Beverage container with cap and spout

• US 6,041,982 A
• Filed: 02/10/1999
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dart Industries Incorporated (Tupperware Brands Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dart Industries Incorporated (Tupperware Brands Corporation)
• Inventors: Backaert, Dimitri M. C. J., Cautereels, Victor J. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US09/248,240
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 222/562, 222/566, 222/567, 222/568, 222/573, 215/207, 220/366.1
• US Class Current: 222/562
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/48 Separable nozzles or spouts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/1688 Venting occurring during initial closing or opening of the container, by means of a passage for the escape of gas between the closure and the lip of the container mouth, e.g. interrupted threads

Abstract

A beverage container having a base and a cap threaded thereto, and which may be used with a spout mounted to the container mouth. The cap includes a shoulder section having a rim contact section to seal to the container upper rim when the spout is not employed. The shoulder section also includes a spout contact section having a cam surface. The spout includes a follower ridge which is engaged by the cam surface to retain the spout in position as the cap is rotated for removal. This permits the spout to vent any accumulated pressure from a stored carbonated beverage, and thus prevents the spout from being disengaged from the base due to the accumulated pressure.

Claims

1. A beverage container with cap and spout, having a base with a bottom wall, side wall extending upward therefrom to an upper rim, and threads formed on the exterior thereof, a cap having a central portion, a shoulder section and skirt having inner threads thereon for mating with said threads on said base, characterized by

a spout selectively mountable to said base in a specific angular orientation with respect to said threads, said spout including a main panel having an aperture, a spout skirt extending downward from said main panel for engagement with said side wall adjacent said upper rim, and a follower ridge extending upward from said main panel,

said shoulder section including a cam surface in the form of a downward facing shoulder having a first end and a second end, said cam surface sloping downward from said first end to said second end at an angle substantially equal to that of said threads, such that said cam surface will slide upon said follower ridge during at least a portion of the rotation of said cap as it is applied and removed, and said cam surface will therefore retain said spout in position as said cap moves upward relative to said base.

2. A beverage container with cap and spout as in claim 1, wherein said shoulder section further includes a rim contact section which will seal against said upper rim when said spout is not positioned upon said base.

3. A beverage container with cap and spout as in claim 1, wherein said specific angular orientation is achieved by a positioning recess extending into said upper rim, and a mating positioning projection extending from said spout skirt.

4. A beverage container with cap and spout as in claim 1, wherein said spout further includes a neck extension extending upward from said aperture, and ending at a neck rim, said central portion of said cap sealing against said neck rim when said cap is fully seated upon said base.

5. A beverage container with cap and spout as in claim 4, wherein said shoulder section further includes a rim contact section which will seal against said upper rim when said spout is not positioned upon said base.

6. A beverage container with cap and spout as in claim 5, wherein said spout skirt is received within said upper rim, and said specific angular orientation is achieved by a positioning recess extending into said upper rim, and a mating positioning projection extending from said spout skirt.

7. A beverage container with cap and spout as in claim 6, wherein said neck extension is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of said cap, and an inner surface of said central portion includes an abutment surface against which said neck rim seals when said cap is seated.