A DEVICE FOR POURING LIQUIDS FROM CONTAINERS

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of devices for pouring liquid from containers. More precisely, the invention refers to a device constituted by an inferiorly pointed tubular element (1) which is inserted into a second element (2), constituted by a collar, and into a container, in such a way that a striking surface (7) of the pointed end (4) of the tubular element (1) locks against the second element (2), gripping the container between itself and the second element (2). A nearing and distancing of the striking surface (7) to and from the second element (2) can be obtained by means of threads made on the tubular element (1) and the second element (2), or by means of a spring (9) comprised between the tubular element (1) and the second element (2).

Description: A Device for Pouring Liquids from Containers. Description. The invention relates to a device for pouring liquids from containers. For some years now there have been available on the market containers for liquids such as soft drinks, fruit juices, wine, tea and milk, made in cardboard or plasticated cardboard for foodstuffs, preferably having a parallelepiped shape. When opened, in order to pour the contents into a beaker, the user must either use a pair of scissors or tear a small triangular tab folded laterally flush to the container. This often leads to an undesired rush of liquid during the said cut or tear operation due to the movement of the container during the cutting phase, where if the container has been packed hermetically air rushes into it and inflates it. A further drawback manifests itself when the liquid is poured into a beaker since the liquid exiting from the container through the opening made manually or with scissors by the user tends to drip and flow unevenly, in rushes and with flowbacks. This happens especially when the container is full, where it is already difficult to pour since spillage is even more likely. To overcome the above drawbacks some types of containers have been provided with a circular weakened zone or a membrane in the superior wall of the container, into which a straw can be inserted so that the drink can be consumed directly from the container itself. This solution could not, however, be adapted for pouring purposes since the area around the weakened zone, holed for the introduction of the straw, is not tight against the straw and spillage would certainly ensue. Further, it is difficult to conserve the contents hygienically since air cannot be prevented from entering the container once it has been opened. A principal aim of the present invention is thus to obviate the above drawbacks by providing a device for pouring liquids which eliminates drips and rushes of liquid during the pouring phase, which permits of conserving the product hygienically once the container has been opened, and which is practical to use as well as being economical. The stated aims are fully attained by the device in object, for pouring liquids from containers, in particular for cardboard containers or plasticated cardboard containers for drinks, fruit juices, tea and wine, characterised as in the following claims. The above characteristics of the present invention will better emerge from the detailed description that follows, of an embodiment of the invention, herein illustrated purely in the form of a non- limiting example in the accompanying figures, in which: - figure 1 shows a first constituent element of the device; figure 2 shows a second constituent element of the device, in section; - figure 3 shows, in plan view, the second element of figure 2; - figure 4 shows the two elements constituting the device in an operative configuration; - figure 5 shows a detail of the first element according to a further embodiment; - figure 6 shows, in section, the two elements in an operative configuration according to a further embodiment; figure 7 shows, in a further embodiment, the first element of figure 1. With reference to figures from 1 to 4, 1 denotes a first internally hollow tubular element constituting the device. The tubular element 1 can be superiorly bent at an angle comprised between 90 degrees and 180 degrees, preferably 105 degrees, that is it can vary from a position as illustrated in figure 1 to a configuration which is more or less straight. The tubular element 1 has an opening 3 at its top end while its bottom end is pointed and also has an opening. At an intermediate zone of the tubular element 1 there is a thread 5 having a pitch of between 8 and 10 mm. The end 4 is preferably cylindrical in shape, provided with holes 6, and is such as to comprise a zone (the base of the cone) having a greater diameter than that of the overlying tubular element 1 so as to create a striking surface 7 for the tubular element 1. In a further embodiment, illustrated in figure 5, the end 4 can comprise a conical part 4a and a superior cylindrical part 4b, with the holes 6 made in the cylindrical part 4b. 2 denotes a second constituent element of the device, constituted by an internally threaded collar or short tube with the same pitch as the thread 5, so as to allow a screwing of the tubular element 1 into the second element 2. The tubular element 1 can be screwed into the second element 2 up until it projects inferiorly from it with its conical end 4 and with a part of the overlying tubular tract, but the tubular element 1 meets an endscrew stop since the internal thread of the second element 2 stops inferiorly, not permitting any further advancement of the tubular element 1. With reference to figure 6, in which a further embodiment of the device is shown, both the elements 1 and 2 are unthreaded and the reciprocal sliding between them in an operative configuration is contrasted by a spring 9 wound about the tubular element 1 and operating between an internal stop 10 of the second element 2 and an external stop 11 of the tubular element 1 in such a way as to keep the striking surface 7 pressed against the inferior part of the second element 2. The thread 5 of the tubular element 1, together with the corresponding thread of the second element 2, or the spring 9 with the internal stop 10 and external stop 11, constitute means which permitting of nearing and distancing the striking surface 7 and a bottom surface 12 of the second element 2, so as respectively to lock the device to the container or to remove the device from the container. With any of the embodiments it is possible to apply a cap 13 to the opeining 3 of the device, which tap 13 is connected to the tubular element 1 by means of a flexible element 14. The cap 13 can also be separated from the device and be provided with a flexible element ending in an eyelet destined to be looped on to the tubular element 1. The second element 2 can further be superioly equipped with a drip-collecting surface 15. Both the elements composing the device are preferably realised in plastic for foodstuffs. Regarding the functioning and use of the device, the tubular element l is introduced by pressing into a container (in the figures only a superior- wall 8 of a container is shown) up until it at least penetrates the striking surface 7 in the container itself. Subsequently the second element 2 is screwed in, which due to the long pitch of the thread can be brought up to push against the striking surface 7 with only one turn about its axis. Thus it compresses the upper wall 8 of the container between itself and the striking surface 7. In the embodiment of figure 6, it is sufficient to keep the spring compressed during the insertion phase of the point end, and then release the spring once the said pointed end has penetrated inside the container: the seal is established automatically. The special conformation of the conical end 4 provided with a striking surface 7 permits of a perfect lock between the ^two constituent elements 1 and 2 of the device, as well as avoiding any undesired spilling of the liquid, apart from keeping the liquid in a hygienic state when a cap 13 is used. Finally, the long pitch of the thread contributes to making the device very practical. Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the first element comprising a cap 16 provided with an index 17. The cap 16 has a cylindrical part inserted in the first element 1 and provided with a hole 18 for the passage of liquid. The cap 16 may be rotated with respect to the first element 1 in such a way as to close or open the opening 3; from the position of the index 17 it is possible to know if the opening 3 is open or closed.

Claims: Claims . A device for pouring liquids from containers, in particular for containers made of cardboard or plasticated cardboard, for soft drinks, fruit juices, tea and wine, characterised in that it comprises in combination: a first internally hollow tubular element (1), provided with openings (3 and 6) at an upper end and a pointed lower end (4) through which openings (3 and 6) liquid is poured from the container, the pointed end (4) being shaped in such a way as to provide a zone having a greater diameter with repect to a diameter of the overlying tubular element (1), so as to create a striking surface (7) for the tubular element (1), the tubular element (1) being destined to be introduced by means of pressing into a container at least up until it penetrates the striking surface (7) of the container; a second element (2) constituted by a collar or short pipe into which the tubular element (1) is introduced up until it projects inferiorly from the second element (2) with its inferior end (4) projecting beyond the striking surface (7); means for nearing and distancing the striking surface (7) and a bottom surface (12) of the second element (2), so as respectively to permit of locking the device on to the container or removing the device from the container. A device as in claim 1, characterised in that the nearing and distancing means for between the striking surface (7) and a bottom surface of the second element (2) comprise: - an external thread (5) covering at least a tract of the first tubular element (1); - a corresponding partial thread internal of the second element (2), ending before the bottom surface (12) of the second element (2) in such a way as to be inferiorly provided with a sort of stop constituting an endrun stop for the screwing of the first tubular element (1). A device as in claim 2, characterised in that the said threads have a pitch which is comprised between 6 and 12 mm., preferably between 8 and 10mm . 4. A device as in claim 1, characterised in that the nearing and distancing means comprise a spring (9) wound about the first tubular element (1) and operating between an internal stop (10) on the second element (2) and an external stop (11) on the tubular element (1) such as to keep the inferior part of the second element (2) pressed against the striking surface (7) associated to the bottom end (12) of the tubular element (1). 5. A device as in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pointed end (4) of the tubular element (1) is conical, the base of the cone having a greater diameter with respect to the overlying zone of the tubular element (1), the said conical end being provided with a plurality of holes (6) communicating with the hollow internal part of the tubular element (1). 6. A device as in any of the claims from 1 to 4, characterised in that the pointed bottom end (4) of the tubular element (1) is concial (4a) and is surmounted by a cylindrical part (4b) having a diameter equal to the diameter of the conical base and greater than the diameter of the zone overlying the tubular element (1), the cylindrical part (4b) being provided on a lateral surface with a plurality of holes (6) communicating with the internal hollow part of the tubular element (1). A device as in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tubular element (1) is provided with a closing cap (13) of the upper opening (3) of the tubular element (1), the cap (13) being provided with a flexible element (14) for connecting it to the tubular element (1). A device as in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second element (2) is superiorly provided with a drip-collection channel (15). A device as in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a superior part of the tubular element (1) destined to remain above the second element (2) forms an angle comprised between 90 and 180 degrees with the axis of the tubular element (1) introduced into the second element ( 2 ) . 10. A device as in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that both the elements (1 and 2) composing the device are made in plastic for foodstuffs.

Inventors: MOLARDI MARCO, MOLARDI, MARCO
Applicants: MOLARDI MARCO, MOLARDI, MARCO
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B67B7
IPC codes: B67B7