Fuel additive bottle for use with capless fuel system

Abstract

A fuel additive bottle has a neck and thread pattern that allows insertion into a capless fuel system so the bottle's contents can be poured by gravity into a fuel tank. The neck of the bottle is elongated and has a diameter of approximately 0.854, and the novel thread pattern includes thread interruptions that form at least one threadless path. In use, the spring loaded tabs of a capless fuel system are depressed by the threadless path portion of bottle, thereby triggering the self-sealing mechanism to open, so the fluid receiving aperture is exposed. The use of the threadless paths facilitates the safe and easy entry and removal of the bottle from the capless fuel system.

Claims

1. A bottle for use with a capless fuel system having a self-sealing mechanism triggered by tabs, said bottle including: A) A neck having a circumference, a substantially smooth surface and an outside diameter between 0.846 inches and 0.862 inches; B) A lip connected to a distal end of said neck, said lip defining a plurality of threads; and C) A plurality of thread interruptions defined by said plurality of threads, said plurality of thread interruptions forming two threadless paths spaced between said threads so as to frame an unobstructed longitudinal axis from said lip to said neck, wherein each threadless path extends 45.9-56.1 around the circumference of the neck, each threadless path is spaced 162-198 around the neck from another threadless path, and two threadless paths align with the tabs, and wherein said neck is adapted so when inserting said bottle into said capless fuel system said two threadless paths align with said tabs such that said tabs are depressed along threadless paths and without impeding entry of said neck by said plurality of threads.

2. The bottle of claim 1 wherein said plurality of threads are of an industry standard 22 mm finish.

3. A system for transporting and storing, and for pouring fuel additives into a capless fuel system having a self-sealing mechanism triggered by tabs, said system including: A) A reservoir with a volume capacity of 30 mL to 19 L; B) A rigid neck having a circumference in fluid communication with said reservoir; C) A threaded lip in communication with said rigid neck, said threaded lip including at least two longitudinally-oriented threadless paths, each threadless path spaced 162-198 around the neck from another threadless path, and each threadless path extending 45.9-56.1 around the circumference of the rigid neck, and wherein said neck is adapted so when inserting said bottle into said capless fuel system two threadless paths align with two tabs such that said tabs are depressed along threadless paths and without impeding entry of said neck by said plurality of threads; and D) A bottle cap rotatably engaged with said threaded lip.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said threaded lip includes M style thread.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said bottle cap is a conventional 22 mm cap.

6. A method of introducing a fluid into a capless fuel system having a self-sealing mechanism triggered by tabs, said method including the steps of: A) Positioning a threaded lip of a bottle proximal to a fluid receiving aperture of a capless fuel system, said threaded lip having a circumference; B) Rotating said bottle so two threadless paths of said threaded lip of said bottle align with tabs of said capless fuel system, each threadless path spaced 162-198 around the neck from another threadless path, and each threadless path extending approximately 45.9-56.1around the circumference of the threaded lip; C) Depressing said tab with said threadless path; D) Pushing said threaded lip into said fluid receiving aperture such that tabs bypass threads of threaded lip; and E) Depositing contents of said bottle into said aperture by gravity.

7. The method of claim 6 further including the initial step of removing a cap from said lip.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein said reservoir has a volume capacity of 30 mL to 205.7 mL.

9. The system of claim 3 wherein said reservoir has a volume capacity of 205.7 mL to 1100 mL.

10. The system of claim 3 wherein said reservoir has a volume capacity of 1100 mL to 19 L.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional capless fuel system;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel additive bottle of the present invention positioned for insertion into a capless fuel system, with a bottle cap positioned to be rotatably engaged with a threaded lip;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fuel additive bottle of the present invention inserted into a capless fuel system;

(4) FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the device;

(5) FIG. 5 is another top view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 4, depicting the threads and thread interruptions;

(6) FIG. 6 is a plan view of desired specifications for threads and thread interruptions of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 8 is a front view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 4;

(9) FIG. 9 is a side view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 4;

(10) FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 4;

(11) FIG. 11 is a top view of another embodiment of the device;

(12) FIG. 12 is another top view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 11, depicting the threads and thread interruptions;

(13) FIG. 13 is a plan view of desired specifications for threads and thread interruptions of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 11;

(15) FIG. 15 is a front view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 11;

(16) FIG. 16 is a side view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 11;

(17) FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 11;

(18) FIG. 18 is a side view of the lower section of the reservoir of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 11;

(19) FIG. 19 is a top view of another embodiment of the device;

(20) FIG. 20 is another top view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 19, depicting the threads and thread interruptions;

(21) FIG. 21 is a plan view of desired specifications for threads and thread interruptions of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 19;

(22) FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 19;

(23) FIG. 23 is a front view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 19;

(24) FIG. 24 is a side view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 19;

(25) FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 19;

(26) FIG. 26 is a side view of the lower section of the reservoir of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 19;

(27) FIG. 27 is a top view of another embodiment of the device;

(28) FIG. 28 is another top view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 27, depicting the threads and thread interruptions;

(29) FIG. 29 is a plan view of desired specifications for threads and thread interruptions of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 27;

(30) FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 27;

(31) FIG. 31 is a front view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 27;

(32) FIG. 32 is a side view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 27;

(33) FIG. 33 is a bottom view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 27;

(34) FIG. 34 is a side view of the lower section of the reservoir of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 27;

(35) FIG. 35 is a top view of another embodiment of the device;

(36) FIG. 36 is close-up top view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 35, depicting the threads and thread interruptions;

(37) FIG. 37 is a plan view of desired specifications for threads and thread interruptions of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 35;

(38) FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 35;

(39) FIG. 39 is a front view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 35;

(40) FIG. 40 is a side view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 35; and

(41) FIG. 41 is a bottom view of the same embodiment of the device from FIG. 35.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(42) The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

(43) The following structure numbers shall apply to the following structures among the various FIGS.: 10Bottle; 15Reservoir; 17Neck; 18Lip; 20Transition; 25Threads; 30Thread interruption; 32Threadless path; 35Bottle cap; 40Capless fuel system; 45Tabs; 47Self sealing mechanism; and 50Fluid receiving aperture.

(44) As used herein, pourable matter, fluids and liquids are used interchangeably unless otherwise noted, and collectively refer to substances which can be poured. Also, fuel additives generally refer to substances that are added to a fuel system.

(45) Referring to FIG. 1, representative capless fuel system 40 is an alternative to the standard gas tank filling assembly having a gas cap which covers the gas receiving aperture when the tank isn't being filled. In a standard gas tank one removes a gas cap, inserts a nozzle, and adds fuel or an additive that flows down a conduit to the gas tank. Specific capless fuel systems may vary, but generally include a fluid receiving aperture 50 through which fuel and additives are added to the vehicle's gas tank. Instead of a gas cap, however, self-sealing mechanism 47 prevents nozzle insertion unless tabs 45 are properly depressed. When tabs 45 are properly depressed, self-sealing mechanism 47 moves, thereby allowing insertion of a nozzle.

(46) Embodiments of the present invention provide bottles 10, 110, 210, 310, 410 and 510 which each include a properly sized and shaped rigid neck 17 that fits through fluid receiving aperture 50 of capless fuel system 40, when self-sealing mechanism 47 is not blocking entry. Neck 17 may be cylindrical or oval in cross-section, preferably substantially smooth, has an outside diameter of 0.846 to 0.862, preferably 0.854 inches, and is approximately 1.9 to 2.5 inches long, although longer necks would also work.

(47) Connected to the distal end of neck 17 is lip 18, also known as the E wall, which defines a plurality of threads 25. As shown in representative top view of FIG. 4, threads 25 are not continuous around the perimeter of lip 18, but rather periodically cease, thereby creating thread interruption 30. These thread interruptions 30 are aligned longitudinally with respect to the lip such that threadless path 32 is defined by the lip, as shown in FIG. 7. Examples 1-4 (FIGS. 3-33) depict two threadless paths, while example 5 (FIGS. 34-40) has one threadless path. It is preferred that each threadless path occupies approximately 51 per side of the circumference of the lip. It is desirable that if two threadless paths exist, that they are spaced evenly, i.e. 180, apart. It is desirable that threads 25 are of a 22 mm, industry standard size, and accept a conventional 22 mm bottle cap.

(48) Bottles 10, 110, 210, 310, 410 and 510 also include transition 20, which connects neck 17 to reservoir 15. Reservoir 15 preferably has a volume of approximately 187 mL to 1000 mL, but volumes between 30 mL to 19 L are within the scope of this invention as well. It is an important feature of this invention that transition 20 and reservoir 15 can be sized and shaped in a variety of ways, as set forth in the various examples, such that companies having specific brand identities may employ the technology of this invention while staying true to their trade dress.

(49) It is desirable that bottles are constructed of a resin, with PVC being a particularly suitable material. It is also desirable that the bottles are constructed by conventional manufacturing methods, such as Extrusion Blow Molding, Injection Blow Molding, Injection Stretch Blow Molding, and the like.

(50) Exemplary examples 1-5 are set forth below.

(51) Example 1, depicted in FIGS. 3-9, preferably has the following manufacturing specifications:

(52) TABLE-US-00001 SURFACE BELOW FINISH - xx IN SQ P/L BLOW SURFACE - xx IN SQ TOLERANCE: .sup..XX .010 ANGLE 0 30 .XXX .005 FINISH: 22 mm SPECIAL MATERIAL: PET WEIGHT: 24 1 GRAMS MIN. WALL: .XXX INCHES NOMINAL CAP'Y: 355 9 ml (12.0 .30 fl oz) OVERFLOW CAP'Y: 384 9 ml (13.0 .30 fl oz)

(53) Example 2, depicted in FIGS. 10-17 preferably has the following manufacturing specifications:

(54) TABLE-US-00002 SURFACE BELOW FINISH - 54.05 IN SQ P/L BLOW SURFACE - 17.00 IN SQ TOLERANCE: .sup..XX .010 ANGLE 0 30 .XXX .005 FINISH: 22 mm SPECIAL MATERIAL: PVC WEIGHT: 32 1 GRAMS MIN. WALL: .XXX INCHES NOMINAL CAP'Y: 355 11 ml (12.0 .37 fl oz) OVERFLOW CAP'Y: 397 11 ml (13.43 .37 fl oz)

(55) Example 3, depicted in FIGS. 18-25 preferably has the following manufacturing specifications:

(56) TABLE-US-00003 SURFACE BELOW FINISH - 59.45 IN SQ P/L BLOW SURFACE - 19.07 IN SQ TOLERANCE: .sup..XX .010 ANGLE 0 30 .XXX .005 FINISH: 22 mm SPECIAL MATERIAL: PVC WEIGHT: 36 3 GRAMS MIN. WALL: .XXX INCHES NOMINAL CAP'Y: 355 11 ml (12.0 .37 fl oz) OVERFLOW CAP'Y: 410 11 ml (13.86 .37 fl oz)

(57) Example 4, depicted in FIGS. 26-33 preferably has the following manufacturing specifications:

(58) TABLE-US-00004 SURFACE BELOW FINISH - 60.63 IN SQ P/L BLOW SURFACE - 17.25 IN SQ TOLERANCE: .sup..XX .010 ANGLE 0 30 .XXX .005 FINISH: 22 mm SPECIAL MATERIAL: PVC WEIGHT: 40 2 GRAMS MIN. WALL: .XXX INCHES NOMINAL CAP'Y: 473 11 ml (16.0 .37 fl oz) OVERFLOW CAP'Y: 492 11 ml (16.64 .37 fl oz)

(59) Example 5, depicted in FIGS. 34-40, preferably has the following manufacturing specifications:

(60) TABLE-US-00005 SURFACE BELOW FINISH - xx IN SQ P/L BLOW SURFACE - xx IN SQ TOLERANCE: .sup..XX .010 ANGLE 0 30 .XXX .005 FINISH: M22SP400 MATERIAL: PET WEIGHT: 24 1 GRAMS MIN. WALL: .XXX INCHES NOMINAL CAP'Y: 355 9 ml (12.0 .30 fl oz) OVERFLOW CAP'Y: 384 9 ml (13.0 .30 fl oz)

(61) In use, one would remove conventional bottle cap 35 (not shown) from bottle 10, and position bottle 10 near fluid receiving aperture 50 of capless fuel system 40, preferably with threadless paths 32 aligned with tabs 45. Bottle 10 may need to be rotated in order to effectuate precise alignment. Once aligned, bottle 10 is pushed towards aperture, thereby depressing tabs 45 with threadless paths 32, until lip 18 is fully inserted into fluid receiving aperture 50. Contents of bottle are then poured into tank by gravity. When desired amount of additive is poured in, bottle is pulled out, cap is optionally replaced, and bottle is stored for later use or properly disposed of.

(62) It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. As used herein, substantially shall mean within reasonable limits when considering the limitations of machines and people. By way of example, a substantially smooth surface means there are no intentional bumps or irregularities. All ranges inherently include the endpoints themselves, as well as all increments there between, even if not specifically stated. By way of example, . . . an outside diameter of 0.846 to 0.862 inches . . . includes 0.846 inches, 0.847 inches, and so forth. Finally, unless otherwise stated, approximately and the like shall refer to +/10%.