BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Current regulations for the liquor industry in Australia require that licensed premises for the sale of liquor such as hotels, cocktail bars and restaurants dispense a measured quantity of a spirit into a container prior to the spirit being poured into a glass. Typically the bottle is provided with a stopper having a spout which when inverted allows liquor to be dispensed into a measuring container, such as a small cup. The container is filled to the top and the liquor is then poured into a glass. Subsequently the bottle is returned to its original position and the cup is placed over the spout.

By following the procedure described the customer is able to see that the correct quantity of spirit is poured into the container. However, as convenient as the procedure is for the customer it is awkward and time consuming for the bartender pouring the spirit. For example the bartender pouring a measured quantity of spirit must pick up the bottle of spirit in one hand and pick up the container in the other hand. Prior to this a glass must be placed on the bench top and then the spirit is poured into the measuring container. The spirit is then poured from the measuring container into the glass.

The bottle and container must then be returned to its original position, then the glass must be picked up and taken to another location where a suitable mixer can be added to the drink.

Unfortunately the above described procedure is currently the only method of dispensing a measured quantity of spirit, since bottles having measuring caps were discontinued due to government changes in regulations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an alternative device for dispensing fluids comprising a cap for connection to a container, a conduit with a fluid passage extending from the cap and in fluid communication with the interior of the cap and a receptacle located at a distal end of the conduit for measuring a predetermined quantity of fluid dispensed through the distal end of the conduit from the container.

It is preferred that the receptacle is removably connected to the conduit.

The receptacle preferably comprises a connection portion for connection to a connection section of the conduit.

Preferably the connection portion comprises a female portion.

The connection section may comprise a male portion which is arranged to couple to the female portion.

The conduit preferably extends through a central portion of the cap.

The conduit may follow an arcuate path.

Preferably the conduit comprises a straight section and a curved section.

The curved section may extend laterally beyond the periphery of the cap.

It is preferred that the conduit comprises an angled section which extends at an angle of substantially 55° with respect to a plane normal to the central longitudinal axis of the cap.

Alternatively the conduit comprises an angled section which extends at an angle of substantially 55° with respect to the straight section.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the device comprises a breath hole passage extending between the interior of the cap and the distal end of the conduit.

It is preferred that the breath hole passage stops flow of fluid from the container when the level of fluid in the receptacle is level with the outlet of the breath

hole passage.

Preferably the breath hole passage extends substantially adjacent the fluid passage of the conduit.

According to another embodiment the breath hole passage extends substantially in parallel with the fluid passage of the conduit.

The breath hole passage may comprise an upper section and a lower section which meet at an angle of less than 180°.

The outlet of the breath hole passage is preferably substantially flush with the outlet of the conduit passage.

The upper section may be parallel to the central axis of the cap.

The lower section may be parallel to the central axis of the conduit.

It is preferred that the upper and lower sections meet at a junction section wherein the upper section comprises a tapering portion which reduces in diameter to its distal and terminates inside the inlet end of the lower section.

It is preferred that the tapering portion is frusto conical in shape.

It is preferred that the lower section runs directly below the fluid passage.

It is preferred that the taper of the frusto conical portion is 16° from the central axis of the cap.

It is preferred that the outlet of the breath hole passage is located adjacent an external wall of the conduit.

The conduit preferably has an inner wall and an outer wall with the breath hole passage extending along an outer wall of the conduit.

It is preferred that the conduit comprises an arcuate outer wall which at is lower end connects with the receptacle.

The outlet of the breath hole passage is preferably located between back wall portions of the receptacle.

It is preferred that the outlet of the breath hole passage faces the top of a channel located between the back wall portions of the receptacle.

It is preferred that the upper section of the breath hole passage is shorter than the lower section of the breath hole passage.

Preferably the upper section is oriented at an angle of between 30° and 60° with respect to the lower section.

It is preferred that the upper section has an inlet with an insert located therein.

It is preferred that the conduit includes an inlet at the cap end thereof with a dividing wall which separates the fluid passage from the breath hole passage.

It is preferred that the dividing wall is planar.

The conduit inlet is preferably circular with the dividing wall forming a chord with a major part of the chord forming the fluid passage and a minor chord thereof forming the breath hole passage.

It is preferred that the breath hole passage includes an insert which reduces the size of the breath hole passage.

The breath hole passage may be part of the fluid passage.

The insert is preferably a wedge-like device with a channel formed in an outer surface thereof.

The insert is preferably a semi-circular or part circular element having an arcuate outer surface with a channel formed therein.

It is preferred that the fluid passage is generally semicircular in shape but with a cross-section greater than that of a semi-circle.

It is preferred that the insert extends along the length of the upper section of the breath hole passage.

It is preferred that the outlet of the fluid passage is slightly above the level of the outlet of the breath hole passage so as to ensure that the fluid in the container blocks off the outlet of the breath hole passage before contacting the outlet of the fluid

passage.

The conduit may comprise an inner lip portion having a hole therethrough with an opening in an exterior part of the conduit.

The hole may run in parallel to the fluid passage of the conduit, which fluid passage is located partially inside the cap.

The hole may extend in parallel with the straight section.

Preferably the conduit comprises a central tubular portion extending from the centre of the underside of the cap.

It is preferred that the breathing hole is located in a wall of the conduit.

The breathing hole preferably extends past the straight section of conduit partially adjacent the curved section.

According to one embodiment the breathing hole extends half way along the conduit wall and exits at an outer surface thereof.

The fluid passage is preferably provided through the conduit and has a substantially circular cross-section.

The passage through the straight section may have a kidney shaped cross-section.

The conduit outlet at the distal end thereof is preferably oriented at greater than 35° away from the central longitudinal axis.

It is preferred that the conduit at its distal end curves away from the cap at an angle between 35° and 55° from the central longitudinal axis of the cap.

The conduit may have a neck section having a flattened profile.

It is preferred that the neck section has a curved outer surface and a generally flat inner surface.

Preferably the neck section comprises a ridge section along the length of the inner surface.

The conduit may comprise side webs along its length.

The conduit may have a neck section similar in

appearance to a flattened cobra.

The male portion may have two protrusions, one on either side of the passage outlet. The distal end preferably comprises an end face which is substantially 45° with respect to a plane normal to the central longitudinal axis.

It is preferred that the outer wall of the conduit is thicker than the inner wall.

Preferably the conduit comprises a peripheral wall which initially flares inwardly to a mid-section of the neck section and then flares outwardly to the distal end.

It is preferred that the receptacle comprises a cup.

The cup preferably has a side wall section which includes the connection portion.

The cup side wall section preferably includes a top face which includes the female portion.

The cup preferably has an outer lip to assist pouring of contents from the cup.

The side wall section may include a side channel which extends between the top and bottom of the cup.

It is preferred that the channel is located between holes which are arranged to couple with protrusions of the conduit.

The side channel is preferably curved in cross- sectional profile.

The side channel preferably has a mouth adapted to abut with the outlet of the conduit passage.

The cup preferably flares slightly outwardly from its bottom to its top.

The side wall section may include a straight side wall portion on either side of the channel.

According to one embodiment the cup is permanently fixed to the conduit.

According to one embodiment the cap is oriented with respect to the cup so that when the cap is filled with a fluid tilting of the cap to dispense fluid results in a halt to the flow of fluid leaving the outlet of the conduit.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for dispensing fluids comprising a cap for connection to the end of a container and a conduit extending from the cap, the device having a connection portion which is adapted to be connected to a measuring cap.

According to another aspect of the present invention a device is provided for dispensing fluids comprising a cap having a predetermined size so as to be capable of dispensing a predetermined amount of fluid, the cap being characterised by a connection portion which allows it to be connected to a device for dispensing fluids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a device for dispensing liquids according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a cap of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cap shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of section Z-Z of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a top view of the cap shown in Figure 2; Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the cap shown in Figure 2 according to a second embodiment; Figure 7 shows an end view of the cap shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a measuring cup of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows a top view of the cup shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a device for dispensing liquids according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a top view of the device shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a junction in a breath hole passage of the device shown in Figure 10; Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a spout of the device shown in Figure 10; Figure 14 shows a schematical side cross-sectional view of a device for dispensing liquids according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention when in a first mode of operation; Figure 15 shows the device shown in Figure 14 in a second mode of operation; and Figure 16 shows a schematical side cross-sectional view of a device for dispensing liquids according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention when in a first mode of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS As shown in Figure 1 the dispensing device 10 consists of a cap 11, an extended spout 12 and a cup 13 connected to the end of the extended spout 12.

As shown in Figure 2 the cap 11 is generally part hemispherical in shape and has a central tubular inlet 14 which extends upwardly from the bottom of the cap so that its uppermost face is generally flush with the surrounding rim 15 of the cap. The tubular inlet 14 has a central passage 16 which is generally kidney-shaped and a breathing hole which as shown in Figure 6 runs parallel with a straight section 18 of the passage 16 vertically downward to open in an outer face 19 of the conduit.

In Figure 2, a ridge 20 is formed inside the passage 16 along straight section 18 and this ridge 20 contains the breathing hole 17. As shown in Figure 2 the ridge 18 is located between the ends of the kidney-shaped passage 16.

In Figure 6 the internal passage 16 is shown to bend at the end of the straight section 18 at an angle of 55° with respect to a normal to the longitudinal central axis

of the cap 20. The bend occurs a short way below the exterior of the cap 11 and extends in a generally straight path towards a distal end 21 of the spout 12.

As shown in Figure 7 the spout 12 has a cross- section which is curved on one side and generally flat on the opposing side, although with a slight external ridge 22 along a mid section of the flat side 23. For convenience the curved side will be referred to as the outer surface and the flat side 23 will be referred to as the inner surface of the spout.

The distal end 21 terminates in a flat face which is oriented at 40° with respect to the normal. It is also provided with spigots 24 one on each side of the passage outlet 25.

As shown in Figure 4 according to one version of the invention the spout 12 has a more prominent ridge 26 located on its inner surface with the central passage 16 running along the length of the ridge 26. The spout 12 is also provided with lateral wings 27,28 and a slightly curved outer face 29.

As shown in Figure 2 it should also be noted that the embodiment of the spout 12 shown therein flares inwardly from either side of the spout from the cap end and then outwardly from a mid section of the spout to the distal end 21.

In Figures 8 and 9 the cap 13 is shown with an upper outer lip 30 and a back wall 31 which has an arcuate groove or channel 32 extending from the top of the cup to the bottom 33 and tapering inwardly to the bottom wall 33.

As shown in Figure 9 small holes 34,35 are provided on either side of the groove 32 and these holes are sized to receive spigots 24 of the spout 12.

To use the dispenser described above the cap 11 is connected to the end of a spirit bottle and the cup 13 is connected to the end of spout 12. When it is desired to pour a measured quantity of liquid from the bottle to which the dispenser is connected it is tipped upside down

and liquid passage runs the passage 16, through the cap 11 and spout 12 and then into the cup 13 along the groove 32. When the cup 13 is filled the bottle is turned to upright swiftly so that no further liquid is dispensed from the bottle and in the same motion the cup is also tilted so that liquid can flow into a glass.

Using the above dispenser it is only necessary for a person to use one hand to pour a measured quantity of a spirit into a glass. This makes the whole procedure much easier than some conventional techniques.

The present invention may also include other embodiments in which other fluids need to be poured in measured amounts. Thus the dispenser may be adapted to pour a measured quantity of sugar into a cup of coffee or tea. In such an application it may be necessary to widen and shorten the passage 16.

Another embodiment of a dispensing device is shown in Figures 10 to 13 in which the cap 41 and spout 42 are generally the same as the cap 11 and spout 12 shown in the device of Figure 1. The main difference however is the provision of a breath hole 43 which extends all the way from an area adjacent the inlet of the main passage 44 in the cap 41 all the way to the end of the spout 42 and again adjacent the outlet of the main passage 44.

As shown in Figure 10 the breath hole passage comprises an upper section 45 which runs parallel with the axial section 46 of the main passage 44. The main passage 44 changes direction in the region 47 where the spout 42 extends from the cap 41. In this region 47 the main passage spout section 48 extends at approximately 45° with respect to the central axis of the section 46 of the main passage 44.

The breath hole passage 43 also changes direction in a region 49 adjacent the region 47 of the main passage.

This region 49 is shown more clearly in Figure 12 where a lower section 50 of the breath hole passage 43 is shown to extend at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the central axis of the upper section 45.

Thus the lower section 50 of the breath hole passage 43 extends in parallel with the spout section 48 of the main passage and as shown in Figure 13 the breath hole passage lower section 50 is symmetrically located directly below the main passage 44 and its outlet terminates flush with the outlet of the main passage 44 with spigots 51,52 being located on either side of the outlet of the main passage 44. The spigots 51,52 are for engagement with matching holes in the receptacle which is to be connected to the end of the spout.

As shown in Figure 12, the upper section 45 of the breath hole passage terminates in a frusto conical section 53 which protrudes into the upper end 54 of the lower section 50 of the breath hole passage 43.

The frusto conical section 53 tapers at approximately 16°. It is also noted that the frusto conical section 43 has more of its lower face 55 within the spout section 50 than its upper face 56.

It is desirable to have the junction 49 shown in Figure 12 as this assists with manufacturing of the dispensing device.

Figure 14 shows a fluid dispensing device 60 with a fluid passage 61 and a breath hole passage 62 running parallel thereto. At an inlet end 63 of the device 60 a cap 64 with a rubber stopper 65 located around the fluid passage 61 and breath hole passage 62 is provided. A bottle 66 is connected to the cap 64 so that the stopper 63 fits inside its opening passage 67.

As shown in Figure 14 the fluid 68 located in the bottle 66 flows out through the fluid passage 61 downwardly into the receiving receptacle 69. The receptacle 69 fills with liquid 68 until the level of the liquid is flush with the outlet 70 of the breath hole passage.

As soon as the breath hole passage outlet 70 is blocked the flow of fluid 68 is cut off and the bottle and dispensing device 60 can be turned as shown in Figure 15 to empty the contents of the receptacle 69 into a

glass 71.

It is preferred that the outlet 70 is level with the top of the receptacle. Although it could be below the top if the receptacle has a marking on it to indicate the quantity of liquid in it.

It is worth noting as shown in Figure 14 when fluid 68 is poured into the receptacle 69 air passes through the outlet 70 of the breath hole passage up through the breath hole passage 62 and into the bottle 68 as represented by bubbles 72. The pressure from atmospheric air helps force out fluid 68 into the receptacle 69.

It is preferred that the location of the breath hole passage 68 be outside that of the fluid passage 61. This ensures that the outlet 70 is located in a position close to the back wall 72 of the receptacle 69. Because the outlet 70 is in this location there is less chance of it being accidentally or deliberately blocked so as to cut off the flow of fluid 68 into the receptacle 69.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the level of the outlet 70 is slightly below that of the level of the outlet of the fluid passage 61. This enables fluid flow passing through the fluid passage 61 to be cut off before the top level of the fluid in the receptacle 69 meets the level of the outlet of the fluid passage 61. If this were to occur there is always the possibility that liquid could decanter over the edge of the receptacle 69 without ever blocking off the outlet 70 of the breath hole passage 62.

It is preferred that the back of the receptacle 69 has two back wall elements similar to those shown in Figures 8 and 9 and represented by item 31. These back wall elements can be formed integrally with the receptacle 69 or can be inserts which are added thereto.

Ideally the objective is to form a channel between these wall elements, which channel extends upwardly to the outlet 70 of the breath hole passage 62 and also forms a flow path for fluid passing out of the fluid passage 61 into the receptacle 69.

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 17, the fluid passage tapers inwardly at its lower end 80 and is separated from the breathe whole passage 81 by a wall 82 which increases in thickness from a mid-section 83 of the lower section of the conduit 84.