GB2519087A

GB2519087A - Spout for a fuel container

Info

Publication number: GB2519087A
Application number: GB1317771.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Webster
Original assignee: GREEN VALLEY IND SUPPLIES Ltd
Current assignee: GREEN VALLEY IND SUPPLIES Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-08
Filing date: 2013-10-08
Publication date: 2015-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2033-10-08
Also published as: WO2015052507A1; GB201317771D0; GB2519087B

Abstract

The spout for a jerrycan comprises: a conduit element 12 including a fluid channel 16 and an air channel 17; a slideable element 11 which is slidable relative to the conduit element between an open and closed position, this slideable element can be a sleeve. The air channel includes an opening 19 which is alignable with an opening (18, figure 1 or 2) in the sidewall of the slideable element, such that in use when the slideable element is in the opened position the openings 18 and 19 are aligned an airway is created between the internal space of the fuel container and the external space. The sleeve can be biased towards a closed position ensuring that the fluid channel is closed and the openings are unaligned.

Description

SPOUT FOR A FUEL CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a spout for a fuel container, e.g. a "Jerrycan", and particularly a spout with a self-closing mechanism and capacity to stop automatically when a receiving vessel or tank is full.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A conventional fuel container, such as that known as a "Jerrycan1' typically includes a removable spout which provides a simple narrowed aperture for directing fuel into a tank or the like, e.g. via a narrow opening into the petrol tank of a motor vehicle. Jerrycans are often used when additional fuel must be carried by the vehicle, beyond the normal volume of the fuel tank. Furthermore, portable fuel containers are often used in domestic situations, e.g. for refuelling of a lawn mower or other similar device.

A common problem associated with pouring fuel from a Jerrycan like is the inconsistent flow due to the restricted passageway and, additionally, the difficulty in gauging when the receiving tank is almost full, which can result in an overflow that is messy and dangerous for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a spout for a fuel container that is easily closable and also provides a relatively uniform flow of fuel when the container is up-ended for use.

In one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a spout for a fuel container including a fluid outlet end and a conduit element about which a sleeve is slidable between a first and second position, said conduit including an opening that is alignable with an opening in a sidewall of the sleeve, such that when the sleeve is moved to the second position and the openings are aligned, an airway is opened between a space external of the spout and a space internal of the fuel container in use.

The sleeve could be, alternatively, a tab-like slidable element preferably including an abutment surface and the opening in a sidewall in order to open communication to the air channel.

The conduit element is preferably comprised of two or more components, e.g. an air channel and a fluid channel, preferably in the form of a fluid pipe with an air pipe located therewithin, preferably coaxially. In a preferred embodiment the air pipe is mounted by an end connection with the fluid pipe and slidably mounted to an inner sleeve associated with the main outer sleeve.

According to the invention, the airway within the conduit, provided to communicate with an opening in a sidewall of the sleeve, effectively upstream of the fluid outlet end of the spout, provides a means of reducing the back pressure within the fuel container as fuel flows out of the spout. As such, flow from the spout is more consistent than would otherwise be possible where no airway is present. An opening in the side of the sleeve/internal conduit is preferable to an air inlet located at the distal end of the spout (co-terminus with the fuel outlet) because fuel itself cannot inhibit airflow into the passageway.

In practice, the opening on the side of the sleeve also provides an automatic shut-off feature for fuel flow, since when fuel reaches the level of the opening (located close to but upstream of the fuel outlet), then, since the fuel container is otherwise sealed, hydrostatic pressure prevents further fluid/fuel being dispensed.

Preferably the conduit includes a stem portion with a stopper means for cooperation with an opening of the sleeve (the fluid outlet end), forming a closure therewith. As such, when the sleeve is urged (by a spring bias) toward the first position, the stopper effectively self-closes the spout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a general external view of a spout according to the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a side elevation view of the spout; Figure 3 illustrates a perspective cross section view showing internal components of the spout; Figure 4 illustrates a side elevation cross section view of an outer sleeve of the spout; Figure 5 illustrates a side elevation cross section of an internal conduit of the spout; and Figure 6 illustrates a frontal perspective view of the outer sleeve of the spout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 provides a general illustration of a spout 10 for use with a fuel container, i.e. a Jerrycan which is not pictured, according to the invention. It will be apparent that the spout is of a generally cylindrical shape, however, other cross sectional shapes could be possible. The visible external components include an outer reciprocating sleeve 11, moveable between at least two positions upon an internal conduit element 12. A rear end of the spout includes a connection means 13 for coupling to an opening in a Jerrycan.

A variety of mechanisms could be utilised for the Jerrycan coupling, including but not limited to a screw thread, bayonet fitting or interference fit.

A fuel pouring end of the spout includes a stopper 14, of suitable petroleum resistant seal material, which is attached to an extending stem 15 (part of an air pipe 17) of the internal conduit 12 such that it remains in a fixed position relative thereto. As such the slidable sleeve 10 moves relative to the stopper 14.

Figures 3 and S best illustrate the conduit component 12 which serves to direct fuel from the inside of a Jerrycan, via a channel or fluid pipe 16, towards a fuel outlet end of the spout. It also features an air channel or air pipe 17 surrounded by the fuel channel 16 which, in use, provides a passageway for air external of the spout to communicate with the inside of the Jerrycan. In the illustrated form, air pipe 17 is mounted at end connection 13 which secures the air pipe 17 coaxially with fluid pipe 16. Toward the outlet end of the spout air pipe 17 is slidably supported by an inner sleeve 23.

Air communication is possible by virtue of an opening 18 visible on the outer sleeve which is alignable with an opening 19 formed into the air pipe 17. Figures 4 and 5 in fact show two aligning pairs of openings 18/19 on the respective sleeve and conduit components 11/12.

Figures 4 and 6 show detail of the inner sleeve 23 which receives the stem end 15 of the air pipe 17 and guides alignment of the openings 18/19. Sleeve 23 is supported by radial extensions 24 through which openings 18 are formed. Fuel (F) is able to flow around extensions 24 and, by virtue of sleeve 23, is unlikely to interfere with airway 17.

As illustrated, 0-ring seals 25 located within annular channels 26 in air pipe 17 provide a sealing function upstream and downstream of the opening 19, against inner sleeve 23. In this way leakage is avoided of fuel and vapour out of opening 19, both in a closed state (shown by Figures ito 3) and when the openings 18/19 are aligned for dispense.

A further set of 0-rings 25 are provided within an annular groove 27 formed in the surface of fluid pipe 16 upstream of its fluid outlet end 28, where it is in contact with an inner wall of outer sleeve 11. This seal arrangement prevents fuel and/or vapour from leaking from the outer sleeve 11 in the vicinity of abutment 22.

0-rings may be made from any suitable material which is durable and leak resistant for petroleum products. A particular example is fluorosilicone.

Features of the spout are best described by reference to operation of the invention.

Specifically, when fuel is required, the spout is attached to a Jerrycan by an appropriate means (e.g. Baylent clip). The outer sleeve 11 of the spout has an abutment portion or annular protrusion 20 which is abutted against a neck or opening of the vessel/tank to be filled. Pressure applied by the user causes a tension spring, not seen, located within a cavity 21 (Figure 3) to compress. Accordingly, outer sleeve 11 is moved in the direction of arrow A which disengages stopper 14 from its seal against the fuel outlet end of sleeve 11. The resulting open gap will allow fuel to begin to flow through fluid pipe 16 and, furthermore, when the slidable sleeve 11 reaches its maximum movement (by virtue of spring compression) defined by abutment against an annular surface 22 of the internal conduit, the openings 18/19 of the outer sleeve align with the inner pipe airway 17 respectively.

During flow of the fuel air is naturally drawn from the sides of the spout into the internal pipe and, subsequently, into the Jerrycan as air passes up pipe 17 which terminates at or beyond the fuel container opening. Because air is being drawn from the side of the spout, flowing fuel from the outlet and around stopper 14 does not interfere with the airflow.

Such interference can occur in prior spout configurations where an air passageway may be provided at the distal end of the fuel opening (as is known from the nozzle of a conventional fuel pump at a service station). Consequently, a uniform rate of flow is maintained.

When a desired amount of fuel has been dispensed the spout can be withdrawn, disengaging the annular abutment 20 from the tank, resulting in expansion of the spring and subsequent reengagement of the stopper against the mouth of the spout/sleeve 11, thereby causing an automatic closure during withdrawal of the spout from the vessel.

Alternatively, if the spout is not withdrawn (no disengagement of shoulder 20) then fuel will continue to flow until either the Jerrycan is empty or the fuel rises to the level of the opening 18, situated between the shoulder and the sleeve end 29, i.e. in practice, effectively within the opening of the vessel/tank being filled. In other words, fuel will automatically stop being dispensed before the level of fuel overflows from the neck of the vessel/tank since no further air will be able to enter pipe 17 and into the Jerrycan.

Hydrostatic pressure prevents further fluid from leaving the spout even if the Jerrycan is up-ended. This feature prevents messy overflow/spillage of the flammable fuel.

The spout of the present invention is able to be manufactured from available techniques and materials. It is expected that the spout will be moulded from a suitable fuel-resistant plastic or like material. A Jerrycan itself is known to be manufactured from pressed sheet metal or moulded from plastic.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A spout for a fuel container including: a conduit element comprising a fluid channel and an air channel; a slidable element, slidable relative to the conduit element, between a first position and second position; wherein the air channel of the conduit element includes an opening that is alignable with an opening in a sidewall of the slidable element, such that in use when the slidable element is moved to the second position and the openings are aligned, an airway is opened between a space external of the spout and a space internal of the fuel container.
2. The spout of claim 1 wherein the slidable element is a sleeve about the conduit element.
3. The spout of claim 1 or 2 wherein the slidable element includes an abutment portion.
4. The spout of claim 3 wherein the opening in the sidewall of the slidable element is located between a fluid outlet end of the spout and the abutment portion.
5. The spout of any preceding claim wherein the conduit element includes a stopper, such that an end of the slidable element is biased toward contact with the stopper, thereby closing fluid flow.
6. The spout of claim 5 wherein the bias is a tension spring.
7. The spout of any preceding claim wherein the air channel is comprised of an air pipe extending at least from the alignable opening to a location, in use, at or beyond an opening of the fuel container.
8. The spout of claim 7 wherein the fluid channel is comprised of a fluid pipe surrounding the air pipe.
9. The spout of claim 7 or8 wherein the air pipe is received by an inner sleeve of the slidable element, said inner sleeve including an opening alignable with an opening in a sidewall of the air pipe.
10. The spout of claim 9 further including an 0-ring seal between the air pipe and inner sleeve, received by an annular groove in the air pipe or sleeve.
11. The spout of claim 7 further including an 0-ring seal between the fluid pipe and the slidable element, received by an annular groove in the fluid pipe or slidable element.
12. The spout of claim 10 or 11 wherein the 0-ring is made from fluorosilicone.
13. A spout for a fuel container including a conduit element comprising a fluid channel and an air channel, about which a sleeve is slidable between a first position and second position, said air channel of the conduit element including an opening that is alignable with an opening in a sidewall of the sleeve, the sleeve being biased toward the first position where flow through the fluid channel is closed, the sleeve further including an abutment portion such that force against the bias will move the sleeve toward the second position where the openings become aligned and flow through the fluid channel is opened.
14. A spout substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.