Patent Application
20160039583
This disclosure relates to a range of proportions for a vent and a pouring aperture working in combination to fully vent a container in a fashion that is complete, continuous, non-leaking, and without aerating and contaminating the liquid. Additionally, the vent provides a positive pressure in the container to assist in promoting release of the liquid on demand. This disclosure further describes a vent for containers to prevent contamination of liquid in the container. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a vent that prevents the creation of a vacuum inside the container, including containers for liquor, wine, sports drinks, rehydration drinks, water and cola, and other liquids. The disclosure prevents introduction of air into the liquid when poured, thus preventing oxidation and other untoward reactions with the liquid of the container, which alter the taste and quality of the liquid in the container when dispensed.
The bottom, or distal, end of containers, particularly liquor, and wine, and other liquid containers is moved upwardly to pour liquid from the bottle, or container, and a vacuum forms during the pour. Air enters the container to fill the vacuum so that more liquid may pour from the container. The air that enters a conventional container in the pouring position is lighter than the liquid in the container and thus, seeks and travels to the most superior portion of the container, that is, its highest point, or its inverted bottom in this pouring position, which is the distal aspect of the container. In traveling to the distal portion of the container, the air contaminates the liquid as it mixes with it, and precipitates chemical reactions within the liquid. Any air that also mixes into the liquid is another untoward outcome of pouring that occurs from prior art containers.
Many liquids require precise ingredients, and these ingredients are manufactured or grown under strictly controlled conditions. The combining of these ingredients also undergoes close monitoring in a controlled environment, as does the handling of the ingredients and the product in every stage of manufacturing. Also, the handling of the final product has similar tight controls for optimization. Liquors, wines, and other beverages serve as prime examples of the precision and excellence found in a particular industry; The growers of the ingredients of many types of liquor, particularly wine, and the processors of liquors and other liquids, take many precautions to ensure the maximal quality during every step of the production process. But, oxidation of many of the ingredients of wine may occur and diminish the quality of the wine, possibly to the point of consumer rejection. Other unfavorable chemical reactions occur due to the introduction of air into other conventional containers of liquid, such as cola, including the introduction of other airborne chemicals, pollutants, particulates, and the like that may co-contaminate the liquid. Unfortunately, these unfavorable reactions occur repeatedly to the remaining liquid in a conventional container with each pour. The undesirable effects increase many times over as air is frequently reintroduced, with continuing contamination of the liquid. Manufacturers of other liquids have similar and significant need to prevent the contamination of liquids by air.
Prior art containers that hold and pour liquids and have disadvantages such as leaking, introducing air into the liquid, not pouring on demand, not venting the container, not providing a positive pressure inside the container, and utilizing more than one component to the vent. Some containers utilize a vent, including liquor bottles and other liquid containers. Frequently, however, such prior art vents require an orientation of the vent, in an upward position, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,168,221 to Parker. If the vent is not oriented correctly, a significant amount of liquid is spilled from the vent to the outside of the container and typically onto the user of the container. Prior art containers may leak because of container or container component compression in any container direction. Containers may increasingly leak from an increasing amount of pressure on the container or its components and increasing dispenser size. Leaks often take place with the prior art container's reservoir being in an inverted position. Leaks also appear when the neck size increases.
One prior art vent terminates at the wall of the reservoir, which requires an orientation of the container to prevent leakage. Another prior art container, when in the dispensing position with a portion of the vent tube directed toward the bottom of the container and submersed in the liquid, introduces air into the liquid and only limited venting takes place, and only after a vacuum has formed. Many prior art containers introduce a multitude of air bubbles into the liquid in the container. Prior art containers also suffer a prolonged lack of venting due to the capillary action of a small vent tube and may trigger a partial vacuum. Further, over tightening of a collar upon an existing container leads to a complete vacuum. Also, prior art containers may trigger the occurrence of negative pressure in the container. Some of the prior art containers utilize a check valve to slow or prevent liquid from leaking from the container, but a negative pressure must form in the container in order for the valve to open, which introduces other negative effects. Prior art containers also prevent the beneficial effect of formation of positive pressure formation in the container.
During pouring from a prior art container, the path of the liquid stream frequently becomes erratic, thereby making measurement of the liquid dispensed difficult. Prior art containers, especially those of glass, are more difficult to manufacture. Other prior art containers require drilling a hole into the neck of a narrow-neck container as a separate operation. Some other prior art containers attach their reservoirs to the container, utilizing a needle nose pliers, grasping the short vent tube and inserting it into the hole in the neck of the container. Sometimes a ring is attached to the reservoir in order to center the reservoir. However, a reservoir with an attached ring becomes impossible to insert into any size container because the ring centers the reservoir in the center of the neck, preventing insertion of the small vent tube into the neck of the container. If the ring is omitted, the above venting mechanism only has support from the small vent tube in the neck of the container. Tightening the closure too tightly on many prior art containers seals the vent closed, making it inoperable. Further, improper sealing at the closure then may lead to leakage outside the container. A fair number of prior art containers cannot be completely disassembled, which prevents cleaning and results in bacterial buildup and residue, and therefore prevents reuse. Prior art containers also take few steps to prevent the problems associated with air blending with the liquids in the containers. Alas, prior art containers alter the quality of liquid product contained therein as air enters the liquid. Each usage of a prior art container brings in a volume of air that leads to oxidation and other contamination of liquid. Usage and air entrainment lead to the chemical reactions that change the liquid regarding smell, color, taste, and air content among other things. These changes may accumulate and adversely affect the value of the liquid, leading ultimately to its removal from store shelves.
During pouring from prior art containers, liquid within the venting tube may frequently leak from the container. Liquid also lags and remains in the venting tube, that is, slowly evacuates from the venting tube and returns to the container during inversion and usage of the container. In using prior art containers, the users often do not have the desired rate of pouring of liquid out of the container and also do not have an even rate of pouring of liquid. Prior art containers with vents exhibit a hesitancy of initial liquid flow as the liquid pours from the container upon inversion. Also, the reservoir extension, avoids seeking the distal and lateral aspect of the container, which may lead to contact of the liquid with air, thus degrading the liquid in the container.
Also, one version of a prior art vent 3168221 to Parker, which is slightly smaller than the pouring spout, is cylindrical and extends from the outside of the container to the bottom of the container, and leaks a significant amount of fluid from the vent when poured, due to the lack of a significant air pressure stream in the vent to propel the liquid in the air vent back into the container before it leaks to the exterior of the container. In another version of the vent to Parker, the vent is much smaller in relation to the liquid pouring spout and liquid either pours slower than desired from the liquid spout or won't pour at all due to lack of venting relative to the rate of liquid being poured. Also, in the patent to Parker, as well as those to others, the vent doesn't extend to the bottom of the container, which minimizes the venting of the container, as liquid overlying the exit of the vent prohibits air entry into the vent and container, until a sufficient detrimental vacuum has formed in the container. In all of the versions of the patent to Parker, contamination of the liquid by the air entering the container occurs, and no desirable positive pressure is present in the container at the onset of pouring.
Some current containers utilize no venting at all into the container and attempt to vent through the drinking aperture of the container while the user is drinking the liquid. If a large aperture at the top of the container is used to drink from, in order to mimic a cup, spilling easily occurs, especially with children and anyone engaging in any type of movement while attempting to drink.
Some containers have resorted to a smaller aperture in the container, which also introduces multiple disadvantages. The primary disadvantage to that arrangement is that air must enter the container through the liquid as the liquid exits, which aerates the liquid exiting the container as well as the liquid remaining in the container. Aeration has multiple significant disadvantages, as is outlined. Another disadvantage of a small drinking aperture in an unvented container is that a vacuum is present in the container, which slows liquid flow and doesn't allow for control of removing the liquid.
Liquid occupies a container, preferably closed at its aperture to prevent spillage, unless opened for pouring. The closure of the container may be of any type, either locating on the interior of the aperture of the container or on the exterior of the container over the aperture. Both closures locations typically provide a spill-resistant or spill-proof closure.
The first aperture conducts liquid and typically has two ends: proximal and distal. The proximal end typically extends to the superior and lateral surface of the closure and may be of any configuration to assist in pouring the liquid from the container. The distal end of the liquid aperture typically ends at the distal end of the closure. Any portion of this aperture may contain a hollow conduit for optimization of the direction and amount of the fluid flow. A liquid conduit may be inserted into the liquid aperture of the closure at any time during preparation or usage of the container to assist in pouring. A liquid conduit may also come already attached to the closure to assist in pouring. The liquid conduit may be fixed or adjustable in its configuration. The second aperture contains an air aperture vent.
The preferred embodiment of this disclosure consists of only one additional part, a reservoir and its extension, which is attached to a container and its closure. The disclosure may consist of the reservoir with its extension; the closure and the reservoir with its extension; or, alternatively, the container, the closure, and reservoir with its extension. The reservoir is typically larger than the extension and the extension is typically conical and larger superiorly. An internal venting tube, which is molded as an extension of the closure, has its superior aspect open to the outside ambient air and its inferior aspect open to the volumetric center of the reservoir, thereby providing double venting. The internal venting tube eliminates the need for an additional component for the flow of air, which is unique to this disclosure. Previously, the internal venting tube, which required the attachment of another component for functioning, is now a component of the closure, thereby eliminating the need for attachment of another component for proper functioning.
In the preferred embodiment, the disclosure operates when liquid is introduced into the container, which then is sealed during manufacturing. Optionally, the container may be filled by the consumer. As the container is inverted and liquid pours from the container though the liquid aperture and any attached liquid conduit, air enters the air conduit. The air then proceeds into the reservoir and its extension and enters the distal aspect of the container, avoiding contact with the liquid in the container. Air, while traversing the reservoir and its preferable conical extension, expels any liquid remaining in the reservoir extension, thereby allowing uninterrupted venting of the container. A small amount of liquid may enter and be contained in the proximal aspect of the reservoir during pouring of the liquid, and this liquid is returned to the container upon resumption of the upright positioning of the container. A volume of air, equal to the volume of liquid removed, is introduced into the superior aspect of the container during pouring of the liquid from the container, to eliminate the vacuum in the container.
Several embodiments of the current disclosure may be seen. The venting mechanism of the present disclosure includes various shapes. The components of the embodiments may reside in different locations within the disclosure and relative to one another.
In another embodiment, a venting tube is conically shaped along its entire length. Alternatively, the venting tube may be cylindrical though its length.
In embodiments of the current disclosure, the venting tube extends from outside the container or closure to the distal, internal aspect of the container, such that it is preferably above the level of the liquid in the container when the container is inverted to empty the liquid from the container. This ensures continuous and full venting of the container without aeration and contamination of the liquid in the container. It also ensures that a positive pressure is present in the container, so that the liquid may be withdrawn from the container on demand, without the interference of vacuum, which is present in traditional containers. Alternatively, the venting tube may be of any size or shape and any reservoir present may be of any size or shape and may contain an optional internal vent tube. Also, any venting tube may contain a flange to retain the venting tube in position and may also contain an internal flange to retain liquid and prevent leakage. Leakage is also prevented due to the diameters of the vent and pouring apertures. The range of proportions of internal diameters of the venting tube to the pouring aperture, approximately 1:2.5 (venting tube internal diameter: liquid aperture) allows for rapid and simultaneous reentry of the liquid inside the venting tube into the container followed by air entry above the level of liquid when the container is inverted.
Thus, for the first time, utilizing a one piece—venting mechanism, continuous and full venting, without leaking, without aerating, and without contaminating the liquid in the container takes place, while providing a positive pressure in the container, for removal of liquid on demand without the interference of vacuum, as seen in traditional containers. An additional embodiment shows a flange at the superior aspect of the venting tube to retain the tube in position and a thickening of the internal wall of the superior wall of the vent, which may help retain fluid within the venting tube during unusual situations. Preferably the vent tube has a generally conical shape throughout its entire length. In other embodiments, a conical shape may extend for a variable distance of the tube and it may have a distinct shape at and for any portion of its length, and may be attached in any fashion, either directly or indirectly, to the closure, dispenser, or body of the container.
Alternatively, the container vent locates superiorly to the closure or in another position on the container or associated parts and includes a double-venting reservoir with an associated reservoir extension projecting inferiorly from the inferior aspect of the reservoir to approximate the inferior and lateral edge of the container. The vent may be variably shaped. An air conduit extends distally from the superior aspect of the reservoir preferably into the volumetric center of the reservoir and is in contact with the ambient air outside the liquid container. The reservoir is larger in diameter than its extension. The reservoir and its extension may consist of one or more pieces. The reservoir extension projects to the inferior aspect of the container, and may be attached to the reservoir with a press fit and may be of any length to adjust to the size of the container. The reservoir and its extension may be of any size and shape. Preferably, the extension of the reservoir is not linear to the air conduit of the reservoir. This prevents any liquid that may enter the reservoir during usage from access to the air conduit in the superior aspect of the reservoir. The reservoir and its accompanying superiorly located air conduit and inferiorly located extension are attached or preassembled to the closure or other aspects of the container or associated parts.
Both the extension of the reservoir and the venting tube embodiments may be preferably composed of a buoyant material or a material that is shaped to seek the superior aspect of the container while in the inverted position, which is accomplished by them floating, by their shapes leading to the airspace, or any other means of positioning themselves to reside in the airspace of the container during usage, to minimize any contact of the liquid with air. Different combinations of these components would be preferable in certain containers.
In another embodiment, the second aperture communicates with the venting tube, with the tube approximating the aperture and extending into the container, preferable to the inferior aspect of the container, and preferably superior to the liquid of the container when the container is inverted.
Alternatively, the second aperture of the closure approximates the reservoir with its air conduit and the extension of the reservoir and extends through the length of the container from the proximal to the distal ends. The reservoir may have a position on the superior aspect of the closure, but may have a position in any location, including the interior of the container. Any ends of the apertures and conduits may contain caps. The reservoir and its extension, as well as a venting tube, may be packaged individually or together to be used with a closure, container, air and/or fluid conduits, or any combination thereof.
In the venting tube embodiment of the disclosure, while in the upright position, has liquid in the venting tube, and when the container is inverted during usage, the inwardly moving air expediently evacuates this liquid into the interior of the container and conducts the air concurrently to the superior aspect of the inverted container, while ensuring no contamination of the liquid in the container with air. In this embodiment, the venting tube, with its preferred conical shape, ensures that the liquid within it, while in the upright position, remains in the tube. Also, the tube assures that during usage, liquid does not exit the container because the liquid is rapidly evacuated from the conically or otherwise shaped venting tube back into the container during inversion and usage of the container. This is accomplished by air quickly entering the tube to vent the container during usage. Both the volume of air in the superior aspect of the conically or otherwise shaped tube and the differential amounts of air in the two ends of the conically or otherwise shaped venting tube along with the approximate ratio of the venting tube to pouring aperture contribute to the unique ability of the venting tube to quickly evacuate the liquid within the tube. The venting tube resting in the airspace of the container during inversion and usage also contributes to venting, as the liquid in the venting tube doesn't have to displace any liquid overlying the venting tube in order to enter the container.
Also, in one embodiment, the superior aspect of the conical or other shape of the venting tube assists in holding any remaining liquid in the venting tube when the container is inverted for usage. This may be done by any reservoir or material in the internal portion of superior aspect of the venting tube. In addition, the vent ensures that the desired rate of pouring of liquid to the exterior of the container is obtained, that an even rate of pouring of liquid out of the container is obtained, that the liquid comes out the container upon inversion of the container during usage without hesitancy, and that there is no initial large egress of liquid from the container with initial inversion of the container. Another embodiment consists of the conical or otherwise shaped vent located on the interior of the container, contoured to the container, closure, or liquid dispenser, ending in the inferior aspect of the container, such that air is channeled to the inferior aspect of the container. Another embodiment shows a check valve in one or more portions in order to prevent the flow of liquid out of the vent, and subsequently the container, while the vent allows for the entry of air into the container as liquid is removed from the container. Also, the disclosure and its embodiments preferably seek the superior aspect of the container during usage to minimize any contact of the liquid with air. Flanges may be present in any configuration externally to assist with tube positioning and internally to assist in prevention of leakage of fluid from the container in certain embodiments. In addition, all surfaces of the disclosure may consist of various textures, various degrees of smoothness, and various shapes in order to enhance the return of liquid to interior of the container during usage.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment of the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Before explaining the current embodiment of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a new and improved vent for wine, liquor, and other fluid containers that do not contaminate liquid in the container with air during usage, particularly pouring.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a vent that is proportional to the pouring aperture, such that full and continuous venting will occur, with no aeration of the liquid, no spilling of the liquid through the vent, and a positive pressure in the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that supplies air to the bottom and superior aspect of the container during removal of liquid from the container in usage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent so that no vacuum forms in the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that liquid may be removed from the container on demand because of the absence of a vacuum in the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that accommodates containers of various sizes.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that is primarily a linear vent for venting a container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent so that an internal or external closure may be utilized to close the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that does not use an insert resting on the superior aspect of the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that may be oriented in any direction.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that may be used in any direction without leakage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that no leakage occurs with dispenser compression in any container direction.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that fits upon any size container neck.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that no leakage occurs with increasing amount of pressure and with increasing dispenser size.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that no leakage will occur with the reservoir in an inverted position.
Another object of several embodiments of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that any residual fluid in a conical venting tube, a reservoir, or a distal reservoir extension is captured in the dependent aspect of the conical venting tube, a reservoir, or a distal reservoir extension during usage and then returned to the container upon upright positioning.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that no leakage will occur with increasing container neck size.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that does not function at the sidewall of the reservoir thus preventing the requirement for a specific orientation to prevent leakage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that has its air conduit located in the volumetric center of the reservoir thus eliminating the need for orientation of the container to prevent leakage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that may be used at any angle.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that does not introduce air bubbles.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that does not form a vacuum within itself or adjacent components of a container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that allows for positive pressure formation in the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent where its distal reservoir extension clears itself of any liquid due to consistent airflow into the venting unit during usage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that provides a predictable stream of liquid during pouring.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that allows for easy measurement of the amount of liquid dispensed.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that permits ready production of the reservoir and the extension because of a single uncomplicated molded part.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that may be made of one part.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that lacks vent attachment incompatibilities.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that does not require tools for its assembly.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that has its reservoir and distal reservoir extension thoroughly supported by the closure of any other desirable portion of the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that does not permit over tightening of the collar and an interruption in venting.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that does not require drilling a hole into the neck of the container for it to work.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that does not have a press fit into a hole in the neck of the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that may be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned of all matter and bacteria.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that has cleanable and thus reusable parts.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that is readily marketable to the consuming public through existing supply outlets.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that solves recognized problems in liquid contamination and vacuum formation.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that retains the quality of liquid product because air is not introduced into the liquid.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that prevents oxidation of liquid with vent usage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that inhibits and prevents chemical reactions that change and alter liquid within the container during vent usage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that prevents changes in liquid odor with vent usage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that stops any changes in the color of the liquid during with vent usage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that prevents changes in the taste of the liquid with vent usage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that hinders any changes in the liquid from the vent usage that would adversely affect the value of the liquid in the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent, of many shapes but preferably its conical shape, that liquid within the reservoir exits and returns to the container during upright positioning and does not leave the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent, of many shapes but preferably its conical shape, which the liquid rapidly evacuates from the distal reservoir extension back into the container during inversion and usage of the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent, of many shapes but preferably its conical shape, which the user obtains a desired rate of pouring of liquid to the exterior of the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent, of many shapes but preferably its conical shape, which the user obtains an even rate of pouring of liquid from the container.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent, of many shapes but preferably its conical shape, which the liquid pours from the container upon inversion during usage of the container without hesitancy.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent, of many shapes but preferably its conical shape, which no initial undesirable large egress of liquid from the container occurs upon initial inversion of the container during usage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that the distal reservoir extension and the conical venting tube both preferably seek the distal and lateral aspect of the container during usage, thus minimizing any contact of the liquid with air.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that it is inexpensive to manufacture and is disposable.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide such a vent that uncomplicated to manufacture.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a vent that vents air into the venting tube and enables rapid and efficient removal of liquid from the conical venting tube and the distal reservoir extension during usage.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide more attachments to the superior aspect of a container or closure utilizing continuous, complete, automatic, non-leaking, non-aerating, positive pressure one-piece vent and pouring combination utilizing one direct venting aperture such that the container contents exit onto any desirable surface that assists in feeding or any other purpose. One example is that an item such as a spoon may be attached to the end superior aspect of the container, and the contents of the container may be deposited on the spoon and then consumed.
Other variations and modifications to the subject matter of this disclosure may be considered to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure as described herein. The ideas presented are not intended to limit the scope or application of the device, or its method of usage.
These together with other objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure
Other variations and modifications to the subject matter of this disclosure may be considered to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure as described herein. The ideas presented are not intended to limit the scope or application of the device, or its method of usage. These, together with other objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the disclosure, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the disclosure. In accordance with these and other objects, the present disclosure will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
In referring to the drawings,
a is a side view of a liquid container having a cylindrical reservoir and a conical reservoir extension;
These same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.
The present disclosure overcomes the prior art by providing a venting tube enabling return of any liquid in the venting tube back into the container without leakage out of the container. The present disclosure provides a vent to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a liquid aperture, an air aperture, and a venting mechanism of various shapes and proportions to simultaneously vent a container and prevent leakage from the container while utilizing a preferably conical mechanism and utilizing only one additional part to the container and closure. Additionally, double venting and a reservoir are utilized.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a closure, venting, and related components that fit on or within the neck of a liquid container, such as a wine bottle, sports bottle, or other container, and minimizes the mixing of air with liquid not yet poured from the container while eliminating spillage from the container during pouring.
Another embodiment utilizes a vent tube. The vent tube extends from the exterior of the container to the interior inferior aspect of the container.
To consume the liquid in a prior art container, a user removes the closure C and then grasps the container. During usage of a container B, that is, pouring, a user tips the container and orients the container with the neck N generally downward as shown in
The accepting flange receives a reservoir 6, generally a hollow cylinder with an open top 19 and a partially closed bottom 20. The bottom has an aperture 21 from which extend a conically shaped reservoir extension 18. The reservoir in combination with the reservoir extension 18 extends the vent to proximate the bottom of a container. The reservoir has its top slightly beveled inwardly as at 19a where the bevel generally matches the interior frusto-conical shape of the accepting flange. The reservoir superior side wall also includes at least one detent 19b here shown as two protrusions outwardly from the beveled portion of the top as at 19a. The detents can have the form of separate spaced apart protrusions. Preferably, the detents form a ring upon the perimeter of the superior side wall so that the detent fits into the recess 17 of the accepting flange. Alternatively, the reservoir may attach by friction fit or any other attachment to the accepting flange. The detent and the recess cooperate to secure the reservoir to the accepting flange of the closure. The internal venting tube 8 extends into the reservoir when secured to the accepting flange. The internal venting tube generally opens at the volumetric center of the reservoir so that the internal venting tube allows passage of air regardless of the angle of the reservoir, that is, the internal venting tube remains above the surface of any liquid within the reservoir.
Then
Another embodiment, demonstrated in
In
The liquid tube 41, which is in contact with the liquid aperture 25, has a cap 41a outwardly from the plug which a user can remove to begin the flow of liquid from within the container. The vent tube also has its cap 42a that fits upon the vent tube also outwardly from the plug. A user can remove the cap 42a from the vent tube to begin the flow of air into the container to eliminate the vacuum beyond the surface of the liquid therein. Preferably, the caps 41a, 42a have a common tether 42b secured to the plug that prevents inadvertent loss. The internal venting tube 42 has a generally elongated hollow cylindrical form. The internal venting tube 42, or air conduit, preferably extends from slightly above the top 40b of the plug, through the plug, and well below the plug as at 42c. Away from the plug, opposite the top, the vent tube, as at 42c, has a slight bulge outwardly as at 43. Preferably the bulge has a rounded outer surface and a diameter slightly more than the outside diameter of the vent tube. Beneath the bulge 43, the vent tube continues at its outside diameter and hollow construction, as at 42d.
The bulge 43 of the vent tube 42 receives a stem 48a of a reservoir plug 48. The stem 48a is a generally hollow, elongated cylinder with an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the vent tube. The stem has sufficient length to slide over the bulge 43 in the vent tube 42 thus securing the reservoir plug 48 to the vent tube. The reservoir plug is generally cylindrical. In one embodiment, the reservoir plug has a flange 48b with a slightly larger diameter than the remainder of the reservoir plug. The reservoir plug has an aperture there through that admits the vent tube. The reservoir plug has a generally solid construction outside of the aperture to prevent migration of fluids and gases through the reservoir plug. The stem 48a is generally an integral part of the reservoir plug 48 and centered thereon.
The reservoir plug 48 receives the reservoir 6 inwardly of the flange 48b. The reservoir is generally hollow and cylindrical in shape. The reservoir has an open superior end as at 47 and an opposite partially hemispherical inferior end as at 20. The inferior end has an aperture therein 21 that open to a reservoir extension 18 that narrows to a tip as at 14. In this embodiment, a flexible air conduit or hollow tubing 46 extends from the reservoir 6 to the surface of liquid within a container B when the container is in the inverted position. The free end 49 of the tubing generally approximates the bottom of the container or follows the surface of the liquid when inverted while its opposite fixed end as at 50 fits upon the outside surface of the tip 14. The tubing may have buoyancy and sufficient length to exceed the height of the container B and to avoid kinking of the tubing. It may also approximate the air space of the container B while in the inverted position. Air is free to enter the container through the air aperture 24, which typically contains an air tube 42, into the reservoir and then into the reservoir extension, above the surface of the liquid remaining in the container B when inverted. The reservoir has sufficient volume to contain liquid from the reservoir extension when the container is inverted.
Building on the top view in
Slightly different than
And,
In operation, one connects reservoir 6 to the closure or associated components or aspects, if it is not already present. The reservoir extension is preferably above the level of the liquid in the container B when the container is inverted to empty the liquid from the container.
This ensures continuous and full venting of the container without aeration and contamination of the liquid in the container. It also ensures the presence of a positive pressure in the container, so that the liquid may be withdrawn from the container on demand, without the interference of vacuum, which is present in traditional containers, other than those of the current inventors. Leakage is also prevented due to the diameters of the pouring aperture, or liquid aperture, 25 and the venting aperture, or air aperture 24. One range of proportions of internal diameters of the pouring aperture to the venting tube is approximately 2.5:1 (liquid aperture: venting tube internal diameter) and allows for rapid and simultaneous reentry of the liquid inside the venting tube into the container B followed by air entry above the level of liquid when the container is inverted. Optional flanges as at 9, 10 are shown. Optional flange 9, the stop flange, is external to the diameter of the venting tube and maintains the position of the venting tube and reservoir 6. Optional flange 10, the retainer flange, is internal to the venting tube and retains any fluid in the venting tube or reservoir 6 while the container is in use.
Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this disclosure may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the summary as provided herein, in addition to the description of its preferred embodiments. Such variations or modifications, if within the spirit of this development, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the disclosure as described herein. The description of the preferred embodiment, as well as all embodiments, as provided, and as shown in the drawings, is set forth for illustrative purposes only.
From the aforementioned description, a container venting mechanism has been described. Thus, for the first time, as demonstrated in all versions of the current disclosure and without utilizing a horizontal air conduit, this vent mechanism is uniquely capable of continuous and full venting, without leaking, and without aerating and contaminating the liquid in the container, while providing a positive pressure in the container, so that liquid may be removed on demand without the interference of vacuum, as seen in traditional containers. This vent mechanism and its various components may be manufactured from many materials, including, but not limited to singly or in combination, polymers, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and their alloys, and composites.
This continuation patent application claims priority to the non-provisional patent application having Ser. No. 13/065,411, filed on Mar. 22, 2011, which claims priority to the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/340,993, filed Mar. 25, 2010, which claims priority to the to the pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/321,455 which was filed on Jan. 21, 2009 and which claims priority to the provisional application 61/062,754 which was filed on Jan. 29, 2008, which claims priority to the pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/321,439 which was filed on Jan. 21, 2009 and which claims priority to the provisional application 61/062,817 which was filed on Jan. 29, 2008, to the pending PCT application Serial No. US2009/000133 which was filed on Jan. 9, 2009 designating the U.S., which claims priority to the pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/291,749 which was filed on Nov. 18, 2008, which claims priority to the provisional application 61/003,635 which was filed on Nov. 19, 2007, to the pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/072,465 which was filed on Feb. 26, 2008, which claims priority to the pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/002,468 which was filed on Dec. 17, 2007, which claims priority to the abandoned non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/258,966 which was filed on Oct. 25, 2005, which claims priority to the pending PCT application Serial No. US2006/022866 which was filed on Jun. 13, 2006 designating the U.S. which claims priority to the abandoned non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/152,320 which was filed on Jun. 14, 2005, which claims priority to the now patented design patent application Ser. No. 29/226,482 which was filed on Mar. 29, 2005, which claims priority to the non-provisional patent application having Ser. No. 10/283,878, which was filed on Oct. 30, 2002, which was filed during the pendency of PCT application Serial No. US2001/014,365 which was filed on May 4, 2001 designating the U.S., and which claimed priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/202,851 filed on May 8, 2000, and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/065,411, which was filed on Mar. 22, 2011.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61340993 | Mar 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13065411 | Mar 2011 | US |
| Child | 14120758 | US |
