Patent Application
20130175237
This invention relates, in general, to containers for storing and dispensing liquids. More particularly, the invention relates to containers having an attached pouring funnel which may be selectably disposed in a storage position in which it is separate from the contents of the container or a use position in which it operates to transfer the contents of the container.
A large number of products are provided to consumers in the form of liquids. Transfer of liquid products to points of use or alternative storage locations can require the use of a transfer device such as a funnel or pouring spout, particularly in those instances where the fluid is viscous and/or access to the point of use is difficult. For the sake of convenience, funnels, spouts, and the like are often included along with containers of fluids. In some instances, fluids may be supplied in containers which include an integral funnel or spout; however, while such approaches are convenient for relatively small volume containers, presence of an integral spout or the like complicates storage, transport, and packaging of even moderate volumes of fluid. In other instances, prior art containers are provided with retractable spouts which, in a storage position, are retained within the container in contact with the fluid. The use of containers of this type can raise problems of spillage and contamination, particularly when the fluids involved are viscous and/or non-aqueous, such as is the case with automotive products and the like.
As will be explained in detail hereinbelow, the present invention provides a bottle assembly which includes a pouring spout which is attached to the exterior of the bottle so that when the package is being shipped or stored, the spout is not in contact with the fluid. In the use of the package of the present invention, the spout is readily connected to the bottle for dispensing of the fluid without requiring removal of the assembly from the bottle. Packages in accord with the present invention are easy to ship and use which makes the products contained therein attractive to both retailers and customers. These and other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings, discussion, and description which follow.
Disclosed is a bottle assembly having a funnel member attached thereto. The funnel member comprises a pouring spout which is engageable with the neck of the bottle so as to define a fluid channel in communication with the interior of the bottle. The funnel member also includes a retainer which engages the bottle, and a first and a second attachment segment join the spout to the retainer. The funnel member functions in a first, storage/transport mode in which the spout is not engaged with the neck of the bottle. In this first mode, the spout is joined to the bottle by the retainer via at least one of the first and second attachment portions. The funnel member also functions in a second, use mode in which the spout is engaged with the neck of the bottle so as to allow for transfer of the fluid therefrom. In this mode, the spout is also attached to the bottle by the retainer via at least one of the attachment portions.
In some particular instances, the funnel member is configured so that the second attachment portion includes a segment having a weaker tear strength than does the first attachment portion. In this embodiment, the spout may be partially freed from the retainer by tearing the second attachment portion so as to facilitate the engagement of the spout with the neck of the bottle, while the spout is still retained by the first attachment portion.
In particular instances, the funnel member is comprised of a unitary body of a polymeric material such as an olefin polymer. The retainer portion may be configured so as to allow for rotation of the spout portion relative to the bottle so as to facilitate its engagement with the neck of the bottle.
The present invention comprises an assembly having a bottle with a funnel member attached thereto. The funnel member provides a pouring spout which can be attached to the bottle. It is a notable feature of the present invention that the funnel member is configured to remain attached to the bottle when it is in both a storage/transport mode and a use mode. In the storage/transport mode, the spout portion is retained on the exterior surface of the bottle so as to not be in contact with the fluid retained in the interior of the bottle. When the funnel member is in the use mode, the spout is attached to the neck of the bottle so as to provide a fluid channel in communication with the fluid in the interior of the bottle. The funnel member is configured so that the spout may be attached to the bottle without detaching it from its attachment point to the exterior of the bottle.
It is to be understood that the system of the present invention may be implemented in a number of embodiments; and for purposes of discussion, one particular embodiment is illustrated herein. Other embodiments will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art and are included within the scope of this invention.
Referring now to
As will be seen, the spout 14 is coupled to a retainer 22 which engages the neck 18 of the bottle 10. As shown, the spout 14 is attached to the retainer 22 by a first attachment portion 24 and a second attachment portion 26. In this embodiment, the second attachment portion 26 is a tearable portion having a segment with a tear strength which is less than the tear strength of the first portion 24.
Referring now to
The assembly of the present invention is particularly useful for transferring motor vehicle fluids such as oils, fuel treatments, cooling system products, hydraulic products, and the like to a motor vehicle. The fact that the spout 14 is stored separate from the fluid prevents spillage and contamination and simplifies the transfer process. The fact that the spout 14 remains attached to the container 10 before, during, and after the transfer of fluid is significant since it prevents loss of the spout in the event that only a partial transfer of the fluid takes place.
The fact that the system of the present invention employs a dual attachment of the spout to the retainer via one permanent and one breakable connection is also significant since, in the instance where both connections are intact, the spout is retained in very rigid and tight engagement with the package thereby facilitating storage, shipping, display, and sale of the product; whereas when the attachment portion is broken, the spout is retained in a much looser connection with the retainer thereby facilitating its connection to the container. It is to be understood that while this feature is significant, in particular instances other embodiments of the present invention may connect the spout to the retainer by one or more nontearable attachment portions.
As will also be seen from
As will be further noted from
Referring now to
The funnel member of the present invention is, in particular instances, fabricated from a unitary body of polymeric material. This may be accomplished readily by molding processes as is known in the art. Some particular materials used to fabricate this member comprise polyolefin polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like.
It should be noted that, as illustrated, the spout portion of the funnel member is a fairly straight spout having a slight taper. It is to be understood that other design configurations of spout may be likewise implemented. For example, particular embodiments may include a longer spout or a curved spout as dictated by design aesthetics and/or functionality. Also, it is to be understood that certain automobile manufacturers have very particular configurations of fuel tank filler necks which are engageable only by specifically configured spouts. In those instances where the present invention is adapted for introducing fluids into tanks having such particular filler necks, the spout may be accordingly configured.
It is to be understood that in view of the teaching presented herein, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may be readily implemented by those of skill in the art. The foregoing drawings, discussion, and description are illustrative of some specific embodiments but are not meant to be limitations upon the practice of the invention. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.
