Pouring spout for dispensing a liquid present in a liquid container

Abstract

A pouring spout for dispensing a liquid present in a liquid container is provided. The pouring spout includes a first tubular body for connecting to the liquid container and a second tubular body which together with the first tubular body forms a passage for dispensing the liquid. The first and second tubular bodies are telescopically movable here relative to each other for leaving clear a radial opening through which the liquid can leave the pouring spout. The pouring spout further includes a venting channel for drawing in air. The invention is characterized in that the venting channel is fixedly connected to the second tubular body.

Claims

1. A pouring spout for dispensing a liquid present in a liquid container, comprising: a first tubular body which is adapted at an end thereof for placing on the liquid container; a second tubular body which together with the first tubular body forms a passage for dispensing the liquid; a closing part placed in axial direction at a distance from the first tubular body, wherein the first and second tubular bodies can move telescopically relative to each other between an open and closed position, wherein in the open position the second tubular body leaves an opening at least partially clear between the closing part and the first tubular body and wherein in the closed position the second tubular body blocks the opening; and a venting channel for supplying air from outside to the liquid container, which channel extends at least partially in the first tubular body, said venting channel being fixedly connected to the second tubular body; wherein: the closing part comprises a transversely extending closing surface that is configured to simultaneously close or open the venting channel and the passage when arranging the first and second tubular bodies from the open position to the closed position and when arranging the first and second tubular bodies from the closed position to the open position, respectively; and the second tubular body has on an end remote from the first tubular body an axial opening, which axial openings of the second tubular body and the venting channel are blocked in the closed position by the closing surface of the closing part.

2. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening is a radial opening.

3. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the closed position the second tubular body lies against the closing part for the purpose of closing the passage in axial direction.

4. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the venting channel is formed by a tubular element.

5. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second tubular body is placed slidably round an outer end of the first tubular body.

6. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second tubular body has in axial direction a step in internal dimension which forms a stop for limiting the telescopic movement of the first and second tubular bodies.

7. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closing part is fixedly connected to the first tubular body.

8. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 7, wherein the closing part further comprises an axial connecting part which extends from the closing surface to the first tubular body and is coupled thereto.

9. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a spring placed between the axial connecting part and the first tubular body.

10. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first tubular body and the axial connecting part both comprise a support, between which supports the spring is placed.

11. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the venting channel comprises means for at least locally limiting the throughflow speed of air and/or at least locally limiting the entry of the liquid.

12. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 11, wherein the venting channel has a locally smaller inner dimension at an end remote from the closing part.

13. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a non-return valve received in the venting channel for the purpose of preventing liquid entering the venting channel from the liquid container.

14. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 11, wherein the venting channel has a locally smaller inner dimension at an end thereof.

15. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a resilient element for placing the telescopic movement between the first and second tubular bodies under spring tension.

16. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second tubular body is provided with a body protruding in radial direction which is suitable for being engaged by an opening edge of a receiving liquid container for the purpose of moving to the open position.

17. The pouring spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the venting channel and the second tubular body are formed integrally.

Description

(1) The invention will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow making use of the accompanying figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pouring spout according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the pouring spout of FIG. 1;

(4) FIGS. 3A-C show respectively a top view and two cross-sections of the pouring spout of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the pouring spout of FIG. 1; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows the mounting of the venting channel of the pouring spout of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pouring spout 1 according to the invention which is mounted on a liquid container 2. Pouring spout 1 comprises a first tubular body 3 which is adapted on an underside for mounting on liquid container 2. Pouring spout 1 further comprises a second tubular body 4 which can move telescopically relative to first tubular body 3. Arranged on the upper side of pouring spout 1 is a closing part 5 for axially closing pouring spout 1. More detail of pouring spout 1 can be seen in FIG. 2 which shows an exploded view, in FIG. 3A which shows a top view, and in FIGS. 3B and 3C which show pouring spout 1 in respectively opened and closed position.

(8) Pouring spout 1 comprises a venting channel embodied in the shown embodiment as a tube 6. Tube 6 is fixedly connected here to second tubular body 4.

(9) Second tubular body 4 is placed slidably over an outer end of first tubular body 3. The sliding movement takes place under spring tension of a spring 7. Spring 7 here pushes second tubular part 4 to the closed position, see FIG. 3C.

(10) Tube 6 extends from the upper side of second tubular body 4 into first tubular body 3. Tube 6 is provided on the underside with a decrease in diameter 8 for the purpose of locally increasing the flow resistance. The decrease in diameter 8 can be dispensed with in other embodiments depending on the nature of the target liquid in the liquid container.

(11) Second tubular body 4 is provided with a protruding edge 9 made of resilient material such as rubber. During pouring edge 9 comes into contact with an edge of a filling opening of for instance a fuel tank. This engagement will cause second tubular part 4 to move toward first tubular part 3 and as a result pouring spout 1 will be opened, see FIG. 3B. When pouring spout 1 is removed from the fuel tank, second tubular part 4 will slide to the closed position due to the spring force.

(12) For the purpose of attaching pouring spout 1 to liquid container 2 the spout is provided with a nut 10 provided on the inner side with screw thread corresponding to the screw thread in the edge of the filling opening of liquid container 2. A sealing ring 11, such as an O-ring, which is pressed between nut 10 and flange 12, can be used for sealing purposes.

(13) Closing part 5 comprises a closing surface 13 and an axial connecting part 14. Two nuts 15, 16 and a spring 17 are arranged on connecting part 14. FIG. 4 shows the attachment of closing part 5 in pouring spout 1. First tubular part 3 is provided for this purpose with a transverse connection 18 provided with an opening for receiving axial connecting part 14 therein. During the manufacture of pouring spout 1 second tubular body 4 is first placed over first tubular body 3. Closing part 5 is then placed from the upper side without nut 16 and carried through the opening in transverse connection 18. Use can be made here of guides 21 which support against the inner side of second tubular part 4. Because nut 15 serves as stop for spring 17, spring 17 will be confined between transverse connection 18 and nut 15. Nut 16 is then screwed onto connecting part 14 on another side of transverse connection 18 for fastening thereof. An advantage of this construction is that because of spring 17 closing part 5 is less sensitive to shocks which have to be absorbed by pouring spout 1 if it for instance falls to the ground. This is particularly important when pouring spout 1 is connected to liquid container 2 and this latter contains fuel. This is because, if closing part 5 were to break off, there would be a danger of fuel flowing out of liquid container 2. According to the invention closing part 5 can move downward together with second tubular part 4 for the purpose of absorbing such forces.

(14) For the purpose of fastening tube 6, second tubular part 4 comprises a clip 19 situated in a groove (not shown) in the inner side of second tubular part 4. Clip 19 provides a clamping connection between tube 6 and second tubular part 4. In the context of the present invention it is also possible to give tube 6 and second tubular part 4 an integral form, for instance in plastic.

(15) For the sealing between first and second tubular parts 3, 4 a sealing ring 20 such as an O-ring is received in second tubular part 4.

(16) It will be apparent from FIGS. 3B and 3C that first and second tubular bodies 3, 4 form a passage for liquid from liquid container 2. This passage is blocked in axial direction by closing part 5. Between closing part 5 and the upper side of first tubular body 3 can be identified a radial opening which, irrespective of the position, is at least partially covered by second tubular body 4. In the open position there is a radial opening 22 between closing part 5 and the upper side of second tubular part 4. During pouring the liquid will leave liquid container 2, and air will be drawn in, through these openings 22. In the closed position shown in FIG. 3C openings 22 are covered by second tubular body 4.

(17) It will be apparent from FIGS. 3B and 3C that during movement of second tubular part 4 the tube 6 co-displaces with this part. Tube 6 will hereby be in a higher position than in the known pouring spout. The second stage will hereby be reached sooner during pouring because there is less risk of liquid being taken in. The liquid does after all have a flow which is directed mainly downward at the position of tube 6.

(18) It will be apparent from FIG. 3A that the opening of tube 6 and the opening of second tubular body 4 lie in the same plane. Closing surface 13 of closing part 5 can hereby close both openings effectively in the closed position. As a result there is less risk of liquid being taken into tube 6 prior to pouring, particularly if liquid container 2 and pouring spout 1 are held upside down or very much at an incline, which is usual for pouring purposes.

(19) It will be apparent to the skilled person that the present invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but that the scope of protection is defined by the appended claims. Changes to the shown embodiments are possible here without departing from the scope of protection described by the claims.

(20) It is for instance possible to embody the first tubular body with a bend so that in the position shown in FIG. 1 the second closing part points obliquely upward. Use can optionally be made in this case of other means for connecting connecting part 14 and first tubular body 3.