POURING CAP IN PARTICULAR FOR LIQUIDS

Abstract: Pouring cover (A) associated/able to a can/container (B) in particular for the distribution of liquids, characterized by the fact that: - it consists of a sole piece closing structure (1) in flexible material, - the closing structure (1) has a diametric opening (2) and a hinged cap-tongue (3) integrally attached to one end (3′) of said opening (2), - said hinged cap-tongue (3) being movable in an arc-like movement with the rotation axis corresponding to an hingeing axis (b) realized in said hinging attachement (3′), and wherein, - said cap-tongue comprises a pair of walls (5) which extend backwards and downwards, ortogonally from the said cap-tongue cover surface realizing a transversal "U"section, in order to obtain: - in closed-plane position with the cover a plug, with said pair of walls (5) protruded inside the container; - in rotated opening an "U" pouring seat/gutter in outside protrusion, for pouring the liquid from the container.

Description: The subject of the present invention is a pouring cap, in particular for liquids. The invention has a particular and convenient, although not exclusive, application for containers of liquid, for alimentary use also, for cans, bottles and similar, which particularly facilitates the relative distribution. Pouring devices are known in the present state of art which are used in particular for containers of alimentary liquids such as oil and vinegar, but similar applications for cans of other types of liquids such as, for example, lubricant oils, are not excluded. Such devices can be grouped in two differing categories/ - The first one comprising a fixed distributor of the type projecting from the rim and - The second one having the distributor coming out of the upper part of the can. The first type has a structure which is generally in rigid plastic inserted axially on the upper part of the can where the terminal part being a small tubular piece on which the closing tap or plug is placed. The second type has a means of distribution consisting of an essentially ring-shaped structure for insertion in an opening preventively obtained in the upper part of the container, and a second structure or small tubular piece arranged inside and connected to it being the last one in deformable material, being further provided by a cap or plug which is positioned above the respective opening end inserted in it in tightening condition. When the closing cap or plug is lifted, the respective flexible tubular piece is also extracted, thus allowing the unplugging and the possibility of pouring the liquid from the container. An inconvenience which is common to both solutions is that the distribution and container closing device is in two parts, respectively the first part being made up of the tubular piece and relative support while the second one consists of the real cap or cover. An inconvenience to be found in the first solution is of the functional type, as it is a bulky device which is particularly unsuitable for can packaging, and also presents excessive costs in respect to the use for which it is destined. Among other inconveniences to be found in the second solution is the fact that the tubular piece often does not discharge. This inconvenience can arise because this one is often stiff to lift and as the cap is only lightly attached to it, they are jerked apart detaching the tube and leaving the half neck coplanar to the upper part, for example, of the can. In other cases the breakage of the cap itself, or of the pourer, may occur due to excessive force used for extraction. The can is consequently awkward to use and determines abundant and undesired pouring, together with sprinkling of drops which cannot be controlled. The scope of the present invention is to eliminate the above-­ mentioned inconveniences. This and other scopes are accomplished by the present invention as per the characteristics given in the attached claims, thus solving the explained problems with a pouring cover associated/able to a can/container in particular for the distribution of liquids, wherein: - it consists of a sole piece closing structure in flexible material, - said closing structure has a diametric opening and a hinged cap-­ tongue integrally attached to one end of said opening, - said hinged cap-tongue being movable in an arc-like movement with the rotation axis corresponding to an hingeing axis realized in said hinging attachement, and wherein, - said cap-tongue comprises a pair of walls which extend backwards and downwards, ortogonally from the said cap-tongue cover surface realizing a transversal "U"section, in order to obtain: - in closed-plane position with the cover, a plug, with said pair of walls protruded inside the container; - in rotated opening, an "U" pouring seat/gutter in outside protrusion, for pouring the liquid from the container. The advantages obtained by this solution consist essentially in that it is a sole means comprising both the pourer and the closure, and is furthermore extremely functional and inexpensive. It further optimizes the controlled distribution of the liquids, thus avoiding formation of drops. These and other advantages appear in the following detailed description of preferential solutions for realization together with the help of attached drawings, the execution details of which are not to be held as limiting but only as examples. Figure 1 gives a lateral view of a container to which a pouring device has been applied. Figure 2 gives a plan of the lid and/or the upper side of the container, as in Figure 1, to which a pouring means is applied; Figure 3 gives a lateral cross section along A-A axis of pouring device applied to the lid as per Figure 2; Figure 4 gives a front cross section along B-B axis of pouring device applied to the lid as per Figure 2; Figure 5 gives a plan of another lid for a container. With reference to the above figures, a can-type container (B) has a cover structure (A) in a single piece of flexible material (1) which closes the can or part of it from above. The support structure (1) has an opening (2), preferably rectangular, which permits passage from the inside of the can to the outside. A tongue (3) is hinged at one end (3′) on one side (2′) of the opening (2) obtained on the cover or lid (1), and said tongue has a tongue-­ projection (4) in correspondence with the opposite end to facilitate the grip necessary to lift it. On surface (a) of the tongue (3), a pair of parallel walls (5) are longitudinally obtained, partially ring-­ shaped and arranged ortogonally to said surface (a) which are projected towards the inside of the container (B), to realize in closing position a tight plug. Rotation is effected by gripping and lifting the tongue-projection (4) to rotate it on the hingeing axis (b), thus making an arc movement which determines the protrusion of the tongue above the upper surface cover and bringing it to a position of nearly 90° in respect to the original one. In this pouring opening the tongue plug (3) and with its inside surface (a) are entirely on the outside together with the longitudinal walls (5) which realize the pouring seat, being essentially "U"-shaped. After use it is sufficient to carry out the operation in reverse by counterotating and pressing the tongue plug (3) to take it back to the original position where it will contact the perimetric edges of said opening (2) to realizes a tight.

Claims: 1. Pouring cover (A) associated/able to a can/container (B) in particular for the distribution of liquids, characterized by the fact that: - it consists of a sole piece closing structure (1) in flexible material, - the closing structure (1) has a diametric opening (2) and a hinged cap-tongue (3) integrally attached to one end (3′) of it in said opening (2), - said hinged cap-tongue (3) being movable in an arc-like movement with the rotation axis corresponding to an hingeing axis (b) realized in said hinging attachement (3′), and wherein, - said cap-tongue comprises a pair of walls (5) which extend backwards and downwards, ortogonally from the said cap-tongue cover surface realizing a transversal "U"section, in order to obtain: - in closed-plane position with the cover, a plug, with said pair of walls (5) protruded inside the container; - in rotated opening, an "U" pouring seat/gutter in outside protrusion, for pouring the liquid from the container. 2. Cap, as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that the pouring seat has the lateral walls (5) of said "U"-shape slightly diverging for realizing a tightness between the outside walls of the cover and the rotatable plug. 3. Cap, as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that is provided a lateral tongue-projection (4) from the upper closing surface of the tongue-plug (3) in order to realize a handle means for opening and closing the plug (3).

Inventors: ZANELLATO, GINO
Applicants: OLEARIA DI ZERO SAS DI ZANELLATO G.& C.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B65D47
IPC codes: B65D47