Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02545907 2006-05-05
CLOSEABLE SELF-VENTING SPOUT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention generally relates to pouring spouts that are
configured to
transfer the contents of a storage or transfer container to a receiving
container. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a self-venting pouring spout
that can be selectively
opened and closed, and, preferably, may be automatically opened upon insertion
into the opening
of the receiving container. The preferred embodiment is a selectively-
openable, self-venting,
child-resistant spout that provides smooth transfer of liquid materials from a
non-vented filling
container to a receiving container. The preferred embodiment minimizes or
eliminates leaks and
sideways flow and splash, and minimizes or eliminates the use of 0-rings in
the construction of
the spout.
Background Information
[0002] Many products are stored in one container, but must be transferred
to another
container for use. An example of such a product is gasoline, which may be
stored in a variety of
differently-configured containers, but, in order to be used, is transferred to
a refillable holding
tank that is connected to an internal combustion engine. For instance, a
typical homeowner who
owns a lawnmower, snow blower, or other such device that is powered by a small
gasoline
engine would typically have a storage container filled with gasoline. In order
to use any of these
gasoline-powered devices, gasoline must be transferred from the storage
container into the
holding tank of the engine, which is located upon the device.
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[0003] In the process of pouring gasoline or other material from one
container into another, a
variety of problems arise. One problem is that the size of the opening in the
filling container
may not be compatible with the size of the opening on the receiving container.
As a result, the
material being transferred may splash or flow over the outer portions of the
container being
filled. When this occurs, the spilled material is not only wasted but may also
be toxic or
otherwise dangerous or damaging to persons or things in the surrounding area.
For example,
spilled gasoline raises a variety of concerns of safety to both the
environment and the individual.
Spilled liquid gasoline may damage the surrounding environment, including
soil, plants, and
water, and the spilled gasoline also emits fumes that can be hazardous due to
inhalation and
increased risk of flammability.
[0004] In order to limit these effects, a variety of spouts and nozzles
have been developed.
However, these nozzles and spouts bring with them a variety of problems as
well. One of the
problems with many of these types of nozzles is their inability to allow for a
smooth transfer of
air into the filling container to replace the liquid that is leaving the
container, thus forming a
vacuum within the filling container. This vacuum restrains the liquid from
exiting the filling
container. When sufficient pressure is built up, however, the vacuum is broken
and liquid will
surge forward out of the filling container. The repetitive surging of air
into, and the surging exit
of liquid out of, the nozzle and filling container typically cause what may be
called "chugging"
or "gurgling" of the liquid. This chugging or gurgling makes difficult the
filling of a receiving
container to a desired level without spilling, because the quantity of
material that will surge
forward is unpredictable. Thus, this uneven liquid flow contributes to
spillage and/or over filling
of the container.
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[0005] Another problem that exists in the prior art is that access to these
filling containers
may be obtained by small children, who may inhale the fumes or ingest the
gasoline and suffer
significant damaging effects.
100061 Another problem that exists in the prior art is the use of 0-rings
as sealing systems,
and, typically, the use of 0-rings on moving valve elements. 0-rings seal by
simply
overpowering the material that they are sealing against, and, as a result, 0-
rings place substantial
static pressures upon, and may cause failure of, various pieces of the spout.
Over time, the 0-
rings themselves, especially those provided on moving elements, may wear out
or be degraded
by the chemicals that they are trying to seal. As a result, replacements are
needed in order to
provide the proper and adequate sealing properties. Another problem with such
devices is that
they can be prohibitively expensive to manufacture and produce.
[0007] Therefore, what is needed is a pouring spout that can be selectively
opened to allow
the free, smooth flow of liquid from a filling container into a receiving
container, and that can be
selectively closed and sealed to prevent leakage, preferably with few or no 0-
ring seals. What is
also needed is a spout that is detachable and storable in the filling
container. What is also needed
is a spout that provides the aforementioned features and also comprises a
child-resistant locking
device that remains consumer friendly and usable by adults of varied physical
capabilities.
[0008] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the preferred
embodiments will be
set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become
apparent to those skilled
in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of
the invention.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a spout that allows
for regular flow
of material through a valve system, formed within a portion of the spout,
which provides for
decreased leaks and spills. A preferred feature is to provide a closable spout
of sufficient length
and shape to give free access between the opening in the receiving tank and
the filling tank,
while being adapted for detachment, inversion, and insertion inside the
filling container, for
example, for storage and shipping inside a typical gas-can type filling
container. Another
preferred feature is to provide a sealing system in the spout that does not
utilize an 0-ring, and
especially that does not utilize an 0-ring installed on, or sealing with, a
sliding element, as such
0-rings have been known to swell and fail from contact with gasoline. A
further object of the
preferred embodiments is to provide a spout adapted to easily release
excessive container
pressure prior to use.
100101 The self-venting spout comprises a valve system wherein the sliding
of an internal
valve sleeve, in one direction, seals closed both a liquid passageway and an
air passageway, and,
in the opposite direction, opens both of said liquid and air passageways. The
valve sleeve may
be actuated by an external actuation member such as a sheath, which is
operatively linked to the
valve sleeve by a wire, clip, or other connecting member extending from the
sheath through the
spout body and into the spout interior to reach the sleeve. Preferably, the
liquid and air
passageway openings at the dispensing end of the spout are entirely or
substantially longitudinal
(parallel to the length of the spout) rather that transverse, which minimizes
or prevents the splash
and leaking typically associated with "sideways" flow out of a filling spout.
Further, the
preferred valve sleeve and its actuation system are adapted so that there is
some leeway in the
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actuation structure to prevent leaking of the spout due to manufacturing
tolerances, and/or upon a
small movement, impact, or jiggling of the actuation member. This may be
accomplished, for
example, by providing a physical gap in the actuation system, so that some
movement of the
actuation member and/or the connecting member may occur without the valve
sleeve becoming
dislodged from its liquid and air passageway sealing position. This way, an
intentional effort,
rather than a tap or bounce, is needed to unseal the valve so that leaking is
minimized or
eliminated during transport and handling of the device.
100111 The preferred spout comprises a spout housing with an interior spout
surface
generally surrounding an interior passageway extending between opposing open
ends of the
spout, an outer sealing surface in said interior passageway at or near the
interior spout surface, an
inner sealing surface generally centered in said interior passageway and
radially distanced from
said interior spout surface and from said outer sealing surface, a slidable
sleeve in said interior
passageway comprising an outer sleeve surface with a first generally annular
seal and an inner
sleeve surface defining a sleeve passageway and having a second generally
annular seal.
10012] When the slidable sleeve is in a spout-closed position, the first
generally annular seal
contacts and seals against the outer sealing surface, and the second generally
annular seal
contacts and seals against the inner sealing surface. Further, the spout
comprises partition
wall(s) or members dividing the interior passageway into an air-flow
passageway portion and a
liquid-flow passageway portion, and wherein, when the slidable sleeve is in
the spout-closed
position, the sealing of the first generally annular sleeve and the outer
sealing surface blocks said
liquid-flow passageway portion and said sealing of the second generally
annular seal and the
inner sealing surface blocks said air-flow passageway portion. When the
slidable sleeve is slid
longitudinally to the spout-open position, the first generally annular seal is
distanced from the
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outer sealing surface to open said liquid-flow passageway portion and the
second generally
annular seal is distanced from the inner sealing surface to open said air-flow
passageway portion.
[0013] The spout may further comprise an outer member such as a sheath that
is slidable on
the spout housing to actuate the valve system and a clip that extends from
near said outer sheath
and through said spout housing to engage the slidable sleeve. The outer sheath
may be
configured to engage the clip so that sliding said outer sheath longitudinally
on the spout housing
pulls the clip longitudinally to move the slidable sleeve from said spout-
closed position to said
spout-open position. This way, during insertion of the spout into an opening
in a receiving
container, the outer sheath may abut against the receiving container neck or
other opening, and,
upon further insertion, the outer sheath will be pushed longitudinally, thus
actuating the valve
system to the spout-open position. A spring or other biasing member may be
used to bias the
slidable sleeve into the spout-closed position.
[0014] The spout housing may comprise a nozzle unit generally coaxially
connected to the
housing body, wherein the nozzle unit provides the outer sealing surface and
the inner sealing
surface, which in many embodiments may be called a sealing ridge and a
stopper, respectively.
The slidable sleeve may have at least one longitudinal projection extending
toward the liquid-
outlet end of the spout. The nozzle unit may be generally hollow and receive
the longitudinal
projection, wherein the nozzle unit may have at least one alignment protrusion
extending radially
inward toward, and engaging, said longitudinal projection. The actuation
member or "clip" may
connect to said at least one longitudinal projection for moving the slidable
sleeve.
[00151 The preferred liquid-flow passageway portion may comprise a proximal
portion near
the liquid-inlet end of the spout housing and a distal portion near the liquid-
outlet end of the
spout housing. Preferably, the distal portion is smaller in volume than the
proximal portion for
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creating a venturi effect as the liquid flows through said liquid-flow
passageway portion toward
the liquid-outlet end.
100161 The preferred air-flow passageway portion is defined near said spout
housing liquid-
inlet end by a generally tubular extension out from the spout housing that is
configured to extend
into the liquid filling container farther than the end of the spout housing so
that the pressure in
the generally tubular extension is less than the pressure in the liquid-flow
passageway portion at
that end of the spout housing.
100171 The preferred self-venting spout may be alternatively described as
comprising an
elongated spout housing having an interior volume comprising an interior
liquid-flow
passageway and an interior air-flow passageway both extending between a first
end of the spout
housing (for connection to a filling container to receive liquid from the
filling container) and a
second end of the spout housing (for dispensing the liquid to another
container). The air-flow
passageway is preferably generally centered on a longitudinal axis of the
spout housing and said
liquid-flow passageway radially offset from said air-flow passageway, that is,
closer to the
housing wall. A stopper or other sealing member is disposed in the air-flow
passageway, and a
sealing ridge or other sealing member is disposed in the liquid-flow
passageway. A valve sleeve
is slidably disposed in said interior volume and has an exterior surface
defining a portion of said
liquid-flow passageway and an interior surface defining a portion of said air-
flow passageway.
The sleeve further has a preferably-protruding first seal on its exterior
surface and a preferably-
protruding second seal on its interior surface, so that, when said sleeve is
slid longitudinally to a
closed-spout position, said first seal contacts and seals with the sealing
ridge to seal closed the
liquid-flow passageway to stop liquid flow, and also said second seal contacts
and seals to said
stopper to seal closed the air-flow passageway to stop air flow. When said
sleeve is slid
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longitudinally to an open-spout position, the first seal and second seal are
distanced from said
sealing ridge and said stopper, to allow liquid to flow through the liquid-
flow passageway past
said first seal to said second end, and to allow air to flow through the air-
flow passageway past
said second seal to the first end, respectively.
[0018] The invention may also comprise a system which comprises the
combination of a
liquid container and a spout. The spout may be described as having a first end
connected to the
liquid container, a second end adapted for dispensing liquid from the spout,
and an internal
passageway from said first end to said second end having a liquid-flow passage
and an air-flow
passage. The spout may further comprising a slidable sleeve inside the spout
and configured to
slide to a spout-closed position wherein the slidable sleeves seals the liquid-
flow passage closed
and slidable in an opposite direction to a spout-open position wherein liquid-
flow passage is
open for dispensing of liquid. The slidable sleeve may be operatively
connected to a movable
member on an outside surface of said spout that moves said slidable sleeve
inside the spout
between said spout-closed and spout-open positions. The slidable sleeve may
seal the air-flow
passage closed when said slidable sleeve is in the spout-closed position, but
the air-flow passage
is open for venting of the liquid container when said slidable sleeve is in
the spout-open position.
The preferred liquid passageways and the operative connection between the
moveable member
and the slidable sleeve are adapted to minimize or eliminate transverse liquid
flow and
openings/apertures through the spout housing and especially the half of the
spout that is typically
orientated at the bottom when the spout is in use filling the receiving
container. This lack of
openings/apertures in the "bottom" half of the spout prevents leakage/seepage
that might
otherwise occur if such openings/apertures were present.
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[0019] Still other objects, advantages, and features of the present
invention will become
apparent to those skilled in this art by viewing the following detailed
description and drawings of
preferred embodiments and best modes of the invention. The description and
drawings of the
preferred embodiments and modes are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,
and not as
restrictive in nature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Fig. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Fig. 2 is a cut away side view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1
when the valve
system is in a closed position.
[0022] Fig. 3 is a cut away side view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2
when the valve
system is in an open position.
[0023] Fig. 4 is a cut away side view of the spout body portion of the
embodiment of Figures
1 ¨3.
[0024] Fig. 4A is a top perspective view of the spout body portion of
Figure 4.
[0025] Fig. 4B is a perspective end view of the spout body of Fig. 4A.
[0026] Fig. 5A is a side perspective view of the nozzle end portion of the
embodiment of
Figures 1 ¨ 3.
[0027] Fig. 5B is a cut away side view of the nozzle unit of Figure 5A.
[0028] Fig. 5C is a front-end view of the nozzle unit shown in Figures 5A
and B.
[0029] Fig. 6 is a cut away top view of the slidable sleeve of the
embodiment of Figure 1-3.
[0030] Fig. 6A is a side perspective view of the slidable sleeve of Figure
6.
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[0031] Figs. 7A-7F are views, from a variety of perspectives, of one
embodiment of the
sliding clip of the embodiment of Figures 1-3.
100321 Fig. 8 is a perspective side view of the outer sheath of the
embodiment of Figures 1-3.
[0033] Fig. 8A is an end plan view of the outer sheath of Fig. 8
[0034] Fig. 8B is a cutaway side view of the outer sheath of Figures 8 and
8A.
[0035] Figs. 9A ¨ 9J are various views of an especially-preferred
embodiment of the
invented spout.
[0036] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the spout of Figures 9A
¨ J, viewed along
the line 10¨ 10 in Figure 9A.
[0037] Figures 11A ¨ G are various views of the slidable sleeve of the
embodiment of
Figures 9A ¨ 10.
[0038] Figures 12A ¨ E are various views of the slidable clip of the
embodiment of Figures
9A¨ 10.
[0039] Figures 13A ¨ Q are various views of the nozzle unit of the
embodiment of Figures
9A¨ 10.
[0040] Figs. 14A - I are various views of one child-resistant swivel lock
that may be applied
to the spout of Figures 9A ¨ 10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] While embodiments of the invention may be modified and alternatively
constructed,
certain embodiments have been shown in the drawings and will be described
below in detail. It
should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the
invention to the specific
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forms disclosed, as the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative
constructions, and
equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in
the claims.
[0042] The preferred self-venting pouring spout is especially-well adapted
for a non-vented
filling container. The spout housing may be made of one or more pieces/units,
but in the
embodiments shown, the housing comprises a single one-piece tube as a spout
body, and a
nozzle unit or "nozzle end". The spout body comprises a first hollow
passageway with an open
spout first end and an open spout second end, wherein the spout body connects
at its second end
to the nozzle unit.
[0043] A generally hollow tubular inner conduit is formed, by one or more
walls, tubes or
wall or tube portions, within the first hollow passageway. The inner conduit
defines a second
hollow passageway in the spout, to act as an air vent tube, having an inner
conduit first end
positioned near the spout body first end and an inner conduit second end
positioned near the
spout body second end. The inner conduit at or near its second end is
configured to receive a
biasing spring and a portion of a slidable or "intermediate" sleeve. The
generally hollow
intermediate sleeve defines a third hollow passageway.
[0044] The slidable intermediate sleeve first end is configured to be
slidably inserted within,
or to otherwise slidably and operatively cooperate with, the inner conduit.
The slidable
intermediate sleeve second end is configured to be slidably positioned within,
or to otherwise
slidably and operatively cooperate with, a portion of the nozzle unit. The
intermediate sleeve
further comprises seal members on both its outside and its inside, which
preferably take the form
of a generally circular flared portion, for example, a bell-shaped or
campanulate portion. The
campanulate portion is configured to form a sealing connection with a
compatibly-configured
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portion of the spout housing, wherein, in the preferred embodiments, said
compatibly-configured
portion of the spout housing is a portion of the nozzle unit.
[0045] The nozzle unit or "nozzle end" of the spout has a body, an open
nozzle first end
configured to connect with the spout body second end, and an open nozzle
second end
configured for placement within a receiving container. The open nozzle second
end further
comprises a generally crescent-shaped partition. The generally crescent-shaped
partition runs
along the length of the nozzle unit and is configured to define an airflow
chamber and a liquid
flow chamber within the nozzle unit. The partition further comprises a
"stopper" seal member
configured to interact with the inner seal of the slidable intermediate
sleeve, preferably by
sealing against an inner surface of the flared or campanulate-shaped member so
as to prevent the
passage of air through the nozzle.
[0046] The intermediate sleeve is configured to slide within the spout
housing, that is, in the
preferred embodiments, within the spout body and the nozzle unit. Depending
upon the position
of the intermediate sleeve, the flow of material out of the device may be
controlled between a
fully-closed position, wherein no fluid may pass out of the spout/nozzle end,
and a fully-opened
position, wherein the flow of fluid from the filling container out through the
spout/nozzle end
and the flow of air in the opposite direction into the spout/nozzle end and
into the container are
maximized.
[0047] The intermediate sleeve is also operatively connected to, or
otherwise engagable by, a
sliding clip and sheath system that is configured to move the sliding sleeve
into the open and
closed positions and a continuum of positions inbetween. The sheath acts as
the exterior
"handle" for actuating the clip and sleeve valve mechanism. Optionally, the
sheath and clip
system may be configured to be child-resistant, preferably with the sheath
interacting with
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portions of the outer surface of the spout body to prevent the sheath and/or
clip from moving
unless the outer sheath is twisted/rotated in a desired orientation. This
configuration prevents the
opening of the spout by persons such as small children, who lack the ability
or comprehension to
twist and slide the outer sheath in order to open the spout.
[0048] In use, the spout is connected and sealed to an outlet portion of a
non-vented filling
container, and a portion of the inner conduit extending into the non-vented
filling container to a
position adequate to control relief of a vacuum as it forms. The biasing
system of the spout
keeps the spout closed during installation of the spout on the filling
container and during
handling of the container-spout combination.
[0049] When the outer sheath is moved in a direction toward the storage
container, the
sliding clip engages extension portions of the inner sleeve and pushes the
inner sleeve back
against the biasing member. When the biasing member is sufficiently
compressed, channels
between the previously-sealed members open to open up the liquid and air
passageways, so that
liquid and air may flow through the spout in their respective directions. The
walls, extensions,
and projections of the nozzle unit and the intermediate sleeve interact to
form a telescoping
partition that maintains an airflow channel and a liquid flow channel
substantially separate from
each other. Additionally, when utilizing the device for the first time, the
action of opening the
valve vents the nozzle and allows built up vapors and gasses to be dissipated.
[0050] As the intermediate sleeve is progressively moved backward toward
the filling
container, the size of the channels for the flow of air into the filling
container as well as the flow
of liquid out of the spout are progressively increased. As a result, the
exchange of air into the
filling container and flow of liquid out of the filling container is
accomplished in a smooth
manner without the gurgling and surging problems that are associated with
prior art spouts.
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[0051] This venting system, as incorporated in the new spout, bypasses the
problems of the
vent system function found in the prior art. In the present invention, the
combination of an air
vent passageway and a liquid flow passageway that are substantially separated
from each other
allows the fluids that are positioned within the container to exit downward
through the spout and
to flow smoothly without surging, chugging, or gurgling as may occur in prior
art embodiments.
100521 The preferred embodiments are configured so that the air vent
"tube"/passageway is
positioned so as to allow the passage of air through the air vent passageway
up into the container
to replace the liquid that passes out of the filling container through the
liquid flow passageway.
The liquid flow passageway is configured to receive a greater volume of
material than the air
flow passageway. The liquid flow passageway is also configured to be
positioned lower (closer
to the floor/ground) than the open end of the air vent tube when the filling
container is inverted
into a vertical position. This configuration utilizes the force of gravity to
pull liquid down
through the spout, so that, with the spout inserted into the receiving
container, the filling
container inverted and the valve slid into an open position, the force of
gravity pulls the liquid
downward through the liquid flow passageway of the spout and into the
receiving container. As
this liquid enters into the receiving container, the air is displaced from the
receiving container (or
from the surroundings) and passes upward into the airflow passageway of the
spout, which is
separate from the liquid flow passageway, up and into the filling container.
[0053] During use (with the filling container inverted), the top
end/opening of the airflow
passageway within the filling container is vertically higher than the position
of the liquid flow
passageway within the same filling container. As a result, the liquid that is
closest to the liquid
flow passageway exits the filling container first, and the air is enabled to
flow through the
airflow passageway up and into the filling container at a location that is
past the level of
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equalization between the liquid and the air. Because the air vents higher into
the inverted filling
container than the draining position from whence the liquid flows, the air and
the liquid do not
significantly interface nor do they block the flow of one another. As a
result, so-called "pressure
plugs" do not form and the flow of material into and out of the filling
container and its spout is
smooth.
[0054] The smoothness of the flow of air into, and of the flow of liquid
out of, the filling
container is further enhanced by sequentially reducing the dimensions of the
liquid flow
passageway, as the liquid passageway extends away from the filling container.
In other words,
the fluid flow passageways are larger in diameter and volume nearest the first
end of the spout
(near the filling container) and decrease in size to a smaller diameter and
volume further along
the length of the spout body toward the second end of the spout (near
receiving container), while
the dimensions of the airflow passageway are preferably increased as the
airflow passageway
extends away from the filling container. This configuration ensures that an
air bubble will exist
at a location in the vent tube that is higher than liquid that is positioned
in the full diameter of the
fluid in the liquid flow chamber. This volumetric change (reduction) near the
second (outlet)
end concentrates the gravitational pressure upon the fluid column at the joint
or elbow of the
device and allows the internal air bubble to rise above the fluid level. This
variation in size
slows the rate at which liquid will exit the device and allows the rate at
which air enters the
filling device to be greater than the rate at which liquid leaves this same
container. As a result,
sufficient air to replace exiting liquid is always present and the problems of
chugging and
surging, which exist in the prior art, are done away with.
[0055] The cooperating sliding sleeve and nozzle unit allow for the air
flow and the liquid
flow chambers to be effectively telescoped in length, as the valve system is
moved between an
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open and a closed position, thus allowing the venting system and the liquid
flow chambers to be
maintained separately and preventing the problems of vacuum formation,
surging, and chugging
which are found in the prior art.
[0056] When the sliding sleeve opens the channels/passageways, a venturi
effect caused by
the passing flow of the exiting fluid flow is created and the air and fluid
are prevented from
mixing. The combination of these features delivers unimpeded air to the vent
tube near the
filling container neck and does away with the gurgling, surging and splashing
that are found in
the prior art.
[0057] When the spout is first placed the filling container and the
container is inverted, liquid
will tend to fill both the airflow and liquid flow passageways. However, when
the spout is
opened, the venturi effect, which is brought about by the variations in the
dimensions of the
spout, causes the liquid that is within the air flow passageway to rapidly
evacuate from the air
flow passageway and to be rapidly replaced with air. Once the flow of air
through the airflow
passageway has been established, the physical structure of the spout maintains
the separation
between the flow of air and liquid in opposite directions through the spout.
Any erratic fluid
behaviors can be controlled internally and does not expose consumers or
equipment to wayward
sprays or gurgles.
[0058] The preferred embodiments also provide a significant advantage in
that they eliminate
the use of 0-rings to seal the spout, thus reducing manufacturing costs and
the number of seal
failures. The shape of many of the spout elements are self-nesting and self-
sealing, thus
reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating 0-rings, which are a weak point
in prior art
designs. This venting system is fully internally self-contained.
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[0059] The preferred embodiment of Figures 1-8B has a child-resistant
flange connected to
the outer sheath. In the valve-closed position, the slide is free from any
demanding contacts.
When valve-opening is desired, spring features are engaged to act on the slide
in both a radial
and linear manner. Turning the sheath will disengage the child resistant
feature allowing the
slide to be pulled back in a linear direction down the length of the spout.
With a slight delay, as
the movement passes the child resistant feature, the internal face of the
sheath flange engages the
slide clip, which pushes back the sliding sleeve. This valve-opening action
can be accomplished
either entirely by the user grasping and manipulating the sheath, or by the
user twisting the
sheath to a hold position, inverting the container, and pushing the "face" of
the sheath against the
lip/neck of the receiving container, which would then push back the sheath to
open the spout.
[0060] The design of the second end of the spout is self-evacuating upon
valve closure.
After the receiving container has reached capacity, lifting the filling
container allows the internal
biasing spring to act on the sliding sleeve to return the spout to its closed
and safe position. The
face of the outer sheath will remain in contact with the lip/neck of the
receiving container until
the valve seals, at which time contact between the receiving container and the
outer sheath will
be broken as the spout continues to be lifted out of the receiving container.
The tip (outermost
extremity) of the spout will break the fluid surface level of the receiving
container and instantly
self-evacuate because the vent tube channel is filled with air and is exposed
to the top of the
remaining fluid inside the nozzle end of the spout.
100611 Referring now specifically to the Figures, Figure 1 shows a side
perspective view of
one embodiment of the invented spout 10, detached from any liquid container,
wherein the spout
body 12, sheath 48, and nozzle unit 50 are the main features visible from the
outside of the spout,
and wherein the body 12 and nozzle unit 50 may be considered one example of a
spout housing.
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Figures 2 and 3 show longitudinal cross-sectional views of the spout of Figure
1 in the valve-
closed and valve-opened positions, respectively. The spout 10 comprises spout
body 12 having a
hollow interior spout body passageway 18 (shown in Fig. 2, 3, 4) which extends
from the spout
body open first end 14 to the spout body open second end 16. In this preferred
embodiment, the
spout body is angled about midway between the first and second ends 14, 16 at
an oblique angle
of about 150 degrees. However, other angles may also be used or, less
preferably, a straight
spout body with no angle may be used.
[0062] The spout body 12 is configured to receive an inner conduit 20,
which extends out
from the first end 14, through the spout body passageway 18 (shown in Fig. 2)
defined within the
spout body 12. The inner conduit 20 extends to a location within the filling
container beyond
where the pressure of fluid entering and exiting the container is roughly
equivalent. This general
level of opposing pressures, referred to hereinafter as the level of
equalization, has a generally
flattened parabolic shape. This shape represents the general level of
equalization between the
pressure of the liquid attempting to exit the device (created by gravity) and
the pressure pressing
against the liquid (created by the vacuum in the sealed container). The inner
conduit 20 is
positioned so that the inner conduit first end 22 extends through this level
of equalization and
allows the flow of air into the filling container via the spout. In a
preferred embodiment, this
overall length of the conduit 20 is typically less than three inches, of which
about 5/8" extends
into the container past the level of equalization. However, it is to be
understood that this
distance may be varied depending upon a variety of other factors.
100631 The spout body 12 connects at or near its second end 16 with a
nozzle unit 50, also
called herein a "nozzle end." An outer sheath 48 is provided around a portion
of the spout body
12 and nozzle unit 50. The sheath 48 is selectively adjustable in its position
on the spout
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body/nozzle end for effecting opening of the valve system by means of an
operative connection
to a sliding sleeve 28 via a sliding clip 46 that extends through a slot in
the nozzle unit 50. These
items are show in detail in Fig. 2. The outer sheath 48 is rotated and slid
along the spout body
12, which moves the sliding clip 46 back towards the first end of the spout
body 12. This moves
the sealing sleeve 28 (shown in Fig. 2), and liquid is then able to flow out
of the filling container
and spout in a smooth and controlled manner.
100641 The nozzle end 50 has an end portion 68 that is generally hollow to
allow the passage
of fluid, both liquid and air, through the internal passageways of the spout,
as discussed in more
detail elsewhere in this Description. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter
of this end portion
68 device is .8" and the diameter is configured to fit within a variety of
types of containers.
However, a variety of other dimensions may also be utilized depending upon the
needs of the
user.
[0065] The first end 14 of the spout body is configured for connection and
fluid-sealing with
an opening of a non-vented filling container. Typically, such a container has
an opening and a
cap or lid which attaches to the container through a threaded type cap-
connecting device. The
first end 14 of the spout body contains a sealing flange 72 that provides a
generally smooth and
flat surface that can cooperate with a lip portion of a container so that, for
example, when
combined with a standard nozzled gas can gasket and threaded cap, a leak-proof
seal is provided.
[0066] Fig. 2 shows a detailed, cross-sectional side view of the embodiment
of Figure 1
when the spout valve system is in a closed position. This figure shows the
inner conduit 20 or
"vent tube", with its first end 22 and second end 24, located generally within
the hollow space of
the spout body. In this preferred embodiment, the inner conduit 20 is
comprised of two portions
which intersect at the elbow portion of the conduit 20. The inner conduit 20
may be formed by
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CA 02545907 2006-05-05
structure that is molded into the spout body, as is shown to best advantage in
Figure 4. Inside a
larger-diameter portion of the conduit 20 is placed a biasing spring 44,
designed to apply a
desirable amount of pressure upon a sealing sleeve 28.
[0067] The sealing sleeve 28 has a generally open first end 30 and a
generally open bell-
shaped or generally campanulate second end 32. This second end 32 has a bell-
shaped outer
portion 38 that is configured to interact with a sealing portion on the spout
housing (preferably
on "ridge" 74 of the nozzle unit) to maintain a seal so as to prevent the flow
of fluid material out
of the spout. This bell-shaped second end 32 (at its interior surface 36) is
also configured to
interact with a seal extending in from the nozzle end of the spout generally
near the central axis
of the spout housing (preferably, a stopper 42 at or near the central axis of
the nozzle unit 50), so
as to block the passageway from the nozzle end 50 through the inner conduit 20
and into the
filling container.
[0068] Thus, the generally hollow sealing sleeve 28 surrounds and defines a
sealing sleeve
passageway 34, which is configured to allow air to flow from the nozzle end
50, through the
sealing sleeve passageway 34, through the internal conduit 20, and into the
storage container
when the connection between the stopper 42 and the sealing sleeve 28 is
relaxed. This
combination of a portion 80 of the nozzle end 50, sealing sleeve passageway
34, and inner
conduit 20 form this example of the an air flow passageway.
[0069] Thus, the inner conduit 20 or "vent tube" and the inner sleeve 28
are positioned
within the interior hollow space of the spout body, in effect, to define a
passage within a passage.
The remainder of the interior hollow space of spout body, in effect, forms the
spout body
passageway 18, which extends past/around the outside of sealing sleeve 28
(when the seal
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CA 02545907 2006-05-05
between the bell-shaped outer portion 38 and sealing ridge 74 is relaxed), and
which connects to
a portion of the nozzle end 50, form this example of a liquid flow passageway.
100701 The sealing sleeve 28 prevents the flow of liquid out of the device
by
blocking/closing the liquid passageway via close compressive engagement of the
bell-shaped
outer portion 38 of the sealing sleeve 28 against an sealing ridge 74 located
within the nozzle end
50. This seal between the bell-shaped portions 38 of the sealing sleeve 28 and
the sealing ridge
74 is maintained by pressure exerted by a biasing spring 44.
[0071] The generally campanulate second end 32 of the sealing sleeve 28 is
also involved in
sealing the air passageway, in that preferably an inner surface/portion 36 of
the generally
campanulate second end 32 is held in an engaged position against the stopper
42 by the biasing
spring 44. This prevents the flow of air through the sealing sleeve interior
passageway 34 and
the inner conduit 20.
[0072] In the valve-closed position, the outer sheath 48 preferably is not
configured to
engage any portion of the sliding clip 46. In the valve-closed position, the
sliding clip 46 does
not engage the extension portions 66 of the sealing sleeve, so that the
sealing sleeve 28
preferably will not be moved.
[0073] One may note from Figure 2 that, when the preferred valve system is
closed, there is a
small gap 49 between the proximal end of the arm of the clip 46 and the flange
of the sheath.
This provides some leeway in the construction of the spout, to allow for
manufacturing
tolerances, so that the valve system will seal completely and reliably even
when manufacturing is
not perfect. Further, the gap provides some leeway in the operative
connection/engagement of
the clip and the sheath, and, hence, some leeway or "delay" in the actuation
of the sliding sleeve
28. This way, some movement of the sheath member 48 and/or the clip 46 may
occur without
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CA 02545907 2006-05-05
the valve sleeve 28 becoming dislodged from its liquid and air passageway
sealing position.
This way, an intentional effort, rather than a tap or bounce, is needed to
unseal the valve so that
leaking is minimized or eliminated during transport and handling of the
device.
100741 Referring now to Fig. 3, shown is a detailed cross-sectional side
view of the spout
with the valve system in an open position. In this open position, the sheath
48 and sliding clip 46
have been moved toward the first end of the spout, pushing the extension
portions 66 of the
sealing sleeve 28 also toward the first end of the spout against the bias of
the spring 44, so as to
allow the campanulate shaped outer portions 38 of the sealing sleeve 28 to be
removed from
contact with the sealing portion/ridge 74, and the inner portions 36 of this
bell-shaped second
end to be removed from contact with the stopper 42. When this occurs, air is
able to flow from
the nozzle unit second end 68 though a portion of the nozzle unit 50 interior,
through the sealing
sleeve passageway 34, through the inner conduit 20 and into the filling
container. In addition,
liquid is then able to flow from the storage container through the spout body
passageway 18,
through a portion 82 of the nozzle unit interior, and out of the open nozzle
unit end 68.
100751 When the filling container is positioned in a filling position and
removal of the liquid
contents of the container is desired, the outer sheath 48 is positioned so as
to prevent impediment
by the child resistant features and the outer sheath 48 is pulled back. In the
preferred
embodiment, this is accomplished by twisting the outer sheath 48 and pulling
the outer sheath 48
back towards the storage container.
100761 As discussed earlier in this document, the first end 22 of the inner
conduit 20 extends
sufficiently far into the filling container so as extend beyond a level of
equalization between air
and liquid that is created when a container is inverted into a pouring
position. Throughout the
length of the spout body 12, the inner conduit 20 is configured and intended
to transfer air, and
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CA 02545907 2006-05-05
the passageway 18 which is defined by the spout body is configured and
intended to transfer
liquid, to maintain air and liquid in separate chambers/channels. However, at
the transition
location between the spout body 12 and the nozzle unit 50 this physical
separation ends.
However, the configuration of the bell-shaped outer portions 38 of the end 32
of the sleeve 28
discourages the passage of excess liquid into the airflow passageway when the
spout 10 is in use.
100771 The bell-shaped outer portion 38 of the sleeve is configured to
direct the flow of
liquid through the liquid passageway over (around) the sealing sleeve 28, and
to maintain an
opening within the sealing sleeve 28 so as to allow passage of air through the
sealing sleeve
passageway 34 and into the inner conduit 20. This configuration creates a
venture-type effect,
which encourages accumulated liquid to exit the sleeve hollow passageway 34
and the inner
conduit 20, which are intended for the passage of air only. This configuration
discourages liquid
and air from traveling in opposite directions within the same chamber/channel.
This separation
of liquid and air passageways facilitates the transfer of liquid out of the
device and the flow of air
into the device; this further produces a smooth flow of liquid out of the
storage container.
100781 In order to place the spout in the open position shown in Fig. 3,
the outer sheath 48
must be twisted and slid to engage a sliding clip 46, which is configured to
engage a portion of
the sealing sleeve 28. When this occurs, the sealing sleeve 28 is pushed back
against the biasing
spring 44, compressing the biasing spring 44 and pushing the inner sleeve 28
apart from the
stopper 42 and the inner sealing ridge 74. As shown in Fig. 3, when the device
is in this position,
air and liquid are configured to exchange positions (that is, air into the
spout and filling container
and liquid out of the spout and into the receiving container) and the liquid
will flow appropriately
through the spout.
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CA 02545907 2006-05-05
[0079] When pressure on the outer sheath is relaxed, the biasing spring 44
pushes the sealing
sleeve 28 forward against the inner sealing portion 74 and the stopper 42. The
flow of material
into or out of the container is stopped. By limiting the amount of pressure
applied against the
biasing spring 44 the distance between the sealing sleeve 28 and the inner
ridge 74 and the
stopper 42 may be varied and thus the rate of flow of material out of the
device controlled. The
"pedestal-shaped" stopper 42 and slidable sleeve 28 are configured so that the
stopper 42 is
generally never fully extracted from within the generally campanulate portion
of the sliding
sleeve 28.
[0080] Further, as discussed above, the spout is configured so that the
size of the aperture
through which the liquid flows decreases proportionately from a larger volume
portion to a
smaller volume portion. As a result, a smooth, controlled flow of air and
liquid is maintained
and gurgling or splashing of the liquid is reduced, which has significant
advantages over the
devices available in the prior art. In addition, the slidable projections 66
on the slidable sleeve
28 interact with portions of the nozzle unit 50 to provide a telescoping
channel that maintains a
separation between the liquid leaving the nozzle and the air that is entering
the nozzle. This
embodiment is discussed in more detail in the paragraphs that describe Fig. 6.
[0081] Referring now to Figs. 4-10, individual pieces of the preferred
embodiment are shown
and described. While the configurations of the embodiments are disclosed, it
is to be distinctly
understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that this disclosure
is simply to be
illustrative and not limiting and to set forth the best mode known for
practicing the invention.
[0082] Referring now to Fig. 4 and 4A, 4B a variety of views of the spout
body 12 are
shown. While, in this embodiment, the nozzle unit 50 (shown in Fig. 5) and the
spout body 12
are shown as being two pieces that can then be connected together, the nozzle
unit 50 and the
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CA 02545907 2006-05-05
spout body 12 may alternatively be formed as a single piece. Other
modifications may be made
to the shout housing, for example, for ease or economy of manufacturing.
100831 Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C show the nozzle unit 50, which connects to the
spout body 12
and comprises the stopper portions 42 and sealing ridge 74 described
previously. Additionally,
this device includes a partition 78 that divides the nozzle unit 50 into an
airflow portion 80 and a
liquid flow portion 82. In order to assist with the proper alignment of the
sliding sleeve 28
within the nozzle unit 50, a series of alignment projections 76 are also
included within the nozzle
unit 50.
[0084] The preferred nozzle unit 50 childproof lock features cradles 102
that impede the
longitudinal movement of the outer sheath 48 unless the sheath is
appropriately twisted (rotated)
to allow the projections 100 on the outer sheath 48 to clear the cradles 102.
Other child-proof
lock systems, as may be understood by one of skill in the art, may be used,
or, less-preferably, no
childproof lock may be used.
[0085] In the preferred embodiment, the open second end 68 of the nozzle
end 50 is
dimensioned to have a diameter of .8 inch, which size fits most fuel tanks.
The spout provides a
pour rate that is semi-adjustable depending upon the compression of the
biasing spring and, at
full- open, the spout produces a flow that exceeds two gallons per minute. The
overall shape and
length of the spout will accommodate a very high percentage of the application
requirements for
portable petroleum distillate storage containers.
[0086] Referring now to Fig. 6, several views of the sealing sleeve 28 are
shown. In the
preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve 28 could be appropriately described
as "corolla" having
a variety of components extending from a central structure. The sealing sleeve
28 generally
hollow interior with first and second open ends 30, 32 forms sealing sleeve
passageway 34.
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CA 02545907 2006-05-05
[0087] The sealing sleeve 28 projection portions 66 extend into the nozzle
end 50 and are
configured to cooperate with multiple arms of the sliding clip 46. These
projection portions 66
align with alignment portions 76 of the nozzle unit 50 to maintain alignment
of the sliding sleeve
28 within the spout body 12 and the nozzle unit 50. The alignment portions 76
also have a
channel for sliding clip 46. The interface between these projections 66 and
the "rib-shaped"
partition 78 further assist to isolate the flow of air from the flow of liquid
that are flowing in
opposite directions through the spout and the nozzle unit.
[0088] The configuration of the projections 66 and the partition 78 provide
a telescoping half
and half type of telescoping tube that prevents unimpeded air flow into the
interior of the sliding
sleeve 28, through the passageway 34 and up into the filling container.
Several views of the
sliding clip 46 are shown in the attached Figures 7A-7F, and several views of
the outer sheath 48
are shown in the attached Fig. 8, 8A, and 8B.
[0089] With a slight delay, as the sheath movement passes the child-
resistant feature, the
projections of the internal face of the sheath 64 engage the sliding clip 46
which in turn push
back upon the projections 66 of the sliding sleeve 28. This movement can be
accomplished by
either a user twisting (rotating) and pulling the sheath 48 back or by
twisting (rotating) the sheath
48 to the hold position, inverting the container, and pushing an outer portion
of the sheath 48
against the lip of the receiving container. When this occurs, the sliding
sleeve 28 releases the
connection between the inner and outer surfaces of the campanulate portion of
the sealing sleeve
valve and the stopper 42 portion of the partition, and the inner sealing
surfaces ("ridge") 74,
respectively. When the pressure upon the outer sheath is released, the biasing
spring 44 pushes
the sleeve 28 back up against the stopper 42 and the sealing surfaces 74 and
any further flow of
material out of the device 10 is prevented.
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CA 02545907 2006-05-05
100901 An especially-preferred spout 200, illustrated in Figures 9A ¨ 141,
is constructed and
works generally the same as the spout of Figures 1 ¨ 8C, except that it
features an improved
sleeve actuation system, an improved sliding sleeve, and alternative child-
resistant features. The
combined effect of the improved sleeve actuation system and sliding sleeve may
be enhanced
economy of manufacture and also reduced chance of "sideways splash" from the
spout. The
alternative child-resistant features make operation of the spout easier and
more readily apparent
for adults, while still being resistant to operation by children.
[0091] The general appearance of the especially-preferred spout is
portrayed in the several
views of Figures 9A ¨ J. The internals of the spout are portrayed in Figure
10, wherein the valve
system of the spout is in the closed, sealed position. Figures 11A ¨ G
illustrate the especially-
preferred slidable sleeve, Figures 12A ¨ E illustrate the especially-preferred
sliding clip, and
Figures 13A ¨ Q illustrate the especially-preferred nozzle unit. Figures 14A ¨
I illustrate details
of the child-resistant lock of this embodiment.
[0092] An alternative sliding clip 246 may be molded from plastic, which
provides
advantages, for example, to a manufacturer of the spout who is already is
engaged in and
knowledgeable in molding technology. The clip 246 has a single arm 247 and a
single
engagement tab 247' for engaging a single engagement portion 266 of the
improved sleeve 228.
As may be noticed from Figures 11A - G, sleeve 228 has only the one, top
engagement portion
266, and is missing the "lower" engagement portion 66 of sleeve 28 in Figure 6
(and shown to
the right rear of Figure 6A). Clip 246 is capable of engaging and sliding the
sleeve 228 by only
using a single arm 247 engaging the single engagement portion 66. There is no
need for a
second clip arm to extend around to the "bottom" of the spout to engage a
"lower" engagement
portion 66. This has the benefit of eliminating the need for an aperture
through the nozzle unit
- 27 -
CA 02545907 2013-03-06
250 at its lower/bottom side (orientation as viewed in Figure 10) to receive a
clip arm, and,
consequently, of eliminating the chance of "sideways" splash or leaking
through such a lower
aperture. Also, the arm 247 of the clip 246 is generally a flat plate that may
act as a splash
guard to prevent "sideways" splash out of the nozzle unit aperture through
which tab 247'
extends to engage sleeve 228.
[0093] The child-resistant lock system 270 of this embodiment includes a
large rotatable
and latchable handle 272 on the surface of the spout body. This handle 272 may
be latched to
lie longitudinally to lock the sheath 248 from sliding, by abutting against an
end of the
sheath. When a user wishes to unlock the sheath, the handle 272 may be
unlatched by
squeezing the handle (at latch arm 273) and swiveled/rotated about 90 degrees
to place the
narrow dimension of the handle 272 facing the sheath, providing room for
movement of the
sheath. This lock system is advantageous because it is very visible and easily-
understandable
for an adult, while typically being too difficult for a child to operate. The
handle 272 may
latch and unlatch by various means, as will be understood by one of skill in
the art after
viewing the Figures.
[0094] While Figure 10 does not show a gap between the sheath 248 and the
clip 246
when the valve is in the closed position, it is still preferred that there be
a small gap there
between. As described above regarding Figure 2, such a gap allows some
manufacturing
tolerances while still obtaining a complete and reliable seal, and such a gap
or other slight
"delay" in sleeve actuation also helps prevent the jostles and bumps of normal
storage and
handling from relaxing or opening the valve seals and consequently leaking or
spilling.
[0095] While there are shown and described the present preferred
embodiments of the
invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not
limited thereto but may be
variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims.
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