The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 10, 1996
Filed:
Aug. 30, 1994
Grahame W Reid, Novato, CA (US);
Innovative Molding, Inc., Sebastopol, CA (US);
Abstract
A threaded closure for large-mouth containers has a handle which swings up or down on a horizontal pivot, and closes a vent hole when in the downward position. A pour spout rotates on an inclined off-vertical axis, to store the pour spout closely alongside the top surface of the closure, sealing off the pour spout, or to rotate outward to an upwardly inclined pouring position in which the spout is open. The vent hole in the top of the closure has a negative draft for a snap fit with a nipple or plug on the handle. Another preferred element of the closure construction is that the handle is held onto the closure body with polygonally shaped pegs extending into similarly shaped holes in the closure body. The handle thus tends to stay in different selected positions when pouring. The plastic handle itself is molded to a smaller reach width, so that it is stretched when assembled and continuously exerts a force inward against the closure body, reliably holding the pegs in the holes. Another feature of the invention relates to the pour spout seal, which includes an upwardly dome-shaped surface on the closure, so that when the pour spout or spigot is snapped into place, a chamber-dividing web of the pour spout wipes across this domed surface with sealing pressure constantly exerted.