Abstract:
A container having a body portion ( 10 ) and a dispensing opening, a neck ( 14 ) surrounding said dispensing opening, the neck having a rim ( 20 ), an inner neck surface ( 18 ) and an outer neck surface ( 16 ), and a drip minimizing member ( 32, 68 ) extending inwardly over a portion of the dispensing outlet, the member being located proximate the rim ( 20 ), the member terminating in a sharp edge ( 34, 70 ) to minimize dripping when pouring from the container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to containers and more particularly, relates to means for minimizing dripping when pouring a fluid from a container.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The use of a pouring aid is well known in the art and such devices have been widely used in the pouring of various fluids. In particular, pouring aids to minimize dripping have been widely used for the dispensing of wine and the like.  
         [0003]     One approach which has been taken to minimize dripping is the use of a pouring spout which mounts on the neck of a container. While such pouring spouts have gained a certain degree of acceptance, some still suffer from the disadvantage of allowing drips or drops to form when the container is raised upright after the dispensing step. In order to overcome this, various proposals have been advanced in the art including, for example, a pouring spout, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,179 wherein the pouring spout is placed in the container neck and there is provided a channel for the drips or drops to flow back into the container.  
         [0004]     A still further approach is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,481 wherein a piece of flexible and elastic foil material having a circular configuration is rolled up and inserted in the neck of the bottle. The material, due to its elasticity, will fill the dispensing opening and form a tube shaped outlet spout. As the material is relatively thin, dripping is minimized.  
         [0005]     With all of the above pouring aids, the user must have the pouring aid inserted in the neck of the container. Naturally, it would be desirable to have the container itself formed with a means for minimizing dripping.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide container structures and arrangements wherein the formation of drips subsequent to pouring is minimized.  
         [0007]     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a body portion and a dispensing opening, a neck surrounding the dispensing opening, the neck having a rim, an inner neck surface, and an outer neck surface, and a drip minimizing member extending inwardly over a portion of the dispensing outlet, the member terminating in a sharp edge to thereby minimize dripping when pouring.  
         [0008]     In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a body portion and a dispensing opening, a neck surrounding the dispensing opening, the neck having an inner neck surface, an outer neck surface, and a rim extending between the inner neck surface and the outer neck surface, an outwardly extending flange formed on the inner surface of the neck, the flange extending inwardly and terminating in a sharp edge, the flange being located proximate the rim.  
         [0009]     The present invention utilizes an inwardly extending portion which functions as a drip minimizer. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow; a number of different types of arrangement may be provided in order to minimize the drips.  
         [0010]     As used herein, the term “rim” means the top surface of the neck. The sharp edge which functions to minimize dripping may be formed in different manners. Thus, a portion of the member may be tapered to form such a sharp edge or the portion may be thin enough to function as the same. Actually, a sharp edge can vary in its thickness. The sharpness can depend upon the product being poured and preferably, the edge is as sharp as can be obtained without causing an injury threat to the user. Preferably, the edge would not have a thickness greater than 3 millimeters and ever more preferably, would have a thickness less than 0.15 millimeters.  
         [0011]     The necessary edge sharpness may be achieved by having merging walls or in the case of a foil, the material forming the foil can itself have the required thickness.  
         [0012]     Preferably, the material forming the drip minimizing portion is of a hydrophobic nature.  
         [0013]     In the embodiment wherein there is provided an inwardly extending flange on the inner neck surface, the container is preferably formed of a PET material. Such containers are commonly used for colas and the like. The flange may be formed either at the stage where the bottle is a preform or alternatively, after the bottle has been blown. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a cut-away perspective view of the upper portion of a container having a neck and a cap member;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the upper portion thereof with the cap being in place;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is cut-away perspective view of a further embodiment of a container neck and closure;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view thereof;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away perspective view similar to  FIG. 3  illustrating a different type of closure;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view thereof;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a cut-away perspective view of the neck and closure of a different type of a container;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view thereof;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a cut-away perspective view of a further embodiment of a container neck similar to that shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view thereof;  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of a closure about a container neck;  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a cut-away perspective view of a still further embodiment of a container neck and closure therefor;  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view thereof;  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of a still further embodiment of a container neck and closure therefor;  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of a portion of a container neck incorporating an integrally formed drip minimizing member;  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 15  illustrating a further embodiment;  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a different type of a container having a ring member about the rim;  
         [0032]     FIGS.  18  to  20  illustrate different embodiments of the ring member;  
         [0033]      FIG. 21  is a cross sectional view of the neck portion of a still further different type of container;  
         [0034]      FIG. 22  is a cross sectional view of a container and integrated closure;  
         [0035]      FIG. 23  is a view similar to  FIG. 22  illustrating a further embodiment thereof;  
         [0036]      FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view of a container neck and a drip minimizing arrangement therefor; and  
         [0037]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view illustrating a still further embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]     Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, it should initially be noted that since many different embodiments are disclosed herein, similar reference numerals are used for similar components although the appearance of the components may differ slightly. Thus, for example, in many of the embodiments, a single reference numeral will be utilized for the neck portion of the container although different configurations of necks are illustrated.  
         [0039]     In  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an upper portion of a container  10  and which container  10  includes a lower neck generally designated by reference numeral  12  and an upper neck generally designated by reference numeral  14 . Upper neck  14  includes a neck outer surface  16 , a neck inner surface  18  and a rim  20  extending therebetween.  
         [0040]     Provided on the neck outer surface  16  are a plurality of outer threads  22 . A cap  24  has a top wall  26  and a downwardly depending side wall  28 . On the interior surface of side wall  28  are a plurality of screw threads  30  designed to sealingly engage threads  22  on neck  14 .  
         [0041]     A drip minimizing member  32  comprises an annular ring which has an inwardly directed sharp edge  34  and is sealingly engaged with rim  20 . Although drip minimizing member  32  is illustrated as extending completely about rim  20 , there may be provided a shorter segment of drip minimizing member  32  extending around only a portion of the rim if so desired.  
         [0042]     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a cover  38  is provided on top of drip minimizing member  32 . Cover  38  may be utilized with or without cap  24 .  
         [0043]     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a cover  40  seats directly on rim  20 . In this embodiment, cover  40  is comprised of an inner central portion  44  and an outer drip minimizing portion  46 . A line of weakening  42  is provided therebetween. A tab member  45  is connected to inner portion  44  such that upon the removal thereof, there only remains outer drip minimizing portion  46  on rim  20 .  
         [0044]     Reference will now be had to the embodiments of FIGS.  7  to  14 , all of which are similar, but illustrate different means of providing a drip minimizing portion or member.  
         [0045]     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the container neck illustrated is that which is typical of a wine bottle or the like. Mounted within the neck is an inner sealing element  52  which usually will be a cork or a like member. Surrounding the neck portion there is provided an outer neck cover  48 . Situated on top of outer neck cover  48  is a top cover  50 .  
         [0046]     In this arrangement, the inner sealing element  52  is typically removed by a cork screw or like member. In so doing, cover  50  is removed while a drip minimizing portion  54  is lifted up from neck cover  48  and forms a pouring lip for minimizing drips when pouring a liquid from the container.  
         [0047]     As will be appreciated, at least the upper portion of neck cover  48  is formed of a deformable material so as to permit the same to take the form illustrated in  FIG. 7  which illustrates the shape following removal of the inner sealing member  52 . Such materials including foil are well known in the art.  
         [0048]     A similar embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 9  except that there is provided an outer cover  56  with a tear strip  58  formed thereon to permit removal of top cover  50 . In all other respect, this embodiment functions in the same manner as previously described.  
         [0049]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , a similar arrangement is illustrated except that outer member  60  does not have a tear strip formed therein. Depending upon the material, outer member  60  may be removed separately of as part of the removal of inner sealing element  52 .  
         [0050]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , a very similar arrangement is shown except that neck cover  62  is shorter than neck cover  48  in the previously described embodiments.  
         [0051]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , a tear strip  58  is provided for outer cover  60 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 13  illustrates a similar arrangement except that no tear strip is provided.  
         [0053]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , a drip minimizing member  64  similar to that shown in  FIG. 1  is utilized with an outer cover  60  therefor. This functions in the same manner in that removal of inner sealing member  52  will cause deformation of drip minimizing member  64  in a manner similar to that described with respect to  FIG. 7 .  
         [0054]     A different embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 15  wherein a neck portion  14  has threads  22  formed thereon. However, an inwardly extending flange generally designated by reference numeral  68  is formed at the rim of neck  14 . Thus, as may be seen, there is provided a downwardly and inwardly slanting wall  72  extending inwardly from rim  20  and terminating in a sharp edge  70 .  
         [0055]     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 16 , a groove  74  is provided within neck inner surface  18  proximate rim  20  to thereby provide an edge which will minimize drips when pouring.  
         [0056]     In the embodiment of FIGS.  17  to  20 , there is provided a container generally designated by reference numeral  76  which is typical of those storing a product such as paint. A ring member  78  is provided to seat on top of container  76  which includes a circular side wall  80 .  
         [0057]     As may be best seen in  FIGS. 18, 19  and  20 , different arrangements may be provided to minimize dripping. Container  76 , as previously mentioned, has a circular side wall  80  with an inwardly extending flange  82  terminating in a U-shaped member  84 . Vertical wall  86  forms a portion of U-shaped member  84 .  
         [0058]     Ring member  78  includes a side wall  88  and a top wall  90  which terminates in a sharp edge  92 . A bulging portion  94  is designed to seat against the rim of side wall  80  to retain member  78  in position.  
         [0059]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 19 , there is provided a U-shaped member  91  which is designed to fit within U-shaped portion  84 . A lip portion  92  is a formed of a relatively thin material to provide the required pouring edge.  
         [0060]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 20 , there is provided an upper member which includes a top wall  90  with a downwardly descending retaining leg  96 . Again, a sharp edge  92  provides the drip minimizing portion.  
         [0061]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 21 , a spout  98  has external threads  100  formed thereon. There is provided an inwardly extending flange  102  which may also form a portion of a tear ring for sealing spout  98 . Flange  102  terminates in a sharp edge  104 .  
         [0062]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 22 , there is provided a container having a side wall  106  with a cap  108  connected thereto by means of a living hinge  110 . There is provided an inwardly extending member  112  which terminates in a sharp edge  114 .  
         [0063]     A similar embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 23  with a cover  116  being formed integral with member  112 . A tab portion  118  is provided for removing cover  116 .  
         [0064]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 24 , there is provided a member  118  which has a top wall  120  and a downwardly extending side wall  122 . Downwardly extending side wall  122  has a plurality of flanges  124  designed to seal against neck inner surface  18 . Top portion  120  terminates in a sharp pouring edge  126 .  
         [0065]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 25  there is provided a roll of tape  128  which may be placed about the rim of a container to form both a side wall portion  130  and an inwardly extending pouring lip  132 . The material forming tape  128  is sufficiently thin and rigid to minimize drips when pouring from the container.