Dispensing spout for solid items

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024190617-A1
Application number	US-202218062654-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 7, 2022
Priority date	Dec 7, 2022
Publication date	Jun 13, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

An example dispensing spout for solid items includes a first body tube portion and a second body tube portion. The first body tube portion may comprise a slide portion. The second body tube portion may comprise a connection portion for connecting the dispensing spout onto a dispenser. The slide portion may comprise a slide surface extending from an open dispensing end to a distal slide end. Solid items dispensed by the dispenser may pass through the body tube before sliding down the slide portion. The solid items fall off of the distal slide end, for example, into a collecting tray.

First claim

1 . A dispensing spout comprising:
a body tube having an open mating end and an open dispensing end located opposite the open mating end, wherein the body tube has a hollow interior extending between the open mating end and the open dispensing end; a slide portion sloping away from the open dispensing end of the body tube to a distal slide end, wherein the slide portion comprises (a) sidewalls extending away from the open dispensing end of the body tube to the distal slide end and (b) a slide surface sloping away from the open dispensing end of the body tube between the sidewalls; and a connection portion defining at least one engagement protrusion extending from the open mating end of the body tube, wherein the at least one engagement protrusion is configured to secure the dispensing spout to a dispenser.

2 . The dispensing spout according to claim 1 , wherein the body tube comprises:
a first body tube portion connected with the slide portion; and a second body tube portion connected with the connection portion, wherein the first body tube portion is detachably connectable to the second body tube portion.

3 . The dispensing spout according to claim 2 , wherein the first body tube portion and the second body tube portion are configured to engage via a snap-on attachment mechanism.

4 . The dispensing spout according to claim 3 , wherein the first body tube portion further comprises a first portion of the snap-on attachment mechanism comprising:
at least two attachment elements, wherein each of the at least two attachment elements are disposed at a first attachment interface of the first body tube portion.

5 . The dispensing spout according to claim 4 , wherein the second body tube portion further comprises a second portion of the snap-on attachment mechanism comprising:
at least two receiving catches, wherein each of the at least two receiving catches are disposed at a second attachment interface of the second body tube portion and configured to engage with the at least two attachment elements of the first body tube portion.

6 . The dispensing spout according to claim 1 , wherein the slide portion defines a concave surface.

7 . The dispensing spout according to claim 6 , wherein the concave surface extends from the open dispensing end to the distal slide end.

8 . The dispensing spout according to claim 7 , wherein a slope of the concave surface begins at a hollow interior surface of the body tube extending to the distal slide end.

9 . The dispensing spout according to claim 6 , wherein the sidewalls extend along the same curvature of the concave surface.

10 . The dispensing spout according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion extends from an external surface of the body tube.

11 . The dispensing spout according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one engagement protrusion comprises:
a first engagement arm and a second engagement arm, wherein the first engagement arm and the second engagement arm are configured to clip onto opposing sides of a component of the dispenser.

12 . The dispensing spout according to claim 11 , wherein the first engagement arm and the second engagement arm comprise locking features configured to self-lock with the component of the dispenser.

13 . The dispensing spout according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one engagement protrusion extends parallel with a longitudinal axis of the hollow interior of the body tube, wherein the longitudinal axis extends between the open mating end and the open dispensing end.

14 . The dispensing spout according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing spout comprises a plastic material.

15 . A dispensing spout comprising:
a body tube having an open mating end and an open dispensing end located opposite the open mating end, wherein the body tube has a hollow interior extending between the open mating end and the open dispensing end, wherein the body tube comprises a first body tube portion and a second body tube portion; a slide portion connected with the first body tube portion and sloping away from the open dispensing end of the body tube to a distal slide end, wherein the slide portion comprises a slide surface sloping away from the open dispensing end of the body tube; and a connection portion connected with the second body tube portion and defining at least one engagement protrusion extending from the open mating end of the body tube, wherein the at least one engagement protrusion is configured to secure the dispensing spout to a dispenser.

16 . The dispensing spout according to claim 15 , wherein the first body tube portion and the second body tube portion are configured to engage via a snap-on attachment mechanism.

17 . The dispensing spout according to claim 16 , wherein the first body tube portion further comprises a first portion of the snap-on attachment mechanism comprising:
at least two attachment elements, wherein each of the at least two attachment elements are disposed at an attachment interface of the first body tube portion.

18 . The dispensing spout according to claim 17 , wherein the second body tube portion further comprises a second portion of the snap-on attachment mechanism comprising:
at least two receiving catches, wherein each of the at least two receiving catches are disposed at an attachment interface of the second body tube portion and configured to engage with the at least two attachment elements of the first body tube portion.

19 . The dispensing spout according to claim 15 , wherein the slide portion defines a concave surface.

20 . The dispensing spout according to claim 19 , wherein the concave surface extends from the open dispensing end to a distal slide end.

Assignees

• Optum Inc

Inventors

• Gonzalez Albo David Dominguez
• Ciervo Bryan Michael
• Bovenizer Stephen Charles

Classifications

• B65B37/10

  of screw type · CPC title

• B65B39/00 Primary

  Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers · CPC title

• B65D25/48 Primary

  Separable nozzles or spouts · CPC title