U.S. patent application number 14/134103 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-17 for spout with controlled fluid flow for portable fuel containers.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nathan Wright. Invention is credited to Nathan Wright.
Application Number | 20140103078 14/134103 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50431937 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140103078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright; Nathan |
April 17, 2014 |
SPOUT WITH CONTROLLED FLUID FLOW FOR PORTABLE FUEL CONTAINERS
Abstract
The present invention provides a spout for use with containers,
particularly portable fuel containers. The spout has a slide
assembly physically coupled to a proximally positioned plunger. The
slide and plunger may be moved in tandem to variably control the
flow rate of liquid or fuel through it. The spout may have a main
body portion and a nozzle portion, and an exit opening at or near
the distal end of the spout. Passageways within the spout are
designed to encourage segregated and orderly flows of liquid/fuel
and air for control and increased flow rate of liquid/fuel from a
container. The spout may further have a holder(s) on the side of
the spout for contacting or engaging a structure or surface of a
container, tank, etc., being filled, to help hold and properly
position the spout to avoid overflow during use. Methods of
assembly and operation are also provided.
Inventors: |
Wright; Nathan; (Lexington,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wright; Nathan |
Lexington |
KY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50431937 |
Appl. No.: |
14/134103 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13644754 |
Oct 4, 2012 |
|
|
|
14134103 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/505 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 7/005 20130101;
B65D 47/248 20130101; B65D 47/243 20130101; B65D 47/061 20130101;
B67D 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/505 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/06 20060101
B65D047/06 |
Claims
1. A spout comprising: an elongated body surrounding a continuous
passageway within the body, the passageway extending from a first
opening at the proximal end of the body to an exit opening at or
near the distal end of the body, wherein the spout has a top and a
bottom; a slide assembly comprising a slide and a plunger, the
plunger comprising a base portion, wherein the slide is physically
coupled to the plunger such that movement of the slide causes
tandem movement of the plunger, wherein the slide is positioned
distally to the plunger; and at least one holder extending out from
a side of the elongated body, wherein distal movement of the slide
causes movement of the base portion of the plunger out of or away
from the first opening, and wherein proximal movement of the slide
causes movement of the base portion of the plunger into or toward
the first opening, and wherein the cross-sectional size and shape
of the base portion of the plunger is about the same as the
cross-sectional size and shape of the first opening such that the
plunger closes the first opening when at least part of the base
portion is inserted into the first opening.
2. The spout of claim 1, wherein the body of the spout comprises a
main body portion and a nozzle portion, wherein the nozzle portion
is positioned distally to the main body portion.
3. The spout of claim 2, wherein the nozzle portion of the spout is
angled downward relative to the main body portion of the spout.
4. The spout of claim 2, wherein the at least one holder extends
out from a side of the nozzle portion of the body of the spout.
5. The spout of claim 4, wherein the at least one holder extends
out from a bottom side of the nozzle portion of the body of the
spout.
6. The spout of claim 1, wherein the at least one holder has a
distal face that is angled proximally toward the side of the
elongated body.
7. The spout of claim 6, wherein the at least one holder has a
groove formed in the distal face near the side of the elongated
body.
8. The spout of claim 6, wherein a lip extends distally from the at
least one holder at or near an outermost side of the at least one
holder.
9. The spout of claim 1, wherein the slide is positioned on the top
of the spout.
10. The spout of claim 1, wherein the slide is coupled to the
plunger by a stem, wherein the proximal end of the stem is
connected to the plunger and the distal end of the stem is
connected to the slide.
11. The spout of claim 1, wherein the movement of the slide is
generally confined to a proximal-distal axis by a cavity disposed
and recessed within the body of the spout.
12. The spout of claim 11, wherein the cavity is separated from the
passageway within the body of the spout by a plurality of walls,
wherein the plurality of walls include a proximal wall, a distal
wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall.
13. The spout of claim 12, wherein the continuous passageway
comprises a proximal chamber, a central passage and a nozzle lumen,
wherein the proximal chamber and the central passage correspond to
the portion of the passageway within a main body portion of the
spout, wherein the central passage corresponds to the portion of
the passageway between the plurality of walls and the outer sides
of the main body portion, wherein the central passage is distal to
the proximal chamber, and wherein the nozzle lumen corresponds to
the portion of the passageway within a nozzle portion of the spout,
and wherein the nozzle portion is positioned distally to the main
body portion, and wherein the nozzle portion is angled downward
relative to the main body portion.
14. The spout of claim 13, wherein the nozzle lumen has a cone
shape with the proximal portion of the nozzle lumen being wider
than the distal portion of the nozzle lumen.
15. The spout of claim 12, wherein the slide is coupled to the
plunger by a stem, wherein the proximal end of the stem is
connected to the plunger and the distal end of the stem is
connected to the slide, and wherein the stem passes through a bore
in the proximal wall of the cavity.
16. A spout comprising: an elongated body surrounding a continuous
passageway within the body, the passageway extending from a first
opening at the proximal end of the body to an exit opening at or
near the distal end of the body, wherein the spout has a top and a
bottom; a slide assembly comprising a slide and a plunger, the
slide being disposed in a cavity, the cavity being recessed within
the body of the spout, wherein the slide is physically coupled to
the plunger such that movement of the slide causes tandem movement
of the plunger, wherein the slide is positioned distally to the
plunger, wherein distal movement of the slide causes movement of
the plunger out of or away from the first opening, and wherein
proximal movement of the slide causes movement of the plunger into
or toward the first opening, wherein the body of the spout
comprises a main body portion and a nozzle portion, wherein the
nozzle portion is positioned distally to the main body portion and
is angled downward relative to the main body portion, and wherein
the exit opening spans from a top side to a bottom side of the
nozzle portion of the body of the spout.
17. The spout of claim 16, wherein the exit opening is disposed in
a bottom-distal location of the nozzle portion of the spout.
18. The spout of claim 16, wherein the exit opening is defined by
at least two edges including a first curved edge and a second edge,
the first edge being between the top side of the nozzle portion of
the spout and the second edge, and the second edge being slanted
proximally toward the bottom side of the nozzle portion of the
spout.
19. The spout of claim 18, wherein the exit opening is defined by a
first curved edge, a pair of second edges, and a third curved edge,
wherein the pair of second edges slanted proximally toward the
bottom side of the nozzle portion of the spout between the first
and third edges.
20. The spout of claim 19, wherein the first curved edge is within
a first plane, the pair of second edges are within a second plane,
and the third curved edge is within a third plane, the second plane
being oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the first
and third planes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application
claiming the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/644,754, of the same title and filed on Oct. 4, 2012, the
entire contents and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a spout or nozzle for use
with a portable fuel container to control fluid flow as well as
reduce spills and fuel emissions.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Portable fuel containers (PFCs) are generally small
containers used to transport fuel, such as gasoline, from a retail
or industrial site where the fuel is stored, such as a filling
station, to another location for remote use. PFCs are typically
about 1-6 gallons in volume and are often used for residential or
commercial purposes to refuel lawnmowers, vehicles or other
equipment.
[0006] A challenge with the design and use of PFCs is avoiding or
minimizing spilling of fuel and release of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) into the environment. To help reduce these VOC
emissions from PFCs, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has
issued rules to reduce these emissions resulting from spills,
evaporation and/or permeation through these containers. The EPA has
also implemented regulations to control emissions from use of these
containers nationwide. All known PFCs on the market today that
comply with these standards are ventless containers (with a single
opening) and have a spout with an automatic closing/sealing
mechanism to help ensure that the spout closes when pouring is
ceased.
[0007] Despite these efforts, PFCs on the market today are
difficult to operate and remain susceptible to fuel spills. The
design of PFCs sold today often relies on an "automatic"
opening/closing mechanism whereby a valve or plug at the tip of the
spout is pushed outward from the nozzle of the spout when the spout
is forced against the machine, equipment etc., to be filled, thus
creating an opening near the tip between the forcibly separated
nozzle and valve. However, because fuel pours out of the opening at
a nearly perpendicular angle or straight out the tip of the nozzle
with these designs, flow of the fuel out of the spout becomes
disordered, which interferes with the vacuum flow of air back into
the container. This irregular fuel flow can further result in
gurgling or splashing of the fuel, which is difficult to control
smoothly and increases the risk of fuel spills and evaporative
emissions. Moreover, once the nozzle is removed from the machine,
equipment etc., being filled, the automatic closing mechanism does
not always snap-back to a closed position quickly enough, which can
result in further fuel spilling as the nozzle is removed due to the
delayed closure. Current designs also generally lack the ability to
control the flow rate of fuel pouring out of the spout in a
continuous manner. Due to these shortcomings, some consumers are
inclined to modify the existing nozzles after sale to circumvent
these controls and improve their performance, which can lead to
increased emissions into the environment.
[0008] What is needed in the art is an improved spout or nozzle for
portable fuel containers, and methods for using the same, which
allows for the continuous control of fuel flow rate smoothly out of
a portable fuel container and spout. What is also needed in the art
is a novel spout or nozzle for portable fuel containers that
creates an orderly and smooth outflow of fuel that does not
excessively interfere with the flow of air back into the container
and/or appropriately positions the distal end of the spout or
nozzle to determine a desired or acceptable fill level for a given
container being filled with the fuel.
SUMMARY
[0009] According to a first broad aspect of the present invention,
a spout is provided comprising: an elongated body surrounding a
continuous passageway within the body, the passageway extending
from a first opening at the proximal end of the body to an exit
opening at or near the distal end of the body, wherein the spout
has a top and a bottom; a slide assembly comprising a slide and a
plunger, the plunger comprising a base portion, wherein the slide
is physically coupled to the plunger such that movement of the
slide causes tandem movement of the plunger, wherein the slide is
positioned distally to the plunger; and at least one holder
extending out from a side of the elongated body, wherein distal
movement of the slide causes movement of the base portion of the
plunger out of or away from the first opening, and wherein proximal
movement of the slide causes movement of the base portion of the
plunger into or toward the first opening, and wherein the
cross-sectional size and shape of the base portion of the plunger
is about the same as the cross-sectional size and shape of the
first opening such that the plunger closes the first opening when
at least part of the base portion is inserted into the first
opening.
[0010] According to a second broad aspect of the present invention,
a spout is provided comprising: an elongated body surrounding a
continuous passageway within the body, the passageway extending
from a first opening at the proximal end of the body to an exit
opening at or near the distal end of the body, wherein the spout
has a top and a bottom; a slide assembly comprising a slide and a
plunger, the slide being disposed in a cavity, the cavity being
recessed within the body of the spout, wherein the slide is
physically coupled to the plunger such that movement of the slide
causes tandem movement of the plunger, wherein the slide is
positioned distally to the plunger, wherein distal movement of the
slide causes movement of the plunger out of or away from the first
opening, and wherein proximal movement of the slide causes movement
of the plunger into or toward the first opening, wherein the body
of the spout comprises a main body portion and a nozzle portion,
wherein the nozzle portion is positioned distally to the main body
portion and is angled downward relative to the main body portion,
and wherein the exit opening spans from a top side to a bottom side
of the nozzle portion of the body of the spout.
[0011] According to a third broad aspect of the present invention,
methods of assembling and/or operating the spout of the present
invention are further provided. Operation of the spout may comprise
moving the plunger between closed and open positions by manually
actuating a slide assembly and/or engaging a structure on a
container, tank, etc., being filled with a holder on the side of
the spout to support, stabilize and/or position the spout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A is perspective view of a spout according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the spout
of FIG. 1A;
[0014] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of nozzle portion of the
spout of FIG. 1A at location indicated by line and arrows 1C in
FIG. 1B;
[0015] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of main body portion of
the spout of FIG. 1A at location indicated by line and arrows 1D in
FIG. 1B;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a proximal perspective view of a plunger of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a distal perspective view of the plunger in FIG.
2A;
[0018] FIG. 2C is a side view of the plunger in FIG. 2A;
[0019] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a slide assembly of the
present invention with the body of the spout removed for
visualization;
[0020] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a slide of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3C is an end view of the slide in FIG. 3B;
[0022] FIG. 3D is a side view of the slide in FIG. 3B;
[0023] FIG. 4A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a spout
with an alternative distal exit opening and side holder according
to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the distal end of the
nozzle embodiment shown in cross-section in FIG. 4A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The present invention relates to a spout or nozzle for use
with a portable fuel container (PFC) that is designed to control
the flow rate of fuel exiting the spout or nozzle, improve
usability and/or to promote smooth and orderly fuel flow.
Typically, portable fuel containers have a raised neck portion
surrounding an opening in the container with threading on the
outside of the neck. A cap with a corresponding interior threading
may be further provided that screws down onto the neck to secure a
spout to the opening of the container, the cap having a hole in its
center to receive the spout through it. In this way, the cap holds
the spout in place due to a circumferential lip on the cap that
couples with a flange of the spout to press the spout against the
neck of the container. The spout of the present invention may be
secured in this way to existing PFCs. Even though the spout of the
present invention is intended primarily for use with PFCs, the
spout could also be used with other liquid containers, which may
resemble PFCs. In addition, the spout of the present invention may
conceivably be used with larger liquid containers or tanks, which
may be stationary, and/or at the end of a hose connected to a
liquid container or tank.
[0026] According to embodiments of the present invention, a spout
is provided having an elongated body with an interior chamber,
passageway or lumen disposed or formed therein, such chamber,
passageway or lumen being continuous from a first opening at the
proximal end of the spout to a second opening or exit opening at
the distal end of the spout. Where possible the internal surfaces
of the spout are designed to encourage smooth laminar fluid flow in
both directions, which together produce a faster and more
controllable flow rate. For purposes of the present invention, the
term "proximal" refers to a direction toward the portable fuel
container, or to an end of the spout nearest the portable fuel
container, when the spout is properly connected to the container
for use, and the term "distal" refers to a direction away from the
portable fuel container, or to an end of the spout furthest away
from the portable fuel container, when the spout is properly
connected to the container for use. When in use during pouring,
fuel exits the container and enters the spout (connected and
secured to the container) through the first opening at the proximal
end of the spout. The fuel then travels the length of the spout
through its interior chamber, etc., and finally pours out through
the exit opening at or near the distal end of the spout.
[0027] According to embodiments of the present invention, the spout
further has a plug or plunger operating to open or close the first
opening at the proximal end of the spout. Movement of the plunger
from an open to a closed position, or vice versa, may be actuated
by a slide assembly comprising a manually operated slide feature
physically coupled and linked to the plunger, such that the slide
feature and the plunger move in tandem. For example, the slide
feature may be linked and coupled to the plunger via an elongated
stem such that force applied to the slide feature may be imparted
to the plunger. The manually operated slide feature may be designed
for operation by hand, finger or thumb to move the slide feature
(and thus the plunger) either in a distal direction (to open flow)
or in a proximal direction (to close flow). The manually operated
slide feature may be disposed in a cavity to constrain movement of
the slide to either a proximal or distal direction. Because the
slide feature may be operated by hand in both directions, a biasing
or spring may not be necessary for its operation. However, a spring
could be optionally added to the space between the slide 107 and
distal wall 145 in cavity 109 to bias the slide mechanism to a
closed position.
[0028] FIG. 1A shows a spout according to an embodiment of the
present invention. Spout 100 comprises an elongated body 101 having
a chamber, passageway and/or lumen disposed or formed therein for
the passage of fluid and air. Body 101 may also be referred to as a
casing, housing or frame. Fluid entering the spout 100 from the
container first passes through a first opening 129 at the proximal
end 117 of spout 100, through the interior chamber, passageway
and/or lumen (not shown), and then out through an exit opening (not
shown) at or near the distal end 119 of spout 100. The body 101 of
the spout 100 may be made of one integrally formed piece, or
alternatively, the body 101 may be made of two or more pieces
assembled together. Constructing the body 101 of the spout 100 from
two or more pieces may facilitate manufacturing and assembly of the
spout device.
[0029] The body 101 may further comprise a flange 111 near proximal
end 117 of spout 100 that meets and rests on top of the neck of a
container surrounding the opening of the container (not shown).
Flange may be circumferentially formed or comprise spaced-apart
portions. The width of the flange 111 in the proximal-distal axis
direction may be about 0.1 to about 0.15 inches. As described
above, a cap may then be used to secure the spout 100 to the neck
of the container. Body 101 of spout 100 may further include an
extended portion 113 at proximal end 117 of spout 100 that extends
into the neck of the container. Extended portion 113 may be in a
range from about zero inches to about 0.4 inches deep in the
proximal-distal direction. However, extended portion is an optional
feature and may be unnecessary if no O-ring or only one O-ring is
used in first opening 129 (see below).
[0030] According to some embodiments, the body 101 may comprise a
main body portion 103 and a nozzle portion 105 oriented or turned
at an angle relative to each other such that the nozzle portion 105
is directed downward at an angle (.alpha.) relative to main body
portion 103 when the spout 100 is properly connected to a container
(see FIG. 1B). The main body portion 103 may be in a range from
about 2-5 inches long along its longitudinal axis, and the nozzle
portion 105 may be in a range from about 3 inches to about 9 inches
long along its longitudinal axis, or preferably about 3 inches to
about 5 inches. The downward angle (.alpha.) between a plane
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body portion 103
and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle
portion 105 may be from 0.degree. to less than 90.degree., or from
about 15.degree. to about 50.degree., or from about 20.degree. to
about 40.degree., or about 30.degree.. This angle (.alpha.) may
also be expressed as an angle between the longitudinal axis of the
nozzle portion 105 and the longitudinal axis of the main body
portion 103 extended distally. The height of spout 100 with an
angled nozzle portion 105 as measured vertically (i.e., in a
direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body
portion 103) from the bottom of the distal end 119 of the spout 100
to the top of the main body portion 103 of the spout 100 may be
about 2-6 inches depending on the lengths of the main body portion
103 and nozzle portion 105 and the angle between them.
[0031] The downward angle may result in a more directed and orderly
flow of liquid or fuel through the nozzle portion 105 of the spout
100 having a higher flow velocity (relative to the flow in the main
body portion 103) caused by the steeper incline of the nozzle
portion 105. This feature may work together with the narrowing of
the nozzle portion 105 to create the more directed flow of liquid
or fuel through the nozzle portion 105 and exiting the spout 100 as
well as an increasing flow velocity through the nozzle portion 105
due to the narrowing of the nozzle lumen 175. By angling the nozzle
portion 105 downward relative to the main body portion 103, the
nozzle portion 105 may be inserted into the machine, equipment,
etc., to be filled without having to lift the portable liquid or
fuel container as high. Thus, the main body portion 103 may be kept
at a lower angle relative to the ground during pouring resulting in
a greater force of gravity acting to keep the flow to the lower
portions of the main body portion 103. If the spout were instead
more linear along its total length (i.e., without an angled nozzle
portion), then the portable container might have to be more
inverted during pouring with less gravitational force acting to
encourage fluid flow to the lower interior chamber, passageway,
etc., in the proximal portion of the spout.
[0032] The liquid or fuel being poured and flowing through the
spout 100 may also be encouraged to flow along or "hug" the lower
portions of the chamber, passageway, etc., within the spout 100 due
to gravity and/or surface tension of the liquid or fuel, which
favors a more orderly flow of liquid through the spout.
Furthermore, confinement of the flow of liquid to the lower
portions within the spout 100 also creates room for air to flow
back into the container through the upper portions of the chamber,
passageway, etc., within the spout 100. The air flowing back into
the container will have a natural tendency to flow through the
upper portions of the spout interior because it is less dense than
the liquid or fuel being poured out. The air pressure of the air
flowing through the upper portions of the spout interior will also
help to reinforce the flow of the liquid or fuel in the lower
portions of the spout interior by exerting a downward force on the
liquid or fuel.
[0033] According to the embodiment in FIG. 1, the first opening 129
at the proximal end 117 of spout 100 is configured to receive a
plunger 115 having a base portion 131 that is sized and shaped to
match, correspond to, or be about the same as, the size, dimensions
and shape of the first opening 129, such that the sides of the base
portion 131 of plunger 115 tightly engage or contact the interior
surface of spout 100 around first opening 129, perhaps via
interposed O-rings, when the plunger 115 is slid or moved backward
to a proximal position to seal or close off the flow of liquid from
the container into the spout 100. Indeed, the size, dimensions and
shape of the first opening 129 may be slightly greater than the
size and shape of the base portion 131 when O-rings are used to
accommodate those O-rings.
[0034] One of the main advantages and features of the present
invention is the ability to variably control the flow rate of
liquid or fuel through the spout between a fully closed and a fully
open state by operation of a slide assembly that includes a
physically coupled plunger. Indeed, movement of plunger 115 in FIG.
1 may be actuated by a manually operated slide 107 physically
coupled or linked to the plunger 115. The spout 100 may further
have a cavity 109 formed therein, preferably in the top of the body
101 of the spout 100, such as in the top of the main body portion
103 of spout 100. The cavity 109 is designed to hold and restrain
the movement of the slide 107 in only a proximal-distal axis.
Furthermore, the length of the cavity 109 defines the range of
translational movement of the slide 107, and accordingly the range
of movement of the physically coupled plunger 115. The cavity 109
will generally have a constant cross-sectional shape and dimensions
along its length that matches, or corresponds to, at least a
portion of the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the slide
107 to ensure only linear or translational movement of the slide
107 within the cavity 109 along a single proximal-distal axis while
minimizing wobbling of the slide 107. Such proximal-distal axis of
movement of the slide 107 may generally be aligned with the
longitudinal axis of the main body portion 103 of spout 100. Cavity
109 may also have any suitable and reversible locking mechanism,
such as a snap-lock, etc., between a portion of cavity 109 at a
proximal location 121 and the slide 107, such that slide 107 and
plunger 115 of slide assembly become locked in a closed position
when the slide 107 of the slide assembly is moved or slid fully in
the proximal direction.
[0035] For purposes of the present invention, the terms "top" or
"upper" refer to a direction upward, or to a side, wall, face,
etc., that is oriented relatively upward or positioned at or toward
the top of the spout, when the spout is properly connected to the
container, and the terms "bottom" or "lower" refer to a direction
downward, or to a side, wall, face, etc., that is oriented
relatively downward or positioned at or toward the bottom of the
spout, when the spout is properly connected to the container.
However, "downward" does not necessarily mean a perfectly downward
direction (i.e., a top-to-bottom direction that is perpendicular to
the proximal-distal axis of movement of the slide assembly of the
spout) and may include any direction that is downwardly angled.
Likewise, "upward" does not necessarily mean a perfectly upward
direction (i.e., a bottom-to-top direction that is perpendicular to
the proximal-distal axis of movement of the slide assembly of the
spout) and may include any direction that is upwardly angled. For
instance, if the spout has a main body portion and a nozzle
portion, then the downward angle of nozzle portion may define a
downward direction and bottom of the spout (with the upward
direction and top of the spout being directly opposite) even though
the downward angle is not perpendicular to the proximal-distal axis
of the main body portion.
[0036] FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional side view of the spout 100
from FIG. 1A displaying some of the internal features of the spout.
As can be further seen in this figure, slide 107 has an accessible
upper portion 123 for application of a manual force, such as by
pushing or pulling with one's finger or thumb, to actuate movement
of the slide 107 forward (distally) or backward (proximally). The
side faces of the upper portion 123 of slide 107 may have one or
more divots and/or the top face of the upper portion 123 may have a
series of grooves or the like (not shown) to improve gripping. The
slide 107 also has a lower portion 125 grasping or connected to a
stem, rod or bar 127 at or near the distal end of the stem 127. The
upper portion 123 may be linked to the lower portion 125 by a
middle portion 124. The opposite proximal end of stem 127 is
connected to plunger 115 by insertion into a hole formed in the
distal surface of base portion 131 of plunger 115 facing the
interior of the spout 100. To secure the stem 127 to lower portion
125 of slide 107 and to the base portion 131 of plunger 115 so that
these pieces move together under force without slipping, any
additional securing means may be used, such as adhesives, flanges,
snap engagements, etc., perhaps in addition to there being a tight
or forced fit between them. As an alternative, the stem 127 may be
formed integrally with the plunger 115 as one piece, the stem 127
may be formed integrally with the slide 107 as one piece, or the
stem 127 may be formed integrally with the plunger 115 and the
slide 107 as one piece. Manufacturing of such integral pieces may
be by one process, such as injection molding, etc.
[0037] The cavity 109 formed in top of spout 100 may be recessed
within the spout 100, and the top of the cavity 109 may be open to
the outside environment. The cavity 109 may be generally separated
from the interior chamber, passageway, etc., within the spout 100
by a plurality of cavity walls. However, a single bore 135 may be
present through a proximal wall 137 of the cavity 109 to allow stem
127 to pass through it and reach plunger 115. The cross-sectional
size and shape of bore 135 will generally be about the same as that
for at least the portion of the stem 127 that slides through bore
135 by translational movement of slide 107, such that the stem 127
has a close-fit or seal with the interior surface of bore 135 over
its range of motion, perhaps via one or more interposed O-rings
139. Although two O-rings 139 are shown, one O-ring may be
sufficient. Such O-ring(s) may be any of a variety of O-rings
available, including Quattro O-rings or seals, and may generally be
made of a petroleum-resistant material for use with PFCs. Quattro
seals have a clover-leaf cross section that creates multiple
contacts with the opposing surfaces to improve the seal and resist
rolling. These superior features may allow only one, as opposed to
two, O-ring(s) to be used. The close-fit or seal between bore 135
and stem 127 ensures that liquid or fuel passing or flowing through
the interior of spout 100 does not leak or seep into cavity 109 and
into the outside environment. In addition to proximal wall 137, the
cavity 109 is further separated from the interior of spout 100 by
bottom wall 143, distal wall 145, first side wall 147 and second
side wall 149 (see also FIG. 1C).
[0038] As mentioned above, a slide 107 comprising an upper portion
123 and a lower portion 125 may further comprise a middle portion
124. According to the embodiment in FIG. 1, as more clearly shown
in FIG. 1C, middle portion 124 and lower portion 125 of slide 107
may be positioned within upper slot 151 and/or lower slot 153 of
cavity 109, respectively. Upper slot 151 and/or lower slot 153 of
cavity 109 may have a cross-sectional size, dimensions and shape to
match, or correspond to, the cross-sectional size, dimensions and
shape of the middle portion 124 and lower portion 125 of slide 107
such that movement of the slide 107 is constrained to a
proximal-distal axis by the slot(s) of the cavity 109. An upper
side wall(s) of the cavity 109 even with the outer sides of the
spout body 101 may also contact the side face(s) of the upper
portion 123 of slide 107 to constrain movement and define the upper
slot 151 of cavity 109. In addition, part of the lower portion 125
of the slide 107 connected to middle portion 124 may be narrower
than the middle portion 124 such that middle portion 124 may rest
on a ledge 155 projecting from the first side wall 147 and second
wall 149 of cavity 109. Ledge 155 may also project into cavity 109
from proximal wall 137 and distal wall 145 such that ledge 155 is
continuous in a plane around the periphery of cavity 109. Ledge 155
may operate to confine movement and avoid wobbling of slide 107 by
contact with a lower surface of middle portion 124 of slide 107
even without a defined upper slot 151 of cavity 109.
[0039] As also mentioned above, the slide assembly and slide 107
will generally be positioned at the top of the body 101 and/or the
main body portion 103 of spout 100. This position has the
advantages of being accessible, more easily operated by hand, and
further helping to properly align and orient the placement of the
spout into the opening of the container. Placement of the slide
assembly at the top of the spout may also orient the cavity 109 and
a U-shaped central passage 159 (see below) to help dispose the
liquid or fuel flow to the lower portion of the central passage 159
with the air having less density passing through the more
obstructed upper portion of the central passage 159. However, it is
conceivable that the slide assembly could be located at other
positions around the periphery of the sides of the spout body
without departing from the same or similar manner of operation of
the slide assembly as described herein. Moreover, the exact type,
construction, shape, etc., of the slide may vary while preserving
the same basic principles and manner of operation. For example,
even with the cavity shown in FIG. 1, the slide, and particularly
the upper portion of slide actuated directly by hand, could have a
variety of different sizes and shapes. For example, it is
conceivable that a larger slide feature, such as a sleeve, handle,
etc., could even be used for operation by hand, with such
translational forces then transferred to a stem and plunger in much
the same manner.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1A and more clearly in FIG. 1B, base
portion 131 of plunger 115 is closely or snugly fit within first
opening 129 at the proximal end 117 of spout 100. O-rings 141 may
be interposed between inner surface of spout 100 around first
opening 129 and base portion 131 of plunger 115. Although two
O-rings 141 are shown, one O-ring may be sufficient. Such O-ring(s)
may be any of a variety of O-rings available, including Quattro
seals, which may generally be made of a petroleum-resistant
material for use with PFCs. Quattro seals have a clover-leaf cross
section that creates multiple contacts with the opposing surfaces
to improve the seal and resist rolling. These superior features may
allow only one O-ring to be used.
[0041] Plunger 115 will generally have a size and shape that tapers
from its widest dimensions at its base portion 131 (corresponding
in size and shape to the cross-section of first opening 129) along
narrowing portion 133 to a plunger tip 134 with the tapering of the
narrowing portion 133 being strongly favored and oriented to one
side of plunger 115 such that narrowing portion 133 and plunger tip
134 will be closer to one side of spout 100 when assembled with
spout 100. In general, plunger 115 will be oriented in spout 100
when attached to stem 127 of slide assembly and inserted into first
opening 129 such that narrowing portion 133 and plunger tip 134 of
plunger 115 is closest to the top of spout 100.
[0042] FIG. 1B shows slide 107, stem 127 and plunger 115 positioned
in a most rearward or proximal position to place plunger 115 in a
closed position due to at least part of the base portion 131 of
plunger 115 being fully inserted into and filling the entire first
opening 129 of spout. However, when slide assembly including slide
107 and stem 127 are moved distally, base portion 131 of plunger
115 is moved gradually out of first opening 129 of spout 100 to
create a gap between narrowing portion 133 of plunger 115 and the
inner surface within first opening 129 of spout 100. Liquid or fuel
is then allowed to flow out of the container and into spout 100
through such gap in first opening 129. When the slide assembly is
moved distally from its closed position, the gap is first formed in
the bottom-most portion of the first opening 129 due to the tapered
shape of plunger 115 and its orientation and placement with the
narrowing portion 133 and plunger tip 134 of plunger 115 toward or
closer to the top of spout 100. As the slide assembly and plunger
115 are moved further in a distal direction, the gap becomes
increasingly widened within bottom portion of first opening 129.
Thus, due to the tapered shape of the plunger 115, flow of liquid
or fuel into the spout 100 from the container may be regulated and
controlled continuously and gradually at will by moving the slide
assembly (and thus the plunger 115) from a closed proximal position
toward an open distal position, or vice versa.
[0043] The following is a general description of the flow of liquid
or fuel through the spout embodiment of FIG. 1. When the fluid or
fuel flows into the spout 100 from the container, it first enters a
proximal chamber 157 located between the distal surface of base
portion 131 of plunger 115 and the proximal wall 137 of spout 100.
The proximal chamber 157 may have a diameter of about 1.5 inches or
less, or alternatively about 1 inch or less, and the first opening
129 may have a smaller diameter of less than 1.5 inches, or about 1
inch or less, or from about 0.7 to about 0.8 inches. The liquid or
fuel then continues to flow through a U-shaped central passage 159
corresponding to the length of the cavity 109 and presence of walls
137, 143, 145, 147, 149 surrounding cavity 109. Both the proximal
chamber 157 and central passage 159 may be located in main body
portion 103 of spout 100. The outer sides around U-shaped central
passage 159 may have a radius of curvature of about 1.5 inches or
less, or about 1 inch or less.
[0044] As more clearly seen in FIG. 1C, central passage 159 may
comprise a lower channel 161, a first side channel 163 and a second
side channel 165. The lower channel 161 of central passage 159 may
be generally the volume between the bottom outer side 171 of spout
100 and bottom wall 143 of cavity 109 and slide assembly. The first
side channel 163 may be generally the volume between first outer
side 167 of spout 100 and first side wall 147 of cavity 109, and
second side channel 165 may be generally the volume between second
outer side 169 on outside of spout 100 and second side wall 149 of
cavity 109. Even though lower channel 161, first side channel 163
and second side channel 165 of FIG. 1 are described separately,
these channels may not have specific boundaries between them but
instead may refer to regions of the continuous U-shaped central
passage 159. Likewise, bottom outer side 171, first outer side 167
and second outer side 169 of spout 100 in FIG. 1 may not have
specific boundaries between them but may refer to regions of the
continuous outer sides of the spout.
[0045] After the liquid or fuel pours or flows through the central
passage 159, it then enters a nozzle lumen 175 in the nozzle
portion 105 of spout 100 from a proximal portion 177 to a distal
portion 179 of nozzle lumen 175 and finally flows out of spout 100
through an exit opening 181 at or near distal end 119 of spout
100.
[0046] Several factors contribute to the liquid or fuel flowing
through spout 100 to remain in, and be confined to, mostly the
lower portions of the proximal chamber 157, central passage 161 and
nozzle lumen 175. As explained above, when plunger 115 is moved
distally from a closed position, liquid or fuel entering spout 100
from container passes through a gap at the bottom-most portion of
first opening 129 due to plunger 115 being tapered to one side with
narrowing portion 133 and plunger tip 134 oriented and positioned
closer to the top of the spout 100. In addition, the taper of the
plunger 115 helps to direct or divert the liquid or fuel flow
downward to the lower portion of first opening 129 as it approaches
first opening 129 of spout 100 from inside the container.
Therefore, the liquid or fuel first enters proximal chamber 157 of
spout 100 in the lower portion of the proximal chamber 157.
Furthermore, as long as each portion of the spout 100 is not fully
inverted, gravity will operate to cause, or at least dispose, the
liquid or fuel to flow along the lower portions of proximal chamber
157, central passage 159 and nozzle lumen 175. Due to surface
tension, fluids may also have a tendency to cling to surfaces, such
as the bottom surfaces of the proximal chamber 157, central passage
159 and nozzle lumen 175. As mentioned above, the downward angle of
the nozzle portion 105 of spout 100 will allow the user to pour the
liquid or fuel with less inversion of the main body portion 103 of
spout 100. Moreover, the walls 137, 143, 145, 147, 149 surrounding
the cavity 109 and slide assembly and hanging down from the top of
the spout 100 may also promote, dispose and/or divert the fuel or
liquid to flow along the less impeded lower channel 161 of central
passage 159. The side exit opening 181 may also assist the smooth
outflow of liquid or fuel from the lower portion of the nozzle
lumen 175 (see below).
[0047] With the liquid or fuel preferentially flowing in, or at
least mostly confined to, the lower portions of proximal chamber
157, central passage 159 and nozzle lumen 175, air flowing back
into the container may be better able to flow through the upper
portions of spout 100. The air flowing back into the container will
naturally want to flow through the upper portions of the spout
because it is less dense than the liquid or fuel. This flow of air
through the upper portions may also help to reinforce the flow of
liquid or fuel to the lower portions of proximal chamber 157,
central passage 159 and nozzle lumen 175 due to force exerted by
air pressure. The upper surface of the liquid or fuel in the lower
portions of the spout interior may also act as a barrier or "skin"
that dynamically resists being broken or disturbed by the air
flowing in the upper portions due to any surface tension of the
liquid or fuel.
[0048] According to embodiments of the present invention, an exit
opening may be further located at the distal end of the spout to
allow the liquid or fuel to exit the spout (and also for air to
enter the spout). As can be seen in FIG. 1B, an exit opening 181
may be formed in a bottom-distal location or corner of the nozzle
portion 105 as if the bottom-distal location of the nozzle portion
105 were "cut-away" to create the exit opening 181. Such a side
exit opening 181 may span from a location on the bottom side 183 of
nozzle portion 105 to a location on the distal end 119 or outer
distal face 188 of spout 100.
[0049] The proportions of the exit opening 181 may be about 1
inch.times.1 inch or less, and the proximal-distal dimension may be
a little greater than the width dimension. Furthermore, the width
of the exit opening 181 near its proximal end may be less than the
width of the exit opening 181 near its distal end, such that the
exit opening has a trapezoidal-like shape. Due to the narrower
width at the proximal end of the exit opening 181, a greater
proportion of the total proximal-distal length of the exit opening
181 is needed for the same cross-sectional area near the proximal
side of the exit opening 181 than near the distal side of the exit
opening 181. Accordingly, the air flowing into the nozzle portion
105 may be more confined to a smaller length of the exit opening
181 near its distal end, thus reserving more of the length of the
exit opening 181 near its proximal end for the exiting of the
liquid or fuel. This feature can promote the smooth flow of liquid
or fuel out of the spout since the cross-sectional shape of the
liquid or fuel flow in nozzle lumen 175 may be less altered at the
exit opening 181 by the inflowing air.
[0050] The outer defining edges of the exit opening 181 in a
bottom-distal location of the nozzle portion 105 may be present in
a plane. Such plane of the exit opening 181 may be slanted from a
location on the bottom side 183 of nozzle portion 105 to the distal
end 119 of spout 100 at a non-perpendicular angle relative to both
the distal end 119 of the spout 100 and the bottom side 183 of the
nozzle portion 105. For example, the angle between such plane of
the exit opening 181 and the top side 185 of nozzle portion 105 may
be greater than 0.degree. but less than 90.degree., or more
preferably from about 10.degree. to about 40.degree., or from about
15.degree. to about 25.degree., or about 20.degree.. Distal end 119
of the nozzle portion 105 may further have a flat outer face 188 in
a plane nearly or perfectly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the nozzle portion 105. In such a case, the plane of the exit
opening 181 may be slanted at a non-perpendicular angle relative to
the outer face 188.
[0051] Even if the edges of exit opening 181 are not perfectly
planar, exit opening 181 may still be defined as having the same
general orientation such that a line from a location or position on
the bottom side 183 of nozzle portion 105 along an edge of exit
opening 181 to another location or position on the outer face 188
along an edge of exit opening 181 is similarly slanted at a
non-perpendicular angle relative to bottom side 183 and outer face
188.
[0052] It is also worth noting that at least a segment of the
distal portion 179 of nozzle portion 175 may be angled upward very
slightly relative to the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion
177 of nozzle portion 175. In such a case, the plane of distal
outer face 188 may be described as nearly or perfectly
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of either the proximal
portion 177 or the slightly angled distal segment of nozzle portion
105.
[0053] To improve flow of the liquid or fuel out of the nozzle
portion 105 of the spout 100, an interior surface 187 at the distal
end 119 of the nozzle lumen 175 may also be contoured or rounded in
one or more dimensions to more gently direct or divert the
direction of liquid or fuel flow in the lower portion of nozzle
lumen 175 out the slanted side exit opening 181. Such a slanted
side exit opening 181 has an increased outflow area compared to a
hypothetical straight opening at the distal end of the nozzle
portion (i.e., an opening spanning from the top side 185 to the
bottom side 183 of the nozzle portion 105). The increased outflow
area of the slanted side exit opening 181 of the present nozzle
design further increases flow rate of the liquid or fuel exiting
the nozzle portion 105, which may produce a smoother and more
controlled flow of liquid or fuel out of the spout 100. The side
exit opening 181 also avoids the liquid or fuel from "shooting" out
the distal end. However, while a side exit opening may be
preferred, it is envisioned that a straight exit opening at the
distal end of the spout (i.e., an opening spanning from the top
side to the bottom side of the nozzle portion) may conceivably be
used in combination with other inventive features (see, e.g., FIG.
4 described below).
[0054] Due to vacuum pressure created inside the container and
spout as a result of the liquid or fuel being poured out of the
container and spout, air is pulled or sucked back into the spout
and container to replace the volume of liquid or fuel being poured.
This design of the slanted side exit opening 181 in combination
with other features improves the flow of air through the exit
opening 181 into the nozzle lumen 175 by encouraging the air
entering the spout 100 to quickly flow straight up to the top of
the nozzle lumen 175. By driving the inward flowing air immediately
upward, the air may become more quickly segregated from the
outflowing liquid or fuel. The contoured or rounded interior
surface 187 at the distal end of nozzle lumen 175 may also help to
smoothly guide the air into the upper portion of the nozzle lumen
175 without sharp transitions. The exact shape and dimensions of
the contoured or rounded interior surface 187 may vary. Once the
air flow arrives in the upper portion of the nozzle lumen 175 and
continues to flow proximally along the upper portions of the spout
interior, interference or interruption of the outflow of liquid or
fuel in the lower portions of the spout interior by the air may be
minimized, which may translate into a faster flow rate of the
liquid or fuel out of the spout.
[0055] Once the air entering the exit opening 181 reaches the upper
portion of the nozzle lumen 175, the air continues to flow in a
proximal or rearward direction along the upper portion of the
nozzle lumen 175. In its path toward the container, the air flow
encounters the slide assembly, which forces a bifurcation of most
or all of the air flow around each side of the slide assembly. As
shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D, a tapered structure 189, which may have a
cone-like or pyramid-like shape, is present on the distal side of
distal wall 145 of cavity 109 that is blended or fused with the top
side 185 of nozzle portion 105. This tapered structure 189 from
point 191 helps the air flow glide past the slide assembly and
makes the bifurcation of the air flow more orderly and smooth. The
tapered structure 189 comes to a narrow-most point 191 at its
distal end where it meets the top side 185 within nozzle lumen 175.
The tapered structure 189 gradually tapers from the point 191 to
the cross-sectional shape of distal wall 145 of cavity 109 to
encourage or dispose the air flowing proximally to undergo a smooth
and orderly transition from the combined air flow in the nozzle
lumen 175 to the at least partially bifurcated air flow on each
side of the slide assembly through first channel 163 and second
channel 165 of central passage 159. However, although the tapered
structure 189 may generally be a preferred feature, this tapered
structure 189 may be absent (e.g., surface of distal wall facing
nozzle lumen may be approximately flat) according to some
embodiments when present in combination with other inventive
features. The liquid or fuel 193 flowing outward is also depicted
in the lower part of the nozzle lumen 175 in FIG. 1D. After the
bifurcated air flow passes the slide assembly, it becomes
recombined in the upper portion of proximal chamber 157 before
flowing into the container through the first opening 129.
[0056] To further improve the fluid flows in both directions, the
nozzle portion 105 and/or nozzle lumen 175 may be tapered in a cone
shape such that the diameter or width of the proximal portion 177
of nozzle lumen 175 is greater than that of the distal portion 179
of nozzle lumen 175. To form a cone shape, the top side 185 and
bottom side 183 of nozzle portion 105 as well as the two sides of
nozzle portion 105 are angled toward each other in the distal
direction. As such, the diameter or width of the nozzle lumen 175
near its proximal end is greater than the diameter or width of the
nozzle lumen 175 near its distal end. This may be defined by the
following equation,
D.sub.big.gtoreq.D.sub.small.gtoreq.0.1*D.sub.big, in which
D.sub.big is the diameter of proximal-most portion of the nozzle
lumen 175 (which may be about the same as the diameter of the
proximal chamber 157 and/or central passage 159) and D.sub.small is
the diameter of the nozzle lumen 175 at or near the proximal side
of the exit opening 181. This widening toward the proximal portion
177 facilitates or encourages a continuous and smooth division or
bifurcation of the air flow around the tapered structure 189 and
slide assembly by minimizing constriction and giving room for the
air flow to spread, such that the air flow does not impinge or
create a higher pressure zone where the liquid or fuel 193 is
flowing out into the nozzle lumen 175. By maintaining a continuous
and smooth air flow, a faster flow rate of the liquid or fuel 193
may be achieved.
[0057] Eventually, vacuum pressure created by the liquid or fuel
flowing out of the container and nozzle may also operate to provide
an automatic shut-off mechanism. Shortly after the level of liquid
or fuel in the machine, equipment, container, etc., being filled
rises to a level where the exit opening 181 becomes immersed within
the liquid or fuel, flow of the liquid or fuel out of the container
and spout 100 ceases due to the vacuum pressure and the inability
of air to flow into the exit opening 181 and spout 100. When this
happens, the user may simply move the slide 107 and plunger 115 to
the closed position and remove the spout 100 without spilling. If a
spring is present in the slide assembly to bias the slide and
plunger to a closed position, then the user may simply release the
slide to allow the slide 107 and plunger 115 to move to the closed
position.
[0058] While a round or circular cross sectional shape may
generally be preferred as shown in FIG. 1, the outer sides of the
body of a spout of the present invention, including the main body
portion and/or the nozzle portion of the spout, may have different
cross-sectional shapes, such as an oval or diamond shape, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. If
different shapes are used, then the cross-sectional shape(s) of the
other features of the present invention may also be different to
accommodate such alteration. Generally, however, it may be
preferred that the cross-sectional shape of the proximal chamber
157, central passage 159 and nozzle lumen 175 have a side-to-side
width near the bottom or lowermost portion that is narrower than
the width above it. This has the advantage of encouraging a more
orderly and smooth liquid or fuel flow in response to any pressure
variations caused by irregular air flow or bubbles. For example, as
depicted in FIG. 1D for the nozzle lumen 175, any downward pressure
(indicated by arrows) exerted by the air above the liquid or fuel
193 will be resisted by the narrowing of the width between the
sides of the nozzle lumen 175 toward its lowermost portion or
bottom. This reduces irregular flow of the liquid or fuel 193
caused by fluctuations in air pressure or by the presence of small
air bubbles. As mentioned above, the surface tension of the fluid
may also resist interruption of its upper surface.
[0059] As stated above, the exit opening may span from a top side
to a bottom side of the nozzle portion of the spout at or near the
distal end of the spout. According to embodiments of the present
invention, the distal exit opening may also have one or more edges
defining the boundaries of the exit opening that may be present or
generally oriented within or along one or more planes. Indeed, the
outer defining edges of an exit opening of a spout or nozzle that
spans from the top side to the bottom side of the nozzle portion of
the spout may be present within a single plane or multiple planes,
such as one or more planes, two or more planes, three or more
planes, etc. However, the exit opening may instead have any variety
of curved and/or irregular edge(s) in two or more dimensions.
[0060] FIGS. 4A and 4B show an example embodiment of the present
invention with a distal exit opening 481 spanning from a top side
485 to a bottom side 483 of a nozzle portion 405 of the body 401 of
a spout 400. As shown in FIG. 4B, for example, exit opening 481 may
have a first curved edge 486 in a first plane, a pair of
spaced-apart second edges 493a, 493b in a second plane, and a third
curved edge 495 in a third plane. The first curved edge within the
first plane may be oriented approximately perpendicular to the top
side 485 of the nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400, the third
curved edge 495 within the third plane may be approximately
perpendicular to the bottom side 483 of the nozzle portion 405, and
the pair of second edges 493a, 493b within the second plane may be
slanted at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the first and
second planes and span between the first and second curved edges
486, 495. The first curved edge 486 may meet the pair of second
edges 493a, 493b at points 496a, 496b, and third curved edge 495
may meet the pair of second edges 493a, 493b at points 499a, 499b.
For example, the angles between the second plane and the first and
third planes may each be 90.degree. or less, or more preferably
from about 10.degree. to about 50.degree., or from about 25.degree.
to about 35.degree., or about 30.degree..
[0061] Even if one or more of the edge(s) of the exit opening are
not perfectly linear and/or planar, the edge(s) of the exit opening
may still be grouped into edge portions having a same or similar
general orientation. For example, a first edge may span between the
top side of the nozzle portion of a spout and a second edge, and
the second edge may be in a generally slanted orientation and span
between the first edge and either a third edge or a bottom side of
the nozzle portion of the spout. While the presence of a third edge
of the exit opening may be preferred, the third edge may be
optional, and the second edge may span from the first edge to the
bottom side of the nozzle portion of the spout. If a third edge is
present (e.g., as in FIG. 4), the third edge may span from the
second edge to the bottom side of the nozzle portion.
[0062] A first edge of an exit opening closer to the top side of
the nozzle portion may generally be located more distally than a
second and/or third edge of the exit opening located closer to the
bottom side of the nozzle portion. For example, the first curved
edge 486 of the exit opening 481 in FIG. 4 of the first plane may
be located more distally than the third curved edge 495 of the
third plane. Thus, the exit opening 481 may be located generally in
a bottom-distal corner of the nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400
even though the exit opening 481 spans from the top side 485 to the
bottom side 483 of the nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400. As a
result, a liquid or fuel exiting the nozzle portion 405 of the
spout 400 may be biased to flow out of the exit opening 481 in a
downward direction in addition to flowing outward through the exit
opening 481. However, flow of the liquid or fuel through the exit
opening 481 is restricted in an upward direction due to the
presence of the top side 485 of the nozzle portion 405 at the
distal end 419 of the spout 400 near the top portion 488 of the
first curved edge 486 of the exit opening 481. By contrast, the
exit opening 481 is enlarged on the bottom side 483 of the nozzle
portion 405 near the distal end 419 of the spout 400.
[0063] By having a wider exit opening 481 spanning between the top
and bottom sides 485, 483 and enlarged on the bottom side of the
nozzle portion 405 near the distal end 419 of the spout 400, the
liquid or fuel flowing out of the exit opening 481 is allowed to
spread out and/or remain more laminar. The increased outflow area
of the slanted side exit opening 481 of the present invention
increases flow rate of the liquid or fuel exiting the nozzle
portion 405, which allows for the container, etc., to be filled in
less time while maintaining a controlled flow of liquid or fuel out
of the spout 400. The enlargement of the exit opening 481 on the
bottom side 483 of the spout 400 may further cause the liquid or
fuel flow through the exit opening 481 to be biased in a more
downward direction. Such downward liquid/fuel flow out of the
nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400 may help to reinforce the
confinement of the liquid/fuel flow in the lower portion(s) of the
nozzle interior, especially near the exit opening 481 and distal
end 419 of the spout 400.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the curved third edge 495 near
the bottom side 483 of the nozzle portion 405 may also encourage a
more orderly and laminar flow of liquid/fuel exiting the spout 400
by maintaining a more laminar or parallel flow of the liquid/fuel.
If the slanted second edge(s) were to instead span all the way to
the bottom side 483 of the nozzle portion 405, then the second
edge(s) of the exit opening 481 would converge triangularly to a
point on the bottom side 483 of the nozzle portion 405 (instead of
the more elongated blunt edge 495), which would disturb the orderly
laminar flow of liquid/fuel exiting the spout 400. As an optional
feature, a portion 497 of the bottom side 483 of the spout 400 near
the third curved edge 495 of the exit opening 481 may be flared
outward slightly (relative to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle
portion 405 of the body 401 of the spout 400) to help encourage the
downwardly directed or spreading flow of the liquid/fuel exiting
the spout 400. A boundary or edge 498 may thus be present between
the flared portion 497 and the remainder of the distal portion 479
of the nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400.
[0065] In addition to increasing the rate of liquid/fuel flow
exiting the spout 400, the downwardly directed flow of the
liquid/fuel flow exiting the spout 400 (due to the exit opening 481
having an enlarged outflow area in the bottom-distal corner of the
nozzle portion of the spout) may also facilitate the inward flow of
air into the nozzle interior near the top of the exit opening 481
by widening the space between the liquid/fuel flow and the top of
the exit opening 481. In other words, the downward biasing of the
liquid/fuel flow though the exit opening 481 may further help to
reinforce the inward flow of air preferentially into the upper
portion of the nozzle interior by creating a larger cross-sectional
area for air flow into the top portion of the exit opening 481. To
help guide the inward flow of air into the upper portion of the
nozzle interior without creating resistive and/or disorderly air
currents, a rounded projection or mound(s) 487 may optionally
extend downward from the top side 485 of the nozzle portion 405 of
the spout 400 (e.g., downward from near a top portion 488 of the
first curved edge 486 of the exit opening 481) at or near the
distal end 419 of the spout 400. Such a rounded projection 487 may
also function to help direct or divert the liquid/fuel flow exiting
the spout 400 through the exit opening 481 in a more downwardly
direction. Once the air enters the interior of the distal portion
479 of the nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400, the air may
continue to flow through the interior of the spout 400 in a
proximal direction in much the same manner as described above in
reference to FIG. 1.
[0066] Another advantage of the spout of the present invention
according to those embodiments having a nozzle portion with outer
sides that taper toward the distal end of the spout is that the
nozzle portion may be inserted into an opening of the machine,
equipment, etc., to be filled until the nozzle portion forms a
close-fit with such opening to help reduce evaporative emissions
from such opening of the machine, equipment, etc., being filled.
Such close-fit of the spout may also help to partially stabilize or
support the inverted container connected to the spout during
pouring.
[0067] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
holder may also be present on one or more sides of the spout or
nozzle for engaging a structure on a container, tank, piece of
equipment, machine, etc., being filled (e.g., a neck surrounding an
opening of the container, etc., being filled into which the nozzle
portion of the spout is inserted). For example, as shown in FIGS.
4A and 4B, a holder 510 may project out from the bottom side 483 of
a nozzle or spout 400 that assists with bearing of the weight of
the liquid/fuel container attached to the nozzle or spout 400
and/or properly positioning and stabilizing the distal end 419 of
the nozzle or spout 400 during use. According to the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the holder 510 may extend out from an
area 511 on the bottom side 483 of the nozzle portion 405 of the
spout 400. The holder 510 may be connected, attached, formed
integrally with, etc., the outer side of the nozzle portion 405 of
the spout 400. The holder 510 may have a distal face 515, a
proximal face 517, and an outermost side 513. The distal face 515
of the holder 510 may contact the neck surrounding an opening of a
container, tank, etc., to be (or being) filled with the
liquid/fuel.
[0068] To help secure the positioning of the nozzle in relation to
the neck of the container opening, the distal face 515 of the
holder 510 may be slanted in a proximal direction from near the
outermost side 513 of the holder 510 toward the bottom side 483 of
the nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400, which will help to direct
or cause the spout 400 to slide toward the neck or other mating
structure of the container, etc., being filled (i.e., for the side
of the nozzle portion 405 to slide closer to the neck/structure of
the container, etc., being filled). The proximal face 517 of the
holder 510 may also be similarly slanted (i.e., proximally toward
the side of the nozzle/spout) for the holder 510 to have a more
consistent thickness. An elongated groove or indentation 519 may
also be present in the distal face 515 of the holder 510 near or
next to the side (e.g., the bottom side 483) of the nozzle portion
405 of the spout 400 to receive an outer edge of the neck/structure
of the container, etc., and help hold it in place. The proximally
slanted distal face 515 toward the side of the nozzle portion 405
and/or the elongated groove 519 may assist in holding the spout and
associated liquid/fuel container more securely in place without
sliding or movement during use.
[0069] To accommodate the holder 510 as an integral part of the
bottom side 483 of the nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400, at
least a portion 484 of the bottom side 483 of the nozzle portion
405 may protrude into the interior of the conical nozzle portion
405. A recessed area 521 may also be present in the bottom side 483
of the spout 400 near where the holder 510 meets the bottom side
483 of the nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400, thus forming a
pocket that may further assist in securely holding the
neck/structure of the container, etc., being filled in place during
use. To keep the edge of the neck or other mating structure of the
container, etc., from sliding off the outermost side or edge 513 of
the holder 510, an elongated structure or lip 514 may be present
that extends distally from the holder 510 at or near the outermost
side 513 of the holder 510. The holder 510 may extend out far
enough to easily catch and engage the neck when the spout 400 is
inserted into the opening of the container to be filled. However,
the holder may preferably be shorter and not extend out from the
side of the nozzle portion 405 of the spout 400 too far such that
it becomes an obstruction or unnecessarily large. For example, it
may be preferable for a nozzle/spout of the present invention to be
inserted into a fuel container in an inverted orientation (i.e., to
make the container plus nozzle/spout more compact) for shipping
purposes prior to sale, and a spout having a larger holder (i.e.,
extending out farther from its side) may not be able to fit inside
the opening of the container.
[0070] The holder may have different structural features that make
it more resilient and less susceptible to cracking, breaking, etc.,
over the useful life of the spout. For example, a holder having a
greater thickness between its proximal and distal sides or faces
and/or a larger area in common with the side of the spout may have
greater durability and strength to withstand the forces involved
during its use in supporting the weight of the spout and its
attached container. The portion of a side of the spout at or near
where a holder is located on (and/or in common with) the side of
the nozzle, including perhaps proximally thereto, may also be
thicker to add to the structural resiliency of the nozzle/spout
holder. For example, a portion of the bottom side 483 of the nozzle
portion 405 of the spout 400 is shown in FIG. 4 having a greater
thickness where the holder 510 is located and proximally thereto.
For the sides of the spout to have a more consistent profile, the
thicker side portion of the spout (i.e., at or near the holder) may
project or bulge slightly into the interior of the nozzle lumen
(see, e.g., bulge 484 into nozzle lumen 475 of spout 400 in FIG.
4A) to accommodate this increased side thickness. Such a bulge into
the interior of the nozzle lumen may also help to create a more
closed pocket or space (between the side of the nozzle and the
distal face of the holder) near the side of the nozzle/spout for
receiving, mating with, etc., a corresponding structure or neck of
a container, etc., being filled (see, e.g., pocket or space present
between recessed area 521 and distal face 515 of holder 510 with
bulge 484 into interior of nozzle lumen 475 of spout 400 in FIGS.
4A and 4B). Although the portion of the side of the spout proximal
to the location of the holder may be thicker, the portion of the
side of the spout distal to the location of the holder may have a
same or similar thickness to the remaining side portions of the
nozzle/spout (see, e.g., FIG. 4).
[0071] It is important to note, however, that although the
alternative shape of the exit opening 481 and the presence of a
holder 510 are both shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B,
these are actually independent features among embodiments of the
present invention. Thus, a spout or nozzle of the present invention
may have one of these two features without the other. For example,
the spout 100 in FIG. 1 may have a holder(s) on its side(s) much
like the holder 510 shown in FIG. 4, and the spout 400 in FIG. 4
having the particular exit opening 481 may lack the holder 510
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0072] It is also important to note that the concept of a holder
may be structurally embodied in other ways (i.e., have a variety of
different shapes, sizes, features, etc.) while still functioning to
support the weight of the liquid/fuel container attached to the
spout and/or stop further advancement of the nozzle into a separate
container, tank, etc., being filled (i.e., to position the distal
end and exit opening of the spout). For example, a holder may be a
simply shaped projection from a side of the spout/nozzle. The
"holder" may also comprise a plurality of spaced-apart holders,
which may each be projections or structures having a variety of
different sizes, shapes, etc., that extend out from the side of the
nozzle or spout. The multiple holders may be arranged
concentrically around the spout or nozzle and/or located at
different distances from the distal end of the spout/nozzle (e.g.,
for different types of uses). The holder may instead comprise a
continuous annular projection or structure that circumferentially
surrounds the sides of the spout or nozzle. Thus, the structure and
configuration of the "holder" may vary while performing the same
function(s) of positioning the distal end of the spout/nozzle,
stabilizing the position spout/nozzle against movement, and/or
supporting the weight of the liquid/fuel container during use.
[0073] According to embodiments of the present invention, the
positioning of the one or more holder(s) on the side of a spout or
nozzle (i.e., the distance between the holder(s) and the distal end
of the spout or nozzle) is important for properly positioning the
distal end of the spout or nozzle inside the container, tank, etc.,
being filled with a liquid or fuel. As noted above, once the level
of liquid or fuel inside the container being filled reaches a
sufficient height or level that it fully covers the exit opening,
further liquid or fuel flow into the container will eventually stop
since air cannot flow back into the nozzle (i.e., due to vacuum
pressure inside the spout and its associated liquid/fuel
container). Thus, the positioning of the holder on the side of the
spout/nozzle may determine the desired maximum fill level inside
the container due to any further liquid/fuel flow into the
container becoming stopped once (or shortly after) the exit opening
is covered by the liquid/fuel inside the container, etc., being
filled. In general, the holder(s) may be positioned at a range of
distances from the exit opening and/or the distal end of the spout
or nozzle. Although the distance between the holder(s) and the
distal end of the spout/nozzle will generally be greater than zero,
the holder may conceivably be placed at any location along the
length of the spout, or more particularly at any position along the
length of the nozzle portion of the spout including the junction
between the main body portion and the nozzle portion of the spout.
Although less preferred, the holder(s) may even be located on the
main body portion of the spout. According to many embodiments of
the present invention, the holder(s) may be placed at a distance
from a proximal edge of the exit opening or the distal end of the
spout that is at least 10%, or at least 20%, or at least 30%, or at
least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at
least 80%, or at least 90%, of the total length of the nozzle
portion of the spout.
[0074] According to embodiments of the present invention, the
positioning of a holder on the side of a spout or nozzle may be
ideally modeled or approximated as being at a minimal distance from
the exit opening and/or the distal end of the spout/nozzle. The
following example calculation may be used to approximate a minimum
distance between the holder and the proximal edge of the exit
opening of a spout or nozzle assuming that the spout or nozzle is
inserted into the top of a container, tank, etc., being filled. The
following example calculation also assumes that there is a neck
surrounding the opening of the container, tank, etc., being filled.
However, as stated below, the following calculations and formula
may also be applied to a mating structure other than the neck of an
opening. The volume of the portion of the spout/nozzle of the
present invention that is inserted into the container, tank, etc.,
being filled and the neck opening (of the container, etc.) may be
simply approximated as a frustum of a right circular cone (see
below).
[0075] The interior volume of the container or tank being filled
may be simply approximated by the following formula (assuming that
the container/tank is a right rectangular prism):
V.sub.C=lwh, (1)
[0076] wherein V.sub.C is the volume of the container/tank, l is
the length, w is the width, and h is the height of the
container/tank. This formula may be rewritten as (2) V.sub.C=Ah,
wherein A=lw (i.e., the constant cross-sectional area of the
container/tank).
[0077] However, the container, tank, etc., being filled may have
other shapes that would change this volume equation. For example,
if the container, etc., has parallel top and bottom walls but
curved, non-planar and/or non-perpendicular side walls, then the
cross-sectional area (A) of the container, etc., may change over
its height (h) between the top and bottom walls. Thus, the area (A)
term of the equation may be defined as a function of its
height.
[0078] Since the liquid or fuel will stop flowing into the
container, etc., being filled when (or shortly after) the height
(h.sub.L) of the liquid/fuel inside the container, etc., fully
covers the exit opening of the spout (i.e., reaches the proximal
edge of the exit opening) due to the exit opening becoming sealed
(i.e., not allowing air to flow into the spout through its exit
opening), such a sealed liquid/fuel height (h.sub.L,S) may be used
to determine the desired or minimum distance (d) between the holder
and the exit opening and/or distal end of the spout (taking into
account other factors discussed below--i.e., the additional volume
of liquid/fuel that may continue to flow into the container, etc.,
being filled after the exit opening is sealed). For example, a
desired maximum liquid/fuel height inside a particular container,
tank, etc., being filled may be used to determine or derive a
minimum distance (d) between the holder and the exit opening and/or
distal end of the spout (perhaps based on the liquid/fuel height
(h.sub.L,S) at which the exit opening of the spout becomes sealed
inside that container, etc., during the filling process).
[0079] However, even after the exit opening of the spout becomes
"sealed" at the liquid/fuel level height (h.sub.L,S) (inside the
container, tank, etc., being filled) that reaches the proximal edge
of the exit opening, liquid or fuel may continue to flow from the
spout/nozzle into the container, tank, etc., to varying extents
depending on a number of factors including (for example): (i) the
density of the liquid/fuel, (ii) the size of the liquid/fuel
container attached to the spout, (iii) the stiffness of the walls
of the liquid/fuel container attached to the spout, and (iv) the
amount or volume of liquid or fuel still remaining inside the spout
and the liquid/fuel container attached to the spout. Thus, any
function that seeks to define a minimum or desired distance (d) for
the placement of the holder(s) on the side(s) of the spout/nozzle
should take into account this additional, post-sealed volume
(V.sub.A) of liquid/fuel that will continue to flow into the
container, tank, etc., being filled after the exit opening of the
spout becomes sealed to avoid over-filling, spilling, emissions,
etc., of the liquid/fuel into the environment.
[0080] However, this additional volume (V.sub.A) may be difficult
or impossible to define in simple mathematical terms since it may
depend on a number of complicated and unknown variables. Thus, the
volume (V.sub.A) would likely need to be determined empirically for
a given spout/nozzle and associated container attached to the
spout/nozzle. On the other hand, the additional volume (V.sub.A) of
liquid/fuel flow into the container, tank, etc., being filled after
the exit opening of the spout/nozzle becomes sealed must be less
than or equal to the remaining volume (V.sub.R) of air or other
less dense gas above the liquid/fuel height (h.sub.L,S) inside the
container, tank, etc. at that time, to avoid overfilling, spilling,
etc., (i.e., V.sub.A.ltoreq.V.sub.R). Combining the equations above
(for a container, etc., having a simple rectangular prism shape),
the remaining unfilled volume (V.sub.R) inside the container, etc.,
being filled may be defined as follows:
V.sub.R=V.sub.C,R-V.sub.N,C (3)
[0081] wherein V.sub.C,R is the remaining volume of the container,
etc., being filled above the liquid/fuel height (h.sub.L,S), and
V.sub.N,C is the volume of the spout/nozzle frustum inside the
remaining volume (V.sub.C,R) of the container, etc., being filled.
With the holder resting on the neck of the container, etc., being
filled, the remaining volume (V.sub.C,R) may be defined as (4)
V.sub.C,R=A(h-h.sub.L,S), and the spout/nozzle frustum volume
(V.sub.N,C) inside the container being filled (and the neck of its
fill opening) may be approximated as:
V.sub.N,C=.pi.d(r.sup.2+rR+R.sup.2)/3 (5)
[0082] wherein V.sub.N,C is the volume of the nozzle frustum
inserted into the container, etc., and the neck of its fill
opening, R is the largest radius and r is the smallest radius of
the nozzle frustum (the largest radius, R, being at or near a
position where the holder may be located on the side of the nozzle,
and the smallest radius, r, being at or near the proximal edge of
the exit opening), and d is the distance or length of the frustum
(i.e, from the nozzle holder to the proximal edge of the exit
opening of the nozzle).
[0083] Thus, V.sub.N,C represents and approximates the volume of
the spout/nozzle (above the exit opening of the spout/nozzle) that
is inserted into the container, tank, etc., being filled (and into
the neck surrounding the fill opening of the container, etc.), as
positioned by the holder on the side of the nozzle engaging the
neck of the opening of the container, etc., or other structure,
which is at a distance (d) from the exit opening at the distal end
of the nozzle. Thus, the formula for the additional volume
(V.sub.A) of liquid/fuel that continues to flow into the container,
tank, etc., being filled may be approximated as follows:
V.sub.A.ltoreq.A(d-d.sub.Neck)-.pi.d(r.sup.2+rR+R.sup.2)/3 (6)
[0084] wherein d.sub.Neck is the height or distance of the neck of
the opening extending out from the container, tank, etc., being
filled, since (h-h.sub.L,S)=(d-d.sub.Neck). However, the term,
d.sub.Neck, may also be used to describe the height or distance of
a structure (of the container, etc., being filled) other than a
neck surrounding the opening of the container, etc., because the
neck distance (d.sub.Neck) basically represents the distance
between the position of the holder on the side of the spout/nozzle
and the top of the interior of the container, tank, etc., being
filled (i.e., at height, h), due to the holder engaging a
corresponding structure on the container, etc., being filled.
[0085] Formula (6) may thus be rearranged to solve for the minimum
distance (d) for a desired placement of the holder on the side of
the nozzle. Thus, distance (d) may be:
d.gtoreq.(V.sub.A+Ad.sub.Neck)/[A-.pi.(r.sup.2+rR+R.sup.2)/3]
(7)
[0086] As mentioned above, the area term (A) may be expressed as a
function of the height of the container, tank, etc., depending on
the shape of the container, tank, etc., being filled. Given that
these calculations are idealized with simplified assumptions about
the shapes of the spout/nozzle and container, tank, etc., being
filled, a safety factor (n) may be added to the above equation (if
used) to determine a minimum or desired distance (d) for the
placement of the holder(s) on the side of the spout/nozzle to
properly position the distal exit opening during use. The safety
factor (n) may also be used even where calculations are considered
more precise. To incorporate this safety factor (n), formula (7)
may be rewritten as:
d.gtoreq.n(V.sub.A+Ad.sub.Neck)/[A-.pi.(r.sup.2+rR+R.sup.2)/3]
(8)
[0087] For example, a safety factor (n) of 20% would equal 1.20. If
the safety factor (n) is large enough, eventually the Ad.sub.Neck
term may eventually become negligible and could be eliminated from
formula (8).
[0088] It is important to note that although the above idealized
description and formula may be used to approximate or determine a
minimum distance placement (d) for a holder(s) on the side of a
spout/nozzle (e.g., to avoid overfilling or spilling of the
liquid/fuel), the holder may instead be placed at a different
distance from the proximal edge of the exit opening and/or the
distal end of the spout/nozzle, perhaps depending on factors other
than a desired fill level inside a container, tank, etc., being
filled. Indeed, a holder may be positioned at a
greater-than-minimal distance, such as for less-than-complete
filling of the container, etc., to allow for other functions to be
performed, and/or to account for variations, error, or improper
use. For example, the nozzle portion of the spout may need to be
long enough to push open any valves inside the neck or container,
etc., being filled, and/or to allow the outer circumference of the
nozzle to form a tight seal with an inner surface of a neck or
opening of a container, tank, etc., being filled to help support
the weight of the liquid/fuel container attached to the spout, to
secure its positioning, to help block or seal off fuel emissions,
etc. A spout may have a dual purpose that may require a sufficient
distance between the distal end of the spout and the position of
the holder to allow full insertion of the spout into the opening of
the container, etc., being filled (e.g., to form a tight
circumferential seal with the opening), while also having a holder
for other uses.
[0089] It is also important to note that a desired position or
distance (d) for the holder may be calculated more narrowly (i.e.,
not as a minimum distance as described in the example above that
avoids overfilling, spilling, etc., of the liquid or fuel).
Basically, the above example calculations and formulas solve for a
maximum liquid/fuel height being equal to the height of the
container, etc., being filled. However, for a desired liquid/fuel
level or height (h.sub.d) that is below the top of the container,
etc., being filled by a gap distance (x), the desired liquid/fuel
height (h.sub.d) would be equal to the height (h) of the container,
etc., minus the gap distance (x) (i.e., h=x+h.sub.d). Since
(h-h.sub.L,S)=(d-d.sub.Neck), example formula (7) above may be
rewritten to approximate or solve for a desired distance (d) for
the placement of the holder as follows:
d.gtoreq.(V.sub.A+Ad.sub.Neck+Ax)/[A-.pi.(r.sup.2+rR+R.sup.2)/3]
(9)
[0090] Much like formula (8) above, formula (9) may also include a
safety factor (n).
[0091] According to embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 2
shows several views of a plunger 200 of the present invention
corresponding to plunger 115, 415 in FIGS. 1 and 4. As mentioned
above, plunger 200 may have a base portion 231 and a narrowing
portion 233 tapering down to a plunger tip or tongue 234. Plunger
tip 234 may be described as being on the proximal end of the
plunger 200, and base portion 231 may be described as being on the
distal end of the plunger 200. As can be seen in these figures,
plunger 200 may have multiple surfaces that work to encourage or
dispose laminar flow and diversion of liquid or fuel form the
container into the lower portion of proximal chamber of spout.
Plunger tip 234 may have an inwardly curved surface from a first
end 249 to a second end 251 to bring or gather liquid or fuel flow
over bottom surface 235. However, in the direction from the plunger
tip 234 to the base portion 231 of plunger 200, the inwardly curved
plunger tip 234 and bottom surface 235 transitions to and includes
an outwardly curved surface 237 near base portion 231, base portion
231 also being outwardly curved. As explained above, the base
portion 231 is outwardly curved to match or correspond to the
cross-sectional size and shape of the proximal first opening of the
spout. In the proximal-distal axis, base portion 231 may have a
length from about 0.25 to about 0.3 inches, narrowing portion 233
may have a length from about 0.75 to about 1.2 inches, and
outwardly curved surface 237 may be from about 0.2 to about 0.4
inches long. The total length of the plunger 200 may be from about
1 inch to about 1.5 inches. However, the exact dimensions may vary
and may depend on the positioning of the slide assembly and the
length of the stem.
[0092] Bottom surface 235 of plunger 200 may also be at least
partially separated from top surface 257 by a first side face 239
and a second side face 243. First side face 239 may be defined by a
first bottom edge 241 next to a bottom surface 235 and a first top
edge 242 next to top surface 257, and second side face 243 may be
defined by a second bottom edge 245 next to a bottom surface 235
and a second top edge 246 next to top surface 257. First side face
239 may extend from first end 249 of plunger tip 234 to a first
tri-point 255 where first top edge 242 and first bottom edge 241
meet. Likewise, second side face 243 may extend from second end 251
of plunger tip 234 to a second tri-point 256 where second top edge
246 and second bottom edge 245 meet. First side edge 239 and second
side edge 243 may also converge toward each other toward the tip
234, such that the width of the tapering portion 233 is less near
tip 234 than nearer to base portion 231.
[0093] In addition, a first middle edge 253 of plunger 200 may be
positioned from first tri-point 255 toward base portion 231, and a
second middle edge 254 may be positioned from second tri-point 256
toward base portion 231. Each of these edges may vary from being
sharper to being more curved or rounded, and the side faces 239 and
243 may vary from being flat to curved or rounded. As shown in FIG.
2B, distal surface 261 of plunger 200 may have a hole 259 formed
therein for receiving a stem from the slide assembly (see above).
Cross-sectional diameter of distal surface 261 may be less than 1.5
inches, or about 1 inch or less, or from about 0.7 to about 0.8
inches. The edge(s) between the distal surface 261 of plunger 200
and the side surfaces or sides of base portion 231 (i.e., the side
surfaces of base portion 231 facing internal surface of first
opening 129 of spout) may also be rounded to encourage laminar
fluid flow around these edges and to facilitate sliding of the
plunger 200 through a first opening of spout. Like all other
gradual surfaces within spout, this may also encourage a faster
flow rate.
[0094] As described above, the tapering of the narrowing portion
233 may be favored to one side, such that it is closer to that
side, which is preferably the top of the spout when assembled with
the spout. The tapering of bottom surface 235 may be described as
an angle relative to a line extending from the top side of base
portion 231 of plunger 200 and/or relative to the top surface 257
of plunger 200, which in either case will be less than 90.degree.
and may be in a range from about 10.degree. to about 50.degree., or
alternatively from about 20.degree. to about 40.degree., or about
30.degree.. Such favored tapering of narrowing portion 233 to one
side of plunger 200 may be described in terms of angles or lengths.
The angle between bottom surface 235 and an imaginary line
extending (proximally) from the bottom side of base portion 231 may
generally be greater than the angle between top surface 257 and an
imaginary line extending (proximally) from the top side of base
portion 231.
[0095] In terms of lengths or distances, such favored tapering to
one side of plunger 200 may generally mean that bottom surface 235
is longer from base portion 231 to tip 234 than top surface
257.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 2C, top surface 257 of narrowing portion
233 of plunger 200 between base portion 231 and tip 234 may have a
very slight tapered angle (.beta.), which is also consistent with
the tapering portion 231 and tip 234 being strongly angled or
tapered off to one side. Relative to a line extending from the top
side of base portion 231, top surface 257 of tapering portion 233
may have an angle of about 10.degree. or less, or alternatively an
angle of about 5.degree. or less, or about 3.degree. or less, or
about 2.degree. or less. This slight tapered angle (.beta.) of the
top surface 257 has at least a couple of advantages. First, the
slight taper facilitates the sliding of the plunger 200 into a
first opening 129 of a spout and its engagement with the inner
surface of first opening and/or O-ring(s) disposed therein when the
plunger 200 is moved from an open distal position to a closed
proximal position. Another advantage relates to air flow. As
discussed above, air flowing back into the container due to pouring
and vacuum pressure travels along the upper portions of the spout
interior. By tapering the top surface 257 of plunger 200, a slight
spacing or slit of an opening may be created along the uppermost
portion of first opening 129 of spout when the plunger 200 is moved
distally to an open position. This allows air flowing from the
upper portion of proximal cavity 157 of the spout back into the
container to pass into the container without having to cross the
flow of liquid or fuel in the lower portion of first opening 129
and proximal cavity 157. In this way, the plunger 200 may act as a
separator between the distal flow of liquid/fuel into the spout and
the proximal flow of air into the container. By minimizing the
crossing of paths and interference with the liquid or fuel flow
into the spout, a faster and more orderly flow rate may be
achieved.
[0097] It is conceivable, however, that a plunger may be used
according to some embodiments that functions more like a plug,
especially in combination with other inventive features, which may
have a base portion that corresponds to the first opening but an
optional "tapering portion" that may be tapered at an angle
anywhere from 0.degree. to 90.degree. (not shown). In other words,
such a plunger or plug may vary between (i) a plunger or plug
having a portion or segment that extends proximally from the base
portion (i.e., past first opening when in a closed position) that
has a constant cross-sectional area, and (ii) a plunger or plug
having only a base portion with no "tapering portion" or extended
portion at all. In either of these two extremes, the plunger may be
a right cylinder if the first opening of the spout is circular.
With such an embodiment, a bottom proximal portion or edge of the
plunger may be cut-away or absent to function analogously to the
narrowing portion described above.
[0098] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of a slide assembly from FIGS. 1
and 4. FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the slide assembly
embodiment with the body of the spout removed for visualization.
FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of only the slide 107 from FIG.
3A. As can be seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, slide 107 is connected to
plunger 115 by stem 127. Stem 127 is connected to lower portion 125
of slide 107. O-rings 139 and 141 are also shown. Upper portion 123
of slide 107 is used for direct manual operation, and middle
portion 124 is between upper portion 123 and lower portion 125 of
slide 107 to deliver force applied to upper portion 123 to lower
portion 125. The total height of the slide 107 in the top-bottom
direction may be about 0.8 to about 0.9 inches tall, of which the
upper portion 123 may be about 0.3 to about 0.4 inches high, the
middle portion 124 may be about 0.1 inches thick/high, and the
lower portion 125 may be about 0.35 to about 0.4 inches high. The
total width of the slide 107 in the side-side direction (i.e.,
perpendicular to the proximal-distal axis) may be about 0.3 to
about 0.4 inches. Importantly for PFC applications, the maximum
assembled width of the upper portion 123 of slide 107 and main body
portion 103 may preferably be smaller than the opening of the PFC
to allow the spout to be inserted up-side-down into the PFC for
shipping and storage. Lower portion 125 of slide 107 may also have
a bore 327 formed therein for receiving a stem linked to a plunger,
which would be absent when the stem and slide are integrally
formed.
[0099] In addition to FIG. 3B showing a perspective view of slide
107, FIGS. 3C and 3D show a proximal end view and a side view,
respectively, of slide 107. As can be seen in these figures, middle
portion 124 may also have distal extended portion 301 and proximal
extended portion 303 lengthening middle portion 124 such that the
plane of middle portion 124 is extended. By extending the length of
middle portion 124 resting on ledge 155 in cavity 109 of spout 100,
any rocking of slide 107 may be minimized when force is applied to
slide 107 in either a proximal or distal direction. The lengths of
distal extended portion 301 and proximal extended portion 303, may
also define the range of motion of the slide assembly and slide 107
by their contact with the proximal and distal ends of cavity 109.
For example, the distal extended portion 301 may be about 0.2 to
about 0.25 inches long, and the proximal extended portion 303 may
be about 0.1 inches long.
[0100] As introduced above, a locking mechanism may also be
provided between a proximal portion of slide 107 and the proximal
end of cavity 109. A locking mechanism is helpful to completely
stop pouring during use and to ensure that the spout remains closed
during storage. To utilize the locking mechanism, the user simply
pulls the slide 107 connected to plunger 115 completely back until
the slide locks into the closed position to block flow of liquid or
fuel from the container. According to some embodiments, a type of
snap-lock system may be used, which may involve a small tab(s) on a
proximal portion of the slide 107 that is configured to interface
and create an interference fit with a corresponding shape, such as
a corresponding groove(s), of the cavity 109 at its proximal end.
Such a snap-lock may be accompanied by an audible snap, which
communicates to the user that the slide assembly is locked in the
closed position. For example, a linear tab 305 may be upward facing
and be disposed on the upper surface of middle portion 124 of slide
107 to engage a corresponding groove(s) formed in proximal end of
cavity 109. Tab 305 may be disposed in a side-to-side line
perpendicular to the proximal-distal axis of main body portion 103
of spout 100 on the proximal half of middle portion 124, such as at
or near where upper portion 123 meets middle portion 124 of slide
107. One or more notches 309a, 309b may be present on either side
of an intervening portion 311 on the proximal face 307 of upper
portion 123 of slide 107. This may create room to allow two
corresponding grooves (not shown) of cavity 109 to engage tab 305
on both sides of intervening portion 311. Such notches may be
absent from distal face 308 of upper portion 123 of slide 107.
[0101] According to other aspects of the present invention, methods
are provided for the assembly and operation of any embodiment of
the spout device. In a first step, the proximal end of the spout
may inserted into the opening of a container, and a cap may be used
to secure the spout to the container. The container may be lifted,
and the spout connected and secured to the container may be
inserted into a machine, equipment, etc., to be filled with the
liquid or fuel in the container. The container may be partially
inverted to pour the liquid or fuel into the machine, equipment,
etc. According to some embodiments, a holder on the side of the
spout may also be used to engage or contact a surface or protruding
structure of a container, tank, etc., such as the neck of a
container opening, to help hold, secure and properly position the
spout/nozzle in the container, tank, etc., while it is being filled
with the liquid or fuel. The slide assembly may be operated to
first move the slide in a distal direction to open the spout to
pour the contents of the container. During pouring, the flow rate
may be adjusted in a continuously controlled manner by operating
the slide assembly to achieve a desired flow rate. When a desired
amount of liquid or fuel is poured, the slide may be slid or moved
to a proximal position to close the spout, and the spout may be
lifted out of the machine, equipment, etc., being filled without
spilling.
[0102] While the present invention has been disclosed with
reference to certain embodiments, it will be apparent that
modifications and variations are possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that all examples in
the present disclosure, while illustrating embodiments of the
invention, are provided as non-limiting examples and are,
therefore, not to be taken as limiting the various aspects so
illustrated. For instance, while several dimensions, angles, etc.,
are provided as examples for spouts to be used with standard PFCs,
such dimensions, angles, etc., of the spout of the present
invention could vary considerably for other types of applications.
The present invention is intended to have the full scope defined by
the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.
Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be
regarded as illustrative and not as restrictive.
* * * * *