1. Field
The present invention relates generally to spouts for containers used to contain and dispense fluid. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern a pour spout that is normally locked in a closed position to prevent inadvertent dispensing of fluid.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Conventional portable fuel containers include a spout for dispensing fuel from the container. Such containers are commonly used for conveniently supplying fuel to a wide range of powered equipment such as automobiles, boats, tractors, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, generators, and mowers. Furthermore, prior art containers are also configured to contain and dispense a variety of liquids such as water, oil-based liquids, glycol or other liquids for use in powered equipment or other applications. Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that many prior art fuel nozzles, such as those connected to fueling pumps by a fuel hose, include a valve for quickly controlling flow through the nozzle. The nozzle typically includes a housing and a valve-actuating lever, where the housing presents a grasping surface, and the lever is pivotally attached to the housing adjacent the surface to selectively open the valve. In this manner, a user can hold and position the nozzle, e.g., for dispensing fuel from the container into a refillable fuel reservoir, while simultaneously holding and depressing the lever with one hand to dispense fuel.
Conventional spouted containers suffer from various deficiencies. For example, prior art spouted containers fail to safely and conveniently vent during use. Spouted containers often present an opening spaced oppositely from the spout for allowing air into the container. Such vents are prone to fluid leakage and require opening and closing steps separate from opening and closing of the container spout. Another problem associated with prior art fuel spouts is that they tend to dispense fuel in a turbulent stream that can result in fuel spillage. Yet further, prior art spouts have been provided with safety valves for reducing the risk of accidental opening or tampering. However, such spouts tend to have unwieldy, complicated designs that are difficult to operate and expensive to manufacture.
The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a self-venting spout that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art spouts set forth above.
A first aspect of the present invention concerns a normally-closed pour spout operable to pour fluid from a container to a receptacle. The normally-closed pour spout broadly includes a fluid conduit, a valve, and a retention device. The fluid conduit has proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end being fluidly connectable to the container and the distal end being configured for fluid association with the receptacle. The fluid conduit forms a passageway configured to pass fluid therethrough and fluidly communicates with the container and receptacle. The fluid conduit defines a valve seat spaced along the passageway from the distal end. The valve is operably assembled with the fluid conduit so that the valve controls fluid flow through the passageway. The valve includes a valve element shiftable between a valve closed position, in which the valve element engages the valve seat to occlude the passageway, and a valve open position, in which the valve element is spaced from the valve seat to permit flow through the passageway. The valve element shifts in a first direction from the closed position to the open position and in an opposite second direction from the open position to the closed position. The valve element is shiftable in the second direction beyond the closed position to disassemble the valve from the fluid conduit. The retention device restricts shifting of the valve element in the second direction beyond the closed position to thereby prevent disassembly of the valve from the fluid conduit.
A second aspect of the present invention concerns a normally-closed pour spout operable to pour fluid from a container to a receptacle. The normally-closed pour spout broadly includes a fluid conduit and a valve. The fluid conduit has proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end being fluidly connectable to the container and the distal end being configured for fluid association with the receptacle. The fluid conduit forms an axially extending passageway configured to pass fluid therethrough and fluidly communicate with the container and receptacle. The valve is operably assembled with the fluid conduit so that the valve controls fluid flow through the passageway. The valve includes a valve body slidably coupled to the fluid conduit for axial movement along the passageway between a valve open condition, in which fluid is permitted to flow through the passageway, and a valve closed condition, in which the passageway is occluded. The valve includes a catch shiftable into and out of a locking position, in which the catch prevents sliding of the valve body out of the closed condition. The valve includes a retainer configured to releasably retain the catch out of the locking position so as to permit sliding of the valve body out of the closed condition. The catch is automatically released by the retainer when the valve body is in the valve open condition so that the catch is permitted to return to the locking position.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiment.
Turning initially to
The storage container 22 is operable to store fluids therein and is configured to receive the pour spout 24 as will be discussed in greater detail. The storage container 22 broadly includes a wall 26 that forms a container body 28, a handle 30, and a neck 32. The wall 26 also defines an internal chamber 34 that receives the contained fluid. The body 28 preferably presents an approximately parallelepiped shape. However, consistent with the principles of the present invention, the body 28 could be alternatively shaped, e.g., the body 28 could be barrel-shaped. The handle 30 and neck 32 are preferably spaced along an upper margin 36 of the body 28 and preferably formed integrally with the body 28. However, it is also within the ambit of the present invention where the handle 30 or neck 32 are constructed separately from the container body 28, with the assembly providing a suitable container for storing fluids.
Again, the handle 30 is integrally formed with the body 28 to present an opening 38 that is configured to receive a user's hand in the usual manner. The handle 30 extends generally parallel to a base 40 of the container 22, with the neck 32 being preferably spaced forwardly of the handle 30, i.e., adjacent a forward end of the container 22. However, the handle 30 and neck 32 could be alternatively arranged relative to the body 28 consistent with the principles of the present invention.
The neck 32 is spaced forwardly of the handle 30 and presents a substantially round mouth 42. The neck 32 is preferably cylindrical and presents a threaded outer surface 44 and an inner surface 46. The inner surface 46 includes a beveled portion 48 that receives a portion of the pour spout 24 in sealing engagement, with another portion of the pour spout 24 being threaded onto the threaded outer surface 44 to secure the spout 24 onto the container 22. The mouth 42 preferably serves as the only opening that permits fluid communication between the chamber 34 and the ambient environment. However, the principles of the present invention are applicable where the container 22 presents more than one opening that fluidly communicates with the chamber 34, e.g., where the container 22 presents a vent opening spaced apart from the mouth 42. The wall 26 also forms a locking projection 50 that is preferably spaced between the neck 32 and the handle 30. The locking projection 50 engages a portion of the pour spout 24 to secure the pour spout 24, as will be discussed further.
Again, the container 22 is preferably integrally formed of a durable and fluid-tight material. Preferably, the container 22 is molded from a polymer resin material. However, it is consistent with the principles of the present invention where the container is constructed from materials other than plastic, such as steel or other metals, or is made by manufacturing methods other than molding.
Turning to
Turning to
The nozzle section 66 includes an annular wall 75 that extends axially to present an axial bore that defines part of the passageway 62. The annular wall 75 preferably presents a slot 76 that extends axially from the distal end 60 to a location between the ends 58,60. The nozzle section 66 also preferably includes a guide wall 78 that extends axially along and is integrally formed with the annular wall 75. As will be described further, the guide wall 78 presents a locking shoulder 78a that is operable to engage the valve 56. Also, the illustrated walls 75,78 cooperatively define a chamber 80 that receives part of the valve 56. However, it is also within the ambit of the present invention where the nozzle section 66 is alternatively configured. For instance, the nozzle section 66 could be devoid of the guide wall 78. Yet further, the conduit 52 could have an alternative construction without departing from the scope of the present application.
Turning again to
The conduit 52 is preferably secured to the neck 32 by positioning the beveled sleeve 70 within the mouth 42 and in sealing contact with the beveled surface portion 48. Furthermore, an end of the neck 32 is located adjacent a lower surface of flange 68, with an o-ring 96 located in an o-ring gland 98 of the conduit 52. The beveled sleeve 70 is configured to yield slightly so that a tight seal is formed between the beveled surface portion 48 and an outer beveled surface 100 of the sleeve 70.
When threaded onto the neck 32, the ledge 88 rotatably engages an upper surface of the flange 68 to urge the beveled sleeve 70 into the mouth 42. The collar 54 is threaded onto the threaded outer surface 44 until the collar 54 forces the o-ring 96 into engagement with the neck 32. Thus, the o-ring 96 is captured between the end of the neck 32 and the lower surface of the flange 68. It will be appreciated that the collar 54 can be partly threaded onto the neck 32 so that the conduit 52 can be freely rotated relative to the neck 32 (e.g., to position the spout relative to the container 22 prior to dispensing fluid into the receptacle R). The conduit 52 is preferably frictionally prevented from rotating relative to the neck 32 when the collar 54 is fully tightened. In this manner, the illustrated construction helps to maintain proper positioning of the spout 24 so that the vent passage presented by the valve 56 remains positioned along a top margin of the pour spout 24 while pouring fluid with the spout 24. However, the principles of the present invention are applicable where the conduit 52 is permitted to rotate while maintaining sealing engagement between the neck 32 and conduit 52.
As the collar 54 is rotated clockwise onto the neck 32, the locking tab 84 engages the locking projection 50 along teeth 94. Removal of the collar 54 by counterclockwise rotation requires the user to depress the locking tab 84 in order to space the tab 84 apart from the locking projection 50. The collar 54 is removable by depressing the locking tab 84 and simultaneously rotating the collar 54. Thus, the locking tab 84 serves to prevent inadvertent removal of the pour spout 24.
With the conduit 52 positioned in sealing engagement with the neck 32, the illustrated pour spout 24 is operable to dispense fluid from the container 22. Simultaneously, the pour spout 24 is operable to allow air to be vented into the container 22. While the conduit 52 is preferably attached directly to the neck 32 by the collar 54, it is also consistent with the principles of the present invention where the conduit 52 is not directly attached to the container 22. For example, the conduit 52 and container 22 could be fluidly interconnected by a hose or tubing.
The conduit 52 and collar 54 are preferably molded from a durable polymer resin material. However, it is consistent with the principles of the present invention where the conduit 52 and collar 54 are constructed from materials other than plastic, such as steel or other metals, or is made by manufacturing methods other than molding.
Turning to
The illustrated valve disc 102 preferably comprises a piston with a generally circular cross-sectional shape. The disc 102 is operable to slide axially along an axis of the passageway 62. The valve disc 102 preferably presents a valve diameter dimension that is less than a minimum diameter dimension of the passageway 62, with the minimum diameter dimension being preferably located adjacent the proximal end of the conduit 52. As will be discussed, the valve disc 102 is sized to permit valve removal from the conduit 52 while allowing the valve 56 to occlude the passageway 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the minimum passageway diameter dimension preferably ranges from about three tenths (0.3) of an inch to about two (2.0) inches and, more preferably, is about seven tenths (0.7) of an inch. Also, the difference between the minimum passageway diameter dimension and the valve diameter dimension preferably ranges from about five thousandths (0.005) of an inch to about one tenth (0.100) of an inch and, more preferably, is about fifteen thousandths (0.015) of an inch.
The valve disc 102 also preferably presents an annular o-ring gland 116 that receives the o-ring 108 (see
As will be explained further, the valve locator 106 is used to control the position of the valve 56 relative to the conduit 52. The valve locator 106 includes a spine 122, a retainer 124, and a catch 126 that are preferably integrally formed with one another. The spine 122 extends axially along and is fixed to the rib 115 of the tubular body 104. The retainer 124 is elongated and comprises a latch that presents a proximal retainer end 128. The retainer end 128 preferably includes a sloped end surface 128a and a latch face 128b that extends proximally from the sloped end surface 128a. The end surface 128a preferably extends at an oblique angle relative to the latch face 128b so that the retainer 124 is shaped to readily permit releasable engagement with the catch 126. The retainer 124 extends proximally from the spine 122 to present the retainer end 128.
The illustrated catch 126 is also elongated and preferably presents a proximal catch end 130 and a base 131. The proximal catch end 130 preferably includes a shoulder 130a, a sloped end surface 130b, and a catch face 130c that extends longitudinally between the shoulder 130a and sloped end surface 130b (see
The illustrated valve locator 106 is preferably located along a forward-facing side of the pour spout 24. This positioning of the valve locator 106 permits convenient operation of the pour spout 24, as will be described. However, the valve locator 106 could be alternatively configured without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the valve locator 106 could include multiple portions spaced circumferentially about the tubular body 104. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment where the tubular body 104 projects proximally beyond the distal end of the conduit 52, the valve locator 106 could extend endlessly about the tubular body 104.
The illustrated valve disc 102, tubular body 104, and valve locator 106 are preferably integrally molded with one another. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention where the valve locator 106 is constructed separately from the valve disc 102 and tubular body 104. The valve disc 102, tubular body 104, and valve locator 106 are also preferably molded from a durable polymer resin material. However, it is consistent with the principles of the present invention where the valve disc 102, tubular body 104, and valve locator 106 are constructed from materials other than plastic, such as steel or other metals. Furthermore, the valve disc 102, tubular body 104, and valve locator 106 could be made by manufacturing methods other than molding.
Turning to
As will be discussed, the retained condition is preferably associated with the catch 126 in an unlocked position where the catch 126 is releasably disengaged from the fluid conduit 52 and thereby allows movement of the valve 56 in a valve-opening direction. Furthermore, the released condition is preferably generally associated with the catch 126 in a locked position where the catch 126 is engaged with the locking shoulder 78a presented by the guide wall 78 to restrict movement of the valve 56 in the valve-opening direction (see
When installed in the conduit 52, the valve 56 is preferably slidably received within the passageway 62, with the valve locator 106 being positioned within the chamber 80. The valve disc 102 and tubular body 104 preferably present a valve diameter dimension that is less than a diameter dimension of the passageway 62. The illustrated valve 56 is preferably configured to occlude the passageway 62 when the o-ring 108 is seated onto the inner rib 72 in a closed valve position. In other words, the valve 56 is operable to slide into and out of sealing engagement with the inner rib 72. However, the valve 56 could be alternatively configured without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the valve disc 102 could have an alternative shape, such as a spherical shape. Also, the valve 56 could be alternatively shiftably supported and/or positioned relative to the conduit 52. For example, the valve 56 could be pivotally attached to the conduit 52, e.g., such as a butterfly valve or ball valve. Yet further, the o-ring 108 could be mounted on another part of the valve 56 so that the valve 56 is shiftable into and out of sealing engagement with the o-ring in the closed valve position. For instance, the inner surface of the conduit 52 could include an o-ring gland adjacent the inner rib 72 to receive the o-ring 108.
The valve disc 102 is preferably slidable from the closed valve position to an open valve position by shifting the valve 56 proximally in a valve opening direction. The illustrated valve body 104 preferably has a closed valve condition associated with the closed valve position where the openings 118 are not exposed from the conduit 52 to restrict fluid flow through the spout 24. Similarly, the valve body 104 preferably has an open valve condition associated with the open valve position where the openings 118 are exposed from the conduit 52 to allow fluid flow through the spout 24 (see
The open valve position of the valve disc 102 is preferably associated with the open valve condition of the valve body 104 so that the valve disc 102 and valve body 104 cooperatively open the valve. Also, the closed valve position of the valve disc 102 is preferably associated with the closed valve condition of the valve body 104 so that the valve disc 102 and valve body 104 cooperatively close the valve. However, it is within the ambit of the present invention where the valve disc 102 and valve body 104 are independently shiftable to independently permit fluid flow through the conduit 52.
In the open valve position, the illustrated valve 56 permits fluid within the container 22 to be poured out of the spout 24 by passing through the openings 118 and through the passage 120 (see
Preferably, the spring 110 is a coil spring and is positioned in the chamber 80. Furthermore, the spring 110 is preferably located between the base section 64 and the retainer 124. The spring 110 pushes in a distal direction against the valve locator 106 when the spring 110 is compressed. Thus, the valve spring 110 normally biases the valve 56 into engagement with the inner rib 72; that is, the spring 110 urges the valve 56 into the closed valve position. The valve 56 is consequently a normally-closed valve. Application of a force onto the valve 56 in the valve opening direction serves to shift the valve 56 out of the closed valve position if that force overcomes the bias of the spring 110. In the illustrated embodiment, such a valve-opening force is preferably applied to the distal end of the spine 122 and to an adjacent part of the longitudinal rib 115 (e.g., when the neck of receptacle R engages the spout 24). While the illustrated spring 110 is preferred for biasing the valve 56 into the closed valve position, it is within the scope of the present invention where the pour spout 24 uses an alternative biasing device (such as a biasing element integrally formed as part of the valve).
In the closed valve position, the o-ring 108 is seated against the inner rib 72. When seated against the inner rib 72, the o-ring 108 preferably restricts further movement of the valve 56 in the valve closing direction. As a result, the o-ring 108 preferably operates to restrict the valve 56 from being removed from the conduit 52 in a valve removal direction, which is preferably the same as the valve closing direction in the illustrated embodiment. In this manner, the o-ring 108 preferably operates to provide sealing engagement between the valve 56 and conduit 52 and also serves to retain the valve 56 within the conduit 52. However, for some aspects of the present invention, the o-ring 108 could be used to provide only sealing engagement between the valve 56 and conduit 52. Alternatively, the o-ring 108 could be used only for providing retention of the valve 56 within the conduit 52.
Preferably, the o-ring 108 is the sole retention element that restricts movement of the valve 56 out of the conduit 52 in the valve removal direction. It has been found that this construction provides a very simple valve design in that the illustrated conduit 52 and valve 54 each comprise unitary molded components that are slidably interconnected and retained in operable association by a single o-ring. However, for some aspects of the invention, the spout 24 could include an alternative retention device to restrict valve removal by shifting the valve in the valve removal direction beyond the closed valve position.
Preferably, the valve 56 can be removed from the conduit 52 by removing the o-ring 108 from the valve disc 102 and then sliding the remainder of the valve 56 out of the conduit 52 in the valve removal direction beyond the closed valve position. Removal of the valve 56 is preferably permitted because the valve disc 102 and tubular body 104 present a valve diameter dimension that is less than the passageway diameter dimension.
Also in the closed valve position, the catch 126 can be located relative to the conduit 52 in either the locked position or the unlocked position. In the locked position, the catch 126 releasably engages the conduit 52 to restrict valve movement in the valve-opening direction (see
To shift the valve 56 from the closed valve position to the open valve position, the catch 126 is shifted out of latching interengagement with the retainer 124 into the retained condition so as to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. Again, the catch 126 is shifted from the locked position to the unlocked position by pressing the catch 126 along outer surface 134 until the catch end 130 is snapped into engagement with and held by the retainer end 128 in the retained condition (see
For pouring fluid from the container 20, the container 20 is preferably moved from an upright orientation (see
Turning to
For some aspects of the present invention, the valve 56 could be moved to one of several intermediate valve locations between the open and closed valve positions so that fluid can be poured through the conduit 52 at a lower flow rate than that associated with the open valve position. For some intermediate valve locations, the trip element 136 is not moved far enough in a proximal direction to shift the catch 126 into the released condition. In such an instance, the catch 126 would remain in the retained condition as the valve 56 is returned to the closed valve position. Furthermore, if the catch 126 continues to be retained, the catch 126 would not return itself to the locked position. That is, the catch 126 would have to be manually returned to the locked position by a user. However, the principles of the present invention are applicable where any proximal movement of the valve 56 out of the closed valve position would trigger the release of the catch 126 so that the catch 126 would automatically return itself to the locked position upon valve closure.
While the catch 126 preferably includes the trip element 136, it is also within the scope of the present invention where the guide wall 78 includes the trip element for shifting the catch end 130 out of engagement with the retainer end 128 as the valve 56 is opened. Also, for some aspects of the present invention, the spout 24 could have other alternative features so that the spout 24 returns to the locked condition after the valve is opened.
The valve 56 is assembled within the conduit 52 by placing the spring 110 in the chamber 80. The valve structure including the valve disc 102, tubular body 104, and valve locator 106 is then inserted without the o-ring 108 into the conduit 52. Insertion occurs by placing the valve disc 102 into the distal end 60 of the conduit 52 and sliding the valve structure proximally. At the same time, the longitudinal rib 115 is aligned with the slot 76. The o-ring 108 is installed onto the valve disc 102 by sliding the valve structure proximally until the valve disc 102 is exposed.
Valve disassembly is performed by initially removing the o-ring 108 from the valve disc 102. The remainder of the valve 56 can then be removed by sliding the valve structure distally out of the conduit 52.
In operation, the pour spout 24 is normally closed and is used to selectively dispense fluid from the container 22. To dispense fluid, the catch 126 is shifted into the unlocked position to allow opening of the valve 56. The spouted container is then preferably moved from an upright orientation (see
With the spout 24 contacting the neck, the container 22 is then moved in a generally downward direction relative to the receptacle R so that the valve 56 is shifted from the closed valve position to the open valve position. By shifting the valve 56 into the open valve position, the spout 24 permits a maximum rate of fluid flow through the conduit 52. Also, as the valve 56 is shifted into the open valve position, the trip element 136 engages the guide wall 78 and shifts the catch 126 into the released condition (see
Again, for some aspects of the present invention, the valve 56 could be moved to one of several intermediate locations between the open and closed valve positions where a lower rate of fluid flow is permitted through the conduit 52.
The valve 56 is returned to the closed valve position by lifting the spouted container 22 in a generally upward direction away from the receptacle R. If the valve 56 is returned to the closed valve position with the catch 126 in the released condition, the catch end 130 will automatically shift into locking engagement with the guide wall 78. If the valve 56 is returned to the closed valve position with the catch 126 in the retained condition, the catch end 130 can be manually shifted out of engagement with the retainer end 128 and into locking engagement with the guide wall 78.
The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20140021222 A1 | Jan 2014 | US |