System for improved access to liquid in a plastic container and lid assembly

Abstract

The present invention is a system for improved access to liquid In a plastic container and lid assembly, to reduce time in pouring and eliminate dried liquid in the rim of the plastic container caused by pouring liquid over the rim of the plastic container. The invention uses two liquid-tight seals formed between a pour spout wall on the lid and a sealing channel on a plastic cap. Special structures are provided on the cap and the pour spout wall to form the liquid-tight seals when the cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for improved access to liquid in a plastic container and lid assembly comprising
 a. a plastic container comprising a bottom, at least one sidewall and a rim comprising a receiving channel,   b. a plastic lid comprising an upper channel for seating in the receiving channel, a lid surface and a pour spout wall integral to a bottom defining an opening in the lid surface, said pour spout wall comprising inner cap threads on a first side opposite the opening and on a second side a first protrusion located near the bottom,   c. a plastic cap comprising a cap surface and a sealing channel, said sealing channel comprising an inner wall comprising a sloped upper portion and an outer wall, said inner wall near a lower end integral to a perimeter of the cap surface and said outer wall comprising outer cap threads configured to lock with the inner cap threads,   
       such that, when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall, the inner and outer cap threads lock, the sealing channel and the pour spout wall join at a first location adjacent to the sloped upper portion of the inner wall and, at a second location, the first protrusion is compressed by the lower end of the inner wall, and two liquid-tight seals are formed between the cap and the pour spout wall. 
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a second protrusion located on the inner wall of the sealing channel, such that when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall the first and second protrusions join to create one of the two liquid-tight seals. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the inner wall of the sealing channel is slightly smaller than a diameter of the pour spout wall. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1  wherein the cap surface presses against the inner wall to hold the sealing channel in place when the plastic cap is sealed to the pour spout wall. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the plastic cap further comprises a turning grip on the cap surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 5 , wherein the turning grip comprises a major axis and a minor axis. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 5 , wherein the turning grip rises from the cap surface. 
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 5  wherein the turning grip is an indentation in the cap surface. 
     
     
         9 . A plastic lid for a plastic container for liquid comprising
 a. a lid surface and an upper channel at a perimeter for seating into a rim of a container,   b. a pour spout wall integral to a bottom defining an opening in the lid surface, said pour spout wall comprising inner cap threads on a first side opposite the opening and on a second side a first protrusion located near the base, and   c. a plastic cap comprising a cap surface and a sealing channel, said sealing channel comprising an inner wall comprising a slope and an outer wall, said inner wall near a lower end integral to a perimeter of the cap surface and said outer wall comprising outer cap threads configured to lock with the inner cap threads   
       such that, when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall, the inner and outer cap threads lock, the sealing channel and the pour spout wall join at a first location adjacent to the sloped upper portion of the inner wall and, at a second location, the first protrusion is compressed by the lower end of the inner wall, and two liquid-tight seals are formed between the cap and the pour spout wall. 
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 9 , further comprising a second protrusion located on the inner wall of the sealing channel, such that when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall the first and second protrusions join to create one of the two liquid-tight seals. 
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 9 , wherein the plastic cap further comprises a turning grip on the cap surface. 
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 9 , wherein the turning grip comprises a major axis and a minor axis. 
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 9 , wherein the turning grip rises from the cap surface. 
     
     
         14 . The system as in  claim 9  wherein the turning grip comprises an indentation in the cap surface.