A SPOUT OR LIP FOR POURING A LIQUID

Abstract: A spout or pouring lip has a subsidiary lip (4) arranged transversely across the spout or pouring lip below the pouring edge (1). This subsidiary lip may be formed from the edge of a groove, notch or indentation (2) arranged transversely below the pouring lip (1). The face of the groove, notch or indentation (2) nearer the pouring lip (1) is arranged to be substantially vertical. The inner surface of the spout or pouring lip may in addition be constructed to form a raised transverse fence-like form (5). The invention may be perceived as an integral part of a pouring vessel such as a teapot, jug, kettle or pouring can or it may form an additional component that is attached, either during the vessel's manufacture or as an addition to an existing pouring vessel.

Description: A SPOUT OR LIP FOR POURING A LIQUID TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to improvements to spouts and pouring lips as used typically on products sucn as teapots, jugs, kettles and pouring cans. This is not an inclusive list, and the improvements may be included within any product used for pouring fluid. The purpose of the invention is to improve the flow and produce a spout or pouring lip that produces only minimal dripping. BACKGROUND ART It is well known that for good pouring and for minimal dripping on a spout or pouring lip the exit form should have a sharp edge. However, with many products it is definable from an aesthetic and/or a hygiene point of view that they are formed from materials such as ceramics or other materials that are glass-coated or glazed. With these materials in particular it is difficult if not impossible to provide the desirable snarp lipping, particularly m production. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION We have appreciateα that improvements to spouts and lips can be made. In particular, we have appreciated that dripping from spouts and lips can be reduced, and that if drips occur, the annoyance of these running down an outer surface of the pouring vessel can also be reduced. The problem of dripping is particularly noted for table vessels such as teapots. An aspect the invention provides a spout or pouring lip incorporating a subsidiary lip below the main pouring lip or edge. The advantage of the subsidiary lip is that drips from the main pouring lip or edge are reduced. This is achieved by guiding drips on an outer surface to fall into a vessel to which liquid is poured and preventing further drips falling from the spout or lip. Moreover, dripping from the main lip is reduced by terminating the flow of liquid before the main lip. In a first aspect, there is provided a spout or lip for pouring a liquid terminating in a pouring lip having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being suitable for pouring a liquid and having an inner protrusion protruding therefrom so arranged to terminate liquid flow when tilting the spout or lip after pouring a liquid. The protrusion on the inner surface thus terminates liquid flow prior to the pouring lip, thereby reducing drips found at the lip. Preferably, the inner protrusion is arranged close to the pouring lip of the spout or lip, and preferably has a fence or ridge like structure. This provides termination of the liquid flow at the appropriate point. In a second aspect, there is provided a spout or lip for pouring liquid having an inner surface and an outer surface, terminating in a pouring lip, the inner surface being suitable for pouring a liquid the outer surface having an outer protrusion so arranged that a liquid flowing from the pouring lip along the outer surface does not pass beyond the outer protrusion. The outer protrusion serves the function of guiding any drops on the outer surface into the vessel to which liquid is poureα. Liquid does not pass along the outer surface past the outer protrusion. In addition, the last remaining drip clings to the protrusion by surface tension. Accordingly, the outer protrusion is preferably a downward facing point, and is preferably near the lip so that any drips falling from the protrusion do fall to tne vessel . The invention can reside in a combination of the first and second aspects. In an embodiment of such a combination, the inner and outer protrusion comprise a single step n the inner and outer surfaces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the figures m which: Figure 1 is a view of an outer surface of a spout embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a spout embodying the invention, Figure 3 is a side view of a teapot with the spout of figures 1 and 2 embodying the invention; and Figure 4 is a front view of a spout embodying the invention. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT The embodiment shown m Figures 1 to 4, is a spout, although an embodiment could be a lip which is not enclosed. The spout shown has a lip 1 an inner surface 8, 10 and an outer surface 9. The inner surface includes an inner protrusion 5, and the outer surface includes an outer protrusion 4. As shown the inner protrusion 5 and outer protrusion 4 comprise a single step. The inner surface is thereoy divided into a first inner surface portion 8, and a second inner surface portion 10. The embodiment has an outer protrusion defining a groove, notch or indentation arranged transversely across the spout or pouring lip below the pouring edge. The edge of the groove nearer the spout or pouring lip edge is preferably manufactured with as sharp an edge as is reasonaoly possible m the material forming process and that side of the groove or notch is preferably manufactured to be vertical or substantially so. This edge may be regarded as or described as a subsidiary lip. The inner vessel face m the spout or l p area of the product may also benefit from the raised fence-like form of the groove or notch, producing improved flow and cut off when pouring. A similar effect may be produced by an additional component applied to the outside of a spout or pouring lip to produce a subsidiary lip in a similar position to the edge of the groove, notch or indentation as described in the embodiment above. In this embodiment of the invention the additional component may be permanently attached to the pouring vessel or may be a detachable component or an addition to an existing spout or pouring lip. The invention may also be incorporated into an additional component in order to convert a vessel not originally designed specifically for pouring liquids into one equipped with a pouring lip. A preferred emoodiment of the invention also includes a lip or spout raised aoove the normal maximum level of fluid m the Droouct wnen the product is horizontal. This rise snould be at least 5 mm m order to acnieve significant benefits in pouring and reduction of surge in the fluid when poured. The figures illustrate the invention as applied to a teapot, but it could equally be applied to a kettle, jug or other vessel or product used for pouring fluids. Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a teapot spout incorporating the invention. The pouring lip of the spout 1 is formed as sharply as possible by the manufacturing process. Below the pouring lip a transverse groove 2 is incorporated. The surface of this groove on the side nearer the pouring lip 3 is vertical or suostantially vertical, such that the edge of the groove forms a subsidiary lip 4 that is formed in as sharp a manner as possible . Figure 2 shows the cross section of the spout along the vertical centreline. The internal surface of the spout at the position of the groove or notch 2 exhibits the raised portion or fence 5, being an inner protrusion. Figure 3 shows the invention incorporated into a teapot. This illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention that includes the edge of the spout 1 raised above the maximum level 7 of the fluid in the teapot, in this instance denoted by the fluid overflowing over the lid aperture. This rise 6 of at least 5 mm will achieve significant benefits in pouring and reduced surge. A smaller rise may also be incorporated but the benefits will be reduced accordingly. Figure 4 shows a front elevation of the spout showing the front elevation of the subsidiary lip 4, the pouring lip 1 and the location of the transverse groove 2. The substantially vertical surface of tne groove nearer the pouring lip is hidden from direct view out is indicated on the figure. The operation of the embodiment of the invention is as follows when pouring a liquid through the spout or lip, the liquid passes over the inner protrusion in the form of the ridge or fence. In the embodiment shown, the protrusion causes a constriction and so the speed of the flow in this area is increased. When tilting the vessel and spout back to its usual position after pouring, the flow is cutoff by the protrusion before the pouring lip so that the risk of drips occurring at tne pouring lip is reduced. In the event that any drips do form at the pouring lip, these will flow along the outer surface as far as the outer protrusion, but at the outer protrusion the drips will either fall into the vessel to which liquid is poured or the last drop will remain attached, and therefore not wetting the surface below the protrusion, or any surfaces under where pouring occurs such as a table on which the teapot may stand, Because of the pointed nature of the protrusion giving a large surface area. In the preferred embodiment the dimensions of the spout should be approximately equal to those now discussed. With reference to Figure 1 and 2, the smallest diameter of the spout; that is the diameter of the spout at the constriction 5, snould be in the order of 8mm. The inner diameter of the spout at the pouring lip 1 should be approximately 13 mm. The height of the internal protrusion, that is the height difference between inner surfaces 8 and 10, should be in the order of 5mm. In the preferred embodiment the protrusion is angular but it may not be necessary in all embodiments of the spout . The outer protrusion snould be angular with a sharp point and should protrude from the outer surface 9 by approximately 7mm. The distance between the pouring lip 1 and the outer protrusion 4 should be in the order of 13 mm. The distance from pouring lip 1 to the inner protrusion, that is the length of surface 10, should be approximately 10 mm. With reference to Figure 3 the height of the pouring lip 1 above the maximum level of fluid m the vessel 7 (i.e. dimension 6) should be m the order 5 mm to prevent surges of liquid when the liquid is first poured from the vessel. The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be made from most materials but ceramics provide better mans of manufacture and ease of clearing the final product. Other materials that are suitable include metals, rubber and blow moulded plastics. It was found that the teapot embodiment of the present invention could be made using earthenware slip clay moulded m a 4 piece plaster of Paris mould. When the product was suitably dry (leather hard) it can be bisque fired at 1000°C, this causes the product to shrink by approximately 20%. The firing at this stages takes roughly 8 hours. Glazing of the product can take place once it has bee removed from the firing kiln and allowed to cool. The product is re-fired at 1060°C after two coats of glaze have been applied. In another embodiment of the present invention an attachment that can be attached to conventional spouts to prevent dripping is envisaged. The attachment may take the form of a spout or collar fitted over the existing spout with the features to prevent dripping as described earlier incorporated on the adjunct collar. Another embodiment of the attachment may take the form of a piece of suitable material shaped similar to the other protrusion described above. A means to attach this embodiment to the spout may incorporate a suitable cement and/or a clip made from suitable material that fastens the attachment to the spout by fitting around the spout or over the pouring lip.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A spout or lip for pouring liquid having an inner surface and an outer surface, terminating in a pouring lip, the inner surface being suitable for pouring a liquid the outer surface having an outer protrusion so arranged that a liquid flowing from the pouring lip along the outer surface does not pass beyond the outer protrusion. 2. A spout or lip for pouring liquid according to claim 1, wherein the outer protrusion has a substantially downward facing point. 3. A spout or lip for pouring liquid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer protrusion is positioned substantially near the pouring lip. 4. A spout or lip according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer protrusion defines a transverse groove or notch. 5. A spout or lip according to any of claims 1 to 4, having means to removably attach to a vessel as a separate component. 6. A spout or lip according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer protrusion comprises a step m the outer surface. 7. A spout or lip according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner surface has an inner protrusion arranged to terminate the liquid flow when tilting the spout or lip after pouring a liquid. 8. A spout or lip according to claim 7, wherein the inner protrusion and the outer protrusion comprise a single step in the inner and outer surfaces. 9. A spout or lip according to any of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the spout or lip comprises an enclosed channel and the inner protrusion provides a constriction of the channel. 10. A spout or lip for pouring a liquid having an inner surface and an outer surface terminating in a pouring lip, the inner surface being suitable for pouring a liquid and having an inner protrusion protruding therefrom so arranged to terminate liquid flow when tilting the spout or lip after pouring a liquid. 11. A spout or lip for pouring liquid according to claim 10, wherein the inner protrusion on the inner surface is arranged close to the pouring lip of the spout or lip. 12. A spout or lip for pouring liquid according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the inner protrusion on the inner surface is a fence or ridge like structure. 13. A spout or lip for pouring liquid according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the inner protrusion on the inner surface comprises an edge. 14. A spout or lip for pouring liquid according to claims 10 to 13, wherein the inner protrusion on the inner surface is formed substantially transverse to the liquid flow. 15. A spout or lip for pouring liquid according to claims 10 to 14, wherein the inner protrusion comprises a step in the inner surface. 16. A spout or lip for pouring liquid in accordance with claims 10 to 15, wherein the inner protrusion defines a portion of the spout or lip suitable for retaining drips of liquid. 17. A spout or lip for pouring liquid according to claims 10 to 16, wherein the outer surface has an outer protrusion so arranged that a liquid flowing on the outer surface forms a drop on the protrusion and does not pass to beyond the protrusion. 18. A spout or lip for pouring liquid in accordance with claim 17, wherein the outer protrusion and the inner protrusion comprise a single step in the inner and outer surfaces. 19. A spout or lip for pouring liquid in accordance with claim 17 or 18, wherein the outer protrusion defines a groove in the outer surface. 20. A spout or lip for pouring liquid in accordance with claims 10 to 19, wherein the spout or lip comprises an enclosed channel, and the inner protrusion provides a constriction of the channel. 21. A vessel incorporating a spout or lip according to any preceding claim. 22. A vessel according to claim 21, wherein the vessel is a teapot. 23. A vessel according to claim 21 and 22, wherein the maximum liquid level in the vessel is approximately 5 mm below the pouring lip when the vessel is placed on a substantially horizontal surface. 24. A spout or lip incorporating a subsidiary lip below the main pouring lip or edge. 25. A spout or pouring lip according to claim 23, wherein the subsidiary lip is incorporated into a separate component. 26. A spout or pouring lip according to claim 24, wherein the separate component is permanently incorporated into the fabric of the vessel. 27. A spout or pouring lip according to claim 25, wherein the separate component is attached removably from the vessel . 28. A spout or pouring lip according to claim 25, wherein the separate component is attached to an existing vessel . 29. A spout or pouring lip according to claim 25, wherein the separate component is attached to an existing vessel in order to modify its use into that of a pouring vessel. 30. A non-drip attachment for a spout or lip of a pouring vessel comprising means for attaching the non-drip attachment to a spout and an outer protrusion disposed in relation to the attachment such that in use the protrusion is disposed on an under side of the spout and arranged so that a liquid flowing from the pouring lip of the spout along an outer surface thereof does not pass beyond the outer protrusion. 31. A non-drip attachment according to claim 30, wherein the attachment is a collar fitting over the spout. 32. A non-drip attachment according to claim 30, wherein the attachment is a collar fitting inside the spout. 33. A non-drip attachment according to claim 31 and 32, wherein the collar is attached to the spout by a clip that fits over the existing spout. 34. A non-drip attachment according to claim 31 and 32, wherein the collar is attached to the spout by using a suitable cement.

Inventors: KUMAR DAMINI, KUMAR, DAMINI
Applicants: KUMAR DAMINI, KUMAR, DAMINI
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A47G19
IPC codes: A47G19, B65D23