US1961321A - Multiple unit container - Google Patents

Description

June 5, 1934. s YOUNG 1,961,321

MULTIPLE UNIT CONTAINER Filed Aug. 13, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 5, 1934. M. s. YOUNG 1,961,321

MULTIPLE UNIT CONTAINER Filed Aug. 13, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 5. You a n l June 5, 1934. M. s. YOUNG 1,961,321

MULTIPLE UNI T CONTAINER Filed Aug. 13, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 5, 1934 OFFICE,

MULTIPLE UNIT CONTAINER Marvin S. Young, Scarsdale, N. Y., assignor to The Gas and Oil Lock Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 13,

16 Claims.

This-invention relates to improvements in dispensing systems and in particular relates to a multiple unit container having a plurality of standardized unit containers.

With particular reference to the lubricating oil consumption of present day automobiles, more than seventy-five percent of the engines require an odd quantity of oil such as five or seven quarts to replenish the reservoir. Such replenishment has necessitated the use of a number of separate standard units such as half gallon or gallon containers together with a one quart container to measure theproper amount. Irregular containers such as five or seven quart containers are not standard and are generally prohibited by the laws regulating weights and measures to reduce the possibility of fraud on thepublic.

It is therefore the principal object ofthis invention to provide amultiple unit container consisting of a plurality of standardized unit containers of any desired capacity which is particularly adapted for replenishing lubricating oil in internal combustion engine reservoirs and which will be legally acceptable as well as easily conitrolled, and while my invention is directed particularly to the automotive lubrication field it will be understood that my invention may be used in any other field where dispensing containers are used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple unit portable containerconsisting of a plurality of standardized unit containers mounted on a common carrier and discharging through a common outlet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple unit container consisting of a plurality of standardized unitsmounted on a common carrier and adapted to be filled through a common filling source and discharging through a common outlet.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a multiple unit container which is adapted to be filled solely from an authorized filling source and filling from an unauthorized .source prevented, and in which individual units may be separately filled and discharged.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cooperating key filling spout and discharge nozzle in a turret top for a multiple unit liquid container whereby any of the individual units may be filled from the authorized filling source but no containermaybe filled from any other source.

My invention is particularly intended to facilitate the'pouring of measured amounts of ,lubri- 1931, Serial No. 556,817 (01. 221-45) eating oil into the crankcase of automobiles many of which carry oddnumbers of units, such as five or seven quarts and inasmuch as many State laws prohibit the use of five quart measures it is necessary for the service station attendant to fill five one quart units and wait at the car While each one discharges or to fill one gallon and one quart and wait likewise for them to discharge. By the use of my invention the attendant may fill as many unit measures (quarts) as desired and then when the common outlet nozzle is inserted in the filler opening discharge as many of the units (quarts) asdesired into the crankcase without removing the container from its position on the fender or side of the automobile. In fact by depressing the desired number of outlet valves, five for instance, he may goon about his other business knowing that exactly five quarts of oil will flow into the crankcase, while the automobile owner watching the operation may be assured that he has received the exact amount of oil he is paying for.

While my multiple unit container is described below with specific reference to the use of an authorized key filling nozzle, it will be understood that my invention is not confined to this detail and that the multiple unit container, consisting of a plurality of separate standardized single units discharging through a common outlet is a valuable part of my invention, regardless of what means may be provided for filling the separate units.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appearfrom. the following detailed description thereof taken in connection with the attached drawings which illustrate a preferred form of embodiment of my invention and in which; i

- Figure 1 is a vertical section through a multiple unit container equipped with a turret type filling inlet.

Figure 2 is a top plan view partially broken away of the multiple unit container shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horzontal section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detailed side elevation at right angles to the unit container in Figure 1 on approximately theline 4-4.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section with parts in plan taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1 and showing the detail-of the particular filling nozzle construction.

Figure 6 is a side elevation partially in section of the nozzle construction taken at right angles to Figure 5.

The multiple unit liquid container chosen to specifically illustrate my invention comprises a top 14 and base 16 between which is supported a plurality of open ended preferably transparent glass containers 12, having gaskets 12a to provide liquid tight units.

The top 14 is provided witha carrying handle 16 more particularly shown in Figure 4 which forms part of a turret 18. A wire hook 16a is provided for supporting the container from some part of the automobile. The handle 16 has a hollow conduit or inlet 20 through which the oil passes into respective openings 22in the top 14 as the turret portion is turned. Each of the openings 22 is spaced substantially centrally of the unit container 12 which it is to fill and the turret 18 rotates around a central shaft 26 which projects through the top 14.

In order to fill the unit containers 12 the turret top 18 is centrally mounted by a swivel 24 on the top 14 and may be rotated with respect to each of the openings 22, so that when the inlet 20 is in communication with the oil pump the openings 22 may be brought successively into registry with the inlet 20 to fill each container 12 to the line 45 which indicates its f 1 point. It will be apparent that the turret l8 and particular filling inlet 20 could be omitted or modified and the containers 12 filled from an ordinary pump through the openings 22.

A suitable valve mechanism is provided at the bottom of each container and the base 16 to prevent the discharge of oil during the filling operation and to permit discharge when desired. This includes a finger operated valve rod 23 on the end of which a valve 25 and closing spring 27 is mounted to hold the valve 25 closed against the drain opening 29 in the bottom of each container 12. Enlarged heads 31 are mounted on the upper ends of the rods 23 and act as thumb pieces to aid depression of the rods to open the valve and permit free drainage of the particular container. A suitable notch 23a is provided in the rod 23 to latch hold the valve 25 in the open position while the container is being discharged.

The base 16 is suitably secured to the top 14 as by means of a central rod. 26 and a plurality of side rods 33 and is provided with legs 50 which are constructed so as to support the container as a display stand when not in use and to permit it to be placed on the automobile fender.

The container may be hooked over the tie rod.

from the cowl to the radiator or may be supported in anyother position from which the oil may be discharged into the crankcase.

The drain openings 29 communicate with a funnel shaped discharge member 28 secured to the bottom of the container and discharging into the outlet tube 30 which is common to all the containers 12. The discharge member 28 is connected by means of a suitable permanent coupling 28a to the discharge hose 30 which is inserted in the crankcase or opening to be filled.

The containers 12 may be filled through any suitable filling conduit such as the pump nozzle 32 which in this particular construction is provided with a special key filling nozzle 34 which cooperates with the intake 20 in the handle 16 to which communicate with the single internal bore 3'7 and which in turn extends to the lower conduit 38 which opens into the filling pipe 32. A ball valve 39 on the seat 40 acts to prevent a return flow in the filling pipe 32, and also acts to withdraw the' oil remaining in the conduits 36 from the ends thereof in order that there will be no drip when the container is removed from the filling spout. ,This is accomplished as the ball returns to its seat when the supply or" oil stops and the small movement of the ball withdraws the oil from the head 35 and away from the openings 36.

lhe filling inlet in the handle. 16 includes the lip 41 which overhangs the extreme top 42 of the filling spout 34 and shields the cooperating apertures 43 in the container inlet which in turn communicate with the intake conduit 20 communicating with the unit containers 12, so as to retard filling of the containers from anything but an authorized nozzle 34. The top i42 of the pump nozzle is provided with a rounded end 42a which fits into a rounded notch 43a, in the handle member 16 so as to permit the handle member 16 to be hooked over the top 42 and the action of gravity swings the container around the fulcrum point 42a, 43a to bring the plural openings 43 and 36 into fiuid tight communication.

As more clearly shown in Figure 5, the flanges 41a of the filling nozzle on the handle 16 are adapted to extend on each side of the pump nozzle 34, so as to prevent unauthorized filling and the apertures 36 and 43 are adapted to cooperate so that the oil may pass from the pipe 32 into the conduit 20.

The lip 41 and flanges 41a over the apertures 43 act as a substantial seal to prevent filling of the unit containers 12 from ordinary pump nozzles and a cooperating filling spout such as 34 must be used for filling. The filling spout 34 may be arranged for definite combinations by varying the number or shape of the cooperating apertures 36 and 43 and such combinations thus provide a key nozzle construction to prevent unauthorized use of the apparatus.

A suitable indication or ridge 45 is used on the exterior of the unit container 12 to show the height to which the fluid is to be filled and when such. height has been reached, the turret head 18 may be revolved a part turn to fill the next container. A spring pressed detent or ball 46 cooperating with properly located seats 46a is preferably used to indicate the proper centering of the end of the conduit 20 with the aperture 22 in the unit container. The turret head 18 may also be provided with a cam member 47 relatively adjacent to the valve member finger head 31 in order that the valve rods 23 will be pushed rearwardly when the turret is rotated to position over the container to release the notch 23a and permit closing of the outlet valve 25. This will automatically close the valves before filling begins although the valve members may close manually by releasing the notch portion 23a from the head 14. The containers 12 cannot be filled through the discharge pipe 30 because of the leakage around the funnel member 28 and the connection 28a. Holes 49 may also be provided through'the bottom 16 and around the central .rod 26 so that the oil flowing back from the .pipe .30 will overflow through these holes :or other ,meanssmay be usedtozprevent filling the containers l2zthrough theoutlet 30.

The discharge funnel-28 is secured to the bottom '16 byimeans of rivets 48, and after the rivets ,arewsecuredrthenut. 51 on the securing rod .26 cannot be reached so that the multiple unit con- .tainer cannot be taken apart without destruction of the parts :so that-in. the embodiment illustrated the container.units can only be filled through :t-heakey nozzle, there willbe no opportunity to fill the-units through thedischarge hose 30 and therefore the container :is proof against unauthorized filling. Thisconstruction prevents the substitution of inferior-products particularly lubricating oils,.and provides the producer with a means :to protect thesale of his product and assure the consumer that he :is receiving the grade .of oil hedesires. The purchaser may also see :that he is obtaining the .full measure of oil units (quarts) desiredwhile the service station or garage attendant, byv handling only one'multiple unit with. a-common discharge outlet for all theunit containers 12 will be able-to supply the desired amount of oil up to the capacity of the complete unit with one .handling of the device.

.Although. I haversh'own in Figure 3 a multiple unit container employing eight unit containers, it

- is Within the scope ofithis invention to provide any number desired. In practice itsmay be found that armultiple unit container eitherfive or seven one quart units may. be satisfactory, for servicing particularmakes of automobiles, it being understood that if seven quart units are used any amount of liquid may be dispensed up to the capacity of the unit and five quarts may be as readily dispensed.

While I have shown a preferred form of embodiment of this device it will be apparent that other modifications may be made therein and I therefore desire a broad interpretation of my invention within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and of the claims appended hereinafter.

I claim:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a plurality of unit containers, a common head having filling openings for each container, a turret having a filling opening, said turret being movably mounted on said head and having a single discharge opening, said turret being movable to place the respective filling opening on said head and the filling opening in a container in coincidental relation, 2. common discharge means, valve means to prevent filling through said discharge means, and a unitary support for all said containers.

2. A multiple unit measure container for dispensing liquids, comprising a portable frame member a plurality of unit measure containers enclosed in said frame member, means to fill said container in said frame member, a common discharge outlet for all of said containers and means to prevent filling of said containers except .through said filling means.

3. A multiple unit measure container for dispensing liquids, comprising a portable frame member, a plurality of unit measure containers enclosed in said frame member, a common filling A source for said containers said common filling source including a rotatable turret head having an opening movable into position adjacent each container, a common discharge outlet for all of said containers, and valve means to individually 5 control the discharge from each container.

i 4. An apparatus of the class described for dispensing lubricants, comprising a portablerframe member, means to temporarily support said frame memberrrom an automobile, a plurality of unit measure containers having transparent walls enclosed in said frame member, a turret having a conduit by which said containers may be filled one at a time, a discharge conduit commonly draining all of said containers and of sufficient length to reach the automobile engine lubricating reservoir, whereby said reservoir may be filled by gravity from said containers.

5. A portable dispensing apparatus of the type described, a top frame member having filling openings therein, a fillYng nozzle secured to said top frame member, said filling nozzle having a key inlet, a bottom frame member having separate discharge openings therein for each container, means to connect said top and bottom frame members together, said connecting means being sealed within the frame members. against opening, a plurality of open ended unit measuring containers supported between said top and bottom frame members in fluid tight relation thereto, means to fillsaid unit containers, individual valve control means for each discharge opening, said valve control means being operable concurrently to simultaneously discharge any number of containers and a one way flow common discharge nozzle of sufficient size to discharge all of said discharge openings.

6. A multiple unit container comprising a top, a turret filling head, a plurality of unit capacity containers, and a common base, means to secure said container units between said top and said base, a common discharge outlet for said units, and means whereby anyone of said units may be separately discharged.

7. In a multiple unit container the combination of a filler conduit provided with a key nozzle, a container to be filled, having a number of separate container units, a turret top on said container, a filling pipe control valve in said turret top adapted to cooperate with said key nozzle, and means to fill individual units of said container from said turret top.

8. A multiple unit container having a plurality of separate unit compartments of standard capacity comprising a top, a base, and a plurality of open ended members closed by said top and base, a valve in each of said compartments, a single filling nozzle, and means to individually fill said compartments through said nozzle and means to individually dispense liquids from said compartments through a common outlet.

9. A multiple unit container having a plurality of separate unit compartments of standard capacity, comprising a top, a base, and a plurality of open ended members closed by said top and 1 base, a valve in each of said compartments, and means to conduct liquids into said compartments individually, means to automatically close said discharge valve in the compartment about to be filled, means to conduct liquids out of said compartments individually, and means to prevent filling of the compartment through the discharge means, and a key inlet in said top, and means to prevent the filling of said compartments through said inlet, except by the cooperation of a key nozzle. 7

10. A multiple unit container having a plurality of separate unit compartments of standard capacity, comprising a top, a base, and a plurality of open ended members closed by said Lao loO

top and base, a valve in each of said compartments, and means to individually fill and dispense liquids from said compartments, means to automatically close said discharge valve in the compartment about to be filled, and means to prevent filling of the compartment through the discharge outlet, and a key inlet in said top having a plurality of spaced inlet openings and means to prevent the filling of said compartments through said inlet except by the cooperation of a key nozzle having a corresponding plurality of filling openings.

11. A multiple unit container havingv a plurality of unit containers, a common filling means and a common discharge means, and. a unitary support for said container and discharge means, said support having a plurality of holes therein to provide leaks if said container is filled except through the filling means.

12. The combination of filling conduit provided with a key nozzle, a container to be filled, a turret top on said container, a key nozzle on said filling conduit, an inlet valve in said turret top adapted to cooperate with said key nozzle, and a conduit in said turret top whereby indi-- vidual units of said container may be filled through said turret top, said turret top being adapted to support said container from said key nozzle during filling.

13. A portable multiple unit container having a plurality of separate unit compartments of standard capacity comprising a top, a turret nozzle for said top, a carrying and filling handle integral with said nozzle, a base, and a plurality of open ended members closed by said top and base, a valve in each of said compartments, and means to individually fill and dispense liquids from said compartments, said compartments being transparent andsector shaped and means on' said compartments indicating the point to which the compartments are to be filled, said container having a substantially cylindrical contour and discharging from a central point.

14. A multiple unit container comprising a top, a turret filling head, aplurality of unit capacity containers, and a commonbase, means to secure said container units between said top and said base, alcommon discharge outlet for said units, means whereby anyone of said units may be separately discharged, and means operated by said turret head to close the discharge means when a compartment is to be filled to prevent accidental discharge therefrom.

15. In a multiple unit container, a plurality of container units, a common filling means, a common discharge means, and a unitary support therefor, and valve means to individually control the discharge from each container unit, and means to prevent filling of a unit having an open discharge valve.

16. A multiple unit container having a plurality of open ended compartments, a turret head closure for one end thereof, a common carrier, base for the other end, a common discharge funnel associated with said base and a pivoted open coupling secured to said funnel to assist discharge and prevent refilling.

MARVIN S. YOUNG.

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