Telescoping spout for liquid container with flow control

Abstract

The telescoping spout includes a base through which a flexible tube extends and a sleeve fixed to the distal end of the tube. The sleeve is frictionally received on the base and is moveable to a position remote from the base to extend the tube. The sleeve has an open end with a protrusion. A cap with a small aperture in its top surface is received on the sleeve. The cap is rotatable from a position where the sleeve protrusion seals the cap aperture to prevent all liquid flow to a position where the liquid flow rate through the spout is controlled by the location of the sleeve protrusion relative to the cap aperture. Flow rate control by rotating the cap can take place regardless of the extension of the tube. Removal of the cap permits liquid flow at the maximum flow rate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a telescoping spout for dispensing lubricant or other liquid from a container, and more particularly to a telescoping spout for a liquid container which is capable of controlling the rate of liquid flow through the spout at all positions of the spout.[0003]2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98[0004]Containers for various liquids are well known and commonly used for many purposes. Many such containers are made of flexible or semi-rigid material such as plastic or metal which can be squeezed by the user to cause the liquid in the container to exit the mouth of the container. Because the mouth of the container must be relatively large to facilitate filling of the container, it is common to have a spout associated with the neck of the container. The spout often has an opening substantially smaller than that of the mouth of the container such t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a telescoping spout for a liquid container. It includes a base, a sleeve, a cap, and a tubular section. The spout can be extended by moving the sleeve from the base to a position remote from the base. The cap can be opened and closed to control the liquid flow through the spout. The spout can be sealed to prevent liquid flow when the cap is in its first position. The base and the sleeve are designed to securely fit on the container neck and frictionally engage with it. A unique design is used to seal the cap when it is in its first position. The spout has an elongated section that includes means for sealing the cap aperture when it is in its first position. The cap has an external textured surface with non-textured portions. The sleeve has a protrusion that seals the aperture when the cap is in its first position. The spout can be maximize liquid flow through it by removing the third part from the second part. The third part has an aperture that is smaller than the diameter of the tube. The spout is designed to securely fit on the container neck and frictionally engage with it. The unique design is used to seal the cap when it is in its first position. The spout has an elongated section with means for sealing the cap aperture when it is in its first position. The cap has an external textured surface with non-textured portions. The spout can be easily mounted on a container and can be adjusted to control the liquid flow rate through it. This design allows for easy and controlled liquid flow through a spout on a liquid container.

Problems solved by technology

Because the target area to which the liquids must be dispensed may be small, or may be located in an inaccessible place, accurately dispensing the liquid directly from the mouth of the container to the target area may be difficult.

Moreover, in certain situations, because of the nature of the liquid being dispensed, it may be critical that the liquid be dispensed only to the target area and not to the surrounding area.

Lubricants fall into this category because they often must be dispensed to small, difficult to reach parts within large machines without contact being deposited on parts of the machine not being lubricated.

In addition, the flow rate of liquid which is dispensed may be an issue.

That is particularly true when a squeeze bottle type container is used because it is difficult to accurately gage the amount of pressure which must be applied to the bottle to dispense only the desired amount of lubricant.

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