WO1990000142A1

WO1990000142A1 - Combination closure and pour port device for a container having opening means

Info

Publication number: WO1990000142A1
Application number: PCT/US1988/002104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harry Cern Ehlert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-06-24
Filing date: 1988-06-24
Publication date: 1990-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-24

Abstract

A combination closure and pour port device for a container has opening means (O) for communication from the container (C) through longitudinal passage (P) in member (M). Connecting or securing arrangement (25, 31) connects the member (M) for controlling communication from the container. Closure or seat (S) extends laterally of the longitudinal passage (P) in the member (M) to block communication through opening means (O) and ports (32) when said securing means (25, 31) is actuated to engage the closure or seat (S) with the container (C) and establishes communication through the container opening means (O) when the threaded connecting arrangement (25, 31) partially releases the member (M) from the container (C).

Description

COMBINATION CLOSURE AND POUR PORT DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER HAVING OPENING MEANS

Statement of the Prior Art

Various types of containers are presently used which are provided with opening means that has a surface configuration, such as threads or the like, for receiving a cap or closure having a conforming configuration for securing the cap or closure on opening means. Such arrangements are quite well known and are used in many fields. For example, such containers are employed in household products such as cooking oils, body lotions, shampoo, shaving lotions, and the like. They are also employed in various industrial and other business applications such as lubricating oil, lubricating oil and fuel additives, and many other substances in all areas of daily life.

It is not uncommon for such type containers to provide closures with some type of combination closure and pouring spout to be manipu¬ lated for closing off the container, or for opening the container for discharge of the substance therefrom.

In some instances substantial hazards are encountered when a spill occurs during the discharge of substances from a container. Also, it is sometimes difficult to open a container and discharge the substances into another container or a receptacle, particularly where access to the opening in the container or receptacle which receives the material is difficult.

In other situations where a funnel is employed to assist in the discharge of substances from a container, it is generally desirable, if not necessary, to check to be sure that the funnel is clean before use, and then after the funnel has been used it must either be stored dirty which causes dust collection therein, or provision must be taken to clean the funnel after use and store it in a dust free atmosphere. In some instances substantial hazards are created by spillage of substances from a container. For example, the hazards of spilling oil on engines or introducing foreign matter into engines while adding oil or other substances through a dirty funnel is well recognized, espec¬ ially in the aircraft industry where reliability is crucial. Since aircraft engines are very expensive, longevity is a major economic consideration. Air-cooled aircraft engines often run hotter than water-cooled engines and any oil spillage can promote and sustain an engine compartment fire. Dirt and foreign material in the oil can cause excessive engine wear and plugging of oil passages. A fire or premature engine failure, especially in flight, are obviously events to be avoided. Spilled oil on an aircraft engine may filter down through the bottom of the cowling and is blown over the undercarriage of the aircraft where it can pick up dirt and grime. This, at the very least, may result in a difficult and/or expensive wash job. Aircraft engines may use more oil than most other engines because they run at a high power rating (normally around 75%) and they run hot because most are air-cooled. They require large quantities of oil to aid in cooling (12 quart capacity for typical 230 horsepower engine) , and they generally require frequent oil changes for safety and engine longevity reasons. These and other factors in combination may dictate that oil frequently be added to aircraft engines, often at unattended or poorly attended airports and landing sites.

An additional factor compounds the problem of adding oil to aircraft. The oil filler pipe on a large number of aircraft is usually below the engine cowling and accessible through a small door opening in the top of the cowling. Pouring oil into the filler pipe without spillage is extrentiely difficult unless some sort of filler device or funnel is used.

Many pilots are often faced with adding oil to their planes at unattended airports where there may be no funnel or even worse a dirty funnel with no convenient means to clean the funnel. Pilots have a tendency to either use no funnel, resulting in spillage, or use a dirty one that introduces contaminated oil into the engine. Even at full service airports attendants often do not properly clean a funnel before adding oil.

One solution to the problem is for the pilot to carry a funnel, keep it clean, and take care to use it each time oil is added, or insist that it be used by attendants each time oil is added. From a practical standpoint conventional funnels are bulky, inconvenient to clean, prone to soil upholstery and storage compartments, and general¬ ly impractical to carry in many airplanes. Even if each airplane carried a funnel it would require an inordinate amount of discipline on the part of each and every pilot to insure the proper use, clean¬ ing, and storage of a conventional funnel.

As another example, household cooking oils are of a relatively low viscosity and even a small drop on the outside of the bottle should preferably be immediately removed and if it is not removed, the bottle is then sticky and difficult to handle the next time it is used.

Other problems in discharging a substance, such as a liquid from a container are present in various industrial applications, and the foregoing are merely given as examples. Suj iary of the Invention

The present invention eliminates the need for separate funnels or other similar devices. It is economical to manufacture and may be supplied as part of the original bottle assembly and discarded with the empty bottle, or it may be supplied as an auxilliary device to function on existing containers, removed therefrom, and used repeated¬ ly, or discarded if desired.

Where it is to be used for discharging lubricating oil into a aircraft engine it can be cleaned relatively easy with one sample cup of fuel, which sample of fuel is generally always taken during an aircraft preflight inspection before takeoff. After use, the device can be protected from contamination by placement in a dust resistant container, such as a small plastic bag, and conveniently stored in a vehicle or aircraft without the risk of soiling upholstery or storage compartments.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a compact, convenient to use and economical combination closure and pour port device for a container having opening means for coπmunica- tion from the container through the combination closure and pour port device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combina¬ tion closure and pour port device which is provided with a connecting arrangement to preferably operate with various containers that might have differing thread configurations or thread pitchs forming the connection means on the container opening and various arrangements of opening means in the container. Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a combination closure and pour port device for a container having opening means for discharge of substance from the container including, a member having a longitudinal passage therethrough; connecting or securing means for securing the member with the container; seat or closure means extending laterally of the longitudinal passage in the member for seating and sealably engaging with the container to close off communication through the container opening means; and port or passage means formed in the member through which port or passage means communication is blocked when said seat means is sealably seated on the container and through which port means communication from the container and through the member is accotmiodated when the securing means partially releases the member from the container.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a combination closure and pour port device for a container having opening means for discharge of substance from the container including, a member having a longitudinal passage therethrough; connecting or securing means for securing the member with the container; seat means extending laterally of the longitudinal passage in the member for seating and sealably engaging with the container to close off the container opening means; port means formed in the member through which port means communication is blocked when said seat means is seated to block the container opening means and through which port means communication from the container and through the member is accommodated when the securing means partially releases said member from the container; and seal means to inhibit leakage between the securing means on the member and the container opening means when said securing means has been actuated to partially release the member from the container to open the port means for discharge from the container.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a combination closure and pour port device for a container having an opening for discharge of substance from the container including, a member having a longitudinal passage therethrough; connecting or securing means for securing the member with the container; seat means extending laterally of the longitudinal passage in the member for seating and sealably engaging with the container to close off the container opening means; port means formed in the member through which port -means corrnunication is blocked when said seat means is seated on the container and through which port means con-munication from the container and through the member is accommodated when the securing means partially releases said member from the container; and seal means to prevent leakage of the container contents between the member and the container past the connecting means when the seat has been disengaged from the container opening to discharge container contents through the member. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having the above objects and wherein the seat means may swivel or move in a plurality of planes relative to the member in which the seat means functions for seating and sealably engaging the end or end face of the container opening even though there may be misalignment between the container, or the outer edge or the face of the container opening, and the member.

Another object of the present invention is to assure that a combination closure and pour port device sealably engages with the container to close off communication from the container even though the container may be misaligned relative to the device due to the difference in the thread pitch forming the connection means on each the member and the container.

Another object of the present invention is to assure that a combination closure and pour port device sealably engages with a container having opening means to close off communication through the container opening means even though the container may be misaligned relative to the device due to the fact that the end of the container opening means may not extend at a 90° angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container. Another object of the present invention is to provide a combina¬ tion closure and pour port device for a container having opening means for communication from the container through the device, the device including a member having a longitudinal passage therethrough which member may be unitary, or may be formed of a plurality of portions, means for securing the member with the container, closure means extending within and laterally of the longitudinal passage in the member to effect closure of the container when said securing means is actuated to engage said closure means with the container and to effect communication with the container through the passage when said securing means is actuated to partially disengage said closure means from the container. Another object of the present invention is to provide a combina¬ tion closure and pour port device for a container having opening means for commαnication from the container through the device, the device including a member having a longitudinal passage therethrough, means for securing the member with the container, closure means extending within and laterally of the longitudinal passage in the member said closure means operable in response to actuation of said securing means to engage with and close off communication with the container in the passage, and further operable in response to partial release of said member from the container by said securing means to conmunicate the container with pour port or passage means extending longitudinally of the passage means between the closure means and the container opening means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character described having self-aligning seat means to sealably seat with a container opening that is misaligned when secured to the device.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following drawings and description. Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the present invention secured on a container to close off the opening in the container so that the container can be positioned relative to another container or recepta¬ cle before actuating the present invention to open the container for discharge into the container with which it is positioned;

Fig. l is a sectional view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention for use with a container having modified opening -means;

Fig. IB shows the pour port or pour passage means when the Fig. 1 fora is employed;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the device of the present invention partially released from the container to retract the seat means of the present invention from the container opening and open the port means in the device for com uication from the container through the present invention into another container;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the form of device illus- trated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment showing the seat means as having a flat surface for sealably engaging with the container opening end and means to inhibit premature actuation of the device of the present invention;

Fig. β is a sectional view, partly in elevation illustrating an anmilar ridge, or projecting surface on the seat means for engaging the end or edge of the container opening;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a sectional view partly in elevation illustrating an embodiment of the seat means of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9 illustrating further structural details;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of another form of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view somewhat similar to Fig. 11 but showing a device of the present invention having an arrangement wherein the seat means is ovably supported by the member for relative movement therebetween in a plurality of planes to accommodate for misalignment between the device and the container and still provide a seat that can sealably engage with the container opening;

Fig. 13 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 14 is a view on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view illustrating a filter medium employed with the device of the present invention;

Fig. lβ is a sectional view illustrating an alternate form of a seal means for sealing between the device of the present invention and the container opening during relative longitudinal movement therebetween, as well as providing an additional seal means when the device has been moved to partially release from the container fully open the port means therein;

Fig. 17 illustrates the device of the present invention employed with a telescoping spigot or pouring spout; Fig. 18 is a sectional view on the line 18-18 of Fig. 17; and

Fig. 19 is a partial sectional view representing a thread config¬ uration providing securing means for securing with a plurality of various threaded container openings. Description of the Pre erred Bnbodiments Attention is directed to Fig. 1 of the drawings wherein a con¬ tainer C is shown as being filled with a substance such as a liquid L. The container C includes opening means 0 formed in the neck N on the container and suitable connection means 25 on the neck to enable an ordinary cap or closure (not shown) to be secured with such connection means 25 to close off the container. In Figs. 1 and 2 the cap or closure which has heretofore normally been associated with containers of the type with which the present invention has particular utility, has been removed and the device re erred to generally by the numeral 30 of the present invention has been secured to the container C for use therewith to function as a closure and pour port arrangement.

The device referred to generally at 30 of the present invention includes any suitable means forming a member M which has means forming a longitudinal passage P extending all the way therethrough. Means forming seat or closure means referred to generally at S may extend across or laterally of the passage P for seating on and sealably enga¬ ging with the container to block conrmunication through the container opening means 0 when the device 30 is secured on the container C.

The passage P is preferably annular in cross-section, but may assume other configurations if desired. The opening means 0 may assume the forms as shown in the drawings or any other suitable form. As shown in Figs. 1-7, the member M is a unitary or single piece, and the seat or closure S is integrally formed therewith while in Figs. 9 and 12 the seat is separate from the member M. The member M in the drawings is shown in a preferred tubular form, but other configurations may be employed, if desired.

It will be noted that the seat S seals with the opening in the container C adjacent the end E of the neck N as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The present invention enables the container C to be inverted and positioned over or within the opening 26 of the neck N' of another container (not shown) which container nay be any suitable receptacle. The foregoing procedure and the present invention assure that the contents of container C cannot discharge until the container C has been properly positioned and until the device of the present invention has been actuated so that the contents of the container C then can be discharged into the opening 26 of the receptacle. This inhibits premature loss of the contents of the container C, or spilling of the contents while positioning container C relative to the opening 26 for discharge of the contents of the container C. The invention forms a seal with the container without elastomer or other sealing elements. The member M has suitable connection or securing means 31 for engaging or securing with the connection means 25 on the neck N to maintain the relationship between the member M and the container C so as to retain the seat or closure S in position to block off the open¬ ing means 0 for preventing communication from the container through the member M and into the opening 26 of the receptacle until it is desired to communicate the container through member M.

In Fig. 2 it will be noted that the securing means 31 of device 30 has been actuated to partially release the member M from the container C so that the end E of opening means 0 and the seat S are spaced longitudinally so that the container opening means 0 can communicate the container C for discharge of the contents from the container, which in this instance is referred to as a liquid L, through the opening means 0. Pour port or passage means 32 in the member M communicate the contents from container C through the passage P to the opening 26 of the receptacle N'. In the Figs. 1-7 form, the port means 32 extend between the ribs 32a' which connect the seat or closure S and member M. Also, the port means 32 extend circumferen- tially or peripherally of the seat or closure means S as shown in the drawings. In Figs. 1A and IB the port or passage means 32 is adjacent the innermost periphery of closure S in passage P, while in Figs. 1-18 the passage means 32 is adjacent the outermost periphery of closure S and between the seat or closure means S and member M as shown in the drawings. The port means 32 in the Fig. 1A, IB form is between the closure means S and the container C as represented in the drawings. It should be noted that in all forms of the present invention illustrated in the drawings the connection means 31 on the member M are threaded means. However, it can be appreciated that any suitable type of connection or securing means may be employed to accomplish the results of the present invention. Also, the thread means 25 generally and preferably comprise less than one to about five threads, or thread portions, and generally is in the range of about 1/8 to 5/6 of an inch in length, but this is by way of example only, as the number of thre- ads and the longitudinal extent of the threads on the neck N may vary. In Fig. 1A, the device 30 of the present invention includes the member M with the longitudinal passage P therethrough as previously described. The passage P includes the two diameter portions designa¬ ted D and D' in Fig. 3 with the threaded means 31 of member M formed in larger diameter portion D.

Seat or closure means referred to generally at S in Fig. 1A includes an annular tapered surface 85 which tapered surface is also shown in the other drawing views and connects the passage portion thereabove with the passage portion therebelow which portions respec- tively extend through opposite ends of member M as shown in all the other drawing figures.

In Fig. 1 the annular tapered surface 85 extends laterally of passage P as shown and includes additional annular tapered portions shown at 35a and 86a adjacent its juncture with the two diameter passage portions D and D' respectively which seal with conforming surfaces formed on container neck N.

The end of neck N of container C is closed as shown at 87 and the opening means 0 comprises a plurality of outlets 90 formed on the annular tapered neck portion 91 surrounding and adjacent the closed neck end 87. The annular edge of member 47 forms a seal as described with regard to Fig. 16.

Where the neck N of the container C assumes this configuration, communication of the container through member M is blocked when the container neck and member M are positioned relative to each other by securing means 25, 31 as shown in Fig. 1A. In this position, tapered neck portion 91 contacts tapered portions 85, 86 and blocks cotππunica- tion from the container C through member M.

When the securing means 25, 31 is actuated manually by relative rotation between member and neck N to move or displace the member longitudinally relative to container C so that the tapered neck por¬ tion-91 is disengaged from the adjacent additional tapered portions 85, 86, communication from the container through the passage P of member \I is established. That is, when the portion 91 disengages f Om the closure means S, pour port, or pour passage means 32 provided peripherally of closure means S between closure means S and the con¬ tainer communicates with the container for discharge of contents from the container through the closure means formed in passage P. Thus, as in the other embodiments the container in the passage portion above said closure means commuicates with the passage portion through member M on the other side of the closure rneans when the member M is partial¬ ly released from the container.

Seat or closure means S in this form also provides or forms the funnel means F referred to in Fig. 3 and shown in the other views. Also, closure means S in this form is formed on the internal longitu¬ dinal wall surface of passage P and extends laterally relative there¬ to, whereas in the other forms shown the seat or closure means is for¬ med by extending across the passage to block off flow through a con- tainer whose opening means is formed in neck N in a different manner.

The Fig. 1A form as well as the other forms could be modified, if desired, to incorporate the means described with regard to Fig. 5 to prevent or inhibit premature or accidental operation of the device or arrangement 30; as described with regard to Fig. 9, it may include annular surface means SM and longitudinal extending surface means 38' to form seal means or a sliding seal; as shown in Fig. 16, it may include means to limit longitudinal movement; it may include suitable means such as 75 as described with regard to Fig. 17 to prevent rela¬ tive rotation between components when it is formed of multiple pieces; and it may also include a telescopic pouring spout as shown in Fig. 17 suitably modified for the Fig. 1A form as well as various combinations of any of the modifications shown.

In Fig. 3 the device 30 of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is shown in enlarged sectional form to better illustrate the details of one embodiment. The member M is shown as being of unitary, or one-piece construction. The seat S in this form as well as other forms shown in the drawings is integrally formed or secured with the member M and the port means 32 are shown as being circumfer- entially spaced about the seat means S between seat S and the member M. This relationship may also be defined as the port means 32 exten¬ ding through the seat means. Any suitable number of openings or port means may be provided, three of which are illustrated in Fig. 4 by way of example only. In Fig. 5 the device 30 is again shown as including the member M of unitary or one-piece construction with the seat means S being similar to that previously described, except that in this instances the seat S presents a flat surface 34 for seating on and sealably engaging with the end edge E of the neck N, whereas in the modification illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the end edge E of the neck N engages the annular tapered edge 33 formed on seat S as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.

A form of suitable means, or arrangement, to inhibit or prevent premature or accidental actuation of device 30 is illustrated in Fig.

5 wherein the container C is provided with an annular projection 80 having a flat annular upper edge 81. The member M has an annular portion 30a which is secured to the main body portion 30b of member M by a plurality of shearable, circumferentially spaced portions 30a' extending therebetween with circumferential voids or spaces therebetween. An annular groove 30d extends between portion 30a and the upper end of body portion 30b, and this groove overlies the circumferentially spaced portions 30a¹ so that the latter are of less thickness than 30a or 30b to enable the portions 30a' to shear more readily. The annular flat surface 30c formed on portion 30a faces oppositely to and fits closely adjacent flat annular edge 81. When member M is rotated while holding container C, or while holding member

M and rotating container C, the securing means 31 on member M and connection means 25 on the container C will remain engaged until sufficient force is developed to shear portions 30a' and thus allow the member and container C to move longitudinally relative to each other as relative rotation occurs therebetween so that member M and the container C can be partially released rom each other so that the edge E disengages from seat S to thereby expose port means 32 to opening means O.

The foregoing requires that some force be applied to open the container C to communicate with port means 32 in the member, and the foregoing arrangement thus prevents premature or possible accidental opening of the container opening means 0 through the member M. In Fig. 6 the member M is of the same general configuration to that illustrated in Figs. 1-5 in that it is unitary or of one-piece construction and the seat S is formed integrally therewith. In this embodiment the seat S is illustrated as having an annular projection or ridge 35 which extends above the surface 34 of seat S for sealably seating on the end edge E of the neck N of the container C. While the projection 35 is shown on a flat seat 34, it could, if desired, be employed on other seat configurations.

Fig. 8 is also similar to the form illustrated in Figs. 1-7 in that it is of unitary configuration with the seat S formed integrally therewith. In this form the seat S is provided with annular inclined outer edge or surface 32a which is inclined upwardly or toward neck N as shown so as to provide a generally concave arrangement for seating with and sealably engaging the end E of the opening means 0 in the neck N of the container C. More specifically, this form engages the outer diameter of the opening means 0, or the outer diameter of the neck N, in which is formed the container opening means 0. The outer, annular edge 32b of the end edge E may be relatively yieldable and may flex or move somewhat as the container neck is engaged with the surface 32a to sealably engage with the entire circum erence of tapered edge 32a, even though there may be misalignment between the container C, or the edge E and the annular surface 32a. The circumferential edge 32b of the edge E is thin and defines a small contact area that tends to yield, depress or flex somewhat at light loads to accommodate the misalignment and form a seal or closure.

In all forms of the devices illustrated, the engagement of the end E with the seat or closure means S forms a seal between the member M and the container C when the seat S is positioned as shown in Fig. 1 to seat with and sealably engage with the end E to inhibit or prevent communication from the container C through the opening means 0.

Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the seat S of member M is separate from member M. In this form the seat S is shown as having a flat surface 34 for engaging the end E on the neck N of the opening means 0 to seal therewith when in closed position. vSuitable rib members 36 depend from seat 34 and extend into the passage P of member M as shown for positioning the seat S relative to member M by any suitable means such as a press fit. The edge 36a of the members 36 engage annular shoulder 36b in the member to space the bottom surface 34d of seat S in this form above the shoulder 36b to form port means 32 therebetween. Also, to further assist in maintaining seat S in position, two or more tapered projections 36c may extend outwardly from seat S and engage surface 36d so that after seat S is positioned in place, the projections 36c would tend to prevent seat S from falling out of position when member M is removed from the container for storage separate from the container. The projections 36c are configured to outwardly extend upon upward movement of seat S relative to member M thereby preventing separation of seat S rom member M.

In this form, annular surface means SM are shown as being formed or molded on the neck N of the container the outer end of which seal¬ ably engages with the annular, longitudinal extending surface means 38' formed on member M to form seal means or a sliding seal arrange¬ ment between the container C and the member M as relative longitudinal movement occurs between member M and the neck N when the member M is partially released by actuation of the securing means 25 and 31 to open the port means 32 for flow from the container through passage P of the member into a receptacle. This seal SM inhibits leakage around the threaded connection between the container and member while opening the port means 32 and while discharging the contents of the container C through the port means 32.

The pour port or pour passage means 32 may extend in the member and, as noted previously, in some embodiments as described and shown herein, the pour port means 32 extends through the seat means or between the seat means S and member M. In the Figs. 1-18 embodiments, the port means 32 extends adjacent the outer edge of the seat means and circumferentially, or peripherally thereof in spaced relation as previously described.

Futher, it should be noted that when the outer annular edge of the seat is tapered, the direction of the taper may be considered as away from the neck N of the container C as shown in Figs. 1-4 and 16 in which event the seat means is of a general convex configuration and engages the inner diameter of the opening means 0 or inner diameter of the neck of the container C. As noted previously, where the direc¬ tion of the taper on the annular outer edge of the seat S is toward the lower edge E on the neck N, then the seat means is configured so that it is generally concave and engages the outer diameter of the opening means 0 as in Figs. 8, 11 and 15. Also, the closure means S may conform with the opening means 0 and extend longitudinally thereinto and have a seal surface or seal means to engage the inner wall of opening means 0.

In Fig. 11 the device 30 illustrates a member M formed of ulti- pie parts which may be readily fitted together. For example, if the parts are molded, the part 38 may be telescopically received in the part 39 so that the annular groove 40 in 38 receives the annular projection 41 formed on the portion 39 to lock the two parts together. It will be noted that the seat S is formed on one of the members in this embodiment; however, the seat means S, could be separate and movable relative to member M.

For example, in Fig. 12 the device 30 is again illustrated as having member M which is formed of multiple parts wherein the portiions 38 and 39 are separately provided (machined, stamped or formed) and then positioned together by any suitable means.

In addition the seat means S is shown as separate from either portion forming member M and is provided with port means 32 therethrough. The annular edge surface 21 of the seat S as well as the adjacent annular inner surface 22 on the portion 39 of member M are configured to accommodate swiveling or moving of the seat means S in a plurality of planes to properly align with, and seat and seal with the edge E of a container.

In some instances, the threaded connection between the member M and the neck N may not interfit properly so that the container neck edge E extending into the member M is misaligned relative to the longitudinal axis of the member M. Also, in some instances the outer edge E of the container is not always horizontal, or straight across, so that it is misaligned as originally manufactured. This embodiment enables the seat means S to swivel or move as the container C and member M are connected and moved towards each other to engage with the edge E of the neck N with seat means S, so that the seat means upon contact with such misaligned edge E will move so as to seat and sealably engage therewith.

In some forms of container a sealing membrane is quite often provided on the edge E over opening means 0 to assist further in inhibiting contamination of the container in the event that the original closure cap should become dislodged or even disconnected. Where such type arrangement is employed the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 13 may be employed. The device 30 is again shown wherein the member M is formed of a plurality of parts such as parts 38 and 39 and wherein the seat means S is integrally formed with one of the parts. It is appreciated that the seat means S could be formed with the part 39 instead of the part 38 if desired.

In Fig. 13 the seat S is shown as having a flat upper surface 34 for seating on and sealably engaging with the end E of the container (not shown). In addition, a suitable surface 34a projects outwardly or upward¬ ly frcm the seat surface 34 toward the opening means 0 in the container. Thus, when the container is positioned on the member M the surface 34 will telescopically fit into the opening means 0 of the container and pierce or tear the membrane so that flow may be conducted from the container when desired.

If desired, a flexible strap 75 with an enlarged end portion 75a and having an opening 75b may be positioned on member M as shown. A closure member 76 adjacent the other end of the strap is provided for tightly fitting the passage P and seals the spout after the container C has been partially emptied to prevent contamination of the container C, or member M by dust or other contaminates.

As shown in Fig. 15, the spout on member M may, if desired, be provided with suitable threads 78 to threadedly receive the cap which is removed from container C before member M is engaged thereon. This will also serve to prevent contamination of container C or member .

Where member M is supplied with the original container, in lieu of the customary closure cap, any suitable membrane, or closure 79 may be provided as illustrated in Fig. 16. In Fig. 15 an embodiment is illustrated where the portions 38 and 39 are press fitted together with the seat S having an annular edge that extends toward the container opening for sealing with the outer diameter thereof. The seat S is shown as being formed with the portion 38 of the member M and a suitable filter medium F is shown as positioned between the seat and the surface on member 39 or filtering flow from the container into the receptacle. The filter may be positioned in passage P in any suitable manner other than that shown to filter any flow through the passage P.

In Fig. 16 suitable means are shown for limiting longitudinal movement and for preventing inadvertent disconnection of the member M from the container. In this embodiment the portion 38 is provided with an annular, circumferentially extending and inwardly projecting annular ridge or portion 45 which has an upper annular tapered edge surface 46a configured to pass over the tapered annular surface 47a on annular extending and outwardly facing projection 47 formed on the neck N. Once surface 46a passes over the annular surface 47a on projection 47 the annular flat surface 48 on 46 and the flat surface

49 on projecting surface 47 are in opposed relationship prevent complete release of the member from the container C during use, by greatly increasing the difficulty in trying to remove the container from the member.

The lower flat surface 48 of annular portion 46 and the upper flat surface 49 on the projection 47 are such that when they engage, they form a stop to limit the relative movement between 46 and 47 and also form a static sealing relationship. This forms seal means to inhibit leakage of the contents of the container through the securing means formed by the threads 31 and 25. It should be noted also that the outer annular edges of the member 47 also may form a dynamic sealing relationship with the annular, longitudinal extending surface

50 when the member M and container C are moved longitudinally relative to each other along their respective threads 31 and 25.

Fig. 17 illustrates the device 30 when it is desired to provide a telescopic pouring spout therewith. The member M includes the por¬ tions 38 and 39 with the seat means S formed on the portion 38 as previously described. It is provided with ports 32 as better seen in Fig. 18.

The telescopic pouring spout is represented generally by the numeral 50 and includes two longitudially extending tubular members 61 and 62. Member 61 extends adjacent and longitudinally through passage P as shown and is provided at its inner end with an annular flared or skirt portion 63 which is provided with an outer surface 64 which conforms with the surface portion 65 on the member 39 so that when member 61 is extended longitudinally of the passage P as shown in dotted line at 61a the outer surface portion 64 on portion 63 and the inner surface portion 65 on member 39 will sealably engage.

Also, the outer end of longitudinal member 61 is provided with an inwardly flared annular skirt portion 68 having surface 68c thereon for sealably engaging the annular surface 70 on the longitudinal member 32 when it is moved to the extended position as shown in dotted line at 62a in Fig. 17.

To inhibit relative rotation between portions 38 and 39, when the member M is formed in multiple parts, suitable longitudinal ribs 75 may be provided in one of the members for inhibiting relative rotation therebetween during actuation of the securing means to secure the de¬ vice on the container C, or to partially release it from the container for flow from the container through the device 30.

In Fig. 19 a sectional portion of member M is shown with the threads 31 to illustrate a suitable thread configuration for accommodating a range of various manufacturers' containers which containers may have thread con igurations and thread pitches that vary from each other and are different from the thread configuration on the member M. A suitable width of the thread crest is represented at A, and a suitable width of the thread root is represented at B. It is preferred that the thread configuration employed with the present invention have a thread crest width that is substantially smaller than the width of the thread root, represented at 3 in Fig. 19. Generally the containers with which the present invention is employed will have from about one to six threads or less, and the total longitudinal extent of the threads on the neck N of the container may be relatively small from about one-eighth to about three-quarters of an inch along the neck. While a separate member M could be provided for each type container connection means, it may be advantageous to have a thread configuration which will function with a range of thread configurations and thread pitches that may be present on various containers.

In lieu of a flat surface on the seat S or a tapered edge on seat S for engaging and sealing with the container opening, the seat edge may be a longitudinal annular surface with seal means thereon for engaging within the neck or the edge E to seal and close off the container opening. However, the preferred embodiment is as shown since a seal is formed to close off the container opening merely by engaging the surfaces of member M and the container C. By eliminating a sealin .element, formed of suitable plastic or elastomer deteriora¬ tion of such seal by the container contents is avoided, since the seal would be continuously exposed to the container contents or container content vapors.

The container opening edge or end face E is telescopically received in one end of the passage P of member M and when the edge E sealably engages the seat S, it seals at a position radially inward relative to port means 32 extending between the seat S and member M to close off flow therethrough.

The securing means 31 is preferably thread means formed in passage P on one side of seat means S as shown. Also, the member M may preferably have two inner diameters as represented at D and D' in Fig. 3 which forms passage P, with the threads 31 formed internally on larger diameter D. An annular tapered portion may extend between D and D' to form a funnel F for aiding in discharging the contents of the container C into another receptacle without spilling and also forms the closure means 85 in the Fig. 1A embodiment. In use of the present device, it will be engaged on the container C by engaging threads 25 and 31. The seat S is sealably seated on surface E by relative rotation between member M and container C to close opening 0.

When it is desired to empty or discharge some of the contents of the container, it is first positioned over the receptacle which is to receive the container contents, and relative rotation between the container C and member M is effected by suitable means such as manually to space seat means or closure means S longitudinally from opening means 0 of the container for discharge of the container contents through pour port or pour passage means 32. If desired, the discharge of the contents from container C may be regulated or controlled by the amount of longitudinal spacing or movement between the member M and the container C as determined by the amount of partial release, up to a certain position of said member from the container by actuation of said securing or connecting means. Thus, the volume may be varied between the minimum spacing that provides initial communication and the maximum spacing, beyond which further disengagement of the member M from the container C would have no effect on the volume discharge. When the desired amount, if not all, of container C is discharged, then the member M may be moved to reengage seat means or closure means S with the container C to close or block off communication therewith if desired—or member M may be removed for reuse on another container if desired.

The present invention may be made of any suitable material and can be in disposable or reusable form.

It can be appreciated that one, or more, or all the various modifications shown, as well as other modifications not specifically described could be embodied in various combinations to provide a member M, and seat or closure means S within the scope of the present invention.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A combination closure and pour port device for a container with opening means therein for communication from the container through the device, said device comprising: means forming a member; means forming passage means through said member; means forming securing means for releasably securing said member to the container; means forming seat means to effect closure of the container opening means; and means forming pour port means through which port means communication is blocked when said seat means effects closure of the container opening means and through which port means coπmunication from the container and through said member is accommodated when said securing means partially releases said member from the container.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said seat means is formed within and extends laterally of the passage in said member, and wherein said port means extends adjacent the periphery of said seat means.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said securing means is threaded means formed in the passage on one side of said seat means and wherein said member is of smaller diameter on the other side of said seat means to form a funnel for discharge of the container contents therethrough.

4. A combination closure and variable opening pour port device for closing off communication through container opening means and controllably releasing the contents of the container through the opening means and said device, said device comprising: means forming a member; means forming passage means through said member; means forming securing means for releasably securing said member to the container; means forming seat means in the passage to effect closure of the container opening means; and means forming port means circumferentially disposed between said seat means and the container through which port means communication is blocked when said seat means is in sealing engagement with the con¬ tainer to close the opening means therein and through which port means variable communication from the container opening means through said member may be effected by the amount of relative longitudinal movement between said member and the container upon partial release of said member from the container.

5. A combination closure and pour port arrangement for closing off communication through container opening means and for releasing the contents of the container through the opening means and said arrangement, said arrangement comprising: means forming a member; means forming passage means through said member; means forming securing means for releasably securing said member to the container; means forming seat means to effect closure of the container opening means; and means forming pour port means between said seat means and the container through which port means ccmmunication is blocked when said seat means is in sealing engagement with the container and through which port means communication from the container on one side of said seat means to the other side of said seat means and through the passage means in said member is effected upon partial release of said member from the container.

6. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said seat means is on said member and extends laterally of the passage therein.

7. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said seat means is movable relative to said member.

8. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 including seal means for sealably engaging said member with the container.

9. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 including seal means for sealing between said member and the container when said securing means effects relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

10. The device of claims 1 or 4 wherein said seat means extends longitudinally into the container opening means and wherein said seat means includes seal surface means to sealably engage the inner walls of the opening means.

11. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 including releasable means for restraining premature release of said member from the container, but operable upon predetermined movement between said member and the container for partial or complete release of said member from the container.

12. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said seat means sealably engages the outer diameter adjacent the face of the container opening.

13. The device of claims 1 or 4 wherein said seat means sealably engages the inner diameter adjacent the face of the container opening.

14. The device of claims 1 or 4 wherein said seat means includes means to extend within the container opening when said member is secured on the container.

15. The device of claims 1 or 4 including filter means between said seat means and said member to filter flow from the container through said member.

16. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said seat means includes a flat surface for seating on and sealably engaging with the face of the container opening.

17. The device of claims 1 or 4 wherein said seat means includes an annular projecting ridge for seating on and sealably engaging the face of the container opening.

18. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said securing means is formed by threads having a pitch which varies in the range of approximately 1/6 to 1/8 of an inch.

19. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said seat means includes an annular tapered edge surface for seating on and sealably engaging with the face of the container opening.

20. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 including surface means on each said member and the container forming sliding seal means for sealing between said member and the container upon relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

21. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 including a pouring spout telescopically received by said member and which pouring spout may be extended relative to said member, said telescoping pouring spout and member including surface means for sealing therebetween.

22. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said member is a single piece.

23. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said member is formed of multiple parts.

24. ^*The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said member is formed of multiple parts with means for preventing relative movement therebetween after assembly.

25. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said member is formed of multiple parts with said seat means and port means formed on one of said parts.

26. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said member is formed of multiple parts and wherein said seat means is separate from and movable relative to said multiple part member.

27. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said seat means is separate from said member and wherein said seat and member include surface means to accommodate swiveling of said seat means relative to the member to align said seat and the container opening for seating and sealing said seat means with the end of the container opening.

28. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said member is ormed of multiple pieces and wherein said seat means is separate from said member, said seat and member including surface means to accommodate swiveling of said seat means relative to said member to align said seat and container opening for seating and sealing said seat means with the container opening.

29. The device of claims 1 or 4 including filter means supported in the longitudinal passage of said member.

30. The device of claims 1 or 4 wherein said port means is between said seat means and said member.

31. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said seat means includes an annular tapered portion to conformably engage with the container when the container is misaligned with the seat.

32. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said securing means has a thread configuration to threadedly engage with various containers which have thread configurations and thread pitches that differ from each other and that may differ from the thread configura- tion and thread pitch of said securing means of the device.

33. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5, wherein said securing means has a thread configuration wherein the width of the crest of the threads is substantially less than the width of the root of the threads.

34. The device of claims 1, or 4, or 5 wherein said securing means has a thread configuration for securing with a container having in the range of less than one to about five threads.

35. The device of claims 1 or 4 wherein said member includes means to releasably seal off the passage in said member.

36. The device of claims 1 or 4 wherein the container opening means is telescopically received in one end of the passage in said member, and wherein the seat means closes off the opening at a position radially inward relative to the port means which extends between the seat means and member.

37. The device of claim 1 or 4 wherein said seat means projects within said opening means and includes seal surface means for sealing off the container opening means.

38. A combination closure and pour passage device for closing off a container and releasing the container contents through said device, said device comprising: means forming a member; means forming passage means through said member; means forming securing means for releasably securing said member to the container; and means forming closure means to effect closure of the container when said securing means is operated to engage said closure means with the container and to effect communication with the container contents through said closure means in the passage in the member when said securing means is actuated to partially disengage said closure means from the container.

39. The device of claim 38 wherein said closure means is formed within and extends laterally of the passage in said member.

40. The device of claim 38 wherein said closure means extends along the passage in said member.

41. The device of claim 38 wherein said passage means includes the longitudinal portions having different diameters, one of which diameters is larger than the other with said securing means formed therein and an annular tapered surface connecting said two different diameter portions to form said closure means and a funnel for discharge of the container contents.

42. The device of claim 38 including seal means for sealing between said member and the container when said securing means effects relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

43. The device of claim 38 including additional means to limit the amount of relative longitudinal movement between said member and the container, said means including surface means on each said member and the container which engage when said member has been partially released from the container.

44. The device of claim 38 including releasable means for restraining premature release of said member from the container, but operable upon predetermined movement between said member and the container for partial or complete release of said member from the container.

45. The device of claim 38 wherein threads form said securing means on said member and have a pitch which varies in the range of approximately 1/6 to 1/8 of an inch.

46. The device of claim 38 including surface means on each said mβnber and the container forming sliding seal means for sealing between said member and the container upon relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

47. The device of claim 38 including a pouring spout telescopically received by said member and which pouring spout may be extended relative to said member, said telescoping pouring spout and member including surface means for sealing therebetween.

48. The device of claim 38 wherein said member is a single piece.

49. The device of claim 38 wherein said member is formed of multiple parts.

50. The device of claim 38 wherein said member is formed of multiple parts with means for preventing relative movement therebetween after assembly.

51. The device of claim 38 wherein said securing means has a thread configuration to threadedly engage with various containers which have thread configurations and thread pitches that differ from each other and that may differ from the thread configuration and thread pitch of said securing means of the device.

52. The device of claim 38 wherein said securing means has a thread configuration wherein the width of the crest of the threads is substantially less than the width of the root of the threads and wherein the container has in the range of less than one to about five threads.

53. The device of claim 1 for use with a container neck having at least one tapered surface on the neck wherein said member has a conforming tapered surface for sealing with the tapered surface on the neck.