Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A DISPENSING SPOUT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to dispensing spouts or pouring
devices normally associated with containers within which is
packaged liquid, pulverulent, powdery or like material.
Conventional dispensing spouts or pouring devices of this ~ ~
type generally include a tubular body having a pointed end ~'
which can be forced into the end of a metallic, laminated or
paper stock container from which a product is to be
dispensed. Normally the tubular body has a thread so that
the dispensing spout can be bodily rotated and connected to
the wall of the container to prevent inadvertent or
accident,al disassembly when in use. It is also common to
associat,e reclosure caps with sueh conventional dispensing
spoul;s. `"
Typical related prior art directed to conventional
pouring and/or dispensing devices include the following
patents~
Patent No . 3,114,480 Walter H. Sauter `-;
Paten-t No . 3,973,698 Noriyoshi Kato ` `~
Patent No . 3,995,773 Justin M. Schmit
Patent No. 4,475,670 Christopher C. Rutter
Patent No. 4,562,940 Frank X. Asphar ;~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The novel dispensing spout of the present invention
includes such conventional elements as a tubular body having
axial opposite ends, a point at one OI the axially opposite ~ `~
ends of the tubular body to penetrate the wall of a
container, a eap at an opposite end of the tubular body for
reelosure purposes, and a thread for threading the tubular
body to the eontainer wall. However, the dispensing spout `
of the present invention further ineludes a ring having a
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tab which is in axial sliding and rotating relationship to
the tubu:Lar body with the tab received in at least one
groove formed in an exterior surface of the tubular body.
The groove includes an axial groove portion and a pair of ~;i '
generally radial groove portions. A thread having a ~ ,
starting end and a trailing end is also carried by the
tubular body, and a sliding ring and gasket is sandwiched '~
between the trailing end of the thread and a retaining clip. ,
The dispensing spout is placed with an associated
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pointed end of a cutting tip against the wall of a container `-' -,
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which is to be opened, and an axial force is then applied to
the dispensing spout progressively tearing a panel from -the
container wa~l and forming an openi.ng therein. The starting ,
end of the thread is ali,gned with a cutting shoulder of the
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penetrat:i,ng t,ip so as to readily enter into the container ~ ~
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i,nterior.
The tab is then positioned in a first of the groove
portions and the ring is rotated which first bottoms the tab
against a blind wall of the first groove portion and
eventually continued rotation threads the tubular body into
the container until the trailing portion of the tread is
internally of the container wall. Thereafter, the tab is
shifted to the second groove portion which is slightly
oblique to a radial plane of the tubular body axis, and upon
rotation of the ring, the tab progressively causes relative
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axial movement between the ring and the tubular body ,' `'
resulting in an intimate clamping engagement of the ~-~
container wall therebetween and the compression of the
sealing gasket to preclude accidental or inadvertent product
leakage. '
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A peripheral groove is also provided in the tubular
body for receiving an O-ring to which is tethered a cap for
reclosure purposes. The ring also prevents dispensed
liquid/pulverulent material -from entering the first-
mentioned groove and also functions as a stop to prevent the
cap from being excessively force fit upon a tapered end
portion of the tubular spout body.
With the above and other objects in view that will
hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more
clearly understood by reference to the following detailed
descrip-tion, the appended claims and the several views
illus-trated in the accompany drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a
container and an associated dispensing spout of this
invention, and illustrates a penetrating end of a tubular
member just after a panel of the container wall has been
severed thereby incident to the introduction of a leading
end of a thread, a gasket and sliding ring carried by the
tubular body of the spout, and a rlng surrounding the
tubular member and having one of three tabs registered in
one of three grooves of the tubular body.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the dispensing spout
of Figure 1, and illustrates details of the tubular member,
the grooves thereon, the thread thereof, a gasket and
retaining ring, the locking ring and a tethered reclosure
cap.
FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view with
parts broken away and shown in cross-section for clarity,
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and illustrates the position of the starting end of the
thread incldent to rotation of the tubular member by the
locking ring to thread the dispensing spout relative to the
conta:iner wall. `
FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken
generally along line 4-4 of Figure 3, and illustrates the
manner in which three tabs of the locking ring are ~ R
associated with three grooves of the tubular body of the
dispensing spout.
FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken
generally along line 5-5 of Figure 3, and illustrates the ;~
manner in which the starting end of the thread is received
in one of a pair of recesses formed by an oblique cutting `~;~
edge of the penetrating end or penetrating member of the
dispens:ing spout.
FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view,
slightly enlarged, taken generally along 6-6 of Figure 7,
and illustrates the dispensing spout *ully threaded, but not
yet locked, relative to the container wall.
FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view with
parts broken away and shown in cross-section for clarity, and
illustrates the manner in which each tab has moved along the
second groove portion of each groove to effectively compress
the gasket between the retaining ring and the thread upon
opposite axial motion between the tubular member and the `~
locking ring.
FIGURE 8 is fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
generally along line 8-8 of Figure 7, and illustrates the
manner in which the thread underlies the container wall in
the fully connected or clamped position of the dispensing
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spout at which the gasket is fu].ly compressed to prevent
leakage.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A novel dispensing spout or pour spout constructed in
accordance with this invention is best illustrated in
Figures 1 through 3, 6 and 7 of the drawings and is
generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
The dispensing spout 10 includes a tubular body 11
(Figure 2), penetrating means in the form of a tubular
penetrating member 12, a gasket 13, a washer 14, a retaining
ring 15, a rotating and locking ring 16, and a reclosure cap
17.
The tubular body 11 is constructed from injected
polymeric or copolymer:ic plas-kic material, such as
fiberglass re:inforced polyekhylene, and includes an exterior
surface 20 and an interior bore or passage 21 which extends
through the entire tubular body 11 between axially opposite
ends or end portions 22, 23 thereof. The end portion 22 is
slightly tapered (See Figures 3, 6 and 7), and ends at a
free terminal end face 24 which lies in a radial plane while
a lower terminal end ace 25 (Figure 6) is disposed at an
angle of approximately 45 degrees to the axis of the tubular
member 11.
Three identical groove means 31 through 33 are formed
in the exterior surface 20 of the tubular member 11 for
cooperating with three radially inwardly directed tabs 41
through 43 (Figure 2) o the rotating and locking ring 16,
as will be described more fully hereinafter. Each of the
groove means or grooves 31 through 33 includes an axial
groove portion 34, a relatively short radial groove portion
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and a somewhat longer generally radial grooved portion
36. The groove portions 35, 36 have blind ends 37, 38,
respecti.vely. Whi:l.e the groove portion 35 is, in fact,
generally perfectly radial (Figure 7), the groove portion 36
is generally oblique or at a slight angle to a radial plane
of the tubular member ll, as is most apparent in Figure 7.
The tubular member 11 also includes two outwardly
opening circumferential or peripheral grooves 50, 51. The
groove 51 releasably receives the plastic or metallic split
ring 15 which functions in conjunction with thread means 60
to hold the washer 14 and the gasket 13 sandwiched between
the retaining ring 15 and the thread means 60, as is most
apparen-t in Figures 3, 6 and 7 of the drawings. The washer
14 :is preferab:Ly of relatively rigid plastic or ~etallic
matcr.ia`l., whereas the gaske-t 13 is, of course, formed of
resi:l.ient rubber or like sealing material.
The groove 50 has a bottom which merges with the bottom
of each of the axial groove portions 34 of the grooves 31
through 33. The groove 50 receives a resilient 0-ring 54
which is connected by a tether or strap 55 to the cap 17
thereby securing the cap 17 to the end portion 22 in both
the closed ~Figure 5) and open (Figure 7) positions thereof.
Furthermore, since the groove portions 34 and the groove 50
mate at the intersections thereof, any material which might
otherwise tend to drip down from the end face 24 along the
end portion 22 or any of the axial groove portions 34 will
be prevented from passing beyond the 0-ring 54, and thus
therebeneath the grooves 31 through 33 will at all times be
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kept free of material which might clog or otherwise reduce
the cooperative operability of the grooves 31 through 33 and
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the respectlve tabs 41 through 43.
The cap or closure 17 also i.ncludes an end panel 60
having an inner surface 61 and a peripheral skirt 62 having
an end face 63. An inner peripheral surface 64 of the
peripheral skirt 62 conforms generally to the taper of the
end portion 22 of the tubular member 11. Furthermore, the
axial distance between the surface 61 of the end panel 60
and the end face 63 corresponds generally to the axial
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distance between the end face 24 of the tubular member 11
and the 0-ring 54 seated in the groove 50. Thus, the end
face 63 will abut against the 0-ring 54 and the latter will . ;`
prevent the cap 17 from being pushed downwardly, as viewed .. ~
in Figure 3, beyond the intended position to thereby prevent '` . -
overtightening or binding between the surface 64 of the `~
periphera:L ski.rt 62 and -the end portion 22 of the tubular ; ;.;.
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At the end portion 23 of the tubular member 11 the . ~. h
thread means 60 includes a progressively downwardly curving
end converging starting thread portion 61 which within ~ ~:
approximately 45 degrees of arc merges with a terminal . .~
thread portion 62 which lies in a generally radial plane and . .;
has an arcuate extend of approximately 200 - 215 degrees. A
terminal end 63 of the starting thread portion 61 is on an
axial plane P (Figure 2~ just inboard of a cutting shoulder
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81 of a pair of diametrically opposite cutting shoulders 81,
82 of a oblique cutting edge 83 having a point 84, all
forming portions of the penetrating or cutti.ng member 12 .
which is preferably generally of a tubular configuration and
is constructed from relatively hard steel. An inner ~ .. -
circumferential surface 85 (Figure 6) of the penetrating .~ . .
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member 12 intimately engages a reduced circumferential
surface 26 of the tubular member 11, and the latter also
includes two di.ametrlcally opposi-te radial bores or ports
27, 28 into which tabs 87, 88, respectively, are crimped
(Figure 6) to retain the penetrating member 12 in rigid
assembled relationship to the tubular member 11.
The rotating and locking ring 16 includes a peripheral
wall 44 having an internal bore 45 (Figure 2) beyond which
project the tabs 41 through 43. A pair of diametrically
oppositely directed exterior radial wings 46, 47 facilitate
gripping and rotation of the ring 16, as will be described
more fully hereinafter. The bore 45 is obliquely
counterbor~d at 48 (Figure 6) and further counterbored at 49
-to freely accommodate there.in the retaining ring 15 and
washer 14, respectively.
The dispensing spout 10 is used by first positioning
the point 84 of the penetrating member 12 against an end
panel E of a wall W of a container C which is constructed of
metallic, paper stock or laminated material and may contain
liquid, pulverulent, powdery or like flowable material which
is to be dispensed from the container C. An axial downward
force is then applied to the dispensing spout 10 causing the
point 84 to initially penetrate the end panel E followed by
subsequent progressive severance of a panel portion P in a
progressive manner by the cutting edge 83. A maximum
diameter of the cut panel P is achieved as the cutting
shoulders 81, 82 pass through the end panel E which occurs
after approximately 180 degrees of the end panel has been
cut. Thereafter, as the dispensing spout 10 is inserted
further through the end panel E, the panel P is no longer
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subjected to the cutting edge 83, and instead the end panel
E is simp'l.y torn a].ong general'ly tangent,ial edges El, E2
resùlting in the format,ion of respective gaps Gl, G2 of
which the latter, which lies adjacent the cutting shoulder
81 permits ready access of the end 63 of the thread 60
therethrough and beneath end panel E generally to the
position shown in Figure 3.
The rotating and locking ring 16 is then positioned
with the tabs 41 through 43 thereof aligned with the groove
portions 35. The latter is done by ~"feel", but this
alignment can also be augmented or assured by axially
dimensioning the position of the 0-ring 54 relative to the
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groove portions 35 such t,hat when the rotating and locking
ri.ng 16 i.s raised upwardly into contact with the 0-ring 54,
the tabs 41 through 43 are in alignment with the groove
portions 3S (Figure 3). Thereafter, the locking ring 16 is
turned clockwise during which time each tab 41 through 43
enters into its associated groove portion 35. At this
point, the tubular member 11 is motionless but upon
subsequent continued clockwise rotation, the tabs 41 through
43 strike the blind ends or walls 37 of each of the groove
portions 35 and continued rotation of the rotating and
locking means 16 imparts rotation to the tubular member ll
and threads the same into the container C as the leading' ~' .''~- ''
edge portion 61 of the thread 62 progressively engages
beneath the end panel E and draws the entire thread 60
including the trailing end portion 62 thereof beneath the
end panel E to the position shown in Figures 6 and 8. In
the position shown in Figure 6, the dispensing spout lO is
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loosely threaded into the end panel E of the wall W bu-t is
not locked or sea:led thereagainst.
The ro-tating and locking ring 16 is then rotated
counterc].ockwise to remove the tabs 41 through 43 from the
associated groove portions 35, then lowered axially
downwardly and rotated clockwise bringing the tabs 41
through 43 into the associated groove portions 36. Since
the groove portions 36 are tapered downwardly, as viewed
from right-to-left in Figures 3 and 7 or in a clockwise
direction, the tabs 41 through 43, as they move into the
groove portions 36, create axial forces AF (Figure 7) moving
the ring 16 axially relative to the tubular member 11.
Since the t,railing end portion 62 of the thread 60 lies
benea~,h the end panel E ~Figure 7) during the latter
descrlbed rol,ati.on, it effectively retains the tubular
member 11 generally stati.onary and for the most part the
locking ring 16 descends downwardly from the position shown
in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 7 at which time
the counterbored surface 49 (Figure 6) engages the washer 14
which in turn compresses the gasket 13 (Figure 7). The cap
17 can then be removed and the contents of the container C
dispense through the bores 27, 28 and/or 21,- or
alternatively a paint brush or similar instrument can be
placed into the interior of the container C through the
passage 21 to gain access to the contents packaged therein.
Once a particular dispensing operation is completed, the cap
17 can be reclosed upon the end portion 22, and the
operation repeated as necessary. Obviously, the entire
dispensing spout 10 can be removed and reused, as is found
necessary or desirable.
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Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has
been specifically ilLustrated and described herein, it is to
be understood that minor variations may be made in the
apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. For example, instead of the three grooves 31
through 33 and the corresponding three radially inwardly
directed tabs 41 through 43, the dispensing spout 10 can
instead have only two grooves and two radially inwardly
directed tabs, and these preferably would be located on
opposite sides of a diametric plane through the tubular body
]1 and the locking ring 16, respectively. The operability
of the pour spout 10 would remain uneffected, yet the cost
of manufacture thereof would be lessened because -the mold in
whic-h the spouk body 11 and sleeve 16 are injection-molded
would be less expensive to manufacture.
Another modification would be that of forming the
entire spout body 11 from plastic material including the
separately manufactured and attached tubular penetrating
member 12. If, for example, the spout body 11 and
penetrating member 12 were made of a single homogeneous
piece of glass reinforced polyethylene, most cans having
soft ends could be readily opened, and even metallic ends
could be opened by first using a nail to form a starting
opening in the metallic can end. The metal at the starting
opening would be quite easily torn by the edge 83 as the
spout body 11 is forced toward the interior of the can body.
The point 84 thus virtually performs no impact or
penetrating func-tion and the edge 83 basically wedges or
tears the metal of the can end.
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When the spout body 11 is made of plastic material, the ` ~ :
holes 27, 28 can be retained or eliminated, and preferably
the same are elimi.nated and in ].ieu thereof a single
elongated slot 89 (Figure 2) is provided at what would be
the lower end of the one piece nylon reinforced plastic pour
spout 11 being formed in the portion thereof diametrically .
opposite to the point 84. ;
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