The present disclosure generally relates to flame mitigation devices, and more particularly to flame mitigation devices used in portable fuel containers.
Portable containers for transporting liquid fuel, such as gasoline, provide a convenient way of replenishing expended fuels in devices that require periodic fueling (e.g., lawnmowers, vehicles, generators, ATVs, etc.). Portable liquid fuel containers (e.g., gas cans) are commonly made of plastic and include a removable spout that connects to a fill opening of the container. The gas can is usually tipped to pour the fuel out of the spout. An air inlet is sometimes provided along the top side of the gas can to equalize pressure within the gas can for improved outflow of fuel through the nozzle. Other container configurations are possible, for instance, the container could include a fill port and a separate spout for dispensing fuel, as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,910,835 and 9,415,994, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
When properly used many traditional portable fuel containers are safe and effective for their intended purpose. Unfortunately, by disregarding sufficient warnings, instructions, and common sense, a negligent user may improperly use the fuel container. For instance, a negligent user may recklessly pour fuel from a portable container onto a smoldering campfire or open flame creating a risk of explosion. Additionally, an exposed port in the fuel container creates a risk of sparks or debris entering the container.
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fuel storage device. The fuel storage device can comprise a portable container having a top portion, a bottom portion, and sidewalls extending between the top portion and the bottom portion. The portable container can define an interior that is configured to hold fuel. A fill port can be configured to receive a fuel nozzle, the fill port can be defined by a neck that extends from the top portion of the portable container. A flame mitigation device (FMD) can be contained within the neck and configured to allow the fuel nozzle to pass through the FMD. The FMD can form a barrier in the neck of the fill port and can constrict the fuel nozzle upon passing through the FMD to inhibit external debris from entering the interior of the portable container and to inhibit fuel from flowing back out of the fill port.
The FMD can be secured within the neck between a bulge and a shelf molded into an interior of the neck. The FMD can comprise a rim and a plurality of bristles extending inwardly from the rim. The FMD can comprise a plurality of sheets layered over one another, each sheet comprising converging slits that are offset from neighboring sheets.
The FMD can comprise an annular rim comprising a barrier extending inwardly from the annular rim, the barrier defining a rectangular aperture, and a plurality of bristles extending inwardly from one or more sides of the barrier, the plurality of bristles configured to cover the rectangular aperture.
The FMD can comprise an annular rim and can be substantially disk shaped. The fuel storage device can further comprise a spout configured to dispense fuel from the portable container. The spout can be located near the bottom portion of the portable container such that a fuel-to-air ratio at the spout is too fuel rich for ignition. The FMD can be configured to allow the fill port to serve as an air intake while the fuel nozzle is inserted in the fill port.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fuel container comprising a container having a top portion, a bottom portion, and sidewalls. The container can define a hollow interior for storing fuel. A spout can be in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the container. The spout can be rotatable between a retracted upright position and an extended downward position relative to the container. The spout can be located proximate the bottom portion of the container. The fuel container can comprise a fill port configured to receive a fuel nozzle. The fill port can be defined by a neck disposed proximate the top portion of the container. The fuel container can further comprise a flame mitigation device (FMD) contained within the neck and configured to allow the fuel nozzle to pass through the FMD. The FMD forms a barrier in the neck of the fill port and can constrict the nozzle upon passing through the FMD to inhibit fuel from flowing back out of the fill port and to inhibit external debris from entering the interior of the container.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fuel container comprising a fill port configured to receive a fuel nozzle, the fill port can be defined by a neck; and a flame mitigation device (FMD) contained within the neck and configured to allow the fuel nozzle to pass through the FMD. The FMD can form a barrier in the neck of the fill port and can constrict the nozzle upon passing through the FMD to inhibit fuel from flowing back out of the fill port.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a flame mitigation device (FMD) comprising an annular rim and a plurality of bristles extending inwardly from the annular rim, the plurality of bristles configured to converge to a central axis of the annular rim to inhibit fuel from flowing through the annular rim.
The annular rim of the FMD can be helical. The FMD can be configured to be removably inserted into a fill port of a fuel container. The fuel container can comprise a spout to dispense fuel, the spout can be separate from the fill port. The FMD can be configured to allow a nozzle to pass through the annular rim such that the plurality of bristles constrict the nozzle upon passing through the annular rim. The FMD can be configured to operate with a fuel tank in a vehicle.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a flame mitigation device (FMD) comprising a plurality of sheets layered over one another. Each sheet can comprise converging slits that are offset from neighboring sheets to inhibit fuel from flowing through the flame mitigation device. The FMD can be disposed within a fill port of a fuel container such that the plurality of sheets form a barrier in the fill port. The plurality of sheets can be configured to deform to allow passage of a nozzle. The plurality of sheet can also be configured to rebound after removal of the nozzle. The FMD can prevent a continuous stream of fuel from being dispensed out of the fill port.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The Figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify one or more preferred embodiments.
The accompanying drawings and figures illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the present description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of this disclosure. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label.
While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.
The present disclosure relates to a flame mitigation device (FMD) for use in fuel containers. The fuel containers disclosed herein are typically handheld, portable containers often referred to as gas cans. Although the FMD's disclosed herein are generally configured to be used with fuel containers that may be moved and carried by a single user, the embodiments disclosed herein may be applicable to other types of containers, such as containers that are much larger and intended to remain stationary, or containers intended to hold other types of fluids besides liquid fuel.
The example fuel containers disclosed herein may also include an outlet spout. The outlet spout may be coupled in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The spout may be movable between a dispense position and a stowed position. The container may also include a handle to improve ease in handling or carrying the fuel container device. The container may also include a fill port opening and associated cap used to fill the fuel container.
The FMD disclosed herein can be positioned within a neck of the fill port and form a barrier that inhibits unwanted debris or fuel from passing though the fill port. The FMD can include bristles configured to allow a nozzle to pass through the annular rim such that the plurality of bristles constrict the nozzle upon passing through the annular rim. Alternatively, the FMD can comprise a plurality of sheets layered over one another. Each sheet can comprise converging slits that are offset from neighboring sheets to inhibit fuel from flowing through the flame mitigation device. The plurality of sheets can be configured to deform to allow passage of a nozzle. The plurality of sheet can also be configured to rebound after removal of the nozzle. The FMD can prevent a continuous stream of fuel from being dispensed out of the fill port. The disclosed embodiments of the FMD can inhibit external debris from entering the interior of the portable container and to inhibit fuel from flowing back out of the fill port.
The present description provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Thus, it will be understood that changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add other procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments.
In some embodiments, the FMD 104 can be inserted into the neck 112. Upon coming into contact, the bulge 116 and/or the FMD 104 can be configured to bend or flex such that the FMD 104 snaps into a secured position between the bulge 116 and the shelf 120. As shown in
The bristles 132 can be made from polymers such as nylon or any other suitable substance. The bristles 132 can be flexible such that they constrict around the fuel nozzle as the fuel nozzle passes through the FMD 104. Such constriction around the fuel nozzle can inhibit external debris from entering the interior of the container 100 while refueling. The bristles 132 can also inhibit back splash out of the fill port 108 while filling the container 100. As shown in
For instance, the FMD 204 can include two clamping elements 248 along opposing sides of the rectangular aperture 244. The bristles 232 can extend from each clamping elements 248 and meet along a bisecting line of the rectangular aperture 244. In another embodiment, a single clamping element 248 can be positioned along one of the sides of the rectangular aperture 244. The bristles 232 can then cover the rectangular aperture 244 by extending from the clamping element 248 to an opposing side of the rectangular aperture 244. Similar to the embodiments disclosed above with reference to
As shown in
As depicted in
Various inventions have been described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples. However, they will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventions disclosed herein, in that those inventions set forth in the claims below are intended to cover all variations and modifications of the inventions disclosed without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The terms “including:” and “having” come as used in the specification and claims shall have the same meaning as the term “comprising.”
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