Lin J Zhou

US Patent:

62961586, Oct 2, 2001

Filed:

Dec 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/452856

Inventors:

Lin Zhou - Miami FL
Cheng Shan Yin - Miami FL

International Classification:

B65D 572

US Classification:

222570

Abstract:

A flexible disposable spout removably mounted to the inwardly extending flanges found in certain types of cans, particularly paint cans, to ensure that its contents are properly poured out and no contact is made with the can itself. The spout has a cylindrical or frustoconical shape with two ends. At least one of the ends has two parallel and peripherally extending ridge members that are kept at a predetermined spaced apart relationship with respect to each other to cooperatively engage with the inwardly extending flange defining the can opening. The other end may be designed to also accept the same type of inward flange for an opening of a different size typically associated with a can of a different capacity or the same capacity with different opening dimensions. Thus the spout's cylindrical portion has a frustoconical shape. The peripheral ridge member farthest from the end is larger in longitudinal height than the one adjacent to the end so that it acts as a stopper against the inwardly extending flange when spout is pushed through the can's opening.