Patent Publication Number: US-9415994-B2

Title: Fuel container and methods

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/238,376 filed on 21 Sep. 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,835, issued 16 Dec. 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated, in its entirety, by this reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to fuel containers, and more particularly relates to portable fuel containers, features for dispensing the contents of a fuel container, and related methods of operating a fuel container to dispense the contents of the fuel container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable containers for transporting liquid fuel such as gasoline provide a convenient way of replenishing expended fuels in devices that require periodic fueling (e.g., lawnmowers, vehicles, generators, etc.). Portable liquid fuel containers (e.g., gas cans) are commonly made of plastic and include a removable nozzle that connects to a fill opening of the container. The gas can is usually tipped to pour the fuel out of the nozzle. An air inlet is sometimes provided along the top side of the gas can to equalize pressure within the gas can for improved outflow of fuel through the nozzle. 
     Controlling the flow rate and the amount of fuel dispensed from the gas can be difficult, and is highly dependent on the tilt angle of the gas can, the amount of fuel contained in the gas can, a size of the nozzle opening, and the rate of air flow into the gas can during dispensing. As a result of these many variables, the vehicle or equipment being filled by the gas may be overfilled. Once fluid flow is set in motion, excess fluid readily collects and moves through the nozzle. Consequently, a rapid movement of the gas can to a non-dispensing position to stop the fluid flow sometimes fails to correct an overfill. Fluid overflows are hazardous, wasteful and may damage the environment and equipment upon which the fluid spills. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fuel container that includes a container, a spout, an outlet valve, an air intake valve, and an actuator. The container has a top end portion and a bottom end portion, and defines a hollow interior. The spout is coupled to the container at the bottom end portion of the container. The outlet valve is positioned at the bottom end portion and operable to control fluid flow into the spout. The air intake valve is positioned at the top end portion of the container. The actuator is operable to open both the outlet valve and the air intake valve. 
     The actuator may be operable to concurrently open the outlet valve and the air intake valve. The outlet valve may include a stopper plug that moves between a first position sealing closed a fluid path between the hollow interior and the spout, and a second position permitting fluid flow between the hollow interior and the spout. The spout may be rotatable from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the container. The container may also include a fluid channel position in the hollow interior and coupled in fluid communication with the spout. The outlet valve may control fluid flow into the fluid channel. 
     The container may also include a flow valve rod coupled between the air intake valve and the outlet valve. Operation of the air intake valve with the actuator moves the flow valve rod to operate the outlet valve. At least one of the air intake valve and the outlet valve may be mounted directly to the flow valve rod. The flow valve rod may be positioned within the hollow interior. The outlet valve may be biased into a closed position. The container may include a handle portion positioned at the top end portion of the container, and the actuator is operable at a location adjacent to the handle portion. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fuel storage device that includes a container, an air intake valve, an air outlet valve, and a flow valve rod. The air intake valve is coupled in fluid communication with a source of air and operable to control air flow into the container. The outlet valve is in fluid communication with a volume of fluid carried in the container and operable to control fluid flow out of the container. The flow valve rod is connected to the air intake valve and the outlet valve. Operating the flow valve rod concurrently operates the air intake valve and the outlet valve. 
     The fuel storage device may also include an actuator connected to the air intake valve, wherein operating the actuator to open and close the air intake valve causes the flow valve rod to open and close the outlet valve. The fuel storage device may also include a spout coupled in fluid communication with the outlet valve. A spout valve may be positioned between the outlet valve and the spout. The spout valve may be operable between open and closed positions as the spout is moved between a dispense position and a stowed position. The outlet valve may be positioned at a bottom end portion of the container and the air intake valve may be positioned at a top end portion of the container. The air intake valve, the flow valve rod and the outlet valve may be positioned within the container. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of operating a fuel container assembly. The method includes providing an air intake valve, an outlet valve, a valve actuator, and a container configured to hold a volume of fuel. The method includes opening the air intake valve with the actuator to provide a supply of air into the container, and opening the outlet valve with the actuator to permit exit of the volume of fuel from the container. 
     Opening the air intake valve and the outlet valve may occur concurrently. The method may also include providing a spout coupled in fluid communication with the outlet opening, wherein the spout is connected to the container at a bottom end portion of the container and is pivotal relative to the container. The method may also include providing a spout valve positioned between the outlet opening and an outlet opening of the spout, wherein the spout valve is operable between open and closed positions as the spouts pivots between a dispense position and a stowed position. 
     The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are mainly examples and do not limit the claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example fuel container device in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a right-side view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a left-side view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 2  taken along cross-section indicators  6 - 6 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 2  taken along cross-section indicators  7 - 7 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 2  taken along cross-section indicators  8 - 8 . 
         FIG. 9A  is a cross-sectional view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 3  taken along cross-section indicators  9 - 9  with inlet and outlet valves in a closed position. 
         FIG. 9B  shows the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9A  with inlet and outlet valves in an open position. 
         FIG. 9C  shows the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9B  with fuel container device tipped forward to assist in dispensing. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an example fuel container device in accordance with the present disclosure with a spout in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 10  with the spout in a dispense position. 
         FIG. 12  is a right-side view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 12  taken along cross-section indicators  15 - 15 . 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the fuel container device of  FIG. 13  taken along cross-section indicators  16 - 16 . 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  are cross-sectional views showing operation of the fuel container device of  FIG. 10  between open and closed positions to control dispensing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a fuel container and related methods of operating a fuel container. The fuel containers disclosed herein are typically handheld, portable containers often referred to as gas cans. Although the example fuel containers disclosed herein are of the type that may be moved and carried by a single user, the principals disclosed herein may be applicable to other types of containers, such as containers that are much larger and intended to remain stationary, or containers intended to hold other types of fluids besides liquid fuel. 
     Dispensing fuel from a fuel container typically requires some control of fluid flow (e.g., the flow of liquid fuel) out of the container and some control of air intake into the container that helps maintain a pressure condition that permits the dispensing of the fluid contained in the fuel container. The example fuel containers disclosed herein may provide control of the fluid dispensing and air intake in a convenient, simple, and easy-to-use manner. In one example, the fluid dispensing and air intake are controlled by separate valve members that are operable with a single actuator. The actuator, when operated, may concurrently open and close both a fluid output valve and an air intake valve. Typically, the air intake valve is positioned at a top end of the container above a fluid (e.g., liquid) level within the fuel container, and the fluid outlet valve is positioned at a bottom end of the fuel container to have maximum exposure to the fluid held in the fuel container. 
     The example fuel containers disclosed herein may also include an outlet spout. The outlet spout may be coupled in fluid communication with the fluid outlet valve. The spout may be movable between a dispense position and a stowed position. A spout valve may be positioned in a flow channel between the spout and the fluid outlet valve. The spout valve may be operable between open and closed positions as the spout is moved between dispense and stowed positions. The spout valve may provide additional control of fluid flow out of the fuel container (e.g., prevent fluid flow out of the spout until the spout is moved into the dispense position). 
     The fuel container may include a housing or container structure to which the actuator, air intake valve, fluid outlet valve, spout, and other features are mounted to or carried by. The container may be configured to hold the spout in a stowed position. The container may also include a handle to improve ease in handling or carrying the fuel container device. The container may also include a fill opening and associated cap used to fill the fuel container. The actuator, air intake valve, fluid outlet valve, spout, and spout valve may be positioned and operable separate from the fill opening. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-9C , an example fuel container device  10  is shown and described. The fuel container device  10  includes a container  12 , an air intake valve  14  (see  FIGS. 5-9C ), an outlet valve  16  (see  FIGS. 5-9C ), a flow valve rod assembly  18  (see  FIGS. 5-9C ), a spout  20 , and an actuator assembly  22  (see  FIGS. 1 and 5-6 ). The air intake valve  14 , outlet valve  16  and flow valve rod assembly  18  are positioned within the container  12 . 
     The actuator assembly  22  is accessible on an exterior of the container  12 , such as, for example, at a top end of the container  12  adjacent to a handle of the container. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly  22  is positioned for operation by a user, for example, using the user&#39;s thumb of one hand while the fingers of that same hand are grasping the handle feature of the container  12 . This one hand operation capability for operating the actuator assembly  22  may permit the user to perform other functions with an opposite hand such as, for example, directing a position of the spout  20  or preparing a separate container to be filled with fuel from the fuel container device  10 .  FIGS. 9A and 9B  show operation of the actuator assembly to open and close the air intake valve  14  and outlet valve  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 5 and 8 , the container  12  includes a top end  30 , a bottom end  32 , a front side  34 , and a hollow interior  36 . The interior of the container  12  includes an internal front surface  38 , an internal bottom surface  40 , and an internal top surface  42 . The air intake valve  14  is typically positioned at the top end  30  along the internal top surface  42 . The outlet valve  16  is typically positioned at the bottom end  32  adjacent to the internal bottom surface  40  and adjacent to the internal front surface  38 . The flow valve rod assembly  18  is typically positioned adjacent to the internal front surface  38  within the hollow interior  36 . 
     The container  12  may also include a handle portion  44 , a cap  48  that provides access to a fill opening  46  (see  FIG. 5 ), a flow opening  50 , a spout recess  52 , and an outlet valve recess  53 . The flow opening  50  may be arranged and configured to permit the flow valve rod assembly  18  to pass therethrough (see  FIG. 6 ) and provide a flow path for the contents of the container  12  to be exposed to the outlet valve  16 .  FIGS. 9A and 9B  shows a content level L in the container  12  that is exposed to the outlet valve  16  through the flow opening  50 . By tilting the container  12  forward as shown in  FIG. 9C , the contents of the container  12  (shown by level L) may continue to be exposed to the outlet valve  16  to drain substantially all of the contents out of the container  12 . 
     The spout recess  52  may include a connector portion  58  and be configured to retain the spout  20  in a stowed position (see  FIG. 1 ). In some arrangements, the spout recess  52  is defined in a vertical corner portion of the container  12  rather than being spaced from the vertical corners as shown in the figures. 
     The container  12  may have many different shapes and sizes such as, for example, a cylindrical shape with a generally circular or oval cross-section, or a generally cubicle shape such as the design of  FIGS. 1-9C . The handle portion  44  may be positioned at various locations on the container, such as along a rear side of the container  12 . Alternatively, multiple handle portions may be positioned on the container  12  to improve ease of handling the fuel container device  10  during use and storage. One advantage related to the example fuel container devices disclosed herein is that the container  12  does not need to be tipped forward during dispensing of the contents of the container. The valves of the fuel container device  10  control fluid flow rather than a tipping action that directs fluid through a spout that is positioned, for example, at a top end of the container and is exposed to fluid only upon tipping of the container. Dispensing fuel may occur by holding fuel container device  10  in an upright position, manipulating the spout  20  into a desired dispense position, and operating the actuator assembly  22  to control the fluid flow out of the container  12  through the spout  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the air intake valve  14  includes an intake valve opening  62 , an inlet plug  64 , and an actuator connector  66 . The intake valve opening  62  may be defined in the container  12 . The intake valve opening  62  may be defined at, for example, the top end  30  near the front side  34  of the container  12 . 
     The inlet plug  64  may be configured to move into and out of contact with a tapered side surface  68  leading to the intake valve opening  62 . The inlet plug  64  may have a generally cylindrical construction with a circular cross-section. The inlet plug  64  may include a plurality of sealing surfaces such as, for example, a plurality of o-ring type structures that contact the tapered side surface  68  to seal closed the intake valve opening  62 . The inlet plug  64  may be connected to and carried by the actuator connector  66 . The actuator connector  66  may extend vertically to provide a connection with the actuator assembly  22 . Moving the actuator connector  66  vertically up and down may move the inlet plug  64  into and out of contact with the tapered side surface  68  to control air flow through the intake valve opening  62 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-9C , the outlet valve  16  includes an outlet valve opening  74 , a tapered surface or seat  75  leading to the outlet valve opening  74 , an outlet plug  76 , a screen  77 , a seal member  78 , a housing  79   a,b , and a rod connector  80 . The outlet plug  76  is movable relative to the tapered surface  75  to open or seal closed the outlet valve opening  74 . The outlet valve opening  74  and tapered surfaced  75  are defined in the housing  79   a,b . The housing  79   a,b  may define, at least in part, a flow channel  54 . The screen  77  may limit the flow of solid particles held in the container  12  through the outlet valve opening  74 . The screen  77  may include different types of materials and structures such as, for example, filter material in the form of cloth or fibrous material, or metal material such as a stainless steel screen. The seal member  78  may also provide a screening function and may comprise a screen material. The seal member  78  may interface with the flow valve rod assembly  18 , for example, by providing a sealing interface with a portion of the flow valve rod assembly  18 . The rod connector  80  may be used to connect the outlet plug  76  to the flow valve rod assembly  18 . 
     Operating the outlet valve  16  may include moving the outlet plug  76  into and out of contact with the tapered surface  75  to control fluid flow through the outlet valve opening  74 . In one example, the outlet plug  76  is moved vertically into and out of contact with the tapered surface  75 . The outlet plug  76  may have a generally cylindrical construction with a circular cross-section. The outlet plug  76  may include a plurality of o-ring type structures. The outlet plug  76  may provide a plurality of sealing surfaces that contact the tapered surface  75  to seal closed the outlet valve opening  74 . The outlet valve  16  may be operable by moving the flow valve rod assembly  18 . 
     A valve seat  60  may be positioned within the flow channel  54  and sized to receive and interface with the flow channel valve  56  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The valve seat  60  may be a separate piece that interfaces with the flow channel valve  56 , or may be integrally formed with other features such as portion of a housing  79   a,b  of the outlet valve  16  (see  FIGS. 5-6 ). 
     The spout  20  may extend into the housing  79   a,b  through a spout opening  57 . The flow channel valve  56  may cooperate with the spout  20  to control fluid flow through the flow channel  54  and into the spout  20 . The flow channel valve  56  may be operable between a closed position and an open position upon rotation of the spout  20  between the stowed position within the spout recess  52  and a dispense position rotated out of the spout recess  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). The flow channel valve  56  may be referred to as a spout valve, a second fluid control valve, or a safety valve. The flow channel valve  56  may provide a secondary control of fluid flow out of the container  12 . The flow channel valve  56  may limit flow until the spout  20  in a dispense position, even if the actuator assembly  22  is operated to open the air intake valve  14  and outlet valve  16 . The flow channel valve  56  may be carried on a portion of the spout  20  (e.g., the connector portion  92  as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The flow channel valve  56  may be a compression valve that interfaces with the valve seat  60  to open and close a flow path into the spout  20 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5-9C , the flow valve rod assembly  18  may include a rod  82  having a bottom end  88  and a top end  90 . The bottom end  88  may be connected to the outlet plug  76  with the rod connector  80 . The top end  90  may be connected to the inlet plug  64 , for example, via the actuator connector  66 . The flow valve rod assembly  18  may couple together the inlet plug  64  and outlet plug  76 . The flow valve rod assembly  18  may provide concurrent operation of the air intake valve  14  and outlet valve  16 . 
     In some arrangements, the flow valve rod assembly  18  may include multiple rod members, biasing members, and other features that assist in, for example, delivering a flow of air to a bottom end of the container  12 , biasing closed one or both of the intake valve opening  62  and outlet valve opening  74 , or providing a sequential movement of the inlet plug  64  and outlet plug  76  upon operation of the actuator assembly  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 , the spout  20  may include a connector portion  92  and an outlet portion  94 . The connector portion  92  may include an inlet end  96  that extends through the spout recess  52  and is in fluid communication with the flow channel  54  via the flow channel valve  56 . The connector portion  92  may define a pivot axis about which the outlet portion  94  pivots between stowed and dispense positions. The outlet portion  94  may include an outlet opening  98 . Fluid flowing from the container  12  may exit the fuel container device  10  through the outlet opening  98 . 
     The outlet portion  94  may include features that assist in retaining the spout  20  in a stowed position (e.g., a recess or protrusion that interfaces with the connector portion  58  of the spout recess  52 ). The outlet portion  94  may include a bendable portion or other feature that helps the user direct the outlet opening  98  into a desired dispense position when dispensing the contents of the container  12 . The connector portion  92  and outlet portion  94  may have a generally circular cross-section and tubular construction. The connector portion  92  and outlet portion  94  may be formed as a single, integral piece. Alternatively, the connector portion  92  and outlet portion  94  may be separately formed pieces that are assembled together in a separate step. 
     The flow channel valve  56  may be positioned within the connector portion  92  and may have portions that are positioned on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the connector portion  92 . The flow channel valve  56  may provide a sealed interface between the connector portion  92  and the housing  79   a,b.    
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the actuator assembly  22  includes a connector portion  104 , a pivot member  106 , and an actuation portion  108 . The actuation portion  108  is typically positioned adjacent to the handle portion  44 . The pivot member  106  provides a pivot connection to the container  12 . The pivot member  106  may include, for example, a pivot rod that extends into contact with a pivot surface (e.g., an aperture) of the container  12 . The connector portion  104  may be connected to the actuator connector  66  with a pivot member  102 . 
     Applying a force to the actuation portion  108  may pivot the actuator assembly  22  about the pivot member  106  to move the actuator connector  66  in an axial direction. Moving the actuator connector  66  in an axial direction may move the inlet plug  64  and outlet plug  76  in an axial direction to control flow through the intake valve opening  62  and outlet valve opening  74 , respectively. In some arrangements, the actuator assembly  22  is biased into a closed or sealed position. Applying a force to the actuation portion  108  sufficient to overcome the biasing forces may move the actuator connector  66  axially to open the intake valve opening  62  and outlet valve opening  74 . In some arrangements (not shown), the actuator assembly  22  may include first and second actuation portions, wherein a first actuation portion operates the air intake valve and outlet valves into an open position, and applying a force to the second actuation portion closes the air intake valve and outlet valve. 
     In other arrangements, separate actuator assemblies may be used to operate each of the air intake valve  14  and outlet valve  16 . The actuator assemblies may include actuators positioned at different locations on the container  12  that are spaced apart from each other. Alternatively, the actuator assemblies may include actuators that are positioned adjacent to each other for easy access and operation by an operator holding the handle portion  44  of the container  12 . 
     In a still further embodiment, a separate actuator assembly may be used to control the flow channel valve  56  rather than having the flow channel valve  56  operate automatically by rotating the spout between stowed and dispensed positions. The flow channel valve may be positioned within the flow channel to provide a safety or secondary flow control. This flow channel valve may be operable by an actuator assembly that is also accessible along, for example, a top end of the container adjacent to the handle portion  44 . In a further embodiment, a single actuator assembly may be used to operate all three of the air intake valve, outlet valve and flow channel valve either concurrently or in series or sequence. For example, an actuator assembly operated into a first position may open the air intake valve and outlet valve and operating the actuator assembly into a second position may operate the flow channel valve in a two-stage valving operation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-17B , another example fuel container device  100  is shown and described. The fuel container device  100  includes a container  112 , an air intake valve  114  (see  FIGS. 14-17B ), an outlet valve  116  (see  FIGS. 14-17B ), a flow valve rod assembly  118  (see  FIGS. 14-17B ), a spout  120 , and an actuator assembly  122  (see  FIGS. 10-16 ). The air intake valve  114 , outlet valve  116  and flow valve rod assembly  118  are positioned within the container  112 . 
     The actuator assembly  122  is accessible on an exterior of the container  112 , such as, for example, at a top end of the container  112  adjacent to a handle of the container. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly  122  is positioned for operation by a user, for example, using the user&#39;s thumb of one hand while the fingers of that same hand are grasping the handle feature of the container  112 . This one hand operation capability for operating the actuator assembly  122  may permit the user to perform other functions with an opposite hand such as, for example, directing a position of the spout  120  or preparing a separate container to be filled with fuel from the fuel container device  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10, 14 and 16 , the container  112  includes a top end  130 , a bottom end  132 , a front side  134 , and a hollow interior  136 . The interior of the container  112  shown in  FIG. 16  includes an internal front surface  138 , an internal bottom surface  140 , and an internal top surface  142 . The air intake valve  114  is typically positioned at the top end  30  along the internal top surface  142 . The outlet valve  116  is typically positioned at the bottom end  132  adjacent to the internal bottom surface  140  and adjacent to the internal front surface  138 . The flow valve rod assembly  118  is typically positioned adjacent to the internal front surface  138  within the hollow interior  136 . 
     The container  112  may also include a handle portion  144 , a cap  148  that provides access to a fill opening  146  (see  FIG. 16 ), an outlet opening  150  (see  FIG. 14 ), and a spout recess  152  (see  FIGS. 10-11 ). The outlet opening  150  may be arranged and configured to permit the spout  120  to pass therethrough (see  FIGS. 14-15 ). 
     The spout recess  152  may include a connector portion  158  (see  FIG. 11 ) and be configured to retain the spout  120  in a stowed position (see  FIG. 10 ). The spout recess  152  is defined in a vertical corner portion of the container  112  rather than being spaced from the vertical corners as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-8 . The connection portion  158  may provide an interference or snap-fit connection of the spout  120  in the upright, stowed position to help maintain the stowed position. 
     One advantage related to the example fuel container devices disclosed herein is that the container  112  does not need to be tipped forward during dispensing of the contents of the container. The valves of the fuel container device  110  control fluid flow rather than a tipping action that directs fluid through a spout that is positioned, for example, at a top end of the container (e.g., at the fill opening  146 ) and is exposed to fluid only upon tipping of the container. Dispensing fuel may occur by holding fuel container device  110  in an upright position, manipulating the spout  120  into a desired dispense position, and operating the actuator assembly  122  to control the fluid flow out of the container  112  through the spout  120 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-16 , the air intake valve  114  includes an intake valve opening  162 , an inlet plug  164 , and an actuator connector  166 . The intake valve opening  162  may be defined in the container  112 , for example, at the top end  130  near the front side  134  of the container  112 . 
     The inlet plug  164  may be configured to move into and out of contact with a tapered side surface  168  leading to the intake valve opening  162 . The inlet plug  164  may have a generally cylindrical construction with a circular cross-section. The inlet plug  164  may include a plurality of sealing surfaces such as, for example, a plurality of o-ring type structures that contact the tapered side surface  168  to seal closed the intake valve opening  162 . The inlet plug  164  may be connected to and carried by the actuator connector  166 . The actuator connector  166  may extend vertically to provide a connection with the actuator assembly  122 . Moving the actuator connector  166  vertically up and down may move the inlet plug  164  into and out of contact with the tapered side surface  168  to control air flow through the intake valve opening  162 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-17B , the outlet valve  116  includes a tapered surface or seat  175  (see  FIG. 14 ) leading to the outlet valve opening  174   a,b , an outlet plug  176 , at least one screen member  177 , a screen support  178   a,b , a housing  179   a,b , a rod connector  180 , a seal member  181 , and a biasing member  183 . The outlet plug  176  is movable relative to the tapered surface  175  to open or seal closed the outlet valve opening  174   a,b . The outlet valve opening  174   a,b  and tapered surfaced  175  are defined in the housing  179   a,b . The housing  179   a,b  may define, at least in part, a flow channel  154 . The screens  177  may limit the flow of solid particles held in the container  112  through the outlet valve opening  174   a,b . The screens  177  may include different types of materials and structures such as, for example, filter material in the form of cloth or fibrous material, or metal material such as a stainless steel screen. A connection feature  180   a  of the rod connector  180  may connect with a connection feature  189  of the flow valve rod assembly  118  to secure the outlet plug  176  to the flow valve rod assembly  118  (see  FIG. 14 ). The biasing member  183  may be used to bias the seal member  181  and outlet plug  176  into a closed or sealed position (see  FIGS. 15-16 ). 
     Operating the outlet valve  116  may include moving the outlet plug  176  into and out of contact with the tapered surface  175  to control fluid flow through the outlet valve opening  174   a,b . In one example, the outlet plug  176  is moved vertically into and out of contact with the tapered surface  175 . The outlet plug  176  may have a generally cylindrical construction with a circular cross-section. The outlet plug  176  may include at least one o-ring or other sealing structure. The outlet plug  176  may provide a plurality of sealing surfaces that contact the tapered surface  175  to seal closed the outlet valve opening  174   a,b . The outlet valve  116  may be operable by moving the flow valve rod assembly  118 . 
     A valve member  160  may be positioned within the flow channel  154  and sized to receive and interface with the flow channel valve  156  (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ). The valve member  160  may be a separate piece that interfaces with the flow channel valve  156 , or may be integrally formed with other features such as a portion of a housing  179   a,b  of the outlet valve  116  (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ). The valve member  160  may include an opening  160   a  and a flow control portion  160   b . Rotating the flow channel valve  156  relative to the valve member  160  control fluid flow from the flow channel  154  into the spout  120 . For example, an opening into the flow channel valve  156  may rotate between a position covered or sealed closed by the flow control portion  160   b  to a position aligned with the opening  160   a  that permits flow into the spout  120 . 
     The spout  120  may extend into the housing  179   a,b  through spout opening  157   a,b . The flow channel valve  156  and valve member  160  may cooperate with the spout  120  to control fluid flow through the flow channel  154  and into the spout  120 . The flow channel valve  156  may be operable between a closed position and an open position upon rotation of the spout  120  between the stowed position within the spout recess  152  and a dispense position rotated out of the spout recess  152  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). The flow channel valve  156  may include a connecting member  156   a  (e.g., a threaded nut), and first and second sealing members  156   b,c . The connecting member  156   a  may releasably connect to a threaded portion of the spout opening  157   a,b . The first and second sealing members  156   b,c  may create a seal with inner and outer surfaces of the container  112  (see  FIG. 15 ). 
     The flow channel valve  156  may be referred to as a spout valve, a second fluid control valve, or a safety valve. The flow channel valve  156  may provide a secondary control of fluid flow out of the container  112 . The flow channel valve  156  may limit flow until the spout  120  is in a dispense position that is rotated out of the stowed position shown in  FIG. 10 , even if the actuator assembly  122  has been operated to open the air intake valve  114  and outlet valve  116 . The flow channel valve  156  may be carried on a portion of the spout  120  (e.g., the connector portion  192  as shown in  FIG. 15 ). In other embodiments, the fuel container device is operable to dispense fluid without the use of a flow channel valve. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 14-16 , the flow valve rod assembly  118  may include a rod  182  having a bottom end  188  and a top end  190 . The bottom end  188  may be connected to the outlet plug  176  with the rod connector  180 . The top end  190  may be connected to the inlet plug  164 , for example, via the actuator connector  166 . The flow valve rod assembly  118  may couple together the inlet plug  164  and outlet plug  176 . The flow valve rod assembly  118  may provide concurrent operation of the air intake valve  114  and outlet valve  116 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10, 14 and 15 , the spout  120  may include a connector portion  192  and an outlet portion  194 . The connector portion  192  may extends through the outlet opening  150  and is in fluid communication with the flow channel  154  via the flow channel valve  156 . The connector portion  192  may define a pivot axis X (see  FIG. 14 ) about which the outlet portion  194  pivots between stowed and dispense positions. The outlet portion  194  may include an outlet opening  198 . Fluid flowing from the container  112  may exit the fuel container device  100  through the outlet opening  198 . 
     The outlet portion  194  may include features that assist in retaining the spout  120  in a stowed position (e.g., a recess or protrusion that interfaces with the connector portion  158  of the spout recess  152 ). The outlet portion  194  may include a bendable portion  121  or other feature that helps the user direct the outlet opening  198  into a desired dispense position when dispensing the contents of the container  112 . The connector portion  192  and outlet portion  194  may have a generally circular cross-section and tubular construction. The connector portion  192  and outlet portion  194  may be formed as a single, integral piece. Alternatively, the connector portion  192  and outlet portion  194  may be separately formed pieces that are assembled together in a separate step. 
     The flow channel valve  156  may be positioned within or on an exterior of the connector portion  192 . The flow channel valve  156  may provide a sealed interface between the connector portion  192  and the housing  179   a,b  and container  112 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the actuator assembly  122  includes a connector portion  204 , a pivot member  206 , and an actuation portion  208 . The actuation portion  208  is typically positioned adjacent to the handle portion  144 . The pivot member  206  provides a pivot connection to the container  112 . The pivot member  206  may include, for example, a pivot rod that extends into contact with a pivot surface (e.g., an aperture) of the container  112 . The connector portion  204  may be connected to the actuator connector  166  with a pivot member  202 . 
     Applying a force to the actuation portion  208  may pivot the actuator assembly  122  about the pivot member  206  to move the actuator connector  166  in an axial direction. Moving the actuator connector  166  in an axial direction may move the inlet plug  164  and outlet plug  176  in an axial direction to control flow through the intake valve opening  162  and outlet valve opening  174   a,b , respectively. In some arrangements, the actuator assembly  122  is biased into a closed or sealed position. Applying a force to the actuation portion  108  sufficient to overcome the biasing forces may move the actuator connector  166  axially to open the intake valve opening  162  and outlet valve opening  174   a,b.    
       FIGS. 17A-B  show operation of the actuator assembly  122  to provide fluid flow out of the container  112 . Operating the actuator assembly  122  as shown in  FIG. 17A  provides air flow into the container  112  through the air intake valve  114 , and fluid flow F into the flow channel  154  through the outlet valve  116 . Moving the spout  120  from the stowed position shown in  FIG. 17A  to a dispense position shown in  FIG. 17B  provides fluid flow from the flow channel  154  into the spout  120  via the flow channel valve  156  (also referred to as a spout valve). Fluid flow from the container  112  out through the spout  120  may be stopped by either releasing the actuator assembly  122  to close the air intake valve  114  and outlet valve  116 , or moving the spout  120  back into the stowed position shown in  FIG. 17A  to close the flow channel valve  156 . 
     While this invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The invention, as described by the claims, is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the invention which do not depart from the spirit of the invention. The words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”