Patent Publication Number: US-2007114245-A1

Title: Fuel container

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This invention relates in general to the art of methods and apparatuses for a fuel, and in particular to a container that provides for easy and precise mixing of a liquid fuel with another fluid.  
      2. Background of the Invention  
      It has been known for some time that obtaining the proper mixture of fuels or additives has been an inexact, and frequently messy, science. Typically, the fuel and additives are measured is separate containers, and calculations are made in order to determine the proper amount of each. Additives  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The purpose of the invention is to provide a fuel jug or fuel container that has a percentage of fill feature, that will allow easy measurement of fuel/additive percentages.  
      In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fuel jug allows the user to mix fuels or additives within the jug.  
      Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.  
      An aspect of the present invention includes an apparatus for mixing and dispensing liquid fuel with another fluid. The apparatus includes a container having a base, a plurality of side walls, a cover portion, and an opening formed in the cover portion for receiving and dispensing liquids. At least one of the sidewalls has a translucency that allows a level of a liquid inside of the container to be determined when viewed from an exterior of the container. A first handle extends substantially parallel to at least one of the sidewalls. A second handle extends substantially along the cover portion such that the second handle extends at an angle to the first handle. The combination of the first and second handles aid in the control of dispensing of liquids from the container. A plurality of incrementally spaced fill lines are formed at predetermined locations on or near the at least one of the sidewalls having a translucency so that the level of the liquid inside the container can be compared to the fill lines. The plurality of fill lines are incrementally spaced such that the volume of liquid associated with the lowermost fill line is substantially equal to the volume of liquid associated with to any of the other fill lines spaced above the lowermost fill line minus the volume of liquid associated fill lines positioned therebelow, thereby allowing for precise mixtures of the liquid fuel with the another fluid.  
      The another fluid comprises a fuel additive, such as for increasing the octane level of the fuel or for producing a cleaner burning fuel, or a motor oil. The cover portion can include an angled portion that extends at angles relative to the sidewalls in a conical manner, a side portion that extends substantially parallel with one of the sidewalls and a flat portion that is substantially parallel with the base, thereby causing the cover portion to have a substantially frusto-conical shape. The opening can be formed in the flat portion of the cover portion of the container.  
      The second handle can be formed along an intersection of surfaces extending from the sidewalls and forming the angled portion of the cover portion. The first handle can be formed along an intersection of sidewalls positioned opposite from the sidewall from which the side portion of the cover portion extends.  
      Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of mixing and dispensing liquid fuel with another fluid. The method includes the step of (a) providing a container having a base, a plurality of side walls, a cover portion, and an opening formed in the cover portion for receiving and dispensing liquids, at least one of the sidewalls having a translucency that allows a level of a liquid inside of the container to be determined when viewed from an exterior of the container. The method also includes the step of (b) providing a plurality of incrementally spaced fill lines formed at predetermined locations on or near the at least one of the sidewalls having a translucency so that the level of the liquid inside the container can be compared to the fill lines, the plurality of fill lines being incrementally spaced such that the volume of liquid associated with the lowermost fill line is substantially equal to the volume of liquid associated with to any of the other fill lines spaced above the lowermost fill line minus the volume of liquid associated fill lines positioned therebelow. The method further includes the step of (c) pouring the liquid fuel into the container through the opening until the liquid level of the liquid fuel is substantially even with a first predetermined one of the plurality of fill lines. The method also includes the step of (d) pouring the another fluid into the container through the opening until the liquid level of the liquid fuel and the another fluid is substantially even with a second pretermined one of the plurality of fill lines to achieve a pre-selected mixture of liquid fuel and the another fluid. And the method include the step of (e) dispensing the pre-selected mixture of liquid fuel and the another fluid through the opening.  
      The method can include that in step (e) a first handle extending substantially parallel to at least one of the sidewalls, and a second handle extending substantially along the cover portion such that the second handle extends at an angle to the first handle are used to control the dispensing of liquids from the container.  
      The method can also include the step of (f) closing the opening with a cover cap and storing the pre-selected mixture and the another fluid within the container for dispensing at a later time.  
      Prior to step (e) the method can include the step of causing turbulence within the container to disperse the another fluid substantially throughout the liquid fuel. The causing turbulence can be performed by shaking the container or by stirring the liquid fuel and the another fuel mixture with a tool that is inserted through the opening.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, at least one embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fuel container in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating at least one embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1-3  show the fuel jug or container  10  having a base  11 , a first handle  14 , a second handle  12 , a cap  16 , first and second fill lines  18 ,  20 , and a fuel jug side  22 . In the preferred embodiment, side  22  is one of a plurality of sidewalls, which include sidewalls  46  and  48 . In the preferred embodiment, sidewalls  22 , 46 , 48  extend from base  11  and a cover portion  34  helps to enclose the ends of sidewalls  22 , 46 , 48  opposite from base  11 . Cover portion  34  preferably includes an opening  42  for receiving and dispensing the liquid fuel and the additional fluid additives or fuels. Cap  16  engages threads  44  formed around opening  42  for sealingly closing opening  42 . In the preferred embodiment, cover portion includes a side portion  38  extending substantially parallel with side  22  and angled portions  36  extending at angles relative to sidewalls  46 , 48  and approaching side portion  38 . As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 3 , angled portions  36  and side portion  38  are connected via a flat portion  40 , which gives the cover portion a substantially frusto-conical shape. Opening  42  is preferably formed along a position that is offset from an axis or centerline of container  10 . Such positioning can help with controlling the dispensing of a mixture of fluids from within container  10 .  
      In the preferred embodiment, second handle  12  is formed along a junction or intersection of angled portions  36 , and second handle  12  extends substantially parallel with such intersection. Similarly, first handle  14  is formed along a junction or intersection of sidewalls  46 , 48  and extends substantially parallel with such intersection, thereby causing second handle  12  to extend at an angle relative to first handle  14 .  
      The fill lines  18 , 20  of  FIG. 1  are exemplary for showing an example of the invention having at least a plurality of fill lines, and is not intended to limit the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there can be numerous fill lines  18 , 20 , 24 , 26 , 28 , which can each show the amount of fuel and/or additive to add in order to obtain the proper mixture. The positioning of the fill lines  18 , 20 , 24 , 26 , 28  preferably correspond to substantially incrementally equal volumetric parts of container  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3  for example, the volume associated with fill line  18  is V 1 , the volume associated with fill  20  is V 2 , and the volume associated with fill line  24  is V 3 . In the preferred embodiment, V 1  is substantially equal to V 2 −V 1  and is also substantially equal to V 3 −(V 2 +V 1 ). By providing that each line has substantially equal volumetric parts of container  10  associated therefore, easier mixing can occur. As best shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , container preferably has at least one of sidewalls  22 , 46 , 48  with a translucency that allows a level of a liquid, or a liquid level  30  found inside of the container  10  to be determined when viewed from an exterior of container  10 .  
      The fill lines  18 ,  20  can be placed on the container  10  in order to obtain any mixture that is desired (e.g., 2:1, 3:1, 4:1). It can also be used to obtain certain percentages of fuel to additive, such as a 25% fuel mixture. However, it is to be understood that any mixture ratio or percentage can be obtained using this invention. Container  10  preferably includes printed instructions  32  that are attached to an outer surface of at least one of sidewalls  22 , 46 , 48  so that the user can predetermine which fill line  18 , 20 , 24 , 26 , 28  to pour fluid into the container to when adding the liquid fuel or another liquid. For example, for a 3:1 ratio, the instructions would advise the user to fill the liquid fuel to fill line  24 , and the another fluid or additive to fill line  26 . It is to be understood that any number of fill lines could be used in order to obtain the desired ratio or percentage. A tool  50  can be used to stir or cause turbulence of the mixture of fluid within container  10  to help disperse the another fluid or additive being mixed with the liquid fuel throughout the liquid fuel. Such turbulence can also be caused by shaking container  10 .  
      In this embodiment, the container  10  is a rotationally molded, high density cross-linked polyethylene jerrican. The container  10  has a rated capacity of six gallons when filled in the filling and storage position. The container  10  is designed to be used for portable dispensing and storage of gasoline. One handle  12  is the top of the container  10  and the other handle  14  is at the bottom. The container  10  has a threaded cap  16  with a gasket to prevent spills in the storage and transporting position. It is to be understood that the above description is merely one embodiment of the present invention.  
      At least one embodiment has been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.  
      While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, more sidewalls could be added to form a four-sided container, or the opening could be positioned substantially in-line with the axis or centerline of the container rather being offset as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 .