U.S. patent number 3,734,360 [Application Number 05/154,794] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-22 for instant dial-a-flow cap.
Invention is credited to Roland Clough Brown.
United States Patent |
3,734,360 |
Brown |
May 22, 1973 |
INSTANT DIAL-A-FLOW CAP
Abstract
An instant dial-a-flow geometrically-shaped cap for liquid
containers consisting of a molded spout in one sector with a vent
passage and hole diametrically opposite to smooth the flow of the
liquid contents of the container when pouring or drinking, if
potable, with a snap-on perimeter featuring a serrated edge for
ease in grasping to dial, snap-on or snap-off or follow CLOSE
arrows when dialing full or partial flow or closure. A snap-on
under disc with varying openings and closure for lift-out top cans
is contemplated as well as full quadrant turning of the cap for
square cans. The cap is pollution free as it is not discarded but
instead washed and reused. Assembly of the cap and/or disc and
dialing is noiseless. With no wearing parts no maintenance is
required.
Inventors: |
Brown; Roland Clough (Del Mar,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
22552816 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/154,794 |
Filed: |
June 21, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/537; D9/450;
220/714; 222/545; 222/553; 222/567 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
47/265 (20130101); B65D 47/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
47/26 (20060101); B65D 47/04 (20060101); B65D
47/20 (20060101); B67d 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/531,537,545,553,567
;220/60,85SP,90.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Knowles; Allen N.
Claims
I claim:
1. An integral, reuseable closure cap adapted to fit conventional
rimmed cans containing liquids, consisting of a substantially flat,
disc cover portion having a rim means about its periphery adapted
to snap on and engage a can rim and retain the cover portion on the
can with its bottom surface in contact with the top surface of the
can, the rim means having multiple serrations about its periphery
to facilitate grasping and turning of the cap on the can, the cover
portion having a first opening and formed with a laminar
flow-shaped spout in communication with said first opening, a
second opening in the cover portion adjacent to the cover
periphery, a tunnel-like radial passageway formed in the cover
portion between the second opening and the throat of the spout to
provide for the venting of air from the second opening through the
first opening and into the interior of the can, the cover portion
rim means enabling the cover portion to be rotated relative to the
top surface of the can to positions wherein the first opening is
in, partially in, or out of registry with an opening in the can
top.
Description
The invention relates to a new and useful, snap-on type, instant
dial-a-flow cap and, in particular, to a can cover that may be
rotated from closed to partially open to fully open positions for
pouring, or drinking the liquid contained in the can selected, or
the reverse, as indicated on the top of the can cover and as a
unique flow control of the can opening.
The present invention is directed toward the controlled emptying of
liquids contained in cans such as hot or cold tea, beer, juices,
soft drinks, oil, in fact, any liquid not too viscous to pour
readily, for pouring, or drinking of potable liquid foods when
convenient to do so on picnics, at the zoo, circus or golf links,
etc., even at home at meals or when just relaxing. Usually made in
circular form to fit normal sizes of cans on the market, a square
form is contemplated to fit over square cans in which case the cap
is snapped off and rotated one quadrant to effect temporary
closure.
The cap is made of plastic, plastic foam, milk carton-type paper,
porcelain with suitable washer around the perimeter for a seal,
etc., and shaped round or square of convenient size for the use
intended with snap-on perimeter and containing a spout for use in
pouring or drinking the liquid from the can, and with an air vent
passage leading from the throat of the spout to a vent hole in the
can top across the diameter from the spout.
To put the cap to use, first the top of the can is cleaned by
washing and drying it, then the opening in the can is made by
notching with a can opener, or if the can is equipped with a pull
ring or an easy open tab, open the keyhole slot and discard the
ring or tab, now snap-on the cap and turn it to the desired opening
to pour or drink the liquid contents, closing the opening as
desired to regulate the flow or cut it off entirely. When the can
is empty, remove the cap for washing and hang it up by the vent
hole on a peg for drying and reuse.
The purpose of the instant dial-a-flow cap is to facilitate the
regulated flow of the liquid contents of the can when pouring, and
especially when drinking from the can cap spout. The cap may be
turned like a dial to regulate the flow from full to partial and to
complete cut-off. The vent hole and passage permits the air to
enter the can through the throat of the spout as the liquid leaves
the can for smoother flow.
The cap is in one piece and requires no maintenance except washing
after each use. It has no wearing parts. It is inexpensive to own
in both the plastic and the porcelain models. It is usually used
with insulating plastic foam or porcelain blanket-type can holders
when the can contents are hot or cold. It requires no special
knowledge to use the cap. It is manufactured in various colors and
tones with or without decorative designs, usually to match the can
holder.
It is the primary object of the invention to provide a fitted spout
for an opened can of liquid to facilitate pouring or drinking the
contents directly from the can without spillage or the use of other
containers.
Another object provides for regulating the flow of the liquid from
the can to another container or directly to the mouth from full to
any partial flow desired to complete cut-off of flow.
A further object permits the opening and closing of the can outlet
by a simple turning of a round cap like a dial or the removal of a
square cap and turning it one quadrant and replacing it by simply
snapping it off the can, then on again in the new position.
Still another object of hygienic value is a safety feature and
guards against accidental cutting of the lips or tongue, with
possible infection, when drinking directly from an opening made in
the top of the can on its sharp edges.
Yet another object insures smoother flow by means of the air vent
hole and vent passage to the throat of the spout for air entry as
the liquid contents of the can are emptied.
Other ancillary objects will be apparent from the following
description when read in the light of the drawings in which:
The single sheet drawing depicts three views: Instant Dial-a-Flow
Cap:
FIG. 1 -Plan;
FIG. 2 -Side view truncated section 1--1; and
FIG. 3-Front broken view with partial top section 2--2.
FIG. 1 is a broken open plan view of the round cap 1, showing vent
hole 2, vent passage 3, can outlet 4, spout 5, can for fluids 6,
can holder cover 8, section cuts and directions: 1--1 and 2--2 and
CLOSE arrow direction indicators on dial top.
FIG. 2 is a truncated sectional side view 1-1 of the round cap 1,
showing vent hole 2, vent passage 3, can outlet 4, spout 5, can for
liquids 6, plastic foam insulating blanket can holder 7 and can
holder cover 8.
FIG. 3 is a partial top section 2--2 front broken view of the round
cap, showing vent hole 2, vent passage 3, can outlet 4, spout 5,
can 6, can holder 7, can holder cover 8 and serrations 9.
For assembly for use the cap 1 snaps on the top of the notched,
slotted or punched-open can 6 and turned (dialed) into the desired
position with spout 5 over the can outlet 4 or beyond it for
closure by following either CLOSE arrow direction on the top of the
cap 1 by grasping the serrated edge 9 of the cap 1 and rotating it
while holding the can 6, or can holder 7 if so equipped, fast. To
disassemble unsnap the cap 1 from the can 6, wash and hang it on
peg, utilizing vent hole 2, to dry, awaiting reuse.
The invention may be used for unpotable oils and liquids when it is
necessary to open the can to use a portion of the contents, and
some more at another time later, and when it is desirable to close
the opening between uses to avoid odors, losses by accidental
spillage or to limit access of vermin or air circulation causing
spoilage.
For illustrative purposes one form of the invention is shown on the
drawing but two forms are mentioned in the descriptive herein, and
the assembly applicable is disclosed; however, the invention is not
limited to the details or the exact forms shown or described, as
major deviations in the shape and size of the liquid container from
the illustrated form are possible without modifying the principles
involved. For example, a can container with a complete lift-out top
would contemplate a snap-on disc below the cap with a slot outlet
therein to accomplish the same result.
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