Abstract:
A pourer ( 10 ) couplable to an opening ( 12 ) of a container ( 14 ). The pourer ( 10 ) includes a spout ( 20 ), which has an outlet passage ( 22 ) for discharging liquid from the container ( 14 ) and a breather passage ( 24 ) for intake of air into the container ( 14 ). At least a portion of the spout ( 20 ) being deformable, and the outlet passage ( 22 ) and breather passage ( 24 ) co-extending through the deformable portion. A closure device ( 34 ) is used to selectively clamp the deformable portion of the spout ( 20 ), thereby closing the spout ( 20 ) by constricting both passages ( 22, 24 ).

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a pourer couplable to an opening of a container and a container incorporating a pourer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many liquids of different viscosity are sold in containers that come in different shapes and sizes. The openings at the top of these containers are not generally shaped to achieve precise pouring. As such, pouring from these containers often results in spillage. This is especially the case where the containers are full. Another inconvenience of these containers is the limited ability to control the quantity of flow of liquid from the container. 
         [0003]    The quality and control over the flow of liquid can be improved by fitting a pourer to the opening of the container. Some pourers include two channels, which facilitate liquid flow out of the container by simultaneously allowing a flow of air into the container. Although functional these pourers do not generally provide for closure of the container with an effective airtight seal. Consequently, it is generally necessary to remove the pourer and refit a lid to the container to achieve airtight closure. 
         [0004]    A drink bottle closure is described in International Patent Application WO 1998/007633. The closure includes a cap fitted with a flexible dispensing tube and a separate ventilating pathway is integrally moulded into the rigid cap. A closing element bends the dispensing tube to effect sealing of the tube and seal the ventilating pathway by covering the outlets with part of the dispensing tube. Whilst this arrangement provides a degree of sealing, the effectiveness of the seal of the ventilating pathway, which relies of clamping contact of the dispensing tube is not likely to be high. In the described arrangement this is not critical because the ventilating pathway contains a liquid impermeable layer. The closure of WO 1998/007633 also fails to provide for progressive opening of the spout to control liquid flow. Again in the drink bottle this is not important because it is normally used in a fully open condition and closed fully when not in use. Another shortcoming of the arrangement is the length of spout downstream of sealing which leaves an exposed unsealed amount of spout. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,375 discloses a dispenser valve for a liquid pressurised in a container. An actuator folds a length of tubing to control passage of liquid through the tube for dispensing. Because the contents of the container are pressurised admission of air to the container is not required during dispensing. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,666,064 and 3,081,003 both show dispensers for “bag in the box” packages in which a flexible spout is clamped to control dispensing of the contents. In these dispensers flow quality is not a major concern and a separate passage for simultaneous admission of air to the container is not provided. Additionally the flow of liquid from the dispenser is generally determined by the amount of liquid remaining in the container. 
         [0007]    A tap known as the ‘aeroflow tap’ from Worldwide Dispensers/DS Smith Plastics Ltd., allows for self venting. These taps are used with the container resting on a flat surface whilst dispensing into a receptacle positioned under the tap. These types of tap do not offer the flexibility of using the container in the manner of a jug with one hand. This is because the tap or press button action does not allow a user to lift the container and both operate the mechanism and pour with one hand. Furthermore, tap dispensers typically suffer from the disadvantages of having a slow pour when compared to the speed of pouring without the dispenser, and of requiring multiple mouldings for venting and flow. 
         [0008]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome, or alleviate, one or more of the above-described disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pourer couplable to an opening of a container, including:
       (a) a spout having an outlet passage for discharging liquid from the container and a breather passage for intake of air into the container, at least a portion of said spout being deformable, and said outlet passage and said breather passage co-extending through the deformable portion; and   (b) a closure device for selectively clamping the deformable portion of the spout to constrict said outlet passage and breather passage and effect closure of the spout.       
 
         [0012]    Preferably, at least a substantial portion of the spout is made of a deformable material. The deformable material is preferably resilient. In one form of the invention the pourer can incorporate a moulded body into which an insert incorporating the spout is fitted. Preferably the insert is readily removable so as to provide for cleaning of the spout. In one form of the invention the insert is formed as a single moulding. 
         [0013]    In another form of the invention the pourer includes a moulded body portion through which the outlet passage and breather passage extend and a deformable portion that is joined to the moulded body for example by gluing or welding. 
         [0014]    Preferably the outlet passage and breather co-extend over substantially the length of the spout. In preferred forms of the invention the outlet passage and breather passage are substantially parallel over a significant length of the spout. 
         [0015]    Preferably the cross sectional area of the breather passage increases substantially in the direction opposite to the direction of intake of air over a relatively short distance in comparison to the overall length of the breather channel. This significant increase in cross section can be by way of a step, a series of steps, or a taper over a relatively short distance. The provision of this change in cross section area assists in an efficient commencement of the admission of air to the container via the breather passage which results in improved flow characteristics from the outlet passage. The spacing of this increase in cross section from the point at which the spout is clamped may also improve flow characteristics 
         [0016]    The closure device preferably includes a closure member pivotally movable to clamp the deformable portion. Preferably, the constricting and closure is effected by clamping the deformable portion between the closure member and a backing plate. In a preferred form of the invention the closure member is a pivotal lever manually operable by pressure at one end to selectively apply and release the clamping pressure. In this form of the invention the lever is resiliently biased toward a clamping position in which the spout is closed. 
         [0017]    In the preferred form of the invention the clamping and constriction of the deformable portion is progressive so that the flow of liquid from the outlet passage can be controlled. 
         [0018]    In the preferred form of the invention the spout is clamped closely adjacent to the free end so as to minimise the amount of unclosed spout exposed to the air. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the spout is generally tubular and divided into two passageways by a central wall. Preferably, clamping of the spout results in deformation so that the contacting surfaces of the walls defining the passageways are of the same effective length. In one form of the invention the spout is clamped between a curved backing plate and the end of a lever. 
         [0020]    The pourer of this invention can be coupled to a container in any suitable manner. In one form of the invention a universal coupling ring is provided that is compatible with the types of threads used on most containers. The ring can engage a thread or other formation of the container in any suitable way. For example the ring may snap engage or have the same or a partially compatible thread. Preferably the coupling includes a resilient tubular formation which fits into the container opening. The tubular formation is preferably sufficiently compliant to allow for minor imperfections in container openings. 
         [0021]    In another aspect the invention provides a pourer including a coupling having circumferentially arranged jaws which clamp against an upper marginal edge portion of the container, a retaining ring surrounding the jaws to effect said clamping by movement with respect to the jaws to urge the jaws inwardly. Preferably the jaws are formed by segments of a cylindrical skirt. Preferably clamping is effected by engagement of the jaws with a thread or other formation on the container normally used for securing a closure. 
         [0022]    In another aspect the present invention provides a container incorporating a pourer as described above. The pourer can be fully or substantially integral with the container or removable or include removable components. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross sectional view of a pourer according to a first embodiment of the invention attached to a container; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of the pourer of  FIG. 1  in a open condition; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a schematic side view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the pourer in a closed condition. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a pourer according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a schematic elevation of the pourer shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional view of the pourer shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view of an insert forming part of the pourer shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a schematic elevation of the insert shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a schematic sectional view of the insert shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective view of a pourer body forming part of the pourer shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a schematic elevation of the pourer body shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a schematic perspective view of a retaining ring forming part of the pourer shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a schematic sectional view of the retaining ring shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a schematic sectional view similar to  FIG. 6  showing the pourer in a closed condition and partially fitted to a container; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a schematic sectional view similar to  FIG. 14  showing the pourer in an open condition and fully fitted to a container; 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is a schematic view looking at the spout end of the pourer of  FIG. 4  in an open condition; 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 16  showing the pourer in a closed condition; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of a pourer according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]      FIGS. 1 to 3  show a first embodiment of the invention which illustrates the general principle of operation of the pourer. The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4 to 17  show a preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 18  shows an alternative construction for the pourer. 
         [0043]    Referring firstly to  FIGS. 1 to 3  the pourer  10  is shown fitted to the neck  12  of a container  14 . Container  14  is a standard type of plastic container with a thread  16  formed around the neck  12 . The pourer  10  is formed by a moulded body  18  to which a resiliently deformable spout  20  is attached. The spout  20  includes two co-extending passageways  22  and  24 . Passageway  22  is an outlet passage for the discharge of fluid from container  14 . Co-extending passage  24  is a breather passage that allows the admission of air to the container  14  during pouring. 
         [0044]    The pourer  10  is secured to the neck  12  of the container  14  by means of a coupling ring  26  which resiliently engages with threaded portion  16  on the neck  12 . A tubular formation  28  depends from the body  18  of the pourer and is formed of a resilient material so as to tightly engage the upper interior of the neck  12  of the container. This provides an airtight seal between the pourer  10  and container  14 . 
         [0045]    Passageway  22  is in communication with the interior of container  14  by way of the interior  30  of tubular formation  28 . Breather passage  24  extends through the moulded body portion  18  of the pourer via a moulded tube  32  which protrudes into container  14 . Breather passageway  24  steps to a reduced cross sectional area where deformable spout  20  connects with body portion  16 . That is, an upper portion  24   a  has a larger cross-sectional area than a lower portion  24   b . This rapid decrease in cross sectional area provides for improved initiation of admission of air to the container  14  during pouring as will be described below. 
         [0046]    A closure device in the form of a lever  34  is pivotally mounted at  36  with the body  18  by way of a bracket  38  moulded on the body. The lever  34  is biased by a spring (not shown) in a anti-clockwise direction (as shown in the drawings) so as to move towards a closed position as shown in  FIG. 3 . In the closed position an inturned end  40  of lever  34  clamps the spout  20  against a backing plate  42  forming part of moulded body  18 . This constricts the passageways  22  and  24  to close the spout  20 . Pressure on an operating end  44  of the lever  34 , which is usually applied by way of a finger, will rotate the lever  34  about the pivot  36 . It will be apparent that by selectively applying pressure to the end  44  of lever  34  the amount of opening of the passageways  22 ,  24  can be controlled. 
         [0047]    In use the pourer is used by partially inverting the container  14  with passageway  22  lowermost to allow the contents to flow into passageways  22  and  24 . Operation of the lever  34  by pressure on end  44  allows the passageways  22 ,  24  to be selectively partially or fully opened. Initially passageway  24  may be full of liquid from the container but upper portion  24   a  of passageway will empty from the end of spout quickly. At the same time the ambient pressure within the container  14  will reduce with the discharge of the contents through passageway  22 . The remaining liquid in portion  24   b  will consequently be drawn into the container by the action of air pressure. The substantial change in cross sectional area of passageway  24  facilitates this emptying of passageway  24  to allow the admission of air. This configuration has been found to much more efficiently establish the admission of air to the container than in the case of a passageway of substantially constant cross section. In particular the sudden change in cross section area results in an earlier establishment of air flow into the container and avoids a “glugging” flow from outlet passage  22 . 
         [0048]    When the desired amount of liquid has been dispensed the lever  34  is released and it assumes the closed position shown in  FIG. 3  terminating the flow of liquid from the container. It will be apparent that this provides a positive and immediate cut-off of liquid flow so as to prevent other than a very minor amount of dripping from the end of the spout  20 . The clamping of the end of spout  20  by the in turned  40  of lever  34  provides an airtight seal suitable for the storage of most container contents. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 4 to 14  show a preferred form of the invention. Corresponding reference numerals (preceded by the reference numeral “1”) have been used to identify corresponding portions of the invention as described in relation to the first embodiment. Letter suffixes are used to identify additional detail of corresponding features. 
         [0050]    In this embodiment of the invention the spout  120  is part of an insert  121  that fits within moulded body  118  of the pourer  110 . The insert  121  is made from a silicone material selected so as to be resiliently deformable but sufficiently stiff to retain the shape of the insert in use. As best seen in  FIGS. 7 to 9  the insert  121  has an elongate spout  120  and tubular formation  128 . A circumferential flange  120   c  extends around the upper end of tubular formation  128 . A tube  132  extends from the spout  120  through tubular formation  128 . 
         [0051]    The elongate spout  120  includes co-extending outlet passageway  122  and breather passageway  124 . As seen in  FIG. 7  (and  FIGS. 16 and 17 ) spout  120  includes an upper outer wall portion  120   d  a dividing wall  120   e  and a lower outer dividing wall portion  120   f  defining passages  122  and  124 . Passageways  122  and  124  are generally semi-circular in cross section and the length of walls  120   d ,  120   e  and  120   f  are determined so that in the closed configuration ( FIG. 17 ) the effective lengths of the contacting surfaces of each wall is substantially the same to provide a sealing closure. This can be achieved by some stretching of one or more of walls  120   d ,  120   e  and  120   f  in the closed configuration if necessary. Closure of the spout  120  is described in further detail below. Passageway  122  communicates with the interior of tubular formation  128  to provide communication with the container into which the pourer  110  is fitted. Passageway  124  is formed by a upper portion  124   a  in spout  120  and lower portion  124   b  in tube  132  with a change in cross-sectional area at the junction. Locating lugs  120   g  are provided approximately midway along the spout  120 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show a body portion  118  of the pourer  110 . The body portion takes the form of a central hub  118   a  surrounded by a depending segmented skirt  118   b . A curved backing plate  142  extends upwardly and outwardly from the hub  118   a . Hub  118   a  also includes bracket portions  138  having apertures  138   a  to provide for pivotal mounting of a lever  134  (described below). The interior of hub  118   a  is hollow and an aperture  118   c  is provided adjacent the backing plate  142  for the insertion of the insert  121  described above. Skirt  118   b  is segmented to form a number of jaws  118   d . Each jaw  118   d  has an outwardly extending flange  118   e  formed at the lower marginal edge. The segmented nature of skirt  118   b  allows the jaws  118   d  to deflect inwardly as will be described below. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show a retaining ring  126  that fits over the body  118  described above. The retaining ring  126  takes the form of a generally cylindrical cap with a top opening  126   a . The sides of the cap are divided into a number of wall segments  126   b  by slots  126   c . This allows for some expansion of opening  126   a  so as to facilitate sliding over the body  118 . The inner surface  126   d  of wall segments  126   b  taper outwardly toward the lower marginal edge  126   e . A circumferential extending flange  126   f  extends around lower edge  126   e . Diametrically opposed tabs  126   g  extend outwardly from the retaining ring  126  to assist in operation. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 4 to 6  show the fully assembled pourer  110 . The insert  121  is fitted through the opening  118   c  in the body  118  so as to overlie the backing plate  142 . The insert is retained in position by abutment of the flange  120   c  against the under surface of the body  118 . This can best be seen in  FIG. 6 . Locating lugs  120   g  abut the marginal edge of opening  126   a . In this way the insert  121  is captively retained in the body  118 . It will be apparent however that because the insert  121  is formed from a resilient material it can be elastically deformed and removed for cleaning and the like. 
         [0055]    Retaining ring  126  fits over the body  118 . The operation of retaining ring  126  in engaging the pourer with a container is best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15  and will be described below. The outer flange  118   f  of skirt  118   b  abuts the inner side of the retaining ring. This is also best shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0056]    A lever  134  is pivotally mounted with body  118  by means of a pin  134   a  extending through the aperture  138   a . A spring  138   b  is provided around pin  134   a  to bias the lever  134  in a clockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 6  (anti clockwise as shown in  FIG. 5 ). That is, the lever  134  is biased towards the closed position. 
         [0057]    Closure of the spout is effected in the same way as described above in relation to the first embodiment by the end  140  of lever  134  clamping the spout  120  against backing plate  142  to constrict the passageways  122  and  124 . The closing operation can be best seen in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In  FIG. 16  spout  120  is fully open and the passageways  122  and  124  have a generally semi-circular cross section. End  140  of lever  134  has a curved edge  140   a .  FIG. 17  shows the spout  120  fully closed. The spout is clamped close to its end between curved edge  140   a  and backing plate  142 . As described above the length of walls  120   d ,  120   e  and  120   f  is determined so that having regard to the curvature of backing plate  142  and any stretching during clamping the effective lengths of the contacting surface of each wall is substantially the same. This allows an airtight seal to be achieved in the fully closed position. As in the case of the first embodiment it will be apparent that the passageways  122 ,  124  can be progressively opened between the closed position and a fully opened position by selective pressure on the end  144  of lever  134 . 
         [0058]    Connection of the pourer  110  with a container is shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . Tubular formation  128  is tapered so as to fit into the diameter of the neck  112  of the container  114 . The resilient nature of the silicone from which insert  121  is formed means that it is sufficiently compliant for the tubular formation  128  to tightly fit into the neck  112  to locate the pourer  110  and provide an airtight seal. 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 14  the pourer  110  is partly fitted to container  114 . Tubular formation  128  is fully engaged with neck  112  and jaws  118   d  overlie thread  116 . Retaining ring  126  is in an unlocked position in which the lower ends of tapered inner surfaces  126   d  bear against jaw flanges  118   e  of jaws  118   d .  FIG. 15  shows the retaining ring moved to a locking position. Tabs  126   g  facilitate the application of force to move the retaining ring for example by thumb pressure. As the retaining ring is moved downwardly from the unlocked position shown in  FIG. 14  tapered surfaces  126   d  force jaws  118   d  inwardly into clamping engagement with thread  116 . In the locked position top  126   a  of the retaining ring  126  rests against jaw flanges  118   e . Resilience of retaining ring  126  is provided by slots  126   c  which allow the top  126   a  to expand slightly as it moves to the locked position whilst the absence of slots and flange  126   f  largely prevent expansion of the lower edge  126   e . Consequently the retaining ring  126  “snaps” into the locked position. Retaining ring  126  can be snapped back to the unlocked position for removal of the pourer from the container. It will be apparent that clamping by jaws  118   d  does not rely on threaded engagement. Consequently, the pourer can be used with containers having various types of thread irrespective of whether they are multi start threads, coarse threads, or relatively fine threads. 
         [0060]      FIG. 18  shows a further embodiment of the invention generally similar to the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 3 . Like reference numerals (proceeded by a “2”) are used to identify corresponding features. In the  FIG. 18  embodiment spout  220  of pourer  210  is partly formed by rigid moulded extensions  218   a ,  218   b  and  218   c  of body  218 . The end of spout  220  is formed by a resilient deformable end portion  221 . Operation of the pourer  220  is the same as described for the other embodiments. 
         [0061]    The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0062]    Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise,’ and variations such as ‘comprises’ and ‘comprising,’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step, or group of stated integers or steps. 
         [0063]    The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art form part of the common general knowledge in Australia.