The present invention relates generally to liquid containers and more specifically to a spout for draining liquid from a container, which allows a beverage can to be quickly drained.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,070,930 to Squires discloses a device for withdrawing liquid from metal containers.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a spout for draining liquid from a container, which allows a beverage can to be quickly drained.
The present invention provides a spout for draining liquid from a container, which allows a beverage can to be quickly drained. The spout for draining liquid from a container (drain spout) preferably includes a puncture member and a handle member. The puncture member includes a retainer base, an air puncture tube and a liquid puncture tube. A proximal end of the air puncture tube extends from one end of the retainer base and a proximal end of the liquid puncture tube extends from an opposing end of the retainer base. A distal end of the air puncture tube is cut at an angle to create an air cutting tip. An inner perimeter of the air puncture tube does not extend through the retainer base. At least one cross hole is formed through a proximal end of the inner perimeter of the air puncture tube to exhaust air. A distal end of the liquid puncture tube is cut at angle to create a liquid cutting tip. An inner perimeter of the liquid puncture tube extends through the retainer base. The air puncture tube and the liquid puncture tube are substantially parallel to each other.
The handle member includes a clip base, a top support extension, a bottom support extension, a top clip and a bottom clip. The top support extension extends from one end of the clip base. An air through opening is formed through the top support extension and the clip base to slidably receive the air puncture tube. The bottom support extension extends from an opposing end of the clip base. A liquid through opening is formed through the bottom support extension and the clip base to slidably receive the liquid puncture tube. The top clip extends upward from a top of the top support extension. The top clip includes an inverted U-shape. The bottom clip extends downward from a bottom of bottom support extension. The bottom clip includes a U-shape. In use, the top clip is inserted into a top rim of a beverage can and the bottom clip is snapped into a bottom cavity of the beverage can. The air puncture tube and liquid puncture tube of the puncture member are inserted into the air and liquid openings of the handle member. The proximal end of the liquid puncture tube is positioned for flow of liquid from the beverage can. The clip base is squeezed toward the retainer base with one hand, which results in a liquid puncture opening in a bottom of the beverage can and an air puncture opening in a top of the beverage can. The contents of the can will flow out through the liquid puncture tube.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drain spout, which allows a beverage can to be quickly drained.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.
With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to
An outer perimeter of the liquid puncture tube 18 preferably includes a “D” shaped cross section. Where a flat portion 30 of the “D” shaped cross section is on a bottom of the liquid puncture tube 18. With reference to
With reference to
The bottom clip 44 extends downward from a bottom and distal end of the bottom support extension 40. The bottom clip 44 preferably includes a bottom support leg 58, a bottom extension leg 60, a bottom end lip 62 and a bottom gusset 64. The bottom support leg 58 extends downward from a bottom surface of the distal end of the bottom support extension 40. The bottom extension leg 60 extends outward from an end of the bottom support leg 58. The bottom end lip 62 extends upward from an end of the bottom extension leg 60. The bottom gusset 64 is formed between the bottom support extension 40 and the bottom support leg 58.
In use, the top end lip 54 of the top clip 42 is inserted into an inner perimeter of a top rim 102 of the beverage can 100 and the bottom end lip 62 of the bottom clip 44 is snapped into a bottom rim 104 of the beverage can 100. The air puncture tube 16 and liquid puncture tube 18 of the puncture member 10 are inserted into the air and liquid openings 46, 48 of the handle member 12. The liquid drain tube 28 is positioned for flow of liquid from the beverage can 100. The clip base 36 is squeezed toward the retainer base 14 with one hand, which results in the liquid puncture opening 106 in a bottom of a sidewall 108 of the beverage can 100 and the air puncture opening 110 in a top of the sidewall 108. The contents of the beverage can 100 will flow out through the liquid drain tube 28.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1072588 | Ducan | Sep 1913 | A |
1354110 | Kitaoka | Sep 1920 | A |
1366858 | Anderson | Jan 1921 | A |
1380662 | Rand | Jun 1921 | A |
1824318 | Smith | Sep 1931 | A |
2070930 | Squires | Feb 1937 | A |
2138318 | Willis | Nov 1938 | A |
2304457 | Hagan | Dec 1942 | A |
2501653 | Keating | Mar 1950 | A |
2544095 | Kower | Mar 1951 | A |
3637113 | Stehl | Jan 1972 | A |