Patent Application
20150274384
The present invention relates to evacuation of liquids and, more particularly, to a controlled pour spout device.
Currently, devices that attempt to evacuate a liquid from a bottle without opening the bottle have several problems. There is wasted fluid due to limited evacuation potential. There is poor hydrodynamics due to the design of these current products. The liquid is likely to contain contaminations due to the construction of the current devices.
As can be seen, there is a need for a controlled pour spout device that provides for rapid, complete evacuation of a liquid from a container without opening the bottle and without spilling.
In one aspect of the present invention, a controlled pour spout device comprises: a cover having an attaching component, a first side and at least one opening; a tube unit having a first end and a second end, wherein the tube unit passes through the opening of the cover, wherein the tube unit comprises a main passageway, at least one aperture along the main passageway, and an air vent comprising a vent passageway; and a spout having a spout opening, wherein the spout encircles the first end of the tube unit.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the complete evacuation of a liquid from a container, comprises: placing a liquid in the container having a top end; securing a controlled pour spout device to the top end of the container, the controlled pour spout device defined by a cover having an attaching component, a first side and at least one opening; a tube unit having a first end and second end, wherein the tube unit passes through the opening of the cover, wherein the tube unit comprises a main passageway, at least one aperture along the main passageway, and an air vent comprising a vent passageway; and a spout having a spout opening, wherein the spout encircles the first end of the tube unit; inverting the container and controlled pour spout device combination; and directing the spout opening towards a receptacle.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a controlled pour spout device that may include a cover having an attaching component, a first side and at least one opening. A tube unit may pass through the opening of the cover. The tube unit may include a first end and a second end. The tube unit may include a main passageway, at least one aperture along the main passageway, and an air vent comprising a vent passageway. A spout, having a spout opening, may encircle the first end of the tube unit. The device may removably secure to a container to allow the controlled distribution of a liquid from the container, through the at least one aperture and spout opening of the device and into a receptacle.
The present invention may not introduce adhesives, lubricants, or foreign materials into the liquid or the container that the device may attach to. The present invention may allow for the complete evacuation of a liquid from a container.
As is illustrated in
In certain embodiments, a tube unit 18 may pass through the at least one opening of the cover 14. The tube unit 18 may include a first end 21 and a second end 17. The tube unit 18 may include a main passageway 20, at least one aperture 26 along the main passageway 20, and an air vent 19 comprising a vent passageway 22. A spout 16 having a spout opening 24 may encircle the first end 21 of the tube unit 18.
In certain embodiments, the at least one aperture 26 may include two apertures on opposite sides of the main passageway 20. In certain embodiments, the container 12 may be a mason jar or the like. In certain embodiments, the securing component 13 may be a plurality of male screw threads. In certain embodiments, the attaching component 15 may be a plurality of female screw threads that may engage with the plurality of male screw threads of the container 12. In certain embodiments, the controlled pour spout device 10 may be made from one piece of material such as plastic or the like. In certain embodiments, the plastic may be a clear virgin acrylic or the like. In certain embodiments, the clear virgin acrylic material may have temperature stability and be FDA approved. In certain embodiments, the one piece molded structure may afford longevity of use and may remove the need for adhesives to make the controlled pour spout device 10.
A method of using the present invention may include the following. A container 12 such as a mason jar or the like may be filled with a liquid through a top end of the container 12. The controlled pour spout device 10 may be removably secured to the container 12. The container 12 may have an interior housing where the second end 17 of the tube unit 18 may be positioned. Once the controlled pour spout device 10 may be removably secured to the container 12, the combined container 12 and controlled pour spout device 10 may be inverted. Inverted, the combined container 12 and controlled pour spout device 10 may allow the liquid to pass through the at least one aperture 26 along the main passageway 22 and through the first end 21 of the tube unit 18. The liquid may then pass through the spout 16 and spout opening 24. The air vent 19 may help in providing a pathway for any air that may be within the container 12. The air may move through the vent passageway 22, passing through the at least one opening of the cover 14 and then through the air vent 19 situated along the spout 16. The user may use the device 10 to remove the bulk of the liquid from the container 12 and into a smaller consumable unit. In certain embodiments, the liquid may be transferred from a mason jar, or the like, to a one ounce glass container. In certain embodiments, the device may be used in the preparation of food. The device 10 may be used in any field that may require the user to have a controlled distribution of a liquid from a container to another container, receptacle or area.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
