CA2429568A1 - Integrated pouring lip for a container - Google Patents

Description

INTEGRATED POURING LIP FOR A CONTAINER
The present invention relates to a bottle pourer and more particularly, relates to an integrated pourer for containers for dispensing a fluid material.
The use of pouring aids is well known in the art and such devices have been widely used, for example, in the pouring of wine or other liquids. In one embodiment, such a pouring aid is a member which is inserted in a bottle and intended to prevent drips when pouring. Many such arrangements are known where the member consists of a cork which has a tube terminating with a spout. The spout typically ends in an obliquely cut edge which assists in preventing splashing and dripping. However, when the bottle is returned to its upright position, it frequently happens that the drop remaining at the edge of the spout will seep downwardly on the outside of the bottle or container.
A further type of pourer is illustrated in Canadian Patent 2,092,314 wherein a piece of flexible and elastic foil material of minimal thickness and having a circular outline is rolled into an oblong cylindrical form and inserted interiorly of the neck. This type of pourer works well in eliminating any drips, but still necessitates that the user take the step of inserting the material into the neck of the bottle. Obviously, it would be desirable to have a pourer associated with each bottle or container.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pourer which may be formed integrally with a container such that upon opening thereof, the pourer is readily available.
Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bottle having a covering thereon;
Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating the opening of the bottle;

Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pourer after opening of the bottle;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of the integrated pourer;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention; and Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the upper portion of a container having an integrated pourer therein according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, there is provided a bottle having a bottle neck generally designated by reference numeral 10. Mounted interiorly of bottle neck 10 is a cork 14.
As is commonly the case with wine bottles, a foil 12 or other covering extends over the top of cork 14 and around bottle neck 10.
In the illustrated embodiment, there is provided a removable disk 16 in the center of foil 12. Such provision of removable disk 16 is optional.
Interiorly of foil 12 there is provided a pouring insert generally designated by reference numeral 18. Pour insert 18 is formed of a material which has a minimal thickness and which is of a liquid repellant nature. One such material is described in Canadian Patent 2,092,314. However, it will be understood that any suitable material may be utilized and could be selected from known materials by those knowledgeable in the art.
In operation, a corkscrew 20 is inserted into cork 14 as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
Removable disk 16 is removed either beforehand or with the cork while, as may be seen _'_ in Figure 3, pouring insert 18 is forced upwardly to provide a pouring spout lip 22. Thus, once the cork has been removed, the liquid contents of the bottle may be poured with pouring lip 22 acting to prevent drips.
As shown in Figure 6, pouring insert 18 may be formed so as to provide only a single side which will be elevated to form a pouring spout.
As shown in Figure 8, an arrangement may be utilized wherein the bottle is provided with a cover 28 having a removable tab 30 defined by a suitable score line.
Tab 30 may be removed to provide a pouring lip.
Referring to Figure 9, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, there is provided a bottle 40 having a neck portion 42 and a mouth 44. Extending about at least a portion of neck 42 is a tape 46. Tape 46 extends at least partially around the neck 42 of bottle 40 and also has an upper portion 48 which extends over mouth 44. A cap or cover 50 is provided. Upon removal of the cap or cover 50, portion 48 can be "folded back" from where it covers mouth 44 to form an integrated pouring lip.
In the embodiment of Figure 9, there is provided a paint tin 60 which includes a tape member 62 which extends around the lip of the container and above the lip. A cover member is normally placed thereon with a portion of the material 64 extending inwardly of the container and retained in place by the cover. Upon opening, portion 64 can be folded outwardly and act as a pourer.
In the above described embodiments, it will be understood that the material or tape extending around the opening of the container may extend completely thereabout or alternatively, may extend for only a portion. The material which forms the pouring lip _3_ may be selected from any which is suitable and in this respect, will comprise a material which is capable of being formed to terminate in a sharp edge and which preferably is of a hydrophobic nature. The material may be retained in position by an adhesive or by other means including an over lay or strap.
It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto.
Thus, for example, although the invention has been described with respect to a conventional wine bottle, it may also be used with other types of containers. For example, in lieu of insert 18, the covering about the container neck may be utilized to form the pouring lip. It will also be understood that the practice of the present invention can be used with any type of fluid material.

Claims