Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Cray
Thomas M. Cray has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11931611Abstract: A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout. When a flash suppressor is employed, the perforations in the flash suppressor can be configured to retain fuel therein after fuel has been dispensed from the container and the flash suppressor is no longer submerged in fuel.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: No Spill, LLCInventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Publication number: 20200406076Abstract: A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout. When a flash suppressor is employed, the perforations in the flash suppressor can be configured to retain fuel therein after fuel has been dispensed from the container and the flash suppressor is no longer submerged in fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Patent number: 10792525Abstract: A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout. When a flash suppressor is employed, the perforations in the flash suppressor can be configured to retain fuel therein after fuel has been dispensed from the container and the flash suppressor is no longer submerged in fuel.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: No Spill Inc.Inventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Patent number: 10307625Abstract: A flame mitigation device configured to be located proximate a main container opening of a fuel container having a fuel-receiving chamber, with the main container opening permitting liquid fuel to flow into and out of the fuel-receiving chamber. The flame mitigation device comprises a sidewall defining a plurality of perforations through which the liquid fuel can flow to dispense such liquid fuel from the fuel-receiving chamber when the flame mitigation device is installed within the fuel container. At least a portion of the perforations defined in the sidewall are downwardly sloping perforations, with the downward angle of the downwardly sloping perforations being at least 1 degree below horizontal. And at least 20 percent of the total open area defined by all of said perforations is attributable to downwardly sloping perforations.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: NSIP Holdings, LLCInventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Publication number: 20180326235Abstract: A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout. When a flash suppressor is employed, the perforations in the flash suppressor can be configured to retain fuel therein after fuel has been dispensed from the container and the flash suppressor is no longer submerged in fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Publication number: 20180221693Abstract: A flame mitigation device configured to be located proximate a main container opening of a fuel container having a fuel-receiving chamber, with the main container opening permitting liquid fuel to flow into and out of the fuel-receiving chamber. The flame mitigation device comprises a sidewall defining a plurality of perforations through which the liquid fuel can flow to dispense such liquid fuel from the fuel-receiving chamber when the flame mitigation device is installed within the fuel container. At least a portion of the perforations defined in the sidewall are downwardly sloping perforations, with the downward angle of the downwardly sloping perforations being at least 1 degree below horizontal. And at least 20 percent of the total open area defined by all of said perforations is attributable to downwardly sloping perforations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Patent number: 10029132Abstract: A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout. When a flash suppressor is employed, the perforations in the flash suppressor can be configured to retain fuel therein after fuel has been dispensed from the container and the flash suppressor is no longer submerged in fuel.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: NSIP Holdings LLCInventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Publication number: 20160045774Abstract: A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout. When a flash suppressor is employed, the perforations in the flash suppressor can be configured to retain fuel therein after fuel has been dispensed from the container and the flash suppressor is no longer submerged in fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Patent number: 9174075Abstract: A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout. When a flash suppressor is employed, the perforations in the flash suppressor can be configured to retain fuel therein after fuel has been dispensed from the container and the flash suppressor is no longer submerged in fuel.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: NSIP Holdings LLCInventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Publication number: 20150001217Abstract: A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout. When a flash suppressor is employed, the perforations in the flash suppressor can be configured to retain fuel therein after fuel has been dispensed from the container and the flash suppressor is no longer submerged in fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Publication number: 20130320009Abstract: A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventor: Thomas M. Cray
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Patent number: 8567646Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a portable fuel can has the following. A cap provision for generally sealing vapors inside a contained volume inside the combined nozzle assembly and portable fuel can. A spout to dispense liquid fuel. A main valve for the liquid fuel which automatically closes in the absence of manual operation. A manual operator for manually and selectively opening the main valve. Porting providing vacuum venting whereby gases are admitted into the contained volume as the liquid fuel level pours out of the can, whereby the vacuum venting allows for gaseous exchange between the can as liquid fuel empties therefrom and the target container liquid-fuel fills in and flushes out gases due to the rising fuel level therein. Wherein the vacuum venting comprising and intake port disposed to provide automatic overflow cutoff. At least one over-pressurization relief break, and at least one under-pressurization relief break.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Inventor: Thomas M. Cray