Abstract:
A system for draining fluid comprises a drain adapter configured for attachment to a first fluid container, an actuator that is removably attachable to the drain adapter and a second fluid container. The drain adapter has a closed position, in which fluid is prevented from draining from the first fluid container, and an open position, in which the fluid is allowed to drain from the first fluid container. The drain adapter is self-biased to the closed position. Attachment of the actuator to the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to be in the open position and removal of the actuator from the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to return to the closed position. The second fluid container is removably attachable to the drain adapter and contains fluid drained from the first fluid container when the drain adapter is in the open position.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/842,461, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FILED OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for draining and containing a fluid.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Engines and many other types of machines include various fluids (e.g., water, coolants, lubricants, gear oil, motor oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, etc.) that require periodic draining and replacement. Draining the fluids typically includes removing a drain plug in the system containing the fluid and allowing the fluid to drain into a first container, typically a large pan, that is placed below the open drain hole.  
         [0004]     During the draining process the fluid often is spilled, dripped and splashed on the floor or ground below, on the equipment and on the person draining the fluid. Such spills require cleaning and disposal of the residue. Further, the fluid must be properly disposed of/recycled to increase safety, reduce pollution and conserve resources. Properly disposing of the fluid typically requires the drained fluid to be poured from the first container into a second container for transport to the appropriate disposal/recycling location.  
         [0005]     In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a system for more easily and neatly draining the fluids that can also contain the fluids and reduce or substantially eliminate splashing, spilling, dripping of the fluid.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a system for and a method of draining fluid. In an embodiment, the system comprises a drain adapter configured for attachment to a first fluid container, an actuator that is removably attachable to the drain adapter and a second fluid container. The drain adapter has a closed position, in which fluid is prevented from draining from the first fluid container, and an open position, in which the fluid is allowed to drain from the first fluid container. The drain adapter is self-biased to the closed position. Attachment of the actuator to the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to be in the open position and removal of the actuator from the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to return to the closed position. The second fluid container is removably attachable to the drain adapter and contains fluid drained from the first fluid container when the drain adapter is in the open position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The present invention is described with respect to particular exemplary embodiments thereof and reference is accordingly made to the drawings in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a pictorial view of a fluid draining system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the fluid drawing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  shows the fluid draining system separated into three parts, including a handle, a fluid container and a drain adapter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a cut-away view of the fluid draining system separated into the three parts in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  shows the fluid draining system with the handle attached to the fluid container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a pictorial view of the fluid draining system with the handle being attached to the fluid container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart diagram that illustrates method operations performed in using the oil draining system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  shows a pictorial view of a fluid draining system having a non-coil spring retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of a spring retainer and valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  shows a bottom view of a spring retainer and a valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  shows a cut-away view of the fluid draining system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]     FIGS.  12 A-B show cut-away views of a valve and valve collar of the fluid draining system in closed and open positions, respectively, accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 13  shows a cut-away view of a fluid container valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a fluid draining system  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  100  includes a drain adapter  102 , a handle  104  and a fluid container  106 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the system  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The adapter  102  includes a fluid valve assembly including a valve  108  and a valve collar  110  having a valve seat  112  at its top portion. The valve collar  110  may be threaded so that it can be attached to machinery by being threaded into a threaded receptacle for an original drain plug (not shown). The valve  108  is shown in  FIG. 2  in an open position. In a closed position, the valve  108  contacts the valve seat  112 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows the system  100  separated into the three parts: the drain adapter  102 ; the handle  104 ; and the fluid container  106 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , the adapter  102  is shown connected to a fluid container  114  of piece of machinery  116  in place of the drain plug (not shown) that was previously part of the machinery  116 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows a cut-away view of the system  100  separated into the three parts: the drain adapter  102 ; the handle  104 ; and the fluid container  106 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  also shows various cutaway details of the adapter  102 , the handle  104  and the fluid container  106 . Referring to the adapter  102 , the valve  108  is shown in the closed position with the valve substantially sealed to the valve seat  112  of the valve collar  110 . The valve assembly can also include a coil spring  118  that biases the valve into the closed position. The adapter  102  also includes an opening  120  into which a valve actuator  122  can enter. The actuator  122  is coupled to the handle  104  and may include a wedge portion which slides against the valve  108  to push the valve  108  open when the actuator  122  is inserted into the opening  120 .  
         [0025]     It will be apparent that the wedge portion of the actuator  122  generates a mechanical advantage by converting the force applied by a person sliding the actuator  122  into the drain adapter  102  into a valve-opening force. It will be apparent that another means of generating a mechanical advantage may be used in conjunction with sliding the actuator  122  into the drain adapter  102 . For example, a lever or gearset may be utilized to actuate the valve  108 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows the fluid draining system with the handle attached to the fluid container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , as the wedge portion of the actuator  122  enters the opening  120 , the wedge catches a lower end  124  of the valve  108  and forces the valve upward against the tension of the spring  118 . Thus, the actuator  112  pushes the valve  108  in a direction into the fluid container  114  to open the valve  108 . A valve stem  126  extends from the valve  108 , though the valve collar  110  and is connected to the lower end  124  of the valve.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  shows a pictorial view of the fluid draining system  100  with the handle  104  being attached to the fluid container  106  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , a fluid container assembly includes the fluid container  106  and a fluid container collar  128  coupled to the fluid container  106 . The fluid container  106  is secured to the handle  104  by a locking mechanism. The fluid container collar  128  includes a first portion  130  of the locking mechanism. Correspondingly, a second portion  132  of the locking system that can intermesh with the first portion  130  of the locking mechanism is coupled to the handle  104 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first portion  130  and the second portion  132  of the locking mechanism are secured to each other by inserting the second portion  130  into the first portion and rotating them 90 degrees with respect to each other. It should be understood that any type of locking mechanism could be used (e.g., threaded, friction, o-ringed, with a locking pin, or any other suitable system).  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a residue remover  134  can also be coupled to the handle  104 . The residue remover  134  removes fluid residue from the valve assembly of the drain adapter  102  as the handle is removed from the drain adapter  102 . By way of example, the residue remover  134  can be an absorbent pad or a squeegee having a flexible edge that wipes the reside or other system to substantially remove fluid residue from the adapter  102  so as to inhibit dripping of the fluid after the actuator  122  is removed from the adapter  102 .  
         [0029]     When the actuator  122  is inserted into the adapter  102  and the valve assembly of the adapter  102  is in the open position, fluid drains from the machinery  116  and into the fluid container  106  via an opening  136  in the collar  128 . The handle  104  may also include an opening  138  through which the fluid passes. The collar  128  can also include a valve  140  that automatically closes the opening  136  in the collar  128  when the handle  104  is not connected to the fluid container  106 . The valve  140  can thereby minimize fluid spillage from the fluid container  106  after the fluid has been drained into the fluid container  106 . Alternatively or additionally, a removable cap (not shown) can be used to close the opening  136 .  
         [0030]     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the drain adapter  102  can include an outer sleeve  142  and an inner housing  144 . The sleeve  142  is slidable with respect to the inner housing  144 . The valve collar  110  is attached to the inner housing  114  so that the valve  108  and valve assembly are also attached to the inner housing  144 . The coil spring  124  may be contained within the inner housing  144 . The opening  120  may be formed in the inner housing  144 . The inner housing  144  may include an opening  146  through which the fluid drains when the valve  108  is opened. When the fluid is not being drained, the outer sleeve covers the opening  146  and protects the valve assembly from damage which might be caused by debris entering the opening  146 . In this closed position, the drain adapter  102  is substantially the shape of a rectangular box. Both the outer sleeve  142  and the inner housing  144  can have a rectangular cross section. In addition, the opening  120  and the actuator  120  can have a rectangular cross section.  
         [0031]     In a preferred embodiment, when the actuator  122  is inserted into the opening  120  of the inner housing  144 , the assembled handle  104  and fluid container  106  push against the outer sleeve  142  which causes the outer sleeve  142  to slide back, exposing the opening  146 . When the actuator  122  is removed, the outer sleeve  142  may automatically slide back into the closed position. For example, a spring may be attached to the outer sleeve  142  and the inner housing  144  to bias the outer sleeve  142  to this closed position. Alternatively, the outer sleeve  142  may be slid back and forth manually. For example, when the fluid is to be drained, the person draining the fluid may first slide the outer sleeve  142  back and, then, once the fluid has been drained, the person may slide the outer sleeve  142  to the closed position.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart diagram that illustrates method operations performed in using the system  100  for draining fluid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an operation  705 , the drain adapter  102  is installed to a piece of machinery  116 . More particularly, a threaded drain plug of a fluid container  114  of the machinery  116  may be removed and the adapter  102  may be attached to the machinery  114  by the threaded portion of the collar  110  being installed in place of the drain plug.  
         [0033]     To drain the fluid in the machinery  116 , the fluid container  106  may be secured to the handle  104  in an operation  710 . The fluid container  106 , the handle  104  and the actuator  122  are thus assembled as a single unit. In an operation  715 , the actuator  122  is inserted into the adapter  102 . This may be accomplished by a person taking a hold of the handle  104 , inserting the actuator  122  into the opening  120  of the drain adapter  102  and moving (i.e. sliding) the actuator  122  into position.  
         [0034]     As the actuator  122  is inserted fully into the adapter  102 , the valve  108  is opened and the fluid is allowed to drain from the machinery  116  into the fluid container  106  in an operation  720 . The assembled handle  104  and fluid container  106  are thus attached to the drain adapter  102  while the fluid is drained. The fluid can drain through the opening  140  in the handle  104  and the opening  136  in the collar  130 .  
         [0035]     When the fluid is drained into the fluid container  106 , the actuator  122  is removed from the adapter  102  in an operation  725 . This may be accomplished by pulling the handle  104 . The valve  108  then closes under tension of the spring  118 .  
         [0036]     In an operation  730 , the fluid container  106  can be removed from the handle  104 .  
         [0037]     The drain adapter  102  can remain attached to the machinery  116  upon completion of the method. Therefore, once the drain adapter  102  has been installed, the fluid can be drained easily and conveniently without the use of mechanic&#39;s tools, such as a wrench, and without having to manipulate a threaded fastener.  
         [0038]     The fluid container  106  can be sufficiently large to accommodate at least the volume of fluid to be drained. Alternatively, if the volume of fluid to be drained is larger than the largest size fluid container  106  available, then the actuator  122  can be removed from the adapter  102  when the fluid container  106  is nearly filled to capacity. Another fluid container can be attached to the handle  104  and the process repeated until the desired volume of fluid is drained from the machinery  114 .  
         [0039]     The fluid-filled fluid container  106  can be used as the container to deliver the fluid for disposal/recycling. The fluid container  106  can be made from any suitable material that is compatible with the fluid to be drained. The fluid container  106  can be a bag formed from a flexible material such as polyethylene so that the fluid container can fit into tight spaces. For example, there may be insufficient vertical clearance for the fluid container  106  to hang down from the handle  104 .  
         [0040]     The adapter  102 , the handle  104  and the various components thereof can be formed from any suitable materials compatible with the environment, the desired wear and tear characteristics and compatible with the fluids. For example, the handle  104  and the fluid container collar  128  are preferably formed of plastic. However, because the drain adapter  102  may be left attached to the machinery  116  during normal operation of the machinery  116 , the drain adapter  102  is preferably formed primarily of metal, such as steel.  
         [0041]     In an embodiment, the machinery  116  is an automobile and the fluid is oil used to lubricate an internal combustion engine of the automobile. In this case, the drain adapter  102  is attached to an oil pan of the automobile. For such an application, the profile of the drain adapter  102  is preferably minimized so as to provide clearance between the drain adapter  102  and other elements of the automobile and between the drain adapter  102  and the roadway. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the outer sleeve  142  of the drain adapter  102  is approximately  16  mm or less.  
         [0042]     As described above, the valve assembly of the drain adapter  102  comprises the coil spring  118  that biases the valve  108  into contact with the valve seat  124  to close the valve. The valve  108  is opened by the actuator  122  separating the valve  108  from the valve seat  124  by pushing the valve  108  into the fluid container  114  of the machinery  116 .  
         [0043]     In an alternative embodiment, the valve assembly comprises a non-coiled spring retainer that biases a valve into contact with a valve seat to close the valve. In this embodiment, the valve is opened by the actuator separating the valve from the valve seat by pushing the valve in a direction away from the fluid container of the machinery.  
         [0044]      FIG. 8  shows a pictorial view of a fluid draining system  100 ′ in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Elements of the system  100 ′ that correspond to those of the system  100  are given like reference numerals. The system  100 ′ includes the same elements and functions in the same way as the system  100  with the exception of differences discussed below. As before, the system  100 ′ includes a drain adapter  102 , a handle  104 , and a fluid container  106 . And, a valve actuator  122  coupled to the handle  104  opens a valve assembly of the drain adapter  102  when the actuator  122  is inserted into an opening  120  in the drain adapter  102 . However, rather than a coil spring  118  as in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6 , a non-coiled spring retainer  148  is provided in this embodiment.  
         [0045]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the spring retainer  148  and a valve  150 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the valve  150  is attached to a valve frame member  152 . The valve frame member  152  is supported at each end by the spring retainer  148 , with a first spring retainer portion  148 A supporting one end of the frame member  152  and a second spring retainer portion  148 B supporting the other end of the frame member  152 . The first and second spring retainer portions  148 A and  148 B have a substantial bows shape when relieved of tension.  
         [0046]      FIG. 10  shows a bottom view of the spring retainer  148  and the valve  150  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the spring retainer portions  148 A and  148 B may each include openings  154 . In this case, the frame member  152  includes posts  156  that fit into the openings  154  to prevent the frame member  152  from slipping off of the spring retainer  148 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 11  shows a cut-away view of the fluid draining system  100 ′ in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 11 , a threaded portion of a valve collar  158  is attached to a fluid container  114  of machinery  116 . In addition, the actuator  122  is inserted into the drain adapter  102  and the outer sleeve  142  is slid back from the valve assembly which is attached to the inner housing  144 . As is also shown in  FIG. 11 , the valve  150  is pushed down against the tension of the spring retainer  148  and in a direction away from the fluid container  114 . The valve  150  is, therefore, opened which allows fluid from drain from the container  114  of the machinery  114  to the fluid container  106 .  
         [0048]     The actuator  122  includes wedge portions, each of which slides against the ends of the valve frame  152  to apply tension to each of the spring retainer portions  148 A and  148 B. The application of tension tends to flatten the bow shape of the spring retainer portions  148 A and  148 B, thus, pulling the valve  150  open.  
         [0049]     FIGS.  12 A-B show cut-away views of a valve assembly including the valve  150  and the valve collar  158  of the fluid draining system  100 ′ in closed and open positions, respectively, accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly,  FIG. 12A  shows the valve  150  in a closed position in which the valve  150  is substantially sealed against a valve seat  160  of the collar  158 . The valve  150  is biased in the closed position by the spring retainer  148 . The collar  158  may include a cylindrical guide channel  162  into which a cylindrical guide  164  extends. The guide  164  is coupled to the valve  150  and tends to keep the valve  150  aligned with the valve seat  160  while the valve  150  is being opened and closed. The valve seat  160  may include a rubber or rubber-like gasket or over-mold to improve the quality of the seal between the valve  150  and the valve seat  160  when the valve  150  is closed. In an embodiment, the gasket is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that is both heat and oil resistant.  
         [0050]      FIG. 12B  shows the valve  150  in an open position in which the valve  150  is pushed away from the valve seat  160 . In this position, fluid is allowed to drain from the machinery  116 , as shown by the arrows. Also, in the open position, the guide  164  is partially extracted from the guide channel  162 . Referring again to  FIG. 9 , the fluid may travel through passages  166  provided in the valve frame member  152 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 13  shows a cut-away view of a valve assembly for the fluid container  106  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the valve assembly includes an upper valve portion  168  and a lower valve portion  170 , each having openings (e.g. four). The handle  104  may be attached to the fluid container  106  by the locking mechanism  130 ,  132  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . In addition, rotation of the handle  104  during attachment to the fluid container  106  causes the openings in the upper valve portion  168  and the lower valve portion  170  to become aligned which opens the valve assembly by forming fluid passages  170 . Conversely, rotation of the handle  104  in the opposite direction during removal of the fluid container  106  from the handle  104  causes the openings to be out of alignment, thereby closing the passages  170  and closing the valve assembly.  
         [0052]     When the valve  150  of the drain adapter  102  is opened, its lower surface may contact an upper surface  174  of the collar  128 . In an embodiment, the upper surface  174  comprises a rubber or rubber-like gasket or over-mold to improve the quality of the seal between the valve  150  and the collar  128  when the valve  150  is opened. In an embodiment, the gasket is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that is both heat and oil resistant.  
         [0053]     Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the described embodiments.