U.S. patent application number 11/599229 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for fill system for fuel and liquid.
This patent application is currently assigned to GEM Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph Shoulian Zhu.
Application Number | 20070108211 11/599229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38039704 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070108211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhu; Joseph Shoulian |
May 17, 2007 |
Fill system for fuel and liquid
Abstract
A fill system, particularly for use as a fuel fill system for
filling a tank of a vehicle such as a boat, is disclosed including
a fill device for mounting on the vehicle and a closure for
substantially closing an opening of the fill. The closure is
generally a unitary component provided a vent to the atmosphere for
pressure balance between the atmosphere and the fuel tank of the
vehicle. The closure includes a vent passageway leading to one or
more vent ports, and the construction of the vent passageway and
ports minimizes fuel splashing through the closure.
Inventors: |
Zhu; Joseph Shoulian;
(Jacksonville, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEYFARTH SHAW LLP
131 S. DEARBORN ST., SUITE2400
CHICAGO
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Assignee: |
GEM Products, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38039704 |
Appl. No.: |
11/599229 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60736411 |
Nov 14, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/367.1 ;
141/325; 220/304; 220/375; 220/86.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 25/12 20130101;
B60K 15/0406 20130101; B60K 15/035 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/367.1 ;
220/375; 220/304; 220/086.2; 141/325 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16; B65D 47/02 20060101 B65D047/02; B65D 53/00 20060101
B65D053/00; B65B 1/04 20060101 B65B001/04; B65D 55/16 20060101
B65D055/16 |
Claims
1. A closure for a fill, the closure comprising: a unitary
component having a first portion connectable with the fill and a
second portion for spanning across the first portion to
substantially close the fill, wherein a vent opening is formed
between the first and second portions and extends laterally
outwardly therefrom to provide fluid communication with the fill
and atmosphere outside of the closure.
2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the vent opening comprises a
series of vent ports.
3. The closure of claim 1 wherein the vent opening is positioned
outboard of a vent tube opening in the fill.
4. The closure of claim 1 wherein the component includes an
exterior surface bearing indicia indicating an orientation for the
closure when secured with the fill.
5. The closure of claim 4 wherein the orientation indicates a
desirable orientation of the vent opening relative to an opening in
a vent tube of the fill.
6. The closure of claim 1 further including a compressible sealing
member located around the first portion for preventing liquid
passage between the closure and the fill.
7. The closure of claim 1 including a cavity in the first portion
in fluid communication with an opening in the fill, and a
passageway in fluid communication with the cavity and with the vent
opening.
8. The closure of claim 7 wherein the unitary component further
includes a recessed portion in fluid communication with the cavity
and with the passageway.
9. A fill system comprising: a fill member including a fill passage
for fluid conveyance; and a unitary closure member connectable with
the fill member for substantially closing the fill passage, the
closure member including a vent passageway in fluid communication
from an interior of the fill member and an atmospheric exterior of
the closure when secured with the fill member.
10. The fill system of claim 9 wherein the closure member has a
first portion connectable with the fill member and a second portion
for spanning across the first portion to substantially close the
fill member, wherein the vent passageway is formed between the
first and second portions and extends laterally outwardly therefrom
to provide fluid communication with the fill member and the
atmospheric exterior.
11. The fill system of claim 9 further including a recessed portion
to receive a compressible sealing member located around the first
portion of the closure member to prevent fluid flow between the
fill and closure members.
12. The fill system of claim 9 further including a compressible
sealing member located around the first portion of the closure
member to prevent fluid flow between the fill and closure
members
13. The fill system of claim 9 wherein the vent passageway includes
a vent opening to the atmosphere.
14. The fill system of claim 13 further including a compressible
sealing member located around the first portion of the closure
member to prevent fluid flow between the fill and closure members,
the sealing member providing a gap between the fill and closure
members to permit venting to the atmosphere therethrough.
15. The fill system of claim 14 wherein the closure member further
includes a recessed portion for receiving the compressible sealing
member.
16. The fill system of claim 14 wherein the vent opening comprises
a series of vent ports.
17. The fill system of claim 9 wherein the fill member includes a
vent tube having an opening into the fill passage, and the closure
member vent opening is positioned outboard of the vent tube opening
in the fill passage.
18. The fill system in claim 9 further including a fire arrestor,
wherein the fill member includes a vent tube having an opening into
the fill passage, and the fire arrestor is located within the vent
tube.
19. The fill system in claim 18 wherein the fire arrestor includes
a porous portion for permitting flow therethrough.
20. The fill system in claim 18 wherein the fire arrestor is
accessible for cleaning or removal.
21. The fill system of claim 9 wherein the closure member includes
an exterior surface bearing indicia indicating an orientation for
the closure member when secured with the fill member.
22. The fill system of claim 21 wherein the fill member includes a
vent tube having an opening into the fill passage, wherein the vent
passageway includes a vent opening, and the indicia indicates a
desirable orientation of the vent opening relative to the vent tube
opening.
23. The fill system of claim 9 wherein the closure member includes
a cavity in fluid communication with the fill passage, and includes
a vent passageway in fluid communication with the cavity and with
the vent opening.
24. The fill system of claim 9 wherein the closure member further
includes a recessed portion in fluid communication with the cavity
and with the vent passageway.
25. The fill system of claim 9 wherein the closure member further
includes an exterior surface with a manually movable portion
secured thereon, the movable portion providing a grip for securing
or removing the closure member from the fill member.
Description
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/736,411, filed Nov. 14, 2005,
titled "Fuel Filler Neck."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to fills for conveyance of fluid and,
in particular, to a fuel fill for conveyance of fuel to a fuel tank
permitting pressure equilibration with the atmosphere via a
vent.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A fill is a device typically mounted on a vehicle and, more
specifically to the present application, to a watercraft such as a
boat. The fill provides access for filling a fuel tank of the boat
with fuel and, more specifically, is secured with one or more tubes
leading to a fuel tank so that fuel is pumped into an opening in
the fill, the tubes being in fluid communication with the fuel
tank. A closure or cap is secured with or on the fill to
substantially close the opening of the fill. Most commonly, the cap
is removable to provide access to the opening, and is securable to
close substantially the opening.
[0004] A typical fill system, the closure and the fill itself,
includes a vent to the atmosphere to balance pressure within the
fuel tank. During operation of the boat, the fuel will be drawn
from the fuel tank by the fuel line and into the engine. In a
closed system, a negative pressure would be experienced due to the
drop in fuel level. This negative pressure makes it difficult for
the boat's fuel pump to force fuel into the engine for normal
operation. Alternatively, when the boat is idle for an extended
period of time, the volatile fuel turns to a gaseous or vaporous
state, the amount of which is dependent on the pressure and
temperature in the tank. In a closed system, this may result in a
positive pressure in the fuel tank, when compared with atmosphere.
A positive pressure can result in too much fuel being driven into
the engine, resulting in poor engine performance, and can result in
injuries if fuel spray is released when the closure is opened by a
person in order to pump fuel into the fuel tank. The vent addresses
these problems by allowing fluid/gaseous communication from the
atmosphere outside of the fuel storage system with the volume
within the fuel storage system.
[0005] A vent system usually consisted of a much smaller tubular
passage than the fill pipe, and it is constructed with a fuel tank
to eliminate fuel splashes caused by the trapped air in the tank
during fueling. This vent line is either connected to an
independent vent or to the fill itself at a point where the opening
is not obstructed by the fueling device. Splashing or spillage of
fuel through the vent results in fuel loss, and its attendant
economic cost and environmental impact, and can damage the boat
itself. For the case where the vent is constructed into the fill,
if the openings are not properly engineered, splashed fuel could
also injure the fueling operator.
[0006] There have been a number of solutions to the problem of fuel
leakage or splashing. One manner is having a one-way valve, which
does not alleviate both negative and positive pressures. Another,
more common manner, is providing a fuel cap with a member that
easily shifts to close the vent. Were fuel to be forced upward to
the opening, the member is contacted by the fuel so that the member
is forced into a position that covers the vent port. While this is
a reasonable solution, it is not a perfect solution, and generally
requires a number of components.
[0007] As examples of the shifting member design, reference is made
to U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,946, to Perkins, and to U.S. Pat. No.
5,507,324, to Whitley II, et al. In each of these, several
components need be manufactured and assembled in multiple stages to
allow a member to shift when contacted by fuel to cover a vent
port. Nonetheless, the movable members are not immediately reactive
to the fuel contact, so that a small amount of fuel may be able to
pass through the vent. For instance, the '946 patent describes an
auxiliary biasing spring that could be provided, the bias of which
need be overcome. Such a spring would, on the other hand, assist in
forcing the otherwise gravity-biased movable member downward which:
in the absence of the spring, the cap would risk the movable member
being stuck upward.
[0008] Another expensive and inconvenient design for addressing
spillage is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,645, to Pountney. In the
'645 patent, a system is shown having a first cap and fill
arrangement for filling a tank, a second cap and fill arrangement
where spillage is contained for recovery, and a vent line leading
from the spillage recovery arrangement. This requires a significant
number of components, and a significant amount of effort to
assembly and mount in a boat.
[0009] Accordingly, there has been a need for a vent for a fill and
closure that is simpler and more reliable.
SUMMARY
[0010] In accordance with an aspect, a closure for a fill is
disclosed, the closure including a unitary component having a first
portion connectable with the fill and a second portion for spanning
across the first portion to substantially close the fill, wherein a
vent opening is formed between the first and second portions and
extends laterally outwardly therefrom to provide fluid
communication with the fill and atmosphere outside of the closure.
The vent opening may include a series of vent ports to the
atmosphere. The vent opening may be positioned outboard of a vent
tube opening in the fill.
[0011] The closure may include an exterior surface bearing indicia
indicating an orientation for the closure when secured with the
fill. The orientation may indicate a desirable orientation of the
vent opening relative to an opening in a vent tube of the fill.
[0012] The closure may include a compressible sealing member
located around the first portion for preventing liquid passage
between the closure and the fill.
[0013] The closure may include a cavity in the first portion in
fluid communication with an opening in the fill, and a passageway
in fluid communication with the cavity and with the vent opening.
The unitary component may further include a recessed portion in
fluid communication with the cavity and with the passageway.
[0014] In another aspect, a fill system is disclosed including a
fill member and a unitary closure member, the a fill member
including a fill passage for fluid conveyance, the closure member
being connectable with the fill member for substantially closing
the fill passage, the closure member including a vent passageway in
fluid communication from an interior of the fill member and an
atmospheric exterior of the closure when secured with the fill
member. The closure member may have a first portion connectable
with the fill member and a second portion for spanning across the
first portion to substantially close the fill member, wherein the
vent passageway is formed between the first and second portions and
extends laterally outwardly therefrom to provide fluid
communication with the fill member and the atmospheric
exterior.
[0015] The fill system may further include a compressible sealing
member located around the first portion of the closure member to
prevent fluid flow between the fill and closure members.
[0016] The vent passageway may include a vent opening to the
atmosphere. The fill system may further include a compressible
sealing member located around the first portion of the closure
member to prevent fluid flow between the fill and closure members,
the sealing member providing a gap between the fill and closure
members to permit venting to the atmosphere therethrough. The vent
opening may include a series of vent ports.
[0017] The fill member may include a vent tube having an opening
into the fill passage, and the closure member vent opening is
positioned outboard of the vent tube opening in the fill
passage.
[0018] The fill member may include a vent tube having a fire
arrestor therewithin, the fire arrestor including porous
incombustible material that renders little resistance to gas flow
through the vent tube.
[0019] The closure member may include an exterior surface bearing
indicia indicating an orientation for the closure member when
secured with the fill member. The fill member may include a vent
tube having an opening into the fill passage, the vent passageway
may include a vent opening, and the indicia may indicate a
desirable orientation of the vent opening relative to the vent tube
opening.
[0020] The closure member may include a cavity in fluid
communication with the fill passage, and may include a vent
passageway in fluid communication with the cavity and with the vent
opening. The closure member may further include a recessed portion
in fluid communication with the cavity and with the vent
passageway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a fill allowing
access to a fuel tank for pumping fuel thereinto and a closure for
generally closing the fill, the closure having a tab movable from a
recessed position shown in FIG. 1A to an extended position in FIG.
1B for grasping to rotate the closure during securing and releasing
of the closure with the fill;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the
fill and closure of FIG. 1A with the closure disconnected from the
fill;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in cross-section similar
to that of FIG. 2 showing the closure connected and secured with
the fill;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an interior passageway
of the fill and a bottom side of the closure, and showing a
connector for retaining the closure with the fill;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the fill showing portions of
the interior passageway therethrough; and
[0026] FIG. 7 is a front side elevational view of the fill with
portions of the interior passageway shown in phantom.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring initially to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, a fill system 10
is shown having a fill 12 and a closure 14 secured thereto. Fuel is
poured or pumped into the fill 12 for conveyance to a fuel tank
(not shown), and the closure 14 is secured or connected with the
fill 12 to generally close the fill 12 and is removed or
disconnected from the fill 12 to permit access for the fuel
conveyance. As used herein, the term fuel refers generally to
liquid and the term gas refers generally to materials in a gaseous
form, whether that is vaporized or gaseous fuel, air, or a mixture
thereof. It should also be noted the fill system 10 and fill 12 are
equally usable for other liquids, such as water, and the use of the
term fuel herein is obviously used for convenience.
[0028] When installed, preferably in a marine application, the fill
12 is in fluid communication with the fuel tank through major and
inferior passageways 20a, 22a(see FIG. 2). The major passageway
20a, defined by a fill tube 20, is principally used as the direct
conduit through which fuel is conveyed to the fuel tank. The
inferior passageway 22a, defined by a vent tube 22, principally
allows gas (and, in an overflow situation, fuel) to pass from the
fuel tank back to the fill 12. The fill 12 has a large upper
opening 24, referred to herein as the mouth 24, from which both of
the fill tube 20 and vent tube 22 branch. In operation, a fuel
nozzle (not shown) would be inserted into the mouth 24 and,
preferably, at least a short distance into the fill tube 20 for
conveying fuel into the fuel tank via the fill tube 20. During this
time, gas that is present in the fuel tank is displaced therefrom,
and this gas is forced through the vent tube 22 to the mouth 24 for
release to the atmosphere.
[0029] It should be noted that the fill tube 20 and vent tube 22
would be typically constructed as shown in the Figs., and then
connected with other tubes or passageways that lead to the fuel
tank. However, for simplicity's sake, the terms fill tube 20 and
vent tube 22 will be used to refer to the structure as shown as
well as the connecting tube intermediate the shown structure and
the fuel tank.
[0030] A fire arrestor 23 is located in the vent tube 22, as best
seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The fire arrestor 23 includes a screen 23a
or other structure that is porous and incombustible so that flow
therethrough is permitted. An arrestor frame 23b retains the screen
23a and secures with the vent tube 22. As shown, the vent tube 22
narrows at it leads upward toward the mouth 24, and the arrestor
frame 23b is inserted into the vent tube 22 and pressed into this
narrowing portion so that it and the screen 23a are retained
therein. Thus, the fire arrestor 23 renders little resistance to
the gas flow in the passage yet is able to quench fire started from
the mouth 24 or outside the fill system 10. It should be noted that
the fire arrestor 23 is accessible or removable for changing and/or
cleaning.
[0031] The vent tube 22, in cooperation with the closure 14, also
serves to provide pressure balance with the atmosphere. As
discussed above, the pressure within the fuel storage system
(including the fuel tank, the fill 12, and passageways
therebetween) is desirably balanced with the atmosphere. In order
to achieve this, the vent tube 22 is connected to a portion of the
fuel tank that, preferably, is above an expected fuel level. In
this manner, gas from the fuel tank can escape through the vent
tube 22 while fuel generally does not pass therethrough.
[0032] Under some operating conditions the fuel may be forced
upwardly through the vent tube 22. For instance, inertial or
centripetal forces on the fuel during sharp and high speed
maneuvers in a boat may force the fuel into the vent tube 22. In
some instances, the fuel would only move a partial distance through
the vent tube 22 to move upward. However, in other instances, the
fuel passes through the vent tube 22 and into the mouth 24. With
the closure 14 in place, the fuel simply flows back down into the
fuel tank via the fill tube 20.
[0033] The pressure balance with the atmosphere is not achieved by
the vent tube 22 and fill tube 20 alone, instead necessitating a
vent port 30 in the closure 14 (see also FIG. 4, showing a series
of vent ports 30a). As noted above, the prior art makes use of
multi-component systems for allowing an opening to the atmosphere
outside of the closure. As described herein, the present closure 14
may be formed principally of a single component, which may be cast
or molded, for example, thus eliminating the manufacture and
assembly of these components, and thus being simpler, cheaper, and
more reliable than those of the prior art.
[0034] The closure 14 includes an upper cover portion 40 from which
a lower cylindrical portion 42 depends. A vent passageway 44 is
formed in the closure 14 that, when the closure 14 is secured with
the fill 12, allows the vent port 30 to be in fluid communication
with the fill mouth 24 and, therefore, the vent tube 22.
[0035] The closure cylindrical portion 42 and fill 12 include
cooperating structure for securing the closure 14 with the fill 12.
As shown, the cylindrical portion 42 has external male threads 50
that are received by female threads 52 located on the inner surface
of the fill 12 and around the mouth 24. Accordingly, the closure 14
is threadably coupled (connected) or disconnected with the fill
12.
[0036] A gasket 54 is provided on the cylindrical portion 42 of the
closure 14 for assisting in securing the closure 14 with the fill
12. The gasket 54 fulfills a number of purposes including
restricting any flow of fuel that may pass between the threads from
flowing out from the fuel fill system 10 in general. It should be
made clear that the gasket 54 does not provide a complete seal
between the closure 14 and the fill 12, due to the presence of the
vent port 30. However, the gasket 54 is elastic or rubberized
material. Therefore, it is compressed between the fill 12 and the
closure 14. This provides resistance to any tendency of the closure
14 to back-out or unthread from the fill 12, and does so without
excessive pressure needing to be applied to the threads 50, 52
themselves, thus prolonging the life of the threads. Importantly,
this allows for greater tolerance or clearance between the threads
so that connection/disconnection of the closure 14 minimally wears
on the threads 50, 52 and stripping due to mismatch of the threads
is reduced. For instance, T-threading may be used.
[0037] Above and around the mated threads, the gasket 54 is
intended to seal the closure 14 with the fill 12 to prevent fuel
leakage thereacross. Towards this end, the fill 12 includes a
beveled shoulder 60 angling upwardly and outwardly formed around
the mouth 24 above the fill threads 52. The closure cover portion
40 extends radially outwardly from the cylindrical portion 42, and
an annular channel 66 is positioned at the juncture therebetween so
that the cover portion 40 and cylindrical portion 42 form a
shoulder 68. While a portion of the gasket 54 is inserted into the
channel 66, the gasket 54 is sized so that it extends beyond the
channel 66. When the closure 14 is threaded into the fill 12, the
gasket 54 is compressed between the shoulders 60 and 68.
[0038] With specific reference to FIG. 3, the vent passageway 44
communicating with the vent port 30 and the fill mouth 24 can be
seen. The closure cylindrical portion 42 has an internal cavity 70
that is open to the mouth 24. The interior or bottom side of the
cover portion 40 has an excavated or recessed portion 72 that rises
above the cylindrical portion 42, and the vent passageway 44 passes
through the cover portion 40 from the recessed portion 72 to the
vent port 30. As a result, gas is free to pass from the vent port
30 to the mouth 24, and vice versa, through the vent passageway 44.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, a small gap 74 is provided between the
cover portion 40 and the fill 12 at an outboard position from the
threaded portions thereof. As can also be seen, in order for gas to
pass therethrough, the gas must proceed upward into the interior of
the recessed portion 72, then pass through the vent passageway 44,
and finally exit through the vent port 30 and the gap 74.
[0039] Though not necessary, the ability of the construction to
restrict fuel spillage through the vent port 30 benefits from
providing a specific orientation to the closure 14 when secured
with the fill 12. With reference to FIG. 5, the mouth 24 of the
fill 14 is shown so that a vent opening 22b into the mouth 24 can
be seen; in comparing FIG. 5 (as well as FIG. 4) with FIG. 3, it
can be seen how the angle and direction of the fuel, if such were
to pass through the vent tube 22 and the vent opening 22b into the
mouth 24, would result in the fuel being deflected back toward the
center of the mouth 24 and toward the center of the closure
cylindrical portion cavity 70. In order to reach the vent
passageway 44 in the recessed portion 72, the fuel would then need
to reverse its direction and move back outwardly. An occurrence
that allows any appreciable amount of fuel to pass through the vent
port 30 is unlikely, due to the nature of the forces which are
forcing the fuel upward and generally against gravity.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, indicia 76 such as that
depicting a fuel pump may be presented on the exterior of the
closure 14 which indicates a proper orientation of the vent port 30
when the closure 14 is secured with the fill 12. In the present
embodiment, a wall 77 is provided (see FIGS. 3 and 4) as a splash
guard. The wall 77 extends inwardly into the mouth 24 at a position
just above the opening of the vent tube 22 to deflect fuel away
from the closure 13, reducing the likelihood of passing into the
recessed portion 72, vent passageway 44, and vent port 30, and
serving to protect a person pumping fuel into the fuel tank from an
overflow/splashing occurrence. In embodiments utilizing the splash
guard wall 77, the indicia 76 may indicate the vent port 30 being
aligned with the wall 77 so that splashing fuel is directed by the
wall 77 away from the vent port 30, vent passageway 44, and
recessed portion 72. In the absence of the splash guard wall 77,
the indicia 76 may be positioned to indicate the vent port 30 being
non-aligned with the opening 22b of the vent tube 22 so that
splashing fuel does not go directly toward the recessed portion 72,
vent passageway 44, and vent port 30.
[0041] As noted, the closure 14 can be a single piece cast or
molded component. The gasket 54 is simply installed around/in the
channel 66, and the fill 12 may be a separate molded component
(though the wall 77 may be a second piece mounted in the molded
fill 12). The manufacture of the closure 14, being a single
component, is much easier than the prior art devices requiring
multiple components and shifting valves. Furthermore, the present
fuel fill system 10 is much more reliable than the prior art
devices as the lack of moving parts minimizes faulty operation of
the vent feature provided by the vent port 30. The construction of
the closure 14 including the vent port 30 and vent passageway 44
obviates much of the need for structure in the fill 12 itself to
deflect fuel away from the closure 14. It should also be noted that
the fuel fill system 10 shows the fill tube 20 and vent tube 22 set
at a 45 degree angle relative to the mouth 24 and the closure 14,
though this angle may be varied, such as being at zero degrees.
[0042] It should be noted that the fill 12 may be provided with
bolt holes 80 (FIG. 4) for receiving bolts 82 (FIG. 5) so that fill
12 may be secured with the vehicle, such as a boat. The bolt holes
80 are positioned outside of the mouth 24 and away from the gasket
54 so that other features of the operation of the fuel fill system
10 are not impeded, and the gasket 54 does not wear against the
bolt holes 80 and bolts 82. It should also be noted that the
internal cavity 70 of the closure cylindrical portion 42 preferably
has a depending post 84 adapted for securing an end of a chain 96
(FIG. 4) or other retainer, the other end of the chain 96 being
connected with the interior of fill 12 around or in the mouth 24.
In this manner, the chain 96 keeps the closure 14 from being
separated from the fill 12, which may result simply from careless
handling or from rocking of a boat while being fueled with the
closure 14 disconnected to allow access into the mouth 24 by a fuel
nozzle.
[0043] The closure 14 is equipped with an ergonomically shaped
finger recess 100 to allow a finger grip 102 to be pivoted from a
recessed position (FIG. 1A) within the exterior surface of the
closure 14 to an extended position (FIG. 1B) allowing a user to
rotatably manipulate the closure 14. In the recessed position, the
finger grip 102 is preferably flush or below the exterior surface
of the closure 14 so that the risk of the grip 102 (or the closure
14 itself) is minimized. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the exterior
surface of the closure 14 includes a recess 104 for the finger grip
102 which conveniently helps to define the cavity 70 of the closure
14 leading to the vent passageway 44, thereby minimizing
materials.
[0044] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *