molding techniques to blow mold a smaller container top (e.g., having an inner diameter of approximately 11.5 mm); (2) extrude the air inlet(s); and (3) attach the air inlets to the inner sidewalls of the bottleneck using one or more of (friction welding, ultrasonic welding, radio frequency welding, heat welding, gluing, or the like). 
         [0191]    As noted above, it is also possible to create a pressure equalizer that leaves the support ledge and throat of the bottle the same size. To do this, the entire top of the pre-formed container goes away, right down to the support ledge. The pressure equalizer is then produced that includes the spout, air tubes, an appropriately-sized cap and a break-band to indicate that the cap has not been removed. The pressure equalizer may then be attached (e.g., welded and/or glued) to the top of the pre-formed container. 
         [0192]    As discussed above, it may also be possible to extrude the air tubes and create a variety of snap-in systems, where each air tube is separately snapped into features within the spout. Alternatively, or in addition, a complete pressure equalizer may be provided with snaps or other friction fitting elements to snap the pressure equalizer into place relative to the body of the container. 
         [0193]    Another advantage contemplated herein is the ability to employ bottle stacking Specifically, since the bottle cap size is reduced (e.g., due to the reduction in the diameter of the bottle top), the top of one bottle or container may be sized to fit into the bottom of another bottle. 
         [0194]    It should be appreciated that any number of materials may be used to manufacture the pressure equalizers described herein. For example, metal, metal alloys, non-metal alloys, ceramics, plastics, glass, and other materials used for the construction of container may be used for the pressure equalizers without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0195]    In at least one embodiment of the various pressure described herein, the top rim of the one or more air tubes associated with the pressure equalizer do not extend above the bottle rim  136  of the bottle  100 . Advantageously, a cap associated with the bottle can be reused with the pressure equalizer in the bottle  100 . 
         [0196]    Air tubes described herein preferably include solid, non-perforated tubing walls. That is, there are no holes along the side walls of the air tubes between the upper inlet rims  408  and the lower end edges  412  of the air tubes. In at least one embodiment of all of the various pressure equalizers described herein, there are no holes along the side walls of the air tubes between the upper inlet rims  408  and the lower end edges  412  of the air tubes. In at least one embodiment of all of the various pressure equalizers described herein, and as someone of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, if present, any holes within the sidewalls of the air tubes preferably do not materially impact the flow characteristics of the subject pressure equalizer. 
         [0197]    In at least one embodiment of the various pressure equalizers described herein, the lower end edges of the air tubes do not extend below about 25% of the bottle length B L . 
         [0198]    In at least one embodiment of the various pressure described herein, at least a portion of the upper inlet rim  408  of at least one air tube is situated within a rim proximity distance that is less than or equal to 5% of the bottleneck length L Bottleneck . 
         [0199]    In at least one embodiment of the various pressure equalizers described herein, even if having a non-circular cross-sectional shape, the air tubes preferably include a diameter or equivalent diameter (by measuring the cross-sectional area of the air tube and solving for an equivalent diameter) that resides within a range of about 2% to 50% of the bottleneck diameter D Bottleneck . In addition, the air tube length L Air Tube  of the air tubes is greater than or equal to the bottleneck length L Bottleneck  and less than or equal to about 25% of the bottle length B L (that is, L Bottleneck ≦L Air Tube ≦25% B L ). 
         [0200]    One, some, or all of the various pressure equalizers or containers described herein may further benefit from having air tubes that are specifically configured with a low-profile design that maximize the equalization of pressure between the interior of the container and the exterior of the container. Specifically, many different shapes of air tubes were described. An oval, oblong, tear-shaped, egg-shaped, or eye-shaped air tube may provide particularly good performance. This particular shape of air tube may maximize the air inlets cross-sectional area near the outer diameter of the container opening but also maximize the amount of area through which fluid is allowed to travel out of the container. A pressure equalizer or insert may be configured with some air inlets of one shape and some air inlets of another shape. Accordingly, a single container or pressure equalizer may comprise multiple air inlets, each having a different cross-sectional shape than any other air inlet. 
         [0201]    Another feature that may be useful to some or all of the embodiments described herein is the ability to specifically configure air inlet dimensions to the size of container and type of fluid which is poured out of the container. As some non-limiting examples, a 1 liter soda container may have between three and six air inlets each having a cross-sectional area between approximately ______ and ______ each having a length between approximately ______ and ______. As another non-limiting example, a 2 liter soda container may have between three and six air inlets each having a cross-sectional area between approximately ______ and ______ and each having a length between approximately ______ and ______. As another non-limiting example, a 1 liter water bottle may have between three and six air inlets each having a cross-sectional area between approximately ______ and ______ each having a length between approximately ______ and ______. As another non-limiting example, a 1 liter juice bottle may have between three and six air inlets each having a cross-sectional area between approximately ______ and ______ and each having a length between approximately ______ and ______. 
         [0202]    Another feature that may be useful to some or all of the embodiments described herein is that the length of the air inlets can be kept to a length of no longer than 3 inches per air inlet. Specifically, it may be revealed that air inlets longer than 3 inches in length are no more useful in equalizing pressure in a container than their shorter counterparts. Accordingly, in an attempt to control material costs, it may be desirable to maintain air inlet lengths to less than 3 inches. 
         [0203]    Yet another feature that may be useful to some or all of the embodiments described herein is that containers with handles or other containers that have a generally constant pour direction (e.g., gable top containers) may not require as many air inlets as containers without such a constant pour direction. In other words, if the direction with which a container is going to be poured is either controlled or somehow predictable, it may be possible to reduce the number of air inlets to one or two air inlets rather than three to six air inlets distributed evenly around the container opening. Moreover, the two or more air inlets may be grouped at one strategic location of the container opening rather than being evenly or randomly distributed about the container opening if the container has a direction of pouring that is somewhat predictable. 
         [0204]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure may benefit from one or more manufacturing methods that were previously unknown in the container and bottle manufacturing arts. To list but several non-limiting examples, the concept of building a fluid container that has substantially rigid (e.g., non-collapsable) body walls with an opening smaller than 15 mm is something that has not been possible in the prior art due to the fact that fluid would simply get stuck in such a container without the advantage of the disclosed equalization mechanisms. In some embodiments, the way in which such a container or inlet for a container may be manufactured is to create a container perform with an opening smaller than 15 mm. The container perform may otherwise size the container in accordance with traditional design dimensions, but the container opening may be kept smaller than 15 mm, thereby decreasing the amount of materials required to manufacture the container, increasing the pouring accuracy of the container, and the like. 
         [0205]    Another example of a useful manufacturing technique is the ability to create a container perform with air inlet tubes. The air inlet tubes may be integral to the perform or they may be separately manufactured (e.g., via extrusion), cut to the desired length, and then attached to the container while it is still on the perform. 
         [0206]    In an alternative or additional manufacturing process, blow molding techniques can be employed to weld pre-manufactured air inlets into the desired location. Specifically, the blow molding process requires an increased heat, which may be sufficient to at least partially plasticize the container and/or air inlet material. This increased heat may also be sufficient to enable the air inlet to be stuck, adhered, welded, etc. to the inner wall of the container or insert opening. 
         [0207]    In an alternative or additional manufacturing process, a welder may be used to weld individual air inlet tubes into their desired location about the container and/or insert. Specifically, the pre-manufactured air inlets may be welded to the container and/or insert using any one of laser welding, ultrasonic welding, radio frequency welding, gluing/chemical welding, friction welding, spin welding, and shake welding. 
         [0208]    In an alternative or additional manufacturing process, specifically in connection with the manufacturing of an insert rather than a container with an integrated pressure equalization device, a series of parts that include the finish (threaded male portion of the bottle) along with half of the support ledge (e.g.,  4520 ,  4720 ,  4924 ,  5104 ,  5312 , or  5724 ), the cap, the safety/tamper seal, the leakage seal, and the air inlets, can be installed at the capper stage of the line instead of capping a pressure equalization device that is already incorporated into a container. The separate construction of the finish, support ledge, cap, tamper seal, leakage seal, and air inlets can be optimized separate from the construction of the container itself and a final step (before or after filling the container with the desired liquid) would be to connect to the container to the separately constructed finish and cap via the support ledge. This final connection may be achieved using any of the welding, gluing, or other attachment techniques described herein or otherwise known in the container manufacturing arts. 
         [0209]    The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
         [0210]    The one or more present disclosures, in various embodiments, include components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present disclosure after understanding the present disclosure. 
         [0211]    The present disclosure, in various embodiments, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes (e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation). 
         [0212]    The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure. 
         [0213]    Moreover, though the description of the disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure (e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure). It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.