Drinking spout and closure combination for a beverage container

Abstract

A drinking spout and closure combination for a beverage container includes a drinking spout constructed and arranged to snap onto a neck of the container and a closure constructed and arranged to snap onto the drinking spout. The neck of the beverage container defines an opening and the neck is shaped with an enlarged annular lip. The spout includes an annular channel having an inwardly protruding ridge that cooperates with the annular lip of the neck for a snap-fit assembly onto the neck. An inner wall of the spout seals against an inner surface of the neck. The closure includes an annular channel that is constructed and arranged to snap onto an annular lip portion of the drinking spout. The closure includes a pull tab for severing a portion of the closure to facilitate removal of the closure from the spout.

1 . A drinking spout and closure combination for a beverage container that includes a neck defining an opening, said neck having an enlarged annular lip, said combination comprising: 
 a spout with an annular channel having a radially inwardly extending ridge, said channel being constructed and arranged for a snap-fit assembly onto said enlarged annular lip; and    a closure with an annular channel having a radially inwardly extending ridge, said channel being constructed and arranged for a snap-fit assembly onto an enlarged annular lip of said spout.    
   
   
       2 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 1  wherein said spout annular channel is defined by an outer wall that includes said spout ridge and an inner wall that sealingly fits into said neck opening.  
   
   
       3 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 2  wherein said closure annular channel is defined by an outer wall that includes said closure ridge and an inner wall that sealingly fits into said spout.  
   
   
       4 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 3  wherein said closure includes a pull tab for severing a portion of said closure to facilitate removal of said closure from said spout.  
   
   
       5 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 4  wherein said spout is a unitary component, injection molded out of plastic.  
   
   
       6 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 5  wherein said closure is a unitary component, injection molded out of plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 6  wherein said portion being spaced apart from the remainder of said closure by a thin web of material.  
   
   
       8 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 1  wherein said closure annular channel is defined by an outer wall that includes said closure ridge and an inner wall that sealingly fits into said spout.  
   
   
       9 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 1  wherein said closure includes a pull tab for severing a portion of said closure to facilitate removal of said closure from said spout.  
   
   
       10 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 1  wherein said spout is a unitary component, injection molded out of plastic.  
   
   
       11 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 1  wherein said closure is a unitary component, injection molded out of plastic.  
   
   
       12 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 1  wherein said portion being spaced apart from the remainder of said closure by a thin web of material.  
   
   
       13 . A drinking spout and closure combination for a beverage container that includes a neck defining an opening, said neck having an enlarged annular lip, said combination comprising: 
 a spout constructed and arranged with an annular channel, said channel being defined by an outer wall having an inwardly protruding ridge for a snap-fit assembly onto said enlarged annular lip of said neck and a radially inner wall having an outwardly protruding ridge for sealing against an inner surface of said neck; and    a closure constructed and arranged with an annular channel defined in part by a wall with a radially inwardly directed ridge for a snap-fit onto an annular lip portion of said spout, said closure including a pull tab for severing a portion of said closure to facilitate removal of said closure from said spout.    
   
   
       14 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 13  wherein said spout is a unitary component, injection molded out of plastic.  
   
   
       15 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 14  wherein said closure is a unitary component, injection molded out of plastic.  
   
   
       16 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 15  wherein said portion being spaced apart from the remainder of said closure by a thin web of material.  
   
   
       17 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 16  wherein closure has a radially inwardly annular wall that is constructed and arranged to fit inside said spout for a sealed interface therewith.  
   
   
       18 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 13  wherein said closure is a unitary component injection molded out of plastic.  
   
   
       19 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 13  wherein said portion being spaced apart from the remainder of said closure by a thin web of material.  
   
   
       20 . The drinking spout and closure combination of  claim 14  wherein closure has a radially inwardly annular wall that is constructed and arranged to fit inside said spout for a sealed interface therewith.