초록 ▼

An improved resilient pour spout for paint cans and similar containers that seals off the groove into which the lid of the container mates while preventing the liquid contents from flowing down the surface of the container. When not in use, the spout is stored on the sealed container in an inverted

An improved resilient pour spout for paint cans and similar containers that seals off the groove into which the lid of the container mates while preventing the liquid contents from flowing down the surface of the container. When not in use, the spout is stored on the sealed container in an inverted position so as not to take up additional space on the storage shelf. In this position, the trough of the spout will be tight against the container while its exposed outer surface provides a surface for retailers to display advertising. The spout also acts as a base for a second container that may be stacked concentrically above, thereby safely and neatly interconnecting the two containers. The pour spout has the option to be molded in a set so as to provide a carrier for the bulk shipment of several containers thereby reducing the cost of packaging.

대표청구항 ▼

What is clamed is: 1. A pour spout to assist in pouring a liquid from a container including a body having a top opening circumscribed by a rim channel for holding a lid covering said top opening, an inner rim inward of said rim channel, and an outer rim outward of said rim channel, said pour spout

What is clamed is: 1. A pour spout to assist in pouring a liquid from a container including a body having a top opening circumscribed by a rim channel for holding a lid covering said top opening, an inner rim inward of said rim channel, and an outer rim outward of said rim channel, said pour spout comprising: a generally horizontally extending channel cover for covering said rim channel after a lid covering said top opening is removed from said rim channel, thereby to prevent liquid from dripping into said rim channel after said liquid is removed from said container, a locking flange extending downward of said channel cover, said locking flange being adapted to extend downwardly adjacent said inner rim interiorly thereof, a lower outer flange extending downwardly of said channel cover, said lower outer flange being adapted to extend exteriorly of said outer rim, an imperforate liquid control trough extending generally vertically and upwardly of said channel cover, and an upper flange extending unwardly of said lower outer flange and upwardly of said channel cover, said upper flange extendinig around a circumference of the pour spout in an area around the circumference not occupied by the liquid control trough, the liquid control trough extending vertically upwardly of the upper flange. 2. The pour spout of claim 1, comprising a flexible and resilient plastic material. 3. The pour spout of claim 2, wherein said flexible and resilient plastic material comprises polypropylene. 4. The pour spout of claim 1, wherein said outer flange is tapered to a reduced thickness at a free end spaced from said channel cover. 5. The pour spout of claim 1, wherein said locking flange comprises a curved inner rim lock for snapping into engagement with said inner rim. 6. The pour spout of claim 1, wherein said outer flange further comprises an upper flange extending upwardly of said channel cover around a circumference of the pour spout in an area of the circumference not occupied by the liquid control trough, said liquid control trough extending upwardly of the upper flange. 7. The pour spout of claim 6, wherein said upper flange is tapered to a reduced thickness at a free end spaced from said channel cover. 8. The pour spout of claim 1, wherein said liquid control trough comprises a generally vertical convex exterior surface. 9. The pour spout of claim 1, wherein when said pour spout is inverted over said top opening, said outer flange extends upwardly of said outer rim, thereby enabling a second container to be stacked above said container. 10. The pour spout of claim 1, wherein said pour spout further comprises a horizontally extending stacking spacer adjacent said outer flange and having greater thickness than said channel cover, said stacking spacer evenly distributing weight of a second container stacked over said container. 11. The pour spout of claim 1, further comprising a pull tab comprising a web extending radially inward of said channel cover, opposite said liquid control trough. 12. The pour spout of claim 11, further comprising a curved brush wipe extending inwardly of said channel cover, said brush wipe being located at a position along said channel cover not occupied by said pour trough or said pull tab. 13. A carrier for a plurality of cylindrical containers, said carrier comprising a plurality of pour spouts in accordance with claim 1, each said pour spouts being attached to at least one adjacent pour spout by a connector integrally formed therewith. 14. A carrier in accordance with claim 13, wherein each said connector is sufficiently thin to facilitate separation of said pour spouts via a knife, scissors, or tearing. 15. A carrier in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a stir paddle integrally formed with said pour spouts. 16. A carrier in accordance with claim 15, wherein said pour spout includes a shaft and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly of said shaft, said shaft being suitable for connection with an electric drill in order to mix paint or other liquid. 17. A paint container including a body having a top opening circumscribed by a rim channel holding a lid, an inner rim radially inward of said rim channel, and an outer rim radially outward of said rim channel, said container including a pour spout shaped in accordance with claim 1 and inverted so that said upper flange and said liquid control trough extend downwardly adjacent an exterior of said container body, said liquid control trough extending vertically downwardly of said upper flange. 18. The paint container of claim 17 wherein said liquid control trough includes an outer convex surface displaying graphic matter. 19. A pour spout to assist in pouring a liquid from a container including a body having a top opening circumscribed by a rim channel for holding a lid covering said top opening, an inner rim inward of said rim channel, and an outer rim outward of said rim channel, said pour spout comprising: a channel cover for covering said rim channel after a lid covering said top opening is removed from said rim channel, thereby to prevent liquid from dripping into said rim channel after said liquid is removed from said container, an outer flange extending downwardly of said channel cover, said outer flange being adapted to extend exteriorly of said outer rim, an imperforate liquid control trough attached to the channel cover and extending generally vertically and upwardly thereof, said liquid control trough having an outermost free edge including a reverse curve defining an arcuate trough indented downwardly from said outermost free edge, and a horizontally extending stacking spacer adjacent said outer flange and having greater thickness than said channel cover, said stacking spacer distributing weight of a second container stacked over said container. 20. The pour spout of claim 19, wherein said pour spout further comprises an arcuate drip lip extending exteriorly of said generally vertical convex exterior surface below said arcuate trough and upwardly of said channel cover, said drip lip preventing liquid poured from said container from being transferred onto said convex exterior surface.