Bottle with integral filler spout

Abstract

A bottle assembly includes a pouring spout which is integral with or affixed to a bottle. The pouring spout has an exterior surface having a smooth, feature-free length of at least 1 inch and which is configured so as to not interfere with closure members found in fuel filler necks of fuel tanks.

1 . A sealable bottle assembly having an integral pouring spout, said bottle assembly comprising:
 a bottle configured to retain a liquid in an interior volume thereof;   a pouring spout projecting from said bottle, said pouring spout having an interior surface defining a fluid flow passage in communication with the interior volume of said bottle, said fluid flow passageway defining an opening in said spout; said pouring spout being further configured so that its exterior surface defines a cylindrical portion having a smooth, feature-free length dimension of at least 1 inch commencing at said opening; and   a cap configured and operable to removably engage said spout and establish a fluid-tight seal thereto which closes said opening.   
     
     
         2 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the said smooth, feature-free length dimension is selected from the group consisting of: at least 1.5 inch, at least 2 inches, at least 3 inches, or at least 4 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said spout is not curved along said feature-free length dimension. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1  wherein the diameter of said spout along said feature-free length dimension is in the range of 0.75 to 1.25 inch. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the length dimension of the spout is at least two times greater than the maximum diameter of said spout. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said cap releasably engages said pouring spout through at least one mechanical connector feature. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said mechanical connector feature comprises a threaded feature. 
     
     
         8 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said cap engages an exterior surface of said pouring spout. 
     
     
         9 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said cap engages an interior surface of said pouring spout. 
     
     
         10 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said cap further includes a plug portion which projects into the fluid flow passage of said pouring spout. 
     
     
         11 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said pouring spout is integrally formed with said bottle. 
     
     
         12 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said pouring spout is removably attachable to said bottle. 
     
     
         13 . The bottle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said bottle assembly is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         14 . The bottle assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said polymeric material is a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. 
     
     
         15 . A method for the delivery of a fluid product comprising the use of the bottle assembly of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A sealable bottle assembly having an integral pouring spout, said bottle assembly comprising:
 a bottle configured to retain a liquid in an interior volume thereof;   a pouring spout projecting from said bottle, said pouring spout having an interior surface defining a fluid flow passage in communication with the interior volume of said bottle, said pouring spout being configured so as to be capable of activating one or more mechanical features associated with the inner surface of a fuel tank filler neck; and   a cap configured and operable to removably engage said spout and establish a fluid-tight seal thereto which closes said fluid flow passage.