GB2583495A

GB2583495A - A fuel container

Info

Publication number: GB2583495A
Application number: GB1906032.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Taylor Peter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-04-30
Filing date: 2019-04-30
Publication date: 2020-11-04
Also published as: GB201906032D0

Abstract

A fuel container 3 of cuboidal shape comprising an inlet 1 and outlet 2, where the inlet extends upward at a 45-degree angle relative to an upper surface of the body as a spout away from the outlet. The inlet and outlet may have threaded or screw closures 10, where the outlet may comprise a one-way valve. There may be a gas expansion pathway 5 between the inlet 1 and the main body 3 of the container, this pathway may be defined within a handle of the container and may comprise 10-15% of the container volume, where the handle 5 may be adjacent to the inlet 1. The body may comprise an inclined face inclined rearward toward the inlet. The angled inlet 1 may provide an easier method for filling a container with standard petrol pump. A further embodiment may include an adapter (55, fig 12) for converting to use a diesel pump.

Description

A FUEL CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fuel container, in particular a fuel container for petrol or diesel or similar; more particularly but not exclusively a fuel container such as for vehicle fuelling.

Background

Increasing proliferation of vehicles across many societies can lead to older vehicles on the road, this may have problems with fuel gauges.

Added to this many rural societies dependent on personal-use vehicles are 15 increasingly less likely to have access to refilling stations as more modern vehicles become more fuel efficient and filling stations less profitable. C)

If a user runs out of fuel it can be problematic to refuel. Typically the user will need a small capacity fuel container, or ferry can.

Refilling such a container from a nozzle intended for use with a vehicle tank can be problematic and difficult. In particular the nozzle is long and typically fuel containers are short and small, meaning that the nozzle is not easy to effectively seat in the container, particularly without spillages.

In addition or the alternative the angle the nozzle is designed to be introduced to a vehicular fuel tank means that in order to fill a container the user is required to either lift and angle the container, which can lead to spillages and discomfort in holding, or lower the nozzle and place the container on the floor, which is difficult to operate and

uncomfortable.

Prior Art

GB 2 483 850 (IQBAL) discloses a portable liquid fuel container assembly includes a 35 container defining an interior in which inflammable liquid fuel such as gasoline, petrol or diesel is receivable, a filling hole and a pouring hole. The assembly includes a hollow spout which defines a spout passage, the spout being mountable to the container to permit fluid communication in use through the pouring hole and along the spout passage. The assembly is movable between a fill/pour condition in which one end of the spout is free and a storage condition in which the one end is fixed. A one-way float valve may be provided in the filling hole and handle, which may have a recess for partially receiving the spout.

US 5 226 574 (DURINZI) discloses an inexpensive portable gasoline container, moulded integrally of plastic, has a top fill opening and a top, diagonally upwardly-extending pouring spout, preferably with handle regions moulded into the container itself. The spout is slightly flexible, and in use its tip is first placed in a position in which it extends upwardly into the entrance end of a downwardly-extending inlet to an automobile gas tank. The container is then rotated substantially about the axes of the spout so that the spout extends downwardly into the tank inlet and the body of the container is higher than the inlet, whereby the gasoline will be dispensed through the spout into the gas tank. C)

US 3 746 200 (FLIDER) discloses an all-plastic "Jerry Can" is made with a recessed handle and a screw-top opening. A breather tube extends from the highest part of the inside of the can, through the recessed plastic handle, to a point on the upper ledge surface of the single screw-top opening which point is sealed by the cap, when in place. When the cap is removed, air may pass from the exposed end of the breather tube and into the highest part of the can, thereby allowing the gasoline or other fluid to flow smoothly from the can, without surging caused by the successive creation and breaking of a vacuum pocket inside the container.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a fuel container, comprises: a body defining a volume for fuel, an inlet and an outlet, the body is substantially cuboid and the inlet extends upwards as a spout away from the outlet.

In this way the inlet may comprise an easier angle to insert a nozzle, such as a fuel pump nozzle. It is appreciated that although reference has been made to an inlet and an outlet a user may fill the container via the outlet and empty it through the inlet.

The outlet and inlet may comprise necks, wherein the neck of the inlet is elongate, and the outlet neck may be short.

In some embodiments the inlet may comprise a seal. Such seal may be comprised of a rubber or elastomeric material and may comprise a diaphragm.

In this way the nozzle may be envisaged to push past the seal in use, so as to limit outlet of fumes through the inlet, whereby the seal closes around the nozzle in use.

It may be envisaged that in use the nozzle ceases pumping or distribution after the 15 level in the internal volume is too high, leading to automatic shut-off as known in the art.

C) CD In some embodiments the inlet may comprise a sealable cover, so as to close after filling of the internal volume.

In some embodiments the inlet may comprise a sealable cover, for example a lid, which lid may be screw thread closable.

In some embodiments the outlet may comprise a sealable cover, so as to close after filling of the internal volume.

In some embodiments the outlet may comprise a sealable cover, for example a lid, which lid may be screw thread closable.

In this way the screw thread closure may comprise an external screw thread, onto which a spout may be screwed as known in the art, so as to allow a user to pour the fuel from the internal volume.

In this way the container may comprise wholly displaceable screw lids or caps. Such 35 lids may be connected or tethered to the container so as to avoid loss.

In other embodiments a closure means for the outlet or inlet may comprise other closure means, such as clip and/or hinge.

In some embodiments the container comprises a handle, which handle may comprise 5 a means of carrying or lifting the container.

In some embodiments the container may comprise a fuel expansion zone, which expansion enables gas or fumes to expand when the internal volume is filled. In this way the expansion zone may be separate to but fluidically connected to the internal volume. In particular it may be envisaged that said fluid expansion zone may be located above the internal volume.

For example the fluidic expansion zone may be comprised in a handle. For example the handle may comprise a hollow handle structure, wherein gas may expand, or 15 fumes extend from liquid fuel within the internal volume into the handle.

The handle may thereby comprise a separate pathway. For example in some embodiments the handle may be bifurcated. For example the handle may comprise CO a first fluidic pathway large enough for receipt of the nozzle, and a second fluidic pathway, which is substantially coterminous and/or parallel the first pathway. In some embodiments the second pathway may be connected to the first pathway and may be connected to the internal volume.

In some embodiments the fluidic pathways may be separated by the seal, more particularly for example wherein the first pathway connects with the second pathway above the seal. In this way for example the pathways are connected such that the nozzle may be inserted through the seal and the internal volume filled up to the seal whilst leaving the first pathway open for gas expansion.

In some embodiments the container may comprise a release valve, for example a one-way valve.

The body may be formed in a thermoplastics or the like. In some embodiments it may be envisaged that the container is substantially formed of a single moulding in thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyethylene.

In some embodiments the inlet and/or outlet may comprise a one-way valve, for example a gasket in the inlet or outlet.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example 5 only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of the container or 10 device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows an isometric view from a second angle of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view from below of the embodiment as shown in Figure 2; C) Figure 4a shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, (.0 Figure 4b shows an end view from the first end of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric exploded view from below of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with lids removed: Figure 7 shows a reverse isometric view of a second embodiment of the container device according to the present invention; Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7; Figures 11 show end views of the embodiment shown in Figure 7; and Figures 12A, 12B and 12C show views of an adaptor for insertion in entrances of embodiments of the device for conversion from petrol to diesel fuel.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown embodiments of a device 99 comprising a fuel container with a body 3 providing an internal volume 71 arranged for receipt of fuel, an inlet or entrance 1 and an outlet or exit 2 for fuel, which body 3 is substantially cuboid, providing a first end A and a distal second end B wherein the entrance 1 is at the first end A and the second end B comprises the exit 2, and wherein the entrance 1 extends upwards and away from the second end B. In particular reference to the embodiment shown in the Figures the device comprises an internal volume 71 arranged in use horizontally in a rectangular cuboid with rounded corners.

CO The embodiment is formed in a robust rigid thermoplastics moulding.

The first and second ends comprises apertures, namely the entrance and the exit, which are located proximate the ends on the top face of the cuboid.

The side faces and the bottom face are indented.

The apertures comprising the exit and entrance are provided with necks 10, having collars 9 and screw threading. The screw threading enables the connection of screw thread lids 6 for a closure means of the apertures.

The collars 9 provide a block to tethers 7 that are connected to the lids 6 and the necks 10 and comprise two flexible substantially non-elastic rings connected by a tether 8, wherein a first ring is placed past the collar 9 and a second rig is trapped on the lid 6. In this way the chances of loss of the lids is minimised.

The entrance 1 comprises a channel 4 angled upwards from the top face of the body.in this way the nozzle of a fuel pump may be easily entered into the entrance channel 4, without requiring the user to tip the device as is known in the prior art.

The channel is supported below by a perforated brace 11, which perforation provides a lanyard attachment point for identification or storage purposes for the embodiment pictured.

The channel 4 is arranged at substantially 45 degrees with reference the top face of 10 the embodiment and the exit aperture 2 is vertical.

The channel 4 of the entrance 1 further comprises a top fluidic pathway 5, which provides a gas expansion pathway, of approximately 10-15% of the internal volume.

In this way the embodiment is easier to use than the prior art advantageously, as well as providing a more secure entrance to the internal volume as the aperture provides an internal elongated channel.

CO The top fluidic pathway 5 and the channel 4 separate towards the body 3, such that the user can insert their hand between these fluidic pathways as a handle to carry the embodiment.

With reference to the second embodiment there is provided in use a one-way valve (not shown) at the first end A which is envisaged to be permanently installed and/or 25 friction fit into the outlet 2, so as to let air in when the fluid is being poured from the inlet 1, so as to prevent glugging.

The body of the embodiment is inclined rearwards from the second end B in an inclined outer face 44, below the inlet 1, so as to limit toppling, for example when the 30 nozzle is inserted in the inlet 1 and weight placed on the channel, inlet or nozzle.

The body further comprises an indented base 43 and bumper edge 45, to aid in placement on the ground, and further discourage toppling, respectively.

With reference to the figures shown in Figures 12, the figures show an adaptor insert 55.

The purpose of this adaptor insert is to convert the device from a petrol fuel can into a container for diesel, wherein it may be envisaged that the adaptor is arranged to be placed in the inlet or entrance.

When filling the embodiments with petrol, the filling hose stops at the 'knuckle' of the hose. This allowed for exactly 5 litres of petrol to enter the can before a Venturi effect causes the pump to shut off. Due to the different diameter of diesel hoses, such hoses are able to be pushed further into the device, thus causing much earlier shut-off (approx. 3 litres).

In this way the adaptor insert may stop the diesel hose from entering any further into the embodiments so as to allow for exactly 5 litres to be pumped.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

CD

Claims

Claims 1. A fuel container, comprises: a body defining a volume for fuel, an inlet and an outlet, the body is substantially cuboid and the inlet extends upwards as a spout away from the outlet.
2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the inlet is defined by a channel arranged at 45 degrees to an upper surface of the body.
3. A container according to claim 2 wherein a handle is located adjacent the channel.
4. A container according to any preceding claim wherein threaded closure collars are provided on the inlet and the outlet.
5. A container according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein a gas expansion pathway is provided between the inlet and body.
6. A container according to claim 5 wherein the gas expansion pathway is in fluid communication with the inlet.
7. A container according to claim 6 wherein the gas expansion pathway is defined within the handle.
8. A container according to claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein the gas expansion pathway comprises 10-15% of the volume.
9. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the outlet comprises a one-way valve.
10. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the body comprises an inclined face inclines rearwards towards the inlet.