Patent Publication Number: US-10315838-B1

Title: Motor vehicle fluid mixing and dispensing container

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a container for a motor vehicle fluid. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fluid container for transporting and diluting a concentrated motor vehicle fluid and dispensing the resulting diluted motor vehicle fluid. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Windshield washer fluid is a vital motor vehicle fluid which is sold worldwide in vast quantities. The majority of windshield washer fluid is sold in a ready to use form popular with consumers for its convenience, often in containers holding 1 gallon of fluid. However, ready to use windshield washer fluid is heavy, and its transportation consumes significant resources, while the storage of windshield washer fluid containers requires large amounts of space. Furthermore, windshield washer fluid is typically sold in various formulas at different price points, with each formula having a different anti-freeze content and freezing point, requiring manufacturers and merchants to ship and store multiple formulas of windshield washer fluid to suit different consumer needs, seasons, and climates. 
     Concentrated washer fluid and solid washer fluid tablets alleviate some of the transportation and storage costs associated with ready to use washer fluid, at the expense of consumer convenience. The consumer must dilute the concentrated windshield washer fluid or dissolve the solid tablets using measured amounts of water using a separate container. Other varieties of windshield washer fluid distributed in concentrated or tablet form are meant to be mixed directly in the washer fluid tank of an automobile, leading to potential problems involving improper dilution such as clogging caused by undissolved particles. Furthermore, many windshield washer fluids sold in concentrated or tablet form do not contain anti-freeze, requiring consumers to add in the appropriate amount of anti-freeze separately, resulting in unexpected freezing of the windshield washer fluid caused by improper addition of the anti-freeze component. 
     A need therefore exists for a single container capable of transporting, mixing, and diluting a windshield washer fluid concentrate, and then dispensing the resultant windshield washer fluid, which address the transportation and storage costs of ready to use windshield washer fluid as well as the inconvenience and risk of improper dilution of windshield washer fluid in concentrated and tablet form. 
     In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the present disclosure is concerned. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects are disclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a single container which allows a concentrated motor vehicle fluid to be diluted and dispensed. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a fluid container having an outer wall, a fluid chamber within the outer wall adapted to hold the motor vehicle fluid, and an additive concentrate stored within the fluid chamber which is adapted to dissolve when mixed with water to form the motor vehicle fluid. The fluid container further has a selectively sealable opening which allows water to be poured into the fluid chamber where it can be mixed with the additive concentrate to form the motor vehicle fluid, which can then be dispensed through the opening. 
     It is another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure to provide a container which allows a user to prepare motor vehicle fluid having a desired freezing point. Accordingly, the additive concentrate contains an anti-freeze component, and the fluid container has a calibrated dilution scale which allows the user to dilute the additive concentrate according to one or more dilution levels, and the freezing point of the resultant motor vehicle fluid is determined by the dilution level. The outer wall has a transparent portion which allows the user to view the fluid chamber and the motor vehicle fluid contained within, and the calibrated dilution scale has one or more dilution markers positioned over the transparent portion to allow the user to precisely dilute the motor vehicle fluid to the desired dilution level. 
     It is yet another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure to provide a container which allows the motor vehicle fluid to be transported and stored at reduced space and weight when compared to ready to use motor vehicle fluids. Accordingly, the outer wall of the fluid container is flexible and is adapted to expand from a flattened state to an expanded state as water is added to the fluid chamber, allowing the motor vehicle fluid to be transported and stored efficiently in the flattened state, in contrast to a container filled with ready-to-use motor vehicle fluid. 
     The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above, this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a fluid container, showing an outer wall of the fluid container and a calibrated dilution scale positioned over a transparent portion of the outer wall which provides visibility into the fluid chamber contained therein, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the fluid container seen from below, showing a container base, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section of the fluid container, showing an inner lining positioned within the outer wall which serves as the fluid chamber, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the first side wall of the fluid container, showing the calibrated dilution scale and a plurality of dilution markers over the transparent portion, and the fluid level of the motor vehicle fluid contained within the fluid chamber, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the fluid container showing the contents of the fluid chamber, which depicts the water and additive concentrate which mixes together to form the motor vehicle fluid, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various example embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a fluid container  10  for transporting, mixing, and dispensing a motor vehicle fluid  60 . The motor vehicle fluid  60  is a liquid which is essential to the operation of a motor vehicle, such as an automobile, or the components thereof, such as engine coolant or windshield washer fluid. The motor vehicle fluid  60  is typically a liquid solution which has a freezing point lower than the freezing point of water in order to prevent the motor vehicle fluid  60  from freezing under cold weather conditions and damaging the components of the motor vehicle and/or rendering the motor vehicle inoperable. 
     The fluid container  10  comprises an outer wall  12 , a container upper portion  16 , and a container base  14 . The outer wall  12  defines the shape of the fluid container  10  while the container base  14  supports the fluid container  10  in an upright position when the container base  14  is placed upon a horizontal surface. The outer wall  12  further has a first container face  22  disposed between the container upper portion  16  and the container base  14 . The fluid container  10  further comprises a fluid chamber  24  disposed within the outer wall  12  which is adapted to hold the motor vehicle fluid  60 , water, or other fluid. In order to allow the fluid chamber to be visible to a user, the outer wall  12  has a transparent portion  52  corresponding to part of the outer wall  12  or the entirety thereof. The surface of the motor vehicle fluid  60  or other fluid within the fluid chamber  24  corresponds to a fluid level  62  which is visible to the user through the transparent portion  52  of the outer wall  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the transparent portion  52  may correspond to part of the first container face  22 . 
     The fluid container  10  further has an opening  80  which allows the fluid container  10  to be filled with fluid, and also allows the motor vehicle fluid  60  to be poured out of the fluid container  10 . The fluid container  10  further comprises a seal  82  which is adapted to selectively cover the opening  80 , preventing the motor vehicle fluid  60  from exiting the fluid container  10  through the opening  80  unless the opening is uncovered. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , while continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , the fluid chamber  24  contains an additive concentrate  90 , which when mixed with water  96 , dissolves in the water to form the motor vehicle fluid  60 . The additive concentrate  90  may further comprise one or more additives  92  which give the motor vehicle fluid  60  its functional properties. One of the additives  92  may be an anti-freeze component  92 A which lowers the freezing point of the motor vehicle fluid  60  below the freezing point of water. The fluid container  10  may be provided to a user with the fluid chamber  24  containing the additive concentrate  90 , allowing the user to fill the fluid container  10  with water  96  so that the additive concentrate  90  dissolves in the water, producing the motor vehicle fluid  60  in a ready to use state. As the water  96  contributes the majority of the total weight of the motor vehicle fluid  60 , providing the fluid container  10  to the user with only the additive concentrate  90  contained within the fluid chamber  24  allows the fluid container  10  to be transported at a fraction of the weight of a conventional premixed motor vehicle fluid. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , while continuing to refer to  FIG. 5 , the fluid container  10  further comprises a calibrated dilution scale  50  which has a plurality of dilution markers  56  each corresponding to a dilution level. Each dilution level represents a specific ratio of the additive concentrate  90  and the water  96  constituting the motor vehicle fluid  60 , and the freezing point of the motor vehicle fluid  60  is determined by the dilution level, particularly the ratio of the water  96  and the anti-freeze component  92 A. Each dilution marker therefore also corresponds to a dilution marker temperature equal to the freezing point of the motor vehicle fluid  60  at the dilution level of the dilution marker, and a dilution marker volume which equals the total volume of the motor vehicle fluid  60  at said dilution level. The calibrated dilution scale  50  is therefore adapted to allow the user to measure the volume of water  96  which is mixed with the additive concentrate  90  in order to control the freezing point of the resultant motor vehicle fluid  60  produced within the fluid chamber  24 . In general, increasing the amount of water  96  in relation to the additive concentrate  90  increases the dilution of the additive concentrate  90  and raises the freezing point of the motor vehicle fluid  60 , while adding less water lowers the freezing point thereof. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the calibrated dilution scale  50  is disposed on the first container face  22 , and the dilution markers  56  are positioned along the transparent portion at intervals between the container base  14  and the container upper portion  16 . Each dilution marker  56  may have a corresponding dilution marker volume indicator  54  which is a number representing a particular volume of fluid, as expressed in units of volume such as ounces, liters, or other unit of measurement for volume. The user may measure the volume of the motor vehicle fluid  60  within the fluid chamber  24  by comparing the position of the fluid level  62  with the nearest dilution marker  56 , as the fluid level  62  rises or falls within the fluid chamber  24 . When the fluid level  62  aligns with one of the dilution markers  56 , the volume of the motor vehicle fluid  60  within the fluid chamber  24  is equivalent to the volume as expressed by the dilution marker volume  54  of the dilution marker  56 . In a preferred embodiment, the dilution markers  56  may be formed as horizontal lines arranged in parallel with each other. 
     In certain embodiments, the transparent portion  52  forms a transparent window  52 A which is oriented vertically and extends between an area proximate to the container base  14  and an area proximate to the container upper portion  16 , and the dilution markers  56  are positioned over the transparent window  52 A. 
     The calibrated dilution scale  50  further has a plurality of dilution marker temperature indicators  58  expressed as units of temperature such as degrees of Fahrenheit or Celsius, and each dilution marker temperature indicator  58  allows the user to identify the dilution marker temperature of its associated dilution marker. Prior to adding water  96  to the fluid chamber  24 , the user determines a freezing threshold. The freezing threshold may be a temperature which is lower than the coldest anticipated temperature which the user expects the motor vehicle will be subjected to. The dilution marker temperature  58  indicator allows the user to select the appropriate dilution marker  56  so that the freezing point of the motor vehicle fluid  60  will be equal to or below the freezing threshold. The user then adds water  96  to the fluid chamber  24  until the fluid level  62  aligns with the selected dilution marker  56 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , while continuing to refer to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the fluid container  10  may also be adapted to be expandable, allowing the fluid container to expand from a flattened state to a filled state as water  96  is added and the volume of the motor vehicle fluid  60  within the fluid chamber  24  increases. The outer wall  12  is formed from a material which is flexible but impermeable, such as plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the outer wall  12  may have a container edge  70 , which in turn has a first vertical edge  70 A and a second vertical edge  70 B extending between the container base  14  and the container upper portion  16 . The outer wall  22  of the fluid container  10  may have a first side wall  18 A and a second side wall  18 B disposed opposite to the first side wall  18 A, each having an outer edge and an inner surface. The outer edges of the first and second side walls  18 A,  18 B may be joined to each other at the container edge  70  along the first and second vertical edges  70 A,  70 B. The container base  14  may be formed by a first supporting edge  30  disposed on the first side wall  18 A, and a second supporting edge  32  disposed on the second side wall  18 B. The outer wall  12  may further comprise a bottom wall  20  extending between the first and second supporting edges  30 ,  32 . The fluid chamber  24  is defined by the inner surface of the first and second side walls  18 A,  18 B, and the bottom wall. 
     Prior to the addition of water  96  to the fluid chamber  24 , the fluid container  10  may be placed in the flattened state whereby the first and second side walls  18 A,  18 B flatten towards each other and the bottom wall  20  folds inward towards the container upper portion  16 . As water  96  or another fluid enters and fills the fluid chamber  24 , the distance between the first and second side walls  18 A,  18 B increases and the bottom wall  20  unfolds, allowing the fluid chamber  24  to expand until it reaches its maximum capacity. This allows the fluid container  10  to be transported and stored in the flattened state to save space, in addition to weight. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid chamber  24  may have a maximum capacity of 1 gallon (32 ounces) but may further be adapted to have a larger or smaller maximum capacity. Note that the exemplary configuration of the outer wall  12  described above is non-limiting, and the outer wall  12  may be configured in a variety of shapes and arrangements in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , while continuing to refer to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 , the fluid container  10  may, in certain embodiments, further comprise an inner lining  26  positioned within the outer wall  12 . The inner lining  26  is configured as a flexible bag having an outer surface attached to the outer wall  12  and an inner surface which forms the fluid chamber  24 . The inner lining  26  separates the motor vehicle fluid  60  from the outer wall  12  and may serve as an additional layer of protection in the event that the outer wall  12  is punctured, preventing the often toxic or corrosive additives within the additive concentrate  90  from leaking out of the fluid container  10 . The inner lining  26  may also have corrosive-resistant properties, preventing the motor vehicle fluid  60  from contacting and damaging or deteriorating the outer wall  12 . Furthermore, the outer wall  12  may have a second container face  23  disposed on the second side wall  18 B opposite to the first container face  22 , which may be used to display text or graphics such as branding and logos. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , while continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , the additive concentrate  90  may be composed of a liquid, powder, dissolving tablet, or other solution or mixture which allows the additives  92  to be dissolved in water  96  to create the motor vehicle fluid  60 . The composition of the additive concentrate  90  depends on the function carried out by the motor vehicle fluid  60  within the motor vehicle. For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary composition of additive concentrate  90  comprising the anti-freeze component  92 A, and a first, second, and third additive  92 B,  92 C,  92 D. For example, where the motor vehicle fluid  60  is windshield washer fluid, the first, second, and third additives  92 B,  92 C,  92 D may be a detergent, a water softener, an alcohol-based solvent, or any other component typically used in windshield washer fluid. 
     The dilution markers  56  of the calibrated dilution scale  50  are calibrated by taking into account the dimensions of the fluid container  10  and the characteristics of the motor vehicle fluid  60  and the additive concentrate  90 , allowing the user to simply determine the desired freezing point which is equal to or below the freezing threshold, select the appropriate dilution marker  56 , and fill the fluid chamber  24  with water  96  until the fluid level  62  aligns with the selected dilution marker  56 . In a preferred embodiment, the container base  14  aids the alignment of the fluid level  62  with the dilution markers  56  by supporting the fluid container  10  such that it is upright and substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface upon which the fluid container  10  is placed. The container base  14  also ensures that the dilution markers  56  are parallel with the horizontal surface and the fluid level  62 , thus increasing the accuracy of the calibrated dilution scale  50 . 
     Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in certain embodiments where the additive concentrate  90  dissolves completely in the water  96 , the dilution marker volume indicator  54  associated with each dilution marker  56  may correspond to the volume of water  96  to be added. However, where the additive concentrate  90  is a liquid, the dilution marker volume indicator  54  may indicate the total combined volume of the water  96  and the additive concentrate  90 . For example, based on the exemplary calibrated dilution scale  50  shown in  FIG. 4 , if the user wishes to prepare the motor vehicle fluid  60  where the freezing threshold is −10 degrees Fahrenheit, the user selects the dilution marker  56  corresponding to the dilution marker temperature indicator  58  of −10 degrees Fahrenheit, and adds water  96  to the fluid chamber  24  until the fluid level  62  aligns with the selected dilution marker  56 . In the present example, the total volume of fluid within the fluid chamber  24 , including water  96  and additive concentrate  90 , equals approximately 99 ounces. In another example, If the user wishes to prepare the motor vehicle fluid  60  for use where the freezing threshold is −57 degrees Fahrenheit, the user selects the dilution marker  56  having the dilution marker temperature indicator of −57 degrees, and adds water  96  to the fluid chamber  24  until approximately 30 ounces of fluid are held therein and the fluid level  62  aligns with the selected dilution marker  56 . The user may shake the fluid container  10  after adding the water  96  in order to ensure that the additive concentrate  90  fully dissolves in the water  96 . 
     Once the motor vehicle fluid  60  is prepared, the fluid container  10  may be used to dispense the motor vehicle fluid  60  for use with the motor vehicle. As shown in  FIG. 5 , in a preferred embodiment, the opening  80  of the fluid container  10  may be formed as a spout  80 A which allows the motor vehicle fluid  60  to be poured from the fluid chamber  24  and through the spout  80 A. The seal  82  may be a cap  82 A which is adapted to selectively cover the spout  80 A. The opening  80  and the seal  82  may be implemented in other ways. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in an alternate embodiment, the first side wall  18 A and the second side wall  18 B may be adapted to separate along the container upper portion  16  to form the opening, which may be selectively sealed by means of a sealing means such as a re-sealable zipper or other mechanism. 
     In certain embodiments, the fluid container  10  may also comprise a handle  84 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , formed as an opening in the outer wall  12  proximate to the container upper portion  16  which allows the user to grasp the fluid container  10 . 
     It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected. 
     It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,” “second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims. 
     In conclusion, herein is presented a motor vehicle fluid mixing and dispensing container. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.