US 4,981,239 AGranted

Container having a drain-back spout

AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company

InventorsJerome P. Cappel, Jack A. Sneller, Thomas L. Reiber

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Abstract

A container for liquid is disclosed, wherein the container has an improved self draining means featuring a radially inclined ramp which slopes downward from the container pouring spout in the radially outward direction. Beneath the drain ramp is an annular channel which receives liquids gravity draining from any azimuthal location on the ramp, and routes the liquids to a drain hole, returning the liquids to the container reservoir. One or more projections may be disposed within the annular channel to partially block it. This arrangement prevents any plastic shavings or other debris within the channel from migrating or being washed by the draining liquid to a location visible to the user or to the drain hole where such debris may contaminate the contents of the container.

Claims4

Dependent claims

An improved package for liquids, said package comprising:

(a) a hollow container for housing a liquid and having a body with a base at the lower end of the body and an integral upwardly extending pouring spout at the upper end of the body;
(b) a drain means comprising an inclined ramp contiguous said spout, disposed intermediate said spout and said body and having an inclination downward from said spout in an outwardly radial direction;
(c) an upwardly projecting fluid retaining means fused in liquid tight relation to said container and circumscribing the periphery of said ramp in spaced relation therewith to provide an annular gap therebetween;
(d) said drain means further comprising an annular channel below and in fluid communication with said annular gap, whereby said annular channel receives liquids draining from said ramp;
(e) a drain hole leading to the interior of said container, said drain hole being in fluid communication with at least one of said inclined ramp and said annular channel;
and
(f) at least one projection disposed in and partially blocking said annular channel.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.