Venting liquid dispensing spout for closed container

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to spouts for dispensing liquids from closed containers and more particularly to such spouts that are provided with venting means for admitting air to the closed container.

#2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of the dispensing spout of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dispensing spout of the invention.

#FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the spout of the invention in place on a container.

#The vented dispensing spout of the invention provides a device that can dispense liquid from a submerged neck or fitment of a container while admitting a stream of atmospheric air into the container. The device in intended for use with containers, such as those for bottled water and the like, that are made of blow-molded plastic or similar materials. Such containers are typically filled through a relatively wide neck. The neck is then covered and sealed with a cap. It is commercially preferable that the liquid be easily dispensed from the container, for example through a dispensing spout. Accordingly, the container is designed to be stored with the neck at the lower end of the container, and a dispensing spout is typically incorporated into the cap or closure. However, such an arrangement requires a means of venting the container to assure even and continuous flow of liquid. If atmospheric air can enter the container only through the dispensing orifice itself, the flow will typically be uneven and the stream will "gurgle".

#If a vent is provided that opens when the dispensing spout is opened, the liquid will typically initially flow out through both the dispensing orifice and the vent. The vent will begin to function only after the pressure within the container drops significantly below the pressure of the external atmosphere.

#The venting spout of the invention is provided with a vent that is occluded by a movable flap until the pressure within the container has dropped sufficiently to draw atmospheric air into the container. The occluding vent flap minimizes leakage through the vent when the spout is first opened, but then opens to provide adequate venting of the container.