DISPENSER SPOUT

BEC VERSEUR

English Abstract

A multi-position and multi-function dispenser spout connected to an opening of
a wall of container intended for liquid or granular materials, such as a milk
cartons, a juice cartons or bottles, salt containers for example. The
dispenser
spout is a one-piece element, comprising a semi-rigid foldable part and a
rigid
part molded as a one-piece element, the rigid part being connected to a wall
of
the container vis-à-vis an opening thereof, the semi-rigid foldable part
allowing
hermetically closing the container in a closed position and pouring the
material
in an open position.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A dispenser spout as described herein.

Description

CA 02482538 2004-10-21
TITLE OE THE INVENTION
~ispenser spout
(FIELD OE THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to dispenser spouts. More
specifically, the present invention is concerned ~nrith a mufti-position multi-
function dispenser spout.
BAC~CGROUND OF' THE INVENTION
[0002] ~evices for closing milk or juice cartons often include screw
top covers provided with a peeiable seal ensuring non-alteration of the
content
of the container. Other devices used in the case of v,alt or dish soap
containers
generally allow a leak-free closing of the container. t.)sualiy, the fast
time, a pre-
cut section in the waft of the container r~nust be opened, arid then the
device is
operative. However, it commonly suffers from leakage or lack of hermeticity.
[0003] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a dispenser spout
obviating the shortcomings of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] More specifically, there is provided a mufti-position and multi-
function dispenser spout.
[0005] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-
restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only

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with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE D LIVINGS
[0006] In the appended drawings:
[0007] Figure 1 shows a~ a cross-sectional view and b) a top view, of
a dispenser spout according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the dispenser spout
of Figure 1, a) in an opened position and b) in a closed position, after an
opening; and
[0009] Figures 3 to 6 illustrate different errabodiments of a dispenser
spout according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF E11ABODIiVIENTS OF THE INrIEN'1'ION
[0010] There is generally provided a mufti-~aosition and mufti-function
dispenser spout connected to an opening of a wall of container intended for
liquid or granular materials, such as a milk cartons, a juice cartons or
bottles,
salt containers for example. The dispenser spout is a one-piece element, which
allows hermetically closing the container in a closed position and pouring the
material in an open position.
[0011] The dispenser spout comprises a semi-rigid foldable part and
a rigid part, molded as a one-piece element, the rigid part being connected to
a
wall of the container vis-a-vis an opening thereof. The semi-rigid foldable
part
allows closing and opening the opening of the container, and pouring a
material

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3
from the container. The container may be made in a waxed carton, plastic,
metal or any material as known in the art. The semi-rigid foldable part of the
pouring spout may be made in a plastic material for Example.
[0012] The pouring spout may be in an open position, wherein the
semi-rigid foldable part forms a pouring lip guiding the material to be poured
out
of the container, and in a closed position, wherein the semi-rigid foldable
part is
folded back against the rigid part so as to provide an hermetic sealing. The
transition from the open position to the closed positiorv and vice-versa is
allowed by the flexibility of the semi-rigid foldable Dart. In both positions,
the
dispenser spout is secured to the container and tl7e semi-rigid foldable part
maintains its shape.
[0013] The dispenser spout may be provided with a tamper-proof
membrane in an outer wall of the semi-rigid part, and with a sealing membrane
in an inner wall of the rigid part to ensure hermet.icity and protection of
the
content of the container while in a closed position, prior to a first opening
thereof (see Figure 1 ~. The ferst time the dispenser spout is opened, the
tamper-proof membrane is pealed off and the sealing membrane automatically
peels of from the wall of the semi-rigid foldable part.
[0014] once the tamper-proof memlarane and the sealing
membrane are torn, the dispenser spout may have two positions, as illustrated
in Figure 2: the open position allows opening the container for pouring part
of
the content thereof through the opening, and the closed position allows
sealing
the opening of the container. A handle may be provided on an cuter wall of the
semi-rigid foldable part for ease of unfolding it from the closed position to
the
open position, and to fold it back from the open position to the closed
position
for example.

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[0015] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, a number of embodiments of
the present invention may be contemplated. For example, as shown in Figure
5, the rigid part may be the part used for pouring out the content of the
container. As shown in Figure 6, the shape of the present dispenser spout may
be varied.
(0016] People in the art will appreciate that the present dispenser
spout is simple, cost effective and effocient, since it comprises a single
element,
such as a molded plastic element, without any detachable part and which does
not require any assembling prior to use. Once located in connection to an
aperture of a container, it allows hermetically sealing the container, in the
closed position thereof, as well as pouring material out therefrom when in the
open position thereof.
[0017] Interestingly, the present dispenser spout may be adapted to
packaging for any non-solid material such as iiquida and granular materials,
including salt, powder, rice and grains, spices or herb s for example. It
allows an
improved hermeticity as well as a more effective pouring. A variety of
containers may be fitted with such dispenser spout sprout, including for
example cartons, plastic containers or metal containers, provided the
dispenser
spout may be located in connection to an aperture on a wall c~f the container.
[0018] Due to a low cost of fabrication, the present dispenser spout
may be part of a discardable packaging.
[0019] It may be further contemplated adapting such dispenser
spout in miscellaneous applications, including, for example, vent holes for a
tent, for a protective helmet or ski eyeglasses. nlladc; in a plastic material
as
described hereinabove, or in a reinforced fabric or plastic film, the
dispenser

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spout may be connected to an aperture of any of the aforementioned items so
that the open position thereof stands downwards for example, thereby allowing
ventilation white preserving impermeability.
[0020] Alternatively, the present dispenser spout may be used as a
closing valve or a backpressure valve, whereby the transition between the
closed and the open positions thereof is actuated by a change in pressure at
an
inlet or at an outlet of a container for example. Such backpressure valve may
be useful for example when connected to a cooking plate, especially in
microwaves, or in a pump installation.
[0021] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it emay be modified, without
departing from the nature and teachings of the subject invention as defined in
the appended claims.

Representative Drawing