Abstract:
The valved container assembly comprises a container having a combined inlet/outlet incorporating an inlet valve, an outlet tube positionable over the inlet, the outlet tube incorporating an inline flow control valve and an end valve which stops flow through the tube when flow into a receptacle for fluid from the container reaches a height below overflow, the assembly allowing no vapor escape during filling or emptying of the container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/313,224, filed Dec. 9, 2002, of the same title, currently pending, the teachings of which are incorporated herein. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a valved fluid container assembly including a container, such as, for example, a gas can, which is easy to use compared to those presently available and includes a valve system for greater accuracy in filling a device with fluid from the container, and for controlling flow of fluid from the container, without allowing vapor to escape therefrom. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Heretofore, various liquid containers have been proposed. Also valved liquid containers have been proposed. 
   There are certain requirements, for example, in the State of California under their Clear Air Act, that no venting of vapor to the ambient environment take place. The assembly of the present invention accommodates this requirement as no known prior art devices. 
   Further, no prior art devices have provided the ease of use and valving system which is described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the invention there is provided a valved container assembly comprising a fluid container, the container incorporating an inlet/outlet, the inlet/outlet incorporating at least an outlet tube engageable thereto, the outlet tube incorporating an inline valve for controlling flow of fluid through the tube, and the outlet tube further incorporating an end valve which acts to stop flow of fluid through the outlet tube before fluid exiting the outlet tube can cause an overflow from an item into which fluid from the container is flowing. 
   Further, according to the invention there is provided an inline valve for use in controlling flow through a flow line, the valve comprising a proximal end and a distal end mechanically engaged within and to the flow line, the valve incorporating a compressible tube therein and a stopper engaged about the compressible tube and being spring biased to maintain the tube in a compressed state so no flow can pass therethrough until force is applied onto the stop member against action of the biasing spring to allow decompression of the compressed tube for flow to pass therepast. 
   Still further, according to the invention there is also provided an end valve for use in a flow line to keep fluid passing through the flow line from overflowing an item into which fluid is being delivered by the flow line, the end valve having a proximal end and distal end and including a valve element therein, the valve element being configured to allow fluid flow therearound; a valve seat defining an entry into an outflow channel which allows fluid to flow out of the distal end of the tube when the inline valve is opened; a movable float engaged slidably within the valve seat and acting to close the valve via elevation of the float due to fluid contact therewith; the valve elements being housed within a housing having ports therein through which fluid can pass out into a container and in to cause elevation of the float. 
   Still further according to the invention there is provided an inlet valve in the inlet/outlet of the container for assuring no vapor leakage while the container is being filled. 
   Still further according to the invention there is provided a cap for engaging the assembly to either an inlet/outlet which does or does not an inlet valve therein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cross sectional side view of a first embodiment of the valved container assembly. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional side view of a second embodiment of the valved container assembly. 
       FIG. 3  is an end view of an outlet valve of the assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view through a gas can incorporating a fill valve of the assembly. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the valve of  FIG. 4  showing same prior to engagement of a gas nozzle. 
       FIG. 6  shows the nozzle seated within the valve. 
       FIG. 7  show the nozzle having opened the valve. 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged more detailed cross sectional view through the valve of  FIGS. 5–7 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the valve of  FIG. 8  to incorporate a first embodiment of a thumb latch. 
       FIG. 10  show the valve of  FIG. 8  to incorporate a second embodiment of a thumb latch. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated therein the easy use fluid container assembly with valving system for same, made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and generally identified by the reference numeral  10 . 
   As shown, the assembly  10  includes a container  12  which is designed to receive, hold, and ultimately dispense fluid therefrom. In the illustrative embodiment presented, the container  12  is shown to comprise a gas can  12 , though this should not be construed as limiting. 
   Fluid containers  12 , such as gas cans  12 , are known to be of significant weight when filled, particularly when they are of large capacity, such as gas cans  12  used for filling boat motors (not shown). Such significant weight is, at best, unmanageable when emptying a conventional can provided with a typical top mount nozzle supplied with such can, especially when a woman attempts to lift such can and tilt same simultaneously for emptying thereof. 
   It is well known that due to the structure of such conventional cans, spillage of fluid, such as gasoline, is often unavoidable, although extremely undesirable. 
   It is also undesirable to allow gas fumes to vent from the can. 
   The assembly  10  of the present invention overcomes these undesirable features. 
   Flow from the container  12  must be controllable. Such is accomplished in the present embodiment by a valve system  20  incorporated onto the can  12 , the illustrated valve system  20  incorporating three valves  32 ,  34  and  36 . A first of the valves  32  will be referred to as a fill valve  32 , a second of the valves  34 , will be referred to as an inline valve  34  while the third of the valves  36  will be referred to as the end valve  36 . 
   Beginning with the fill valve  32  which is seated within the combined inlet/outlet  37  of the container  12 , it will be seen to comprise a housing  39  which engages within a neck  41  of the container  12 , the neck  41  defining the inlet/outlet  37 . 
   Within the housing  39  is a spring  43  which biases a valve element  45  in the form of a cylinder  45  having a closed bottom end  47  to a normally closed position, engaged against an upper end  49  of the housing  39 . A bottom end  51  of the housing  39  has ports  53  therein through which liquid can flow in either direction, as necessary. 
   A cavity  55  within the housing  39  is rather conical in shape and the hollow cylindrical valve element  45  has a diameter which allows a fuel nozzle  57  to seat snugly therewithin, against an inner shoulder  58  thereof, the fuel nozzle  57  being the actuating mechanism for opening the valve element  45  for filling of the container  12 . 
   The valve element  45  has a radial array of side ports  59  which abut against an upper area  61  of the inner wall  63  of the cavity  55  when in the closed position best shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  9  and  10 . 
   As the nozzle  57  is inserted into the hollow valve element  45  apply force against the biasing spring  42  and moving the valve element down into the cavity  55 , the side ports  59  are now free to allow passage of fluid therethrough into the wider lower area of the cavity  55 , with the fluid in turn flowing down through the cavity  55  and out the bottom ports  53  into the container  12 . Once the container  12  is filled, the nozzle  57  is removed and the spring  43  returns the valve element  45  to the normally closed position. 
   To assure sealing against spillage, two seals  63  and  65  are provided around the periphery of the valve element  45 , one above and one below the array of side ports  59 . 
   If desired, to further assure maintenance of the valve element  45  in the closed position, lock latches, similar to  67  and  69 , may also be incorporated. Lock latch  67  is a simple thumb latch  67  while lock latch  69  is actuated by insertion of nozzle  57  into the valve element  45  and against inner shoulder  58  thereof. Nozzle  57  pulls a finger  71  of the latch  69  inwardly upon insertion, bringing latch  69  therewith. 
   The inline valve  34  will be seen to incorporate a flexible fluid passageway or tube  38  therethrough which is in line with a lumen  40  of the tubing  30 . Extending transversely to and passing diametrically about the tube  38  is a stopper  42  which is biased by a spring  44  to a normally closed position as shown in  FIG. 2 , to keep fluid from passing therethrough by pinching the tube  38  closed. 
   The stopper  42  includes a knob  46  at an end  48  opposite the spring biased end  50  which is manually manipulated and held downwardly to force the stopper  42  against action of the biasing spring  44  when it is desired to deliver fluid from the container  12 . 
   It will be understood that when the stopper  42  is in the depressed position, as best shown in  FIG. 1 , the tube  38  of the valve  34  flexes open and fluid is allowed pass therethrough to the end valve  36 . Upon release of the knob  46 , the valve  34  closes. 
   Turning now to the end valve  36  of the assembly  10 , it will first be understood that in use, a free distal or depending end  52  of the valve  36  is placed downwardly into an item to be filled from the container  12 . 
   The end valve  36  comprises a housing  81  a first end  83  of which engages tubing  30  leading thereto from the inline valve  34 . 
   The free end  52  has ports  87  therein through which fluid passes into an item being filled (not shown) from the container  12 . 
   Within the housing  81  is a somewhat conical float  89  seated within a conical valve seat  91  which has a larger diameter than that of the float  69  at the free end  52  of the housing  81 . Thus, when the inline valve  34  is opened, the float  69  is pushed toward the free end  52  and liquid from the container  12  can pass therearound, and out the ports  87 . 
   It will be understood that, with the free end  52  of the valve  36  being downwardly disposed in the item being filled, should fluid in the item rise to a level to enter the valve  36  via end ports  87 , the float  89  will be moved upwardly, stopping fluid flow into the item. 
   Thus, by motion of the float  89 , which is moved by the rising level of fluid in the item being filled from the container  12 , overflow of fluid from the item being filled, is avoided. 
   To maintain the float  89  centered within the seat  91 , a plurality of ribs  93  are provided within a channel  95  of the valve seat  91  to maintain the float  89  centered therewithin. 
   Turning back to the container  12 , in the preferred embodiment, a carrying handle  100  is provided on a top surface  102  thereof. 
   A threaded rotatable cap  110  is also provided for engagement over the inlet/outlet  37 . 
   The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  is provided for use with a container  12  having no inlet valve  32  therein, merely being threaded onto the typical opening in the container  12 . 
   The embodiment of the cap  110  shown in  FIG. 1  is proposed for use with a container  12  having an inlet valve  32  therein, and incorporates a circular shoulder  112  therein which coacts with the inner shoulder  58  of cylinder  45 , pushing cylinder or valve element  45  downwardly so that outflow from the container  12  can take place through the side ports  59 . 
   As described above, the assembly  10  provides a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. Also, modifications to the structures disclosed herein may be proposed without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.