Vented spout assembly

Abstract

In a vented spout assembly for threaded engagement onto a fluid container, a flexible spout is provided comprising a first tubular portion with a connected cap, at least one corrugated flexible section, and a second tubular portion with an end face. The cap has at an end surface a vent structure having a flexible tube section and a slit in a side wall of the tube section and extending longitudinally. The slit has first and second abutting end faces. The first tubular portion has at least one internal projection extending inwardly from a side wall of the first tubular portion and which is positioned to contact the end face of the second tubular portion when the second tubular portion is inserted through the cap into the first tubular portion to prevent a leading corrugation of the at least one corrugated flexible section from engaging any thread of the cap.

I claim as my invention: 
     
         1 . A vented spout assembly for threaded engagement with a threaded outlet of a fluid container, comprising:
 a flexible spout comprising a first tubular portion with a connected cap having threads, at least one corrugated flexible section with a plurality of corrugations, and a second tubular portion with an end face, the at least one corrugated flexible section being located between the first tubular portion and said second tubular portion;   said cap having at an end surface thereof a vent structure having a flexible tube section and a slit in a side wall of the tube section and extending longitudinally along said flexible tube section, said slit having first and second abutting end faces formed of said side wall; and   said first tubular portion having at least one internal projection extending inwardly from a side wall of said first tubular portion and which is positioned to contact said end face of said second tubular portion when said second tubular portion is inserted through said cap into said first tubular portion to prevent a leading corrugation of said plurality of corrugations of the at least one corrugated flexible section from engaging any of said threads of said cap.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein another corrugated flexible section is provided and with an intermediate tubular portion between said at least one corrugated flexible section and said another flexible corrugated section. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of finger grips extend inwardly from said side wall of said first tubular portion. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein another internal projection is provided extending inwardly from said side wall of the first tubular portion at an opposite side and directly across from said at least one internal projection for also contacting said end face of said second tubular portion when it is inserted into the first tubular portion. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said internal projections are shaped as dimples and terminating with respect to each other at a distance across from each other which is less than an outer diameter of said second tubular portion at said end face. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein a spacing gap is provided between said leading corrugation and a leading end of said cap. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of 1 claim wherein an outer diameter of said second tubular portion is less than an inner diameter of said first tubular portion such that when said second tubular portion is inserted in said first tubular portion a longitudinal center line of said second tubular portion is cocked and angled with respect to a longitudinal center line of said first tubular portion such that a peripheral portion of said end face of said second tubular portion frictionally engages with an inner side wall of the first tubular portion. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7  wherein an outer peripheral portion of said second tubular portion frictionally engages at a corner located where said end surface of the cap merges with an end of the first tubular portion. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said vent structure has at a leading end a V-shaped termination and with said slit terminating substantially at a location where said V-shaped termination end begins. 
     
     
         10 . A spout assembly for threaded engagement with a threaded outlet of a fluid container, comprising:
 a flexible spout comprising a first tubular portion with a connecting cap having threads, at least one corrugated flexible section with a plurality of corrugations, and a second tubular portion with an end face, the at least one corrugated flexible section being located between the first tubular portion and said second tubular portion; and   said first tubular portion having at least one internal projection extending inwardly from a side wall of said first tubular portion and which is positioned to contact said end face of said second tubular portion when said second tubular portion is inserted through said cap into said first tubular portion to prevent a leading corrugation of said plurality of corrugations of the at least one corrugated flexible section from engaging any of said threads of said cap.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein another internal projection is provided extending inwardly from said side wall of the first tubular portion at an opposite side and directly across from said at least one internal projection for also contacting said end face of said second tubular portion when it is inserted into the first tubular portion. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein said internal projections are shaped as dimples and terminating with respect to each other at a distance across from each other which is less than an outer diameter of said second tubular portion at said end face. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein a spacing gap is provided between said leading corrugation and a leading end of said cap. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of 10 claim wherein an outer diameter of said second tubular portion is less than an inner diameter of said first tubular portion such that when said second tubular portion is inserted in said first tubular portion a longitudinal center line of said second tubular portion is cocked and angled with respect to a longitudinal center line of said first tubular portion such that a peripheral portion of said end face of said second tubular portion frictionally engages with an inner side wall of the first tubular portion. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein an outer peripheral portion of said second tubular portion frictionally engages at a corner located where said end surface of the cap merges with an end of the first tubular portion. 
     
     
         16 . A vented spout assembly for threaded engagement with a threaded outlet of a fluid container, comprising:
 a flexible spout comprising a first tubular portion with a connected cap having threads, at least one corrugated flexible section with a plurality of corrugations, and a second tubular portion with an end face, the at least one corrugated flexible section being located between the first tubular portion and said second tubular portion; and   said cap having at an end surface thereof a vent structure having a flexible tube section and a slit in a side wall of the tube section and extending longitudinally along said flexible tube section, said slit having first and second abutting end faces formed of said side wall.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein said vent structure has at a leading end a V-shaped termination and with said slit terminating substantially at a location where said V-shaped termination end begins.