Abstract: A vapor recovery fuel system includes a fuel tank having at least one vent opening defined therein. A fuel vapor canister is in communication with the vent opening to receive and filter fuel vapors from the tank. A refueling control valve is configured in the vent opening and has a first inlet orifice and an outlet in communication with the vapor trap. The control valve includes a variably buoyant first float body extending into an interior of the fuel tank which rises over a predetermined range of movement in response to increasing fuel level. The control valve includes a second float body engaged by the first float body over at least a portion of its range of movement. The first float body has a buoyancy during refueling so as to rise with increasing fuel level to engage and move the second float body into a sealing position to seal the inlet orifice from the outlet at a predetermined height of fuel within the tank.

Abstract: A method for making a fuel tank containing an internal gas removal system by introducing a breathing and/or a venting system into a blow mold for a fuel tank and subsequently blow-molding the fuel tank around these systems.

Abstract: An internal gas removal system for a fuel tank is comprised of a venting system and a breathing system, both of which are placed substantially completely inside the fuel tank. The breathing system removes gases from the fuel tank while fuel is introduced into the fuel tank, while the venting system removes gases from the fuel tank while the vehicle is operated and the fuel is not introduced into the fuel tank. Both, the venting and the breathing systems are connected to their respective exit lines which exit the fuel tank through a single dedicated opening or through a filler pipe. A method of making the internal gas removal system comprises introducing the breathing and the venting systems into a blow mold and subsequently blow-molding the fuel tank around these systems.

Abstract: A locking member for use in a fuel tank assembly of the type having a pressurizable tank with an aperture and having a plurality of retaining lugs transversely extending along the periphery of the tank aperture. A fuel sender assembly has a first portion disposed within the aperture and a second portion having a plate-like shoulder in a mating contact with an external tank surface. A seal element is disposed between the tank and the fuel sender assembly in an annular groove or other seal arrangement provided in the external tank surface intermediate the aperture and the retaining lugs. The locking member comprises a locking ring having an aperture through which a portion of the fuel sender assembly extends, the locking ring having a generally planar lower surface in a mating contact with an upper surface of the plate-like shoulder of the fuel sender assembly and having a plurality of tabs corresponding to the plurality of retaining lugs.

Abstract: A process for treating a container comprised of a normally solid, polymer surface with a sulfur-containing compound is carried out by contacting the surface at a temperature of about 120.degree. to about 140.degree. F. with a sulfur-containing compound. Subsequently, the surface is contacted with a neutralizing agent. The process is conducted for a such a period of time and with such concentrations of the sulfur-containing compound and the neutralizing agent that the container has average permeability to unleaded gasoline having octane number of 93 of not greater than about 0.021 g/hr.The surface, after the treatment, comprises about 700 to about 1800 micrograms of sulfur per square inch of the surface and it is penetrated by the sulfur-containing compound to an average depth of at least about 15 microns.

Abstract: A process for treating a container having a normally solid, polymer surface with a sulfur-containing compound is carried out in two stages. In the first stage, a first sulfonation treatment is conducted by: (i) contacting the surface at a temperature of about 115.degree. to about 140.degree. F. with a first sulfur-containing compound; and, (ii) washing the surface with an aqueous liquid. Optionally, in the first stage, after the surface is contacted with the first sulfur-containing compound, but before it is washed with the aqueous liquid, the surface may be contacted with a first neutralizing agent. In the second stage, a second sulfonation treatment is conducted by contacting the surface with a second sulfur-containing compound, a second neutralizing agent and washing the surface with an aqueous liquid. The second sulfur-containing compound and the second neutralizing agent may be the same as or different than the first sulfur-containing compound and the optional first neutralizing agent, respectively.

Abstract: A locking member for use in a fuel tank assembly of the type having a pressurizable tank with an aperture and having a plurality of retaining lugs transversely extending along the periphery of the tank aperture. A fuel sender assembly having a first portion disposed within the aperture and a second portion having a plate-like shoulder in mating contact with an external tank surface. A seal element is disposed between the tank and the fuel sender assembly in an annular groove provided in the external tank surface intermediate the aperture and the retaining lugs. The locking member comprising a locking ring having an aperture through which a portion of the fuel sender assembly extends, the locking ring having a generally planar lower surface in mating contact with an upper surface of the plate-like shoulder of the fuel sender assembly and having a plurality of lug supports corresponding to the plurality of retaining lugs.

Abstract: A parison forming device is disclosed for forming hollow polymer extrudes of variable wall thickness in either the circumferential or longitudinal directions, or in any combination thereof. The parison forming device consists of a die-head assembly and mandrel assembly, concentrically arranged, creating an annual opening. The inner or outer circumferential perimeter of the annular opening may be selectively modified at specific radial locations through radially displaceable slides positioned about the annular opening. The slides, attached to either the die-head assembly or mandrel assembly, may be actuated during parison formation via hydraulic or other methods so as to provide suitable wall thickness profiles for later finished polymer products.

Abstract: An improved thermoplastic airbag for application in motor vehicle occupant restraint systems is disclosed. The blow molded thermoplastic airbag includes at least one reinforcement insert encapsulated at a preselected area on the exterior surface of the airbag. The reinforcement insert providing supplemental support during inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: An improved plastic fuel tank for motor vehicle applications is disclosed. The blow molded plastic fuel tank has at least one reinforcement insert encapsulated at a preselected area on the exterior surface of the fuel tank. The reinforcement insert provides supplemental support, elasticity and fire resistance, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A locking member is disclosed for use in a fuel tank assembly of the type having a pressurizable tank with an aperture and having a plurality of retaining lugs transversely extending along the periphery of the tank aperture. A fuel sender assembly having a first portion disposed within the aperture and a second portion having a plate-like shoulder in mating contact with an external tank surface. A seal element is disposed between the tank and the fuel sender assembly in an annular groove provided in the external tank surface intermediate the aperture and the retaining lugs. The locking member comprising a locking ring having an aperture through which a portion of the fuel sender assembly extends, the locking ring having a generally planar lower surface in mating contact with an upper surface of the plate-like shoulder of the fuel sender assembly and having a plurality of tabs corresponding to the plurality of retaining lugs.