Erecting spout cap

Abstract

The disclosure concerns an erecting spout cap for pouring liquid from containers without removal of the cap itself. The erecting spout cap comprises a lever in the outer lining of the cap embodiment, a memory recoil tongue, and a spout embedded in the casing of the cap, wherein relieving the use of two hands to open and close liquid containers. The lever is engaged with one finger which slides the seal of the cap open. The inner annular wall comprises a concave means to align the erecting spout cap with a stopper material. The serving spout comprises a type of funnel to precede passing liquid. An erecting and auto-retracting spout in a closure article thus secures liquid contents from foreign objects and provides a direct and accurate pour.

Claims

1. A closure device for manually erecting and retracting a serving spout, comprising: a cap body having a top surface having a centrally disposed channel therein formed by an inner wall structure that includes at least one strip slit formed therein; a sliding spout having at least one strip having a first end connected thereto, each respectively received within the centrally disposed channel and the at least one strip slit; a top seal sheath arranged over the top surface of the cap body and having an opening defined therein and configured to slidingly receive a sliding seal therein; a second end of the at the least one strip connected to the sliding seal, thus interconnecting the sliding spout with the sliding seal; an arm connected at a first end thereof to the sliding seal and having a lever at a second end thereof, the arm and lever being pivotally connected to the cap body by a pivotal connection; wherein, actuation of the lever about the pivotal connection causes the sliding seal to slide within the recess in the top seal sheath to an open position, and to thus cause the sliding spout to slide from a retracted position within the cap body to an erected position extending out of the cap body and through the recess in the top seal sheath.

2. The closure device according to claim 1, further comprising: a bottom seal sheath arranged between the top surface of the cap body and a bottom surface of the top seal sheath.

3. The closure device according to claim 1, further comprising: a memory recoil tongue positioned on the cap body, which holds the arm and lever in an idle position prior to actuation of the lever, and upon release of the lever retracts the lever and the sliding spout and closes the sliding seal.

4. The closure device according to claim 3, wherein the memory recoil tongue is integrally formed with the cap body.

5. The closure device according to claim 3, wherein the memory recoil tongue is connected to the cap body.

6. The closure device according to claim 5, wherein the memory recoil tongue is formed of metal.

7. The closure device according to claim 1, further comprising: an arm groove formed in the cap body, wherein the arm is received within the arm groove in an idle position prior to actuation of the lever, and upon release of the lever.

8. The closure device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second strip slip formed in the inner wall structure opposite to the at least one strip slit; a second strip connected at a first end thereof to the sliding spout, received within the second strip slit, and having a second end thereof connected to the sliding seal.

9. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding seal further comprises: at least one strip channel formed in a first end thereof for receiving the second end of the at least one strip; and a hinge channel formed in a second end thereof for receiving the first end of the arm.

10. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding spout further comprises a spout funnel formed on a bottom end thereof and a tip formed on a top end thereof.

11. The closure according to claim 10, wherein the spout funnel has an outside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the sliding spout.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is the positioning of the present invention in its idle state.

(2) FIG. 2 is the engaged state of the present invention in its current positioning.

(3) FIG. 3 is the exploded view of the embodiments of the current invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is the hatched flush view and hatched perspective view of the spout embodiment FIG. 5 shows the placement destination of the spout and lever towards the cap body.

(5) FIG. 6 shows the channels beneath the sliding seal and the placement of the strips and arm.

(6) FIG. 7 is the placement of the cap body and bottom seal sheath in relation to the strips.

(7) FIG. 8 shows the final steps of assembly

(8) FIG. 9 is the close-up of the auto-recoil tongue at its idle state.

(9) FIG. 10 is the close-up of the auto-recoil tongue engaged by the lever.

(10) FIG. 11 is a ramification aspect to the displaced spout.

(11) TABLE-US-00002 Drawing Reference Numerals 1 Cap Body 2 Sliding Spout 3 Accutip* 4 Inner Tunnel 5 Spout Funnel 6 Arm 7 Lever 8 Sliding Seal 9 Seal Sheath (Bottom) 10 Seal Sheath (Top) 11 Cap Body Strip Slits 12 Seal Sheath (Bottom) Slits 13 Strips 14 Strip Channels 15 Hing Channel 16 Memory Recoil Tongue 17 Swivel 18 Arm Channel 19 Cork Bed 20 Arm Groove

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) The erecting spout cap shown in FIG. 1 is a closure to the mouths of bottles. In many aspects, these bottles will have necks or flutes. FIG. 1 shows how each embodiment fits to the predetermined dimensions of the customary bottle. FIG. 2 shows the engaged resolution, erecting a spout for pouring at the operation of a finger lever.

(13) FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a cap body 1, a sliding spout 2, an arm 6 and lever 7, a sliding seal 8, a seal sheath (bottom) 9, and a seal sheath (top) 10 upon their emergence from the manufacturing mold. When molded, the cap body 1 resembles that of a rigid excavated bagel article for fitting to the exact dimensions of the mouth of a bottle container. It comprises a cap body strip slit 11 in its inner wall structure on opposite sides, flush to an arm channel 18 on the outer frame. The cap body strip slits 11 guide a thin strip 13 on reflective sides into the seal sheath (bottom) 9 as shown in FIG. 7. The strips 13 are what pull the sliding spout 2 through the cap body 1 as is shown is FIG. 5. And FIG. 8. On the exterior frame of the cap body 1, there is a swivel gap 17 at the end of the arm groove 20. The arm 6 and contiguous lever 7 have a pivotal means to snap into the swivel gap 17. Upon snapping into the swivel gap 17, the lever 7 rests on a concave memory recoil tongue 16 and holds the arm 6 in the arm groove 20 in the idle position as shown in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 9. The length of the memory recoil tongue 16 varies due the materials used in manufacturing. The softer the polymeric material of the embodiment, the more uniform the length of the memory recoil tongue 16 in the sane aspects, however, for more rigid material, the memory recoil tongue 16 will serve the length of the lever 7 up 80% (not shown). Also, the memory recoil tongue 16 can originate with the manufacturing mold or be added accordingly based on the type of materials used.

(14) FIG. 4 illustrates a tilted inner tunnel 4 in a hatched view of the sliding spout 2. As, shown in FIG. 3, the sliding spout 2 comprises an accutip* 3 succeeding the flow of liquid through the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. The accutip* 3 is a narrow structure that gives the spout clearance upon erection. A spout funnel 5 precedes the flow of liquid through the sliding spout 2. The spout funnel 5 has an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the sliding spout 2, enclosing the inner neck of the bottle, preventing the engulfing of liquid throughout the entirety of the present embodiment. The direction of the flow of liquid is controlled by the accutip* 3 providing the present pour service hereby known as accupour*.

(15) FIG. 5, introduces a cork bed 19 inside the annular side wall of the cap body 1 for firm holding in shipping and storage. In other aspects, this area, with spacing allowed, will serve a means of threading to screw and seal the closure embodiment to the mouth of a bottle (not shown). FIG. 5 in addition, shows the attachment of the thin strips 13 to the sliding spout 2. They fit into the cap body strip slits 11 from underneath the cap body 1. The outer diameter of the sliding spout 2 is equal to the diameter innermost wall of the cap body 1. The strips 13 are placed on opposite sides of the sliding spout 2, adhering to the bottommost inner flank of the strips, allowing the strips to release from the sliding spout during erection. The strips 13 are engaged by the sliding seal 8 as shown in FIG. 8.

(16) FIG. 6 reveals the underlining of the sliding seal 8. It is molded with a strip channel 14 on opposite flanks of the nose of the sliding seal 8 to which the strips 13 adhere flush to its centermost vertical edge. A hinge channel 15 rears the sliding seal 8 to which the arm adheres to its centermost vertical edge, serving as a curling release hinge. FIG. 7 demonstrates the depth of the sliding spout 2 in relation to the seal sheath (bottom) 9. Once measured properly, the adhered strips 13 are fitted through a seal sheath (bottom) strip slit 12 on complimentary sides of the seal sheath (bottom) 9 and folded toward the arm 6 for adhering. An arm groove 20 is pre-molded to the rear of the seal sheath (bottom) 9 to which the arm 6 lay idle. First, the strips 13 adhere to strip channels. Upon stronghold, slide back the sliding seal 8 as to adhere the arm 6 to the hinge channel 15 as shown in FIG. 8. The sliding seal 8 locks into the seal sheath (top) 10. The inner diameter of the seal sheath (top) 10 is equal to the inner diameter of the seal sheath (bottom) 9, the inner diameter of the cap body 1, and the outer diameter of the sliding spout 2 not including the diameter of the spout funnel 5. In FIG. 8 the embodiments are measured for operative accuracy before the top seal sheath 10, the bottom seal sheath 9 and the cap body 1 adhere together.

(17) FIGS. 9 and 10 show the relationship between the memory recoil tongue 16 and the lever 7. The memory recoil tongue 16 is not limited to length or height as to comply with the calculation of range of motion. The memory recoil tongue 16 auto-retracts the lever 7 and the sliding spout 2 and closes the sliding seal 8.

(18) Operating this closure embodiment provides a grab-and-go action. As the user places their hand around the neck of the bottle product, the index finger presses the lever 7. Said lever draws the sliding seal 8 forward. With the thin strips 13 attached to the strip channels 14 and the upper register of the sliding spout 2, the strips erect the spout through the opening of the seal sheath (top) 10 for the duration of the user's grip. Upon the release of the user's finger, the memory recoil tongue 16 engages the lever 7 thus, retracts the service embodiment and seals the closure article.

(19) The embodiments of the present device (a) are of comprehensive use by persons of any age, (b) provide a single-handed operation over the cognitive two-handed twist or pull motion, (c) has sanitary value for the containment of liquids both ingestible and industrial, (d) when used for beverages, can serve the user away from the opening of the mouth without tilting the head backward, making the sharing of beverages robust, (e) keeps the user's hands completely beneath the mouth of the bottle during operation, (f) provide economic value as the device requires no exclusive retail market share, and (g) provide implied value on a commercial level as the following variations are considered.

(20) For products that do not require reclose, the memory recoil tongue 16 can be omitted in manufacturing and neck grips (not shown) can be added to the lever 7 for clamping, keeping the embodiment of the spout 2 erect until disposal of the entire product. As a tamper-proof measure, the top of the device can have a slight perforation between the sliding seal 8 and the seal sheath (top) 10. In aspects where the present closure embodiment is made of cork or wood, the memory recoil tongue 16 can be a concave sheet of metal and added after the manufacturing of the closure embodiment. In instances where the device is made of metal, the bottom of the seal sheath 9 can be omitted during manufacturing. Although there are specificities mentioning assembly through adhesion, the device can be assembled by push-pegs and holes and/or lock lugs and twist slots, for example, on the polar sides in the seal sheath (bottom). Instead of a touch lever mode, the device can be all slides. Depending on the bottle product, the size of the device will vary as well as the embodiment of the spout and recoil. In modes when the present serving embodiment is not used for beverages, the accutip* 3 can be omitted and have the inner tunnel centered through the sliding spout 2 in manufacturing. In various cases, the color and form of the present device can be determined by the manufacturer based on brand identity, universal safety measures, and product innovation.

(21) Hereby, with all elements considered in the present embodiment, an array of variations and modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Glossary

(22) AccupourHydrodynamic design to serve with acute precision.

(23) AccutipThe acute stem opening to a spout.