Venting Device for Liquid Container

Abstract

An air-venting device for use in venting a can or other vessel containing a liquid to reduce or eliminate spilling or surging of the liquid during pouring said device having an elongated member and a sealing member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/894,039 filed Oct. 22, 2013, herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for venting a container that does not have an air vent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a venting device that can be attached to a container, especially a container for liquids to facilitate pouring a liquid therefrom. Generally, fluids are stored in a container which permits dispensing the liquid through a spout or other opening when the need arises. Many household and/or industrial liquid products are sold in plastic, metal, or other type of container. For example, a variety of solvents, oils, varnishes, thinners, and fuels are commonly sold to consumers in cans that have a pouring spout but no air venting port. The absence of an air vent makes it difficult to pour liquid from the container.

Liquid containers frequently include a screw-on or other cap that is removed when pouring liquid from the container. However, when pouring liquid from an unvented vessel, especially an organic or volatile liquid, uncontrolled surging and spilling often results, especially when the vessel is full. Such surging results from an imbalance of air pressure and hydrostatic resistance owing to the absence of an air vent. Spillage of organic or volatile liquids can present a safety concern as many such liquids create a fire hazard and/or are toxic to humans and other mammals, not to mention potential harm to the environment. Faced with this problem, consumers typically resort to a variety of “quick-fix” solutions such as driving a nail or other sharp object into the container to open a hole, and closing the hole with a piece of tape. While such practices may provide a crude vent, they can lead to additional problems, such as not being able to adequately seal the make-shift vent hole after it is created and promoting additional spillage and contamination through the make-shift vent hole that usually cannot be adequately sealed.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,210,676 (“233 patent”) provides a tubular spout that includes an air venting tube with a check valve for mounting to liquid containing receptacles.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,330 (“330 patent”) provides a venting tube which commences externally to the liquid container at a point substantially at or above the level of the liquid when the container is in its pouring position.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,167,221 (“221 patent”) provides a reversible, vented spout for mounting to a gasoline can.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,414 (“414 patent”) provides a self-venting cap for containers which includes a flexible tube and a float at the end of the tube.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,704 (“704 patent”) provides a nozzle assembly including a ball valve for use with a gasoline can.

While prior devices resolve some of the problems associated with unvented cans, there remains a need for a convenient, effective, easy-to-use device that can be retrofitted to a liquid-containing can or other receptacle to provide suitable air venting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device and method for venting a can or other container which contains, or is intended to contain, a liquid such as an organic, non-organic, volatile, or non-volatile liquid, or any other type of liquid or fluid. A device and method of the invention are useful for preventing spills and surging when pouring a liquid from an unvented container. Many solvents, cleaners, fuels, oils or other liquids for household or industrial use are sold to the consumer in a can or other type of container that lacks a venting port. For example, many paint products and solvents such as paint thinner or mineral spirits are sold in a can having a removable cap for pouring the liquid but no venting port. As a result, it is generally difficult to pour from the container, especially when the container is full, without splashing the liquid on the skin and/or the surrounding environment. A device of the present invention provides an easy means to provide a venting port on a container including retrofitting a can that lacks such a venting port in order to facilitate pouring and prevent surging and spillage. An additional advantage of a device of the invention is that it provides a port through which small amounts of liquid can be poured when smaller volumes are desired. p Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient, easy-to-use air venting device for use with an unvented can or other vessel containing a liquid, for example, a volatile liquid. A device of the invention can be operably-attached to such a vessel, including retrofitting the device onto an unvented vessel including cans that contain liquids such as solvents, thinners, organics, fuels, gasoline, etc.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-perform method for attaching a vent port onto an unvented can or other vessel, including retrofitting unvented vessels with a device of the invention, to prevent surging and spillage when pouring from an unvented can.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a device of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the cap member of a device of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the device and seal member of the invention.

FIG. 4a provides a perspective view showing a device of the invention in position for attachment to a can.

FIG. 4b provides a perspective view showing a device of the invention after it has been attached to a can.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, “liquid” refers to any volatile or non-volatile liquid. The term “volatile liquid” generally refers to any organic liquid including, for example, any alcohol, ether, paint thinner, mineral spirit, fuel, gasoline, or any other type of household or industrial liquid for use around the home or in an industrial environment for maintenance of property, for fueling or maintaining machines including power tools, power saws, lawnmowers, weed-eaters, etc.

As used herein, the terms “can”, “vessel”, “receptacle”, or “container” are used interchangeably and generally refer to a vessel for containing any type of fluid or liquid, including but not limited to, a volatile or organic liquid, which are commonly manufactured and sold without an air vent. Containers of this type are generally sold with a pouring spout having a screw-on or other type of sealing cap but no venting port. Such vessels are constructed from a variety of materials including but not limited to metal and plastic.

As used herein, the terms “retrofit” or “retrofitting” mean to operably-attach or mount a device of the present invention to a can or other vessel which contains or is intended to contain, a liquid when the can lacks a venting port.

A device of the invention provides a simple and effective venting means for containers not otherwise equipped with such so that air can freely flow to allow controlled pouring of liquid from the vessel. In one embodiment, a device of the invention includes an elongated member for penetrating and venting the container, and a sealing member to ensure that the venting port does not leak. The elongated member penetrates a surface of a vessel, typically the upper surface, to provide an air flow channel. The elongated member may, but not necessarily will, be integral with the sealing member. For example, in one embodiment the elongated member includes a hollow, axially-positioned channel running therethrough. In other embodiments, a device of the invention comprises separate elongated and sealing members. A device of the invention preferably also includes a capping member for placement over the top of the elongated member to prevent evaporation when not in use.

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a device of the invention will now be described in more detail. FIG. 1 illustrates venting device 10 which includes elongated member 22 having a head 16 at the top end and an opening 28 at the bottom end. In a preferred embodiment, head 16 includes an angular sloping wall 17 that facilitates a tight seal with seal top portion 21. An air channel 18 runs axially through the center of elongated member 22 terminating in top opening 24 located on head 16, and in bottom opening 28 at the other end of elongated member 22. Top opening 24 provides an opening through which air travels through air channel 18 and out bottom opening 28. Device 10 also includes a sealing member 20 that provides a seat or seal for attaching device 10 to a can or vessel. Sealing member 20 includes a top portion 21 and bottom portion 23 which include a conduit through which elongated member 22 can pass. Top portion 21 engages with head wall 17 to form a tight seal. Bottom portion 23 of sealing member 20 engages with a surface of a can to which device 10 is applied, preferably the top surface. Top portion 21 and bottom portion 23 of sealing member 20 may be integral or separate members.

Preferably device 10 includes a cap member 12 and cap tether 14 for covering top opening 24 when the device is not in use. Cap 12 includes a recessed dome 13 to accommodate head 16 when the cap is pressed down to cover top opening 24. As depicted in FIG. 2, the underside of cap 12 includes a lip 15 that fits over the top portion 21 of seal member 20 when in the closed position. Cap 12 further includes a tab member 19 to facilitate opening and closing the cap. This embodiment of device 10 further includes a plurality of threads 30 that extend radially outward from the elongated member 22. Threads 30 facilitate penetration of device 10 into a can or other vessel during mounting of the device, whereby a rotational force is applied to “screw” the device into a can. In a preferred embodiment, device 10 terminates at bottom opening 28 with a tapered, pointed end. For convenience, device 10 may include one or more slots 32 on the top surface of vent head 16 to engage with a screw driver during attachment of the device to a can or other vessel.

FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view of device 10 showing air channel 18, elongated member 22, O-ring 25, and bottom portion seal 23.

Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4b shown schematically is an embodiment of device 10 as depicted in FIG. 1 as it is being attached to a can of paint thinner 50 (FIG. 4a). The can 50 includes an upper surface area 54 and a screw-cap pouring spout 52 located at one end of the upper surface 54. In this embodiment, venting device 10 has been attached and seated on the upper surface 54 of the can at the end opposite the position of the pouring spout 52. Preferably, device 10 is mounted as shown in FIG. 4a though it should be understood that it could be placed at any location on the upper surface 54 or other region of the can. FIG. 4a depicts device 10 in the ready position prior to being fully and operably-engaged with can 50. A user would tap device 10 with a hammer or other heavy object to create a small dent or hole 53 for positioning the desired location of device 10. Full engagement of device 10 with the can is achieved by rotating device 10 with a screw driver to engage bottom seal 23 with upper surface 54, as depicted in FIG. 4b.

A device of the invention can be fabricated de novo from metal or plastic, or any other suitably resilient manorial using standard tooling techniques to form the members of the device. Alternatively, some or all components of a device of the invention may be fabricated from pre-existing parts. For example, elongated member 22 can be fabricated from a stainless steel or brass metal screw of suitable dimensions, for example, about 1 inch to 1.5 inches in length, with a one-quarter inch diameter bead by drilling or boring a hollow chamber through the longitudinal axis of the screw. For reasons of safety, brass is preferred in order to reduce the chance of sparking and the resulting fire hazard during mounting the device. Vent cap 12, top portion 21, bottom portion seal 23, and O-ring 25 are most conveniently fabricated from any suitable plastic or rubber material. These cap and sealing members can be fabricated as a single unit or as separate pieces that includes a central opening to accommodate elongated member 22.

A device of the invention is operably-mounted or attached to a vessel that either contains a liquid or is intended to contain a liquid. Preferably, a device of the invention is mounted to the top of the vessel such that air can flow into the inner chamber of the vessel to facilitate smooth pouring of a liquid from the spout of the vessel. For purposes of illustrating use of a device of the invention, reference will now be made to FIG. 4. Initially a user of a device of the invention mounts or inserts the device such that it penetrates the surface of the vessel and operably-positions the vent shaft and air channel to enable air flow to the inner chamber of the vessel. The device can be inserted into the vessel, for example, by first punching or drilling a suitably-sized hole to accommodate elongated member 22 of the device. This can be done using any suitable instrument or tool such as a nail or ice pick; alternatively in one embodiment the device itself can be used to punch a hole for insertion into the can. Device 10 includes a plurality of threads that enable the device to be rotated or screwed into the vessel using a screw driver to form a tight seal between the sealing member and the top surface of the vessel.

While the form of the device herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise from of apparatus or device, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A venting device for mounting to a liquid container not having an air vent, comprising:

a. an elongated member having a top portion and a bottom portion, said elongated member having a channel running axially therethrough and terminating at either end in openings; and

b. a sealing member having a top surface and a bottom surface, said sealing member being interposed between the top portion of said elongated member and a surface of a container to which the device is mounted.

2. A venting device as in claim 1 wherein the elongated member passes through the sealing member leaving the top portion of the elongated member protruding away from the top surface of the sealing member, and the bottom portion of the elongated member protruding away from the bottom surface of the sealing member.

3. A venting device as in claim 2 wherein the top portion of the elongated member includes a head that engages with the top surface of the sealing member, said head including one of the terminal openings of said channel.

4. A venting device as in claim 3 wherein the top surface of the sealing member includes a top seal and the bottom surface of the sealing member includes a bottom seal.

5. A venting device as in claim 4 wherein said head includes sloping walls.

6. A venting device as in claim 5 wherein the bottom portion of the elongated member includes a plurality of threads that assist in penetrating the surface of the container when the device is operably-mounted.

7. A device as in claim 6 further comprising a cap that fits over said head.

8. A device as in claim 7 wherein the bottom portion of the elongated member terminates with a tapered end.

9. A venting device for mounting to a liquid container not having an air vent, composing:

a. an elongated member having a top portion and a bottom portion, said elongated member including a head with sloping walls and having a channel running axially therethrough and terminating at either end in an opening;

b. a sealing member having a top surface and a bottom surface, said sealing member being interposed between the top portion of said elongated member and a surface of a container to which the device is mounted, wherein the top surface of the sealing member includes a top seal and the bottom surface of the sealing member includes a bottom seal;

wherein the elongated member engages with the top surface of the sealing member and passes through the sealing member leaving the head of the elongated member protruding away from the top surface of the sealing member, and the bottom portion of the elongated member protruding away from the bottom surface of the sealing member; and

wherein the bottom portion of the elongated member terminates with a tapered end and includes a plurality of threads that assist in penetrating the surface of the container when the device is operably-mounted.

10. A method for retrofitting a container for a liquid with a venting port to prevent surging and spilling when liquid is poured from said container, comprising:

a. securing a container for liquid wherein said container does not possess a venting port;

b. mounting on a surface of said container a venting device to allow air equilibration, said device comprising an elongated member having an air channel, and a sealing member interposed between the surface of the container and the venting device.