Patents Assigned to KnuBox Technologies
  • Patent number: 7036536
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to fuel dispensing nozzles and more particularity to a spout of a fuel dispensing nozzle that reduces the amount of harmful emissions created during a fueling cycle. The spout of the nozzle has an inside surface that is in direct contact with a flow of fuel. After the flow of fuel is stopped, the residual amount of fuel adhered to the inside spout surface is encouraged to collect and drip from at least one fuel collection channel. The at least one fuel channel results in less fuel dripping on the ground and less residual fuel, both of which harmfully evaporate into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: KnuBox Technologies
    Inventors: Paul A Knight, Walt D Takisaki
  • Patent number: 6997220
    Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle having a valve for controlling the flow of fuel to a spout attached to the nozzle. The nozzle spout includes three or more spaced apart protrusions that extend from an outer surface of the spout. If the outer spout surface is made from a non-electrically conductive material, the plurality of protrusions may be made from a electrically conductive material, and thus, provide electrical grounding to the nozzle. If the outer spout surface is made from a material having less than ideal wear properties, the plurality of protrusions may be used to provide wear protection to the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: KnuBox Technologies
    Inventors: Paul A. Knight, Walt D. Takisaki
  • Patent number: 6941984
    Abstract: A tubular spout is fluidly connected to a nozzle body. The nozzle body having a main valve for regulating the flow of a supply of fuel to the spout. Within the tubular spout is a dripless valve that moves to an open position allowing for the flow of fuel out the spout and to a closed position shutting off the flow of fuel out of the spout. According to the present invention at least a portion of the dripless valve surface has a surface energy less than the surface tension of the fuel being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Knubox Technologies
    Inventor: Paul A. Knight
  • Publication number: 20050087258
    Abstract: A tubular spout is fluidly connected to a nozzle body. The nozzle body having a main valve for regulating the flow of a supply of fuel to the spout. Within the tubular spout is a dripless valve that moves to an open position allowing for the flow of fuel out the spout and to a closed position shutting off the flow of fuel out of the spout. According to the present invention at least a portion of the dripless valve surface has a surface energy less than the surface tension of the fuel being dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Applicant: KnuBox Technologies
    Inventor: Paul Knight
  • Patent number: 6854491
    Abstract: A low liquid retention fuel nozzle that is mainly comprised of a nozzle body and a spout attached to the nozzle body. A fuel supply travels down the nozzle body and through the spout and into a container. Typically, after the flow of fuel is stopped within a nozzle, fuel drips from the spout and resides on its surfaces. Nozzle spouts are typically made from aluminum which is easily wet-out by fuels which facilitates the creation of drips and residual fuel. The present invention is directed towards a spout with one or more surfaces that have a low surface energy. The low surface energy promotes drops to form. The resulting drops are likely to fall into the container to be filled prior to the user removing the spout from the container. The result is less contaminating fuel drops on the ground and less environmentally polluting fuel vapors reaching the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: KnuBox Technologies
    Inventors: Paul A. Knight, Walt D. Takisaki