Abstract:
A fuel container includes sealed vessel having a pivoting spout assembly and fill nozzle assembly and a locking assembly. The container provides storage and dispensing of fuels without a user having to manually remove any caps. The spout assembly pivots closed and automatically seals when not in use. An air vent is built into the locking assembly to allow air to enter the vessel only during filling or dispensing, thereby effectively containing fumes within.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fluid holding containers, and in particular, to a spring-sealed fluid holding container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable gas cans are frequently used to refuel motor vehicles and transfer gasoline to small power equipment such as lawn mowers and chainsaws. Such containers have been in use for multiple generations and provide for generally safe usage. While no one will doubt the safety and convenience of a portable gas container, this does not mean that they are not without their disadvantages, such as the problems encountered when initially filling the can from a gasoline pump. The user is typically required to remove the pour spout, find a place to store it, and perhaps even get gasoline on their hands while handling the spout. Another instance is when the extended spout causes the can to get knocked over where gasoline can spill out. While caps and covers are available to help prevent such occurrences, their usage is not failsafe and they are often not even used in the first place due to the inconvenience involved. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a container to address the problems and disadvantages as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a fluid container that can easily and quickly be filled with and dispense a fluid without accidental spillage or contact with the fluid. The development of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail herein, substantially departs from conventional solutions to provide a sealed fluid container and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     In one (1) embodiment, the disclosed sealed fluid container can include a closed vessel defining an internal volume, a spout assembly pivotably connected to the vessel and in fluid communication with the internal volume, a fill nozzle assembly pivotably connected to the vessel and in fluid communication with the internal volume, and a locking assembly rotatably connected to the vessel and in fluid communication with the internal volume, wherein the spout assembly and the fill nozzle assembly are movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and wherein the locking assembly releasably secures the spout assembly and the fill nozzle assembly in the stowed position. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed sealed fluid container can include a closed vessel including a walled rectangular body defining an internal volume, a spout storage slot disposed on an upper end of the body, a fill nozzle storage slot disposed on the upper end of the body, a spout valve disposed in the body, the spout valve including a pair of opposing spout pivot enclosure receivers and a pair of spout valve apertures, each spout valve aperture being disposed within a corresponding spout pivot enclosure receiver, and a fill nozzle valve disposed in the body, the fill nozzle including a pair of opposing nozzle pivot enclosure receivers and a pair of nozzle valve apertures, each nozzle valve aperture being disposed within a corresponding nozzle pivot enclosure receiver; a spout assembly movable between a stowed position within the spout storage slot and a deployed position and in fluid communication with the internal volume, the spout assembly including a tubular spout having an open end, a spout pivot enclosure disposed at an end of the spout opposite the open end and being pivotably received between the pair of spout pivot enclosure receivers, a pair of spout pivot seals disposed on opposing side surfaces of the spout pivot enclosure, and a pair of spout apertures, each of the spout apertures being disposed through a corresponding side surface of the pivot enclosure and being alignable with the spout valve apertures when the spout assembly is in the deployed position; a fill nozzle assembly movable between a stowed position within the fill nozzle storage slot and a deployed position and in fluid communication with the internal volume, the fill nozzle assembly including a tubular fill nozzle having an open end, a nozzle pivot enclosure disposed at an end of the fill nozzle opposite the open end and being pivotably received between the pair of nozzle pivot enclosure receivers, a pair of nozzle pivot seals disposed on opposing side surfaces of the nozzle pivot enclosure, and a pair of fill nozzle apertures, each fill nozzle aperture being disposed through a corresponding side surface of the nozzle pivot enclosure and being alignable with the nozzle valve apertures when the fill nozzle assembly is in the deployed position; and a locking assembly rotatably connected to the vessel and in fluid communication with the internal volume, the locking assembly releasably secures the spout assembly and the fill nozzle assembly in the stowed position. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosed sealed fluid container can be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize after reading the present disclosure. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in any particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a sealed fluid container depicted in a stowed state, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is side perspective view of the sealed fluid container depicted in a deployed state; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a bottom perspective view of the sealed fluid container; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a spout assembly of the sealed fluid container and a section view of the sealed fluid container taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2   a ; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded section view of a fill nozzle assembly of the sealed fluid container and a section view of the sealed fluid container taken along section line B-B of  FIG. 2   a.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  sealed fluid container 
               20  vessel 
               22  body 
               24  first handle 
               26  fluid level window 
               27  second handle 
               28  spout storage slot 
               30  fill nozzle storage slot 
               40  spout assembly 
               42  spout 
               43  first lifting feature 
               44  spout pivot enclosure 
               46  spout aperture 
               48  spout pivot seal 
               60  spout valve 
               62  spout pivot enclosure receiver 
               64  first gasket 
               66  second gasket 
               68  first valve aperture 
               80  fill nozzle assembly 
               82  fill nozzle 
               83  fill nozzle aperture 
               84  fill nozzle opening 
               85  second lifting feature 
               86  nozzle pivot enclosure 
               88  nozzle pivot seal 
               90  diverter feature 
               100  fill nozzle valve 
               102  nozzle pivot enclosure receiver 
               108  second valve aperture 
               120  vent/lock assembly 
               122  third handle 
               124  housing 
               126  shaft 
               127  locking pin 
               128  pin slot 
               130  spring 
               132  vent port 
               134  housing aperture 
               150  fluid 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of the described embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one (1) or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one (1) or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , disclosing a sealed fluid container (herein referred to generally as a “container”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. The container  10  provides usage enhancements over conventional fuel storage and dispensing containers. The container  10  provides for the storage and dispensing of fluids  150 , such as gasoline, kerosene, and the like. The container  10  generally includes a sealed and pivoting spout assembly  40 , a fill nozzle assembly  80 , and a locking assembly  120 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a , and  2   b , the container  10  can include a molded plastic fluid storage vessel  20 . The vessel  20  includes a generally rectangular body  22 , a first handle  24 , a second handle  27 , a fluid level window  26  disposed along a rear side surface, a spout storage slot  28 , a fill nozzle storage slot  30 , a spout valve  60 , and a fill nozzle valve  100 . 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the teachings of the present disclosure may be incorporated to provide various fluid capacities such as one (1) gallon (1 gal), two gallons (2 gal), five gallons (5 gal), and the like, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the container  10  can be introduced being molded in various colors of plastic based upon a user&#39;s preference as well as to indicate particular contained fluids such as red for gasoline, blue for kerosene, and so forth. 
     When in a stowed state, the container  10  provides a means to securely lock the spout assembly  40  and fill nozzle assembly  80  within slot features disposed at a center top area of the container  10 . The spout assembly  40  and fill nozzle assembly  80  can be recessed within respective concave spout storage slot  28  and fill nozzle slot  30 , which are molded into a top surface of the vessel  20 . Once in the stowed state, the spout assembly  40  and fill nozzle assembly  80  are positioned in an “end-to-end” arrangement and jointly secured by a single quarter-turn third handle  122  that also acts as a vent during filling and dispensing of a contained fluid  150 . The spout assembly  40  and fill nozzle assembly  80  include pivoting and sealing features to prevent accidental spilling of fluids  150 . 
     The vessel  20  also provides a second handle  27  ( FIG. 2   b ) having a molded-in recessed area positioned along a rear bottom surface of the body  22 . During pouring of the fluid  150 , a user can insert their fingers into the second handle  27  to lift and tilt the container  10  forward. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the spout assembly  40  provides a means of sealed pivoting deployment via pivoting engagement with a spout valve  60 . The spout valve  60  can be incorporated into a top forward portion of the vessel  20 . The spout assembly  40  and spout valve  60  include respective matching cylindrical portions which enable sealed dispensing of a fluid  150  only when the spout assembly  40  is in a forwardly deployed state ( FIG. 2   a ). 
     The spout assembly  40  includes a tapering tubular spout  42  having an integral first lifting feature  43  positioned along a top surface and protruding horizontally outward on either side allowing a user to lift and deploy the spout assembly  40 . The spout assembly  40  includes a cylindrical spout pivot enclosure  44  at a bottom end that protrudes perpendicularly in both directions forming a “T”-shaped hollow structure having circular spout pivot seals  48  molded-in or adhesively bonded to opposing vertical outer edges. 
     The spout pivot seals  48  in turn slidably engage respective and correspondingly sized opposing spout pivot enclosure receivers  62  integrated into the molded plastic vessel  20  (only one side shown). The spout pivot enclosure  44  includes a spout aperture  46  on each vertical outer side surface positioned in an offset manner. In a corresponding offset manner, the spout valve  60  includes a first valve aperture  68  which can be aligned with the spout aperture  46 , when the spout  42  is rotated to a deployed position, to provide fluid communication from the vessel  20  into the spout  42 . The spout valve  60  and first valve aperture  68  are arranged to be aligned only when the spout  42  is fully deployed. Therefore, when in a stored or partially deployed state, the spout valve  60  prevents the flow of the fluid  150  from the vessel  20 . Each side of the cylindrical spout pivot enclosure receiver  62  provides a seal to the spout pivot enclosure  44  via a first gasket  64  and a second gasket  66  to prevent fluid leakage during dispensing. 
     When the spout assembly  40  is folded downwardly into the spout storage slot  28 , the spout valve  60  is closed off. When the spout  42  is lifted up for pouring, the spout apertures  46  are automatically aligned with the corresponding first valve apertures  68 , thereby allowing a flow of fluid  150  through both first valve apertures  68  and into the spout  42 . Opening and closing of the spout valve  60  simply involves lifting and lowering of the spout  42  without touching any fluid  150  covered surfaces. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the container  10  also provides a means to fill the vessel  20  with fluid  150  using a conventional gas pump nozzle or similar means via the fill nozzle assembly  80 . The fill nozzle assembly  80  utilizes a similar method of sealing and conveying the fluid  150  as the previously described spout assembly  40 . The fill nozzle assembly  80  rotatably engages a fill nozzle valve  100  (only one (1) side shown), having respective interconnecting cylindrical portions including a nozzle pivot enclosure  86  and a nozzle pivot enclosure receiver  102 . 
     The nozzle pivot enclosure  86  and nozzle pivot enclosure receiver  102  in turn include respective offset fill nozzle apertures  83  and second valve apertures  108 , thereby enabling the flow of fluids  150  into the vessel  20  only when the fill nozzle  82  is deployed vertically during alignment of the fill nozzle apertures  83  and the second valve apertures  108 . The nozzle pivot enclosure  86  of the fill nozzle assembly  80  includes opposing nozzle pivot seals  88  in a similar manner as the aforementioned spout pivot seals  48  of the spout assembly  40 . Furthermore, the nozzle pivot enclosure receiver  102  includes first  64  and second  66  gaskets in a similar manner as the spout assembly  40 . When the fill nozzle  82  is in a lowered and stowed state, the misalignment of the fill nozzle apertures  83  and second valve apertures  108  prevents any fluid  150  from leaking from the vessel  20 . 
     The nozzle pivot enclosure  86  of the fill nozzle assembly  80  includes a molded-in diverter feature  90  located immediately below the fill nozzle aperture  83  of the fill nozzle  82 . The diverter feature  90  includes opposing integral inclined surfaces along a bottom surface designed to deflect entering fluid  150  in a sideways direction to avoid possible splashing during filling of the container  10 . 
     The container  10  includes a vent/lock assembly  120  located adjacent to the fill nozzle assembly  80  which provides child-proof locking of the spout assembly  40  and the fill nozzle assembly  80  in their respective stowed positions, as well as providing for a no-leak air venting. 
     The vent/lock assembly  120  includes a “push down-and-turn” mechanism retained within a hollow cylindrical housing  124  integrally-molded into a top surface of the vessel  20 . The vent/lock assembly  120  includes a “T”-shaped third handle  122 , which when in a locked state contacts and entraps top end portions of the spout assembly  40  and fill nozzle assembly  80 , thereby preventing lifting of the assemblies  40 ,  80 . 
     The third handle  122  includes an integral downwardly extending shaft  126  that occupies the hollow center of the housing  124 . A bottom end of the shaft  126  extends outwardly from a bottom portion of the housing  124  where it includes a locking pin  127 . The third handle  122  and shaft  126  are retained within the housing  124  via the locking pin  127  that extends and protrudes perpendicularly through the bottom end of the shaft  126 . The locking pin  127  is nested, in a non-rotating manner, within pin slots  128  formed within a bottom surface of the housing  124  at opposing locations. 
     The housing  124  includes an internal spring  130  which acts to push upwardly upon a bottom surface of the third handle  122 , thereby holding the locking pin  127  within the pin slots  128  in a spring-loaded manner. To enable rotation of the third handle  122  and shaft  126 , a user pushes downwardly upon the third handle  122 , thereby compressing the spring  130  and causing the locking pin  127  to separate from the pin slots  128 . The user may then rotate the third handle  122  ninety degrees (90°) to enable releasing and lifting of the spout assembly  40  and fill nozzle  80  as needed. 
     The vent/lock assembly  120  also provides air ventilation within the vessel  20  during dispensing and filling via a vent port  132  formed within the third handle  122  and shaft  126 . When the third handle  122  and shaft  126  are in their rotated and unlocked position, the vent port  132  becomes aligned with a correspondingly positioned housing aperture  134  formed within a side surface of the housing  124 , thereby providing an air conduit from an internal volume of the vessel  20  through the shaft  126  and third handle  122  to maintain equal air pressure within the vessel  20  during dispensing and filling. When the third handle  122  and shaft  126  are in the locked position, the vent port  132  is sealed, thereby preventing accidental leakage of the fluid  150 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the disclosed container  10  can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The user can utilize the disclosed container  10  in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the container  10 , it can be utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     The method of utilizing the container  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the container  10  having a desired fluid volume and plastic color; unlocking the fill nozzle assembly  80  by pushing down and rotating the third handle  122  ninety degrees (90°); grasping the second lifting feature of the fill nozzle  82 ; lifting the fill nozzle  82  from the fill nozzle storage slot  30  by rotating the fill nozzle assembly  80  within the fill nozzle valve  100  until the fill nozzle is at a vertical orientation; dispensing a desired volume of a fluid  150  into the fill nozzle  82  in a conventional manner using a gas pump nozzle or other fluid delivery; observing the fluid level window  26  during filling to obtain a desired volume of fluid  150  within the container  10 ; rotating the fill nozzle  82  downwardly to its stowed position within the fill nozzle storage slot  30 ; rotating the third handle  122  ninety degrees (90°) to its locked position; transporting the container  10  to a desired location; dispensing the fluid  150  by pushing down and turning the third handle  122  ninety degrees (90°); grasping the first lifting feature  43  of the spout  42 ; lifting the spout  42  from the spout storage slot  28  by rotating the spout assembly  40  within the spout valve  60  until the spout  42  is fully deployed; grasping the first handle  24  in one hand and inserting fingers of the remaining hand into the second handle  27 ; lifting and tilting the container  10  to dispense a desired volume of fluid  150  from the spout  42  into a vehicle gas tank, another container, or the like; observing the fluid level window  26  periodically during dispensing until a desired amount of fluid  150  has been transferred; returning the spout  42  to the spout storage slot  28 ; locking the spout  42  in its stowed position by rotating the third handle  122  ninety degrees (90°) to its locked position; and, benefiting from minimized contact with fluids  150  and spill-proof operation afforded a user of the disclosed container  10 . 
     The foregoing embodiments of the disclosed sealed fluid container have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles, configurations, and modifications of the invention can be incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure upon reading the specification and that the embodiments of the disclosed baluster bracket assembly shown and described are for the purposes of clarity and disclosure and to limit the scope. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.