Patent Application
20060081657
This invention relates to a pump apparatus for use either with or as part of a liquid container so to permit the pumping of the liquid from the container and its delivery into a receptacle which has a limited or small opening to receive the liquid.
This invention also relates to pump apparatus wherein pump apparatus is compatible with the vast majority of current portable gas containers on the market wherein said pump apparatus provides an improved method of transferring liquid gas from a portable gas container into a receptacle.
This invention also relates to an integrated container that has a pump apparatus integrally molded into the container itself, which provides an improved container for transporting and conveying fluid.
The present invention also relates to a system for transferring liquids from a container to a destination, and more particularly to a system for transferring fuel from a container to a destination.
Conventional containers for storing fuel and the like have been known for many years. Typically, these fuel containers have a closeable mouth for permitting the ingress of fuel, or whatever liquid, into the container, and for permitting subsequent egress of the fuel, or other liquid, from the container. The mouth is closeable by means of a cap that might be either a one piece cap or a two piece cap. Commonly, two piece caps comprise a collar that is also used to retain the removable and replaceable spout in place on the fuel can for dispensing fuel. In order to pour out the liquid from the container, the cap is merely removed from the mouth, and the container is tilted until the mouth is lower than the level of the liquid. Commonly, an air relief opening having its own selectively removable and replaceable cap permits ready airflow into the interior of the container. New environmental regulations are restricting these containers to only one opening.
Containers for storing liquids for transfer are used in many different applications such as for gasoline or other liquid fuels. The containers are filled up with liquid, such as gas, until they are required for use, at which time the liquid must be transferred. When the transfer for use is required, often a pouring nozzle is attached to the opening and the liquid is poured into a receiving receptacle using a funnel seated at the receptacle opening. Sometimes, due to the urgency or simply the lack of materials on hand, no funnel is available to the user, and the liquid is prone to spillage outside of the receiving receptacle. Even with a funnel, the pouring process can be difficult if the funnel is not properly seated. As well, the container, while filled with fluid, has to be lifted by the person pouring. Pouring liquids from these transfer/storage containers can be both awkward and strenuous.
Several attempts have been made in the past to overcome this awkwardness and strenuousness by introducing devices for or with transfer cans to facilitate the transfer from the container to receptacle using conduit delivery means.
Portable fuel containers have been around for a long time and are necessary for transporting and transferring fuel to numerous vehicles and devices such as lawnmowers, snowmobiles, boats, chainsaws, weed trimmers etc. and transferring the fuel between the portable fuel container and the gas tank of these items is typically done by lifting the container and pouring the fuel into the gas tank.
There have been many attempts at providing an alternate means of transferring fuel from one container to another and it has typically involved a pumping apparatus. Previous solutions and current products on the market have predominantly incorporated a manual pump onto a container so as to be usable in remote areas and these pumps have typically been hand pumps where these pumps move small volumes of liquid, which can be easily managed by the hand or arm. These systems are slow tedious processes because these pumps only move small amounts of fluid with every pump stroke by squeezing or turning of the handle, which in turn requires upper body muscular strength and for the operator to be reasonably physical fit to pump large quantities of liquids. An additional, shortcoming in these type of pumps are that hand pumps are inherently awkward and promote an uncomfortable posture and position when pumping from low-lying containers.
One pumping device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,528 issued on Jul. 2, 2002 to Alex et al for an invention entitled Siphoning Pump Apparatus. The patent teaches the use of a bellows pump, which is operatively, connected to the portable container with a siphon hose. Upon pumping the liquid can be siphoned from the portable container to the receptacle. This device uses standard siphoning principles for transfer, meaning that the portable container must be elevated above the receptacle for liquid transfer to occur and this relative positioning of the portable container to the receptacle is awkward and not always easily achievable.
Another such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,269 issued on May 30, 1989 to Cone for an invention entitled Liquid Container. This invention teaches the forming of a dispensing outlet uniquely located near the base of the container with a dispensing hose mountable to the container at the opening. Liquid is dispensed from the container through the hose by tilting the container. The location of the dispensing outlet permits the achievement of dispensation by only a slight tilting, but this is an extra physical act which also can be awkward for the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,955, issued Feb. 4, 1997, to Reilley, discloses a Gasoline Dispensing Container with Safety Feature. This container has a main body and a flexible portion having accordion like folds, angled at one side of the main body. When pressure is applied to that portion of the side of the body adjacent the accordion like folds, pressure within the container increases, and liquid is pumped from the container through a flexible hose. This patent teaches a Gasoline Dispensing Container which is laid over on its side and is designed to be stepped or pressed on. The main disadvantage of this dispensing container is the limited amount of pumping pressure that can be generated. Pressure equals force divided by area where in the force in this container is provided by a persons body weight and the area is the cross sectional area of the container. The larger the container the lower the pressure and the lower the pressure the slower the pumping system will become. A Gasoline Dispensing Container such as this produced in the sizes of a typical fuel container would not provide the adequate flow rate to make transferring fuel convenient or useful in this application.
There is a pumping apparatus product currently available on the market, which utilizes a bellows style air foot pump that is sold to be installed on the majority of existing portable fuel container and works by pumping air into the gas container, pressurizing the gas container in order to move the fuel out. The main disadvantage to this design is that portable fuel containers were not designed for this type of pressurization and this product presents the possibility of over pressurizing the fuel container, which may create a potentially explosive situation.
The disadvantages of the prior art discussed above is that they require a particular placement, promote an awkward disposition or are ineffective and difficult to use.
It is an object of at least some embodiments of the present invention provide a pump means for transferring liquid between containers that can be used with or incorporated into a transfer/storage container which is simple and effective to use.
It is another object of at least some of the embodiments of the present invention provide a pump means for transferring liquid between containers that can be used in conjunction with many of the standard liquid storage/transfer containers presently available on the market.
It is another object of at least some embodiments of the present invention to provide a pump means for transferring liquid between containers that can be used without having to dispose the transfer/storage container above the receptacle to achieve transfer.
It is yet another object of the present invention at least some embodiments of the present invention to provide a liquid transfer/storage container with a pump means providing for the easy and effective transfer of liquid therefrom without the user experiencing any awkwardness nor having to dispose the container at a height above the receptacle into which the liquid is being transferred.
It is another object of the present invention of at least some of the embodiments of the present invention to provide a foot pump to take advantage of the operators potential energy (body weight) and make use of the body's strongest mussels (the leg mussels) in order to operated the system.
It is another object of at least some embodiments of the present invention at least some of the embodiments provide a nozzle that allows for a spout to be removed and exchanged with different types of spouts.
It is another object of at least some of the embodiments of the present invention at least some of the embodiments to provide a comfortable safe upright ergonomic pumping position while pumping and operating the system.
It is another object of at least some embodiments of the present invention of at least some of the embodiments to provide a large pump that pumps large volumes of liquid and increases liquid transfer rate with minimal effort.
It is another object of at least some of the embodiments of the present invention at least some of the embodiments to provide a comfortable safe upright ergonomic pumping position while pumping and operating the system.
It is another object of the present invention at least some of the embodiments conform to environmental regulation on portable fuel containers which require the reduction of vapour emissions and spilling during storage and dispensing. By providing a nozzle with an interchangeable spout the present invention can be easily customized and upgraded with various safety spouts in order to meet these present and new standards.
It is another object of at least some of the embodiments of the present invention to provide to provide a liquid dispensing system that does not rely on siphoning.
It is a further object of at least some embodiments of the present invention at least some of the embodiments provide a liquid dispensing system that does not rely on maintaining an increased internal air pressure in order to dispense liquid.
It is an another object of at least some of the embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid dispensing system that can be used to dispense various types of liquids.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pump apparatus for use with a liquid container for transferring liquid from the liquid container, comprising: a pump means comprising a manually-operable pump for pumping liquid and formed with a pump chamber through which liquid is pumped by the pump, there being an inlet opening for receiving liquid into the pump chamber and an outlet opening for dispensing liquid out of the pump chamber when liquid is pumped through the chamber using the pump; a coupling means for mounting the pump means to the opening of a liquid container to permit the gravitational flow of liquid into the pump chamber through the inlet opening when the mounted pump means is placed on a surface and the pump pumped.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pump apparatus comprising a pump means and a container for storing and transferring liquid, the pump means comprising a manually-operable pump for pumping liquid and formed with a pump chamber through which liquid is pumped by the pump, there being an inlet opening for receiving liquid into the chamber and an outlet opening for dispensing liquid out of the chamber when liquid is pumped through the chamber using the pump; the container having a dispenser opening for dispensing liquid and a liquid chamber for housing liquid; there being a coupling means for mounting the pump means to the liquid container at the dispenser opening to fluidly connect the pump chamber of the pump means to the liquid chamber of the liquid container to permit the gravitational flow of liquid from the container into the pump through the inlet opening of the pump when the pump means is mounted to the container, placed on a surface and the pump pumped.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pump apparatus comprising a pump means and a container formed with the pump means for storing and transferring liquid, the pump means comprising a manually-operable pump for pumping liquid and formed with a pump chamber through which liquid is pumped by the pump, there being an inlet opening for receiving liquid into the pump chamber and an outlet opening for dispensing liquid out of the chamber when liquid is pumped through the pump chamber using the pump; the container having a dispenser opening for dispensing liquid and a liquid chamber for housing liquid; the pump means being integrally mounted to the liquid container at the dispenser opening to fluidly connect the pump chamber of the pump means to the liquid chamber of the liquid container to permit the gravitational flow of liquid from the container into the pump through the inlet opening of the pump when the pump means is mounted to the container, placed on ground level and the pump pumped. Preferably, the pump apparatus is further provided with a liquid flow control nozzle operatively connectible to the pump with a conduit hose mounted to the pump at the outlet opening to receive liquid pumped through the pump chamber by the pump.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a liquid dispensing system comprising a liquid container having a top end and a bottom end, and having a first opening for liquids to pass therethrough. The first opening is disposed adjacent the top end of the liquid container. A manually operable pump means is operatively connectable in removable and replaceable relation to the liquid container, so as to be in liquid receiving relation to the first opening of the liquid container. The manually operable pump means is positioned to contact a substantially horizontal supporting surface when the liquid container is rotated about a horizontal axis such that the first opening is adjacent the substantially horizontal supporting surface, to thereby permit the substantially horizontal supporting surface to support the manually operable pump means during pumping. A flexible hose is operatively connected in liquid receiving relation to the pump means.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a liquid dispensing system comprising a liquid container having a top end and a bottom end, and having a first opening for liquids to pass therethrough. The first opening is disposed adjacent the bottom end of the container. A manually operable pump means is operatively connectable in removable and replaceable relation to the liquid container, so as to be in liquid receiving relation to the first opening of the liquid container. A flexible hose is operatively connected in liquid receiving relation to the pump means.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a liquid dispensing system comprising a liquid container having a primary reservoir and a secondary reservoir. A throughpassage interconnects the primary reservoir and the secondary reservoir in fluid communication one with the other. A first opening in the secondary reservoir is for the ingress of liquid into and the egress of liquid from the liquid container. The secondary reservoir includes a manually manipulable flexible portion that acts as a manually operable pump means for causing the egress of liquid from the container through the first opening.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a dispensing nozzle for use in a liquid dispensing system. The dispensing nozzle comprises a main body having a coupling means for receiving a spout in removable and replaceable relation thereon. A spout is removably mounted on the main body via the coupling means. The spout is operatively connectable in fluid communication to a flexible hose for receiving liquid therefrom.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a liquid dispensing system comprising a liquid container having a top end and a bottom end, and a first opening for liquids to pass therethrough. A foot operable pump means is operatively connected in liquid receiving relation to the first opening of the liquid container. A flexible hose is operatively connected in liquid receiving relation to the foot operable pump means.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a pump system for use in dispensing liquid from a liquid container having first opening for liquids to pass therethrough. The pump system comprises a manually operable pump means, and a coupling means for operatively connecting the manually operable pump means in removable and replaceable relation to the liquid container, so as to be in liquid receiving relation to the first opening of the liquid container. There is also an outlet for dispensing liquid pumped by the manually operable pump means
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.
It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:
Referring to the drawings, the separate pump apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 15 is designed to be compatible with the vast majority of gas containers presently on the market. After the container screw cap 3 and container spout 4 are removed from the container 1, the pump apparatus including the pump 15 is mounted onto to the container 1, utilizing the container's screw cap 3. The fuel conduit hose 14, which communicates with the liquid flow control nozzle 13 is connected to the pump 15 by utilizing a barbed hose end connector 18 at the outlet opening of the pump 15. If required, the container spout 4, previously removed from the container 1, is screwed on to the spout coupler 30 of the liquid flow control nozzle 13. This is shown in
A coupling means attaches the pump apparatus to the container. In the embodiment illustrated, the coupling means includes a universal coupling ring 22 for connecting the pump 15 to the container 1. The universal coupling ring 22 allows the user to connect the pump 15 to a variety of different sized container openings 23, as shown in
Further to having the pump apparatus formed separately from the container, it can also be incorporated integrally into the structure of a container. As shown in the
The two embodiments as shown in
The embodiments shown in
The universal coupling ring 22 of the pump 15 has incorporated within its structure an air check valve 57, thereby, in use, only allowing air to flow into the container 1. This, during operation of the pump, permits the pressure within the container 1 to equalize.
The pumping check valve 56, if formed on the pump 15, can advantageously be positioned at either end of the fuel hose 21 or in the opening of the barbed inlet member 19. The pumping check valve 56 regulates the fluid flow so that liquid only flows in one direction, namely from the chamber of the container 1 into the pump chamber of the pump 15. When the pump top 26 is foot pumped by the user, the pumping check valve 56 closes to prevent liquid in pump 15 from back-flowing to the chamber of the container 1. The force of stepping on the pump top 26, during use, forces the liquid into the nozzle hose 14 and through the liquid flow control nozzle 13. When pumping pressure on the pump top 26 is stopped (i.e. the operator's foot is removed) the pump bellows 16 in the embodiment illustrated resultingly expands to draw in more liquid. As the pump bellows 16 expand to draw in more liquid, the third check valve within the spout coupler 30 closes to prevent the liquid from being sucked out of the liquid flow control nozzle 13. The closure of the check valve in the spout coupler 30 assures that the pumping check valve 56 opens to permit liquid to flow from the chamber of the container 1 into the chamber of the pump 15.
The pump core 54 of the container 1i of the integrated container-pump is formed with an air intake 50, an air way tube 46, an air check valve 53 and a pumping check valve 52 where the function of these features are equivalent to the valves incorporated into the embodiment where the pump assembly is formed separately from the container. The pump core 54 is located inside the integrated pump 15i. As the operator applies pumping pressure downwardly on the integrated pump top 26i, pumping check valve 52 closes and the liquid in the pump 15i is forced into the nozzle hose 14 through to the liquid flow control nozzle 13. Contemporaneously, air is drawn into the integrated container 1i via the air intake 50, through air tube 46, past air check valve 53 and into the container 1i. The air way tube 46 allows air to bypass the pump 15i and the check valve 53 prevents liquid residing in the chamber of the container 1i from flowing out through the air way tube 46. As the operator releases pressure on the integrated pump top 26i, by releasing his foot, the check valve of the spout coupler 30 resultingly closes and the pumping check valve 52 resulting opens to permit liquid to flow from the chamber of the container 1i into the chamber of the integrated pump 15i. This is better understood by reference to
Seal 47 of the pump core 54 seals the pump chamber of the pump 15i from the chamber of the container 1i.
The embodiments of the pump apparatus, whether it be a separate from the container or integrally formed with the container, are advantageously used with a nozzle hose, preferably comprised of a flexible plastic material resistant to corrosive liquids or chemicals, for receiving liquid from the pump and delivering the liquid to the nozzle. Reference in respect of the nozzle hose to
As well, both the separately formed and the integrally formed container-pump configurations have a container fuel hose 21, also preferably made from a corrosive-resistant flexible or a hard plastic material) which, during operation of the pump apparatus, draws liquid from the lowest elevation 10 and 10i of the chamber of the container 1, 1i. In this regard, reference is made to
The liquid flow control nozzle assembly permits the operator to connect different container spouts 4 to the liquid flow control nozzle 13 using the nozzle screw cap 12. It will be apparent that there are many different liquid container manufacturers and each manufacturer often provides their own uniquely designed spout with the liquid container. The liquid flow control nozzle taught herein is designed to be compatible to the vast majority of container spouts and each respective spout can be connected to the liquid flow control nozzle 13 using the nozzle screw cap 12 and threaded nozzle outlet end 30 design. In this regard, reference is made to
As shown in
As well, both the separately-formed and integrated container-pump embodiments of this invention provide for different design styles and shapes of the pump 15. Pump 27, for instance, is rectangular and has a hinged bellows design. In this regard, reference in
The liquid flow control nozzle 13, as taught herein, is a simple means of regulating the flow, incorporating a principle of operation that involves pinching the nozzle hose 14. In this regard, reference is made to
The invention as described above works well because it provides a pump mechanism that can be incorporated into a standard type container, either as an add-on or by integrated molding, and which utilizes gravity assisted feed. This is unlike other products which have to pull liquid from the container into the pump before it can be pushed to the nozzle. The gravity assistance helps fill the pump, speeding up the process and eliminating any requirement for an internal return spring to re-expand the pump after it is depressed during the pumping operation. The relative disposition of the pump and the container, when it is laid in dispensing disposition, places the pump at ground level so that the liquid in the chamber of the container is above the pump and a head pressure permitting the liquid to flow into the pump without energy having to be added to the system.
The system resulting from the employment of this invention is advantageous because there is no increasing pressurization of the container. This overcomes many of the problems with systems of the prior art which require pressurization of the chamber of the container to force the fluid through the hose and nozzle. Positive pressurization is to be avoided because it creates a danger of explosion.
As well, the invention described advantageously and preferably employs a foot-operated pump utilizing the operator's strongest muscles employed in an easy manner.
The invention is also novel in respect of providing a bellow foot pump for the transfer of liquid from a container.
As a further benefit, the invention works well and effectively when an auto closure spout is used on the end of the nozzle for dispensing liquid to ensure compliance with environmental concerns.
The invention as described in simple, reliable, easy to produce, use and maintain. Several advantages over the prior art further to those explicitedly described will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments illustrated are preferred embodiments only and the specification is not meant to be read in a limiting manner. The scope of the invention is as claimed in the appended claims.
Referring to
Reference will now be made to
A manually operable pump means 15 is operatively connectable in removable and replaceable relation to the liquid container 1. The manually operable pump means 15 is connected, as shown, to the liquid container, so as to be in liquid receiving relation to the first opening 1a of the liquid container 1. As can be readily seen in
The pump 15 includes a first opening 19a disposed at a barbed inlet end 19, for receiving liquid thereinto from the liquid container 1, and a second opening 18a, disposed at a hose end connector 18, for liquid to be dispensed from the pump 15. The removable and replaceable pump 15 is an add-on pump designed to be compatible with the vast majority of current fuel containers presently on the market.
As can be seen in
As can be best seen in
A flexible hose 14 is made from a flexible plastic material, and has an attached end 14a and a free end 14b. The flexible hose 14 is operatively connected at its attached end 14a in liquid receiving relation to the manually operable pump 15 at its second opening 18a, via the barbed hose end connector 18 on the pump 15. The container spout 4, container 1 shown mounted on the container in
A universal coupling ring 22, as shown in place and also additionally separated from the container 1 and pump 15, allows the pump 15 to be connected to container 1. As can be best seen in
The first end 14a of the flexible hose 14 is connected to the barbed inlet end 19 of the pump 15 and the second end 14b of the flexible hose 14 extends down into the container 1 and rests at the lowest point 10 of the container 1 when the container is in the pumping or fuel transferring position, as shown in
The liquid dispensing system 20 further comprises a dispensing nozzle 13 operatively connecting in liquid receiving relation to the free end 14b of the flexible hose 14 to receive liquid pumped by the pump 15. The received liquid is dispensed through the dispensing nozzle 13, more specifically through the spout 4 mounted on the dispensing nozzle 13. In the various embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing nozzle 13 includes an interchangeable spout 4 as can be best seen in
The liquid dispensing system has have various check valves at the pump core 54. A first air check valve 57, as best seen in
A second check valve 56 is a pumping check valve, and is best seen in
The pumping check valve 56 regulates the fluid flow so that the fluid will only flow in one direction, from the container 1 into the pump 15. When the pump top 26 is stepped on the pumping check valve 56 will close which prevents liquid in the pump 15 from returning into the container 1. The force of stepping on the pump top 26 will push the fluid into the nozzle hose 14 and through the dispensing nozzle 13. When pressure on the pump top 26 is released the operator's foot is removed the pump bellows 16 will expand to draw in more liquid. As the pump bellows 16 expands to draw in more fluid the third check valve within the spout coupler 30 will close to prevent the liquid from being suctioned out of the dispensing nozzle 13. The closure of the spout coupler 30 check valve will assure the pumping check valve 56 opens to allow fluid from the container 1 to flow into the pump 15.
Reference will now be made to
Reference will now be made to
The dispensing nozzle 13 also comprises a check valve 13b operatively mounted in the main body 13a, specifically within the coupling means 30, as can be best seen in
The spout 4 is operatively connectable in fluid communication to flexible hose 14 for receiving liquid therefrom, and more specifically is directly connectable in fluid communication to the flexible hose 14, via the spout coupler 30.
As can be best seen in
In order to start the flow with the dispensing nozzle 13 of this invention, as can be best seen in
In order to stop the flow with the dispensing nozzle 13, as can be best seen in
An alternative embodiment of the dispensing nozzle is shown in
In order to dispense fluid with an auto-closure spout 58, the sleeve sealing end 60 of the auto-closure spout 58 must be placed inside the tank opening 67 so that the sleeve hooks 61 are hooked on to the rim 68 of the tank opening 61. Once in place, the nozzle 13 is pushed downward towards the tank 66. In doing so, the sliding sleeve 59 will be pushed back away from the sprue sealing end 63 opening up the spout so as to allow fluid to flow out. When dispensing of the liquid is finished, the nozzle 13 can be withdrawn from the tank 66. The sleeve spring 64, which was compressed as the sliding sleeve 59 was pushed back, will return the sliding sleeve 59 to its closed position, thus preventing subsequent dispensing of fluid from the auto-closure spout 58, by bringing the sleeve sealing end 60 into contact with the sprue sealing end 63.
As can be readily understood, the auto-closure spout 58 precludes the dispensing of liquid from a liquid container unless the sleeve sealing end 60 of the auto-closure spout 58 is inserted into a container having an appropriately sized mouth.
In a third alternative embodiment, as is shown in
Reference will now be made to
As can be best seen in
The secondary reservoir 1s includes a manually manipulable flexible 1m portion that acts as a manually operable pump means for causing the egress of liquid from the container 1i through the first opening 1f. As can be readily seen in the Figures, the manually operable pump means comprises a foot operable bellows type pump 15i. Any other suitable type of pump may also be used.
A flexible hose 14i is operatively connected in liquid receiving relation to the first opening 1f of the secondary reservoir 1s, and more specifically, is operatively connected in liquid receiving relation to the second liquid outlet passageway of the pump core.
A dispensing nozzle 13i is operatively connected in liquid receiving relation to the flexible hose 14i to receive liquid pumped by the pump means 15i, and wherein the liquid is dispensed through the dispensing nozzle 13i. The dispensing nozzle 13i includes an interchangeable spout 4i, as can be best seen in
The second preferred embodiment liquid dispensing system further comprises a pump core 54 having an internal end 54a in fluid communication with the primary reservoir 1p and an external end 54b in fluid communication with the exterior of the liquid container 1i. An air inlet passageway 50 extends between the internal end 54a and the external end 54b. The exterior of the liquid container 1i is thereby in air flow communication with the primary reservoir 1p. As can be best seen in
The pump core 54 of the integrated container 1i contains the air intake 50, air way tube 46 air check valve 53 and the pumping check valve 52 where the function of these features are the same as that for the add-on pump 15 design described in paragraph 0028. The pump core 54 is located inside the integrated pump 15i. As the operator applies pressure in a downward direction on the integrated pump top 26i pumping check valve 52 will close and the fluid in the pump 15i is pushed into the nozzle hose 14 and through the dispensing nozzle 13. As this is occurring air is drawn into the integrated container 1i via the air intake 50, through air way tube 46 past air check valve 53 and into the container 1i. The air way tube 46 allows air to by passes the pump and the check valve 53 prevents liquid inside the container 1i from flowing out through the air way tube 46. As the operator releases pressure on the integrated pump top 26i removes foot the spout coupler 30 check valve will close and the pumping check valve 52 will open to allow the fluid from the container 1i to flow into the integrated pump 15i. The seal 47 of the pump core 54 seals the pump 15i chamber off from the container 1i area.
The liquid dispensing system has have various check valves at the pump core 54. A first air check valve 53, as best seen in
A second check valve 52 is a pumping check valve, and is best seen in
In a first alternative embodiment of the pump used in the second alternative embodiment liquid dispensing system, as can be seen in
Reference will now be made to
In the various embodiments of the present invention, an operator is able to pump gas from either container 1 or 1i into a receiving container in a controlled, convenient, safe and spill-free manner. To dispense the liquid the assembly of the container 1 and 1i respectively, pump 15 and 15i are rotated forwardly (see
The various embodiments of the present invention, as discussed above, have many advantages the prior art, as will now be discussed.
One advantage is that this system does not pressurize the container 1 in order to move the fluid. One prior art apparatus, as discussed above, requires the pressurization of the fuel container in order force the fluid through the hose and nozzle. This is a potentially explosive situation and is therefore highly undesirable. The present invention does not utilize pressurization within the containers 1 and 1i.
A second advantage is that any mechanical failure of the nozzle will not result in a spill or leak. The dispensing nozzle 13 does not utilize a mechanical valve to regulate the flow such as the competitive products. Mechanical failure is mainly due to parts that wear out. This wearing process can introduce contaminants into the fluid as it is being dispensed. The design of the present invention's nozzle 13 also eliminates potential contamination of the fluid being pumped. The nozzle design is especially appropriate for corrosive and even consumable liquids. Liquid will not come in contact with any metal or mechanism that could potentially deteriorate.
A third advantage of the present invention is that it is easy to clean and sterilize. The present invention can be used in situations such as pumping liquids for human consumption where it is necessary to clean and sterilize the components. For example, the pump 15, flexible hose 14 and the spout 4 can be used to pumping homemade wine into bottles. The nozzle and pump can be separated, cleaned and sterilized. The nozzle is designed to disassemble easily so the components can be cleaned and the flexible hose replaced quickly with a new clean sterile piece of tubing if required.
A fourth advantage of the invention is the spout coupler 30, which allows the user to connect various kinds of spouts presently offered on the market to the nozzle 13 of this invention. There are numerous fuel container manufacturers and each manufacturer has its own unique spout. Typical spouts are just a formed tube used to direct the flow of liquid from the container. Presently, new environmental regulations commonly known as CARB (California Air Regulation Board) compliance require manufacturers of portable fuel containers to provide spouts that offer an auto shut off and an auto closure feature which regulates the flow of liquid from their container. The auto shut off and auto closure feature stops the flow of liquid from the container when the spout is either removed from the receiving container or when the fluid level in the receiving container rises to cover the tip of the spout. These safety features prevent spills caused by over filling and these spouts can be easily connected to the spout coupler 30 of the nozzle 13 of this invention to provide further safety and control of the fluid transferring operation.
As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a liquid dispensing system a liquid dispensing system that can be used to dispense various types of liquids in almost any situation, that does not rely on siphoning, that is easy to use, and that does not rely on maintaining an increased internal air pressure in order to dispense liquid, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.
Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the liquid dispensing system of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional application 60/607,775 filed Sep. 8, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims benefit from U.S. Provisional application 60/672,424 filed Apr. 19, 2005 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60607775 | Sep 2004 | US | |
| 60672424 | Apr 2005 | US |
