CONTAINER WITH IMPROVED FLUID DISSEMINATION

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a fluid container that includes a reservoir configured for holding a fluid, the reservoir defined by a top, a bottom, and a surrounding wall formed therebetween; an opening in the top configured for filling fluid into the reservoir; a neck proximate to the opening; a coupler configured for coupling a spout to the fluid container, wherein the spout is slidingly movable through the coupler from a first position to a second position.

Claims

1. A fluid container comprising: a reservoir configured for holding a fluid, the reservoir defined by a top, a bottom, and a surrounding wall formed therebetween; an opening in the top configured for filling fluid into the reservoir; a neck proximate to the opening; a coupler configured for coupling a spout to the fluid container, wherein the spout is slidingly movable through the coupler from a first position to a second position.

2. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the fluid container further comprises at least some of the fluid.

3. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a liquid.

4. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a hydrocarbon.

5. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises motor oil.

6. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the fluid container comprises a volume of the fluid of about 0.1 to about 1 quart.

7. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the first position comprises the spout at least partially within the reservoir.

8. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the second position comprises the spout at least partially within the reservoir.

9. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the first position comprises a stored position, and wherein the second position comprises a dissemination position.

10. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the coupler comprises a vent configured to provide pressure equalization between inside and outside the reservoir.

11. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein the spout comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first position comprises the first end proximate to the neck, and wherein the second position comprises the second end proximate to the neck.

12. The fluid container of claim 1, the fluid container comprises a cap threadingly engaged with the neck in a locked position.

13. The fluid container of claim 12, wherein the cap is configured to be actuatable from the locked position to an unlocked position.

14. The fluid container of claim 13, wherein upon being moved to the unlocked position, a bias member is enabled, and wherein the bias member is configured to urge the spout from the first position to the second position.

15. A large mouth motor oil bottle comprising: a reservoir configured for holding motor oil, the reservoir defined by a top, a bottom, and a surrounding wall formed therebetween; an opening in the top configured for filling fluid into the reservoir; a neck proximate to the opening; a flexible coupler configured for coupling a spout to the large mouth oil container, wherein the spout is configured to, upon activation, slidingly move through the coupler from a first position to a second position.

16. The large mouth motor oil bottle of claim 15, wherein the bottle further comprises at least some motor oil.

17. The fluid container of claim 16, wherein the large mouth motor oil bottle comprises a volume of motor oil of about 0.1 to about 1.5 quarts.

18. The fluid container of claim 17, wherein the first position comprises the spout at least partially within the reservoir, and wherein the second position comprises the spout at least partially within the reservoir.

19. The fluid container of claim 18, wherein the spout comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first position further comprises the first end proximate to the neck, and wherein the second position further comprises the second end proximate to the neck.

20. The fluid container of claim 19, wherein the spout is moved from the first position to the second position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] A full understanding of embodiments disclosed herein is obtained from the detailed description of the disclosure presented herein below, and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to be limitative of the present embodiments, and wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1A shows a side view of a fluid container configured with a spout in a first position, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 1B shows a side view of a fluid container configured with a spout in a first position, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 1C shows a side view of the fluid container of FIG. 1A in a second position, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 2A shows a longitudinal side view of a spout and coupler according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 2B shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a spout and coupler according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 2C shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the spout and coupler of FIGS. 2A and 2B according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2D shows an isometric view of the spout and coupler of FIGS. 2A and 2B according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3A shows an isometric view a coupler according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 3B shows a side view the coupler of FIG. 3A according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 4A shows a side view of a fluid container configured with a corrugated spout in a first position, according to embodiments of the disclosure; and

[0032] FIG. 4B shows a side views of a fluid container configured with a corrugated spout in a second position, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Herein disclosed are novel apparatuses, systems, and methods that pertain to a fluid container with improved fluid dissemination, details of which are described herein.

[0034] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, such as to mean, for example, “including, but not limited to . . . ”. While the disclosure may be described with reference to relevant apparatuses, systems, and methods, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments shown or described. Rather, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of configurations may be implemented in accordance with embodiments herein.

[0035] Although not necessary, like elements in the various figures may be denoted by like reference numerals for consistency and ease of understanding. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure; however, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. Directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” etc., are used for convenience and to refer to general direction and/or orientation, and are only intended for illustrative purposes only, and not to limit the disclosure.

[0036] Connection(s), couplings, or other forms of contact between parts, components, and so forth may include conventional items, such as lubricant, additional sealing materials, such as a gasket between flanges, PTFE between threads, and the like. Embodiments of the disclosure provide for one or more components to be new, used, and/or retrofitted to existing machines and systems.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C a partial see-thru isometric view, a longitudinal cross-sectional view, and a side view of a fluid container having an extendable spout movable from a first position and a second position, respectively, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, is shown. Embodiments herein apply to any form of fluid container from which any fluid may be disseminated (or systems/methods whereby a fluid container is desired or used). Moreover, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art, instead of a fluid, there may be a pourable solid, such as sugar or salt.

[0038] However, for the sake of brevity, a fluid container in the shape of a bottle like a conventional plastic motor oil bottle is hereby described. A conventional plastic oil bottle is typically molded (e.g., blow molded) from thermoplastic sheet material, wherein the walls, while thin relative to the bottle length and width, are shape retaining, but somewhat flexible. Such a bottle may be manufactured in various sizes, with a one quart size being typical, and possibly having a ‘large mouth’ for easy filling.

[0039] Although not limited to any particular shape or form, the fluid container 100 may include a top 101, a bottom 102, and front, rear, and side walls 103, respectively. In essence, the front, rear, and side walls 103 of the fluid container may form a peripheral wall connecting the top 101 and bottom 102, and defining therewith a reservoir (or liquid storage chamber) 104. An opening 105 may be formed in the top 101. The opening may be configured with a neck 106. The neck 106 may be configured with threads 107, whereby a cap or cover 108 may be threadingly disposed thereon and engaged therewith. With the presence of the cap 108, the fluid container 100 may have a fluid tight seal therewith.

[0040] The opening 105 and neck 106 may have a coupler 109 disposed therein. In an embodiment, the coupler 109 (or coupler region) may be integral to the neck 106. In an embodiment, the coupler 109 may be detachable or otherwise freely movable from the neck 106. The coupler 109 may be configured with a first hole (e.g., 310, FIG. 3A) for a spout 112 to slidingly pass therethrough. The coupler 109 may be configured with a second hole or vent (not shown) suitable to provide pressure equalization (or “burping”) between inside and outside the reservoir 104.

[0041] The spout 112 may have a first end 113, and a second end 114. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in a first (or “stored”) position the first send 113 may be proximate to the coupler 109. As shown in FIG. 1C, in a second (or “extended”) position the second end 114 may be proximate the coupler 109. One or both of the first end 113 and second end 114 may be configured with a lip or stopper 115 that prevents the end(s) from completely sliding out of the coupler 109 (as a result of resistance from corresponding shoulder 119).

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B a longitudinal side view and a longitudinal cross-sectional view, respectively, of a spout and coupler in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, is shown. Embodiments of the disclosure provide for an ability to store spout 112 in a first position within a fluid container (100, FIG. 1A). The spout 112 may then ultimately be movable to an external or second position, thus extending at least partially out of the fluid container.

[0043] In this respect, the spout 112 may be movable through a coupler 109. The coupler 109 may be an integral part of the fluid container. However, FIGS. 2A and 2B together illustrate the spout 112 and coupler 109 as separate components forming an assembly that may be insertable into a fluid container. Thus, it is within the disclosure that the assembly may be retrofitted into previously existing containers.

[0044] The spout 112 and the coupler 109 may be frictionally engaged. In this respect, a slight or gentle force (such as by hand) may be sufficient to urge the spout 112 from the first position to the second position (and any number of intermittent positions therebetween) and vice versa. However, upon removal of the force, sufficient friction exists to maintain the spout 112 in place until moving force is (re)applied.

[0045] The spout 112 may have a first end 113, and a second end 114. As mentioned, in a first (or “stored”) position the first send 113 may be proximate to the coupler 109. Similarly, in a second (or “extended”) position the second end 114 may be proximate the coupler 109. One or both of the first end 113 and second end 114 may be configured with a lip or stopper 115 that prevents the end(s) from completely sliding out of the coupler 109 (and corresponding shoulder 119). FIG. 2D illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of the spout 112 and the coupler 109 assembled together prior to positioning within the fluid container.

[0046] Referring briefly to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an isometric view and a downward view, respectively, of a coupler in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, is shown. FIGS. 3A and 3B together illustrate the coupler 309 may be an annular or ring-shaped device, with one or more extending legs or dogs 321. In an embodiment, the coupler 309 may have between about 2 and 9 legs 321. In another embodiment, the coupler 309 may have between about 4 to about 6 legs 321.

[0047] The legs 321 may have an amount of tension associated therewith that allows the coupler 309 to be press fit or otherwise placed in situ within the neck of an applicable fluid container. The configuration of the coupler 309 and legs 321 may be modified to accommodate different types of containers. The tension provided by legs 321 need not be of any greater significance other than what is needed to ensure a spout (e.g., 112, FIG. 2A) may be moved or otherwise extended therethrough in order to aid in the improved fluid dissemination.

[0048] Referring again to FIGS. 2A-2D together, the spout 112 and/or coupler 109 may be made of a flexible, yet durable material, such as a poly plastic (e.g., polyethylene). Other materials are possible, such as rubber, nylon plastic base, and so forth.

[0049] Methods and manners of using the fluid container 100 may include, for example, purchase (or other form of acquisition) of a sufficiently full container 100. Following purchase, the consumer takes the container 100 to a vehicle (such as an automobile), opens the hood or otherwise gains access to the engine, and removes the filler cap to expose the oil filler hole of the engine. Such vehicle hood, filler cap, oil filler hole and engine may be of well-known conventional type and so need not be shown. The user then removes the cap 108, moves the spout 112 from the first position to the second position, and tips or otherwise inverts the container whereby the first end 113 of the spout 112 may be directed toward the oil filler hole. Typically gravity may then drain fluid from the container 100 and into the oil receiving portion of the engine.

[0050] In assembly the container 100 may be formed by conventional methods. Likewise, the spout 112 and coupler 109 may be formed or otherwise manufactured by known methods, such as injection molding, blow molds, 3D printing, and so forth. The spout 112 and coupler 109 may then be press fit or otherwise urged into the container 100, and thus into the first position. Then the cap placed thereon, and the container 100 now ready to be used.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a longitudinal side view of a fluid container having an extendable spout movable from a first position and a second position, respectively, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, is shown.

[0052] Fluid container 400 may be as described herein and in other embodiments (such as fluid container 100, etc.), and as otherwise understood to one of skill in the art. As fluid container 400 (including spout 412 and coupler 409) resembles container 100 in many ways, discussion directed to components, assembly, materials, etc. is limited in order to avoid redundancy; however, that does not mean that container 400 is meant to be limited to embodiments like that of 100, as other embodiments and configurations are possible, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art.

[0053] One particular area of distinction the presence of a corrugation 419. The use of a corrugation 419 may provide additional flexibility to the spout 412.

[0054] Although not limited to any particular shape or form, the fluid container 400 may include a top 401, a bottom 402, and front, rear, and side walls 403, respectively. In essence, the front, rear, and side walls 103 of the fluid container may form a peripheral wall connecting the top 401 and bottom 102, and defining therewith a reservoir (or liquid storage chamber) 404. An opening 405 may be formed in the top 401. The opening may be configured with a neck 406. The neck 406 may be configured with threads 407, whereby a cap or cover 408 may be threadingly disposed thereon and engaged therewith. With the presence of the cap 408, the fluid container 400 may have a fluid tight seal.

[0055] The opening 405 and neck 406 may have a coupler 409 disposed therein. The coupler 409 may be configured with a first hole (e.g., 310, FIG. 3A) for a spout 412 to slidingly pass therethrough. The spout 412 may have a first end 413, and a second end 114. As shown, in a first (or “stored”) position the first send 413 may be proximate to the coupler 409 (FIG. 4A), and in a second (or “extended”) position the second end 414 may be proximate the coupler 409 (FIG. 4 B). One or both of the first end 113 and second end 114 may be configured with a lip or stopper 115 that prevents the end(s) from completely sliding out of the coupler 109.

[0056] Although embodiments described herein may make reference to dissemination of motor oil, the disclosure is not meant to be limited as embodiments herein may be suitable for or otherwise used with other liquids in a suitable container for wiper fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid or any other fluid or liquid that must be disseminated from a container, and where spillage or emissions are undesirable.

[0057] Advantages.

[0058] Advantages of the disclosure provide for easy and rapid fluid dissemination from a bottle without the need to acquire extra parts. The use of a self-contained spout and coupler assembly provides a user simple way of extending the reach of pourability.

[0059] When pouring is made easier, spillage is reduced; when spillage is reduced, time and materials needed for cleanup of (potentially hazardous materials) are reduced.

[0060] While embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the disclosure presented herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations. The use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of any claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, and the like.

[0061] Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the preferred embodiments of the disclosure. The inclusion or discussion of a reference is not an admission that it is prior art to the present disclosure, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent they provide background knowledge; or exemplary, procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.