Container and blow mold assembly
A container for storing, transporting and dispensing liquids has a spout comprising a mouth opening through which liquid passes, the spout projecting from the top portion of the container body proximate the front thereof, and a hollow handle joining the spout with the rear of the top portion of the container body and comprising a handle opening joining the spout with the hollow handle so that with the container rotated to dispense liquid, liquid does not block the inflow of air through the hollow handle and into the container. Advantageously the spout further comprises a spout throat comprising the mouth opening, a spout base and a spout platform, the spout throat being substantially cylindrical and less wide than the spout platform, the spout base being frustoconical and joining the spout platform to the spout throat, the spout platform having plural flat sides between the spout base and the top portion of the container body.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to containers for transporting, storing and dispensing liquids. In particular, this invention relates to blow molded containers having integral features for improving the facilities of the containers for dispensing liquids therefrom and to molds for such containers.
2. Description of Related Art
Containers of the type to which this invention pertains are characterized by large body cross sections and a mouth advantageously formed in a neck portion of the container comprising surface features for engaging a separable closure and forming a spout. It is known for such containers to comprise mouths of small cross section relative to the cross sectional area of the container body. In known containers of this type, as liquid is dispensed, liquid at the mouth blocks inflow of air to the container body. Referring to
It is known to produce containers to which the invention pertains by blow molding. Blow molding is a cyclic process wherein a parison of material in a moldable condition is centered on the parting plane of a mold assembly; the mold assembly is closed around the parison; the parison is expanded so the exterior of the parison abuts molding surfaces defining a molding cavity of the closed mold assembly; the blow molded article is conditioned to be sufficiently rigid to retain its size and shape while unsupported; the mold assembly is opened; and, the blow molded article is removed. In general, the moldable condition of the parison is achieved when the material of the parison is at an elevated temperature, and the rigid condition of the blow molded article is achieved when the temperature of the material has been reduced. There is a need for molds for blow molding containers having improved facilities for dispensing liquids therefrom.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a container for transporting, storing and dispensing liquids comprising a body having front and rear portions and a spout in the front portion proximate the top of the container for dispensing fluids therefrom having integral features for improved dispensing of liquids therefrom.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a container for transporting, storing and dispensing liquids comprising a body having front and rear portions, a spout projecting from the top of the container body proximate the front thereof, and a hollow handle open to the base of the spout and the top of the container proximate the rear thereof the hollow handle joining the spout at a handle opening so that with the container rotated to dispense liquid therefrom, liquid does not block the inflow of air through the hollow handle and into the container.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mold assembly for producing containers in accordance with the invention.
Further objects and advantages of the invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description thereof.
In accordance with the aforesaid objects the present invention provides a container for transporting, storing and dispensing liquids, the container comprising a container body, a spout projecting from the top portion of the container body proximate the front thereof, a hollow handle joining the spout with the rear of the top portion of the container body, the spout comprising a mouth opening through which liquid flows to fill the container and to dispense liquid from the container, a handle opening joining the spout with the hollow handle so that with the container rotated to dispense liquid therefrom, liquid does not block the inflow of air through the hollow handle and into the container. Advantageously the spout further comprises a spout throat comprising the mouth opening, a spout base and a spout platform, the spout throat being substantially cylindrical and having a width less than the spout platform, the spout base being frusto-conical and joining the spout platform to the spout throat, the spout platform being interposed between the spout base and the top portion of the container body. A mold assembly comprises mold components for blow molding a container in accordance with the invention, the mold components comprising molding surfaces comprising first molding surfaces defining the container body, second molding surfaces defining the neck portion comprising the spout, third molding surfaces defining the container base and fourth molding surfaces defining the hollow handle.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention shall be illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment which shall be described in detail. It is not the intention of applicant that the invention be limited to the preferred embodiment, but rather that the invention shall be defined by the appended claims and all equivalents thereof.
Referring to
Advantageously, container 10 is produced by blow molding. Referring to
Continuing with reference to
Referring to
Claims
1. A container for transporting, storing and dispensing liquids, the container comprising a container body, a spout projecting from the top portion of the container body proximate the front thereof, a hollow handle joining the spout with the rear of the top portion of the container body, the spout comprising a mouth opening through which liquid flows to fill the container and to dispense liquid from the container, a handle opening joining the spout with the hollow handle so that with the container rotated to dispense liquid therefrom, liquid does not block the inflow of air through the hollow handle and into the container.
2. The container according to claim 1 wherein the handle opening is oriented relative to the spout and located relative to the mouth opening such that when the mouth opening is below the level of liquid in the spout, the handle opening remains open to permit the inflow of air therethrough.
3. The container according to claim 1 wherein the spout further comprises a spout throat comprising the mouth opening, a spout base and a spout platform, the spout throat being substantially cylindrical and having a width less than the spout platform, the spout base being frusto-conical and joining the spout platform to the spout throat, the spout platform being interposed between the spout base and the top portion of the container body.
4. The container according to claim 3 wherein the spout throat comprises surface features for engaging a separable closure for covering the mouth opening.
5. The container according to claim 4 wherein the surface features comprise at least one thread flight.
6. The container according to claim 3 wherein the spout platform comprises a six-sided perimeter at the junction thereof with the container body, and sidewalls sloping upwards from the perimeter toward the mouth opening and terminating in a saddle surface joined with the spout base.
7. The container according to claim 3 wherein the top portion of the container body further comprises a groove traversing the top of the container body and comprising the rear sidewall of the spout platform, the groove functioning as an internal baffle to reduce sloshing of liquid proximate the spout with the container rotated to dispense liquid therefrom.
8. A mold assembly for blow molding at least one container in accordance with claim 1, the mold assembly comprising first and second mating mold components, each mating mold component comprising molding surfaces open to a mating face of the mold component and defining the exterior of an article to be molded, the molding surfaces comprising first molding surfaces defining the container body, second molding surfaces defining the neck portion comprising the spout, third molding surfaces defining the container base and fourth molding surfaces defining the hollow handle.
9. A mold assembly for blow molding at least one container in accordance with claim 3, the mold assembly comprising first and second mating mold components, each mating mold component comprising molding surfaces open to a mating face of the mold component and defining the exterior of an article to be molded, the molding surfaces comprising first molding surfaces defining the container body, second molding surfaces defining the neck portion comprising the spout, third molding surfaces defining the container base and fourth molding surfaces defining the hollow handle.
10. The mold assembly according to claim 9 wherein the second molding surfaces define surface features for engaging a separable closure for covering the mouth opening.
11. A mold assembly for blow molding at least one container in accordance with claim 7, the mold assembly comprising first and second mating mold components, each mating mold component comprising molding surfaces open to a mating face of the mold component and defining the exterior of an article to be molded, the molding surfaces comprising first molding surfaces defining the container body, second molding surfaces defining the neck portion comprising the spout, third molding surfaces defining the container base and fourth molding surfaces defining the hollow handle.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 1, 2005
Publication Date: Feb 1, 2007
Inventor: James Janeczek (Tecumseh, MI)
Application Number: 11/194,327
International Classification: B65D 23/10 (20060101);