Patent ID: 6345692
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: F16N

Abstract:
A portable system for the recovery and temporary contamination-free storage of fluid drained from a motor vehicle, and the prompt, safe, and spill-free return of recovered fluid that is still serviceable back to the source from which the fluid was drained, said system comprising:a low profile reservoir having a fluid chamber and an adjoining air chamber, said air chamber being smaller than said fluid chamber, a flexible baffle separating said fluid chamber from said air chamber, said fluid chamber having a discharge end and a baffle end each having a height, said discharge end having a discharge opening therethrough, and said height of said discharge end being lower than said height of said baffle end; fluid collection means positioned above said fluid chamber and adapted for selective fluid communication with said fluid chamber, said fluid collection means having an upper open end and being adapted for spill-free gathering of fluid drained from a motor vehicle; air intake valve means adapted for connection to said air chamber and pre-charging said air chamber with compressed air to a minimum pressure of 60 pounds per square inch; removable lid means adapted for securely covering said upper open end in said fluid collection means and sealing said upper open end from airborne contamination, and inadvertent sources of ignition; flame-resistant discharge means adapted for rapid connection to and fluid communication with said discharge opening; and handle means adapted for supporting said reservoir during transport thereof so that said handles can be used for moving said reservoir under the fluid outlet of a motor vehicle and said fluid collection means can be positioned under the fluid outlet to recover fluid drained from the fluid outlet, and allowing recovered fluid to be gravity-fed into said fluid chamber for safe storage away from sources of airborne contamination and inadvertent ignition, and thereafter assisted by said pre-charged air chamber in combination with said flexible baffle to exit said fluid chamber through said discharge opening, move through said flame resistant discharge means, and optionally return to the source from which the fluid was drained.