Abstract:
A spill-proof pour spout for transferring fluid from a container to a vessel comprising a base having an inner sleeve extending outwardly therefrom, a conduit member located in the inner sleeve, and an outer sleeve slidingly engaging the inner sleeve. The conduit member has a fluid tube, and air tube and an end cap. The outer sleeve is in a first closed position wherein the outer sleeve contacts the end cap preventing fluid flow from the pour spout. The pour spout can only be opened by rotating the outer sleeve to a first or second indexing position. By rotating the outer sleeve either clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve is adapted to be slid to a first open position permitting fluid to flow at a first flow rate through the fluid tube and out of the pour spout. By further rotating the outer sleeve either clockwise or counterclockwise, the outer sleeve is adapted to be slid to a second open position permitting fluid to flow at a second flow rate through the fluid tube at a second flow rate and out of the pour spout.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/075,781, filed Feb. 14, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,630 upon which a claim of priority is based. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to pour spouts for containers of fluid, and more particularly to pour spouts which permit transfers of fluid (liquid) based on the influence of gravity at multiple flow rates, and without the risk of spills or overflow, and also to adapters that can be affixed to pour spouts for desirous results. 
   It is desirable to avoid overfilling of fuel to internal combustion engines in lawnmowers, tractors, personal water craft, chain saws and power tools, outboard motors, ATV recreational vehicles and even automobiles. Spilled fuel presents health and safety risks to people and the environment in general. As a result, many states have now passed environmental legislation which regulates pour spouts which can be used in conjunction with volatile fuels and other liquids. 
   The opportunity for spills have various causes. First, often times the gas tanks in the aforementioned internal combustion engines have very narrow openings which requires precise pouring and/or a facilitating pour spout or funnel to prevent spills. 
   Many times spills occur because the operator of the pour spout does not know when the receiving vessel is full. In these cases, overflows occur before pouring can be terminated. 
   Yet another cause of spills is the ineffective venting of the container from which the fluid is being transferred. The result of ineffective venting is an uneven fluid flow, and even in some cases surging of the fluid. Surges can cause splashing and an uneven flow makes it extremely difficult to predict fluid levels in the receiving vessel. 
   Another problem encountered by gravity influenced pour spouts is airlock caused by improper venting. Airlock occurs as a result of improper venting in combination with specific volume and viscosity parameters of the fluid being transferred. Such a condition can result in fluid which will not pour even when the container is inverted. This problem, while annoying, can normally be resolved by turning the container right side up again. However, this only increases the opportunity for spills. 
   Examples of prior spill-proof pour spouts include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,598,743, 4,834,151, 5,076,333, 5,249,611, 5,419,378, 5,704,408, and 5,762,117. These pour spouts all have at least the following drawbacks: they do not provide multiple flow rate options and they do not provide childproof locks. 
   Additionally, known pour spouts are limited in their compatibility with multiple vessel types, especially in light of certain state regulations requiring specific spout diameters for certain applications. One example is the State of California, which requires a spout diameter of 1 inch. This poses a problem if one desires to use the same spout for filling a fuel tank of an automobile, the fuel tank receptacle of which has a standard size opening of ¾ inch. 
   The present invention addresses these problems, as well as many other problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Pour Spout 
   In a first embodiment, a pour spout for transferring fluid from a container to a vessel is provided. The pour spout comprises a base having an inner sleeve extending outwardly therefrom, a conduit member located in the inner sleeve, and an outer sleeve slidingly engaging the inner sleeve. The conduit member has a fluid tube, an air tube and an end cap. The outer sleeve is in a first closed position wherein the outer sleeve contacts the end cap preventing fluid flow from the pour spout. The pour spout can only be opened by rotating the outer sleeve to a first or second indexed position. By rotating the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve is adapted to be slid to a first open position permitting fluid to flow at a first flow rate through the fluid tube and out of the pour spout. By further rotating the outer sleeve, the outer sleeve is adapted to be slid to a second open position permitting fluid to flow at a second flow rate through the fluid tube at a second flow rate and out of the pour spout. 
   In a second embodiment, a pour spout for transferring fluid from a container to a vessel is provided wherein the pour spout comprises a base having an inner sleeve extending outwardly therefrom, a conduit member located in the inner sleeve and an outer sleeve slidingly engaging the inner sleeve. The conduit member has a fluid tube, a first air tube, a second air tube and an end cap. A biasing member urges the outer sleeve into an initial closed position that precludes the transfer of fluid through the pour spout. The base has a protrusion which coacts with the outer sleeve and a plurality of slots in the outer sleeve to facilitate an initial closed position, a first open position and a second open position. The outer sleeve also has a shoulder for coacting with the vessel to slide the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve from the closed position to either a first or a second open position. 
   Adapter An adapter for a pour spout for transferring fluid from a container to a vessel is also provided. The pour spout is removably connectable to the container and includes an inner sleeve, a conduit member disposed within the inner sleeve and forming a fluid tube and an air tube therein, and an outer sleeve disposed around the inner sleeve and moveable with respect thereto. The outer sleeve is moveable to a closed position wherein the outer sleeve cooperates with the conduit member to prevent fluid flow from the pour spout. The outer sleeve is also moveable to a flow position wherein the air tube is in communication with ambient air to allow air to flow therethrough to facilitate flow of the fluid through the fluid tube. 
   The adapter comprises a cylindrically-shaped shroud portion having a distal end and defining an interior space. The shroud portion is adapted to removably attach to the outer sleeve of the pour spout such that the outer sleeve is disposed within the interior space of the shroud portion and the adapter is moveable therewith. A tip portion is disposed at the distal end of the shroud portion, the tip portion including a shoulder surface and a fluid opening. The tip portion has a tip diameter dimension less than a diameter dimension defined by the cylindrically-shaped shroud portion. The tip portion is adapted to be insertable into a vessel receptacle such that when the shoulder surface is urged against a surface of the vessel, the outer sleeve moves to the flow position to allow fluid to flow through the fluid opening of the tip portion of the adapter and into the vessel. 
   These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the drawings and detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a pour spout according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  is a first elevational view of a pour spout according to one embodiment of the present invention in a closed position; 
       FIG. 2B  is a first elevational view of the pour spout shown in  FIG. 2A  in a first open position; 
       FIG. 2C  is a first elevational view of the pour spout shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  in a second open position; 
       FIG. 3A  is a second elevational view of the pour spout shown in the first open position of  FIG. 2B ; 
       FIG. 3B  is a second elevational view of the pour spout shown in the second open position of  FIG. 2C ; 
       FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the pour spout shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C  without the outer sleeve and bias member; 
       FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the base of the pour spout shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the outer sleeve of the pour spout shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the outer sleeve shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the conduit member shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the two-piece fluid and air tube taken along line a—a in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an elevational view of the back channel of the two-piece fluid and air tube shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the back channel of the two-piece fluid and air tube taken along section line b—b in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is an elevational view of the air tube cover of the two-piece fluid and air tube shown in shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; 
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged top plan view of the air tube cover shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the conduit member; 
       FIG. 15  is an elevational view of a pour spout having the conduit member shown in  FIG. 14  in a first open position; 
       FIG. 16  is an elevational view of a pour spout having the conduit member shown in  FIG. 14  in a second open position; and 
       FIG. 17  is an elevational view of a third embodiment of the conduit member. 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an adapter for a pour spout in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  19 — 19  in FIG.  18 . 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the adapter of  FIG. 18  removably attached to a pour spout in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  21 — 21  in FIG.  20 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
   Pour Spout 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-13  there is shown a spill-proof pour spout  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the spill-proof pour spout  10  includes a base  20  having an inner sleeve  30  extending outwardly therefrom. A conduit member  40  is located in the inner sleeve  30  and includes a fluid tube  50 , a first and a second air tube  60 ,  61  (see  FIG. 9 ) and an end cap  70 . An outer sleeve  80  engages the inner sleeve  30  and is held in a normally closed position by a biasing member  90 , such as a spring or elastomeric member. In the normally closed position, the outer sleeve  80  is biased against the end cap  70  by the biasing member  90 , thereby preventing flow through the fluid tube  50 . The outer sleeve  80  is rotatably and slidably moveable with respect to the inner sleeve  30  to facilitate multiple positions of the pour spout  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the pour spout  10  is positionable in three indexed positions, a locked position as shown in  FIG. 2A , a low flow position as shown in  FIG. 2B , and a high flow position as shown in FIG.  2 C. It is to be understood, however, that the pour spout  10  can be provided with numerous other positions, including additional positions for additional flow rates. 
   When describing the functionality of the spill-proof pour spout  10  of the present invention, it will be presumed that the pour spout  10  is attached to a fluid-filled container, such as, for example, a gasoline container, and a user of the pour spout is attempting to transfer fluid from the container to a receiving vessel having a receptacle into which the spout can be inserted. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the outer sleeve  80  also includes a first slot  110 , a second slot  120  and a third slot  130 . The base  20  includes a protrusion  140  that cooperates with the slots  110 , 120 , 130  in the outer sleeve  80  to facilitate indexable positioning of the pour spout  10 . The outer sleeve  80  is rotatable with respect to the inner sleeve  30  so that the protrusion  140  can be aligned with one of the slots  110 , 120 , 130 . The first slot  110  facilitates a locked position. The outer sleeve  80  includes a detent  141  that maintains the protrusion  140  within the slot  110  in a locked position. The pour spout  10  can be unlocked when a sufficient force is applied to the outer sleeve  80  with respect to the inner sleeve  30  to allow the protrusion  140  to slide past the detent  141 . Once unlocked, the outer sleeve  80  can be rotated with respect to the inner sleeve  30  to allow alignment of the protrusion  140  with one of the slots  120 , 130 , which, in turn, allows the inner sleeve to be slid into an open position. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the outer sleeve  80  of the pour spout  10  includes a shoulder  100  having a lip  101 . The shoulder  100  of the outer sleeve  80  coacts with the receptacle of the receiving vessel to permit the outer sleeve  80  to slide relative to the inner sleeve  30  into an open position when pressure is applied to the spout  10  by the user. As shown in  FIGS. 2B and 3A , a low flow open position is achieved when the outer sleeve  80  is slid such that the protrusion  140  is held against an end surface  142  of the slot  120 . In similar fashion, as shown in  FIGS. 2C and 3B , a high flow position is achieved when the outer sleeve  80  is slid such that the protrusion  140  is held against an end surface  143  of the slot  130 . 
   It should be noted that in the locked position, the outer sleeve  80  is maintained in the normally biased closed position against the end cap  70 . In order to allow the protrusion  140  to rotate past the detent  141 , a plastic material may be utilized that allows some flexion of the detent and/or protrusion. Additionally, an elastomeric compression-type seal may be utilized below the end cap  70  that will allow the outer sleeve  80  to be slidably pushed against the end cap just enough to further compress the seal and allow the protrusion to rotate past the detent  141 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the base  20  has a larger diameter than the inner sleeve  30  which extends outwardly from one end of the base  20 . This creates a step  150  that extends radially around one end of the base  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the biasing member  90  in the preferred embodiment is a spring that is disposed around the inner sleeve  30 , with one end of the spring  90  resting on the step  150 . Referring once again to  FIG. 5 , at the end of the inner sleeve  30  opposite the base  20 , there is a notched portion  160  which receives the conduit member  40  as will be explained further below. The other end of the base  20  has a connector flange  25  that cooperates with a threaded collar of a container (not shown) to facilitate connection of the pour spout  10  to the container. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the outer sleeve  80  is comprised of a first hollow tube portion  83  and a second hollow tube portion  84 . The first hollow tube portion  83  has a larger diameter than the second hollow tube portion  84 , thereby creating an inner annular step  85  around the outer sleeve  80 . The shoulder  100  extends from one end of the first hollow tube portion  83  of the outer sleeve  80 . The opposite end of the first hollow tube portion  83  of the outer sleeve  80  includes the slots  110 , 120 , 130 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the outer sleeve  80  is placed over the inner sleeve  30  and biasing member  90 , the biasing member  90  is confined between, and bears against, the step  150  in the base  20  and the inner annular step  85  of the outer sleeve  80 . As mentioned above, the biasing member  90  keeps the pour spout  10  in a normally closed position with the second hollow tube portion  84  of the outer sleeve  80  forming a seal with the end cap  70  of the conduit member  40 . A top plan view of the outer sleeve  80  is shown in FIG.  7 . 
   In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the conduit member  40  includes the first and the second air tubes  60 ,  61 , the fluid tube  50  and the end cap  70 . In this particular embodiment, the air tubes  60 , 61  form discrete channels that are separate from the fluid tube  50 . Alternatively, a single air tube can be utilized. A tip portion  41  of the conduit member  40  is exposed when the outer sleeve  80  is slid to either the first (See  FIG. 2B ) or the second (See  FIG. 2C ) open position. Referring to  FIG. 1 , in the tip portion  41  of the conduit member  40 , the fluid tube  50  diffuses to form a fluid discharge opening  51  adjacent the end cap  70 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a first air vent aperture  170  is in the tip portion  41  of the conduit member  40  and communicates with the first air tube  60 . The first air vent aperture  170  is transverse to the first air tube  60  and has the same diameter as the first air tube  60 . A second air vent aperture  180  is also located in the tip portion  41  of the conduit member  40  and communicates with the second air tube  61 . The second air vent aperture  180  is transverse to the second air tube  61  and has the same diameter as the second air tube  61 . 
   When the outer sleeve  80  is slid to the first open position (See FIGS.  2 B and  3 A), the end cap  70  and the second hollow tube portion  84  of the outer sleeve  80  no longer form a seal preventing fluid from flowing through the pour spout  10 . Instead, the second air vent aperture  180  and the fluid discharge opening  51  of the conduit member  40  are exposed to the ambient atmosphere (i.e., within the vessel). Air flows from the air vent aperture  180  through the second air tube  61  allowing fluid to flow from the container through the fluid tube  50  and out the fluid discharge opening  51  as a result of a pressure differential between the atmosphere and the pressure developed in the container. This venting means also allows for an even air to fluid volume displacement resulting in an even rate of fluid flow. 
   When the outer sleeve  80  is slid to the second open position (See FIGS.  2 C and  3 B), the first and second air vent apertures  170 ,  180  and the fluid discharge opening  51  are exposed to the ambient atmosphere. Air flows from air vent apertures  170 ,  180  through air tubes  60 ,  61  allowing fluid to flow from the container through the fluid tube  50  and out the fluid discharge opening  51 . Because the pressure differential is greater when both air vent apertures are exposed, the fluid flow rate in the second open position of the pour spout  10  is greater than the fluid flow rate in the first open position of the pour spout  10 . 
   In a preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 10-13 , the conduit member  40  is constructed of two separate pieces for ease of manufacture: a fluid and air tube back channel  190  and an air tube cover  200 . Back channel  190  includes the fluid tube  50 , fluid discharge opening  51 , end cap  70 . A divider wall  191  runs from the end cap  70  to the opposite end of the back channel  190 . The divider wall  191  separates the fluid tube  50  from the air tubes  60 ,  61 . However, in the preferred embodiment, a portion of the diameter of air tubes  60 ,  61  are formed in the divider wall  191 . The portions of the air tubes  60 ,  61  formed in the divider wall  191  are designated  60 ′,  61 ′ in  FIGS. 10-11 . In addition, the back channel  191  has a plurality of slots  193  and recessed grooves  194  for receiving tabs  201  and catches  202  from the air tube cover  200 . The remaining portions of the air tubes  60 ,  61  are formed in the air tube cover  200  and are designated  60 ″,  61 ″ in FIG.  13 . The air tube cover  200  includes the air vent apertures  170 ,  180 . The air vent apertures  170 ,  180  are transverse to and intersect the semi-formed air tubes  60 ″, 61 ″. When assembled, the tabs  201  and catches  201  are inserted in the slots and snap fitted into the recessed grooves  194 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the assembled two-piece conduit member  40 . 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . In this embodiment, there is only a single air tube  60  in the conduit member  40 . As a result there is also only a single air vent aperture  170 . The diameter of the air vent aperture  170  is the same as the air tube  60 . With reference specifically to  FIG. 15 , when the outer sleeve  80  is slid into the first open position, a first portion of the air vent aperture  170  is exposed. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the entire air vent aperture  170  is exposed in the second open position. Alternatively, a greater portion of the air vent aperture  170  may be exposed in the second position compared to that of the first position. In all other respects, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 14-16  is the same as the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-13  and discussed above. 
   In yet another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 17 , there is a single air tube  60  in the conduit member  40 . However, rather than having a single air vent aperture  170 , there are first and second air vent apertures  170 ,  180  which communicate with the single air tube  60 . The first and second air vent apertures  170 ,  180  are transverse to, and have the same diameter as, the air tube  60 . In the first open position, only the first air vent aperture  170  is exposed. In the second open position, the first and second air vent apertures  170 , 180  are exposed. Alternatively, in each of the positions, only a portion of the air vent apertures  170 ,  180  are exposed. In all other respects, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 14-16  is the same as the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-13  and discussed above. 
   It should be noted that for all of the embodiments described, when an air vent aperture is exposed in a particular indexed position of the outer sleeve  80 , it may be partially covered by the outer sleeve  80 . The resulting partial exposure of an air vent aperture regulates the intake of air through the associated air tube(s), thereby governing the flow rate. By changing the amount in which the air vent aperture is exposed, pour spout designs having various multiple flow rate positions can be achieved. Thus, for certain flow rates, a given air vent aperture may not be fully exposed to the ambient atmosphere. 
   It should also be noted that the indexed positioning of the outer sleeve can be achieved through means other than a slot and protrusion combination. For example, a series of detents can be provided on either the outer surface of the inner sleeve or the inner surface of the outer sleeve that coact with a corresponding protrusion on an opposing surface. Such an arrangement would be within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the mechanical arts. 
   Adapter 
   Referring to  FIGS. 18-21 , an adapter  300  for the pour spout  10  is provided. The adapter  300  comprises a cylindrically-shaped shroud portion  302  having a distal end  304  and defining an interior space  306 . The shroud portion  302  is adapted to removably attach to the outer sleeve  80  of the pour spout  10  such that the outer sleeve  80  is disposed within the interior space  306  of the shroud portion  302  and the adapter  300  is moveable therewith. The adapter  300  includes a pocket  307  that removably engages the shoulder  100  of the outer sleeve  80 . 
   A tip portion  308  is disposed at the distal end  304  of the shroud portion  302 . The tip portion  308  includes a shoulder surface  310  and a fluid opening  312 . The tip portion  308  has a tip diameter dimension less than a diameter dimension defined by the cylindrically-shaped shroud portion  302 . The tip portion  308  is adapted to be insertable into a vessel receptacle (not shown) such that when the shoulder surface  310  is urged against a surface of the vessel, the outer sleeve  80  moves to the flow position to allow fluid to flow through the fluid opening  312  of the tip portion  308  of the adapter  300  and into the vessel. 
   The adapter  300  allows the pour spout  10  to cooperate with different vessels having various sizes and shapes of openings without requiring an additional pour spout. Merely by way of example, the State of California Air Resources Board requires a pour spout diameter of 1 inch. A standard fuel tank receptacle of an automobile, however, has an opening diameter of ¾ inch. The adapter  300  would allow the pour spout  10  to be utilized in connection with a fuel tank receptacle of an automobile. 
   It is contemplated that several adapters can also be provided, each having a corresponding flow rate defined by the tip portion  308  and fluid opening  312 , which would allow for changing the pour spout flow rate by changing the adapter affixed thereto. This is accomplished by varying the dimensions between the pour spout  10  and the adapter  300 , such as varying the clearance between the tip  70  and the tip portion  308 , the shoulder surface  310 , and/or fluid opening  312 . 
   From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.