Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02447534 2003-10-31
INTEGRATED POURING LIP FOR A CONTAINER
The present invention relates to a bottle pourer and more particularly,
relates to an
integrated pourer for containers for dispensing a fluid material.
The use of pouring aids is well known in the art and such devices have been
widely
used, for example, in the pouring of wine or other liquids. In one embodiment,
such a
pouring aid is a member which is inserted in a bottle and intended to prevent
drips when
pouring. Many such arrangements are known where the member consists of a cork
which
has a tube terminating with a spout. The spout typically ends in an obliquely
cut edge which
assists in preventing splashing and dripping. However, when the bottle is
returned to its
upright position, it frequently happens that the drop remaining at the edge of
the spout will
seep downwardly on the outside of the bottle or container.
A further type of pourer is illustrated in Canadian Patent 2,092,314 wherein a
piece
of flexible and elastic foil material of minimal thickness and having a
circular outline is
rolled into an oblong cylindrical form and inserted interiorly of the neck.
This type of
pourer works well in eliminating any drips, but still necessitates that the
user take the step of
inserting the material into the neck of the bottle. Obviously, it would be
desirable to have a
pourer associated with each bottle or container.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pourer which may be
formed
integrally with a container such that upon opening thereof, the pourer is
readily available.
Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings,
in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bottle having a covering thereon;
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Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating the opening of the bottle;
Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pourer after opening of the bottle;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of the integrated
pourer;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the upper portion of a container having
an
integrated pourer therein according to a further embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 illustrating an arrangement of a
dripless
container neck;
Figure 13 is a perspective view, partially in cut-away, of a membrane
incorporated
between the cover and the top of the container to provide a dripless
arrangement; and
Figure 14 is perspective view, partially in cut-away, of a different type of
container,
such as a wine bottle, incorporating a portion therein to provide for dripless
poring.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto, as
shown in Figures 1 to 3, there is provided a bottle having a bottle neck
generally designated
by reference numeral 10. Mounted interiorly of bottle neck 10 is a cork 14. As
is
commonly the case with wine bottles, a foil 12 or other covering extends over
the top of
cork 14 and around bottle neck 10.
In the illustrated embodiment, there is provided a removable disk 16 in the
center of
foil 12. Such provision of removable disk 16 is optional.
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Interiorly of foil 12 there is provided a pouring insert generally designated
by
reference numeral 18. Pouring insert 18 is formed of a material which has a
minimal
thickness and which is of a liquid repellant nature. One such material is
described in
Canadian Patent 2,092,314. However, it will be understood that any suitable
material may
be utilized and could be selected from known materials by those knowledgeable
in the art.
In operation, a corkscrew 20 is inserted into cork 14 as shown in Figures 2
and 3.
Removable disk 16 is removed either beforehand or with the cork while, as may
be seen in
Figure 3, pouring insert 18 is forced upwardly to provide a pouring spout lip
22. Thus, once
the cork has been removed, the liquid contents of the bottle may be poured
with pouring lip
22 acting to prevent drips.
As shown in Figure 6, pouring insert 18 may be formed so as to provide only a
single
side which will be elevated to form a pouring spout.
As shown in Figure 8, an arrangement may be utilized wherein the bottle is
provided
with a cover 28 having a removable tab 30 defined by a suitable score line.
Tab 30 may be
removed to provide a pouring lip.
Referring to Figure 9, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the
present
invention. In this embodiment, there is provided a bottle 40 having a neck
portion 42 and
a mouth 44. Extending about at least a portion of neck 42 is a tape 46. Tape
46 extends at
least partially around the neck 42 of bottle 40 and also has an upper portion
48 which
extends over mouth 44. A cap or cover 50 is provided. Upon removal of the cap
or
cover 50, portion 48 can be "folded back" from where it covers mouth 44 to
form an
integrated pouring lip.
In the embodiment of Figure 9, there is provided a paint tin 60 which includes
a tape
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member 62 which extends around the lip of the container and above the lip. A
cover
member is normally placed thereon with a portion of material 64 extending
inwardly of the
container and retained in place by the cover. Upon opening, portion 64 can be
folded
outwardly and act as a pourer.
In the above described embodiments, it will be understood that the material or
tape
extending around the opening of the container may extend completely thereabout
or
alternatively, may extend thereabout for only a portion of the neck. The
material which
forms the pouring lip may be selected from any which is suitable and in this
respect, will
comprise a material which is capable of being formed to terminate in a sharp
edge and
which preferably is of a hydrophobic nature. The material may be retained in
position by an
adhesive or by other means including an overlay or strap.
Referring to the embodiment of Figure 11, there is illustrated a portion of a
container
78 having a neck 70 extending upwardly therefrom. Threads 72 are provided on
the upper
portion of neck 70. In this embodiment, there is provided an inwardly directed
flange 74
and which has a thin edge 76 to function as the portion which prevents drips.
Typically, the
container 78 is of the blow moulded type and flange 74 may be formed either
before the
blow moulding on the preform or alternatively, may be formed in a later
operation.
In the embodiment of Figure 13, there is again illustrated a portion of a
container 78'
having threads 72' on the outer portion of neck 70'. The cap 80 has a top wall
82 and a
downwardly extending side wall 84 which will have threads to engage threads
72' on
neck 70'.
In this embodiment, there is provided a member 86 in the form of an annular
ring
which adheres to the top of neck 70'. Member 86 is preferably formed of a
hydrophobic
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material and has a inwardly extending portion 88 which terminates in a
relatively sharp or
thin edge 88.
In the embodiment of Figure 14, there is illustrated a container 178 which is
typically
of wine bottles and which has a neck portion 170. As is conventional in the
industry, there
is provided a covering 190 which may be, for example, foil or like material.
Mounted intermediate foil 190 and neck 170 is a member 186 which, in a manner
similar to that described with respect to Figure 13, extends inwardly over the
top of neck
170 to provide a relatively thin edge 188. Again, preferably member 186 is
formed of a
hydrophobic material and terminates in a relatively thin edge.
It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of
illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto.
'Thus, for
example, although the invention has been described with respect to a
conventional wine
bottle, it may also be used with other types of containers. For example, in
lieu of insert 18,
the covering about the container neck may be utilized to form the pouring lip.
It will also be
understood that the practice of the present invention can be used with any
type of fluid
material.
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