Container with a non-drip pouring lip

Abstract

A container having a body portion (10) and a dispensing opening, a neck (14) surrounding said dispensing opening, the neck having a rim (20), an inner neck surface (18) and an outer neck surface (16), and a drip minimizing member (32, 68) extending inwardly over a portion of the dispensing outlet, the member being located proximate the rim (20), the member terminating in a sharp edge (34, 70) to minimize dripping when pouring from the container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers and more particularly, relates to means for minimizing dripping when pouring a fluid from a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of a pouring aid is well known in the art and such devices have been widely used in the pouring of various fluids. In particular, pouring aids to minimize dripping have been widely used for the dispensing of wine and the like.

One approach which has been taken to minimize dripping is the use of a pouring spout which mounts on the neck of a container. While such pouring spouts have gained a certain degree of acceptance, some still suffer from the disadvantage of allowing drips or drops to form when the container is raised upright after the dispensing step. In order to overcome this, various proposals have been advanced in the art including, for example, a pouring spout, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,179 wherein the pouring spout is placed in the container neck and there is provided a channel for the drips or drops to flow back into the container.

A still further approach is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,481 wherein a piece of flexible and elastic foil material having a circular configuration is rolled up and inserted in the neck of the bottle. The material, due to its elasticity, will fill the dispensing opening and form a tube shaped outlet spout. As the material is relatively thin, dripping is minimized.

With all of the above pouring aids, the user must have the pouring aid inserted in the neck of the container. Naturally, it would be desirable to have the container itself formed with a means for minimizing dripping.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide container structures and arrangements wherein the formation of drips subsequent to pouring is minimized.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a body portion and a dispensing opening, a neck surrounding the dispensing opening, the neck having a rim, an inner neck surface, and an outer neck surface, and a drip minimizing member extending inwardly over a portion of the dispensing outlet, the member terminating in a sharp edge to thereby minimize dripping when pouring.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a body portion and a dispensing opening, a neck surrounding the dispensing opening, the neck having an inner neck surface, an outer neck surface, and a rim extending between the inner neck surface and the outer neck surface, an outwardly extending flange formed on the inner surface of the neck, the flange extending inwardly and terminating in a sharp edge, the flange being located proximate the rim.

The present invention utilizes an inwardly extending portion which functions as a drip minimizer. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow; a number of different types of arrangement may be provided in order to minimize the drips.

As used herein, the term “rim” means the top surface of the neck. The sharp edge which functions to minimize dripping may be formed in different manners. Thus, a portion of the member may be tapered to form such a sharp edge or the portion may be thin enough to function as the same. Actually, a sharp edge can vary in its thickness. The sharpness can depend upon the product being poured and preferably, the edge is as sharp as can be obtained without causing an injury threat to the user. Preferably, the edge would not have a thickness greater than 3 millimeters and ever more preferably, would have a thickness less than 0.15 millimeters.

The necessary edge sharpness may be achieved by having merging walls or in the case of a foil, the material forming the foil can itself have the required thickness.

Preferably, the material forming the drip minimizing portion is of a hydrophobic nature.

In the embodiment wherein there is provided an inwardly extending flange on the inner neck surface, the container is preferably formed of a PET material. Such containers are commonly used for colas and the like. The flange may be formed either at the stage where the bottle is a preform or alternatively, after the bottle has been blown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of the upper portion of a container having a neck and a cap member;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the upper portion thereof with the cap being in place;

FIG. 3 is cut-away perspective view of a further embodiment of a container neck and closure;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a cut-away perspective view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating a different type of closure;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a cut-away perspective view of the neck and closure of a different type of a container;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a cut-away perspective view of a further embodiment of a container neck similar to that shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of a closure about a container neck;

FIG. 12 is a cut-away perspective view of a still further embodiment of a container neck and closure therefor;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of a still further embodiment of a container neck and closure therefor;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a container neck incorporating an integrally formed drip minimizing member;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 illustrating a further embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a different type of a container having a ring member about the rim;

FIGS. 18 to 20 illustrate different embodiments of the ring member;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the neck portion of a still further different type of container;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of a container and integrated closure;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 illustrating a further embodiment thereof;

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of a container neck and a drip minimizing arrangement therefor; and

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating a still further embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, it should initially be noted that since many different embodiments are disclosed herein, similar reference numerals are used for similar components although the appearance of the components may differ slightly. Thus, for example, in many of the embodiments, a single reference numeral will be utilized for the neck portion of the container although different configurations of necks are illustrated.

In FIG. 1, there is illustrated an upper portion of a container 10 and which container 10 includes a lower neck generally designated by reference numeral 12 and an upper neck generally designated by reference numeral 14. Upper neck 14 includes a neck outer surface 16, a neck inner surface 18 and a rim 20 extending therebetween.

Provided on the neck outer surface 16 are a plurality of outer threads 22. A cap 24 has a top wall 26 and a downwardly depending side wall 28. On the interior surface of side wall 28 are a plurality of screw threads 30 designed to sealingly engage threads 22 on neck 14.

A drip minimizing member 32 comprises an annular ring which has an inwardly directed sharp edge 34 and is sealingly engaged with rim 20. Although drip minimizing member 32 is illustrated as extending completely about rim 20, there may be provided a shorter segment of drip minimizing member 32 extending around only a portion of the rim if so desired.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, a cover 38 is provided on top of drip minimizing member 32. Cover 38 may be utilized with or without cap 24.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, a cover 40 seats directly on rim 20. In this embodiment, cover 40 is comprised of an inner central portion 44 and an outer drip minimizing portion 46. A line of weakening 42 is provided therebetween. A tab member 45 is connected to inner portion 44 such that upon the removal thereof, there only remains outer drip minimizing portion 46 on rim 20.

Reference will now be had to the embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 14, all of which are similar, but illustrate different means of providing a drip minimizing portion or member.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the container neck illustrated is that which is typical of a wine bottle or the like. Mounted within the neck is an inner sealing element 52 which usually will be a cork or a like member. Surrounding the neck portion there is provided an outer neck cover 48. Situated on top of outer neck cover 48 is a top cover 50.

In this arrangement, the inner sealing element 52 is typically removed by a cork screw or like member. In so doing, cover 50 is removed while a drip minimizing portion 54 is lifted up from neck cover 48 and forms a pouring lip for minimizing drips when pouring a liquid from the container.

As will be appreciated, at least the upper portion of neck cover 48 is formed of a deformable material so as to permit the same to take the form illustrated in FIG. 7 which illustrates the shape following removal of the inner sealing member 52. Such materials including foil are well known in the art.

A similar embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 9 except that there is provided an outer cover 56 with a tear strip 58 formed thereon to permit removal of top cover 50. In all other respect, this embodiment functions in the same manner as previously described.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, a similar arrangement is illustrated except that outer member 60 does not have a tear strip formed therein. Depending upon the material, outer member 60 may be removed separately of as part of the removal of inner sealing element 52.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, a very similar arrangement is shown except that neck cover 62 is shorter than neck cover 48 in the previously described embodiments.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, a tear strip 58 is provided for outer cover 60.

FIG. 13 illustrates a similar arrangement except that no tear strip is provided.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14, a drip minimizing member 64 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 is utilized with an outer cover 60 therefor. This functions in the same manner in that removal of inner sealing member 52 will cause deformation of drip minimizing member 64 in a manner similar to that described with respect to FIG. 7.

A different embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 15 wherein a neck portion 14 has threads 22 formed thereon. However, an inwardly extending flange generally designated by reference numeral 68 is formed at the rim of neck 14. Thus, as may be seen, there is provided a downwardly and inwardly slanting wall 72 extending inwardly from rim 20 and terminating in a sharp edge 70.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, a groove 74 is provided within neck inner surface 18 proximate rim 20 to thereby provide an edge which will minimize drips when pouring.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 17 to 20, there is provided a container generally designated by reference numeral 76 which is typical of those storing a product such as paint. A ring member 78 is provided to seat on top of container 76 which includes a circular side wall 80.

As may be best seen in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, different arrangements may be provided to minimize dripping. Container 76, as previously mentioned, has a circular side wall 80 with an inwardly extending flange 82 terminating in a U-shaped member 84. Vertical wall 86 forms a portion of U-shaped member 84.

Ring member 78 includes a side wall 88 and a top wall 90 which terminates in a sharp edge 92. A bulging portion 94 is designed to seat against the rim of side wall 80 to retain member 78 in position.

In the embodiment of FIG. 19, there is provided a U-shaped member 91 which is designed to fit within U-shaped portion 84. A lip portion 92 is a formed of a relatively thin material to provide the required pouring edge.

In the embodiment of FIG. 20, there is provided an upper member which includes a top wall 90 with a downwardly descending retaining leg 96. Again, a sharp edge 92 provides the drip minimizing portion.

In the embodiment of FIG. 21, a spout 98 has external threads 100 formed thereon. There is provided an inwardly extending flange 102 which may also form a portion of a tear ring for sealing spout 98. Flange 102 terminates in a sharp edge 104.

In the embodiment of FIG. 22, there is provided a container having a side wall 106 with a cap 108 connected thereto by means of a living hinge 110. There is provided an inwardly extending member 112 which terminates in a sharp edge 114.

A similar embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 23 with a cover 116 being formed integral with member 112. A tab portion 118 is provided for removing cover 116.

In the embodiment of FIG. 24, there is provided a member 118 which has a top wall 120 and a downwardly extending side wall 122. Downwardly extending side wall 122 has a plurality of flanges 124 designed to seal against neck inner surface 18. Top portion 120 terminates in a sharp pouring edge 126.

In the embodiment of FIG. 25 there is provided a roll of tape 128 which may be placed about the rim of a container to form both a side wall portion 130 and an inwardly extending pouring lip 132. The material forming tape 128 is sufficiently thin and rigid to minimize drips when pouring from the container.

Claims

1. A container having a body portion (10) and a dispensing opening, a neck (14) surrounding said dispensing opening, said neck having a rim (20), an inner neck surface (18), and an outer neck surface (16), and a drip minimizing member (32, 68) extending inwardly over a portion of said dispensing outlet, said member being located proximate said rim, said member terminating in a sharp edge (34, 70) to thereby minimize dripping when pouring.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein said member (32) is secured to said rim (20).

3. The container of claim 2 wherein said member (32) is sealingly engaged with said rim (20).

4. The container of claim 1 wherein said container (10) has a cover (40) secured to said rim (20), an inner portion (44) of said cover (40) being removable to thereby leave an outer portion (46) secured to said rim, said outer portion (46) terminating in a sharp inward edge to minimize dripping when pouring.

5. The container of claim 1 further including a cap member (24) screw threadably engaged with said neck (14).

6. The container of claim 1 wherein said container includes an outer component (48) extending about an exterior portion of said neck (14) and extending inwardly of said rim, said inwardly extending portion (54) forming said drip minimizing member.

7. The container of claim 6 wherein said container includes a sealing component (52) inserted in said neck (14), the arrangement being such that upon extraction of said sealing component (52), said drip minimizing portion (54) is deformed upwardly to form a pouring lip.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein said sealing member (52) comprises a cork like element.

9. A container having a body portion and a dispensing opening, a neck (14) surrounding said dispensing opening, said neck having an inner neck surface (18), an outer neck surface (16), and a rim (20) extending between said inner neck surface and said outer neck surface, an inwardly extending flange (68) formed on said inner surface of said neck, said flange extending inwardly and terminating in a sharp edge (70), said flange being located proximate said rim (20).

10. The container of claim 1 wherein said inwardly extending flange (68) forms a portion of cover extending across said dispensing opening, the arrangement being such that when the central portion of said cover is removed, said inwardly extending flange (68) remains.

11. The container of claim 10 further including a cap (108) mounted over said dispensing opening.

12. The container of claim 1 wherein said drip minimizing member comprises tape (122) secured about said rim (20), said tape having a sidewall portion (130) and an inwardly extending pouring lip (132).