Abstract:
A disposable oil drain pan and container combination features a large sidewall opening which is sealed by a removable screw cap. The oil pan and container combination is intended for use as (a) a container for new motor oil for purchase at a retail establishment, and (b) a disposable drain pan receptacle for use in changing oil in an automobile. The capacity of the container is preferably five quarts so that its contents can be emptied directly into the crankcase of an automobile during an oil change. After the contents have been emptied into the crankcase, the container assembly is set aside until time for the next oil change. At that time, the large screw cap is removed from the side for the container and the container is laid flat beneath the crankcase so that the used oil can drain directly into the container through sidewall opening. After the draining procedure has been completed, the cap is screwed on securely so that the filled container can be discarded.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 496,593, filed May 20, 1983, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,865 entitled &#34;Disposable Oil Drain Pan and Container Combination&#34; by Edward R. Melzi and Arie N. Sharon. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to multi-purpose containers for collection, storage and disposal of new and spent liquids such as motor oil and the like. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     According to conventional practice, oil is drained from the sump of an automobile crankcase by removing a drain plug and allowing the oil to discharge by gravity flow into a drain pan. This procedure is best carried out with the automobile supported overhead on a hydraulic lift, and the oil draining into a large drum. However, most persons who change the oil personally do not have access to an overhead lift, and carry out the oil change procedure by placing an open drain pan beneath the drain plug opening. Other fluids such as antifreeze and transmission oil also may be changed as a do-it-yourself service item in the same manner. The collection and disposal of these spent fluids has long represented a problem. Commercially available oil change drain pans are too expensive to be used on a one-time disposable basis, and the practice of dumping the used oil into a sewer or onto the ground is harmful to the environment. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, th principal object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive, disposable container which can initially store and transport new motor oil or the like and which can be used as an oil change drain receptacle. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a disposable container for collecting spent liquids such as motor oil and the like having an improved drainage sidewall. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a disposable container for collecting fluids having an improved lid sealing arrangement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A disposable oil drain pan and container combination features a large sidewall opening which is sealed by a removable screw cap. The disposable oil pan and container combination is intended for use as a container for new crankcase oil for purchase at a retail establishment, and as a drain pan receptacle for use in changing used oil in an automobile. The capacity of the container is preferably five quarts so that its contents can be emptied directly into the crankcase of an automobile during an oil change. After the contents have been emptied into the crankcase, the container assembly is set aside until time for the next oil change. At that time, the large screw cap is removed from the side of the container and the container is laid flat beneath the crankcase so that the used oil can drain directly into the container through the sidewall opening. After the draining procedure has been completed, the cap is screwed on securely so that the filled container can be discarded. 
     The multiple purpose receptacle of the invention is a container for storing new or spent fluid such as motor oil having four generally rectangular-shaped sides with a top and bottom which enclose a drainage chamber or reservoir. The bottom and at least one major side of the container are flat so that the container can rest in an upright, stable position on its bottom panel or in a stable position on the flat major side panel. A large circular drainage opening is formed in one major side panel, which serves as a drainage panel, and is sealed by a removable screw cap. According to a preferred embodiment, the drainage sidewall is recessed, and the circular drainage opening is bounded by a threaded shoulder which projects into the drainage chamber. The removable cap is screwed onto and off of the threaded shoulder to seal the container and to provide drainage access into the container, respectively. 
     A positive seal is provided in one embodiment wherein the removable cap carries a radially projecting annular lip which bears against the recessed drainage sidewall to form an annular seal when the cap is advanced to the limit of its threaded engagement with the drainage opening. 
     A positive seal is provided in another embodiment wherein the removable cap carries a beveled lip and the drainage opening is bounded by a threaded shoulder having a beveled face, with the beveled lip engaging the beveled face to form an annular seal when the cap is advanced to the limit of its threaded engagement with the drainage opening. 
     The novel features which characterize the invention are defined by the appended claims. The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will hereinafter appear, and for purposes of illustration of the invention, but not of limitation, an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the container of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of the container shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an elevation view in which the multiple purpose container is shown as it is used for pouring new motor oil into the crankcase of an engine; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the multiple purpose container as a drainage receptacle for receiving used oil from the sump of an engine; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation view which illustrates horizontal stacking of the multiple purpose containers; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevation view which illustrates vertical stacking of two multiple purpose containers, with the uppermost container being utilized as an oil change drainage receptacle; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the combination container lying on one major side in its stable, oil change position; 
     FIG. 7A is a perspective view which illustrates the underside of the large diameter closure cap; 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 which illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken through the lines IX--IX of FIG. 8: 
     FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 which illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the lines XI--IX of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view, partially broken away, of an alternative front sidewall structure in which the drainage opening is recessed; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative container embodiment having a recessed drainage opening; 
     FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 which illustrates sealing engagement of a lid onto the recessed drainage opening; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 13 of an alternative container embodiment having an inwardly sloping front sidewall; 
     FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 which illustrates an alternative lid sealing arrangement; 
     FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 14 which illustrates an alternative lid sealing arrangement; and, 
     FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multiple purpose container/receptacle assembly 10 includes a container body formed by a rear sidewall 12, a front sidewall 14, a bottom panel 16, left and right side panels 18, 20 and a top panel 22. 
     A handle member 24 is formed on one side of the panel 22, and a pour spout 26 is formed on the opposite side of the top panel 22. The pour spout 26 is sealed by a removable closure cap 28. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, a large diameter, circular drainage access opening 30 is formed in the front sidewall panel 14. The circular drainage opening 30 is bordered by a shoulder 32 having threads and grooves 32A. A large diameter, circular cap 34 is provided with threads and grooves 34A for engaging the threads and grooves of the shoulder 32, thereby providing a fluid seal across the drainage opening 30 when the container 10 is used as a receptacle for containing or transporting a liquid such as new motor oil. When the cap 34 is removed as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the container 10 can be turned onto its rear sidewall panel 12 in the horizontal position where it can serve as a drainage receptacle. Also in this position, it can serve as a liquid reservoir in which small tools or machine parts can be placed in a solvent solution for cleaning. The sidewall access opening 30 is preferably large enough to receive a standard size oil filter, and to permit small tools or machine parts to be inserted into and withdrawn from the reservoir 36 by hand. 
     The body of the container 10, the closure cap 28 and large diameter closure cap 34 are preferably formed of an inexpensive but durable polymer material which is non-reactive to petroleum products, and which can be worked by conventional injection molding techniques to provide the desired form and dimensions. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the seal provided by the closure cap 34 is enhanced by an integrally formed circular knock-out panel 38. The knock-out panel 38 is integrally formed with the threaded shoulder 32 which borders the circular drainage access opening 30. The surface of the knock-out panel 38 is scored by a circular groove 40 which ensures that the knock-out panel 38 will break-away cleanly by the application of an external force when it is desired to use the container as an oil change drain receptacle. 
     An alternative sealing arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this arrangement, the drainage opening 30 and the threaded shoulder 32 are sealed by a durable membrane 42. The membrane 42 is formed of a durable material such as heavy gauge aluminum foil or polymer sheet material. The fluid seal is enhanced by the membrane as it is compressed between the threads and grooves of the shoulder 32 and closure cap 34. 
     The dimensions of the container assembly 10 should be large enough so that the reservoir 36 will hold a volume at least equal to the amount to be changed, e.g. five quarts or more for motor oil. If desired, the volume of the reservoir can be greater than five quarts to accommodate the oil filter element as well as the used oil. 
     In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the threaded shoulder 32 projects outwardly from the major sidewall panel 14 of the container assembly. The threaded shoulder 32 and the closure cap 34 form an external projection which enlarges the lateral width of the assembly when the container assembly is standing in its upright stable position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Because of limited availability of shelf space in retail establishments, it i desired to stack the container assemblies 10 as closely together as possible. Additionally, it is sometimes desirable to form a vertical stack of two or more of the container assemblies 10 when the uppermost container assembly is being used as an oil change drain receptacle, as shown in FIG. 6. 
     Accordingly, the rear major sidewall 12 is recessed along panel portion 12A (FIG. 4), thereby defining a recess or cavity 13. Panel 12A is recessed inwardly toward the access opening 30 and generally conforms in depth and profile with the large diameter closure cap 34. According to this arrangement, the large diameter closure cap 34 is received in nesting engagement within the recess 13 (FIG. 4) defined by the recessed panel portion 12A, thereby minimizing the stacked dimension of two or more of the container assemblies. 
     Another advantage of this arrangement is that the closure cap 34 serves as an index member which maintains the alignment of the stack. Additionally, when a vertical stack is formed, the nesting engagement of the large diameter closure cap 34 within the recess 13 formed by the panel member 12A serves as a stop member which prevents displacement of the upper container assembly with respect to the lower container assembly as shown in FIG. 6. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, the lowermost container assembly 10 is preferably filled with new motor oil, and the upper container assembly 10 is empty. It will be appreciated that the empty container 10 will be very light and easily moved out of position beneath the drainage opening, whereas the lowermost container, being filled with oil, will serve as an anchor. Because of the nesting engagement of the large diameter closure cap 34 within the recess defined by the panel member 12A, the uppermost container assembly 10 will remain centered on the lower container assembly 10, and will rotate slightly about the large diameter closure cap 34 instead of falling off or out of drainage alignment if it is inadvertently pushed. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, a container assembly 10 is shown pouring new oil 44 through a funnel 46 into the crankcase opening 48 of an engine 50. In this configuration, the large diameter closure cap 34 is tightly secured onto the threaded shoulder 32 of the sidewall panel 14. When the new oil has been completely drained from the container assembly 10, the closure cap 28 is tightly secured in sealing engagement with the threaded pour spout 26. The empty container assembly 10 is then ready to be used as a drainage receptacle during the next oil change. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the container assembly 10 is being used as a drainage receptacle for receiving used motor oil 52. The used motor oil 52 is being drained from the sump of an automobile crankcase 54 after the drain plug has been removed by allowing the used oil to discharge by gravity flow through the drainage access opening 30. For some oil change operations, it will be desirable to stack two or more of the container assemblies 10 in a vertical arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 6. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the drainage access opening 30 is sealed by the large diameter closure cap 34. However, in other embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the drainage access opening 30 is covered by an additional sealing element, for example the knock-out panel 38 as illustrated in FIG. 9 or the durable membrane 42 as illustrated in FIG. 10. The knock-out panel 38 is removed by pressing inwardly until the knock-out panel 38 is severed from the threaded shoulder 32 along the groove 40. If the access opening 30 is covered by the membrane 42, it is simply peeled away to expose the reservoir 36. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12-18, and alternate embodiment of the container assembly 10 is illustrated. According to this embodiment, the front sidewall 14 has an inwardly sloping, recessed panel portion 54 in the form of an annular plate which is substantially concentric with the drainage opening 30. In this configuration, the drainage opening 30 is bordered by a cylindrical shoulder 32 having threads and grooves 32A for engaging the threads and grooves 34A of the large diameter cap 34. The threaded shoulder 32 projects downwardly into the interior reservior. The outer periphery of the annular drain panel 54 is bordered by an overflow rim 56 which is also concentric with the drainage opening 30. 
     The large diameter cap 34 is provided with a centrally located rib 58 by which the cap 34 is manually rotated as the cap is screwed on and off. Preferably, the axial dimension of the cap 34 is less than the depth of the overall drainage region, as can best be seen in FIG. 14. 
     Referring now to FIG. 15, an alternative panel arrangement is illustrated. According to this arrangement, the inwardly sloping panel portion is defined by four planar plate portions 60A, 60B, 60C and 60D. These plate portions are joined along common interior edges 62A, 62B, 62C and 62D. The outer periphery of each plate portion is bordered by an overflow rim 56. 
     When the container 10 is utilized for transporting liquids such as motor oil, an important consideration is maintaining the integrity of the seal between the cap 34 and the threaded shoulder of the drainage opening 30. A first preferred sealing arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. According to this arrangement, the cap 34 is provided with a radially projecting annular lip 64 which bears against the inwardly sloping annular panel portion 54 when the closure cap 34 is advanced to the limit of its threaded engagement with the threaded shoulder of the drainage opening, as shown in FIG. 14. 
     A second sealing arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 16 in which the closure cap 34 is provided with a beveled, annular lip 66 and the threaded shoulder 32 is provided with an annular face 68. The beveled lip 66 engages the beveled face to form an annular seal when the cap 34 is advanced to the limit of its threaded engagement with the shoulder of the drainage opening. In this arrangement, the beveled lip 66 projects radially outwardly with respect to the threaded portion of the closure cap, with the beveled annular face 68 being substantially parallel with the beveled face 66 and being disposed intermediate the inwardly sloping panel portion 60A and the threaded shoulder portion of the drainage opening. 
     Yet another positive seal arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 17, in which the closure cap 34 is provided with a beveled lip 70 which projects radially inwardly of the threaded portion 34A of the closure cap. The threaded shoulder portion 32 is provided with a beveled, annular face 72 which projects radially inwardly into the interior reservior, substantially in parallel with the beveled face 70. 
     It will be appreciated that the container assembly of the invention provides secure storage for transportation or handling of liquids such as motor oil. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the large diameter removable closure cap makes the container assembly convertible into a disposable drainage receptacle for oil change purposes and the like. The entire assembly is formed of inexpensive polymer materials and can be manufactured on a mass production basis, thereby making it inexpensive and suitable for one-time disposable service. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, the foregoing description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the drawings and description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.