Patent Publication Number: US-2017361992-A1

Title: Container with improved fluid dissemination

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/961,396, filed Dec. 7, 2015, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/124,064, filed on Dec. 8, 2014. The entirety of each application is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     This disclosure generally relates to a fluid container with characteristics of improved fluid dissemination. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a fluid container configured with an internally stored, slidingly extendable spout. In particular embodiments, the fluid container may contain motor oil. 
     Background of the Disclosure 
     Even in the modern world of today, it remains problematic to quickly and conveniently add motor oil to an engine via typical (and even atypical) spout and oil (or fluid) containers, most commonly found in one-quart size. Typically, a user removes a cap from the oil container, tips the open end toward a reservoir—often tucked down among other engine parts—with aspirations that most of the contents of the container empty directly into the reservoir. But additional equipment is often needed, such as a funnel or an oil rag to wipe up spills. Spills reduce the amount of oil delivered to the engine, and leave residuals on surfaces of the engine or surrounding floor. Spills subsequently require additional time to clean up after. 
     Funnels have been used but are of limited help, especially since use thereof results in one more items to have on hand. Disposable paper funnels have been known to collapse, and permanent plastic or metal funnels become oil covered after use, messy to store, and pick up dirt and grit which, may be carried with subsequently added oil into the engine. 
     To mitigate problems, it has been known to couple a container nozzle with an elongated pouring spout. However, this still results in difficulties, as the pouring spout is at just as much risk of causing mess, and attracting dirt and grit during storage. 
     In the commercial and residential use of hydrocarbons, such as motor oil, dispensing often occurs with use of a funnel. However, rigid funnels often produce splashing, and further require use of another hand or tool in order to keep the funnel stationary and prevent inadvertent movement. Failure to do so results in additional spillage; in addition to requiring cleanup, spillage creates an environmental hazard. 
     There is a need in the art for fast, convenient way of disseminating a fluid from a container. There is also a need in the art for a fluid container that can disseminate fluids without causing spillage. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a fluid container that may include a reservoir configured for holding a fluid. The reservoir may be defined by a top, a bottom, and a surrounding wall formed therebetween. There may be an opening in the top configured for filling fluid into the reservoir. There may be a neck proximate to the opening. There may be a coupler configured for coupling a spout to the fluid container. The spout may be slidingly movable through the coupler from a first position to a second position. In embodiments the spout and the coupler together form an assembly that may be insertable to any fluid container. 
     The fluid container may include at least some of the fluid. 
     The fluid may be a liquid. The liquid may be a hydrocarbon. The liquid may be motor oil (including conventional or synthetic). The fluid container may have a volume of the fluid of about 0.1 to about 1 quart. 
     The first position may include the spout at least partially within the reservoir. The second position may include the spout at least partially within the reservoir. The first position may include a stored position. The second position may include a dissemination or pouring position. 
     The coupler may include a vent configured to provide pressure equalization between inside and outside the reservoir. 
     The spout may include a first end and a second end. The first position may include the first end proximate to the neck. The second position may include the second end proximate to the neck. 
     The fluid container may include a cap threadingly engaged with the neck in a locked position. The cap may be configured to be actuatable from the locked position to an unlocked position. In aspects, upon being moved to the unlocked position, a bias member may be enabled. The bias member may be configured to urge the spout from the first position to the second position. 
     Other embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a large mouth motor oil bottle that may include a reservoir configured for holding motor oil, the reservoir defined by a top, a bottom, and a surrounding wall formed therebetween. There may be an opening in the top configured for filling fluid into the reservoir; a neck proximate to the opening; and a flexible coupler configured for coupling a spout to the large mouth oil container. The spout may be slidingly movable through the coupler from a first position to a second position. The bottle may include at least some motor oil. 
     The large mouth motor oil bottle may include a volume of motor oil of about 0.1 to about 1.5 quarts. 
     The first position may include the spout at least partially within the reservoir. The second position may include the spout at least partially within the reservoir. The spout may include a first end and a second end. The first position may include the first end proximate to the neck. The second position may include the second end proximate to the neck. 
     Yet other embodiments pertain to a container configured with a self-contained extendable, flexible one-piece spout non-integral to the container, and methods of manufacturing and using the same. 
     These and other embodiments, features and advantages will be apparent in the following detailed description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full understanding of embodiments disclosed herein is obtained from the detailed description of the disclosure presented herein below, and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to be limitative of the present embodiments, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a side view of a fluid container configured with a spout in a first position, according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a side view of a fluid container configured with a spout in a first position, according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 1C  shows a side view of the fluid container of  FIG. 1A  in a second position, according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a longitudinal side view of a spout and coupler according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a spout and coupler according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2C  shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the spout and coupler of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2D  shows an isometric view of the spout and coupler of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  shows an isometric view a coupler according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  shows a side view the coupler of  FIG. 3A  according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  shows a side view of a fluid container configured with a corrugated spout in a first position, according to embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4B  shows a side views of a fluid container configured with a corrugated spout in a second position, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Herein disclosed are novel apparatuses, systems, and methods that pertain to a fluid container with improved fluid dissemination, details of which are described herein. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, such as to mean, for example, “including, but not limited to . . . ”. While the disclosure may be described with reference to relevant apparatuses, systems, and methods, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments shown or described. Rather, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of configurations may be implemented in accordance with embodiments herein. 
     Although not necessary, like elements in the various figures may be denoted by like reference numerals for consistency and ease of understanding. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure; however, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. Directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” etc., are used for convenience and to refer to general direction and/or orientation, and are only intended for illustrative purposes only, and not to limit the disclosure. 
     Connection(s), couplings, or other forms of contact between parts, components, and so forth may include conventional items, such as lubricant, additional sealing materials, such as a gasket between flanges, PTFE between threads, and the like. Embodiments of the disclosure provide for one or more components to be new, used, and/or retrofitted to existing machines and systems. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C  a partial see-thru isometric view, a longitudinal cross-sectional view, and a side view of a fluid container having an extendable spout movable from a first position and a second position, respectively, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, is shown. Embodiments herein apply to any form of fluid container from which any fluid may be disseminated (or systems/methods whereby a fluid container is desired or used). Moreover, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art, instead of a fluid, there may be a pourable solid, such as sugar or salt. 
     However, for the sake of brevity, a fluid container in the shape of a bottle like a conventional plastic motor oil bottle is hereby described. A conventional plastic oil bottle is typically molded (e.g., blow molded) from thermoplastic sheet material, wherein the walls, while thin relative to the bottle length and width, are shape retaining, but somewhat flexible. Such a bottle may be manufactured in various sizes, with a one quart size being typical, and possibly having a ‘large mouth’ for easy filling. 
     Although not limited to any particular shape or form, the fluid container  100  may include a top  101 , a bottom  102 , and front, rear, and side walls  103 , respectively. In essence, the front, rear, and side walls  103  of the fluid container may form a peripheral wall connecting the top  101  and bottom  102 , and defining therewith a reservoir (or liquid storage chamber)  104 . An opening  105  may be formed in the top  101 . The opening may be configured with a neck  106 . The neck  106  may be configured with threads  107 , whereby a cap or cover  108  may be threadingly disposed thereon and engaged therewith. With the presence of the cap  108 , the fluid container  100  may have a fluid tight seal therewith. 
     The opening  105  and neck  106  may have a coupler  109  disposed therein. In an embodiment, the coupler  109  (or coupler region) may be integral to the neck  106 . In an embodiment, the coupler  109  may be detachable or otherwise freely movable from the neck  106 . The coupler  109  may be configured with a first hole (e.g.,  310 ,  FIG. 3A ) for a spout  112  to slidingly pass therethrough. The coupler  109  may be configured with a second hole or vent (not shown) suitable to provide pressure equalization (or “burping”) between inside and outside the reservoir  104 . 
     The spout  112  may have a first end  113 , and a second end  114 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , in a first (or “stored”) position the first send  113  may be proximate to the coupler  109 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , in a second (or “extended”) position the second end  114  may be proximate the coupler  109 . One or both of the first end  113  and second end  114  may be configured with a lip or stopper  115  that prevents the end(s) from completely sliding out of the coupler  109  (as a result of resistance from corresponding shoulder  119 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  a longitudinal side view and a longitudinal cross-sectional view, respectively, of a spout and coupler in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, is shown. Embodiments of the disclosure provide for an ability to store spout  112  in a first position within a fluid container ( 100 ,  FIG. 1A ). The spout  112  may then ultimately be movable to an external or second position, thus extending at least partially out of the fluid container. 
     In this respect, the spout  112  may be movable through a coupler  109 . The coupler  109  may be an integral part of the fluid container. However,  FIGS. 2A and 2B  together illustrate the spout  112  and coupler  109  as separate components forming an assembly that may be insertable into a fluid container. Thus, it is within the disclosure that the assembly may be retrofitted into previously existing containers. 
     The spout  112  and the coupler  109  may be frictionally engaged. In this respect, a slight or gentle force (such as by hand) may be sufficient to urge the spout  112  from the first position to the second position (and any number of intermittent positions therebetween) and vice versa. However, upon removal of the force, sufficient friction exists to maintain the spout  112  in place until moving force is (re)applied. 
     The spout  112  may have a first end  113 , and a second end  114 . As mentioned, in a first (or “stored”) position the first send  113  may be proximate to the coupler  109 . Similarly, in a second (or “extended”) position the second end  114  may be proximate the coupler  109 . One or both of the first end  113  and second end  114  may be configured with a lip or stopper  115  that prevents the end(s) from completely sliding out of the coupler  109  (and corresponding shoulder  119 ).  FIG. 2D  illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of the spout  112  and the coupler  109  assembled together prior to positioning within the fluid container. 
     Referring briefly to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an isometric view and a downward view, respectively, of a coupler in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, is shown.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  together illustrate the coupler  309  may be an annular or ring-shaped device, with one or more extending legs or dogs  321 . In an embodiment, the coupler  309  may have between about 2 and 9 legs  321 . In another embodiment, the coupler  309  may have between about 4 to about 6 legs  321 . 
     The legs  321  may have an amount of tension associated therewith that allows the coupler  309  to be press fit or otherwise placed in situ within the neck of an applicable fluid container. The configuration of the coupler  309  and legs  321  may be modified to accommodate different types of containers. The tension provided by legs  321  need not be of any greater significance other than what is needed to ensure a spout (e.g.,  112 ,  FIG. 2A ) may be moved or otherwise extended therethrough in order to aid in the improved fluid dissemination. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 2A-2D  together, the spout  112  and/or coupler  109  may be made of a flexible, yet durable material, such as a poly plastic (e.g., polyethylene). Other materials are possible, such as rubber, nylon plastic base, and so forth. 
     Methods and manners of using the fluid container  100  may include, for example, purchase (or other form of acquisition) of a sufficiently full container  100 . Following purchase, the consumer takes the container  100  to a vehicle (such as an automobile), opens the hood or otherwise gains access to the engine, and removes the filler cap to expose the oil filler hole of the engine. Such vehicle hood, filler cap, oil filler hole and engine may be of well-known conventional type and so need not be shown. The user then removes the cap  108 , moves the spout  112  from the first position to the second position, and tips or otherwise inverts the container whereby the first end  113  of the spout  112  may be directed toward the oil filler hole. Typically gravity may then drain fluid from the container  100  and into the oil receiving portion of the engine. 
     In assembly the container  100  may be formed by conventional methods. Likewise, the spout  112  and coupler  109  may be formed or otherwise manufactured by known methods, such as injection molding, blow molds, 3D printing, and so forth. The spout  112  and coupler  109  may then be press fit or otherwise urged into the container  100 , and thus into the first position. Then the cap placed thereon, and the container  100  now ready to be used. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a longitudinal side view of a fluid container having an extendable spout movable from a first position and a second position, respectively, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, is shown. 
     Fluid container  400  may be as described herein and in other embodiments (such as fluid container  100 , etc.), and as otherwise understood to one of skill in the art. As fluid container  400  (including spout  412  and coupler  409 ) resembles container  100  in many ways, discussion directed to components, assembly, materials, etc. is limited in order to avoid redundancy; however, that does not mean that container  400  is meant to be limited to embodiments like that of  100 , as other embodiments and configurations are possible, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. 
     One particular area of distinction the presence of a corrugation  419 . The use of a corrugation  419  may provide additional flexibility to the spout  412 . 
     Although not limited to any particular shape or form, the fluid container  400  may include a top  401 , a bottom  402 , and front, rear, and side walls  403 , respectively. In essence, the front, rear, and side walls  103  of the fluid container may form a peripheral wall connecting the top  401  and bottom  102 , and defining therewith a reservoir (or liquid storage chamber)  404 . An opening  405  may be formed in the top  401 . The opening may be configured with a neck  406 . The neck  406  may be configured with threads  407 , whereby a cap or cover  408  may be threadingly disposed thereon and engaged therewith. With the presence of the cap  408 , the fluid container  400  may have a fluid tight seal. 
     The opening  405  and neck  406  may have a coupler  409  disposed therein. The coupler  409  may be configured with a first hole (e.g.,  310 ,  FIG. 3A ) for a spout  412  to slidingly pass therethrough. The spout  412  may have a first end  413 , and a second end  114 . As shown, in a first (or “stored”) position the first send  413  may be proximate to the coupler  409  ( FIG. 4A ), and in a second (or “extended”) position the second end  414  may be proximate the coupler  409  ( FIG. 4  B). One or both of the first end  113  and second end  114  may be configured with a lip or stopper  115  that prevents the end(s) from completely sliding out of the coupler  109 . 
     Although embodiments described herein may make reference to dissemination of motor oil, the disclosure is not meant to be limited as embodiments herein may be suitable for or otherwise used with other liquids in a suitable container for wiper fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid or any other fluid or liquid that must be disseminated from a container, and where spillage or emissions are undesirable. 
     Advantages. 
     Advantages of the disclosure provide for easy and rapid fluid dissemination from a bottle without the need to acquire extra parts. The use of a self-contained spout and coupler assembly provides a user simple way of extending the reach of pourability. 
     When pouring is made easier, spillage is reduced; when spillage is reduced, time and materials needed for cleanup of (potentially hazardous materials) are reduced. 
     While embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the disclosure presented herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations. The use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of any claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, and the like. 
     Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the preferred embodiments of the disclosure. The inclusion or discussion of a reference is not an admission that it is prior art to the present disclosure, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent they provide background knowledge; or exemplary, procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.