US3434637A - Fitting for containers - Google Patents

Description

Sheet of 3 March 25, 1969 H, MARCEL FITTING FOR CONTAINERS Filed June 28, 1967 riff ./////1/// March 25, 1969 H. MARCEL 3,434,537

l FITTING FOR CONTAINERS Filed June 28, 1967 sheet 2 of s March 2K5, 1969 H, MARCEL FITTING FOR CONTAINERS sheet e nfs Filed June 28, 1967 United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 222-570 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a container provided with a pouring spout made in one piece of synthetic plastic material and a sealing and capping closure. The pourmg spout comprises two concentric sleeves connected by a wall, the latter being provided with an air inlet. The inner sleeve, preferably bias cut to form a lip, projects beyond the outer one. The closure comprises askirt attached to the container and a cap for closing the spout, connected together by a tearable band. The latter is limited by lines of perforations formed by grooves extending from the edges of this band. Ribs prevent relative motion of the closure when snapped over the container neck.

The present invention relates to a container such as a bottle, flask, etc., in which a pouring spout made of synthetic plastic material comprises an outer tubular sleeve intended to be pressed into the neck of the sa1d container and an inner sleeve or outlet of smaller diameter, the inner sleeve being connected to the outer sleeve by a wall provided with at least an air inlet connecting the space comprised between the two sleeves with the interior of the container, the end of the said inner sleeve or hp projecting beyond the edge of said outer sleeve.

Preferably, it comprises also a closure provided with a skirt attached to the neck of the container and a cap to protect the said spout.

The invention provides thereby a container with a pouring spout and a closure providing at the same time sealing means for the container and closing means for the s out.

pThe pouring spout according to the invention is particularly useful, providing a perfectly regular iiow of the liquid out of the container for every possible rate of llow down to the smallest drip and on the other hand, it takes in the last drop of the liquid which has been poured out, which generally tends to soil the outer wall of the container in particular when this liquid is relatively viscous. Thanks t the above described arrangement, the last drop ows necessarily in the space comprised between the said two sleeves and returns finally into the container through the air inlet,

Other particular advantages of the invention will become clear in the following description. Certain speciiic embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: i

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal axial section of a pouring spout.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the spout shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal axial section of the neck of a container with the spout shown in FIG. l and sealed with a closure.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal axial section similar to FIG. 3 showing how the liquid flows out of the inclined container.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal axial `section of a second type of spout and closure.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal axial section along the line 6 6 of the FIG. 7 of a third type of spout.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the spout shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a transversal section along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

'31,434,637 Patented Mar. 25, 1969 ICC FIG. 9 is a longitudinal axial section along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an elevation with a partial section of a neck of a container according tothe invention..

FIG. 1l is a longitudinal axial section of a spout and closure attached to the neck shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a plan View of the spout, closure and neck shown in FIG. 11 with a partial section along line 12-12 of FIG. 1l.

The pouring spout illustrated in FIGS. l and 2, according to the invention, is made of synthetic plastic material such as polyethylene for example. It comprises essentially an outer tubular sleeve 1 connected at its base to a skirt 2 intended to be pressed into the neck of a bottle for eX- ample. The outer wall of the said skirt may be provided with one or more sealing beads and with a rim 3 abutting against the end surface of the neck of the bottle. At the other end, the said skirt is provided with an extension 4 of smaller diameter for centering the pouring spout and a frust0-conical portion to facilitate the introduction of the spout into the neck.

An inner sleeve 5, of smaller diameter,I concentric with the outer one, is connected to the latter at the height 0f the rim 3 yby a wall 6 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve Il.

The inner sleeve 5, providing the outlet of the pouring spout, is bias cut to form a lip 7 the end of which projects beyond the edge of the sleeve 1. An opening 8 in the wall 6, diametrically opposite the lip 7, provides an air inlet open towards the interior of the container when the liquid iiows out of the latter (FIG. 4).

Each time liquid is poured out of the bottle, one or more drops remaining on the lip, particularly when the liquid is viscous like oil or syrup for example, fall in the space between the sleeves 1 and 5 or run along the outer wall of the latter sleeve down to the bottom of the said space. Thereby, any ow of liquid on the neck and outer wall ofthe container is prevented.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the container is made of synthetic plastic material and in one piece with the pouring spout by blow-moulding or by other methods. In this case, the skirt 2 is dispensed with, the sleeve 1 being an extension of the neck of the container.

FIG. 3 shows the above described pouring spout on the neck 1li of a bottle. The latter is also provided with a closure made of synthetic plastic material such as polyethylene for example acting at the same time as a seal for the container and a stopper for the spout.

This closure comprises a skirt 11 and a cap 12, the two being connected by a tearable guarantee band 13. The skirt 11 is stretched over the neck 1l) and remains attached to it by a bead which snaps into a corresponding circular groove provided in the end portion of the said neck. The said skirt 11 is also provided at its upper end with a step 15 which covers partially at least the rim 3 of the pouring spout and helps to keep it xed to the neck of the container.

The cap l2 covers the outlet of the pouring spout and its wall is engaged around the outer surface of the sleeve ll. To close the container, the said cap wall is provided with at least one sealing bead 16. Alternatively, a bead can be provided on the sleeve 1.

Both edges of the guarantee band 13 connecting the skirt 11 and the cap 12 are dened by lines of perforations provided by a series of grooves 17 opening into an `annular hollow space concentric with a step 18 and a similar series of grooves 19 coinciding with the step 2li. The said band is interrupted at its periphery by a slot (not shown) and one of its ends is provided with a pull tab 21.

The above described closure provides tampenproof closing means for the container and sealing means for its contents. After the said band has been torn off, the skirt 11 remains attached to the neck of the bottle for example whereas the cap 12 provides removable closing means for closing the outlet and protecting the lip (FIG. 4).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the neck is provided with a pouring spout and a closure comprising a skirt 22 connected to a cap 23 by a tearable guarantee band 24. Besides its peripheral wall, the cap 23 is provided with a concentric tubular sleeve 25, the inner wall of which is engaged around the sleeve 1. The edge of the latter abuts against a step 26 provided inside the said sleeve to provide a water-tight closure.

In the FIGS. 6 to 9 is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention, comprising a tubular sleeve 31, a skirt 32 with a rim 33 and an extension 34, and a sleeve 35. The latter is connected to the sleeve 31 by a wall 36 of frustoconical shape, which improves the rigidity of the whole. The end of the outlet is also bias cut and projects slightly to form a lip 37.

In this embodiment, the air inlet is provided by a channel 38 opening at one of its ends into the space comprised between the sleeves 31 and 35 and placed diametrically opposite the lip 37. At the other end, the channel extends approximately down to the base of the sleeve 31 (FIG. 9

The FIG. l0 illustrates the neck 40 of a container, for example a flask, according to a particular embodiment of the invention. This neck comprises a terminal bead 41 limiting an annular groove 42. The said neck also comprises ribs 43 protruding from the bottom of the said groove 42 and placed at regular intervals on the periphery ot the neck.

The FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the above described container with a pouring spout as illustrated in FIG. 6. Moreover, the outer surface of the resilient skirt 32 and of the sleeve 31 are provided each with two annular sealing beads 32.2L and 31al respectively and the rim 33 is chamfered at 33a.

The closure comprises a skirt 51 and a cap 52, these two elements being connected by a tearable guarantee band 53. The inner wall of the skirt 51 is provided with an annular bead 54 and longitudinal ribs 55, preferably the same number as the ribs 43, extending downwards from the said bead 54. The lower end 55L of the ribs 55 is biased to form together a conical abutment.

The guarantee band 53 is limited at its lower edge by a line of perforations provided by a series of ribs 56 protruding on the inner surface of the skirt and leaving between them grooves 57 opening into an annular hollow space concentric to a step 58. The lower edge of the said band 53 and the skirt are therefore connected by the small bridges formed by the bases of the ribs S6. The upper edge of the said band and the cap are connected similarly by the small bridges formed by the bases of the ribs 59 between the grooves 60 opening into an annular hollow space concentric to the step 61. The band `53 is interrupted at its periphery by as lot (not shown) and one of its ends is extended upwards by a pull tab 62.

Besides its peripheral wall, the cap 52 is provided with a tubular sleeve of smaller diameter concentric with the said wall. This sleeve has a base 63 with an annular extension 64 engaged around the outer surface of the sleeve 31, the edge of the latter abuting against the tapered surface of an annular groove 65 provided in the said base 63. The sealing of the closure is therefore provided by the contact of the beads 31a on the edge of the extension 64 as Well as by the contact of the sleeve 31 and the base 63.

To close the ilask, the pouring spout is first placed into the closure and both are pressed into the neck 10. The resilient skirt 51 stretches over the terminal bead 4l and the bead 54 snaps into the groove 42. The bias of the faces 55a facilitates placing the said closure onto the flask,

4 the ribs S5 being placed between the ribs 43. When the closure is placed, the edges of the ribs 56 abut against the chamfer 33a of the rim 33 and help to fix the pouring spout.

Before some liquid is poured out of the ask, the band 53 ensuring that the contents have not been touched must be torn off by breaking the small bridges 56 and 59. This tends to turn the closure on the neck but the ribs 55 abutting against the ribs 43 prevent any further motion ofthe closure relatively to the neck.

After the guarantee band has been torn off, the cap 52 provides removable closing means for closing the container. Preferably the said cap comprises resilient holding means, 'for example an annular beads snapping into a groove or any other suitable means making use of the elasticity of the walls to prevent the removal ofthe pour ing spout.

The foregoing embodiments have been given only as illustrations of the invention and should not be construed as limiting.

I claim:

1. A fitting for containers comprising a unitary pouring spout made of a synthetic plastic material having an outer tubular sleeve, said container having a neck into which said outer sleeve is adapted to be pressed; an inner sleeve disposed within said outer sleeve and spaced therefrom, the outer end of said inner sleeve being formed with a lip projecting longitudinally beyond the outer end of said outer sleeve; and a wall extending between said sleeves, said wall being spaced from the outer ends of said sleeves and being formed with at least one air inlet connecting the space defined by said sleeves with the interior of said container.

2. A fitting for containers comprising a unitary pouring spout having an outer tubular sleeve, an inner sleeve disposed within said outer sleeve and spaced therefrom, the outer end of said inner sleeve dening a lip projecting longitudinally beyond the outer end of said outer sleeve, a wall extending between said sleeves and spaced from the outer end thereof, said Wall being formed with at least one air inlet therethrough connecting the space defined by said sleeves with the interior of the container; and an upturned skirt secured at its base to the inner end of said outer sleeve, said container having a neck into which said skirt is adapted to be pressed.

3. A container according to claim 1, including a closure having a skirt formed with a bead extending from the inner surface thereof and a cap closing said pouring spout, said container neck being formed with a terminal bead, said closure skirt bead 4being adapted to snap under said neck terminal bead to attach said skirt to said neck.

4. A container according to claim 1, including a closure having a skirt formed with a bead on the inside surface thereof, and a cap closing said pouring spout, said container neck being formed with an annular groove in the outside surface thereof, said closure skirt bead being adapted to snap into said annular groove to secure said skirt to said neck.

5. Container according to claim 1, in which said air inlet is diametrically opposite said inner sleeve lip.

6. Container according to claim 2, in which said upturned skirt is provided at its base with a centering extension of smaller diameter.

7. Container according to claim 2, in which the said upturned skirt includes a rim adapted to abut against the upper end surface of the said neck.

8. Container according to claim 2, including at least one Sealing bead on the outer wall of said upturned skirt.

9. Container according to claim 1, in which said sleeves are cylindrical and concentric, said wall being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the said sleeves.

10. Container according to claim 1, including a closure having a skirt attached to the neck of said container, a cap closing said pouring spout, and a guarantee band removably secured to and connecting said closure skirt and cap.

11. A container according to claim 7, including a closure having a skirt attached to the neck of said container and a cap closing said pouring spout, said closure skirt having an upper portion disposed to at least partially cover said rim of said pouring spout skirt.

12. A container according to claim 1, including a closure having a skirt attached to the neck of said container and a cap closing said pouring spout, said cap having a wall engaging around the outer sleeve of said pouring spout.

13. A container according to claim 7, including a closure having a skirt attached to the neck of said container, a cap closing said pouring spout, and a guaranty band removably secured to and connecting said closure skirt and cap, said closure having a series of longitudinal grooves extending from iboth edges of said guaranty band and opening into an annular hollow space concentric with a step dening each edge 0f said band, each groove being aligned with the plane of the respective step and dened by a plurality of spaced ribs extending between said guaranty band and said cap and skirt respectively so as to form a series of perforations weakening the areas connecting said band to said cap and skirt, said rim of said pouring spout skirt being chamfered, the ribs delining one of said grooves forming together a conical abutment against said chamfered rim.

14. A container according to claim 1, including a closure having a skirt attached to the neck of said container, and a cap closing said pouring spout, the terminal portion of said neck being provided with at least one rib, said skirt being formed with at least one rib on the inner surface thereof adapted to cooperate with said neck rib to prevent any relative angular motion of said closure.

15. A container according to claim 14, in which said container neck is formed with an annular groove, said neck rib protruding from the bottom thereof, said closure skirt rib being adapted to snap into said neck groove to secure said skirt to said neck.

16. Container according to claim 12, in which said cap includes resilient means holding the same on an element of the pouring spout.

17. Container according to claim 12, in which the inner surface of said cap wall or the outer surface of said pouring spout outer sleeve is provided with at least one annular sealing bead.

1S. Container according to claim 17, in which said cap includes an annular surface abutting against the outer end of said outer sleeve.

19. Container according to claim 10, in which said closure includes a series of longitudinal grooves extending from both edges of said guarantee band and opening into an annular hollow space concentric with a step defining each edge of said band, each groove being aligned with the plane of the respective step so as to form a series of perforations weakening the areas connecting said band to said cap and skirt.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,763,402 9/1956 Livingstone 222-570 X 2,763,403 9/ 1956 Livingstone 222-570 X 3,208,650 9/ 1965 La Ham 222-570 X 3,227,317 1/ 1966 Bereziat et al 222-570 X 3,307,752 3/ 1967 Anderson 222-570 X STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Primary Examiner.

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