Pouring device for a container

Abstract

 A pouring device for a container such as a paint can includes a spout (2) having a passage (11) therethrough and a means (9) for piercing the container at the rear of the spout (2). Means for retaining the spout are in the form of formations (16) adapted to grip behind the container wall after insertion of the device. The device is provided with a closure (4) for the spout.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a pouring device for a container such as a paint can for example.

[0002] While this invention will be described with reference to cans of paint, this could not be seen as limiting the scope or applications of the invention.

[0003] Generally, when one wishes to use the contents of a can of paint, the lid is removed from the can, the contents of the can are stirred with a suitable stirrer such as a stick, then the contents are poured into a second container such as a paint tray. Thereafter, the lid may be replaced on the can to re-seal the can. This mode of action has certain disadvantages. Firstly, when the lid is removed from the can, generally the edge of the lid is bent which then prevents a good seal being created between the lid and the rim of the can. Secondly, it is necessary to have a separate item with which to stir the paint which, after stirring, is messy and is not easy to dispose of. Thirdly, on pouring the paint from the can, generally some of the paint drips into the rim of the can and down the sides of the can which is messy and can prevent a good seal being formed between the lid of the can and the rim of the can. There is thus a need for a device which can be used to facilitate the pouring of the contents of a container from the container.

[0004] According to the invention a pouring device for a container comprises :
a spout including a passage for liquid therethrough;
piercing means at the rear of the spout and adapted to pierce a container wall such that the passage communicates with the interior of the container;
means for retaining the spout in position in a container wall;
and
a closure for closing the passage through the spout.

[0005] Further, according to the invention, the device includes sealing means for providing a seal between the spout and the container wall, the sealing means comprises an annular circumferential collar on the spout near the piercing means and a seal on the collar on the side thereof nearest the piercing means, and the seal is made from an elastomeric material.

[0006] Still further, according to the invention the sealing means includes retaining formations for retaining the device in position in a container wall, the retaining formations being spaced from the collar towards the piercing means by a distance to cause compression of the sealing material.

[0007] Still further according to the invention the piercing means includes a pointed end and the pointed end is of metal such as steel.

[0008] Still further according to the invention the device includes secondary inlets communicating with the passage adjacent the sealing means and on the side thereof nearest the piercing means.

[0009] Still further according to the invention the closure may be attached to the spout by a flexible member.

[0010] Still further according to the invention the device may J include stirring means and the stirring means comprises a weight passable through the passage and attached to the device by an elongated flexible member the length of which allows the weight to reach the bottom of a container in use.

[0011] Two embodiments of the invention, described by way of example only, follows with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation through a pouring device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the pouring device of figure 1 but rotated through 90; and

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0012] In the first embodiment of the invention as shown by figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings a pouring dvice 1 for a paint container is moulded from a rigid plastics material.

[0013] The device 1 comprises a spout 2 in the form of a hollow cylindrical portion. At the pouring end 3 of the spout is a closure 4 which includes a plug portion 5 adapted to seal in the neck of the end 3 of the spout 2 and a tab 6 for removing the plug 5 from the spout 2.

[0014] The enclosure 4 is hingedly connected to the spout by an integral hinge member 7 so that it will not be mislaid or lost.

[0015] At the opposite end 8 of the spout of the closure 4 is a piercing means 9 which is in the form of an extension to the spout terminating in a pointed end 10 which is formed by inclining the end of the device at an angle of about 30° to the axis of the passage 11 through the device.

[0016] The piercing means 9 terminates in a steel point 12 which is inserted and welded into a suitable recess 13.

[0017] The purpose of the steel point is to provide for the initial penetration into a paint can or the like.

[0018] At the end 8 of the spout 2 is an annular circumferential collar 14 which is again integral with the device. On the side of the collar closest to the piercing means 9 is an annular seal 15 made from foam rubber and which is thus highly compressible.

[0019] In the portion of the device forming the piercing means 9 are two diametrically opposed retaining formations 16 which project outwardly from the lines of the device. These formations 16 are in the form of perforations running along three sides of a square which extends outwardly in a resilient manner. The formations are furthermore such that they have retaining surfaces 17 which are positioned between the surface 18 of the collar 14 closest to the piercing means 9 and the outermost surface 19 of the foam seal 15.

[0020] As may be seen in figure 2 of the drawings the device 1 is inserted through the wall 20 of a can by forcing the steel point 12 therethrough to commence the perforation and thereafter completing the perforation using the surface 21 inclined to the axis of the passage 11. When the device is fully inserted the seal 15 will be compressed and the formations 16 will move outwardly after having been compressed by the wall 20 into engagement with the edge of the aperture created by the device and so prevent its removal, ensuring that the seal 15 remains compressed. It is to be noted that the paint can surface could be provided with an area of weakness in the form of tearing lines to facilitate introduction of the device.

[0021] At this stage the closure 4 may be removed and paint may be poured from the containe through the spout 2.

[0022] To ensure that all the paint in the container can be poured through the spout when low levels are reached the device is provided with apertures 22 in the formations 17. These apertures are thus close to the wall of the can when fully inserted.

[0023] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 3. This embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment in most aspects and like parts are identified by the same numerals.

[0024] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a stirring means is provided in the form of a cylindrical weight 23 located in a cylindrical plastics housing 24.

[0025] The plastics housing 24 includes an outwardly projecting formation 25 which is cooperable with a similar indentation 26 in the wall of the piercing means 9 of the device 2. This enables the stirring means 23 to be located in position in the pouring device 1.

[0026] The weight 23 is attached by an elongated string 27 to an anchor 28 near the end 3 of the spout 2.

[0027] When the pouring device has been inserted the stirring means 23 may be dislodged by forcing it out of the device and into the paint.

[0028] The string 27 or flexible member is sufficiently long to enable the mixing means 23 to rest on the bottom of the paint can such that when the paint can is shaken the mixing means scrapes any sediment from the bottom.

[0029] The material from which the pouring device is made is preferably of an acetyl or ethylene nature such that the paint adhesion thereto is maintained at a minimum.

[0030] Other embodiments are envisaged within the scope of the invention including other configurations and applications of the pouring device.

Claims

1. A pouring device for a container comprising:
a spout including a passage for liquid therethrough;
piercing means at the rear of the spout and adapted to pierce a container wall such that the passage communicates with the interior of othe container;
means for retaining the spout in position in a container wall;
and
a closure for closing the passage through the spout.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 which includes sealing means for providing a seal between the spout and the container wall.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which the sealing means comprises an annular circumferential collar on the spout near the piercing means and a seal on the collar on the side thereof nearest the piercing means.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the seal is made from an elastomeric material.

5. A device as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4 in which the sealing means includes retaining formations for retaining the device 3 in position in a container wall, the retaining formations being spaced from the collar towards the piercing means by a distance to cause compression of the sealing material.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 in which the formations project outwardly from the device and are resiliently compressible to facilitate insertions and removal of the device.

7. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the piercing means includes a pointed end.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 in which the pointed end is of metal.

9. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8 which includes secondary inlets communicating with the passage adjacent the sealing means and on the side thereof nearest the piercing means.

10. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the closure may be attached to the spout by a flexible member.

11. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims which includes stirring means and the stirring means comprises a weight passable through the passage and attached to the device by an elongated flexible member the length of which allows the weight to reach the bottom of a container in use.

Drawing