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Title:
CONTAINER FOR CONTAINING A LIQUID AND METHOD FOR AT LEAST PARTIALLY FILLING A SECOND CONTAINER WITH LIQUID FROM SUCH A CONTAINER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/112425
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a container for containing a liquid, this container comprising: - a container body with a receiving space for containing the liquid therein; - a spout-like body with a liquid inlet opening and a liquid outlet opening, which liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body is connected for medium throughflow to the receiving space, and which spout-like body is configured to be arranged with a determined insertion depth in a liquid inlet opening of a second container to be filled at least partially with liquid from the container; wherein the spout-like body is arranged for axial sliding in an opening of the container body, such that in a first, retracted position the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly in the interior of the container body and in a second, pulled-out position the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly outside the container body.

Inventors:
DEBSKI EDWARD HENDRIK (NL)
Application Number:
PCT/NL2018/050809
Publication Date:
June 13, 2019
Filing Date:
December 04, 2018
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
BARK INNOVATIONS B V (NL)
International Classes:
B67D3/04; B65D25/40; B65D41/04; B65D41/34; B65D47/20; B65D47/32; B67D3/00; B67D7/00
Foreign References:
US20030183662A12003-10-02
US20160145004A12016-05-26
DE102015103754B32016-02-25
BE667221A1965-11-16
DE505294C1930-08-16
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
SLIKKER, Wilhelmina Johanna (NL)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. Container for containing a liquid, which container comprises:

- a container body with a receiving space for containing the liquid therein;

- a spout-like body with a liquid inlet opening and a liquid outlet opening, which liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body is comiected for medium throughflow to the receiving space and which spout-like body is configured to be arranged with a determined insertion depth in a liquid inlet opening of a second container to be filled at least partially with liquid from the container;

wherein the spout-like body is arranged for axial sliding in an opening of the container body such that in a first, retracted position the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly in the interior of the container body and in a second, pulled-out position the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly outside the container body.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein a sleeve extends from the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body into the interior of the container body, which sleeve, at least in an initial first, retracted position, tightly encloses the spout-like body coaxially and at least over a longitudinal part.

3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve is formed, or configured to be defonned during sliding of the spout-like body from the first, retracted position to the second, pulled-out position, such that in the second, pulled-out position of the spout-like body liquid can flow, close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, from sides of the container body in a substantially radial direction to the liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body.

4. Container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sleeve is provided close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body with one or more throughflow holes, such that in the second, pulled-out position of the spout-like body liquid can flow, close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, from sides of the container body, through the one or more throughflow holes in a substantially radial direction to the liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body.

5. Container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sleeve is manufactured from flexible and pliable material, wherein the outer end of the sleeve is attached to the spout-like body such that the outer end of the sleeve co-displaces with the spout-like body from the first, retracted position in the direction of the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, such that in the second, pulled-out position of the spout-like body liquid can flow, close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, from sides of the container body, along the outer end of the sleeve in a substantially radial direction to the liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body.

6. Container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the outer end of the spout-like body is provided with at least one blade, preferably more than one blade, which blade or blades cuts or cut the sleeve in the longitudinal direction when the spout-like body is pulled out, such that in the second, pulled- out position of the spout-like body liquid can flow, close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, from sides of the container body, through openings which are formed by the cut parts of the sleeve in a substantially radial direction to the liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body.

7. Container according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the container further comprises closing means for closing the liquid outlet opening, which closing means are displaceable between a first position in which the liquid outlet opening is closed and a second position in which the liquid outlet opening is left clear and liquid can flow via the liquid outlet opening out of the receiving space, wherein the closing means comprise an arresting element, which arresting element is configured to engage on a peripheral edge of the liqu id inlet opening when the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening of the second container for filling, such that when the spout like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening, the arresting element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced from their first position to the second position, wherein biasing means are provided to bias the closing means toward their first position, such that when the spout-like body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, the closing means are displaced back to their first position by the biasing means.

8. Container according to claim 7, wherein the spout-like body takes a hollow fonn over at least a part thereof and herein defines a receiving cavity, wherein the closing means are arranged at least partially in at least a part of the receiving cavity, wherein the spout-like body has a through-hole extending between a peripheral wall of the spout-like body and the receiving cavity, and wherein the arresting element comprises a protrusion extending through the through-hole and protruding relative to the peripheral wall of the spout-like body.

9. Container according to claim 8, wherein the through-hole takes an elongate fonn, wherein the protrusion is displaceable over the length of the through-hole.

10. Container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the through-hole is disposed parallel to a longitudinal direction of the spout-like body.

11. Container according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the spout-like body comprises two parts with different diameters, wherein the part close to the outer end of the spout-like body has a smaller diameter than the part facing toward the container body and slidable into the container body, which parts are mutually connected by means of a shoulder part, and wherein the through-hole extends in the shoulder part and the peripheral wall of the part close to the outer end.

12. Container according to claim 10, wherein the shoulder part of the spout-like body forms a stop element against which the end edge of the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening of the second container can lie.

13. Container according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the outer end of the spout-like body is provided with optionally detachable grasping means which can be grasped by a user, such that the user is able to axially slide the spout-like body from the first, retracted position to the second, pulled-out position.

14. Method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from a container according to any one of the claims 1-13, comprising the following steps of:

(a) axially sliding the spout-like body in an opening of the container body, from the first, retracted position in which the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly in the interior of the container body, and to the second, pulled-out position in which the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly outside the container body;

(b) arranging the spout-like body of the container in a liquid inlet opening of the second container with an insertion depth detennined such that during arranging of the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening to the stated insertion depth, the arresting element of the closing means engages on the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening and the closing means with the arresting element are thereby displaced from their first position to their second position;

(c) holding the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening at the stated insertion depth for a desired period of time for the purpose of filling the second container with liquid from the container and with a desired quantity of liquid; and

(d) removing the spout-like body from the liquid inlet opening, wherein the closing means are displaced back to their first position by the biasing means.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the steps (a)-(d) are perfonned successively, without other steps therebetween.

Description:
CONTAINER FOR CONTAINING A LIQUID AND METHOD FOR AT LEAST PARTIALLY FILLING A SECOND CONTAINER WITH LIQUID FROM SUCH A

CONTAINER

The invention relates to a container for containing a liquid. The invention relates particularly to a container filled at least partially with liquid with which liquid a second container for filling can be at least partially filled, and with which container the second container can in particular be filled easily and/or rapidly and/or in spillage-free and/or leakage-free manner.

The invention also relates to a method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from such a container.

In an embodiment of the container for containing a liquid the container comprises:

- a container body with a receiving space for containing the liquid therein;

- a spout-like body with a liquid inlet opening and a liquid outlet opening, which liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body is connected for medium throughflow to the receiving space, and which spout-like body is configured to be arranged with a determined insertion depth in a liquid inlet opening of a second container to be filled at least partially with liquid from the container.

According to an aspect of the invention, the spout-like body is arranged for axial sliding in an opening of the container body such that in a first, retracted position the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly in the interior of the container body and in a second, pulled-out position the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly outside the container body.

Because the spout-like body is accommodated in the interior of the container body up to the point of use, the spout-like body does not protrude relative to the container body. This can save space during for instance transport and/or storage and/or can enable a plurality of such containers to be stacked on each other.

The interior of the container body can for instance be formed by at least a part of the receiving space or can comprise at least a part of the receiving space.

A sleeve preferably extends from the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body into the interior of the container body, which sleeve, at least in an initial first, retracted position, tightly encloses the spout-like body coaxially and at least over a longitudinal part.

Using such a sleeve a good liquid seal can be provided.

In a first preferred embodiment the sleeve is formed, or configured to be deformed during sliding of the spout-like body from the first, retracted position to the second, pulled-out position, such that in the second, pulled-out position of the spout-like body liquid can flow, close to the 9 peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, from sides of the container body in a substantially radial direction to the liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body.

An advantage hereof is that the receiving space can empty substantially completely when the liquid is poured out.

In a second preferred embodiment the sleeve is provided close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body with one or more throughflow holes, such that in the second, pulled- out position of the spout-like body liquid can flow, close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, from sides of the container body, through the one or more throughflow holes in a substantially radial direction to the liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body.

In a third preferred embodiment the sleeve is manufactured from flexible and/or pliable material, wherein the outer end of the sleeve is attached to the spout-like body such that the outer end of the sleeve co-displaces with the spout-like body from the first, retracted position in the direction of the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, such that in the second, pulled-out position of the spout-like body liquid can flow, close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, from sides of the container body, along the outer end of the sleeve in a substantially radial direction to the liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body.

In an embodiment the outer end of the spout-like body is provided with at least one blade, preferably more than one blade, which blade or blades cuts or cut the sleeve in the longitudinal direction when the spout-like body is pulled out. such that in the second pulled-out position of the spout-like body liquid can flow, close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, from sides of the container body, through openings which are fonned by the cut parts of the sleeve in a substantially radial direction to the liquid inlet opening of the spout-like body.

According to another aspect of the invention, the container comprises closing means for closing the liquid outlet opening, which closing means are displaceable between a first position in which the liquid outlet opening is closed and a second position in which the liquid outlet opening is left clear and liquid can flow via the liquid outlet opening out of the receiving space, wherein the closing means comprise an arresting element, which arresting element is configured to engage on a peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening when the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening of the second container for filling, such that when the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening, the arresting element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced from their first position to the second position, wherein biasing means are provided to bias the closing means toward their first position, such that when the spout-like body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, the closing means are displaced back to their first position by the biasing means.

The spout-like body provides the advantage that it can be arranged in the liquid inlet opening of the second container so that the liquid outlet opening of the spout-like body is situated in the second container when the liquid flows out of the container, whereby the chance of spillage during filling is zero, or at least small. Because the arresting element is displaced when the spout like element is inserted into the liquid inlet opening of the second container, and the closing means are thereby displaced from their first position to their second position, the liquid flows via the liquid outlet opening out of the receiving space of the container as soon as the liquid outlet opening is cleared by the closing means, i.e. as soon as the closing means are in their second position.

When the spout-like body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, the closing means move back to their first position immediately and/or automatically because of the biasing means, so that the liquid outlet opening is closed again and leaking is prevented, or the chance of leaking is at least reduced.

The container is in particular free of further locking, blocking or closing means which have to be released in order to clear the liquid outlet opening and allow liquid to flow therefrom, or to allow displacement of the closing means from their first position to their second position.

Alternatively, this can be formulated as follows: the liquid outlet opening is always or at least immediately left clear in the second position of the closing means, or the closing means are freely displaceable between their first and second position.

This provides a container which is easy to use and with which the second container can be at least partially filled directly by arranging the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, without any other action being required by the user of the container.

In order to be able to arrange the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening the spout-like body has an outer cross-section which is at least locally chosen to be smaller than an at least local cross-section of the liquid inlet opening of the second container. If the spout-like body has a substantially cylindrical form, the outer diameter thereof is chosen to be smaller than the cross- section, for instance the diameter, of the liquid inlet opening of the second container.

It is noted that the spout-like body must here be arranged with a sufficient insertion depth in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, so that the arresting element is displaced over a sufficiently great distance to at least partially clear the liquid outlet opening. Said determined insertion depth is thereby a minimum insertion depth for the spout-like body, at which insertion depth the closing means are displaced to their second position to an extent such that the liquid outlet opening is at least partially cleared. It will here be immediately apparent to a user when the spout-like body has been arranged sufficiently far into the liquid inlet opening because the user in that case sees, hears, feels or smells the liquid flowing out of the container, or because in that case the spout-like body cannot be arranged any further into the liquid inlet opening since the arresting element then cannot be displaced any further. It is further noted that the arresting element and, with this, the closing means are displaced in an axial, i.e. in a longitudinal, direction of the spout-like body. When the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening, the arresting element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced in a first axial direction, which first axial direction is substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of the spout-like body into the liquid inlet opening. When the spout-like body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, the arresting element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction.

The closing means are in particular displaced relative to the spout-like body.

The spout-like body and the container body can in particular take a form in which they cannot be displaced relative to each other, at least not to clear the liquid outlet opening.

The closing means can in particular comprise a shut-off valve.

The term spout-like body is particularly understood to mean that the spout-like body is embodied such that it is suitable as pouring spout.

In an embodiment of the container according to the invention the spout-like body takes a hollow form over at least a part thereof and herein defines a receiving cavity, wherein the closing means are arranged at least partially in at least a part of the receiving cavity, wherein the spout-like body has a through-hole extending between a peripheral wall of the spout-like body and the receiving cavity , and wherein the arresting element comprises a protrusion extending through the through-hole and protruding relative to the peripheral wall of the spout-like body.

Because the protrusion of the arresting element protrudes relative to the peripheral wall of the spout-like body, the protrusion can engage on the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening when the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening of the second container.

In this embodiment the closing means can likewise take a hollow form. The closing means can in particular comprise for instance a hollow cylindrical body which is received in the hollow spout-like body. The outer cross-sectional dimension of the hollow cylindrical body of the closing means can here be adapted to, more particularly be almost equal to, the inner cross-sectional dimension of the hollow spout-like body, i.e. to the cross-sectional dimension of the receiving cavity ' thereof, wherein the smallest possible intermediate space is preferably provided between the closing means and the peripheral wall of the spout-like body.

The receiving cavity of the spout-like body and/or the hollow closing means can here form or accommodate therein a channel, via which channel the liquid outlet opening is connected for medium throughflow to the receiving space of the container in which the liquid is contained.

In another embodiment of the invention a conduit is provided, which conduit extends both through at least a part of the receiving space and through at least a part of the spout-like body and/or the closing means, which conduit forms a medium throughflow connection between the receiving space of the container and an air opening of the spout-like body, which air opening can be disposed close to the liquid outlet opening. Air can flow via the air opening into the receiving space during outflow of liquid out of the receiving space. An advantage hereof is that, as soon as the air opening is situated in liquid, which will for instance be the case when the second container has been sufficiently filled, no more air flows to the receiving space and the outflow of liquid out of the container stops. In this way the outflow of liquid out of the container therefore stops automatically when the second container has been sufficiently filled, i.e. as soon as the air opening is situated in the liquid in the second container. In this exemplary embodiment it may be the case that in the first position of the closing means the air opening is closed and in the second position of the closing means the air opening is (immediately) cleared.

It is noted that closing of the air opening and/or the liquid outlet opening is at least understood to mean that, respectively, no air is able to flow into and no liquid is able to flow out of the receiving space of the container when it/they is/are in its/their closed position. The closing can take place at the location of or at a distance from the air opening and/or the liquid outlet opening.

It is further noted that a liquid outlet opening and, optionally, an air opening is understood to mean any desired number of liquid outlet openings and, optionally, air openings, for instance one, but also more than one, such as for instance two, three or four. The number of liquid outlet openings can be equal to or differ from the number of air openings.

The arresting element, and optionally the protrusion thereof, can be embodied in any desired manner. A number of, i.e. more than one, for instance two. three or four, arresting elements can if desired be provided and/or the one or more arresting elements can comprise one or more protrusions.

The one or more protrusions can for instance extend radially outward relative to the peripheral wall of the spout-like body and/or the cylindrical body of the closing means.

Sealing means can optionally be provided for the purpose of providing an at least liquid- tight seal between the closing means and the spout-like body, at least in the first position of the closing means. The sealing means can for instance comprise one or more O-rings. The sealing means, for instance the one or more O-rings, can if desired be arranged on the spout-like body and/or the closing means during injection moulding thereof, for instance by injection moulding an elastomer in recesses of the spout-like body and/or the closing means.

In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the through-hole takes an elongate fonn, wherein the protrusion is displaceable over the length of the through-hole.

The through-hole and the protrusion hereby together form guide means, whereby the closing means are reciprocally displaceable in one direction, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongate hole, and a stable and/or precise displacement of the closing means can take place. The closing means can here move relative to the spout-like body. The protrusion can in particular be displaced reciprocally over the length of the through-hole, wherein the closing means are displaced between their first and second position.

It is noted that the number of through-holes is preferably adapted to, more particularly equal to, the number of protrusions.

In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the through-hole is disposed parallel to a longitudinal direction of the spout-like body.

When the through-hole is disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the spout-like body, the displacement of the closing means likewise takes place parallel to the spout-like body. This can ensure an easy displacement of the closing means and the spout-like body relative to each other.

In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the spout-like body and/or the closing means and/or the biasing means is/are manufactured from a plastic. More particularly, they can for instance be manufactured from the same plastic.

The plastic for the closing means and/or the biasing means and/or the spout-like body can be any suitable plastic. The plastic for the closing means and/or the biasing means and/or the spout-like body is for instance chosen from the group comprising high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

The biasing means can for instance comprise a spring. The spring can be a tension spring or a compression spring.

When a compression spring is provided as biasing means, this spring can extend between the closing means for instance the arresting element thereof, and another part of the container, wherein the compression spring presses the closing means to their first position in a non-loaded state of the compression spring.

When the arresting element is displaced during insertion of the spout-like body into the liquid inlet opening of the second container, the compression spring is compressed, which brings about a compressive stress on the compression spring. This causes the compression spring to automatically press the closing means back to their first position when the spout-like body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, wherein the compressive stress on the compression spring decreases again.

In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the biasing means are received in a casing. The compression spring and the casing can here be fonned integrally. The casing can provide a firm attachment of the compression spring to the container. The compression spring can for instance be a coil spring. This coil spring can in particular taper toward the liquid outlet opening of the spout-like body.

The compression spring can in particular comprise two mutually encircling or intertwined coil springs. Such a compression spring will displace the closing means between the first and second position thereof in a straight line substantially parallel to the spout-like body.

In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the biasing means are connected with a first end zone to the casing and are directed or connected with a second end zone toward or to the closing means, and wherein the second end zone has a smaller cross- sectional dimension than tire first end zone.

This creates the option at the first end zone to provide an (integral) connection between the biasing means and the casing, while the biasing means have an increasing amount of space for movement relative to the casing toward the second end zone for the purpose of facilitating the displacement of the closing means relative to the spout-like body.

A (part of a) winding connected to the casing can in particular have a greater cross-section than one or more other windings of the biasing means.

The biasing means can be formed by a substantially helical leaf spring with a substantially rectangular cross-section.

Forming the biasing means in this manner can create a coil spring with a rigidity which is sufficient but not excessive. In addition, such biasing means can provide a sufficiently great deflection.

In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the closing means comprise a valve shoulder and the spout-like body comprises a valve seat, wherein in the first position of the closing means the valve shoulder lies against the valve seat in order to close the liquid outlet opening in the first position of the closing means, and wherein in the second position of the closing means the valve shoulder is situated at a distance from the valve seat in order to clear the liquid outlet opening in the second position of the closing means.

The valve seat and the valve shoulder can close the liquid outflow opening at least substantially liquid-tightly in the first position of the closing means. In the second position of the closing means a flow passage is provided between the valve shoulder and the valve seat in that they are situated at a mutual distance. The liquid outlet opening is hereby left clear in the second position of the closing means.

The valve seat and/or the valve shoulder can be provided with sealing means, for instance an O-ring.

An O-ring, or other suitable sealing means, can seal a contact surface between the valve seat and the valve shoulder at least substantially liquid-tightly. In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the container comprises a closing wall which surrounds at least a part of the spout-like body with a deteimined intermediate space therebetween, which intermediate space is configured to accommodate at least a part of the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening of the second container in use of the container.

The closing wall can further limit leakage of liquid. The closing wall can alternatively or additionally close off the liquid inlet opening of the second container substantially airtightly from the surrounding area. It is hereby impossible or difficult for the second container to overflow when being filled with liquid from the container. This is because liquid can only flow out of the container as long as air is able to flow into the receiving space. When the second container has been filled to a degree such that liquid in the second container surrounds the air opening, no air is able to flow via the air opening and the conduit into the receiving space. When the liquid inlet opening of the second container is moreover closed off substantially airtightly from the surrounding area, it is prevented that air may be able to flow via the liquid outlet opening of the spout-like body into the receiving space, whereby the outflow of liquid out of the receiving space is further prevented and overfilling of the second container is therefore prevented.

This embodiment of the container according to the invention is particularly suitable for second containers with a cylindrical peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening of the second container.

In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the closing wall comprises one or more stop elements configured to form a stop for the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening of the second container in order to define a maximum insertion depth of the spout like body in the liquid inlet opening of the second container.

By defining a maximum insertion depth the biasing means cannot be loaded more than a maximum load. Alternatively or additionally, the stop can provide a user with feedback regarding the fact that the closing means and the spout-like body have been sufficiently displaced relative to each other to clear the liquid outlet opening.

It is noted that where it is described above that the container can in particular be free of further locking, blocking or closing means which have to be released in order to clear the liquid outlet opening and to allow liquid to flow therefrom, or to allow displacement of the closing means from their first position to their second position, the same can in particular apply when an optionally provided cap is detached or removed. This provides a container which is easy to use and with which the second container can be at least partially filled directly by arranging the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, without any other action being required by the user of the container after the optionally provided cap has been removed or detached. It is possible to fill the container with, or the container can already har e been filled with, any desired liquid.

The second container can be any suitable type of container, for instance a tank or reservoir.

More particularly, the second container can for instance form part of a vehicle, for instance though not exclusively a reservoir for an (engine) additive such as adblue, or for windshield washer fluid, or for (engine) oil. The liquid can in that case be the (engine) additive, such as adblue, the windshield washer fluid, or the (engine) oil.

The spout-like body preferably comprises two parts with different diameters, wherein the part close to the outer end of the spout-like body has a smaller diameter than the part facing toward the container body and slidable into the container body, which parts are mutually connected by means of a shoulder part, and wherein the through-hole extends in the shoulder part and the peripheral wall of the part close to the outer end. The shoulder part of the spout-like body preferably forms a stop element against which the end edge of the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening of the second container can he.

The outer end of the spout-like body is preferably provided with optionally detachable grasping means which can be grasped by a user, such that the user is able to axially slide the spout like body from the first, retracted position to the second, pulled-out position.

The grasping means can for instance comprise one or more handles or handgrips. The one or more handles or handgrips can for instance extend in an end surface of the outer end of the spout-like body, which one or more handles or handgrips can be detached from the end surface by a user so that they extend from the end surface and the user can slide or pull the spout-like body to the second, pulled-out position using the one or more handles or handgrips. When the one or more handles or handgrips have been detached from the end surface, they can for instance be connected with their outer ends to the outer end of the spout-like body.

The invention also relates to a method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from a container according to any one of the claims 1-13 and/or as described above, comprising the following steps of:

(a) (if applicable) axially sliding the spout-like body in an opening of the container body, from the first, retracted position in which the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly in the interior of the container body, and to the second, pulled-out position in which the spout-like body extends at least substantially wholly outside the container body;

(b) arranging the spout-like body of the container in a liquid inlet opening of the second container with an insertion depth detennined such that during arranging of the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening to said insertion depth, the arresting element of the closing means engages on the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening and the closing means with the arresting element are thereby displaced from their first position to their second position;

(c) holding the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening at said insertion depth for a desired period of time for the purpose of filling the second container with liquid from the container and with a desired quantity of liquid; and

(d) removing the spout-like body from the liquid inlet opening, wherein the closing means are displaced back to their first position by the biasing means.

The determined insertion depth can be the maximum insertion depth, this being defined by the at least one stop element.

The container can comprise any feature of the claims and/or as described above in any suitable combination.

The steps (a)-(d) are preferably performed successively, without other steps therebetween. It is for instance specifically out of the question that further locking, blocking or closing means (not provided) are released in order to clear the liquid outlet opening and allow liquid to flow therefrom, or to allow displacement of the closing means from their first position to their second position.

The invention will be further specified using the following figures, wherein:

Figures 1A and 1B show a schematic perspective view of the container and a part of a second container, each from a different angle;

Figures 2A-2C show the container of figures 1A and 1B in a closed state, wherein figure 2A is a schematic, perspective, partially cut-away view and figures 2B and 2C are schematic sections in different planes;

Figures 3A-3C show the container of figures 1 A and 1B in a released state, wherein figure 3A is a schematic, perspective, partially cut-away view and figures 3B and 3C are schematic sections according to figures 2B and 2C;

Figures 4 A and 4B show a part of the container of figures 1 A and 1B in a perspective exploded view, each from a different angle;

Figure 5 shows a top view of the biasing means of the container of figures 1 A and 1B.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a part of a container in perspective view;

Figure 7 shows the part of the container of figure 6 in cross-section;

Figure 8 shows a detail of the cross-sectional view of the part of the container of figure 6;

Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the container of figures 6-8 with the spout-like body in pulled-out and closed state; Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the container of figures 6-8 with the spout-like body in pulled-out and released state;

Figure 11 shows a detail of the cross-sectional view of the container of figures 6-8; and

Figures 12, 13 and 14 show cross-sectional views of further exemplary embodiments of containers according to figures 6-11, with additional measures for wholly pouring out liquid.

Corresponding elements are designated in the figures with corresponding reference numerals.

Figures 1-4 (A, B and C figures) show a container 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. In this example container 1 comprises a bottle-like container body or bottle 2, which bottle 2 defines in the interior thereof a receiving space 3 in which a liquid is contained. Arranged on bottle 2 are components using which a liquid contained in bottle 2 can be transferred, (almost) without leakage into a second container for filling. The second container has a liquid inlet opening with a liquid inlet piece 99 comprising a hollow cylindrical peripheral edge 98. Only the liquid inlet piece 99 is shown here for the sake of simplicity. It will be apparent that liquid inlet piece 99 can be connected to a tank or the like. The first component to be arranged, on bottle 2. is a connecting element 4, which connecting element 4 is in this example screwed onto bottle 2.

Connecting element 4 comprises a spout-like body 5 with a number of liquid outlet openings 6 and air openings 8. As is visible particularly in figure 1A, air openings 8 debouch into the peripheral wall of spout-like body 5. Air openings 8 are disposed close to the free end of spout-like body 5. Liquid outlet openings 6 debouch into the free end zone of spout-like body 5, more particularly into the free end surface thereof. The spout-like body further comprises a bridge body 53 which connects air openings 8 to each other for medium throughflow and separates them from the liquid connection between liquid outlet openings 6 and receiving space 3. Spout-like body 5 further comprises a valve seat 55, the function of which will be further elucidated hereinbelow.

Spout-like body 5 in this case takes a hollow and cylindrical form, and herein defines a receiving cavity. Closing means 20 are disposed in the receiving cavity. In this embodiment closing means 20 comprise a substantially cylindrical and hollow body 24, which body 24 has an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of spout-like body 5, so that almost no space is provided between body 24 and spout-like body 5. Hereby, almost no liquid will find its way between body 24 and spout-like body 5. An O-ring 25 is arranged in a peripheral recess of body 24 so that a liquid-tight seal is provided between body 24 and spout-like body 5 in order to stop any liquid which nevertheless finds its way between body 24 and spout-like body 5 so as to prevent leakage.

The spout-like body has in a peripheral wall 52 thereof through-holes 51 extending between peripheral wall 52 and the receiving cavity. In this case holes 51 take an elongate form and are disposed parallel to a longitudinal direction of spout-like body 5. Body 24 comprises protrusions 21 extending radially outward therefrom. Protrusions 21 extend through holes 51 and herein form catching elements 21, which protrude relative to peripheral wall 52 of spout-like body 5. Protrusions 21 and, with this, closing means 20 are reciprocally displaceable between a first position, in which both air openings 8 and liquid outlet openings 6 are closed by closing means 20 and spout-like body 5 (see figures 2A-2C), and a second position in which both air openings 8 and liquid outlet openings 6 are left clear (see figures 3A-3C). Protrusions 21 can engage on the peripheral edge 98 of the second container when spout-like body 5 is inserted into inlet piece 99 of the second container, whereby a force is exerted on protrusions 21 and closing means 20 are displaced from their first to their second position.

Closing means 20 comprise a cylindrical air inlet piece 26. Air inlet piece 26 is connected for medium throughflow to a conduit 7, this conduit 7 extending between air inlet piece 26 and receiving space 3. Conduit 7 debouches in particular close to the bottom of bottle 2.

Conduit 7 has an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of body 24 of closing means 20. An annular space is hereby provided between the outer wall of conduit 7 and an inner wall of body 24, by which annular space a medium throughflow connection between receiving space 3 and liquid outlet openings 6 is provided, such that liquid from receiving space 3 can flow via the annular space and liquid outlet openings 6 out of container 1 and via the liquid inlet opening into the second container for filling when closing means 20 are in the second position. Spout-like body 5 is here arranged over a part of the length thereof in the liquid inlet opening 99 of the second container for filling, so that no or hardly any liquid is leaked during filling of the second container with liquid from container 1.

The cylindrical air inlet piece 26 is at least partially received in bridge body 53, and is displaceable therein. In the first position of closing means 20 a free end edge of cylindrical air inlet piece 26 lies against an inner upper wall of bridge body 53, whereby a substantially airtight closure is provided therebetween and air openings 8 are thereby closed off from receiving space 3 to prevent medium throughflow. In the second position of closing means 20 the cylindrical air inlet piece 26 is placed away from the inner upper wall of bridge body 53, whereby a medium throughflow connection is provided between cylindrical air inlet piece 26, and thereby receiving space 3 via conduit 7, and air openings 8. In the second position of closing means 20 air can hereby flow via air openings 8, bridge body 53, air inlet piece 26 and conduit 7 into receiving space 3 of bottle 2. As soon as air openings 8 are situated in liquid, which happens as soon as the second container has been almost sufficiently filled, no more air will flow to receiving space 3, whereby the container will stop dispensing liquid automatically. Closing means 20 further comprise a stop element 23 which engages on an end edge of conduit 7 when closing means 20 are in their second position. This (also) defines a maximum insertion depth of spout-like body 5 in the liquid inlet opening of the second container.

Closing means 20 further also comprise a valve shoulder 27 which lies against the valve seat 55 of the spout-like body in the first position of closing means 20. An O-ring 28 is arranged in a peripheral recess of valve shoulder 27. whereby valve shoulder 27 closes almost liquid-tightly against valve seat 55 in the first position of closing means 20. In the second position of closing means 20 valve shoulder 27 and valve seat 55 are removed from each other, whereby liquid outlet openings 6 are connected for medium throughflow to receiving space 3 of container 1. Valve shoulder 27 is connected via connecting pieces 29 to body 24, wherein openings are defined between connecting pieces 29 for passage of liquid from body 24 to spout-like body 5.

Closing means 20 further comprises an arresting element 22 for engaging on biasing means 30. Biasing means 30 are connected, in this embodiment integrally connected, to a casing 31. In this example casing 31 is connected to connecting element 4, but can also be connected to container 1 or any other suitable component of container 1. Casing 31 is in particular arranged in a cavity of connecting element 4, and for instance snap-fixed therein. Biasing means 30 provide a pushing force between closing means 20 and casing 31, and herein bias closing means 20 to their first position. Closing means 20 thus close container 1 automatically when no force other than the force of biasing means 30 is being exerted on closing means 20. From their second position closing means 20 cannot be pushed beyond their second position by biasing means 30 because, in the first position of closing means 20, protrusions 21 lie against an end of holes 51, valve shoulder 27 lies against valve seat 55 and the free end edge of cylindrical air inlet piece 26 lies against the inner upper wall of bridge piece 53. Closing means 20 comprise an O-ring 13 which seals closing means 20 against casing 31.

Connecting means 4 of container 1 comprise a closing wall 41 which surrounds at least a part of spout-like body 5 with an intermediate space therebetween. Protrusions 21 of closing means 20 extend radially outward in this intermediate space. When the spout-like body is arranged in liquid inlet piece 99 of a second container, peripheral edge 98 of liquid inlet piece 99 will be received in said intermediate space, see figures 3A-3C. Closing wall 41 here closes peripheral edge 98 of inlet piece 99 of the second container almost airtightly. Connecting means 4, particularly the closing wall thereof, further comprise a stop element 42 against which the end edge of peripheral edge 98 lies in the second position of closing means 20. Stop element 42 thereby (also) defines a maximum insertion depth of spout-like body 5 in the liquid inlet opening of the second container.

Figure 5 shows that biasing means 30 comprise two helical coil springs 32 connected diametrically opposite each other to casing 31 and coiling in the same direction. Coil springs 32 here coil around each other. The two coil springs 32 are connected with a first end zone 33 to casing 31 and have a second end zone 34 lying against arresting element 22 of closing means 20, wherein coil springs 32 have a smaller diameter at second end zone 34 than at first end zone 33.

Filling of the second container with liquid from container 1 can take place as follows. Spout-like body 5 can be arranged in liquid inlet piece 99 of the liquid inlet opening of the second container, particularly to an insertion depth such that shut-off valve 20 is displaced from its first position shown in figures 2A-2C to its second position shown in figures 3A-3C during insertion of spout-like body 5 into liquid inlet opening 99, as described above. The insertion depth can in particular be a maximum insertion depth, as described above. As soon as shut-off valve 20 at least partially clears the liquid outlet openings 6, the liquid will flow via liquid outlet openings 6 out of container 1 and, via the liquid inlet opening of the second container, at least partially fill the second container. No further action is here required by the user, which provides a container which is easy to use. The outflow of the liquid out of container 1 takes place either until container 1 is empty or until air opening 8 is immersed in liquid in the second container, or until the user removes spout like body 5 from the liqu id inlet opening of the second container and shut-off valve 20 closes automatically as described above. In the exemplary embodiments of figures 6-14 the connecting element 4 is also arranged on bottle 2, which connecting element 4 is screwed onto bottle 2 in this example. In these exemplary embodiments spout-like body 5 comprises two cylindrical parts 5’,

5 ' ’ with different diameters, wherein outer end 5’’ has a smaller diameter than the part 5’ facing toward bottle 2 and slidable into the bottle, these parts being mutually connected by means of a shoulder 5’”. In these exemplary embodiments connecting element 4 comprises an internal sleeve lOOa, lOOb, lOOc to be discussed below, in which spout-like body 5, particularly the wider part 5’ thereof, is fastened for axial sliding. Part 5' comprises at or close to the outer end a piston part 5”” which is widened slightly further still and which fits closely in the sleeve, such that no liquid can escape between piston part 5 , , ,‘ and sleeve lOOa, lOOb, lOOc.

As is visible particularly in figure 7, air openings 8 debouch into a peripheral wall of part 5 of spout-like body 5. Air openings 8 are disposed close to the free end of spout-like body 5. Liquid outlet openings 6 debouch into the free end zone of part 5 of spout-like body 5, more particularly in the free end surface thereof. Part 5” of spout-like body 5 further comprises valve seat 55.

Spout-like body 5 has in the shoulder 5” and the adjacent peripheral wall 52 of part 5” thereof through-holes 51 which extend between peripheral wall 52 and the receiving cavity. In this case the holes 51 in part 5” take an elongate fonn and are disposed parallel to a longitudinal direction of spout-like body 5. Protrusions 21 extend through holes 51 and form here arresting elements 21 which protrude relative to the peripheral wall 52 of part 5” of spout-like body 5. Biasing means 30 are connected, in this embodiment integrally connected, to a casing 31. In this example casing 31 is connected to outer end part 5' of spout-like body 5. Casing 31 is in particular arranged in a cavity of outer end part 5 . and for instance snap-fixed therein. Closing means 20 comprise O-ring 13 which in this example seals closing means 20 against outer end part 5” of spout-like body 5.

In this example the shoulder part 5 of spout-like body 5 comprises the closing wall 41 which surrounds at least a part of outer end part 5 " of spout-like body 5 with an intermediate space therebetween. Protrusions 21 of closing means 20 extend radially outward in this intennediate space. Shoulder part 5 of spout-like body 5, particularly the closing wall thereof, further comprises the stop element 42 against which the end edge of peripheral edge 98 lies in the second position of closing means 20.

The upper outer end of spout-like body 5 is provided with detachable grasping means 60 which can be grasped by a user, such that the user can pull spout-like body 5 upward from the sleeve lOOa, lOOb, lOOc in the bottle for use. The close-fitting, widened piston part 5”” of spout like body 5 has on the upper side an arresting edge 61 which stops against an arresting edge 43 of connecting element 4. The spout-like body further comprises close to the underside protrusions 62 with a substantially triangular section which form on their underside a small edge, which edges lie perpendicularly of the axis of spout-like body 5, and which can support on the opening in connecting element 4, such that spout-like body 5 will not drop easily back into bottle 2 after being pulled out of the bottle.

Because the sleeve lOOa, lOOb, lOOc could obstruct the outflow of liquid from the inverted bottle 2, additional measures have been taken, whereby bottle 2 can still be at least substantially completely emptied .

According to the embodiment of figure 12, the outer end of the spout-like body is provided with a plurality of radially extending blades 63 which cut the sleeve in the longitudinal direction, from the outer end to at least substantially at connecting part 4, when spout-like body 5 is pulled out, whereby the liquid can flow from the sides of bottle 2 in radial direction to spout-like body 5 through the openings which are fonned by the cut parts of the sleeve.

According to the embodiment of figure 13, sleeve lOOb is made of flexible and pliable material, and the outer end of sleeve lOOb is attached to the spout-like body such that the outer end of sleeve lOOb co-displaces with spout-like body 5, whereby in the second, pulled-out position of spout-like body 5 the liquid can flow from sides of the bottle, along the outer end of sleeve lOOb in radial direction to spout-like body 5.

According to the embodiment of figure 14, sleeve lOOc has throughflow holes 65 close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, whereby in the second, pulled-out position of the spout-like body liquid can flow, close to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container body, from sides of the container body, through the throughflow holes in radial direction to spout-like body 5.

Filling of the second container with liquid from container 1 can take place as follows. Spout-like body 5 can be pulled out of bottle 2 up to arresting edge 61 and be arranged in liquid inlet piece 99 of the liquid inlet opening of the second container, particularly to an insertion depth such that shut-off valve 20 is displaced from its first position shown in figure 9 to its second position shown in figure 10 during insertion of spout-like body 5 into liquid inlet opening 99, as described above. The insertion depth can in particular be a maximum insertion depth, as described above. As soon as shut-off valve 20 at least partially clears the liquid outlet openings 6, the liquid will flow via liquid outlet openings 6 out of container 1 and, via the liquid inlet opening of the second container, at least partially fill the second container. No further action is here required by the user, which provides a container which is easy to use. The outflow of the liquid out of container 1 takes place either until container 1 is empty, or until air opening 8 is immersed in liquid in the second container, or until the user removes spout-like body 5 from the liquid inlet opening of the second container and shut-off valve 20 closes automatically as described above.

It is noted that the invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but also extends to variants within the scope of the appended claims.