Controlled-pour container
United States Patent 3915355
A controlled-pour container including a receptacle and a cover arranged for pressed fit interconnection with the receptacle, the cover being recessed at one or more positions to form conjointly with the receptacle one or more discharge openings for the container contents.
US Patent References:
Condiment holder
Albion - August 1943 - 2328246
Drinking unit
Selten - September 1944 - 2358600
Nonspillable cup
Laskin - March 1948 - 2437784
Safety drinking cup
Teller - November 1950 - 2529114
Food tray for the blind
Enslein - September 1953 - 2651926
Condiment holder
Albion - August 1943 - 2328246
Drinking unit
Selten - September 1944 - 2358600
Nonspillable cup
Laskin - March 1948 - 2437784
Safety drinking cup
Teller - November 1950 - 2529114
Food tray for the blind
Enslein - September 1953 - 2651926
Application Number:
05/321684
Publication Date:
10/28/1975
Filing Date:
01/08/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
229/906.100, D09/447, 220/711, 220/366.100, 206/459.500, 426/115
International Classes:
A47G19/22; B65D47/04; B65D51/16
Field of Search:
220/90.2,90.4,90.6,44A,352,366,367,374,356 229/43 222/562,544,566,549,556,478 206/459
US Patent References:
| 2761301 | Safety drinking cup | September 1956 | Teller | |
| 3081010 | Pitcher and cover | March 1963 | Tupper | |
| 3258179 | Dispensing container closure | June 1966 | Cherba | |
| 3333738 | Pitcher for reconstituting beverage concentrates | August 1967 | Goss | |
| 3362565 | Container lid | January 1968 | McCormick | |
| 3362590 | Carafe | January 1968 | Martin | |
| 3749277 | CLOSURE HAVING IMPROVED RESISTANCE TO UNSEATING | July 1973 | Kinney |
Primary Examiner:
Price, William I.
Assistant Examiner:
Marcus, Stephen
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Fihe, Paul B.
Parent Case Data:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 70,023, filed Sept. 8, 1970, now abandoned.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A controlled-pour container which comprises
2. A controlled-pour container according to claim 1 which comprises
3. A controlled-pour container according to claim 1 which comprises
4. A controlled-pour container according to claim 1 wherein
5. A controlled-pour container according to claim 4 wherein
6. A controlled-pour container according to claim 5 wherein
7. A cover for an open-top liquid receptacle having a uniform lip portion which cover comprises
1. A controlled-pour container which comprises
2. A controlled-pour container according to claim 1 which comprises
3. A controlled-pour container according to claim 1 which comprises
4. A controlled-pour container according to claim 1 wherein
5. A controlled-pour container according to claim 4 wherein
6. A controlled-pour container according to claim 5 wherein
7. A cover for an open-top liquid receptacle having a uniform lip portion which cover comprises
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to containers and more particularly, to a container for liquids allowing the controlled pouring of the contents therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There exist innumerable containers for liquids formed of various materials and in various shapes not only to contain the liquid contents but to enable the controlled pouring or discharge of such liquid contents. In order to avoid accidental spilling of the liquid, a container has, in many cases, included a cover for an open top receptacle which could be removed when pouring or dispensing was desired and replaced during intervening periods.
In certain instances, however, the removal of the cover is impractical or even impossible. By way of example, water pitchers with protective covers have been utilized in bedside locations in hospitals where in the case of certain patients one arm may be temporarily or permanently immobilized so as to preclude the removal of the cover which is normally a two-handed operation. In yet other instances, bandages over the eyes can render both the removal of the cover and the subsequent pouring of the contents from the container into a glass a difficult if not impossible task.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the general objective of the present invention to provide a controlled-pour container consisting of a liquid receptacle and a releasably-connected cover formed to provide a discharge opening to enable pouring of the contents without removal of the cover and in a precisely controlled fashion. Briefly, this objective is achieved by providing a receptacle which is open at its top but is formed to enable the releasable connection thereto of a cover which is recessed at one or more peripheral positions, thus to provide, when the cover is connected to the receptacle, a discharge opening or openings enabling the entire container to be lifted and upon appropriate tilting to permit the discharge of the liquid contents therefrom. Quite obviously, this can be a simple one-handed operation. The recess has a limited peripheral extent so that the pouring or discharging of the contents occurs at but this one position so as to control the pouring and enable accurate dispensing of the liquid into a glass or other receptacle for subsequent use. Furthermore the discharge opening is of relatively small dimensions so that if the contents of the container consist of liquid plus cooling ice, only the liquid will be dispensed and the ice will be retained within the container. Since the recess is formed in the cover, the receptacle can be of standard design with a uniform lip portion yet the two elements, when assembled, will provide the described discharge opening.
Preferably, so that the user can distinguish, both visually and through the sense of touch, the precise position of the discharge opening, the cover is raised adjacent the recess or is otherwise distorted to enable the users sense of touch to determine the location of the discharge opening. In addition, a visual indicator, for example in the form of an arrow can be formed in the cover to facilitate the users location of the discharge opening.
Whereas any form of releasable connection between the cover and the receptacle can be utilized, it is preferred to form the cover from slightly resilient material which is dimensioned such that a pressed fit can be obtained with the receptacle, the frictional interengagement between the cover and receptacle being sufficient to preclude their separation when the liquid contents of the container are being poured but enabling a relatively easy manual separation of the cover from the receptacle when it is to be refilled. By way of example, the receptacle and the cover can both be formed from standard expanded plastic beads (polystyrene) which have the requisite resiliency and also adequate strength to enable continued use of the container over a substantial period. In addition this particular material is an excellent insulating material so that, for example, if the container is filled with water and ice cubes, the liquid contents will be maintained at a relatively low temperature for an extended period of time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The stated objective of the invention and the manner in which it is achieved, as summarized hereinabove, will be more readily understood by a perusal of the following description of an exemplary structure embodying the invention as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle and cover embodying the invention,
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the undersurface of the cover,
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 illustrating the initiation of releasable interconnection between the cover and receptacle, and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of that portion of the assembled cover and receptacle when tilted in a liquid pouring disposition .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
With initial reference to FIG. 1, the container embodying the present invention consists of but two elements, a receptacle 10 of generally tapered exterior configuration with an open top defined by a uniform lip portion 12 whose interior surface has a slight inward taper from its upper extremity of perhaps 3° enabling pressed insertion thereinto of the second element, a cover 14 as will be described hereinafter (see FIG. 3). As illustrated, the receptacle 10 is formed in a well known fashion from the expansion of polystyrene or other plastic beads that form a structure having slight resilience but adequate strength for containing liquids and which will maintain the contents in a heated or cooled state because of the inherent insulation properties of the expanded plastic beads. While this manner of receptacle fabrication is preferred because of its insulating properties and the slight resilience mentioned, in view of the structural characteristics of the cover 14 to be described hereinafter, it is to be expressly observed that the receptacle 10 can be formed of any material capable of holding a liquid and having a uniform lip configuration around its open top to enable pressed accommodation of the cover. For example, the receptacle can be formed of paper, plain or impregnated with wax, metal, wood, or any other material wherefore no limitations on its structural characteristics are to be implied except to enable connection thereto of the cover 14.
The cover 14, as mentioned, is arranged for pressed insertion into the uniform lip portion 12 of the described receptacle and accordingly in the present instance, takes the form of a single generally flat circular member preferably formed by expanded polystyrene beads which produce the desired degree of resilience to enable pressed interconnection of the cover with the lip portion of receptacle. More particularly, the cover 14 has a central generally circular section 16 which is surrounded by a rectangular flange 18 which rises upwardly from the central circular section 16 and then extends outwardly. With additional reference to FIG. 2, the outer surface of the vertical flange section indicated at 20 is dimensioned slightly in excess of the interior surface dimension of the receptacle lip portion 12 so that when the cover 14 is pressed downwardly from the FIG. 3 position, this surface 20 is arranged to achieve a pressed fit relationship with the slightly tapered interior surface of the lip portion of the receptacle thus to establish sufficient frictional interengagement to effectively maintain the releasable interconnection between two elements even when the liquid is being poured therefrom as will be described hereinafter. However, the frictional interconnection is limited so that the cover 14 can be manually removed quite easily from the receptacle 10 to enable replenishment of the contents of the latter.
When the exterior surface 20 of the cover flange section is pushed into the pressed fit engagement with the lip portion 12 of the receptacle 10, the outwardly extending section of the flange 18 is arranged to rest on the upper extremity of the lip portion 12 of the receptacle. Thus, through most of the perimetral frictional engagement between the cover and receptacle, no fluid will be permitted to pass.
To enable controlled pouring from the container when the two elements are assembled in the fashion described, the edge of the illustrated cover 14 is slightly recessed in both a radial and axial direction, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. More particularly, the upright flange has diametrically-opposed recessed portions 22 and, in turn, adjacent recesses 24 are formed in the undersurface of the outward extending flange section so that when the two elements are assembled, discharge passages indicated at P in FIG. 4 are formed at the opposite recessed portions of the cover which passages extend first upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 3 and thence outwardly. Typically the arcuate extent of the passages P, which form the discharge openings from the container, are each no more than 1 inch so that a controlled pouring from the container into a glass or other receiving receptacle is permitted when the entire container is laterally tipped towards a horizontal position, such disposition being indicated in FIG. 4 where the arrows A indicate the lateral and then downward flow of the liquid from the container to its exterior. The particular configuration of each discharge opening first extending in one direction and thence in another not only allows the control of the pouring of the contents from the container but also provides for an immediate cessation of the pouring when the container is returned to its upright disposition, thus providing a no-drip arrangement.
Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 14 also incorporates means for indicating the position of the two diametrically-opposed discharge openings P. In the first place, the plastic beads, during the molding process, are formed to provide a double-ended arrow 30 pointing towards the positions of the discharge openings and the word "pour" is also formed therein. In addition, immediately adjacent each of the discharge openings P on the outer edge of the cover flange, a raised circumferential ridge 32 is formed thus to enable a simple indication of the position of the discharge opening through mere touching with the fingers. Thus, for example, if a patient is not able to see, he can readily feel the position of the discharge opening and pour liquids into a glass without any attendant visual examination thereof.
As has been indicated throughout the foregoing description of one particular embodiment of the invention, many modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the foregoing description of one embodiment is accordingly to be considered as purely exemplary and not in a limiting sense and the actual scope of the invention is to be indicated only by reference to the appended claims.
The present invention relates generally to containers and more particularly, to a container for liquids allowing the controlled pouring of the contents therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There exist innumerable containers for liquids formed of various materials and in various shapes not only to contain the liquid contents but to enable the controlled pouring or discharge of such liquid contents. In order to avoid accidental spilling of the liquid, a container has, in many cases, included a cover for an open top receptacle which could be removed when pouring or dispensing was desired and replaced during intervening periods.
In certain instances, however, the removal of the cover is impractical or even impossible. By way of example, water pitchers with protective covers have been utilized in bedside locations in hospitals where in the case of certain patients one arm may be temporarily or permanently immobilized so as to preclude the removal of the cover which is normally a two-handed operation. In yet other instances, bandages over the eyes can render both the removal of the cover and the subsequent pouring of the contents from the container into a glass a difficult if not impossible task.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the general objective of the present invention to provide a controlled-pour container consisting of a liquid receptacle and a releasably-connected cover formed to provide a discharge opening to enable pouring of the contents without removal of the cover and in a precisely controlled fashion. Briefly, this objective is achieved by providing a receptacle which is open at its top but is formed to enable the releasable connection thereto of a cover which is recessed at one or more peripheral positions, thus to provide, when the cover is connected to the receptacle, a discharge opening or openings enabling the entire container to be lifted and upon appropriate tilting to permit the discharge of the liquid contents therefrom. Quite obviously, this can be a simple one-handed operation. The recess has a limited peripheral extent so that the pouring or discharging of the contents occurs at but this one position so as to control the pouring and enable accurate dispensing of the liquid into a glass or other receptacle for subsequent use. Furthermore the discharge opening is of relatively small dimensions so that if the contents of the container consist of liquid plus cooling ice, only the liquid will be dispensed and the ice will be retained within the container. Since the recess is formed in the cover, the receptacle can be of standard design with a uniform lip portion yet the two elements, when assembled, will provide the described discharge opening.
Preferably, so that the user can distinguish, both visually and through the sense of touch, the precise position of the discharge opening, the cover is raised adjacent the recess or is otherwise distorted to enable the users sense of touch to determine the location of the discharge opening. In addition, a visual indicator, for example in the form of an arrow can be formed in the cover to facilitate the users location of the discharge opening.
Whereas any form of releasable connection between the cover and the receptacle can be utilized, it is preferred to form the cover from slightly resilient material which is dimensioned such that a pressed fit can be obtained with the receptacle, the frictional interengagement between the cover and receptacle being sufficient to preclude their separation when the liquid contents of the container are being poured but enabling a relatively easy manual separation of the cover from the receptacle when it is to be refilled. By way of example, the receptacle and the cover can both be formed from standard expanded plastic beads (polystyrene) which have the requisite resiliency and also adequate strength to enable continued use of the container over a substantial period. In addition this particular material is an excellent insulating material so that, for example, if the container is filled with water and ice cubes, the liquid contents will be maintained at a relatively low temperature for an extended period of time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The stated objective of the invention and the manner in which it is achieved, as summarized hereinabove, will be more readily understood by a perusal of the following description of an exemplary structure embodying the invention as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle and cover embodying the invention,
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the undersurface of the cover,
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 illustrating the initiation of releasable interconnection between the cover and receptacle, and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of that portion of the assembled cover and receptacle when tilted in a liquid pouring disposition .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
With initial reference to FIG. 1, the container embodying the present invention consists of but two elements, a receptacle 10 of generally tapered exterior configuration with an open top defined by a uniform lip portion 12 whose interior surface has a slight inward taper from its upper extremity of perhaps 3° enabling pressed insertion thereinto of the second element, a cover 14 as will be described hereinafter (see FIG. 3). As illustrated, the receptacle 10 is formed in a well known fashion from the expansion of polystyrene or other plastic beads that form a structure having slight resilience but adequate strength for containing liquids and which will maintain the contents in a heated or cooled state because of the inherent insulation properties of the expanded plastic beads. While this manner of receptacle fabrication is preferred because of its insulating properties and the slight resilience mentioned, in view of the structural characteristics of the cover 14 to be described hereinafter, it is to be expressly observed that the receptacle 10 can be formed of any material capable of holding a liquid and having a uniform lip configuration around its open top to enable pressed accommodation of the cover. For example, the receptacle can be formed of paper, plain or impregnated with wax, metal, wood, or any other material wherefore no limitations on its structural characteristics are to be implied except to enable connection thereto of the cover 14.
The cover 14, as mentioned, is arranged for pressed insertion into the uniform lip portion 12 of the described receptacle and accordingly in the present instance, takes the form of a single generally flat circular member preferably formed by expanded polystyrene beads which produce the desired degree of resilience to enable pressed interconnection of the cover with the lip portion of receptacle. More particularly, the cover 14 has a central generally circular section 16 which is surrounded by a rectangular flange 18 which rises upwardly from the central circular section 16 and then extends outwardly. With additional reference to FIG. 2, the outer surface of the vertical flange section indicated at 20 is dimensioned slightly in excess of the interior surface dimension of the receptacle lip portion 12 so that when the cover 14 is pressed downwardly from the FIG. 3 position, this surface 20 is arranged to achieve a pressed fit relationship with the slightly tapered interior surface of the lip portion of the receptacle thus to establish sufficient frictional interengagement to effectively maintain the releasable interconnection between two elements even when the liquid is being poured therefrom as will be described hereinafter. However, the frictional interconnection is limited so that the cover 14 can be manually removed quite easily from the receptacle 10 to enable replenishment of the contents of the latter.
When the exterior surface 20 of the cover flange section is pushed into the pressed fit engagement with the lip portion 12 of the receptacle 10, the outwardly extending section of the flange 18 is arranged to rest on the upper extremity of the lip portion 12 of the receptacle. Thus, through most of the perimetral frictional engagement between the cover and receptacle, no fluid will be permitted to pass.
To enable controlled pouring from the container when the two elements are assembled in the fashion described, the edge of the illustrated cover 14 is slightly recessed in both a radial and axial direction, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. More particularly, the upright flange has diametrically-opposed recessed portions 22 and, in turn, adjacent recesses 24 are formed in the undersurface of the outward extending flange section so that when the two elements are assembled, discharge passages indicated at P in FIG. 4 are formed at the opposite recessed portions of the cover which passages extend first upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 3 and thence outwardly. Typically the arcuate extent of the passages P, which form the discharge openings from the container, are each no more than 1 inch so that a controlled pouring from the container into a glass or other receiving receptacle is permitted when the entire container is laterally tipped towards a horizontal position, such disposition being indicated in FIG. 4 where the arrows A indicate the lateral and then downward flow of the liquid from the container to its exterior. The particular configuration of each discharge opening first extending in one direction and thence in another not only allows the control of the pouring of the contents from the container but also provides for an immediate cessation of the pouring when the container is returned to its upright disposition, thus providing a no-drip arrangement.
Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 14 also incorporates means for indicating the position of the two diametrically-opposed discharge openings P. In the first place, the plastic beads, during the molding process, are formed to provide a double-ended arrow 30 pointing towards the positions of the discharge openings and the word "pour" is also formed therein. In addition, immediately adjacent each of the discharge openings P on the outer edge of the cover flange, a raised circumferential ridge 32 is formed thus to enable a simple indication of the position of the discharge opening through mere touching with the fingers. Thus, for example, if a patient is not able to see, he can readily feel the position of the discharge opening and pour liquids into a glass without any attendant visual examination thereof.
As has been indicated throughout the foregoing description of one particular embodiment of the invention, many modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the foregoing description of one embodiment is accordingly to be considered as purely exemplary and not in a limiting sense and the actual scope of the invention is to be indicated only by reference to the appended claims.