Patent Publication Number: US-2003226774-A1

Title: Fluid flow test kit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The invention disclosed in this application relates generally to systems and methods for servicing automobile transmissions, and more particularly it relates to a kit and related methods for performing a transmission fluid flow test and/or installing an external transmission fluid filter.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] Lubrication and cooling of the working parts of the transmission of a vehicle is usually accomplished through the use of an oil, which is commonly known as transmission fluid. Transmission fluid life can be dramatically extended if the transmission fluid is kept cool and clean. Typically, vehicles are provided with a cooling device to cool the transmission fluid as it is cycled between the transmission and the cooling device during operation of the vehicle. To keep the transmission fluid clean, usually the transmission casing houses an internal fluid filter.  
       [0005] However, it is known that use of an external transmission fluid filter generally enhances the cleanliness of the transmission fluid by extracting from it particulates that are too small to be captured by the internal transmission fluid filter. In some cases, continual cleaning of the transmission fluid by an external filter may actually produce cleaner transmission fluid than new transmission fluid put into the transmission. The external filter may be installed somewhere in the flow circuit of the transmission fluid, such as in the line from the cooler to the transmission. Installation of the external filter usually requires opening the flow circuit, which is formed by rubber or steel tubes. The external filter is then placed in the flow circuit through the use of hose segments, hose connector adapters, and hose clamps. Installation of the external filter closes the flow circuit.  
       [0006] It is typically recommended that each time the transmission is serviced, or the external filter is replaced, a transmission fluid flow test be performed. A transmission fluid flow test (“flow test”) may consist, for example, of collecting transmission fluid in a container for a predetermined period of time. For any given vehicle make, the manufacturer provides specifications as to how much fluid volume should be collected in a given period of time. For example, for some vehicles adequate transmission fluid flow is indicated if about 32-ounces of transmission fluid is collected in about 15 seconds.  
       [0007] A variety of kits are known for installing an external transmission fluid filter. Typically these kits include an external filter, a hose segment, and related hose connector adapters and hose clamps. However, typically these kits do not provide a transmission fluid container (“container”) for aiding in performing the flow test. A container facilitates the collection of transmission fluid, and it may provide a visual indication of the adequacy of the fluid flow. Although some kits may provide a container, these containers do not provide protection from the potentially harmful hot transmission fluid, which may be at a temperature as high as 120° F., to the operator conducting the flow test. Moreover, the known kits do not incorporate features to prevent the easy removal and/or transfer of parts of the kit. This results in the problem that an operator often encounters incomplete or damaged kits at the time of performing a flow test or installing the external filter.  
       [0008] Thus, there exists a need in the relevant technology for a kit for installing an external transmission fluid filter that provides protection to the operator from hot transmission fluid, and also provides enhanced tamper resistance in order to minimize the occurrence of incomplete or damaged kits.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] The inventive kit and related methods disclosed herein has several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly.  
       [0010] In one embodiment, the invention consists of a container for collecting fluid. The container may comprise a substantially hollow body defining an interior space for collecting a fluid therein. The hollow body may comprise a first end, an intermediate portion, and a second end. The container may further comprise an opening at the first end of the hollow body for receiving the fluid therethrough, and the opening is configured to be sufficiently large to receive an external transmission fluid filter. The container may be further configured with a wall at the second end of the hollow body to seal the second end. The container may also comprise a handle integrally attached to the hollow body. The handle may be positioned within the periphery of the external outline of the hollow body, and may additionally be positioned in the intermediate portion.  
       [0011] In another embodiment, the invention consists of a kit for performing a transmission fluid flow test and/or installing an external transmission fluid filter. The kit may comprise an external transmission fluid filter for installation in the flow circuit of a vehicle&#39;s transmission fluid cooling system, a hose segment for coupling the filter to a line of the flow circuit; and a plurality of hose connector adapters for coupling the hose segment to the filter and the line of the flow circuit. The kit may further comprise a plurality of hose clamps for securing the hose segment to the hose connector adapters. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises a container having an opening sufficiently large for receiving the filter, the hose segment, the plurality of hose connectors, and the plurality of hose clamps. The container may further comprise a body enclosing a volume sufficiently large for storing the filter, the hose segment, the plurality of hose connectors, and the plurality of hose clamps. Additionally, the volume of the container may be sufficiently large for receiving an adequate amount of transmission fluid for performing a transmission fluid flow test on a vehicle. The container may further comprise a handle located within the outline of the periphery of the body, and additionally the handle may be also located between a top end and a bottom end of the body. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the components of a transmission fluid flow test and/or external transmission fluid filter kit (“kit”) in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the kit of FIG. 1, with a cut-out in the container for visualization of the components stored within.  
     [0015]FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 1.  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 3.  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is an cross-sectional view along the plane A-A of the container of FIG. 3.  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the plane B-B of the container of FIG. 4.  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the container of FIG. 1.  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a container according to the invention.  
     [0021]FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view along the plane C-C of the container of FIG. 8.  
     [0022]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the container of FIG. 3.  
     [0023]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along the plane C-C of the container  12  FIG. 10.  
     [0024]FIG. 12 is an alternative cross-sectional view along the plane C-C of the container  12  of FIG. 10  
     [0025]FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the container of FIG. 1.  
     [0026]FIG. 14 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 13.  
     [0027]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view along the plane D-D of the container of FIG. 14  
     [0028]FIG. 16 shows a side elevational view from the left side of the container of FIG. 13.  
     [0029]FIG. 17 shows a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of the container of FIG. 1.  
     [0030]FIG. 18 shows a plan view of the container of FIG. 17.  
     [0031]FIG. 19 shows a cross-sectional view along the plane E-E of the container of FIG. 18.  
     [0032]FIG. 20 shows a side elevational view from the left side of the container of FIG. 17.  
     [0033]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a transmission fluid cooling and cleaning system of a vehicle, and one embodiment of the use of the kit of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0034] The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.  
     [0035]FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows the components of a transmission fluid flow test kit  10  (“kit”) in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The kit  10  may comprise a container  12  having a handle  14  and a lid  18 . The container  10  may store a transmission fluid filter  20  (“filter”), at least one hose  22 , several hose clamps  24  or  24 ′, various hose connectors  26  and  26 ′, one or more instructions sheets  28 , and multiple decals  30 .  
     [0036] The handle  14  is located inside the periphery of the external outline of the container  12 . Additionally, the container  12  and the lid  18  are configured to provide some measure of tamper resistance to ensure that the contents of the kit are not easily separated from the container  12 . These and other features of the container  12  and lid  18  will be described in greater detail below.  
     [0037] The handle  14  is configured to provide an orifice  13  that is adapted to fit a hand so that the container  12  is easily gripable by an operator. As will be further described below, the orifice  13  can be of various sizes and shapes so that a hand can comfortably grip the handle  14 .  
     [0038] The filter  20  is typically a filter designed to remove damaging particulates from transmission fluid. The filter  20  may be an in-line, i.e., external, magnetic transmission fluid filter such as that sold under the brand name MAGNEFINE®.  
     [0039] The hose  22  is preferably made of a material designed to withstand the corrosive effects of transmission fluid and other oils and conditions present in the automotive environment. For example, the hose  22  may be made of Buna-N rubber, which has a high resistance to degradation from exposures to oils and high temperatures. The hose  22  may be provided in a length and diameter suitable for the application of installing an external transmission fluid filter in a vehicle. For example, one suitable length for the hose  22  is about 12-inches, and a suitable diameter is about ⅜-inch.  
     [0040] The hose clamps  24  and  24 ′ may be any available devices for fastening an end of a segment of hose to a hose nipple or connector, such as hose connectors  26  and  26 ′. FIG. 1 shows a worm-drive hose clamp  24  that is well known in the relevant technology. The worm drive hose clamp  24  adjusts over a wide diameter range and provides a uniform clamping force for a secure seal. FIG. 1 also shows a constant-tension coolant hose clamp  24 ′, which is readily available commercially. The hose clamp  24 ′ has a wide sealing area and provides optimum clamping force on all types of coolant hose. The hose clamp  24 ′ is a thermoplastic clamp that adjusts to changing thermal conditions, thereby providing a continuing clamping force even when a clamped hose contracts in cold temperatures. A skilled technician will realize that the clamps  24  and  24 ′ are merely examples of a variety of devices that could be provided in the kit  10  for fastening the hose  22  to the hose connector adapters  26  or  26 ′.  
     [0041] The connectors  26  and  26 ′ are hose connector adapters of the type well known in the relevant technology. The connectors  26  and  26 ′ shown in FIG. 1 may be, for example, stainless steel hose nipples designed for tight-fitting connections and leakproof sealing. Alternatively, the connectors  26  and  26 ′ may be hose adapters made of a thermoplastic material having resistance to the corrosive effects of transmission fluid and other oils. FIG. 1 shows both a male hose connector adapter  26  and a female hose connector adapter  26 ′. It will be apparent to the skilled technician that any given application may require both or either of the adapters  26  or  26 ′. In one embodiment, the connectors  26  and  26 ′ may be tubing connector adapters for a {fraction (5/16)}-inch, or a ⅜-inch, transmission fluid line to a ⅜-inch diameter hose  22 .  
     [0042] The instructions sheet  28  may be a piece of paper having printed instructions and information regarding the proper use of the kit  10 . The instructions and information may be in the form of written text or iconic illustrations, or both. The written text may be in multiple languages for wide geographical distribution, or if desired only in just the language of a local market. The instructions sheet  28  may have step-by-step directions as to how to perform a transmission fluid test and how to install the in-line transmission fluid filter  20 . Additionally, the instruction sheet  28  may have information regarding precautions to be taken in either conducting the transmission fluid test, replacing the filter  20 , or generally servicing a vehicle&#39;s transmission.  
     [0043] The decals  30  may be one or more stickers to be affixed to the vehicle for future reference as to the performance of the transmission fluid test and installation of the filter  20 . Preferably the decals  30  are configured to allow an operator to write information upon the decals  30 . Also, preferably the decals  30  are made of a material that will stick either to the metal parts of the vehicle (e.g., the transmission pan) or to the windows of the vehicle, or both.  
     [0044]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the kit  10  having a container  12  storing within the several components that may be part of the kit  10 . For illustrative purposes, the container  12  is shown with a diagrammatic cutout  5  for allowing visualization of the parts within. As shown in FIG. 2, the container  12  is sufficiently large to store the filter  20 , hose  22 , clamps  24  and/or  24 ′, connectors  26  and/or  26 ′, instructions sheet  28 , and decals  30 . The container  12  is provided with a lid  18  that may be secured to the container  12  via the fingers  34  and  32  attached respectively to the lid  18  and the container  12 . Preferably, the kit  10  is assembled and sealed during manufacturing, i.e., before being utilized by an operator who is to perform the transmission fluid flow test and/or installation of the filter  20 . However, in some embodiments at least some of the components of the kit  10  may be provided along side the container  12 , i.e., not all of the components of the kit  10  need be stored in the container  12 .  
     [0045] For illustrative purposes only, FIG. 2 shows the instructions sheet  28  conveniently rolled up into a scroll. However, in some embodiments the instructions sheet  28  may be simply folded and placed along one inner wall of the container  12 , or placed atop of the other components. Similarly, FIG. 2 shows the decals  30  conveniently rolled up into a scroll. Of course, the decals  30  may be simply folded and accommodated in the container  12  in which ever manner is thought best with regards to manufacturability, assembly, packaging, or usability of the kit  10 .  
     [0046] FIGS.  3  to  6  generally show that the container  12  may be a substantially hollow body defining an interior space  23  for collecting a fluid therein, such as a transmission fluid. The hollow body of container  12  may have top end  31 , an intermediate portion  11 , and a bottom end  33 . The top end  31  is configured with an opening  16  for receiving the transmission fluid therethrough, and the bottom end  33  is configured with a bottom wall  19  that seals the bottom end  33  and, thereby, enables collection of the fluid. In this embodiment, the perimeter of the top opening  16  is larger than the perimeter of the bottom wall  19 ; however, in some embodiments the perimeter of the top opening  16  may be smaller than the perimeter of the bottom wall  19 . In other embodiments, the perimeter of the opening  16  may be the same as the perimeter of the bottom wall  19 . It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that while the parameter “perimeter” has been utilized throughout the description thus far, it is also appropriate to utilize the parameter “diameter” in specifying the relationship between the opening  16  and the bottom wall  19 . Hence, it should be recognized that in some containers having a circular or semi-circular configuration, for example, the diameter of the opening  16  may be substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the bottom wall  19 .  
     [0047] The hollow body of the container  12  may be configured with an integral handle  14  positioned within the periphery of the external outline of the hollow body of the container  12 ; additionally, the handle may be positioned in the intermediate portion  11  of the container  12 . The following discussion provides a more detailed description of the embodiment of the container  12  shown in FIGS.  3 - 6 .  
     [0048] The container  12  may have an integral handle  14  that is formed within the periphery of the outer surface of the container  12 , as shown in FIGS.  3  to  6 . FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the container  12 . The handle  14  and the external surface  15  of the container  12  form the orifice  13  within the periphery of the container  12  that allows an operator to wrap his/her fingers around handle  14 . In this manner, the operator may handle the container  12  in a way that minimizes injury from hot transmission fluid that may spill onto the outer surface of the container  12 . FIG. 4 is a plan view of the container  12 . FIG. 4 shows the opening  16  of the container  12 , as well as the circumferential outline of the bottom wall  19  of the container  12 . As seen in FIG. 4, the construction of the handle  14  and gripping orifice  13  result in a ridge-like wall  17  that protrudes into the inside volume/space  23  of the container  12 .  
     [0049]FIG. 5 is an cross-sectional view, along the plane A-A shown in FIG. 3, of the container  12 . As seen in FIG. 5, the container  12  may be formed with a wall  21  that encloses a space  23  for receiving items, such as the components of the kit  10  or the transmission fluid during a flow test. The wall  21  may be thin and made of plastic, by the well-known techniques of making containers by the process of blow molding plastic. In some embodiments, the container  12  may be made of a material capable of withstanding high temperatures. Such suitable materials include, but are not limited to, high temperature thermoplastics like nylon and propylene. A container  12  made of any such material preferably withstands a temperature of about 70° F., more preferably about 120° F., and most preferably greater than 140° F. FIG. 5 also shows the cross-sectional outline of the handle  14 . The handle  14  may be solid, as shown, or may be also made of a thin wall construction similar to the construction of wall  21 .  
     [0050]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the plane B-B of the container  12  of FIG. 4. As seen in FIG. 6, the wall  21  of the container  12  encloses a space  23  for receiving items therein via the opening  16 . The wall  21  also encloses the orifice  13 , outlined by the handle  14  and the external surface  15  of the wall  21 , for allowing the fingers of an operator to pass through orifice  13  and grasp the handle  14 . In FIG. 6 the handle  14  is shown as a solid piece; however, the handle  14  may also be configured to be of similar construction as the wall  21 . FIGS. 3, 4, and  6 , also depict one embodiment of the container  12  in which its outer shape is generally frustoconical. The periphery of the container  12  is generally circular, tapering from the top end  31  to the bottom end  33  of the container  12 . This shape of the container  12  allows for the convenient storing and stacking of multiple kits  10 —an advantage which would not be provided if the container  12  were configured with a handle that protrudes significantly beyond the periphery of the container  12 .  
     [0051]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the container  12 . In this embodiment, the container  12  may be provided with a lid  18  having threads  25  for screwing onto threads  27  formed on the upper end of the container  12 . In another embodiment of the container  12 , as shown in FIG. 2, the container  12  may be provided with fingers  32  that engage fingers  34  formed in the lid  18 . The fingers  34  and  32  may run along a portion of the edge of the lid  18  and the top end  31  of the container  12 , respectively. In this embodiment, the fingers  34  and  32  are configured for a twist-and-lock operation of the lid  18 . In yet another embodiment (see FIG. 1), the top end  31  of the container  12  may be provided with a lip  35  for engaging a lid  18  in a snap-on operation. These features of the container  12  and lid  18  ensure that the parts of the kit  10  stored in the container  12  do not inadvertently fall out of the container  12 , and provide a certain measure of deterrence against the separation of the parts of the kit  10  from the container  12 . It is preferable that the kit  10  be complete when provided to an operator that is to perform a flow test and/or installation of the filter  20 .  
     [0052] To further enhance the tamper resistance of kit  10 , in one embodiment the container  12  is fitted with a seal  38  that is affixed to the top surface  29  (see FIG. 4) of the container  12 . The seal  38  closes the opening  16  of the container  12 . The seal  38  may be made of a variety of materials, including paper, plastic, aluminum foil, etc. The seal  38  is preferably attached to the surface  29  with an adhesive that will allow removal of the seal  38  by hand upon pulling on an edge of the seal  38 . A skilled technician in the relevant art will appreciate that these tamper proof features of the kit  10  advance the objective of providing a complete kit  10  to an operator by making it less likely that components of the kit  10  stored in the container  12  will be separated from the container  12 .  
     [0053] As seen in FIG. 7, the container  12  may incorporate a handle  14  that is not formed integral with the container  12 . In this embodiment the handle  14  is located within the periphery of the outline of the container  12 , but the handle  14  may be removably attachable to the container  12 . The handle  14  may be, for example, a solid part that snaps into place in grooves  36  and  36 ′ (not shown) formed in the container  12 .  
     [0054] In one embodiment, the container  12  may be made of a translucent material and provided with markings on its surface for indicating the amount of fluid in the container  12 . These markings “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D” are shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and  8 . However, the markings may be text indicative of fluid volume (e.g., 8-, 16-, 24-, and 32-oz), or of fluid flow conditions (e.g., “restricted”, “adequate,” or “very good”), for example. It will be apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the relevant technology that other indicia and/or information may be provided on the surface of the container  12 . For example, the surface of the container  12  may be imprinted with one or more warnings as to the proper and safe use of the kit  10 , stocking part number, list of parts included in the kit  10 , etc.  
     [0055] As already discussed above, the shape of the container  12  may be frustoconical with a taper from the top end  31  to the bottom end  33  (see FIG. 3). However, other shapes that incorporate a handle  14  within the periphery of the container  12  are also possible. For example, FIG. 8 shows a container  12 ′ having a generally hollow parallelepiped construction with an open face defining a top opening  16 ′. In this embodiment, the peripheral outline of a container  12 ′ is generally rectangular, with a taper from the top end  31 ′ to the bottom end  33 ′. As is best seen in FIG. 9, which shows a cross-sectional view of the container  12 ′ along the plane C-C of FIG. 8, the wall  21 ′ of the container  12 ′ encloses a space  23 ′ for receiving items therein, and the wall  21 ′ also forms a handle  14 ′ which forms an orifice  13 ′ in conjunction with the external surface  15 ′ of the wall  21 ′. This embodiment of the container  12 ′ enables an operator to avoid contact with hot transmission fluid that may spill onto the surface of the container  12 ′, and it also provides for a container  12 ′ that is easy to stack and store.  
     [0056] FIGS.  10  to  12  depict one embodiment of the container  12  similar to that depicted in FIGS.  3  to  6 . However, in the embodiment of FIGS.  10  to  12 , the container  12  is not configured with the orifice  13  for allowing the fingers of the operator to pass therethrough in order to grasp the handle  14 . Rather, in this embodiment the handle  14  is gripped between the thumb and the forefingers of the operator. As shown in FIG. 11, which is a cross-sectional view along the plane C-C of the container  12  of FIG. 10, the handle  14  may be formed by a continuous contour of the wall  21 . In this case, part of the space  23  would be enclosed by the material forming the handle  14 . Alternatively, the handle  14  may be solid so as to provide enhanced protection from the hot fluid received in the container  12 , as shown in FIG. 12 which is an alternative cross-sectional view along the plane C-C of the container  12  of FIG. 10.  
     [0057] FIGS.  13 - 16  depict yet another embodiment of the container  12 . In this embodiment, the handle  14  is located near the bottom end of the container  12 , and the orifice  13  is larger and more rectangular—when compared with the embodiment of the container  12  shown in FIG. 3. However, the handle  14  is still integral to the container  12  and located within the periphery of the container  12 . FIG. 14 is a plan view of the container  12  shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the container  12  along the plane D-D of FIG. 14. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 a wall  35  is formed at the point where the handle  14  is formed onto the container  12 . The space  23  is formed by the wall  21 , which includes the wall  35 . Additionally, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 14, the handle  14  may be configured as a strip that connects to the bottom end of the container  12  and extends toward the edge of the periphery of the container  12 , where the strip then turns upward to the point on the container  12  where the wall  35  begins. It will be readily apparent that the bottom part of the handle  14 , which connects to the bottom end of the container  12 , may be alternatively configured as a thin plate with an area substantially similar to the area defined by the bottom wall  19  forming part of the bottom end  33  of the container  12 . This configuration provides for easy stacking and storing of the kits  10 . FIG. 16 shows a side elevational view from the left side of the container  12  shown in FIG. 13.  
     [0058] FIGS.  17 - 20  illustrate another embodiment of the container  12 . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS.  13 - 16  and described above. However, in the embodiment of FIGS.  17 - 20 , the container  12  is configured such that the wall  21  forms the handle  14  by thickening and widening at the location of the handle  14 . In this embodiment the lower portion  37  of the handle  14  may extend with uniform width from the edge of the periphery of the container  12  to the point where the wall  21  defines the space  23 . Alternatively, the lower portion  37  of the handle  14  may be configured as a semi-circular plate that in conjunction with the bottom wall  19  of the container  12  forms a complete circular base (not shown) for the container  12 .  
     [0059] Both of the last two embodiments described (i.e., that of FIGS.  13 - 16  and FIGS.  17 - 20 ) provide a handle  14  that substantially isolates the hand of the operator from heat that may be transmitted from the transmission fluid through the wall  21  of the container  12 . The techniques for making any of the embodiments of the container  12  described are well known by those skilled in the technology of blow molding of plastics.  
     [0060]FIG. 21 is a schematic depiction of a transmission fluid cooling system in which the kit  10  may be used to perform a transmission fluid flow test and/or installation of a transmission fluid filter  20 . As shown in FIG. 21, the transmission fluid cooling system may comprise transmission fluid lines  44  and  48 . The transmission fluid lines  44  and  48  are typically metallic tubes or pipes, or rubber hoses, for transporting transmission fluid from a transmission  42  to a cooling device  46  and back to the transmission  42 . The kit  10  may be used to test the adequacy of the transmission fluid flow in the circuit  50  formed by the transmission  42 , line  44 , cooling device  46 , and line  48 . Also, the kit  10  may include all of the components necessary to install the filter  20  in the circuit  50 .  
     [0061] By way of example, at the time that a filter  20  is to be installed in a vehicle having a cooling circuit  50  as substantially depicted in FIG. 21, an operator typically cuts and removes a segment of the line  48 . The operator may then utilize a kit  10  as described above to conduct a cooling flow test and/or install a filter  20  in the circuit  50 . Having obtained the kit  10 , the operator removes the lid  18 , and if necessary the seal  38 , from the container  12 . The operator may then remove from the container  12  the rest of the components of the kit  10 , namely, the instructions sheet  28 , the decals  30 , the hose  22 , the clamps  24  and  24 ′, and the hose connector adapters  26  and  26 ′. The operator may then refer to the instructions sheet  28  in order to know how to properly use the kit  10 .  
     [0062] To use the hose  22 , the operator typically cuts the hose  22  into two segments  22 ′ and  22 ″, which will be used as described below. The operator may then proceed to couple with a hose connector adapter  26  or  26 ′ one end of a hose segment  22 ′ to the line  48  coming from the cooling device  46 , as shown in FIG. 21. The operator then couples with a hose connector adapter  26  or  26 ′ the other end of the hose segment  22 ′ to the inlet port of the filter  20 . The operator then couples with the hose connector adapter  26  or  26 ′ the outlet port of the filter  20  to one end of the hose segment  22 ″. The operator may then utilize the container  12  to perform a flow test.  
     [0063] To perform the flow test, the operator allows transmission fluid to flow in the circuit  50 , which now includes the filter  20  and is open at one end of the hose segment  22 ″. For predetermined period of time, the operator collects in the container  12  the transmission fluid that flows out of the open end of hose segment  22 ″. The appropriate predetermined period of time is typically dictated by the vehicle manufacturer&#39;s recommendation. For example, while performing a flow test in certain vehicles, the operator would collect about 24 ounces of transmission fluid in about 15 seconds if the fluid flow is good.  
     [0064] As previously stated, the container  12  disclosed herein is configured with an integral handle  14  located within the periphery of the container  12 . This configuration of the container  12  ensures that the operator is protected from the hot transmission fluid collected, which could be at a temperature from about 70° to about 120° F., for example.  
     [0065] Although the description above refers to performing a flow test after the filter  20  has been coupled to the line  48  (via the hose segment  22 ′), it will be apparent to the person of ordinary skill the relevant technology that the flow test may be performed both before and/or after installation of the filter  20 . Performance of the flow test only requires that transmission fluid be collected from the circuit  50  in the container  12  for a predetermined period of time.  
     [0066] Once the flow test is completed, the operator then couples the free end of hose segment  22 ″ to the line  48  connected to the transmission  42 . In one embodiment, the operator enters information onto one or more of the decals  30  and affixes the decals  30  to the body of the transmission  42  for future reference. The information entered onto the decals  30  may be, for example, a date on which the flow test was performed and/or a new filter  20  was installed, fluid flow conditions, brand of filter  20  used, next scheduled service, etc. The container  12  may then be discarded or recycled for reuse in manufacturing other kits  10 .  
     [0067] While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the relevant technology without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.