Fluid container for facilitating dispensing of fluid therefrom and related methods

Abstract

An improved fluid container for facilitating the continuous and uninterrupted dispensing of fluid and related methods. Preferably, the fluid container includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the body has an aperture formed therein for permitting fluid to be poured into and out of the body. A vent member is disposed in the body. The vent member has a fluid passageway allowing an external gas to pass through the vent member and into the body as fluid is poured out of the body. The vent member is permanently secured to the body.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to significant improvements in fluid containers and more particularly liquid containers and related methods. The present invention is not limited to the type of liquid container. For example, the liquid container can take the form of a two liter bottle, a five gallon paint can, an automotive motor oil container, a milk container, a metallic paint thinner container, a plastic anti-freeze container and an oil container for small engines to name just a few. Further, the present invention is not limited to a container of a particular size or material. Rather, the container can be formed from any suitable material and to any desired size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous fluid containers have been developed for containing and dispensing various fluids. Often the flow of fluid from the container is disrupted due to the flow of air or other gas into the fluid container at the same time the fluid stored in the container is being dispensed. For example, when pouring motor oil in a car, the flow of oil is quite irregular due to the simultaneous flow of air into the motor oil container. Some of the existing fluid containers include various types of devices to permit air or other gas to pass into the fluid container while the fluid within the container is poured out in an attempt to prevent discontinuous and/or interrupted flow of fluid out of the fluid container. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 577,410; 1,243,963; 1,950,794; 3,506,167; 5,199,613; and 5,839,625. These and other similar devices suffer from a number of inherent disadvantages. For example, these devices often require a relatively large attachment member for attaching a vent device to the fluid container. The vent device is purportedly designed to prevent fluid flow disruption. The attachment member and/or the vent device occupy a significant portion of the area of the throat of the fluid container. This is undesirable as these obstructions hamper the free flow of fluid into and out of the fluid container. Furthermore, this is undesirable because a portion of the attachment member, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,167, interrupts the seal between the container and closing member, thus compromising the integrity of the seal and possibly allowing leakage. Moreover, the presence of an attachment member adds cost and complexity to the manufacturing process that preclude common acceptance in the market.

Other proposed solutions require that the fluid container be modified to accommodate a venting device purportedly designed to prevent disruption in the flow of fluid from a container. This is undesirable because the fabrication process and associated tooling have to be altered. In addition, some of the previously know devices developed to prevent fluid flow disruption during dispensing require that either the vent device or its attachment member extend out of the fluid container such that a cap or other closure member for the fluid container must be removed from the fluid container when the vent device is in use. Further, prior known vent devices require the consumer to install the vent device in the fluid container. Moreover, previously known vent devices typically cannot be installed prior to filling of the corresponding fluid container either because the vent device will become dislodged during filling or obstruct the throat of the fluid container hampering the filling process.

Accordingly, a fluid container that overcomes these and other disadvantages of the prior art fluid containers is desirable.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unobvious fluid container and related methods.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a fluid container that permits fluid to be dispensed in a continuous and uninterrupted manner.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a vent member that can be added to a fluid container to facilitate dispensing of fluid without otherwise modifying the fluid container in any manner.

Still a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a vent member for a fluid container that does not require any modification in the fabrication process of the fluid container.

Yet another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a vent member that can be secured to a fluid container in such a manner that the fluid container can still be filled by a high speed-filling machine without the vent member becoming dislodged or obstructing the process of filling the container.

Still another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a fluid container with a vent member that is readily visible through the fluid container so that an individual can properly orient the fluid container prior to dispensing any fluid.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a vent member for a fluid container that occupies only a minor portion of the area of the throat of the fluid container.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a vent member with securement ribs for facilitating the securement of the vent member to a fluid container.

It must be understood that no one embodiment of the present invention need include all of the aforementioned objects of the present invention. Rather, a given embodiment may include one or none of the aforementioned objects. Accordingly, these objects are not to be used to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.

In summary, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for containing a fluid. The apparatus includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the body has an aperture formed therein for permitting liquid to be poured into and out of the body. A vent member is disposed in the body. The vent member has a fluid passageway that allows an external gas to pass through the vent member and into the body as liquid is poured out of the body. The vent member is permanently secured to the body.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for containing a fluid. The apparatus includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the body has an aperture formed therein for permitting liquid to be poured into and out of the body. A vent member is disposed in the body. The vent member has first and second ends. The first end of the vent member is positioned adjacent the aperture formed in the upper portion of the body. The second end of the vent member is removed from the aperture formed in the upper portion of the body. The first end and the second end of the vent member each have an opening formed therein. The vent member has a fluid passageway for connecting the opening formed in the first end to the opening formed in the second end to allow for an external gas to pass through the vent member and into the body as liquid is poured out of the body. The vent member is permanently secured to the body.

A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for containing a fluid. The apparatus comprises a body having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the body has a throat section. The throat section has an aperture formed therein for permitting liquid to be poured into and out of the body. The apparatus further includes a vent member for permitting an external gas to pass into- the body while a liquid is poured out of the body. The vent member is disposed entirely w within the body. The vent member has first and second ends. The first end of the vent member is positioned adjacent the aperture formed in the throat section of the upper portion of the body. The second end of the vent member is removed from the aperture formed in the throat section of the upper portion of the body. The apparatus includes securement means for securing the vent member to the body. The securement means for securing the vent member to the body and the vent member are disposed entirely on one side of a vertical plane passing through a center point of the throat section.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of adapting a liquid container to allow for a liquid to be poured from the liquid container while simultaneously allowing air to pass into the liquid container to ensure that the liquid is dispensed in a continuous and uninterrupted manner. The method comprises the step of providing a vent member having first and second ends. The first and seconds ends each have an opening. The vent member further includes a passageway connecting the first end to the second end. The method also includes the step of forming a liquid container having a body and a closure member for sealing the body. The step of forming the liquid container is performed such that the liquid container is not modified in any manner to accommodate the vent member. The method includes the further step of positioning at least a portion of the vent member in the container such that air will pass through the vent member while liquid is dispensed from the liquid container. The method includes the further step of permanently securing the vent member to the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1 during the dispensing process.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention during the dispensing process.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention during the dispensing process.

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of a third alternative embodiment of the present invention during the dispensing process.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the cover of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the cover of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The preferred forms of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. The appended claims are not limited to the preferred forms and no term used herein is to be given a meaning other than its ordinary meaning unless it is expressly stated that the term shall have a special meaning.

FIGS. 1 Through 5

Referring to FIG. 1, a fluid container A is illustrated in one of many possible configurations. The fluid container A, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is a plastic, transparent, two liter container having a body 2, a lower portion 3 and an upper portion 4. However, it will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the fluid container A may be formed from any suitable material to any desired size. The lower portion 3 of the body 2 is preferably formed such that the fluid container A is free standing when set down on a substantially flat surface.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper portion 4 includes a throat section 6. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, an opening 8 is formed in the uppermost portion of the throat section 6 to allow a liquid to be poured into or dispensed from the fluid container A. The exterior surface of the throat section 6 includes threads 9 to receive a cap or other closure member (not shown) in a fluid tight manner to seal the fluid container A.

Preferably, a vent tube 10 is permanently secured to the inner surface of the body 2 adjacent the opening 8. Preferably, the vent tube 10 is secured to the body 2 after the fluid container A has been formed so that the process of fabricating the fluid container A is not altered in any fashion. Further, it is preferred to permanently secure the vent tube 10 prior to the process of filling the fluid container A or at least prior to shipping the fluid container A for distribution to the consumer so that the consumer need not be burdened with installing the vent tube 10. The vent tube 10 has a first end 12 and a second end 14. The first end 12 and the second end 14 have openings 16 and 18, respectively, to create a fluid passageway or channel 20. Preferably, the first end 12 is disposed in the same plane as the uppermost portion of body 2 or is slightly recessed therefrom so that a cap or other closure member may be secured to the fluid container A when the vent tube 10 is installed.

The vent tube 10 may be permanently secured to the inner surface of the body 2 using any of a variety of techniques including ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, chemical bonding or other suitable technique. Preferably, the vent tube 10 abuts the inner wall of the body 2 along substantially the entire length of the vent tube 10.

The vent tube 10 may be formed from an opaque and/or colored material so that the vent tube 10 is readily visible through the transparent body 2 enabling the consumer to readily orient the vent tube 10 in the positions depicted in FIGS. 2,4 and 5 during dispensing. However, it will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the vent tube 10 can be formed from any suitable material.

As seen in FIG. 3, the vent tube 10 occupies only a minor portion of the area of the throat section 6. Preferably, the vent tube 10 occupies substantially less than ¼ of the area of the throat section 6. This design prevents the vent tube 10 from significantly hampering the processes of filling or emptying the fluid container A. Further, it is preferable to ensure that the vent tube 10 and the securement means are disposed entirely on one side of a vertical plane B passing through a center point C of the throat section 6 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate two of many alternative methods of securing the vent tube 10 to the body 2. In FIG. 4, the vent tube 10 is secured to the body 2 at various points along the vent tube 10. In FIG. 5, the vent tube 10 is secured at points only adjacent the first end 12. Alternatively, the vent tube 10 could be secured to body 2 along substantially the entire length of the vent tube 10.

The vent tube 10 as seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 creates a fluid passageway 20 that allows air to pass into the fluid container A while fluid is simultaneously being dispensed from fluid container A to ensure that the fluid is dispensed in a continuous and uninterrupted fashion.

FIGS. 6 Through 9

Referring to FIG. 6, a fluid container D is illustrated in one of many possible configurations embodying one of many possible modified forms of the present invention. The fluid container D, as illustrated in FIG. 6, is a plastic, five-gallon paint container. Once again, it will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the material and size of the fluid container D may be varied. The fluid container D includes a body 22 having a lower portion 24 and an upper portion 26. The lower portion 24 of the body 22 is preferably formed such that the fluid container D is free standing when set down on a substantially flat surface.

As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper portion 26 of the body 22 may include a lid 28 having a throat section 30. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, an opening 32 is formed in the uppermost portion of the throat section 30 to allow a liquid to be poured into or dispensed from the fluid container D. A removable cap (not shown) may be seated over the throat section 30 to seal the fluid container D.

Preferably, a vent tube 40 is permanently secured to the inner surface of the lid 28 adjacent the opening 32. Preferably, the vent tube 40 is secured to the lid 28 after the fluid container D has been formed so that the process of fabricating the fluid container D or any component thereof (e.g. the lid) is not altered in any fashion. Further, it is preferred to permanently secure the vent tube 40 prior to the process of filling the fluid container D or at least prior to shipping the fluid container D for distribution to the consumer so that the consumer need not be burdened with installing the vent tube 40.

The vent tube 40 has a first end 42, a second end 44 and a pair of ribs 46 and 48 to facilitate the permanent securement of the vent tube 40 to the lid 28. The ribs 46 and 48 may be formed as one piece with the vent tube 40. The first end 42 and the second end 44 have openings 50 and 52, respectively, to create a fluid passageway or channel 54. Preferably, the first end 42 is disposed in the same plane as the uppermost portion of lid 28 or is slightly recessed therefrom so that a cap or other closure member (not shown) may be secured to the fluid container D when the vent tube 40 is installed.

The vent tube 40 may be permanently secured to the inner surface of the lid 28 via securement ribs 46 and 48 using any of a variety of techniques including ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, chemical bonding or other suitable technique.

As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the vent tube 40 occupies only a minor portion of the area of the throat section 30. Preferably, the vent tube 40 occupies substantially less than ¼ of the area of the throat section 30. This design prevents the vent tube 40 from significantly hampering the processes of filling or emptying the fluid container D. Further, it is preferable to ensure that the vent tube 40 and the securement means are disposed entirely on one side of a vertical plane E passing through a center point F of the throat section 30 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that the preferred design can be further modified or adapted following in general the principles of the invention and including but not limited to such departures from the present invention as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains. The claims are not limited to the preferred embodiment and have been written to preclude such a narrow construction using the principles of claim differentiation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for containing a fluid, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion of said body having an aperture formed therein for permitting liquid to be poured into and out of said body;

(b) a vent member being disposed in said body, said vent member having first and second ends, said first end of said vent member being positioned adjacent said aperture formed in said upper portion of said body, said second end of said vent member being removed from said aperture formed in said upper portion of said body;

(c) said first end and said second end of said vent member each having an opening formed therein;

(d) said vent member having a fluid passageway for connecting said opening formed in said first end to said opening formed in said second end to allow for an external gas to pass through said vent member and into said body as liquid is poured out of said body; and,

(e) said vent member being permanently secured to said body.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said lower portion of said body being formed such that when said lower portion of said body is set down on a substantially flat surface said body is freestanding.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said upper portion of said body has a substantially circular horizontal cross-section with a predetermined first area;

(b) said first end of said vent member occupies a minor portion of said first area.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

(a) said first end of said vent member occupies less than ¼ of said first area.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said body has at least one sidewall, said vent member is ultrasonically welded to said at least one sidewall of said body.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said body and said vent member are formed from plastic.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said body is formed from a transparent material; and, (b) said vent member further including location identifying means so that a user can readily orient said body during pouring such that the vent member is properly positioned.

8. An apparatus for containing a fluid, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion of said body having a throat section, said throat section having an aperture formed therein for permitting liquid to be poured into and out of said body;

(b) a vent member for permitting an external gas to pass into said body while a liquid is poured out of said body, said vent member being disposed entirely within said body, said vent member having first and second ends, said first end of said vent member being positioned adjacent said aperture formed in said throat section of said upper portion of said body, said second end of said vent member being removed from said aperture formed in said throat section of said upper portion of said body;

(c) securement means for securing said vent member to said body; and,

(d) said securement means for securing said vent member to said body and said vent member being disposed entirely on one side of a vertical plane passing through a center point of said throat section.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

(a) said throat section having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of said lower portion of said body.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

(a) said vent member is permanently secured to said body.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

(a) said body has at least one sidewall, said at least one sidewall of said body abuts said vent member along substantially the entire length of said vent member.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

(a) said body has at least one sidewall, said vent member is permanently secured to said at least one sidewall of said body adjacent said second end of said vent member.

13. A method of adapting a liquid container to allow for a liquid to be poured from the liquid container while simultaneously allowing air to pass into the liquid container to ensure that the liquid is dispensed in a continuous and uninterrupted manner, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a vent member having first and second ends, said first and seconds ends each having an opening, said vent member further including a passageway connecting said first end to said second end;

(b) forming a liquid container having a body and a closure member for sealing said body, said step of forming said liquid container being performed such that the liquid container is not modified in any manner to accommodate the vent member;

(c) positioning at least a portion of said vent member in said container such that air will pass through the vent member while liquid is being dispensed from the liquid container; and,

(d) permanently securing said vent member to said container.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13, including the further step of:

(a) filling the liquid container with a liquid, said filling step being performed after said step of permanently securing the vent member to the liquid container.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

(a) the first end of the vent member is aligned with the uppermost portion of said body prior to step (d) such that when step (d) is performed the first end of the vent member lies in substantially the same horizontal plane as the uppermost portion of said body.

16. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

(a) the vent member is welded to at least a portion of the body.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

(a) the vent member is thermally welded to at least a portion of the body.

18. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

(a) the vent member is ultrasonically welded to at least a portion of the body.

19. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

(a) the vent member is chemically bonded to at least a portion of the body.

20. An apparatus for containing a fluid, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion of said body having an aperture formed therein for permitting liquid to be poured into and out of said body;

(b) a vent member being disposed in said body, said vent member having a fluid passageway allowing an external gas to pass through said vent member and into said body as liquid is poured out of said body; and,

(b) said vent member being permanently secured to said body.