US20160101901A1

US20160101901A1 - Disposable fluid vessel

Info

Publication number: US20160101901A1
Application number: US14/874,837
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold Cunningham; Brian Beth; Michael D. Deckard; Brian Wingfield; George Howard
Original assignee: PLASTICS GROUP Inc
Current assignee: PLASTICS GROUP Inc
Priority date: 2014-10-08
Filing date: 2015-10-05
Publication date: 2016-04-14

Abstract

A fluid vessel is disclosed and includes a multiple disposable liners where each of the disposable liners includes a bottom floor and side walls extending away from and substantially perpendicular to the bottom floor such that a cavity is formed therein. The bottom floor includes an aperture defined therein and the bottom floor slopes in a plurality of directions to facilitate a movement of a fluid disposed in a top one of the plurality of disposable liners toward the aperture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/061,358 entitled “DISPOSABLE FLUID VESSEL” filed on Oct. 8, 2014. The entirety of the above-noted application is incorporated herein by reference.

ORIGIN

The innovation disclosed herein relates to a liner for liquids and more specifically, a disposable liner for liquids for use in a container.

BACKGROUND

Fluid disposal and collection systems often require a collection pan and a container to hold the fluid for later disposal (e.g., recycling). The collection pan is utilized to transfer the fluid from the source (e.g., automobile, motorcycle, machine, antifreeze, etc.). During this process, the collection pan often becomes soiled and may be difficult to clean. Further, depending on the type of fluid (e.g., oil, transmission oil, brake fluid, etc.) being disposed, hazardous chemicals may be required to clean the collection pan. Thus, cleaning the collection pan may be time consuming and an environmental hazard.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In an aspect of the innovation a fluid vessel is disclosed and includes a plurality of disposable liners, each of the plurality of disposable liners including a bottom floor and a plurality of side walls extending away from and substantially perpendicular to the bottom floor such that a cavity is formed therein, wherein the bottom floor includes an aperture defined therein, and wherein the bottom floor slopes in a plurality of directions to facilitate a movement of a fluid disposed in a top one of the plurality of disposable liners toward the aperture.
In another aspect of the innovation, a fluid container assembly for the disposal of hazardous fluids is disclosed that includes a rigid fluid container having a recess defined in a top surface, a surface aperture defined in a corner of the recess, and a disposable liner having a similar shape as the recess and being disposed in the recess, an aperture defined in a corner of the disposable liner that is aligned with the surface aperture when the disposable liner is disposed in the recess thereby facilitating the draining of the fluid.
To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the innovation can be employed and the subject innovation is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the innovation will become apparent from the following detailed description of the innovation when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an innovative disposable fluid container in accordance with an aspect the innovation.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the innovative disposable fluid container in accordance with an aspect the innovation.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the innovative disposable fluid container in accordance with an aspect the innovation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fluid container assembly incorporating the innovative disposable fluid container in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustration of a method of disposing of a fluid in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details.
While specific characteristics are described herein (e.g., thickness, orientation, configuration), it is to be understood that the features, functions and benefits of the innovation can employ characteristics that vary from those described herein. These alternatives are to be included within the scope of the innovation and claims appended hereto.
While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein, e.g., in the form of a flow chart, are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with the innovation, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the innovation.
Disclosed herein is an innovative disposable fluid liner for use in a collection pan to transfer a fluid (e.g., oil, transmission oil, brake fluid, antifreeze, etc.) from a source (e.g., automobile, motorcycle, machine, etc.) to a container for later disposal or recycling in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. The liner prevents the collection pan from becoming soiled thereby minimizing clean up time and the use of environmentally unsafe chemicals to clean the collection pan.
With reference now to the figures, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are perspective, front and side views of an example embodiment of an innovative fluid vessel 100 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. The fluid vessel 100 may be a disposable liner that can be used to temporarily hold and dispose of any type of liquid, such as but not limited to, oil (e.g., motor, transmission, etc.), antifreeze, paint, etc. The example fluid vessel 100 illustrated in the figures has a square shape. It is to be understood, however, that the vessel 100 can have most any suitable shape, such as but not limited to, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, etc. Thus, the example embodiment illustrated in the figures is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the innovation.
The fluid vessel 100 may be made from a formable material, such as but not limited to, a thermo-formable plastic, metal, etc. The fluid vessel 100 may be formed using a thermo-formable process, blow-molding, injection molding, stamping, etc. As mentioned above, the fluid vessel 100 may be a disposable liner 102 that can be placed in a more rigid structure having a similar shape during use of the fluid vessel 100.
In another embodiment, the fluid vessel 100 may be comprised of multiple disposable liners 102 nested together such when the top liner is used to receive a fluid, the top liner can be removed from the nested liners and the user can properly dispose of both the fluid and the liner. During the forming process, the nested liners may be formed simultaneously and, therefore, nested simultaneously. In addition, during the forming process, an adhesive may optionally be applied to a bottom exterior surface of each liner to hold the liners in place.
Still further, the fluid vessel 100 can include a substrate having a thickness greater than a thickness of the liners. The substrate may be simultaneously formed with the nested liners such that the nested liners reside in the substrate. Thus, because the substrate has a greater thickness than the liners, the substrate is more rigid than the liners and serves to hold the nested liners during use of the fluid vessel 100.
Still referring to the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, each liner 102 includes a bottom floor 104 having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a first 106, second 108, third 110, and fourth 112 side wall extending away from and substantially perpendicular to the bottom floor 104 thereby forming a cavity 114 therein. The joining of the four side walls 106, 108, 110, 112, thus, form a first 114, second 116, third 118, and fourth 120 corner. A lip 122 is formed on a top edge of each of the four walls 106, 108, 110, 112 thus, the lip 122 is formed around a perimeter of the disposable liner 102.
The bottom floor 104 includes an aperture 124 defined near the first corner 114. In addition, the bottom floor 104 slopes in multiple directions such that most any fluid disposed in the liner 102 will gravitate toward the aperture 124. Thus, the aperture 124 serves as an exit port that allows the fluid to be drained from the liner 102. More specifically, the first side wall 106 tapers as the first side wall 106 extends from the first corner 114 to the second corner 116. Similarly, the fourth side wall 112 tapers as the fourth side wall 112 extends from the first corner 114 to the fourth corner 120. The tapered side walls facilitate movement of the fluid disposed in the liner 102 toward the aperture 124, which in turn facilitates draining of the fluid disposed in the liner 102. A plug may be included to prevent the fluid from exiting the liner 102.
A crease 126 is formed in the bottom floor 104 that extends from the first corner 114 to the third corner 118 thereby forming two triangular halves 128, 130 of the bottom floor 104. The two triangular halves 128, 130 may or may not be angled toward the crease 126 and/or toward the aperture 124 to facilitate draining of the fluid disposed in the liner 102.
It is to be understood that the example fluid vessel 100 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the innovation. The fluid vessel can have any shape, such as but not limited to, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, etc. In addition, the sloping of the bottom floor can be in any direction, including toward a center of the bottom floor. Thus, the aperture 124 can be defined at any location in the bottom floor 104.
FIG. 4 is one example embodiment of a fluid container assembly 400 including rigid fluid container 402 incorporating the innovative disposable liner 102 described above in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. In this example embodiment, fluid drains from the disposable liner 102 to a cavity defined on an interior of the fluid container 400 for later disposal. Thus, a top of the fluid container 400 has a sloping shape similar to that of the disposable liner 102.
More specifically, still referring to FIG. 4, the fluid container 402 is an enclosed container having a cavity defined therein that includes a top surface 404 having a recess 406, four walls 408, and a base 410. The cavity is configured to hold fluids for later disposal. The recess 406 is approximately the same shape and size as the disposable liner 102 such that there is little movement of the disposable liner 102 once disposed in the recess 406.
Still referring to FIG. 4, the recess 406, which is visible through the transparent disposable liner 102 includes a bottom surface 412 having a first 414, second 416, third 418, and fourth 420 side wall extending away from and substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 412 thereby forming the recess 406. The joining of the four side walls 414, 416, 418, 420, thus, form a first 422, second 424, third 426, and fourth 428 corner. A ledge 430 is formed on the top surface 404 at a top of each of the four walls 414, 416, 418, 420 thus, the ledge 430 is formed around a perimeter of the recess 406. When the disposable liner 102 is disposed in the recess 406, the lip 122 on the disposable liner 102 contacts the ledge 430 to facilitate securing the disposable liner 102 inside the recess 406.
The bottom surface 412 includes a surface aperture 432 defined near the first corner 422. When the disposable liner 102 is disposed inside the recess 406, the surface aperture 432 is aligned with the aperture 124 defined in the disposable liner 102. In addition, the bottom surface 412 slopes in multiple directions similar to that of the disposable liner 102 such that any fluid disposed in the disposable liner 102 and, hence, the recess 406 will gravitate toward the surface aperture 432. Thus, the fluid will drain into the cavity defined in the fluid container 402 via the surface aperture 432 and the aperture 124 defined in the disposable liner 102. As a result, the surface aperture 432 serves as an exit port that allows the fluid to be drained from the liner 102 and into the cavity defined in the fluid container 402.
The fluid container 402 may include a drain 434 and an air vent 436 to allow the fluid to be drained from the cavity define inside the fluid container 402. In one example embodiment, the fluid container 402 may include a handle 438 attached formed on one of the walls 408 for ease of transport and drainage. Thus, the fluid container 402 also serves as a transportable container.
It is to be understood, that the fluid container can be a pan (e.g., oil pan, etc.) having a similar shape as the disposable liner. Once the fluid is drained into the disposable liner 102, which is disposed in a recess defined by the pan, the fluid can then be transferred (poured) into a transportable fluid container for transport to a disposal facility. Thus, in this embodiment, the disposable liner 102 would further include a plug to plug the aperture 124. Thus, the fluid container illustrated in the figures is for illustrative purposes of an embodiment and is not intended to limit the scope of the innovation.
Referring to FIG. 5, a method of disposing of a fluid is illustrated in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. At 502, a fluid container 402 (or pan) as described herein is provided. At 504, the disposable liner 102 is positioned in a recess of the fluid container 402 or pan. At 506, fluid is drained from a source into the disposable liner 102. At 508, the fluid is transferred from the disposable liner 102 to a transportable fluid container. At 510, the disposable liner is removed from the recess of the fluid container. At 512, the disposable liner is disposed.
As mentioned above, the disposable liner disclosed herein prevents the recess in the fluid container or a collection pan from becoming soiled thereby minimizing clean up time and the use of environmentally unsafe chemicals to clean the recess or the collection pan.
What has been described above includes examples of the innovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the subject innovation, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the innovation are possible. Accordingly, the innovation is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid vessel comprising:

a plurality of disposable liners, each of the plurality of disposable liners including a bottom floor and a plurality of side walls extending away from and substantially perpendicular to the bottom floor such that a cavity is formed therein,

wherein the bottom floor includes an aperture defined therein, and

wherein the bottom floor slopes in a plurality of directions to facilitate a movement of a fluid disposed in a top one of the plurality of disposable liners toward the aperture.

2. The fluid vessel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of side walls include a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall, wherein an intersection of the first and second side walls form a first corner, and wherein the first and second side walls taper in a direction away from the first corner.

3. The fluid vessel of claim 2, wherein the intersection of the second and third side walls form a second corner, the intersection of the third and fourth side walls form a third corner, and the intersection of the first and fourth side walls form a fourth intersection.

4. The fluid vessel of claim 3, wherein the bottom floor includes a crease that extends from the first corner to the third corner.

5. The fluid vessel of claim 4, wherein the aperture is located near the first corner.

6. The fluid vessel of claim 5, wherein the crease divides the bottom floor into two triangular halves and wherein each triangular half slopes toward the crease and/or toward the aperture.

7. The fluid vessel of claim 1 further comprising a substrate that has a thickness greater than a thickness of each of the plurality of disposable liners, wherein the plurality of disposable liners reside in the substrate.

8. A fluid container assembly for the disposal of hazardous fluids comprising:

a rigid fluid container having a recess defined in a top surface;

a surface aperture defined in the recess; and

a disposable liner having a similar shape as the recess and being disposed in the recess;

an aperture defined in the disposable liner that is aligned with the surface aperture when the disposable liner is disposed in the recess thereby facilitating the draining of the fluid.

9. The fluid container assembly of claim 8 further comprising a cavity defined inside the rigid fluid container adapted to hold fluid.

10. The fluid container assembly of claim 8, wherein a lip is formed around a perimeter of the disposable liner and a ledge is formed around a perimeter of the recess, wherein the lip contacts the ledge when the disposable liner is disposed inside the recess.

11. The fluid container assembly of claim 8, wherein the disposable liner includes a bottom floor and a plurality of side walls extending away from and substantially perpendicular to the bottom floor such that a cavity is formed therein.

12. The fluid container assembly of claim 11, wherein the aperture is defined in the bottom floor and wherein the bottom floor slopes in a plurality of directions to facilitate a movement of the fluid toward the aperture.

13. The fluid container assembly of claim 12, wherein the disposable liner includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall, wherein an intersection of the first and second side walls form a first corner, and wherein the first and second side walls taper in a direction away from the first corner.

14. The fluid container assembly of claim 13, wherein the intersection of the second a third side walls form a second corner, the intersection of the third and fourth side walls form a third corner, the intersection of the first and fourth side walls form a fourth intersection and wherein the bottom floor includes a crease that extends from the first corner to the third corner.

15. The fluid container assembly of claim 14, wherein the crease divides the bottom floor into two triangular halves and wherein each triangular half slopes toward the crease and/or toward the aperture.

16. A method of disposing of a fluid comprising:

providing a fluid container;

positioning a disposable liner in a recess of the fluid container;

transferring a fluid from a source into the disposable liner;

transferring the fluid from the disposable liner to a transportable fluid container;

removing the disposable liner from the recess of the fluid container; and

disposing of the disposable liner.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fluid container includes a cavity defined therein and the fluid is drained from the disposable liner via an aperture defined in a bottom floor of the disposable liner and a surface aperture defined in the recess to the cavity and wherein the fluid container is the transportable fluid container.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the disposable liner includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall, wherein an intersection of the first and second side walls form a first corner, and wherein the first and second side walls taper in a direction away from the first corner.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the intersection of the second a third side walls form a second corner, the intersection of the third and fourth side walls form a third corner, the intersection of the first and fourth side walls form a fourth intersection and wherein the bottom floor includes a crease that extends from the first corner to the third corner.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the crease divides the bottom floor into two triangular halves and wherein each triangular half slopes toward the crease and/or toward the aperture.