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`
`US 20060043056A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0043056 A1
`Lee
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Mar. 2, 2006
`
`(54) SPOUT ASSEMBLY FOR LIQUID
`CONTAINER
`
`(76) Inventor: Jung Min Lee, Seoul (KR)
`
`Correspondence Address
`WESTMAN CHAMPLIN & KELLY, P.A.
`SUITE 1400 - INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
`900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-3319 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/535,374
`
`22 PCT F'l d:
`(
`)
`1 6
`
`. 20 2003
`NOV ’
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/KR03/02517
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Nov. 20, 2002 (KR) .......................... .. 10-2003-0001764
`Jan, 7, 2003
`____ __
`__ 10-2003-0002574
`Nov. 20, 2002 (KR) ................................ .. 2002-0074146
`
`Jan. 20, 2003
`Mar. 6, 2003
`Mar. 6, 2003
`Mar. 31, 2003 (KR)
`Apr. 14, 2003
`May 26, 2003
`
`.......................... .. 10-2003-0004667
`.......................... .. 10-2003-0015278
`10-2003-0015279
`10-2003-0020306
`10-2003-0024527
`.......................... .. 10-2003-0035796
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`B65D 53/00
`(52) US. Cl. ......................... .. 215/344; 215/252; 222/551
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`_
`_
`_
`_
`_
`A spout assembly for a liquid container includes a spouting
`member formed on an outlet of the container, a closer
`coupled on the spouting member, a male seal structure
`formed on the spouting member, and a female seal structure
`formed on the closer, the female seal structure correspond
`ing to the male seal structure
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 1 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 1 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`FIG 1
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 2 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 2 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 3 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 3 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`105
`
`103
`
`FIG 6
`
`10’
`
`03
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 4 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 4 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`FIG 7
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 5 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 5 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`FIG 9
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`206 106
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`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 6 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 6 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`FIG 12
`
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`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 7 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 7 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`{FIG 13
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 8 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 8 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`FIG 14
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 9 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 9 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`FIG 15
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 10 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 10 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`FIG 16
`
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`211
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 11 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 11 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`FIG 17
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 12 of 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 2, 2006 Sheet 12 0f 12
`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`:FIG 18.‘
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 13 of 16
`
`

`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`Mar. 2, 2006
`
`SPOUT ASSEMBLY FOR LIQUID CONTAINER
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`[0001] The present invention relates to a spout assembly
`for a liquid container that that allow liquid material con
`tained in the container to be preserved for a long time by
`improving a seal state, and more particularly, to a spout
`assembly that has a female seal structure that is designed to
`be engaged With a male seal structure formed on a spouting
`portion of the container, thereby providing a high seal state
`betWeen the container and the spout assembly.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`[0002] Generally, beverages such as mineral Water and
`juice, or other liquid or gel material such as pharmaceutical
`agents and detergents are container in a variety of contain
`ers, Which is then packed, delivered, and sold. A closer is
`coupled on an opening of the container. In use, a user opens
`the closer and eXhausts the contents. When the content is
`beverage, the user drinks the content With his/her lip con
`tacting the spouting portion or using a straW.
`
`[0003] The container may be a synthetic resin bottle or a
`pouch container, or a paper container. When the container is
`the pouch container, a spouting body is attached on the
`pouch container and the spouting body is closed by a closer.
`
`[0004] HoWever, such a conventional spout assembly for
`the liquid container is designed to depend on only the
`coupling force betWeen the closer and the opening of the
`container, suf?cient seal force cannot be provided. That is,
`there may be a leakage even by small external shock.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0005] Therefore, the present invention has made in an
`effort to solve the above-described problems of the conven
`tional art.
`
`[0006] It is an objective of the present invention to provide
`a spout assembly for providing a tight seal betWeen a closer
`and a spouting portion by engaging a male seal member
`formed on the closer and a female seal member formed on
`the spouting portion in addition by screW-coupling the closer
`on the spouting portion.
`[0007] To achieve the objective, the present invention
`provides a spout assembly for a liquid container, comprising
`a spouting member formed on an outlet of the container; a
`closer coupled on the spouting member; a male seal struc
`ture formed on the spouting member; and a female seal
`structure formed on the closer, the female seal structure
`corresponding to the male seal structure.
`
`[0008] The male seal structure comprises a male seal
`projection formed on an upper end of a spouting portion of
`the spouting member, and the female seal structure com
`prises an insertion groove in Which the male seal projection
`is inserted.
`
`[0009] The male seal structure comprises a circumferen
`tial elastic seal projection formed on an upper end of a
`spouting portion or an inner Wall de?ning the spouting
`portion.
`[0010] The circumferential elastic seal projection is
`inclined outWard or inWard, and the female seal structure
`comprises a seal Wall tightly depressing the circumferential
`elastic seal projection.
`
`[0011] The female seal structure comprises an insertion
`groove in Which the circumferential elastic seal projection is
`inserted.
`
`[0012] The female seat structure comprises a circumfer
`ential inclined Wall for guiding the circumferential elastic
`seal projection.
`[0013] The spout assembly further comprises a tamper
`proof connected to the closer, the tamper-proof being pro
`vided With elastic projections and the spouting member
`being provided With hook projections, at least couple of
`distances betWeen the elastic projections and the hook
`projections are different from each other so that the elastic
`projections can contact the hook projection With time dif
`ferences When opening the closer.
`[0014] The tamper-proof is further provided With resis
`tance projections and the spouting member is provided With
`elastic hook projections.
`[0015] Aspace is de?ned above an attaching portion of the
`spouting member, the attaching portion being attached on
`the inlet of the container.
`
`[0016] A straW is inserted in the spouting portion of the
`spouting member.
`[0017] The spouting member comprises a spouting guide
`member extending doWnWard from an attaching portion that
`is attached on the inlet of the container.
`[0018] The spouting member is integrally formed With the
`container.
`
`[0019] The spouting member is attached on the inlet of the
`container.
`
`[0020] The container is formed of a paper pack or a ?lm
`pouch.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0021] FIG. 1 is a front vieW of a sectional vieW of a spout
`assembly for a liquid container according to the present
`invention;
`[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged sectional vieWs illus
`trating an assembled state of a spout assembly according to
`the present invention;
`[0023] FIGS. 4 to 12 are sectional vieWs illustrating a
`variety of modi?ed eXamples of male and female seal
`structures according to the present invention;
`
`[0024] FIG. 13 is a side vieW of a spout assembly of the
`present invention that is attached on a container body;
`
`[0025] FIGS. 14 to 17 are sectional vieWs of a tamper
`proof part of a spout assembly according to the present
`invention; and
`[0026] FIG. 18 is a sectional vieW of a structure for
`receiving a straW in a spout assembly of the present inven
`tion.
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0027] A preferred embodiment of the present invention
`Will be described more in detail hereinafter in conjunction
`With the accompanying draWings.
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 14 of 16
`
`

`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`Mar. 2, 2006
`
`[0028] FIGS. 1 to 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention, illustrating a closer is coupled on a
`spouting portion.
`[0029] In the drawing, a pouch container or other ?exible
`synthetic resin containers are exampled as a container. A
`spouting member 100 is associated With the container, and
`a closer 200 is coupled on the spouting member 100.
`[0030] The spouting member 100 comprises an attaching
`portion 101 attached on the container, and a spouting portion
`103 extending upWard from the attaching portion 101 and
`provided With a spouting hole 102.
`[0031] As a feature of the present invention, the spouting
`portion 103 is provided With male seal structure. The male
`seal structure comprises a circumferential elastic seal pro
`jection 105 formed on an inner circumference of the spout
`ing portion 103. The circumferential elastic seal projection
`105 extends upWard from the inner circumference of the
`spouting portion 103, being inclined toWard a central axis of
`the spouting portion 103. An upper end portion of the
`spouting portion 103 de?nes a male seal projection 106.
`[0032] A closer 200 that Will be associated With the
`spouting member 100 is provided With a female seal struc
`ture corresponding to the male seal structure. The closer 200
`comprises a top portion 210, a side portion 202 extending
`doWnWard from the top portion 210, and an inner closer 203.
`
`[0033] The inner closer 203 is provided With a female seal
`structure corresponding to the male seal structure of the
`spouting member 100. The female seal structure comprises
`a circumferential inclined surface formed on a loWer-end
`outer circumferential surface 204 of the inner closer 203 and
`a circumferential seal Wall 205 de?ned on the inner closer
`203 above the loWer-end outer circumferential surface 204
`to depress the circumferential elastic seal portion 105 of the
`spouting member 100. The female seal structure is provided
`With an insertion groove 206 formed on a bottom of the top
`portion near the outer circumference of the circumferential
`seal Wall 205. The male seal projection 106 is inserted in the
`insertion groove 206.
`[0034] An operation effect of the present invention Will be
`described hereinafter.
`
`[0035] In the course of assembling the closer 200 on the
`spouting portion 103 of the spouting member 100, a thread
`107 of the spouting portion 103 is coupled With a thread of
`the closer 200, and at the same time, the female seal
`structure of the closer is tightly interlocked With the male
`seal structure of the spouting member 100.
`
`[0036] That is, as shoWn in FIG. 2, the inclined Wall 204
`of the inner closer 203 ?rst contacts the circumferential
`elastic projection 105 of the spouting member 100 and
`pushes the circumferential elastic projection 105 outWard.
`[0037] From this state, When the closer 200 is further
`rotated, the inclined Wall 204 further pushes the projection
`105 outWard, Whereby the circumferential seal Wall 205
`depresses the upper end of the projection 105 to provide an
`enhanced seal. At the same time, the male seal projection
`106 is inserted in the insertion groove 206, thereby provid
`ing a tight seal (see FIG. 3).
`[0038] The closer 200 may be assembled o the spouting
`portion 103 of the spouting member 100 by a one-touch
`coupling manner instead of the screW-coupling manner.
`
`[0039] FIGS. 4 to 11 shoW a variety of modi?ed examples
`of the male seal structure.
`
`[0040] Referring ?rst to FIGS. 4 and 5, the circumferen
`tial elastic projection 105 is formed on an upper end of the
`spouting portion 103 and folded inWard or outWard. In use,
`circumferential projection 105 is elastically inserted in an
`insertion groove of the closure 200.
`
`[0041] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the circumferential
`elastic projection 105 is designed to extending upWard from
`an inner Wall of the spouting portion 103. In use, the
`circumferential elastic projection 105 is elastically com
`pressed by an inner Wall of the closer or an outer Wall of the
`closer 203, thereby providing a tight seal.
`
`[0042] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the male seal projec
`tion 106 is de?ned by a circumferential step formed on an
`upper end of the spouting portion 103. In use, the insertion
`groove 206 of the closer 200 is associated With the circum
`ferential step 106, thereby providing a tight seal.
`
`[0043] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the circumferential
`step 106 is designed to be foldable outWard. In use, an upper
`end of the circumferential step 106 is folded by the insertion
`groove of the closer 200 to provide an enhanced tight seal.
`
`[0044] FIG. 12 shoWs a modi?ed example of a female seal
`structure of the present invention.
`
`[0045] As shoWn in the draWings, the spouting member
`100 comprises the circumferential elastic projection 105
`inclined at a predetermined angle from the inner Wall 104 as
`the male seal structure and the male seal projection 106
`formed on the upper end of the spouting portion 103.
`
`[0046] The closer 200 corresponding to the spouting mem
`ber 100 comprises an inner closer 203 provided at a loWer
`end With an inclined Wall 204. A sub-insertion groove 208 is
`formed on the bottom of the top portion of the closer 200
`above the inclined Wall 204. The circumferential elastic
`projection 105 is inserted in the sub-insertion groove 208. In
`addition, an insertion groove 206 in Which the male seal
`projection 106 is inserted is further formed on the bottom of
`the top portion of the closer 200.
`
`[0047] FIG. 13 shoWs a detailed vieW of the spouting
`member.
`
`[0048] As shoWn in the draWing, formed betWeen the
`spouting portion 103 and the attaching portion 101 are a
`tamper-proof ?xing portion 108 and a hook projection
`forming portion 109. First and second spaces 111 and 112
`are de?ned betWeen the attaching portion and the hook
`projection forming portion 109 by circumferential projec
`tions.
`
`[0049] Guiding members 113 and 114 for guiding the
`insertion of the attaching portion 101 on the container body
`300 are formed extending doWnWard from the attaching
`portion 101.
`
`[0050] Films of the container body 300 are attached With
`the attaching portion 101 through a thermal-bonding pro
`cess. In the course of the thermal-bonding process, the ?lms
`and the attaching portion 101 are partly molten. At this point,
`the molten material ?oWs into the second space 112 to
`prevent the outer appearance of the container from being
`deteriorated.
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 15 of 16
`
`

`
`US 2006/0043056 A1
`
`Mar. 2, 2006
`
`[0051] FIG. 14 shows a structure in relation With the hook
`projection forming portion.
`[0052] The hook projection forming portion 109 is pro
`vided With a plurality of hook projections 110. The tamper
`proof 211 of the closer 200 is provided With a plurality of
`elastic projections 210 that are designed to be hooked by the
`hook projections 110 to break aWay connecting portions 209
`of the tamper-proof 211 from the closer 200. When the
`closer 200 is coupled on the spouting member 100, the
`distances A, B, C and D betWeen the hook projections 110
`and the elastic projections 210 are designed to be different
`from each other. When opening the closer 200, the connect
`ing portion having the smallest distance A is ?rst broken and
`the connecting portion having the largest distance D is lastly
`broken.
`
`[0053] The distances A, B, C and D can be designed to be
`reduced gradually or randomly. Instead of the connecting
`portions 209, a cutting line may be formed betWeen the
`tamper-proof 211 and the closer 200, so that the tamper
`proof 211 can be broken aWay as the elastic projections 210
`are hooked on the hook projections 110.
`
`[0054] FIG. 15 shoWs a modi?ed example of the hook
`projection forming portion 109 and the tamper-proof 211.
`[0055] As shoWn in the draWing, the spouting member 100
`is provided beloW the spouting portion With a plurality of
`hook projections 110 and the elastic hook projections 115
`Where the tamper-proof 211 can be hooked and ?xed.
`
`[0056] The tamper-proof 211 is provided With a plurality
`of elastic projections 210 that are hooked on the hook
`projections 110 or the elastic hook projections 115. The
`tamper-proof 211 is further provided With connecting por
`tions 209 formed near the elastic projections 210. The
`tamper-proof 211 is further provided With resisting projec
`tions formed near the connecting portions 209.
`
`[0057] FIGS. 16 and 17 shoW a closer 200. The closer 200
`having a tamper-proof 211 connected to a loWer end of the
`side portion 202 by the connecting portions 209. The elastic
`projections 210 are formed on the inner Wall of the tamper
`proof 211 and inclined in a predetermined direction.
`[005s]
`straW.
`
`FIG. 18 shoWs a spout assembly associated With a
`
`[0059] As shoWn in the draWing, a straW 400 is inserted
`through the spouting portion 103 of the spouting member. A
`tight seal is formed betWeen the spouting portion 103 and the
`straW 400.
`
`[0060] In use, When pressing or squeezing the container,
`the content in the container is exhausted through the spout
`ing hole 402 or a side bypass hole 401. The user may suck
`the straW to drink the content.
`
`INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
`
`[0061] As described above, since the spout assembly for a
`liquid container according to the present invention is
`designed to alloW liquid material contained in the container
`to be preserved for a long time by improving a seal state that
`is realiZed by a female seal structure that is designed to be
`engaged With a male seal structure formed on a spouting
`
`portion of the container, it can be applied to a variety of
`container for container liquid materials such as beverages or
`industrial liquid agents.
`1. A spout assembly for a liquid container, comprising:
`a spouting member formed on an outlet of the container;
`
`a closer coupled on the spouting member;
`a male seal structure formed on the spouting member; and
`
`a female seal structure formed on the closer, the female
`seal structure corresponding to the male seal structure.
`2. The spout assembly of claim 1 Wherein the male seal
`structure comprises a male seal projection formed on an
`upper end of a spouting portion of the spouting member, and
`the female seal structure comprises an insertion groove in
`Which the male seal projection is inserted.
`3. The spout assembly of claim 1 Wherein the male seal
`structure comprises a circumferential elastic seal projection
`formed on an upper end of a spouting portion or an inner
`Wall de?ning the spouting portion.
`4. The spout assembly of claim 3 Wherein the circumfer
`ential elastic seal projection is inclined outWard or inWard,
`and the female seal structure comprises a seal Wall tightly
`depressing the circumferential elastic seal projection.
`5. The spout assembly of claim 2 Wherein the female seal
`structure comprises an insertion groove in Which the cir
`cumferential elastic seal projection is inserted.
`6. The spout assembly of claim 3 Wherein the female seat
`structure comprises a circumferential inclined Wall for guid
`ing the circumferential elastic seal projection.
`7. The spout assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
`tamper-proof connected to the closer, the tamper-proof being
`provided With elastic projections and the spouting member
`being provided With hook projections, at least couple of
`distances betWeen the elastic projections and the hook
`projections are different from each other so that the elastic
`projections can contact the hook projection With time dif
`ferences When opening the closer.
`8. The spout assembly of claim 7 Wherein the tamper
`proof is further provided With resistance projections and the
`spouting member is provided With elastic hook projections.
`9. The spout assembly of claim 1 Wherein a space is
`de?ned above an attaching portion of the spouting member,
`the attaching portion is attached on the inlet of the container.
`10. The spout assembly of claim 1 Wherein a straW is
`inserted in the spouting portion of the spouting member.
`11. The spout assembly of claim 1 Wherein the spouting
`member comprises a spouting guide member extending
`doWnWard from an attaching portion that is attached on the
`inlet of the container.
`12. The spout assembly of claim 1 Wherein the spouting
`member is integrally formed With the container.
`13. The spouting assembly of claim 1 Wherein the spout
`ing member is attached on the inlet of the container.
`14. The spouting assembly of claim 1 Wherein the con
`tainer is formed of a paper pack or a ?lm pouch.
`15. The spout assembly of claim 2 Wherein the male seal
`structure comprises a circumferential elastic seal projection
`formed on an upper end of a spouting portion or an inner
`Wall de?ning the spouting portion.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1012
`Page 16 of 16