VENTED SPOUT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

In a vented spout assembly for threaded engagement onto a fluid container, a flexible spout is provided comprising a first tubular portion with a connected cap, at least one corrugated flexible section, and a second tubular portion with an end face. The cap has at an end surface a vent structure having a flexible tube section and a slit in a side wall of the tube section and extending longitudinally. The slit has first and second abutting end faces. The first tubular portion has at least one internal projection extending inwardly from a side wall of the first tubular portion and which is positioned to contact the end face of the second tubular portion when the second tubular portion is inserted through the cap into the first tubular portion to prevent a leading corrugation of the at least one corrugated flexible section from engaging any thread of the cap.

Description

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a vented spout assembly for screwing onto a threaded outlet of a fluid container. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,727,187. A flexible spout is attached to a cap having threads. The cap can be screwed onto the threaded outlet of the container. A vent is mounted on the cap permitting air to enter the container when the container is being emptied to facilitate the emptying by preventing development of a suction in an air pocket above a fluid within the fluid container. More specifically, the vent on the spout cap is an air ingress tube with a one-way valve at one end of the air ingress tube comprising a check valve, such as a rubber duckbill valve having an air exit into the fluid only at the end of the tube. Such a small air exit limits the air flow and thus retards flow of liquid from the container. The flexible spout connected to the cap can be folded into a storage position for transport of the spout assembly by inserting a second tubular portion of the flexible spout through the cap and into a first tubular portion of the spout connected to the cap. Engagement of the second tubular portion of the spout in the first tubular portion occurs by engaging at least a leading corrugation of a corrugation section connected to the second tubular portion with one or more of the threads of the cap. The contact pressure by the corrugation or corrugations on the thread or threads can damage the threads, such as during storage or shipment. If the threads are damaged then when the cap is screwed onto the container threaded outlet leakages may result.

SUMMARY

In a vented spout assembly for threaded engagement onto a fluid container, a flexible spout is provided comprising a first tubular portion with a connected cap, at least one corrugated flexible section, and a second tubular portion with an end face. The cap has at an end surface a vent structure having a flexible tube section and a slit in a side wall of the tube section and extending longitudinally. The slit has first and second abutting end faces. The first tubular portion has at least one internal projection extending inwardly from a side wall of the first tubular portion and which is positioned to contact the end face of the second tubular portion when the second tubular portion is inserted through the cap into the first tubular portion to prevent a leading corrugation of the at least one corrugated flexible section from engaging any thread of the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a fluid container with a vented spout assembly of the present exemplary embodiment attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vented spout assembly detached from the container;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vented spout assembly having a flexible spout thereof folded at one end around 180° and inserted through a cap of the spout assembly which is also folded around 180° but in an opposite direction to create a shipping or transport configuration;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view from a direction perpendicular to that shown in FIG. 3 showing preventing further insertion into a first tubular portion of a second tubular portion at an end of the flexible spout by respective internal projections formed as dimples on the first tubular portion functioning as an insertion stop; and

FIG. 5 is an end view from a left of the cap of the vented spout assembly shown in FIG. 2 and illustrating the internal projections on the first tubular portion of the spout assembly and also showing a vent structure of the spout assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the preferred exemplary embodiments/best mode illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are included herein.

The vented spout assembly of one exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 generally at 12 and which is threaded onto a threaded outlet 11A of a fluid container 11. As fluid 6 is emptied from the container 11 through the spout assembly 12 air passing through a vent structure 14 forms air bubbles 15 in fluid 6 which travel to air pocket 7 above the fluid 6 and which prevent a vacuum from developing therein which would impede out flow of the fluid 6 through the spout assembly 12. Threaded outlet 11A on the container 11 having threads 11 AA engage with threads 13A on cap 13 of the spout assembly 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the spout assembly 12 is formed of a flexible spout 9 having a first tubular portion 17 connecting to cap 13 at end surface 13C with a center line of the first tubular portion 17 being offset relative to a center of the cap 13. The first tubular portion 17 is followed by a first corrugated flexible section 20, an intermediate tubular portion 22, a second corrugated flexible section 21, and a second tubular portion 23 having an end face 23A. The first corrugated flexible section 20 is formed of a plurality of first corrugations 20A and the second corrugated flexible section 21 has a plurality of corrugations 21A.

The first tubular portion 17 has first and second inward projections 19A and 19B at opposite sides of the side wall of the first tubular portion 17 and shaped as dimples. The first tubular portion also has inwardly projecting rectangular finger grips 18A. These finger grips decrease an internal diameter where they are located of the first tubular portion 17.

The cap 13 has at the end surface 13C a leading end 13B, and the threads 13A. Adjacent the first tubular portion 17 the vent structure 14 is provided in an aperture 13D in the end surface 13C in a pressed fit relationship to receive the vent structure 14. The vent structure 14 is formed of a flexible rubber and has a flexible tube section 14D terminating in a V-shaped termination end 14C. Significantly a slit 14A is provided in the side wall of the flexible tube section 14D, the slit extending substantially from a region adjacent the leading end 13B of the cap and terminating at a beginning of the V-shaped termination end 14C of the vent structure 14.

When fluid is being emptied from the container 11, abutting end faces at the slit 14A separate, allowing air to pass through to form the bubbles 15. When not emptying the container the slit end faces abut against each other forming a substantial seal preventing liquid from entering the vent structure 14 and thus inhibiting leaking of the fluid 6 through the vent structure 14 when the container is not being emptied.

By providing the slit longitudinally along the tube section rather than horizontally at the end the length of the slit is substantially increased so that liquid from the container can be dispensed substantially faster, and final remnants of the liquid in the container can be dispensed more completely.

As shown in FIG. 3 the flexible spout 9 can be arranged in a storage or shipping mode such that the second tubular portion 23 with its end face 23A is inserted through the cap 13 and into the first tubular portion 17. The second tubular portion 23 has a narrower outer diameter than an inner diameter of the first tubular portion 17 to allow a cocking or tilting as shown in FIG. 3 such that a longitudinal center line of second tubular portion 23 when inserted into the first tubular portion 17 is cocked or tilted at an angle with respect to a longitudinal center line of the first tubular portion 17, thus allowing a peripheral portion 23AA of the end face 23A to be frictionally engaged with an inner sidewall of the first tubular portion 17. Further it may be observed in FIG. 3 that the end face 23A butts up against at least one or potentially both of the inwardly projecting dimples 19A and 19B (see also FIG. 5).

By use of the dimple projections 19A and 19B, a further insertion of the second tubular portion 23 into the first tubular portion 17 is prevented, thus resulting in a gap 24 between a first leading corrugation 21AA and the leading end 13B of the cap 13. This prevents any engagement by the first leading corrugation 21 AA with the internal threads 13A of the cap 13. This is significant since damage to one or more of the threads by the corrugation or corrugations is prevented. If the thread or threads are damaged such as by deformation leakages can result when the cap is screwed on the container.

In addition to the peripheral portion 23AA portion having frictional engagement because of the cocking of the second tubular portion 23 in the first tubular portion 17, frictional engagement may also occur between an outer peripheral portion of a side wall of the second tubular portion 23 at location 23AB, which is at a corner between the end surface 13C of the cap 13 where it merges with an end of the first tubular portion 17. These frictional engagements at 23AA and 23AB contribute to retaining the second tubular portion 23 within the first tubular portion 17 during shipment and/or storage of the spout assembly.

Although preferred exemplary embodiments are shown and described in detail in the drawings and in the preceding specification, they should be viewed as purely exemplary and not as limiting the invention. It is noted that only preferred exemplary embodiments are shown and described, and all variations and modifications that presently or in the future lie within the protective scope of the invention should be protected.

Claims

1. A vented spout assembly for threaded engagement with a threaded outlet of a fluid container, comprising:

a flexible spout comprising a first tubular portion with a connected cap having threads, at least one corrugated flexible section with a plurality of corrugations, and a second tubular portion with an end face, the at least one corrugated flexible section being located between the first tubular portion and said second tubular portion;

said cap having at an end surface thereof a vent structure having a flexible tube section and a slit in a side wall of the tube section and extending longitudinally along said flexible tube section, said slit having first and second abutting end faces formed of said side wall; and

said first tubular portion having at least one internal projection extending inwardly from a side wall of said first tubular portion and which is positioned to contact said end face of said second tubular portion when said second tubular portion is inserted through said cap into said first tubular portion to prevent a leading corrugation of said plurality of corrugations of the at least one corrugated flexible section from engaging any of said threads of said cap.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein another corrugated flexible section is provided and with an intermediate tubular portion between said at least one corrugated flexible section and said another flexible corrugated section.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a plurality of finger grips extend inwardly from said side wall of said first tubular portion.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein another internal projection is provided extending inwardly from said side wall of the first tubular portion at an opposite side and directly across from said at least one internal projection for also contacting said end face of said second tubular portion when it is inserted into the first tubular portion.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said internal projections are shaped as dimples and terminating with respect to each other at a distance across from each other which is less than an outer diameter of said second tubular portion at said end face.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a spacing gap is provided between said leading corrugation and a leading end of said cap.

7. The assembly of 1 claim wherein an outer diameter of said second tubular portion is less than an inner diameter of said first tubular portion such that when said second tubular portion is inserted in said first tubular portion a longitudinal center line of said second tubular portion is cocked and angled with respect to a longitudinal center line of said first tubular portion such that a peripheral portion of said end face of said second tubular portion frictionally engages with an inner side wall of the first tubular portion.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein an outer peripheral portion of said second tubular portion frictionally engages at a corner located where said end surface of the cap merges with an end of the first tubular portion.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said vent structure has at a leading end a V-shaped termination and with said slit terminating substantially at a location where said V-shaped termination end begins.

10. A spout assembly for threaded engagement with a threaded outlet of a fluid container, comprising:

a flexible spout comprising a first tubular portion with a connecting cap having threads, at least one corrugated flexible section with a plurality of corrugations, and a second tubular portion with an end face, the at least one corrugated flexible section being located between the first tubular portion and said second tubular portion; and

said first tubular portion having at least one internal projection extending inwardly from a side wall of said first tubular portion and which is positioned to contact said end face of said second tubular portion when said second tubular portion is inserted through said cap into said first tubular portion to prevent a leading corrugation of said plurality of corrugations of the at least one corrugated flexible section from engaging any of said threads of said cap.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein another internal projection is provided extending inwardly from said side wall of the first tubular portion at an opposite side and directly across from said at least one internal projection for also contacting said end face of said second tubular portion when it is inserted into the first tubular portion.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said internal projections are shaped as dimples and terminating with respect to each other at a distance across from each other which is less than an outer diameter of said second tubular portion at said end face.

13. The assembly of claim 10 wherein a spacing gap is provided between said leading corrugation and a leading end of said cap.

14. The assembly of 10 claim wherein an outer diameter of said second tubular portion is less than an inner diameter of said first tubular portion such that when said second tubular portion is inserted in said first tubular portion a longitudinal center line of said second tubular portion is cocked and angled with respect to a longitudinal center line of said first tubular portion such that a peripheral portion of said end face of said second tubular portion frictionally engages with an inner side wall of the first tubular portion.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein an outer peripheral portion of said second tubular portion frictionally engages at a corner located where said end surface of the cap merges with an end of the first tubular portion.

16. A vented spout assembly for threaded engagement with a threaded outlet of a fluid container, comprising:

a flexible spout comprising a first tubular portion with a connected cap having threads, at least one corrugated flexible section with a plurality of corrugations, and a second tubular portion with an end face, the at least one corrugated flexible section being located between the first tubular portion and said second tubular portion; and

said cap having at an end surface thereof a vent structure having a flexible tube section and a slit in a side wall of the tube section and extending longitudinally along said flexible tube section, said slit having first and second abutting end faces formed of said side wall.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said vent structure has at a leading end a V-shaped termination and with said slit terminating substantially at a location where said V-shaped termination end begins.