Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6227419
-
Patent Number
6,227,419
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, August 18, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 8, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Kaufman; Joseph A.
- Bonderer; David A.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 222 484
- 222 518
- 222 522
- 222 523
- 222 525
- 222 514
- 141 290
- 141 291
- 141 292
- 141 295
- 141 349
- 141 351
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A spout for a container is shown having a conduit, a closure for preventing fluid flow through the conduit, an opener that is openable by inserting it into the opening of a container to be filled, and a vent passage that is opened to permit the flow of gas into the container when the conduit is opened for fluid flow.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a pour spout for a container. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-stopping spout that vents air as a fluid is coincidentally poured.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates to a spout for a container. The spout includes a conduit having a first end connected to the container, an aperture and a second end adapted to be inserted into an opening. The spout also includes a closure, an opener, a vent passage disposed in the conduit and a valve. The closure prevents flow through the conduit. Specifically, the closure has a closed position that inhibits flow through the conduit and an open position that allows flow through the conduit. The opener is movably responsive to inserting the conduit into the opening. More specifically, the opener moves the closure from the closed position to the open position in response to inserting the conduit into the opening. The vent passage has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is disposed within the aperture. The valve is disposed in the vent passage for permitting a flow of air through the inlet into the vent passage during a flow of fluid through the conduit from the container into the opening.
The present invention further relates to a spout for a container. The spout includes a conduit having a first end connected to the container, an aperture, a second end adapted to be inserted in an opening and a conduit wall connecting the first end and the second end. The spout also includes a closure, an opener, a vent passage and a valve. The closure prevents flow through the conduit. Specifically, the closure has a closed position to inhibit flow through the conduit and an open position to allow flow through the conduit. The opener is movably responsive to inserting the conduit into the opening. More specifically, the opener moves the closure from the closed position to the open position in response to inserting the conduit into the opening. The vent passage has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is disposed within the aperture. The vent passage also has a passage wall disposed between the inlet and the outlet and in contact with the conduit wall. The valve is disposed in the vent passage for permitting a flow of air through the inlet into the vent passage during a flow of fluid through the conduit from the container into the opening.
The present invention even further relates to a spout for a container. The spout includes a conduit having a first end connected to the container, an aperture, a second end adapted to be inserted in an opening, and a conduit wall connecting the first end and the second end. The spout also includes a closure, an opener, a vent passage and a valve. The closure prevents flow through the conduit. Specifically, the closure has a closed position to inhibit flow through the conduit and an open position to allow flow through the conduit. The opener is movably responsive to inserting the conduit into the opening. More specifically, the opener moves the closure from the closed position to the open position in response to inserting the conduit into the opening. The vent passage has an inlet, an outlet, and a passage wall. The inlet is disposed within the aperture. The passage wall is disposed between the inlet and the outlet and external to the conduit wall. The valve is disposed in the vent passage for permitting a flow of air through the inlet into the vent passage during a flow of fluid through the conduit into the opening.
Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a side elevational view of a conventional fluid container with the improved spout affixed to the opening of the container;
FIG. 2
is an enlarged, detailed sectional view of the spout shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 2A
is an enlarged, detailed sectional view of the spout shown in
FIG. 1
, taken along region
2
A—
2
A of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 3
is an enlarged view of the spout shown in
FIG. 1
, taken along line
3
—
3
of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 4
is a view of the spout shown in
FIG. 2
, illustrating the operational position of the spout;
FIG. 5
is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the spout shown in
FIG. 2
, illustrating the vent tube as integral with the closure plate;
FIG. 6
is a sectional view of another embodiment of a spout shown in
FIG. 2
, illustrating a check valve in the closed state;
FIG. 7
is a sectional view of the spout shown in
FIG. 6
, illustrating the check valve in the open state;
FIG. 8
is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the spout shown in
FIG. 2
, illustrating a recessed vent tube;
FIG. 9
is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the spout shown in
FIG. 2
, illustrating a protruding vent tube;
FIG. 10
is a sectional view of yet a further embodiment of the spout shown in
FIG. 2
, illustrating an off-centered, integral vent tube;
FIG. 11
is a sectional view of still a further embodiment of the spout shown in
FIG. 2
, illustrating a peripherally-disposed vent tube;
FIG. 12
is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the spout shown in
FIG. 2
, illustrating an external vent tube; and
FIG. 13
is a sectional of an alternative embodiment of a spout shown in FIG.
12
.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to
FIG. 1
, a spout
10
is shown affixed to a conventional fluid container
12
disposed on a horizontal surface
14
. Most particularly, fluid container
12
is ventless (i.e., fluid container
12
does not have a venting apparatus). Spout
10
is typically used for pouring a fluid (e.g., gasoline) from fluid container
12
to a receiving receptacle, such as, a fuel tank of a lawn mower or other motorized vehicle.
In the preferred embodiment, spout
10
includes a conduit
16
integral with screw cap
18
. Screw cap
18
is configured to rotatably affix around a neck or perimeter
20
defining an opening region
21
(
FIG. 2
) of fluid container
12
. Conduit
16
includes an actuating sleeve
22
telescoping over a base
24
. In particular, base
24
of conduit
16
is integral with screw cap
18
. Alternatively, base
24
of conduit
16
can be configured to be releasably affixed to screw cap
18
. Both screw cap
18
and base
24
can be manufactured from a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, a plurality of spaced-apart ribs
26
circumferentially extend from the exterior surface of actuating sleeve
22
. While screw cap
18
is connected to neck
20
of fluid container
12
, actuating sleeve
22
is adapted for insertion into an opening of the receiving receptacle or tank. Actuating sleeve
22
is preferably made of either nylon, acetal or HDPE. Alternatively, actuating sleeve
22
can be manufactured from other resilient, corrosive-resistant materials.
As best shown in
FIG. 2
, an internal conduit wall
28
connects base
24
to actuating sleeve
22
and circumferentially defines a diameter of a hollow cavity or a lumen
30
within the span of conduit
16
. An aperture
32
extends a distance both outwardly and inwardly (i.e., both above and below) from a terminus
34
on actuating sleeve
22
. The plane containing terminus
34
is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal access of conduit wall
28
.
Conduit
16
further includes an elongated vent tube
36
affixedly passing through a valve or a closure plate
38
disposed within and substantially extending across the diameter of the lumen
30
as shown in
FIGS. 2
,
5
,
10
and
12
. More specifically, as detailed in
FIG. 2A
, a bottom end
40
of vent tube
36
is fixedly inserted or molded within the substance of closure plate
38
and preferably does not extend into opening region
21
of fluid container
12
. In addition to bottom end
40
, vent tube
36
also includes a top end
41
, an inlet
42
, an outlet
44
and a passage wall
46
. Passage wall
46
connects top end
41
to bottom end
40
and circumferentially defines a passage lumen
48
within vent tube
36
. Moreover, passage wall
46
circumferentially defines inlet
42
at top end
41
. Outlet
44
is basically a hole bored through a side of passage wall
46
of vent tube
36
at a location prior to vent tube
36
contacting closure plate
38
(i.e., outlet
44
is disposed above closure plate
38
within lumen
30
). In this way, outlet
44
of vent tube
36
is isolated from opening region
21
of fluid container
12
and, thus, from any fluid passing therethrough. In the preferred embodiment, outlet
44
of vent tube
36
has a diameter of 0.090 (or, a diameter ranging between 0.060 and 0.100) to provide a substantially consistent rate between 1.2 to 1.5 gallons per minute (GPM), per ASTM standard, which is generally greater than the flow rates of spouts currently available.
Vent tube
36
is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of conduit
16
. Preferably, vent tube
36
is made from either nylon, acetal, HDPE or brass. Alternatively, vent tube
36
can be manufactured from other resilient materials. A spring
50
coils around vent tube
36
at a region proximate to aperture
32
, internal to actuating sleeve
22
and is biased in a direction to close closure plate
38
. Furthermore, end
52
of base
24
distal to closure plate
38
physically contacts spring
50
.
Spring
50
is a compression spring, and serves to push actuating sleeve
22
and base
24
apart. The separating force applied by spring
50
is opposed by closure
38
, which is coupled to actuating sleeve
22
through vent tube
36
. The force applied by spring
50
to actuating sleeve
22
and base
24
is transmitted to closure
38
and forces it against a sealing surface on a conical portion of base
24
.
As shown in
FIG. 3
, top end
41
of vent tube
36
defining inlet
42
is preferably staked into a hole
54
centrally bordered by a multi-prong vent tube support or spider
56
having a plurality of radially-extending arms
58
. In this particular embodiment, spider
56
has four arms. However, spider
56
can be any standard multi-pronged spider having any number of arms (e.g., three, six, etc.). Spider
56
is affixed to conduit
16
when each of arms
58
is inserted into a corresponding slot
60
on conduit
16
. Each slot
60
on conduit
16
is defined by a pair of substantially parallel tabs
62
extending a predetermined distance from conduit wall
28
into lumen
30
. Spider
56
is substantially co-terminus with terminus
34
of conduit
16
. Arms
58
of spider
56
, along with intervening spans of conduit wall
28
between sequential tabs
62
, define a series of openings
64
that allow the flow of fluid from lumen
30
of conduit
16
of spout
10
into the receiving receptacle or tank. As an alternative to using spider
56
, top end
41
of vent tube
36
can be centrally spot-welded to terminus
34
of conduit
16
. Even further, top end
41
of vent tube
36
can be connected to terminus
34
of conduit
16
by an ultrasonic weld, a plastic weld, screws or other affixing means.
With reference to
FIGS. 2-4
, vent tube
36
in conduit
16
of spout
10
is shown as a centrally-located vent passage within lumen
30
. However, in an alternate embodiment of spout
10
, as best shown in
FIGS. 10-11
, vent tube
36
can be peripherally disposed within lumen
30
of conduit
16
, i.e., off-centered.
With reference to
FIGS. 2-4
, the length of vent tube
36
and conduit
16
of spout
10
essentially extends from terminus
34
to closure plate
38
. In particular, inlet
42
of vent tube
36
is co-terminus with terminus
34
of conduit
16
.
Closure plate
38
has an annular shape to provide a stopper-type effect when in contact with conduit wall
28
at a narrow-neck conical region
66
of conduit
16
, where base
24
is contiguous with an expanded portion
68
of screw cap
18
, in the closed configuration of spout
10
. More specifically, to establish the closed configuration of spout
10
, a conventional O-ring
70
is circumferentially affixed to closure plate
38
.
In operation, the embodiment of
FIGS. 14
operates in the following manner. The operator lifts the container from the position shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
. He then tilts it and inserts it into an opening
53
in a receiving container
55
as shown in FIG.
4
. The operator then presses down on container
12
thereby causing actuating sleeve
22
to retract over the outer surface of base
24
as tabs
26
engage opening
53
. This compresses spring
50
, as shown in FIG.
4
.
Since closure plate
38
is fixedly mounted to an end of vent tube
36
, and vent tube
36
is fixedly mounted to actuating sleeve
22
, closure plate moves away from the interior wall of conduit
16
thereby providing an annular gap between closure plate
38
and the inside wall of conduit
16
. Fluid flows through this gap and down through conduit
16
to fill receiving container
55
.
As fluid empties from container
12
, a partial vacuum is provided in container
1
that resists the flow of fluid downward. This partial vacuum pulls gas from the inlet of vent tube
36
toward its outlet, then around closure plate
38
and into container
12
. In this manner, since the inlet of vent tube
36
is disposed in container
55
, gases such as air or volatilized liquids within receiving container
55
are transferred to container
12
and are not released to the atmosphere.
Once the tank is full to the extent that the inlet of vent tube
36
is disposed in liquid, further liquid flow out of container
12
is inhibited. The operator then lifts spout
10
out of receiving container
55
. As spout
10
is lifted from container
55
, spring
50
forces actuating sleeve
22
and base
24
apart until closure plate
38
seals the opening to container
12
. The remaining fluid in conduit
16
drains into container
55
as the spout is withdrawn and container
12
can be returned to the position shown in
FIGS. 1-2
.
Referring now to
FIG. 5
, another embodiment is shown that is similar to the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4
, but is different in several respects. First, and unlike the embodiment pictured in
FIGS. 1-4
,
FIG. 5
shows an alternative method for attaching conduit
16
to screw cap
18
of spout
10
. In
FIG. 5
, an outwardly facing annular flange
17
extends from the container end of the conduit and is engaged with an inwardly extending flange
19
on screw cap
18
. When screw cap
18
is screwed onto neck
20
of fluid container
12
, flange
19
compresses flange
17
against the top of neck
20
, thereby sealing conduit
16
against the opening in the fluid container. The alternative cap and conduit arrangement of
FIG. 5
permits the conduit to be redirected in several directions, by loosening screw cap
18
, and to permit it to be locked in those redirected positions by tightening cap
18
. This arrangement can also be employed in the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4
.
Second, the conduit of
FIG. 5
has a conical section
400
with a shallower taper than that of the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4
. This taper, which is about 20-35 degrees, permits the use of a valve or closure plate
38
that is more cylindrical and less planar than that of the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4
. This, in turn, permits a substantially U-shaped O-ring groove to be provided on plate
38
. In this manner, the O-ring is held more securely to plate
38
, but at the cost of reducing fluid flow rate through the conduit for a given plate diameter and for a given axial displacement of the plate. This reduced-angle conical section and the plate with a substantially U-shaped ring groove can also be employed in the embodiments of
FIGS. 1-4
, if desired.
A third difference between the embodiments of
FIGS. 1-4
and
FIG. 5
is the provision of an extended fin
126
. This fin does not extend outward from around the entire circumference of the conduit, but only from one side. Due to its length the operator can engage it easily with a finger and open the spout. This is particularly beneficial when the operator is trying to fill a fluid receptacle that has a non-standard opening—an opening that is not sized to engage the fins of the
FIGS. 1-4
spout. Applying finger force to a fin arranged on a single side of the spout has the adverse effect of unbalancing the forces applied to spring
50
which holds the spout closed. This twists the spout and causes unbalanced counteracting forces to be applied to the inside surface of actuating sleeve
22
by the outer surface of base
24
. As a result there is increased friction applied to actuating sleeve
22
, which may prevent it from being easily telescoped downward over base
24
. To counteract this increased friction, raised ribs
23
are provided on the outer surface of base
24
to support the inner surface of actuating sleeve
22
. These ribs are preferably formed integral with base
24
and extend circumferentially about the outer surface of base
24
. They are preferably formed of a low-friction polymeric material to enhance the reduction of friction. As actuating sleeve
22
is telescoped over base
24
toward the cap, raised ribs
23
provide substantially the entire support for actuating sleeve
22
. While the embodiment of
FIG. 5
shows the raised ribs extending circumferentially from the outer surface of base
24
, they may alternatively be disposed on the inner surface of actuating sleeve
22
. If reduced friction is desired, this rib arrangement can be provided with any embodiment of the invention.
Another difference between the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4
and
FIG. 5
is the provision of a single piece, integrally formed valve or closure plate
38
and vent tube
36
. In the example of
FIGS. 1-4
, the vent tube
36
is shown as separately formed and attached to closure plate
38
. Alternatively, and as shown in
FIG. 5
, the vent tube and closure plate can be integrally formed, preferably of a polymeric material. In this manner, assembly costs can be reduced, and additional flexibility can be provided to permit closure plate
38
to flexibly conform to conical section
400
. A completely stiff vent tube would require perfect alignment between the longitudinal axis of the spider that receives the inlet end of the vent tube, and the longitudinal axis of conical section
400
. If, as a result of manufacturing inaccuracies the vent tube was not formed coaxial with the base portion
24
, or due to wear between the actuating sleeve
22
and base
24
became non-coaxial with the either was not coaxial with the other, the closure plate
38
and O-ring seal would be held off-center with respect to conical section
400
and would not seal tightly against conical section
400
, possibly causing leakage of fluid vapors or liquid.
Since vent tube
36
and closure plate
38
, being integrally formed of a polymeric material, flex sufficiently to provide proper sealing between closure plate
38
and conical section
400
even after wear occurs due to repeated sliding of actuating sleeve
22
against base
24
. This construction of vent tube
36
and closure plate
38
can be applied to any of the other embodiments of the invention.
Another difference between the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4
and
FIG. 5
is the provision of a recess
402
on the side of closure plate
38
facing toward the fluid reservoir. The recess extends at least partially into the plane of the closure plate that supports the O-ring. This recess has the negative effect of reducing the strength of the closure plate by thinning the closure plate in the region where it is coupled to vent tube
36
. It has the positive effect of providing a more constant wall thickness of closure plate
38
in the region where the O-ring is mounted. By providing a recess, the closure plate, when molded, will cool more consistently and thus shrink more evenly, resulting in a more constant diameter of surface
404
, which supports the O-ring. A more constant diameter of surface
404
will provide a more constant outer diameter of the O-ring. In this manner, the O-ring will more accurately contact the entire inner surface of conical section
400
, thus providing a superior seal. This recess feature can be provided with any of the embodiments of the invention.
Another difference between the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4
is the provision of an actuating sleeve
22
having an integrally molded spider
156
. Spider
156
differs from spider
56
of
FIGS. 1-4
in that it is integrally molded with the outer end of actuating sleeve
22
. As with spider
56
of
FIGS. 1-4
, spider
156
similarly provides an opening to receive and support vent tube
36
and a plurality of fluid-transmitting openings defined about the periphery of the vent tube receiving opening between the “legs” of the spider. The disadvantages of integrally molding spider
156
with actuating sleeve
22
is that the longitudinal axis of the vent tube receiving opening of spider
156
may not be concentric or coaxial with actuating sleeve
22
. These problems are addressed, however, by other features of the embodiment of
FIG. 5
, as discussed above. This integral molding of a spider with the end of the actuating sleeve
22
can be employed with any of the embodiments of the invention.
Referring now to
FIGS. 6 and 7
, we can see yet another embodiment of the invention, most similar to the embodiments of
FIG. 5
, yet having a different arrangement of a vent tube. In the preceding embodiments, vent tube
36
terminated with its outlet opening into the interior of the conduit on the outer side of closure plate
36
. In this manner, when the closure plate was closed, it would close off both vapor flow and fluid flow to or from the fluid reservoir
12
. A single spring-loaded valve structure was provided to seal off both vapor and fluid flows. In the embodiment of
FIGS. 6-7
, in contrast, the vent tube
36
terminates with its outlet opening into the interior of the spout and on the inside—the fluid reservoir side—of closure plate
38
. Since any vent tube that carries vapor through (or alternatively, around) the closure plate to the reservoir side of spout
10
, it will provide a constant vapor release path past the closure plate. As a result, to prevent the flow of vapor or fluid through the vent tube when closure plate
38
is closed, a separate valve arrangement should be provided to block off vent tube
36
. This is the arrangement shown in
FIGS. 6-7
.
FIG. 6
shows a vent tube arrangement identical to that of
FIG. 5
, but with the addition of a separate vent tube valve
408
disposed at the outlet end of the vent tube on the reservoir side of closure plate
38
. This valve opens and closes independently of closure plate
38
to permit air to pass through vent tube
36
. The outlet of vent tube
36
in this arrangement is located on the fluid side of closure plate
38
, and thus, in the pouring position shown in
FIGS. 6-7
, blocks the flow of fluid back through the vent tube from the outlet end to the inlet end.
Advantageously, the valve is self-actuating. When fluid exits the reservoir, flowing around the closure plate and down through the conduit, it creates a partial vacuum in the reservoir at the outlet side of the valve. This reduced pressure at the outlet end is applied to the reservoir side of ball
410
. The inlet end of vent tube
36
is disposed in the stream of fluid flowing from the reservoir downstream of closure plate
38
. The inlet of vent tube
36
does not experience the same reduced pressure as the outlet of vent tube
36
, and thus a higher, near-atmospheric pressure is applied to the inlet side of ball
410
. The pressure differential across ball
410
causes it to press against spring
412
, which abuts the reservoir side of ball
410
and holds it against seat
414
. Spring
412
is sized to permit the differential pressure across ball
410
to lift ball
410
away from seat
414
and permit air to flow into the vent tube inlet, past the ball and into the reservoir, thus increasing the pressure in the reservoir. The pressure differential therefore lifts ball
410
away from seat
414
, from the position shown in
FIG. 6
, wherein air flow is blocked, to the position shown in
FIG. 7
wherein air is passed through valve
408
and into reservoir
12
.
When the actuating sleeve
22
is released, thereby closing closure plate
38
, fluid ceases to flow out of reservoir
12
past closure plate
38
, and the pressure in reservoir
12
ceases to be reduced. Once sufficient air is passed through vent tube
36
into reservoir
12
to increase the reduced pressure in the reservoir back close to atmospheric pressure, there is no longer a sufficient pressure differential across ball
410
to hold valve
408
open, and valve
408
closes, preventing flow through the valve. As an added benefit, and unlike prior art vent tubes, the vent tube valve is arranged such that increased pressure within the tank increases the sealing ability of the vent valve without further adjustment. For example, if reservoir
12
contains a volatile liquid, such as a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, like gasoline, leaving the reservoir out in bright sunlight will cause it and its contents to heat up. As the liquid contents heat, they will evaporate and increase the pressure in the tank above atmospheric pressure. Spring
412
is sized to hold ball
410
against seat
414
, even when inverted. Since it must be “soft” enough to permit a difference in pressure to open the valve, however, it cannot be extremely stiff. In the present arrangement, however, this is not a problem. As the pressure differential rises within the tank, it applies an increased pressure against the reservoir side of ball
410
. Since an essentially unchanging atmospheric pressure will act upon the inlet side of the ball, this increases the net force of seat
414
against ball
410
, causing an even tighter valve seal. As the reservoir heats up, the degree of sealing of valve
408
increases proportionally as a function of the pressure differential applied across the valve. The pressure differential and hence the pressure of the ball against the seat can be quite large. For this reason, valve seat
414
is preferably disposed in a central location in closure plate
38
, preferably along the longitudinal axis of closure plate
38
, and most preferably concentric with the longitudinal axis of closure plate
38
, such that the force is evenly distributed to the closure plate. This valved vent tube arrangement can be advantageously used with any of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.
The outlet of the spout shown in
FIGS. 6-7
also has a different vent tube support or spider than that shown in the preceding figures. In particular, the portion
415
of the spider that supports the vent tube is flared outward in the direction of fluid flow to defect the fluid outward in a cone shape as it passes out of the spout. This directs the fluid away from the vent tube and reduces the likelihood that exiting fluid will be sucked back up the vent tube. This is of particular advantage for spouts with vent tubes that are valved, and more particularly, for vent tubes that are valved with spring-loaded valves, such as those of
FIGS. 6-7
.
FIG. 8
shows another embodiment of spout
10
, similar to the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4
, but having a vent tube recessed within actuating sleeve
22
. When the container receiving the liquid is filled, the liquid level rises until it seals the opening of the actuating sleeve. At this point, air can no longer be drawn from the opening of the actuating sleeve into the vent tube since the opening is sealed off from its supply of air within the container by the liquid seal around the opening of the actuating sleeve. This reduces the likelihood of liquid being drawn upward into the vent tube and thus reduces the likelihood of the vent tube becoming filled with liquid and liquid-locked. When the spout is subsequently lifted from the opening of the now-filled container, it therefore reduces the likelihood that a liquid filled vent tube will drip fluid onto a surrounding surface. In applications where vapor and liquid leakage is a significant problem, such as liquid fuel cans such as gasoline cans, eliminating drips onto surrounding free surfaces will eliminate vaporization of fuel. This recessed vent tube arrangement can be applied to any of the embodiments wherein the vent tube is disposed within the actuating sleeve outlet.
FIG. 9
, shows another embodiment of spout
10
similar to the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4
but having a vent tube shown as protruding from the end of the actuating sleeve
22
.
FIG. 10
illustrates an alternative embodiment of spout
10
similar to the arrangement of
FIGS. 1-4
but having several significant differences. First, vent tube
236
, which functions in the manner of the vent tubes described above, is formed integral with actuating sleeve
22
. In the previous examples, vent tube
36
was formed separately from actuating sleeve
22
and was separately attached. In the example of
FIG. 10
, vent tube
236
has a length
416
that is formed integral with actuating sleeve
22
, preferably by injection molding from a polymeric material. A collar
418
is formed on an end of length
416
and is configured to be coupled to second length
422
of vent tube
236
to which closure plate
138
is fixed. By forming a length
416
integral with actuating collar
22
, the connection between vent tube
236
and the outlet of actuating collar can be reduced in size, thus permitting a larger area for fluid flow, as compared to the examples of the foregoing figures. Second length
422
of vent tube
236
is integrally formed with closure plate
38
, preferably out of polymeric material, and the free end of second length
422
is fitted into collar
418
during assembly. In the
FIG. 10
embodiment, the vent tube is assembled not by inserting a long vent tube all the way down to the bottom of the actuating collar and into a mounting hole at the outlet of the actuating collar, but by inserting a short vent tube partway down the actuating sleeve and attaching it to a stub portion of a vent tube that extends partway up the actuating sleeve. In effect, the vent tube attachment point has been moved. In the embodiment of
FIG. 10
, assembly personnel no longer have to guide a long vent tube to the very bottom of the actuating sleeve to attach it, such as they would have to do in all the preceding examples. This speeds assembly. This sectional vent tube arrangement can be advantageously employed with any of the embodiments of the invention.
Furthermore, by integrally forming vent tube
236
with the outlet of actuating sleeve
22
, the spider can be reduced in size or eliminated, as shown here. This reduces the amount of material blocking the interior of actuating sleeve
22
and provides a larger exit area for liquid as compared to the preceding arrangements. This, in turn, provides a greater fluid flow rate through the spout. The integral formation of at least a portion of the vent tube with the actuating sleeve can be employed with any of the embodiments of the invention for which a higher flow rate is desired.
Another difference between the arrangement of FIG.
10
and the preceding embodiments is the disposition of the vent tube along the side of the actuating sleeve
22
with the vent tube inlet located above the fluid outlet of the spout when disposed in a pouring position. Unlike the previous arrangements, wherein the vent tube is positioned along a central axis of the actuating sleeve, the vent tube in this arrangement is positioned along an interior wall of the conduit. When pouring, the spout is preferably arranged at an angle of between 15 to 75 degrees of horizontal with the outlet lower than the inlet and the vent tube disposed along the inside upper surface of the spout. In this position, the actuating sleeve outlet is tilted down so fluid will run out of the container under gravity, with the fluid exit disposed below the inlet to the vent tube such that fluid exiting the outlet of the spout will fall downward and away from the vent tube. This reduces the likelihood that the vent tube will “inhale” fluid and become liquid-locked. Much as food containers such as ketchup bottles guide air into the containers along an upper interior surface of their necks when the bottle is tilted and the food is poured out, so this arrangement guides air along an upper surface of the conduit (through the vent tube) when the reservoir is tilted and liquid is poured from the spout. The vent tube exit is also disposed along the upward side of the conduit when the spout is tilted into a pouring position to guide the air exiting the outlet of the vent tube into the reservoir along an upward edge of closure plate
38
. The arrangement of vent tube inlet above the spout's fluid outlet can be employed with any of the embodiments of the invention and in particular where the spout is to be disposed at an angle to pour out the contents of the reservoir.
Another difference between the embodiment of FIG.
10
and that of the preceding figures is in the provision of a supporting rib or strut
424
that extends outward from closure plate
38
and vent tube
236
. Strut
424
joins vent tube
236
and closure plate
38
, to reduce the risk of closure plate
38
bending away from its seat when in the closed position. Since vent tube is fixed to closure plate off-center, the forces applied to vent tube
236
and closure plate
38
by spring
50
are unbalanced. This tends to cause closure plate
38
to be bent away from its seat, thus permitting leakage around the closure plate. Strut
424
joins closure plate
38
and vent tube
236
to reduce this risk of leakage.
FIG. 11
illustrates a further embodiment of spout
10
similar to that of
FIG. 10
, but having a vent tube
36
separately coupled to both actuating sleeve
22
and closure plate
38
. Vent tube
36
is preferably formed of a stronger material than both actuating sleeve
22
and closure plate
38
, most preferably a metal, for example, brass. A separate vent tube as shown here is particularly important for applications wherein the sealing of closure plate
38
must be quite tight, for example, where reservoir
12
is used to store volatile hydrocarbon liquids, such as gasoline.
FIGS. 12 and 13
illustrate another embodiment of spout
10
wherein the vent tube is external to the conduit and is telescopic. The vent tube does not support closure plate, which is supported on a rod coupled to actuating sleeve
22
.
In
FIG. 12
, vent tube
36
is formed as two telescopic sections, and inlet section
426
and an outlet section
428
. Inlet section
426
is integrally formed with actuating sleeve
22
and is fixed to an outer side wall of sleeve
22
. Outlet section
428
is integrally formed with base
24
and is fixed to an outer surface of base
24
. As in the previous examples of spout
10
(not including those having separately valved vent tubes), the outlet of vent tube
36
is disposed downstream of closure plate
38
, and thus is not in fluid communications with reservoir
12
when closure plate
38
is closed. Since vent tube portions
426
and
428
are fixed to actuating sleeve
22
and base
24
, they are telescoped, one within the other, to permit them to slide in and out when actuating sleeve
22
is pressed toward base
24
to open closure plate
38
. In the arrangements of the foregoing figures, the vent tube moved with the closure plate within the conduit portion of the spout. As a result, the outlet end of the vent tube moves with respect to base
24
and does not maintain an optimum position for air flow into reservoir
12
. In contrast to this arrangement, vent tube
36
of
FIG. 12
has an outlet with a fixed entry point into base
24
—an entry point that does not move as closure plate
38
is opened and closed. This vent tube arrangement can be employed with any of the embodiments of the invention where an optimal air flow regime is desired.
In addition to the foregoing difference, the embodiment of
FIG. 12
supports closure plate
38
on rod
430
instead of a vent tube, as in the previous examples. By replacing the vent tube of the previous examples with rod
430
, the fluid flow path through base
24
and actuating sleeve
22
can be increased to permit a greater flow rate. Rod
36
is preferably fixed to the outlet end of spout
10
in spider
56
.
FIG. 13
shows another embodiment of spout
10
, similar to the embodiment of
FIG. 12
, wherein the vent tube portion
432
fixed to actuating sleeve
22
is telescoped inside vent tube portion
434
formed integrally with base
24
. This telescoping arrangement is the reverse of the
FIG. 12
arrangement and provides for a smaller outlet end of spout
10
. This, in turn, permits spout
10
to be inserted into a smaller container opening than the embodiment of FIG.
12
. Furthermore, and unlike the
FIG. 12
arrangement, vent tube portion
434
is separately attached to actuating sleeve
22
. Vent tube portion
434
is preferably made of a light, durable metal, such as brass, which further reduces the size of the outlet of spout
10
.
Thus, it should be apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the present invention an improved spout that fully satisfies the objectives and advantages set forth above. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A spout for a container comprising:a conduit having a first end connected to the container, an aperture and a second end configured to be inserted into an opening, wherein the second end of the conduit is configured to direct fluid axially out of the second end of the conduit; a closure plate extending across the diameter of the conduit for preventing flow through the conduit, the closure having a closed position to inhibit flow through the conduit and an open position to allow flow through the conduit; an opener movably responsive to inserting the conduit into the opening to move the closure from the closed position to the open position, wherein the opener is spring loaded to hold the closure normally closed; and a vent passage coupled to and supports the closure plate centrally disposed in the conduit, the vent passage having an inlet and an outlet, with the inlet disposed in the aperture and opens into the conduit and the outlet disposed co-terminus with the second end of the conduit and permitting a flow of air from the inlet into the vent passage during a flow of fluid from the container into the opening.
- 2. A spout for a container comprising:a conduit having a first end connected to the container, an aperture, a second end adapted to be inserted into an opening and a conduit wall connecting the first end and the second end; a closure for preventing flow through the conduit, the closure having a closed position to inhibit flow through the conduit and an open position to allow flow through the conduit; an opener movably responsive to inserting the conduit into the opening to move the closure from the closed position to the open position; and, a vent passage having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet disposed within the aperture, with the vent passage having a passage wall between the inlet and the outlet and in contact with the conduit wall and the outlet disposed in the vent passage for permitting a flow of air through the inlet into the vent passage during a flow of fluid through the conduit from the container into the opening.
- 3. The spout of claim 2, wherein the second end of the conduit is configured to direct fluid axially out of the second end of the conduit.
- 4. The spout of claim wherein the closure includes a plate extending substantially entirely across the diameter of the conduit.
- 5. The spout of claim 4, wherein the opener is spring loaded to hold the closure normally closed.
- 6. The spout of claim 5, wherein the vent passage inlet opens into the conduit.
- 7. The spout of claim 6, wherein the vent passage outlet is substantially co-terminus with the second end of the conduit.
- 8. The spout of claim 7, wherein the vent passage is centrally disposed in the conduit.
- 9. The spout of claim 8, wherein the vent passage is coupled to and supports the closure plate.
- 10. A spout for a container comprising:a conduit having a first end connected to the container, an aperture and a second end configured to be inserted into an opening, and a conduit wall connecting the first end and the second end wherein the second end of the conduit is configured to direct fluid axially out of the second end of the conduit; a closure plate extending across the diameter of the conduit for preventing flow through the conduit, the closure having a closed position to inhibit flow through the conduit and an open position to allow flow through the conduit; an opener movably responsive to inserting the conduit into the opening to move the closure from the closed position to the open position, wherein the opener is spring loaded to hold the closure normally closed; and a vent passage coupled to and supports the closure plate centrally disposed in the conduit, the vent passage having an inlet and an outlet and a passage wall between the inlet and outlet and external to the conduit wall, with the inlet disposed in the aperture and opens into the conduit and the outlet disposed co-terminus with the second end of the conduit and permitting a flow of air from the inlet into the vent passage during a flow of fluid from the container into the opening.
- 11. The spout of claim 10, wherein the opener and vent passage wall are integrally formed as a single unit.
US Referenced Citations (14)