U.S. patent application number 12/076161 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for vessel.
Invention is credited to Henry Enahoro.
Application Number | 20080230573 12/076161 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39773690 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080230573 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Enahoro; Henry |
September 25, 2008 |
Vessel
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a vessel for holding fluid. The vessel
has at least one wall defining a mouth, the mouth having an inner
surface, an outer surface, an end surface and one or more spouts
located at the junction of the inner and end surfaces. At least one
of the one or more spouts comprises a recess in the inner surface
and an outlet at the end surface, the recess being shaped to
transition smoothly from the inner surface to the outlet. The
disclosure also relates to a vessel and lid assembly and a pouring
attachment for a bottle having the mouth as described above.
Inventors: |
Enahoro; Henry; (Little Bay,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Family ID: |
39773690 |
Appl. No.: |
12/076161 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/571 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/06 20130101;
B65D 1/023 20130101; B65D 23/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/571 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 20, 2007 |
AU |
2007-901640 |
Claims
1. A vessel for holding fluid, comprising: at least one wall
defining a mouth, the mouth having an inner surface, an outer
surface, an end surface and one or more spouts located at the
junction of the inner and end surfaces; wherein at least one of the
one or more spouts comprises a recess in the inner surface and an
outlet at the end surface, the recess being shaped to transition
smoothly from the inner surface to the outlet.
2. A vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vessel further
comprises a closure engagement means.
3. A vessel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the closure engagement
means is a mouth thread.
4. A vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end surface is
substantially flat.
5. A vessel for holding fluid, comprising: at least one wall
defining a mouth, the mouth having an inner and outer surface and
one or more spouts; and a closure engagement means extending a
first distance from the outer surface; wherein at least one of the
one or more spouts extends a second distance from the outer
surface, the second distance being less than or equal to the first
distance.
6. A vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one of the
one or more spouts comprises a recess in the inner surface and an
outlet, the recess being shaped to transition smoothly from the
inner surface to the outlet.
7. A vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mouth has an end
surface and the at least one of the one or more spouts is located
at the junction of the inner and end surfaces.
8. A vessel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the end surface is
substantially flat.
9. A vessel as claimed in claim 5 wherein the closure engagement
means is a mouth thread.
10. A vessel assembly for holding a fluid, comprising a vessel as
claimed in claim 1 and a closure adapted to seal around the
mouth.
11. A vessel assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the closure
has a closure thread adapted to cooperate with a mouth thread.
12. A pouring attachment, comprising: at least one tubular wall
defining a mouth, the mouth having an inner surface, an outer
surface, an end surface and one or more spouts located at the
junction of the inner and end surfaces; wherein at least one of the
one or more spouts comprises a recess in the inner surface and an
outlet at the end surface, the recess being shaped to transition
smoothly from the inner surface to the outlet.
13. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
pouring attachment further comprises a closure engagement
means.
14. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
closure engagement means is a mouth thread.
15. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the end
surface is substantially flat.
16. A pouring attachment, comprising: at least one tubular wall
defining a mouth, the mouth having an inner and outer surface and
one or more spouts; and a closure engagement means extending a
first distance from the outer surface; wherein at least one of the
one or more spouts extends a second distance from the outer
surface, the second distance being less than or equal to the first
distance.
17. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at
least one of the one or more spouts comprises a recess in the inner
wall and an outlet, the recess being shaped to transition smoothly
to the outlet.
18. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 16, wherein the mouth
has an end surface and the at least one of the one or more spouts
is located at the junction of the inner and end surfaces.
19. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 18, wherein the end
surface is substantially flat.
20. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
closure engagement means is a mouth thread.
21. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the inner
surface comprises a bottle engagement means for allowing the
pouring attachment to be sealingly engaged with a bottle.
22. A pouring assembly, comprising a pouring attachment as claimed
in claim 12 and a closure adapted to seal around the mouth.
23. A pouring assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the closure
has a closure thread adapted to cooperate with a mouth thread.
24. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a vessel for holding and
dispensing fluid.
[0002] The invention has been developed primarily for use in the
pharmaceutical and food industries; for example, for holding and
dispensing liquid medication and liquid ingredients respectively
and will be described hereinafter with reference to these
applications. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is
not limited to these particular fields of use; for example, it may
be used in any industrial, domestic or commercial industries in
which fluids need to be dispensed accurately or without spillage;
for example, the vessels may be used to hold and dispense engine
oil, water, milk, paints or dyes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fluids are usually stored in vessels such as vials, bottles,
containers, jugs, kettles, decanters and buckets.
[0004] In the pharmaceutical industry or food industry, liquid
medication or liquid ingredients are often sold in small glass or
plastic bottles comprising a body and a cylindrical mouth with a
circular outlet. A thread is usually located on the outer surface
of the mouth and is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding
thread on the inside of a cap, such that when the cap is fitted
over the mouth and screwed tight, the bottle is sealed watertight
and airtight. This preserves the fluid within and allows safe
storage.
[0005] Some fluids may only be required to be dispensed in small
quantities at a time; for example, liquid medication to be taken in
small doses (e.g. 5 ml). It is often difficult, especially for the
elderly, to accurately control the pouring of a small amount of
liquid. The liquid may travel too quickly from the body of the
bottle to the outlet resulting in a large or sudden volume of
liquid being expelled due to the sharp contour between the body of
the bottle and the mouth. This may result in a splash or an
overflow. Slower, more controlled pouring may result in the liquid
dripping along the outside surface of the mouth. Thus, it may be
difficult to avoid wastage, which, relative to the size of the
dosage, may constitute a considerable proportion of the liquid.
Dripping or overflow may also cause the formation of a sticky
residue on the outside surface of the mouth, which can interrupt
screwing and unscrewing of the cap, or on the outside surface of
the bottle, which can feel unpleasant.
[0006] Other fluids may be required to be dispensed into containers
with small receiving inlets; for example, engine oil to be poured
into the engine oil receptacle. In these cases, controlled pouring
is required to prevent spillage outside of the receiving inlet as
this would cause wastage, mess and a potential safety hazard.
Funnels are sometimes used for this application, but are not always
readily available. Some fluid containers have a telescopic mouth
comprising a spout that can be manually extracted and retracted
into a main cylindrical mouth such that when retracted, the
telescopic mouth is entirely contained within the main mouth and
does not interrupt engagement with a cap fitted thereon. The
telescopic mouth requires manual extraction however, and for sticky
residues or `clean` fluids, using a finger to pull out the
telescopic mouth may result in the user having sticky hands or
contaminating the fluid stored within. If the fluid is viscous the
telescopic mouth may become lodged within the main mouth and a long
period of use may result in the telescopic mouth breaking.
[0007] Fluids are also often stored in jugs, which are usually
characterized by a spout at the edge of the mouth and/or outlet.
The spout commonly is formed by an extension of the wall creating a
channel for the liquid to flow through. This enables the user to
better control the path of the liquid being dispensed, and if the
contour of the body to the spout is sufficiently gradual, also
enables the user to exert greater control over the volume flow rate
of the liquid. Due to the non-uniformity of the mouth, however,
screw-on caps cannot be used to seal the jug. Jugs are often closed
with a lid that corresponds to the shape of the opening, with a
portion that covers the spout. Other lids seal a substantially
circular area of the outlet and leave the spout exposed. Still
other lids have a vertical flange portion that closes a
substantially circular region of the body of the jug, the channel
of the spout being external to the closure. In these examples, the
jugs may not be sealed sufficiently to be watertight and airtight
and are thus not usually utilized for long-term storage of liquids.
Jugs are generally too large for dispensing small volumes of
fluids.
[0008] Kettles generally have a spout comprising, effectively, a
tubular channel terminating at an outlet, the tubular channel being
in fluid communication with the main volume of the kettle. The
poured liquid travels through an aperture in the wall of the body,
through the tubular channel and is expelled from the outlet. The
tubular channel is often curved and/or angled to allow the liquid
to travel smoothly and is not sealed. The spout protrudes from the
side of the kettle and thus kettles cannot be as compactly stored
side-by-side as bottles with substantially straight sides.
Furthermore, kettles usually have a second outlet at a top portion
of the body allowing fluid to be poured into the vessel. This
requires a second cover. Kettles are not ideally used to store
liquids for extended periods of time.
[0009] The present invention seeks to provide a vessel which will
overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the
deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an
alternative.
[0010] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is
referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission
that the information forms a part of the common general knowledge
in the art, in Australia or any other country.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, a vessel for
holding fluid is provided, comprising: [0012] at least one wall
defining a mouth, the mouth having an inner surface, an outer
surface, an end surface and one or more spouts located at the
junction of the inner and end surfaces; [0013] wherein at least one
of the one or more spouts comprises a recess in the inner surface
and an outlet at the end surface, the recess being shaped to
transition smoothly from the inner surface to the outlet.
[0014] Advantageously, the provision of at least one spout allows a
user to more readily control pouring of the fluid and reduces the
chance of spilling, overflowing and/or dripping. Furthermore, the
provision of a recess allowing the fluid to travel smoothly from
the body of the vessel to the outlet, allows the volume flow rate
to be controlled.
[0015] Preferably, the vessel further comprises a closure
engagement means.
[0016] Preferably, the closure engagement means is a mouth
thread.
[0017] Advantageously, the vessel can be closed to safely store the
fluid and extend its shelf life.
[0018] Preferably, the end surface is substantially flat.
[0019] Advantageously, the flat end surface abuts a flat inner
surface or inner padding of a corresponding closure, such as a cap,
and creates an airtight and watertight seal when closed.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, a vessel for
holding fluid is provided, comprising: [0021] at least one wall
defining a mouth, the mouth having an inner and outer surface and
one or more spouts; and [0022] a closure engagement means extending
a first distance from the outer surface; [0023] wherein at least
one of the one or more spouts extends a second distance from the
outer surface, the second distance being less than or equal to the
first distance.
[0024] Advantageously, the provision of at least one spout allows a
user to more readily control pouring of the fluid and reduces the
chance of spilling, overflowing and/or dripping. Furthermore, the
spout does not interfere with or forms a part of the closure
engagement means.
[0025] Preferably, the at least one of the one or more spouts
comprises a recess in the inner surface and an outlet, the recess
being shaped to transition smoothly from the inner surface to the
outlet.
[0026] Advantageously, the provision of a recess allows the fluid
to travel smoothly from the body of the vessel to the outlet,
allows the volume flow rate to be controlled to greater effect and
reduces the chance that a sudden spurt of fluid results.
[0027] Preferably, the mouth has an end surface and the at least
one of the one or more spouts is located at the junction of the
inner and end surfaces.
[0028] Preferably, the end surface is substantially flat.
[0029] Preferably, the closure engagement means is a mouth
thread.
[0030] In one embodiment, a vessel assembly for holding a fluid is
provided, comprising a vessel as described in any one of the
preceding paragraphs and a closure adapted to seal around the
mouth.
[0031] Preferably, the closure has a closure thread adapted to
cooperate with the mouth thread.
[0032] According to a third aspect of the invention, a pouring
attachment is provided, comprising: [0033] at least one tubular
wall defining a mouth, the mouth having an inner surface, an outer
surface, an end surface and one or more spouts located at the
junction of the inner and end surfaces; [0034] wherein at least one
of the one or more spouts comprises a recess in the inner surface
and an outlet at the end surface, the recess being shaped to
transition smoothly from the inner surface to the outlet.
[0035] Advantageously, the pouring attachment can be adapted to
engage with a pre-existing vessel mouth, for example a standard
threaded bottle mouth. Thus, when fitted, the provision of at least
one spout on the pouring attachment allows a user to more readily
control pouring of the fluid and reduces the chance of spilling,
overflowing and/or dripping. Furthermore, the provision of a recess
allowing the fluid to travel smoothly from the body of the vessel
to the outlet, allows the volume flow rate to be controlled.
[0036] Preferably, the pouring attachment further comprises a
closure engagement means.
[0037] Preferably, the closure engagement means is a mouth
thread.
[0038] Preferably, the end surface is substantially flat.
[0039] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a pouring
attachment is provided, comprising: [0040] at least one tubular
wall defining a mouth, the mouth having an inner and outer surface
and one or more spouts; and [0041] a closure engagement means
extending a first distance from the outer surface; [0042] wherein
at least one of the one or more spouts extends a second distance
from the outer surface, the second distance being less than or
equal to the first distance.
[0043] Advantageously, the pouring attachment can be adapted to
engage with a pre-existing vessel mouth, for example a standard
threaded bottle mouth. Thus, when fitted, the provision of at least
one spout on the pouring attachment allows a user to more readily
control pouring of the fluid and reduces the chance of spilling,
overflowing and/or dripping. Furthermore, the spout does not
interfere with, or forms a part of, the closure engagement
means.
[0044] Preferably, the at least one of the one or more spouts
comprises a recess in the inner wall and an outlet, the recess
being shaped to transition smoothly to the outlet.
[0045] Advantageously, the provision of a recess allows the fluid
to travel smoothly from the body of the vessel to the outlet,
allows the volume flow rate to be better controlled and reduces the
chance of a sudden spurt of fluid.
[0046] Preferably, the mouth has an end surface and the at least
one of the one or more spouts is located at the junction of the
inner and end surfaces.
[0047] Preferably, the end surface is substantially flat.
[0048] Preferably, the closure engagement means is a mouth
thread.
[0049] Preferably, the inner surface comprises a bottle engagement
means for allowing the pouring attachment to be sealingly engaged
with a bottle.
[0050] In one embodiment, a pouring assembly is provided,
comprising a pouring attachment as described in any one of the
preceding paragraphs and a closure adapted to seal around the
mouth.
[0051] Preferably, the closure has a closure thread adapted to
cooperate with the mouth thread.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the
scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the
invention will now be described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0053] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vessel in accordance with a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in use, a front
view of a spoon and fluid being poured from the vessel into the
spoon are also shown;
[0054] FIG. 2 is a top view of the vessel of FIG. 1 in use, and
also shows the spoon and fluid being poured from the vessel into
the spoon;
[0055] FIG. 3(a) is a side view of a base of a body of a vessel of
a vessel assembly in accordance with a second preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 3(b) is a side view of the body and a mouth of the
vessel of FIG. 3(a);
[0057] FIG. 4 is a top view of the mouth of the vessel of FIG.
3(a)
[0058] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the body and mouth of the vessel
of FIG. 3(a);
[0059] FIG. 6 is a top view of the base of the vessel of FIG.
3(a);
[0060] FIG. 7 is a side view of a closure of the vessel assembly of
FIG. 3(a);
[0061] FIG. 8 is a side view of a mouth and a top portion of a body
of a vessel in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0062] FIG. 9 is a top view of the vessel of FIG. 8;
[0063] FIG. 10 is a side view of a mouth and a top portion of a
body of a vessel in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0064] Referring to the drawings, various vessels are provided in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The vessels
may be used to hold and dispense fluids, such as liquid
medications, liquid ingredients, engine oil, water, milk, paints or
dyes.
[0065] It should be noted in the following description that like or
the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the
same or similar features.
[0066] Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a vessel 10 is
shown, comprising a relatively thick body wall 16 defining a body
17, and a thinner mouth wall 21 defining a mouth 22.
[0067] The body wall 16 comprises a tubular portion 50 and a base
55. The tubular portion 50 takes the form of a cylinder with an
open bottom end 56 and a closed top end 57. A central aperture is
located in the top end 57 forming a throat 60. The throat 60 is
gradually curved where it opens at a bottom surface 61 of the top
end 57. In another embodiment, the throat 60 is chamfered where it
opens at the bottom surface of the top end 57. An annular cavity 63
is located at the open bottom end 56 extending from an inner
surface of body wall 16 to a mid-region of the thickness of the
body wall 16.
[0068] The base 55 takes the form of a circular plate 65 and a
concentric circular protrusion 70 extending from a top surface of
the circular plate 65. The circular protrusion has a smaller
diameter than the circular plate 65. The outer diameters of the
tubular portion 50 and the circular plate 65 are substantially
equal, and the diameters of the annular cavity 63 and the circular
protrusion 70 are substantially equal. The depth of the annular
cavity 63 and the height of the circular protrusion 70 are also
substantially equal, such that the circular protrusion 70 can be
snugly fitted within the annular cavity 63 to substantially close
and seal the open bottom end 56. It should be noted that the body
17 may be formed in a number of ways. In another embodiment, the
tubular portion 50 and the base 55 are integral and the body 17 is
formed by blow molding.
[0069] The mouth 22 takes the form of a generally cylindrical tube
having an inner surface 75, an outer surface 80, an upper end 85, a
lower end 90, a closure engagement means taking the form of a
thread 95, and a spout 100. The diameter of the inner surface 75 is
substantially equal to the diameter of the throat 60 and the
diameter of the outer surface 80 is smaller than the outer diameter
of the body 17. The lower end 90 of the mouth 22 is integral with a
central portion of the top end 57 of the body 17 such that the
inner surface 75 of the mouth 22 is continuous with the throat 60.
The thread 95 is located on the outer surface 80 and commences a
relatively short distance above the lower end 90 and terminates a
relatively short distance below the upper end 85. It should be
noted that the thread 95 may be replaced with any closure
engagement means sufficient to cooperate with a closure (not shown)
to seal the mouth 22, for example, it may be replaced with rubber
rings for use with a push-on cap.
[0070] The spout 100 is formed from an outwardly extending portion
of the generally circular upper end 85 and has an outer surface 101
that is smooth and curved. The lower end of the spout 105 is
adjacent a ridge of the thread 95. At its outermost point 111, the
upper end of the spout 110 has a diameter that is substantially
equal to the outer diameter of the thread 95. On either side of the
outermost point, the outer surface of the spout 101 is contoured to
meet the outer surface 80 of the mouth 22. The contour of the outer
surface of the spout 101 forms a lip that is adapted to engage with
a lip of a spoon or similar utensil or device. The vessel 10 and
spoon can then be stabilized during pouring of the liquid.
[0071] An inner surface of the spout 117 is continuous with the
inner surface 75 of the mouth 22 and is generally curved to mimic
the curve of the outer surface of the spout 101, forming a
channel-like recess 116. The channel-like recess 116 does have
steeper (smaller radius) curvature than the outer surface of the
spout 101. The liquid travels into and is expelled from the
channel-like recess 116 thus allowing more controlled pouring.
[0072] An end surface of the upper end 85 is flat and perpendicular
to the centerline of the mouth. The flat end surface is adapted to
abut a flat inner surface or inner padding of a corresponding
closure (not shown), such as a cap, and creates an airtight and
watertight seal when closed, allowing safe storage and an increase
in the shelf life of the stored fluid.
[0073] Advantageously, the provision of the spout 100 allows a user
to more readily control pouring of the fluid and reduces the chance
of spilling, overflowing and/or dripping. Furthermore, the spout
100 does not interfere with the thread 95.
[0074] Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 7, a vessel
assembly comprising a vessel for holding fluid 10A and a closure
118 is shown in which the spout 100A further comprises a recess
taking the form of a groove 120 leading to an outlet 125. The
groove 120 is located along the length of an inner surface 75A of
the mouth 22A, continues into and along the length of a throat 60A
and terminates at the throat's curved opening at an inner surface
61A of a top end 57A of the body 17A.
[0075] In this embodiment, an outer surface 101A surrounding the
spout 100A commences at a lower end 105A having a diameter slightly
smaller than the outer diameter of a thread 95A. The outer surface
101A gradually contours to terminate at an upper end 10A where it
has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of an outer
surface 80A of the mouth 22A. The outer surface 101A of the spout
100A is gradually contoured on either side to meet the outer
surface 80A of the mouth 22A. The outer surface of the spout 101A
at the lower end 105 and at the sides terminates at ridges of the
thread 95A. A mid-region 130 of the spout 100A is slightly recessed
as to accommodate a lip of a spoon, such that the spoon is able to
stabilize the vessel 10A from beneath and facilitate more
controlled pouring. A small portion of a lower end 90A of the mouth
22A is absent of thread 95A and is scalloped to form a neck
132.
[0076] Referring specifically to FIG. 7, the closure 118 takes the
form of a cap having an internal thread 135 that is adapted to
cooperate with the thread 95A of the mouth 22A. The cap 118 is
generally cylindrical having a closed top end 140 and an open
bottom end 145. A top region 150 directly beneath the top end 140
is recessed to accommodate the fitting of padding such that a flat
end surface of an upper end 85A of the mouth 22A may press against
the padding and create an airtight and watertight seal when
closed.
[0077] Advantageously, the provision of the groove 120 allows the
fluid to travel smoothly from the body of the vessel to the outlet,
thus allowing the volume flow rate to be better controlled and
reducing the chance of fluid spilling.
[0078] Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, a vessel for
holding fluid 10B is shown in which a mouth 22B comprises two
opposing spouts 100B. Each of the spouts 100B comprises a recess
taking the form of a groove 120B leading to an outlet 125B as in
the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 7. In this embodiment, each outlet
125B is formed from an outwardly extending portion of a generally
circular upper end 85B of the mouth 22B as in the embodiment of
FIGS. 1 and 2, such that two grooves 120B are formed. Thus, the
liquid travels from a body 17B, into the groove 120B and out of the
outlet 125B.
[0079] The opening of the throat 60B at an inner surface 61B of a
top end 57B of the body 17B is curved with a large diameter for
even smoother flow.
[0080] Advantageously, the provision of two spouts 120B allows the
user to pour from either spout 120B for ease of use.
[0081] Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 10, a vessel for holding
fluid 10C is shown having a mouth 22C. A closure engagement means
taking the form of a circumferential hump 155 is located at a
mid-region of the outer surface 80C of the mouth 22C. A closure
118C takes the form of a push-on cap adapted to close tightly over
the mouth 22C by virtue of the hump 155. That is, the diameter of
the hump 155 is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the
closure 118C to create an interference fit. This interference fit
alone creates a liquid-tight and air-tight seal. The interference
fit is such that the closure 118C can be readily fitted and
removed.
[0082] In this embodiment, a top region 150C directly beneath the
top end 140C of the closure 118C is recessed to accommodate the
fitting of a washer 160 such that a flat end surface of an upper
end 85C of the mouth 22C may press against the washer 160 to create
an airtight and watertight seal when closed. While the invention
has been described with reference to a number of preferred
embodiments it should be appreciated that the invention can be
embodied in many other forms.
[0083] For example, instead of the provision of a vessel for
holding fluid 10, a pouring attachment may be provided that is
adapted to engage with a pre-existing spout-less vessel mouth. The
pouring attachment may take the form of the mouth 22 of any one of
the previously described embodiments. In one embodiment, the
pouring attachment is adapted to engage with a standard threaded
bottle mouth, and thus when fitted, facilitate pouring that
prevents spilling, overflowing and/or dripping.
[0084] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention
illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted
to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended
to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be
understood that each specific term includes all technical
equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a
similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward",
"radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like
are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and
are not to be construed as limiting terms.
[0085] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description
of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due
to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise"
or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are 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 of the invention.
* * * * *