Liquid product dispensing package with self draining feature employing

Abstract

A liquid dispensing package is described which is adapted to dispense liquids without mess. The package preferably incorporates a measuring cup which is also the closure for the package. The package of the present invention includes a container for storing the liquid product and a collar sealingly secured to a dispensing orifice on the container. The collar has an extended pouring spout and a transverse drain back partition with a drain hole to collect and return residual liquid to the container. A drip concentrating member originates in the lowermost surface of the drain back partition about the periphery of the drain hole and extends generally downwardly from the drain back partition toward the pouring spout to form a drip concentrating point in the interior of the container. Any liquid spilled on the exterior of the drain back partition or draining back onto the exterior of the drain back partition from the cap after a dispensing cycle is completed coalesces at the drip concentrating point. Coalescence of liquid at a single point causes a larger and larger droplet to form at the point. When the weight of the droplet finally exceeds the surface tension forces exerted by the liquid on the drip concentrating point, the droplet falls back into the container, and the process is restarted until the bulk of the liquid has been redeposited into the container.