Single handed measuring dispenser system and method

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a device for pouring liquids comprise of a container for storing liquids and a spout disposed at the top of the container configured to dispense liquids from the container. A cap is provided housing the spout configured to retain the liquid when the container is rotated in a rearward direction and configured to dispense the liquid from the device when the container is rotated in a forward direction.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/307,584, filed on Jul. 24, 2001, entitled, “Single Handed Measuring Dispenser System and Method” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a container for holding and dispensing fluids. More specifically, this invention relates to a method of dispensing measured amounts of fluids from a container without opening a cap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are many systems currently available on the market for dispensing fluids from a container. However, some of the earlier systems were inefficient to control the amount of fluid to be dispensed or messy the dispensed fluid adheres to the outside of the container when the container is returned to its upright position. Many advancements have been made to control this problem, particularly with the addition of recessed pour spouts coupled with drainage return channels. These improvements have helped to prevent the dispensed fluid from running down the outside wall of the container.

[0004] Another past improvement in the area of fluid dispensing methods was the inclusion of measuring lines in the container's cap. This allowed users easy access to a measuring devise, and coupled with the above mentioned improvements, a user could measure a specified amount of fluid into the cap, then return the empty cap to the top of the container. The drainage spout and drainage return channels greatly reduced the leakage of the excess fluid in the cap from spilling down the outside wall of the container.

[0005] However, even with these past improvements there is still some unavoidable spillage. Because the user has to open the container, pour and then return the cap to the container top, various numbers of human errors are still possible using this system. For example, if a user were to leave too much excess fluid in the measuring cap when they returned it, the drainage return channel may overflow. Another possible drawback is that the drainage return channel may not have the capacity to empty fast enough, before the lid is placed back on top, forcing some of the excess fluid in the drainage return channel to spill out over the side.

[0006] Another drawback with this system is the speed at which the cap is placed back on the top of the container. For less viscus fluids the excess may spill out of the cap before it is returned to its proper position. Additionally, the aging population has difficulty manipulating the multi-pieced devices disclosed in the prior art. A one handed device for measuring and dispensing fluids with the least amount of manipulation of parts would be advantageous to older, arthritic, or less agile users. These and other problems provide a need for a method to measure and dispense the desired quantity of fluid without opening or using a container cap.

[0007] Some improvements have been made in this area as well but there are still some problems associated with their ease of use, and flexibility. These improvements have allowed users to pre-measure fixed quantities of fluid but they do not allow the user to vary the amount, nor do they allow the user to check the accuracy of such a measurement. Some of these improvements still require the user to open the lid after measuring and others have drawbacks associated with complicated fluid flow dynamics. The present invention is an improvement over the prior art because in addition to having the advantages of the past improvements it provides a system for measuring and dispensing fluids from a container without removing a cap using only one hand, while simultaneously maintaining a simple and low cost-of-manufacture design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] To this end, the present invention is directed to a device for pouring liquids comprised of a container for storing liquid and a spout disposed at the top of the container configured to dispense liquids from the container. A cap is also provided housing the spout configured to retain the liquid when the container is rotated in a rearward direction and configured to dispense the liquid from the device when the container is rotated in a forward direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1a illustrates a front elevation of a container, cap and spout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 1b illustrates a front elevation of a container, cap and spout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a close up perspective view of a spout from FIG. 1b, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a close up perspective view of a spout from FIG. 1b, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a horizontal elevation of a container from FIG. 1a, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 4a illustrates a perspective close up view of a spout from FIG. 4, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 4b illustrates a perspective close up view of a spout from FIG. 4, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a vertical elevation of a container, spout and cap from FIG. 1b, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a horizontal elevation of a container from FIG. 1a, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a close up perspective of a spout from FIG. 1b, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, a single-handed liquid measuring dispenser is provided which allows the user to pour a pre-measured amount of liquid prior to dispensing from the bottle and without having to remove the cap. To this end, a container 1, a cap 2 and a spout 3 are provided.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1b, container 1 has an opening at the top with a 5° degree slope towards the rear of the bottle with an interior rim of the aperture 1a fitted to house cap 2. Cap 2 is of oblong shape having an aperture 2a with an interior rim fitted to house spout 3. Cap 2 includes a reservoir area 2b located in the rear opposite the end of exit hole 2c fitted by a closure 2d.

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, spout 3 contains three holes, an exit hole 3a, and air duct 3b and a drain hole 3c all located in the rear of spout 3. Air duct 3b is located above exit hole 3a, and drain hole 3c is located preferably at the lowest point of spout 3.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the user may open closure 2d of cap 2. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the user tilts container 1 back approximately 80° degrees allowing liquid to flow through the spout exit hole 3a into reservoir area 2b of cap 2, while air enters container 1 via air duct 3b (FIG. 4a).

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 4b, once liquid fills reservoir area 2b reaching air duct 3b located at the top of spout 3 air flow is blocked from entering container 1, stopping liquid from exiting container 1. As illustrated in FIG. 5, container 1 is returned to the upright position allowing the liquid to flow to the bottom of cap 2.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the user tilts container 1 forward and the liquid is dispensed from cap 2 via exit hole 2c. As illustrated in FIG. 7, after pouring is complete container 1 is returned to its upright position, where the residual liquid settles to the rear and bottom of spout 3 due to its 5° degree slope, funneling through drain hole 3c and returning to container 1.

[0025] While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for pouring liquids, said device comprising:

a container for storing liquid,

a spout disposed at the top of said container configured to dispense liquids from said container; and

a cap housing said spout configured to retain said liquid when said container is rotated in a rearward direction and configured to dispense said liquid from said device when said container is rotated in a forward direction.