Patent Publication Number: US-2009230146-A1

Title: Lubricant storage and dispensing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/998,207, filed Oct. 9, 2007, and entitled “Lubricant Storage and Dispensing System,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains generally to a storage and dispensing system, and more particularly, to a lubricant storage and dispensing system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lubrication contamination is a leading cause of machinery failure. It would be advantageous to avoid the contamination of equipment rather than remove the contamination after ingression. There is a general need in the art for an improved lubricant storage and dispensing system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a lubricant storage and dispensing system. The lubricant storage and dispensing system can include a plurality of containers with each container having a mouth defining an opening for access to the interior of the container. The system can include a plurality of lids with each lid being configured to sealingly mount to at least one of the containers. A plurality of identification cards can be provided. Each card can have at least one colored side with the color thereon being different than the colors of the other colored sides. A plurality of colored bands can be provided. The number and color of the bands can correspond to the colored sides of the identification cards such that each colored band is the color of one of the colored sides of the identification cards and each colored side has a corresponding colored band. Each colored band can be mountable upon at least one of the lids. Each identification card can be displayable upon at least one of the containers such that a selected colored side of the identification cards is displayed outwardly. 
     In another aspect, a lubricant storage and dispensing device is described. The lubricant storage and dispensing device can include a container, a lid, at least one identification card, and at least one colored band. The container can have a mouth defining an opening for access to the interior of the container. The lid can be configured to sealingly mount to the mouth of the container. Each card can have at least one colored side with the color thereon being different than the color of each of the other colored sides. The number and color of the colored bands can correspond to the number and color of the colored sides of the identification cards such that each colored band is the color of one of the colored sides of the identification cards and each colored side. has a corresponding colored band. Each colored band is mountable upon the lid. Each identification card is displayable upon the container such that a selected colored side of the identification card is displayed outwardly. 
     These and other objects and advantages, as well as additional inventive features, of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provided herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lubricant storage and dispensing system according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of a lid suitable for use with a lubricant storage and dispensing system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the lid of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the lid of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a spout of the lid of  FIG. 2  with a discharge valve removed for illustrative purposes. 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the discharge valve of the lid of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a first elevational view of an identification card suitable for use with a lubricant storage and dispensing system according to the principles of the present disclosure that shows a first side of the identification card having a first color. 
         FIG. 8  is a second elevational view of the identification card of  FIG. 7  showing a second side thereof having a second color that is different than the first color of the first side of the identification card. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lubricant storage and dispensing device that includes the lid of  FIG. 2  outfitted with a colored band and sealingly mounted to a container and a plurality of bands having different colors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the principles of this disclosure, a lubricant storage and dispensing system can be provided that includes at least one vessel having a mouth with a threaded surface, at least one lid with a threaded surface adapted to sealingly engage the threaded surface of at least one vessel, at least two color-coded identification cards, each card having a surface that is a different color than the color of the other cards, and a plurality of color-coded elastomeric bands corresponding, respectively, to the color to the color-coded cards. One of the color-coded identification cards can be mounted to one of the vessels of the system such that the color-coded identification card displays a particular color outwardly. The corresponding color-coded band can be placed on the lid sealingly mounted to the vessel. 
     Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in  FIG. 1  an illustrative embodiment of a lubricant storage and dispensing system  100  is shown. The lubricant storage and dispensing system  100  includes a plurality of lids  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108 , a plurality of containers  110 ,  111 ,  112 , a plurality of flexible extension hoses  115 ,  116 ,  117 , a plurality of data pouches  120 ,  121 ,  122 , a plurality of identification cards  125 ,  126 ,  127 ,  128 , each configured to fit within each of the data pouches  120 ,  121 ,  122  and each having two sides  130 ,  131  each with a different color thereon, and a plurality of colored bands  135 ,  136 ,  137 ,  138 ,  139 ,  140 ,  141 ,  142  with the number of colored bands corresponding to the number and respective different colors of the identification cards. 
     The lids  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108  and the containers  110 ,  111 ,  112  are each configured such that each lid can be sealingly mounted to each of the containers. Each one of the data pouches  120 ,  121 ,  122  can be mounted to any one of the containers  110 ,  111 ,  112 . Each one of the extension hoses  115 ,  116 ,  117  can be removably mounted to at least one of the lids  105 ,  106 ,  107  having a spout  28 . Each colored band  135 ,  136 ,  137 ,  138 ,  139 ,  140 ,  141 ,  142  is adapted to be removably mounted to the body of each one of the lids  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108 . 
     The containers  110 ,  111 ,  112  can each be a different size. For example, the first container  110  can have a 5-quart capacity, the second container  111  can have a 10-quart capacity, and the third container  112  can have a 2-quart capacity. Each container can include a mouth that defines an opening for access to the interior of the container. Each mouth can include an external threaded surface for threaded engagement with each one of the lids, respectively, such that each container  110 ,  111 ,  112  can be sealingly arranged with each one of the lids  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108 . 
     Each lid includes a body  145  that includes an internal threaded surface that can be matingly, threadedly engaged with the external threaded surface of each one of the containers  110 ,  111 ,  112 . In the illustrative system  100 , three lids  105 ,  106 ,  107  are constructed similarly to the lid  20  shown in  FIG. 2 . Each of these lids  105 ,  106 ,  107  can have a nozzle opening with a different size. For example, the first pour lid  105  can have a nozzle opening  148  that is one inch in diameter, the second pour lid  106  can have a nozzle opening  149  that is one-half inch in diameter, and the third pour lid  107  cal have a nozzle opening  150  that is one quarter inch in diameter. 
     The other lid  108  can comprise a pump mechanism  160 . The pump can include a piston-style hand pump  162  for pumping liquid stored in the container  111  through flexible hose  163 . The flexible hose  163  can include an aluminum tip  164  that can be removably stored in a socket  165  defined in the pump lid  108 . Tile pump lid  108  can include a handle portion  166  and a removable cap  168  for selectively covering a fill port extending through a body  170  of the lid  108 . The cap  168  can be secured to the pump lid  108  by a tether  171  to help prevent the loss of the cap  168 . The body  170  of the pump lid  108  includes a threaded surface oil its interior for threaded, sealing engagement with each of the containers  110 ,  111 ,  112 . The body  170  can include an additional port  172  which can include an internal threaded surface, such as a one-half inch NPT female thread, for example. A plug  172  can be threaded into the accessory port to selectively close the port. The fill port covered by the cap  168  and the second port  172  can be different sizes, such as ½ inch and ⅜ inch diameters, for example. The second port  172  can receive a quick disconnect coupling. 
     Each extension hose  115 ,  116 ,  117  can have a different pour spout opening to match the different nozzle. sizes in the system, for example. For example, the first extension hose  115  can have a pour spout opening  175  that is one quarter inch in diameter, the second extension hose  116  can have a pour spout opening  176  that is one-half inch in diameter, and the third extension hose  117  can have a pour spout opening  177  that is one inch in diameter. Each of the pour spout openings  175 ,  176 ,  177  of the extension hoses  115 ,  116 ,  117  can be selectively covered with a removable cap  180  that is tethered to the extension hose via a ring  181  encircling the hose  117  and a strap  182  connecting the ring  181  and the cap  180 . The extension hoses  115 ,  116 ,  117  can each be mounted to the spouts  28  of the pour lids  105 ,  106 ,  107  via a threaded engagement between an external threaded surface  55  on a discharge valve  30  of the spout of the pour lid and an internal threaded surface disposed within a socket  185  of each of the extension hoses  115 ,  116 ,  117 . 
     Each of the data pouches  120 ,  121 ,  122  can be affixed to one of the corresponding containers  110 ,  111 ,  112  via an adhesive backing on the pouch, for example. Each pouch includes an opening  175  for allowing access to the interior of the pouch. Four different color-identification cards  125 ,  126 ,  127 ,  128  can be provided with each associated container. Each data pouch  120 ,  121 ,  122  can be constructed from a clear plastic, floor example, such that the color-identification card stored within the pouch can be visible through the data pouch. In other embodiments, the data pouch can be equipped with an opening having a zipper associated with it such that the opening can be selectively opened and closed to allow access into the interior of the pouch and to prevent any data cards disposed therein from inadvertently slipping out of the pouch, respectively. Each data pouch can be constructed such that it can store a plurality of color-identification cards and a material safety data sheet associated with the material being stored within the particular container in questions, preventative maintenance lubrication records and/or operating instructions, for example. 
     Each color-identification card  125 ,  126 ,  127 ,  128  can have a different color displayed on each side thereof such that, in the illustrative embodiment, a total of eight different color choices are available. For example, the first color-identification card  125  can have one side that is purple and the other side that is orange. The second color-identification card  126  can have a first side that is yellow mid a second side that is red. The third color-identification card  127  can have a first side that is blue and a second side that is green. The fourth color-identification card  128  can have a first side that is brown and a second side that is grey. In other embodiments, the identification card can have the same color oil each side. In yet other embodiments, the number and color arrangement of each card can be varied. 
     The system  100  includes a colored band corresponding to each color of the color-identification cards  125 ,  126 ,  127 ,  128 . Accordingly, the illustrative system  100  includes eight colored bands with each being a different color of the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple brown, and grey. Each band can be made from an elastomeric material such that the band can be readily wrapped around the body of a selected lid and snugly mounted thereto. Each band is constructed such that it can be removably mounted to the body of each one of the lids  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108  of the system. 
     In use, the user can associate a particular color with a particular lubricant or other fluid for use with the system  100 . The user can designate one of the containers  110 ,  111 ,  112  and one of the lids  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108  for use With the selected lubricant. The user can select one of the color-identification cards  125 ,  126 ,  127 ,  128  bearing the selected color for that fluid and displaying the particular color chosen in the data pouch associated with the selected container such that the color is visibly displayed in the pouch. The colored band having the same color can be removably mounted to the selected lid. The container can be filled with the selected lubricant, and the selected lid can be sealingly engaged with the selected container. 
     For example, the first container  110  has the color-identification card  125  with its first side  130  being purple visibly displayed within the pouch  120 . The second pour lid  106  is equipped with the purple band  135  and is sealingly mounted to the first container  110 . In situations where the user intends to use multiple containers for the same kind of lubricant, a plurality of identification cards having at least one side with the same color and a corresponding number of same-colored bands can be provided in the system. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an illustrative lid  20  suitable for use with a lubrication storage and dispensing system according to the principles of this disclosure is shown. The lid  20  shown in  FIG. 2  is similar in construction and operation to the lids  105 ,  106 ,  107  shown in  FIG. 1 . The lid  20  can be made from any suitable material such as plastic, for example, including a high-density polyethylene material. Referring to  FIG. 2 . the lid  20  is configured to sealingly fit over a container. The lid  20  includes a body  22  defining a cavity  24  with a threaded internal surface  25  ( FIG. 4 ), a handle portion  26 , and a spout  28 . The spout  28  includes a variable discharge valve  30  mounted thereto that can selectively vary the flow rate of the liquid from the container through the spout  28  out of a nozzle opening  31  of the discharge valve  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the Spout  28  includes a first rail  32  and a second rail  34  that extend along an outside surface of the cylindrical spout  28  for mounting the discharge valve  30  thereto. Each rail  32 ,  34  includes a pair of stops  35 ,  36  adapted to interferingly engage the variable discharge valve  30  to define a fully opened position and a fully closed position. In the illustrative embodiment, the first stops  35  define the closed position, and the second stops  36  define the fully opened position. Each rail  32 ,  34  extends along an inclined path between the first and second stops  35 ,  36  such that the second stop  36  is disposed a predetermined distance distally away from the first stop  35 . 
     The spout  28  includes a distal opening  37  which is in fluid communication with the interior of the spout  28  to allow fluid to exit from the spout via the opening  37 . An inner portion  50  is mounted to the distal end of the spout  28 . The inner portion  50  includes an end plate  51  disposed in spaced relationship to the opening  37  by a plurality of support posts  52 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the discharge valve  30  includes an outer portion  40  with first and second flanges  42 ,  43  that include a respective first and second notch  46 ,  47 . The outer portion  40  of the discharge valve is rotatably mounted to the spout  28  via the first and second rails  32 ,  34 . The first and second rails  32 ,  34  are respectively disposed in the first and second notches  46 ,  47  such that the outer portion  40  is rotatably mounted to the spout  28  with the outer portion rotatable about the spout between first and second positions which correspond to the fully closed position and the fully open position of the discharge valve  30 . 
     The outer portion  40  of the discharge valve can travel between the first and second positions along a path of travel defined by the, rails  32 ,  34  to vary an outlet opening defined by the inner portion  50  ( FIG. 5 ) and the nozzle opening  31  of the outer portion  40  of the discharge valve  30 . When the outer portion  40  is in the first position, the nozzle opening  31  of the outer portion  40  is in proximate relationship to the end plate  51  of the inner portion  50  such that the nozzle opening is closed to prevent the flow of liquid from the variable discharge valve  30 . When the outer portion  40  is in the second position, the nozzle opening  31  is in maximum offset relationship with the end plate  51  such that the discharge valve  30  is in the fully opened position. As the outer portion  40  moves from the first to the second position, the distance between the end plate  51  and the nozzle opening  31  will incrementally increase to variably open; the valve increasing the nozzle opening until the discharge valve the valve  36  is fully open. 
     The socket  185  of each extension hose  115 ,  116 ,  117 ,  118  can be configured such that the outer portion  40  fits within the interior thereof. The outer portion  40  includes an external threaded surface  55  which can be threadedly mated with the interior threaded surface of each one of the extension hoses  115 ,  116 ,  117  of the storage system  100 , for example. 
     Referring( to  FIGS. 2-4 , the lid  20  also includes an air bleed valve  70  disposed within an air bleed passage  72 . The air bleed passage  72  extends between the cavity  24  and the outside environment. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the passage  72  includes a first opening  74  disposed. on the inside surface of the cavity  24 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the passage  72  includes a second opening  76  disposed on the outer surface of the handle  26 . An actuator  78  is provided to allow the air bleed valve  70  to move between an open position wherein the air bleed passage  72  is open and a closed position wherein the air bleed passage  72  is closed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the lid  20  can include a removable cap  80  for selectively covering a fill port  82  ( FIG. 4 ). The cap  80  can be threadedly mounted to the body  22  of the lid  20 . The fill port  82  can be used to refill the container to which the lid  20  is sealingly mounted to reduce the exposure of the interior of the container (arid the liquid stored therein) to airborne contaminants by avoiding the need to remove the lid to refill the container. The lid can include an accessory port  86  ( FIG. 4 ) selectively closed via a plug  86  with a slotted head. The accessory port  84  can receive a quick disconnect coupling that can be threadedly engaged therewith to facilitate the filling of the container to which the lid is sealingly mounted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an illustrative identification card  127  is shown. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the first side  130  of the identification card  127  is blue. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the second side  131  of the identification card  127  is green. 
     In other embodiments of the lubricant storage and dispensing system, the number of lids and/or containers can be varied. In addition, in other embodiments, the number of extension hoses can be varied. 
     In other embodiments, an additional set of color-identification cards can be provided for each container. The additional color-identification cards can be used to further color code a supply of the lubricant that each container is intended to hold such that the lubricant supply from which the container is filled can be associated with the same color, such as by having a data pouch mounted thereto that contains the appropriate color-identification card, for example, so that each of the container, the lid, and the lubricant supply all bear the same color. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an embodiment of a lubricant storage and dispensing device  200  is shown. The lubricant storage and dispensing device  200  includes a lid  205  sealingly mounted to a mouth of a container  212 , a data pouch  220 , a plurality of color-identification cards  221 ,  222 , and a plurality of colored bands  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  234 . The lid  205  can be similar in construction to the pour lid  20  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The identification cards  221 ,  222  are similar to the identification cards  125 ,  126 ,  127 ,  128  shown in  FIG. 1 . The data pouch can be affixed to the container  212  in a fashion similar to that described above. At least one identification card  221 ,  222  can be stored in the data pouch  220  affixed to the container  212  such that a colored side of the identification card is visible through the sidewall of the data pouch. A colored band corresponding to the color visible in the data pouch affixed to the container  212  can be mounted to the lid  205 . 
     For example, the green band  231  is mounted to the body  22  of the lid  205 . The first side  225  of the identification card  221  is green. The first identification card  221  can be inserted into the data pouch  220  such that the first side  225  is displayed outwardly. 
     In other embodiments, the lid of the lubricant storage and dispensing device can be similar in construction to the pump lid  108  shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, or have another construction. The container  212  can be similar to one of the containers  110 ,  111 ,  112  shown in  FIG. 1 , for example. In other embodiments, the container can have a different configuration. The container  212  includes an integral handle  213 . 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly. this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.