Foldabie spout integrally formed with closure

Technical Field

A spout for a container closure is disclosed for discharging a flowable substance, the spout being moveable between extended and retracted positions.

Background Art

A number of different bottle caps incorporate a foldabie spout. However, in the case of a closure (or lid) for a container in the form of a pail, bucket or the like, the provision of a spout requires manual insertion of a spout into the lid after the lid has been moulded. In this regard, a hole is punched into the lid and the spout is ultrasonically welded into the lid. This represents a somewhat cumbersome and relatively expensive additional production step.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, any such references do not constitute an admission that the information forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect there is provided a closure for a container containing a flowable substance, the closure comprising:

a cover arranged to overfit the opening of the container, the cover having a central axis extending therethrough;

a spout formed integrally with the cover and arranged so as to be offset from the central axis;

a recess formed integrally with the cover and arranged so as to receive the spout therein; the spout being arranged so as to be movable between:

(i) a retracted position whereby the spout is received within the recess so as to obstruct discharge of said substance; and,

(ii) an extended position whereby the spout projects outward of the recess so as to allow discharge of said substance.

The spout is integrally formed into the closure during manufacture thereof so that additional production steps are not required. This can reduce both production time and cost. For example, the closure with integral spout can be injection moulded from plastic in a single stage. In this regard, the spout is typically moulded in the extended position to facilitate spout formation and removal of the closure from the mould.

In one embodiment, the spout is moveable between the extended and retracted positions so that it can be closed, thus preventing or obstructing discharge when not in use (e.g. prior to initial use, or when not in subsequent use). The closure with incorporated spout also allows the contents of the container to be poured from the container without removal of the closure. Furthermore, when the closure according to the first aspect is compared with a bottle cap, it will be seen that the spout and recess are offset from the closure's central axis for ease of pouring.

In one embodiment the spout and recess can be located near the periphery of the cover. This peripheral location further aids the contents of the container to be more easily discharged (e.g. more easily poured).

In another embodiment the recess defined in the cover is surrounded by a ridge that is raised with respect to the central portion. This ridge provides structural integrity to both the spout and the recess to allow the spout to be pivoted between the extended and retracted positions multiple times.

In one embodiment, the recess defined in the cover comprises a flexible diaphragm that extends from a base of the recess to a base of the spout when in the extended position, and is sufficiently dimensioned to enable the spout to move or pivot back into the retracted position. For the current embodiment, the diaphragm helps facilitate a pivoting back-and-forth of the spout between the extended and retracted positions.

The diaphragm may be arranged to join with the base of the spout such that, when the spout is in the extended position, the formed join is disposed between the cover and a proximal end of the spout.

The diaphragm can connect or join to a proximal end of the spout to form a first flexible join (such as for example a hinge) so that the spout is readily movable between the extended and retracted positions, m this embodiment, the first flexible join or hinge extends between the recess and the proximal end of the spout when the spout is in both the extended and retracted positions. This configuration can further assist with, and facilitate, a freer spout pivoting between the extended and retracted positions. Furthermore, the proximal end of the spout may be connected or joined to a carrier. The carrier is arranged so as to provide support to the spout when in the extended position. In this embodiment, the carrier projects up and away from the recess and cover, and also the diaphragm connects with or joins to the carrier, thereby forming a second flexible join so that the spout is still freely movable between the extended and

retracted positions. In one embodiment, when the spout is in the extended position, the second flexible join is disposed intermediate the diaphragm and the spout.

In one embodiment the diaphragm is formed integral with the cover.

In another embodiment the spout is located near the periphery of the cover.

In yet another embodiment, when the spout is in the extended position, the spout extends substantially in a direction that is perpendicular with the surface of the cover.

hi another embodiment, when the spout is in the retracted position, the spout extends in a direction that is substantially parallel with the surface of the cover.

According to a second aspect there is provided a spout for discharging a flowable substance, the spout being incorporated into a recess in a wall whereby it can be moved between an extended and a retracted position with respect to the wall, the spout comprising a sealing member for location in the spout to close the same and an element extending from the sealing member, the element being adapted to protrude or project from the sealing member, such that, when in the spout is in the extended position, the element protrudes beyond the distal end of the spout and can be gripped so as to enable removal of the sealing member and such that when the spout is in the retracted position the element is within the recess and access to the element for gripping is prevented by a portion of the spout and/or the wall and its recess.

The sealing member helps to seal the spout prior to use. It can further serve as a tamper-proof seal which reveals tampering and, when removed, allows for discharge of the flowable substance. The element protruding or projecting beyond the spout when in the extended position facilitates easier (e.g. manual) gripping of the element.

The "wall" of the second aspect can, for example, be defined by a planar (e.g. central) portion of a closure such as a lid. However, it should be appreciated that the wall may, for example, be defined by a wall of a container etc.

In one embodiment the sealing member is recessed within an opening of a distal end of the spout so as to seal said end. Such an arrangement can protect the sealing member against tampering and inadvertent rupture.

In one embodiment, when the spout is in the retracted position, the element is displaced to lie within the distal end region of the spout.

In one embodiment, when the spout is in the retracted position, the spout is located in a recess defined in the wall such that, as the spout moves from the extended to the retracted position, the element engages an interior wall of the recess that causes the element to pivot inwardly of the distal end of the spout. Thus the element can be deflected out of the way so as not to hinder spout movement back into the recess.

In one embodiment the element moves or pivots into a region of space within the spout defined above the recessed sealing member, thereby not hindering spout movement out of the recess.

In one embodiment the element comprises a tab that is shaped for manual gripping such as by a tool (e.g. pliers). The tab may be integrally formed with the sealing member.

In one embodiment, the tab is further provided with an aperture formed therethrough. The aperture may be sized so as to allow a tool (e.g. a screwdriver shank) or even a user's finger to at least partway pass through the aperture to better grasp the tab.

In one embodiment, when the spout is in the retracted position, the distal end of the spout sealingly engages with a surface on the interior wall of the recess.

In all other respects the spout described in the second aspect may be incorporated into a closure for a container as defined in the first aspect. In this regard, the wall of the second aspect can be defined by the cover of the closure. However, the spout of the second aspect may alternatively be incorporated into a wall of a vessel such for example a flask, container, jerry-can, bottle etc.

In a third aspect there is provided a spout for discharging a flowable substance, the spout being incorporated into a wall and being movable with respect to the wall between a retracted position, in which the spout is located in a recess defined in the wall, and an extended position, in which the spout extends from the recess for flowable substance discharge, the spout comprising a proximal end being open to receiving the flowable substance and a distal end of the spout being positionable at an interior wall of the recess when in the retracted position wherein at least one of the interior wall of the recess or the distal end of the spout are arranged so as to provide for sealing inter- engagement.

Such sealing inter-engagement provides for sealing the spout so as to prevent or obstruct discharge when the spout is in the retracted position.

In another embodiment a discrete dome configuration is provided at the recess wall which is located in the spout distal end when in the retracted position so as to promote the sealing engagement. Such a dome can extend into the distal end of the spout so as to better seal the end.

In a further embodiment the spout distal end has a hollow defined thereat into which the dome is received when the spout is in the retracted position.

In one embodiment the dome may be provided with one or more discrete dimples that protrude therefrom, with each dimple located so as to abut a wall of the spout at its distal end when in the retracted position. In this regard, the spout wall can move over and past each dimple when the spout is moved to and from the retracted position. In this regard, the one or more dimples can provide an additional spout locating function in the retracted position.

In another embodiment, when the spout is in the retracted position, the spout extends substantially parallel with a surface of the wall. In a further embodiment, when the spout is in the extended position, the spout extends substantially orthogonal to the surface of the wall.

In accordance with any of the first, second or third aspects, a cap may be fitted to a distal region of the spout so as to overfit and/or seal the spout. The cap may further comprise a crown with a wall formed so as to extend from the crown. The wall may extend from a peripheral edge of the crown so as to continuously surround the crown. The wall may act to engage the surface of the spout to encourage a frictional engagement therebetween so the cap is retained on the spout. The crown may be integrally formed with the wall so as to overfit the distal region of the spout. In another embodiment, the crown comprises a recessed region formed so as to be concentric with the wall. In this embodiment, the recessed region is formed so as to accommodate the dome when the spout resides in the retracted position.

When the cap is placed over the distal region of the spout, the crown deflects the element or tab into a region of space at the spout end between the crown of the cap and the sealing member.

In all other respects, the spout of the third aspect may be incorporated into a closure for a container as defined in the first aspect, or a spout as defined second aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other embodiments which may incorporate some or all of the features as outlined in the Summary, a number of specific closure embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a closure for a container when the spout is in the retracted position;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the closure shown in Figure 1 when the spout is in the extended position;

Figure 3 shows a sectioned side view through a portion of the embodiment of the closure shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows a sectioned side view through a portion of the embodiment of the closure shown in Figure 2 when spout is in the extended position (taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2);

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the spout of Figure 2 (spout in the extended position);

Figure 6 shows a reverse perspective detail of the spout of Figure 2 (spout in the extended position);

Figures 7 A and 7B both show plan views of the spout of Figure 2, with Figure 7B showing a modification in the spout recess over Figure 7A;

Figure 8 shows a side sectional detail of two closures, each according to Figure

1, in a stacked arrangement;

Figure 9 shows a sectioned side view of another embodiment of a spout, when in the extended position, with one embodiment of a cap arranged to seal the distal end of the spout;

Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the cap for use with a spout; and,

Figure 11 shows a sectioned side view through a portion of the embodiment of the closure shown in Figure 1 (when the spout is in the retracted position) taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, sealed at the distal end of the spout by the cap of the embodiment shown in Figure 10.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

Referring to the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of a closure in the form of a lid 10 for a container (not illustrated) such as for example a pail, bucket or the like. The lid 10 has a cover 12 that is arranged to overfit the opening of the container when the lid is mounted thereto. The cover 12 comprises a central axis A arranged so as to be concentric with the cover. The cover 12 further comprises a spout 14 and a recess 16 formed within the surface of the cover. For the embodiment shown, the

recess 16 is formed so that the defining body of material extends away from the cover 12 and towards the container when lid 10 is mounted thereto.

The spout 14, throughwhich the flowable substance may discharge from the container when the lid 10 is mounted thereto, is integrally formed and arranged so as to be movable relative to the cover 12. The spout 14 is further arranged to move, such as for example pivot, between a retracted position (as shown in Figure 1) in which the spout is received within the recess 16 defined in the cover 12, and, an extended position

(as shown in Figure 2) in which the spout 14 extends out of the recess to allow discharge of the flowable substance from the container. When in the retracted position, the spout 14 extends substantially parallel to the surface of the cover 12. Further, when in the extended position, the spout 14 extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of the cover 12.

When open and in an extended configuration (Figure 2) the spout 14 allows for discharge of a flowable substance (e.g. a liquid or flowable power) from a container to which the lid 10 is mounted. This allows the contents of the container to be poured therefrom without removing the lid. The spout 14 is further arranged so as to move or pivot between a retracted position (as shown in Figure 1) and the extended position (shown in Figure 2).

In the retracted position (Figure 1) the spout 14 is located in the recess 16 of the cover 12. In this retracted position, a distal (free/remote) end of the spout 26 can be sealed against an interior wall of the recess 16. When in the retracted position a major

(longitudinal) axis of the spout 14 is aligned so as to be substantially parallel to the surface of the cover 12.

In the extended position (Figure 2) the spout 14 extends out of the recess 16 and projects upwards and away from the cover 12. In this extended position, a distal (free/remote) end 26 of the spout 14 can be opened to allow for the discharge of the flowable substance contained with the container, hi the extended position the major (longitudinal) axis of the spout 14 is aligned so as to be substantially perpendicular to the surface of the cover 12.

The spout 14 is integrally formed with the closure or lid 10 using conventional manufacturing methods such as for example, plastic injection moulding. To allow for spout formation (i.e. using a sliding core in the mould) and to also provide for ease of lid removal from the mould, the spout 14 is typically moulded in the extended position. After removal from the mould the spout 14 can then be moved into the retracted position for storage, stacking (Figure 8) and subsequent mounting or attachment to a container. The integral forming of the spout 14 with the lid 10 allows a number of additional (existing) production steps to be eliminated (including definition of the spout locating aperture in the lid, positioning of the separate spout in the lid, and welding of the spout to the lid). This can reduce both production time and cost. The spout 14 can also be formed to be repeatedly move or pivot between the extended and retracted positions so that the spout 14 can be closed and sealed after each discharge (i.e. when not in use).

It will be seen that the spout 14 and recess 16 are offset from the axis A of the cover 12, and, in one embodiment, near the periphery of the cover 12. When compared to a bottle cap, this offsetting of the spout (especially closer to the periphery) provides for ease of pouring from pails and buckets etc. In an industrial context, such pails, buckets, canisters etc can typically hold volumes of liquids and powders much greater

than consumer goods type bottles with spout-caps. Such pails etc can hold liquid volumes of up to 25 litres or more.

To further aid discharge, the lid 10 may be vented at a suitable location in the central portion. For example, the container may be vented by punching a hole in the lid (e.g. a pre-marked or pre-weakened hole) such as may be located in a stacking recess 32 defined in the lid cover 12.

Referring specifically to Figures 3 and 4 the recess 16 is surrounded by a ridge 18 that is raised relative to the cover 12. This ridge provides structural integrity to both the spout 14 and the recess 16 to allow the spout 14 to be pivoted between the extended and retracted positions multiple times.

At its base, the recess 16 is moulded so as to comprise a flexible diaphragm 20 that extends between a base of the recess and a base of the spout 14. The diaphragm 20 is moulded so as to have a sufficient dimension (length) and sufficient flexibility (moulded thinner than the remainder of the recess wall) to facilitate spout 14 pivoting between the extended (Figure 4) and retracted (Figure 3) positions. The diaphragm 20 also helps facilitate the repeated pivoting back-and-forth that may be required of the spout 14 when in use. In one embodiment, the diaphragm 20 is moulded so as to be integral with both the lid and spout and is composed of the same material (i.e. plastic). The diaphragm 20 may also be arranged to allow the base of the spout 14 to move upwards and outwards and then back into the recess 16.

Moreover, with reference to Figure 5, the base (lower part) of the spout 14 is connected or joined to a carrier 21 (i.e. an integrally formed lateral wall portion). The carrier 21 supports the spout 14 when the spout is in the extended position and extends

upwardly at an angle from ridge 18. The carrier 21 and ridge 18 are connected or joined to form a first flexible join 23a such as a hinge that facilitates movement of the carrier 21 and spout 14 between the extended and retracted positions. The first flexible join 23a is arranged so as to be disposed at the intersection of the cover (at ridge 18) and a proximal end of the spout 14. The first flexible join 23a extends between the recess and the proximal end of the spout when the spout is in both the extended and retracted positions.

The proximal end of the spout also connects to the diaphragm 20 to form a second flexible join 23b on the opposite side of the spout (i.e. opposite the hinge 23a) as shown for example in Figure 5. For the embodiment shown, the carrier 21 projects up and away from the recess and cover, and the diaphragm 20 connects with or joins to the carrier thereby forming the second flexible join 23b so that the spout 14 is freely movable between the extended and retracted positions. When the spout 14 is in the extended position, the second flexible join 23b is disposed intermediate the diaphragm 20 and the spout.

In accordance with the current embodiment shown in the Figures, the second flexible join 23b intersects the first flexible join 23 a at opposite ends 50, 52 thereof

(shown in Figures 5-7 AfB). As such, the second flexible join 23b is arranged so as to form a curvilinear path about one side of the spout 14, so that the proximal end of the spout resides intermediate the first 23a and second 23b flexible joins.

The length of diaphragm 20 is moulded to be slightly longer than the distance between the carrier/spout interconnection and the base of the recess from which the diaphragm 20 extends. This arrangement facilitates the pivoting movement of the spout 14 between the extended and retracted positions whereby the additional length of

diaphragm 20 providing sufficient flexibility to allow the spout 14 to freely and unhinderedly pivot between these two positions, and to make it easier to pivot the spout 14 into the retracted position.

With reference to Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6, the spout 14 further comprises a sealing member in the form of a frangible membrane 22 that is located within the spout 14

(inset or recessed from the distal end 26 of the spout) so as to close and seal the spout.

This recessing of membrane 22 with respect to the distal end 26 of the spout 14 helps protect the membrane against tampering as well as inadvertent rupture.

An element in the form of a tab 24 extends from the membrane 22. In the embodiment shown, the tab 24 protrudes from the spout 14 when in the extended position for gripping and to enable removal of the membrane 22. The frangible membrane 22 acts to seal the spout 14 prior to use and can further provide for tamper- evidency in the seal. When membrane 22 is removed, the spout 14 is able to discharge a flowable substance from the container. In one embodiment, the tab 24 is integrally formed with the membrane 22 and is shaped so it may be manually gripped by a tool, such as for example a pair of pliers.

Figure 6 shows a modified tab 25. A hole 27 is formed through tab 25 and sized large enough to allow, for example, a finger to pass at least partway therethrough to facilitate better gripping of the tab 25 and thus easier removal of the membrane 22. The hole can also receive a tool, such as for example the shank of a screwdriver.

As the spout 14 moves from the extended (Figure 4) to the retracted (Figure 3) position, the tab 24 engages an interior wall 28 of the recess 16 that causes it to pivot inwardly of the spout into a region of space intermediate the recessed membrane 22 and

the distal end 26 of the spout 14. Thus the tab 24/25 can be deflected out of the way so as iiot to hinder spout 14 movement back into the recess 16.

With reference to the embodiment of the dome shown in Figure 3, when the spout 14 is in the retracted position, the distal end 26 of the spout 14 sealingly inter- engages with a surface in the form of a discrete dome configuration 30 provided at the interior wall 28 of the recess and locates within the distal end 26 of the spout 14 when in the retracted position so as to promote the sealing engagement. Such a dome 30 can extend into the spout end, so as to better seal said end. The distal end 26 of the spout 14 has a hollow defined thereat into which the dome 30 is received when in the retracted position. This sealing inter engagement provides for additional spout sealing against discharge when in the retracted position (e.g., for spout end re-sealing after the membrane has been removed).

As shown in Figure 7B, the dome 30 can be provided with one or more (in this case two) small dimples 40 located at the base thereof to provide an additional securing and locating function. In this regard, as the spout 14 is moved into the retracted position, the spout wall at the distal end 26 moves past the dome 30, and rides over the dimples 40. The dimples 40 then locate and protrude slightly into the hollow of the distal end 26 of the spout, adjacent to (abutting) the inside of the spout wall and act as a further barrier against accidental movement of the spout 14 from the retracted position. The action of the spout end rides over the dimples 40 can create a clicking noise, and can provide a tactile sensation, both of which indicate to a user that the spout 14 has been properly moved into the retracted state.

In some circumstances, additional redundancy may be desired for ensuring the sealing of the spout 14. To provide for this, and with reference to Figure 9, a cap 40

may be formed in such a manner so as to be removeably engageable with a distal region 43 of the spout 14. For the embodiment shown, the cap 40 is formed having a wall 41 dimensioned so as to fit about the distal region 43 of the spout 14. The cap 40 further comprises a crown 42 that is formed integral with the wall 41 and is arranged to overfit the distal end 26 of the spout 14. For the embodiment shown, the cap 40 is formed such that the crown 42 is angled in a complimentary nature in accordance with that of the distal end 26 of the spout 14. The geometry of the cap 40 may be altered so as to provide a more secure, or, a less secure, fit if desired, hi one embodiment, the wall 41 is formed so as to continuously surround the crown 42. When the cap 40 overfits the distal end 26 of the spout 14, the tab 24 is deflected into the region of space intermediate the frangible member 22 and the crown 42.

A further embodiment of the cap 40 is shown in Figure 10. Cap 44 comprises a crown 42' that is formed so as to comprise a recess that is arranged to fit within the distal end 26 of the spout 14. It will be appreciated that such an arrangement provides the cap 44 with additional surface area for engaging with the side walls of the spout 14 about the distal region 43 thereby increasing the frictional contact between the cap 44 and the spout 14 thus reducing the chance of the cap 45 inadvertently coming free. Figure 11 shows the cap 45 fitted to the distal region 43 of the spout 14 when the spout is in the retracted position. The recessed crown 42' may be further formed so as to provide sufficient space to accommodate the dome 30 when the spout 14 is in the retracted position thus further ensuring the cap 45 remains in place and prevents or obstructs discharge.

It will be seen in Figures 1 and 2 that the lid 10 further comprises a stacking recess 32 designed to enable stacking of a number of lids when not in use. This

stacking recess 32 receives the base of recess 16 and the flexible diaphragm 20 to enable stacking of the lids when the spout 14 is in the retracted position, as shown in Figure 8. Thus, for the arrangement shown, each successive lid 10 is offset by 180 degrees.

The closure (lid) and spout 14 described herein are particularly suitable for use with containers such as pails, buckets, canisters and the like that house relatively larger volumes of flowable substances, such as industrial liquids (e.g. paints, oils, liquid foodstuffs, adhesives, glues and other industrial chemicals). Such container volumes can be 5 - 25 litres and greater and thus differ significantly in performance and use to small volume consumer bottles.

The integration of the spout 14 into the container for such pails, buckets, canisters etc can substantially improve the ease and cost of closure manufacture and the ease of use of the closed container.

Whilst a number of embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that the closure for the container may be embodied in many other forms. For example, whilst the spout is shown incorporated into a lid, the spout may be incorporated into a wall of a vessel, such as for example a flask, container, jerry-can, bottle etc.

Numerous variations and modifications will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the relevant art, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the above description.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word

"comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.