Abstract:
The present invention is a flexible disc-like membrane that is burstable on demand. The membrane is adapted to accommodate an accommodating container (approximately 32 fl. oz.) for automotive type motor oils and other viscous fluids. The membrane serves to contain a fluid content within a container at first use, while the container (with cap removed) is being positioned for pouring and until the consumer manually initiates the membrane to burst so as to release the contained fluid into an engine or other equipment. The present invention improves container content pour-ability by allowing the consumer to manually initiate the release of a fluid content to a free-flowing action at the proper time as to avoid fluid content spillage without the need for the use of a funnel or other pouring assistance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to common containers (approximately 1 U.S. quart—32 fl. oz.) for automotive type motor oils and other viscous fluids where a burstable membrane is adapted to accommodate an accommodating container to postpone the first use free-flowing action of a containerized fluid in a manner that avoids fluid content spillage when pouring the fluid content into an engine or other equipment.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0004]    The current use of high density polyethylene (plastic) rectangularly shaped containers (approximately 32 fl. oz.) for motor oil and like fluids with an offset or centrally located tubular spout and a circular spout opening has improved ease of pour-ability for consumer usage to some degree over former use of cylindrical composite fiber containers that had no spout or spout opening. The invention of (Doering, U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,142) discloses a polyethylene rectangular container (approximately 32 fl. oz.) for motor oil with an offset tubular spout, as does the design of (Kearse et al., U.S. Pat. No. D352,904) and the design of (Bridger et al., U.S. Pat. No. D337,946). The disclosure of (Frazer, U.S. Pat. No. D314,509) includes a substantially rectangular container with a centrally oriented tubular spout. These containers all have provided some improvement to containerized fluid pour-ability but there is still a need for further improvement, especially at first use when the container is at maximum fullness of content. The prior art rectangular containers mentioned and others still lend themselves to content spillage at the beginning of pouring action because when rotating a container (with the usual cap removed) from the normal position (spout opening upward) to the inverted position for pouring (spout opening downward) there is an uncontrolled outward surge of the container content before the opening end of the container spout can be placed fully within the oil fill or other fluid fill opening of an engine or other equipment. Some of the prior art containers are particularly designed with offset and/or angular spouts to allow pouring to begin by rotating a container from the normal position (spout opening upward) to the horizontal position for pouring (spout horizontal) to align the opening end of the container spout with the engine oil or other fluid fill opening, thereby allowing a slower emptying of the container content to reduce uncontrolled content surge and reduce content spillage. These containers remain vulnerable to first use content spillage at the beginning of pouring, partially because of the containers&#39; fullness of content and partially because of obstructions encountered on the engine or other equipment (hoses, belts, brackets, etc.). Most engines have fluid fill intake openings that are less than accessible to positioning a container fully in a pouring position (inverted or horizontal) to begin pouring before content spillage can occur. In most cases only after a portion of the container contents have been emptied can the container be handled with relative ease, as when the contents of a container are only partially emptied at the first use application, i.e. the pouring action of a container content is stopped before emptying all of the content at the first use application, at some later time the pouring action is re-started with the unused content of the container for a second application with minimal chance of content spillage for the second application. Therefore it is still the first use of the individual container that is most likely to cause content spillage without the use of a funnel or other pouring assistance.  
           [0005]    The invention of (Maguire, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,467) discloses a two-piece on/off pouring spout able to be coupled to some types of common containers for motor oil or like fluids. This prior art is relatively inexpensive and improves container content pour-ability by allowing the container to be inverted before the content flow is released, but this invention has to be continually coupled and un-coupled from one container to another, i.e. the average automotive engine oil change usually requires 3 to 5 separate (32 fl. oz.) oil containers. In addition, this invention as with funnels or other pouring assistance devices will retain an oily film which has to be continually cleaned of product oil or like fluid and further has to be continually cleaned of dust, and foreign particles that tend to settle an oily surfaces.  
           [0006]    In the case of small engines such as lawn mowers or other equipment where the oil fill intake opening is smaller than the average 32 fl. oz. container spout opening and where such equipment requires only one or less than one 32 fl. oz. container of oil to fill the equipment, the present inventions&#39; primary use (first use delay of fluid content free-flow) may be by-passed if desired. Puncturing (popping-open) the flow delay membrane (of an accommodating container) inwardly with thumb or forefinger after the container cap removal and before positioning the container for pouring will allow the container to be used in the conventional manner, using a funnel or some form of pouring assistance to guide the uncontrolled content surge when pouring the fluid content. Even when the primary use of the flow delay membrane is occasionally by-passed, the present invention serves a secondary function by replacing and serving as the usual seal for the container when the container is originally filled, sealed and capped. However most oil and related fluid container manufacturers now produce container sizes specifically for small engines such as a 20 fl. oz. container for lawn mowers and like equipment.  
           [0007]    The intended consumer usage of the present invention is automotive and industrial by improving containerized oil and related fluid pour-ability, but other uses may apply. The present invention can be manufactured and applied inexpensively enough to be used once and then discarded with the accommodating container when emptied. Most motor oil and like fluid containers are emptied at first use, i.e. the average automotive engine crankcase capacity for oil fill is from 3 to 5 U.S. quarts (96 fl. oz. to 160 fl. oz.), thus in the case of a 4½ U.S. quart (144 fl. oz.) capacity engine oil fill, 4 individual 1 U.S. quart (32 fl. oz.) accommodating containers would be emptied at first use and a 5 th  1 U.S. quart (32 fl. oz.) accommodating container is only partially emptied at the first use. In this case the consumer temporarily recaps the partially emptied 5 th  container until the next use. The 5 th  partially emptied container can later be un-capped and then completely emptied with far less chance of content spillage during a second use because of the previously removed quantity of oil at the first use of the 5 th  container even though the flow delay membrane of the 5 th  container was ruptured at the first use of the 5 th  container.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention is a first use flow delay membrane to postpone the first use free-flowing action of a pourable viscous fluid (motor oil and other fluids) from an accommodating container (approximately 1 U.S. quart—32 fl. oz.), until such container can be properly positioned for pouring as to avoid fluid content spillage without the need for the use of a funnel or other pouring assistance device. The flow delay membrane serves as a temporary diaphragm by blocking the container content free-flow while the consumer inverts the container (positions the container spout opening end downward) and until the consumer can place the container spout opening end fully within the oil fill or other fluid fill intake opening of an engine or other equipment, allowing the consumer to initiate, on demand, the rupture of the membrane, thereby allowing the free-flow action of the fluid content to begin after the accommodating container is properly positioned for pouring.  
           [0009]    The flow delay membrane is a flexible, circular, disc-like membrane that includes radial grooves and diametric grooves and further includes separation seams along the diametric grooves for the membrane to be ruptureable (burstable) on demand. The present invention is diametrically dimensioned to accommodate the variant spout opening diameters of random variable types of containers (usually but not limited to 32 fl. oz.). A fluid filled and cap sealed accommodating container having the flow delay membrane in place is opened (container cap removed), thereby exposing the top side of the flow delay membrane intact, the container is then properly positioned for pouring. The consumer can, at this point, manually compress (squeeze) the container to pressurize the fluid content within the accommodating container, which in turn pressurizes the inside (bottom side) of the flow delay membrane causing the membrane to yield (rupture) radially outward from the diametric center of the membrane along the separation seams, thus releasing the gravity free-flow of the previously restricted container fluid content directly into the fluid fill opening of an engine or other equipment, thereby avoiding undesired content spillage and eliminating the need for the use of a funnel or other pouring assistance device.  
           [0010]    The present invention is sufficiently inexpensive to be used once and then disposed of along with the accommodating container when emptied; can replace the usual seal (leak seal) of the accommodating container; and further does not interfere with the usual capping (cap closure) material or process of the accommodating container. Accordingly several objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide:  
           [0011]    (a) A flow delay membrane that is adapted to the usual spout opening end rim of a motor oil or other viscous fluid common container.  
           [0012]    (b) A flow delay membrane that can replace some types of usual seals (plastic or composite fiber) that are sometimes placed snuggly within and flush to the inside top of the usual cap of the container, and a flow delay membrane that can replace other types of usual seals (plastic, composite fiber, or metallic foil) that are sometimes affixed to the container usual spout opening end rim (for sealing only) at the time of the container filling and capping process.  
           [0013]    (c) A flow delay membrane that can be incorporated into a common container for motor oil or other viscous fluids at the time of the container filling without changing the usual filling, sealing and capping process that the fluid filling manufacture uses to originally fill, seal and cap the container.  
           [0014]    (d) A flow delay membrane that serves to avoid content spillage when pouring a fluid content, and a flow delay membrane that eliminates the need for the use of a funneling (flow guiding) device or other supplementary pouring assistance when pouring a fluid content.  
           [0015]    (e) A flow delay membrane that improves pour-ability of a contained viscous fluid from an accommodating container at first use by delaying the natural free-flowing action of the contained fluid until, (with the usual cap removed) the container can be rotatively inverted (spout opening end positioned downward) and until the container can be maneuvered to having the container spout opening end being placed fully within the fluid fill opening of an engine or other equipment.  
           [0016]    (f) A flow delay membrane whereby the consumer can manually initiate the free-flowing action of the contained fluid from an accommodating container, at the consumer&#39;s readiness, directly into the fluid fill opening of an engine or other equipment.  
           [0017]    (g) A flow delay membrane that can be manufactured and applied cheaply enough to be discarded along with the accommodating container once the container contents have been emptied.  
           [0018]    (h) A flow delay membrane that allows the normal air flow into an accommodating container where the normal airflow helps to facilitate a container content free-flow normally from a common container, hence normal air flow being allowed into the accommodating container by way of the open flow delay membrane once the accommodating container has been positioned for pouring and the flow delay membrane has been ruptured, and a flow delay membrane that can be by-passed (if occasionally desired) by punching through the membrane with thumb or forefinger before positioning the accommodating container for pouring to enable the use of the accommodating container in the conventional manner by employing a supplementary pouring assistance device.  
           [0019]    A further object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a flow delay membrane that becomes secured against the inside top of the usual cap of an accommodating container by the usual capping of the accommodating container when the fluid filling manufacturer factory seals (caps) the container, whereby the flow delay membrane cannot be accidentally or intentionally ruptured before the factory emplaced cap is removed by the consumer. These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description and drawings, which follow. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flow delay membrane and a phantom outline perspective of the spout, spout opening and end rim of an accommodating container (partially shown container) for motor oil or related fluid (approximately 32 fl. oz.) to which the flow delay membrane is projected to be attached.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a broken-out partial view on an enlarged scale of the flow delay membrane perspective of FIG. 1 at a V-groove end.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a view of an accommodating container for motor oil or related fluid (approximately 32 fl. oz.), the flow delay membrane projected to be attached to the accommodating container, a container usual seal and a container usual cap, all in an exploded perspective.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective of an accommodating container (approximately 32 fl. oz.) for motor oil or related fluid, the flow delay membrane being attached in place to the accommodating container, the accommodating container being hand held with the accommodating container in the inverted position for pouring (spout opening end downward) and with the spout opening end being fully within a motor oil or other fluid fill opening, (fluid fill opening shown in phantom outline) while the container is being manually compressed (squeezed) by hand to pressurize the container contents, thereby causing the flow delay membrane to rupture (pop-open). The flow delay membrane is shown ruptured (popped-open), the container content (not shown).  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the top of the flow delay membrane showing the flaps, the separation seams and the circumference ring formed by the V-grooves communicating with the U-grooves (the membrane shown intact).  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the bottom of the flow delay membrane of FIG. 5 (all distinguishing features hidden).  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a section on an enlarged scale of the flow delay membrane (off centered view) shown in tact as indicated by line  7 - 7 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8A is a section on an enlarged scale of the flow delay membrane (centered view) shown intact as indicated by line  8 A- 8 A.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8B is a section on an enlarged scale of the flow delay membrane (centered view) shown ruptured (popped-open) as indicated by line  8 B- 8 B.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the flow delay membrane shown ruptured (popped-opened). 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]    As illustrated and described by the drawings and other reference the present invention is a substantially flat disc-like diaphragmatic membrane  10 . Membrane  10  is flexible and is adapted to accommodate an accommodating container  12 . Container  12  having an approximate capacity of one U.S. quart (32 fl. oz.) for containing motor oil or other fluids. Membrane  10  is accommodated at the end of a threaded tubular spout  14  of container  12  (FIGS. 1 and 3). More specifically, membrane  10  is permeated to a circular rim  16  of spout  14  where rim  16  defines and surrounds a circular opening  18  which is the fill or discharge opening at spout  14  of container  12  (FIGS. 1 and 3). Container  12  is normally positioned for filling, transport and storage with opening  18  of spout  14  facing upward and where opening  18  is normally regarded as the top of the container. Container  12  is normally comprised of plastic (polyethylene) and is usually rectangular in shape. Membrane  10  is comprised of a synthetic latex rubber or rubber-like material that is compatible with common automotive fluids such as motor oil and related fluids and is compatible with container  12  (the accommodating container) to which membrane  10  is to be accommodated. An average size for a preferred embodiment of the present invention is approximately {fraction (15/16)} inches in diameter and approximately {fraction (3/64)} inches in thickness (major portion thickness), but not limited to these dimensions. The true diameter, thickness and relative shape of the present invention is dictated by the variable spout opening end sizes and spout opening end shapes of the many diverse types of containers (approximately 32 fl. oz.) to which the present invention is to be adapted.  
         [0031]    Molded into and defining the topside of membrane  10  is a plurality of diametric grooves  20  (preferred embodiment) along a plurality of axes of membrane  10  where grooves  20  intersect each other at the diametric center of membrane  10 . For illustration purposes, grooves  20  are shown along the X-axis and the Y-axis of the preferred embodiment of membrane  10  (FIGS. 5 and 6) with grooves  20  continuing the major portion diameter of membrane  10  (FIGS. 1, 3,  5 ,  6 ,  8 A,  8 B and  9 ). From the diametric center of membrane  10 , grooves  20  are in a radiate form extending outwardly and are V-shaped in cross section in the preferred embodiment but not limited to this form or shape. The depth of grooves  20  is through the major portion thickness of membrane  10  forming a plurality of separation seams  22  along and relative to grooves  20 , with seams  22  being the remaining portion thickness of membrane  10  along grooves  20 . The preferred V-shape (in cross section) of grooves  20  serves to create a clean straight debris free separation along the longitudinal centers of grooves  20  at seams  22  when membrane  10  is ruptured (popped-open). Grooves  20  and seams  22  shown in (FIGS. 1, 2,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 A,  8 B and  9 ). Seams  22  shown intact (FIGS. 1, 2,  5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8 A) and shown separated (FIGS. 4, 8B and  9 ). In combination with grooves  20  there is molded into membrane  10  a plurality of radial grooves  24  (U-shape in cross section) in communication with grooves  20  (FIGS. 1, 2,  5 ,  6 ,  8 A,  8 B and  9 ) which forms and defines a plurality of symmetrically radiate and substantially triangular pop-open flaps  26  (flaps  26  shown in all FIGS.). The preferred U-shape of grooves  24  serves to define and facilitate of plurality of bending bases  28 , one base  28  at each flap  26  of membrane  10 . Bases  28  at flaps  26  of membrane  10  where membrane  10  is shown ruptured (popped-open), shown in (FIGS. 8B and 9). Bases  28  at flaps  26  of membrane  10  where membrane  10  is shown intact, shown in (FIGS. 1 and 8A). Grooves  20  communicating with grooves  24 , in addition to defining flaps  26 , serve to form and define a circumference ring edge  30  including and encircling membrane  10  (ring edge  30  shown in all FIGS.). The depth of grooves  24  is shallow leaving the major portion thickness of membrane  10  at base  28  (FIGS. 8A and 8B) to insure that flaps  26  do not separate from ring edge  30  at base  28  when membrane  10  is ruptured, membrane  10  shown ruptured (FIGS. 8B and 9).  
         [0032]    Membrane  10  is adapted to accommodate an accommodating container, (after the container has been normally filled with a fluid) by permeating ring edge  30  of membrane  10  flush to rim  16  at spout  14  of container  12  thereby sealing opening  18  of the container spout and allowing the normal capping (process and material) of container  12  (filling and capping not shown). Membrane  10  (FIGS. 1 and 3) is shown in the projected attaching position to container  12 , the attached position of membrane  10  to container  12  is shown in (FIG. 4) with membrane  10  ruptured. A threaded usual cap  32  (FIG. 3), when threadedly mated to spout  14  there provides compression to the accommodated membrane (membrane  10 ) at a top-side  42  of membrane  10  (top-side  42  shown all FIGS.) further sealing container  12  and thereby preventing membrane  10  from being ruptured before cap  32  is removed by the consumer, (cap  32 , not shown mated to spout  14 ). Membrane  10  can serve as and replace a thin wafer-like usual seal  34  (FIG. 3). Seal  34  in some applications is a plastic or composite fiber material that is placed snuggly inside cap  32  before container  12  is capped. In other applications seal  34  is a plastic, composite fiber, or metallic foil material that is affixed to rim  16  at spout  14  of container  12  before container  12  is capped. Both applications of seal  34  are for sealing only, (applications of seal  34  not shown).  
         [0033]    Upon removing cap  32  from the accommodating container, membrane  10  serves to delay the gravity free-flow of the container fluid content (content not shown) while the accommodating container is being inverted and maneuvered to having the opening end (opening  18 ) of spout  14  fully within a fluid fill usual opening  36  of an engine or other equipment, which is the proper pouring position for the pouring action of the container fluid content to begin conveniently (FIG. 4 opening  36  in phantom outline). Once the container is maneuvered fully into a proper pouring position, the consumer can then manually initiate membrane  10  to rupture thereby releasing the free-flow of the container content (FIG. 4 shows membrane  10  as ruptured, free-flow of container content not shown). Content spillage from a common container (without membrane  10 ) occurs mostly at first use when the container is at peak fullness and while the container is being maneuvered and is usually encountering obstacles on the engine or other equipment, i.e. hoses, belts, brackets etc. (content spillage and obstacles not shown).  
         [0034]    The present invention prevents the gravity free-flow of the container fluid content while container  12  is being inverted and maneuvered fully into a proper pouring position until, at the consumers&#39; readiness, container  12  is manually compressed (squeezed) by a consumer hand  38  (FIG. 4) to initiate the rupture of membrane  10  thereby allowing the container fluid content free-flow to begin (container content free-flow not shown). Manually compressing (squeezing) container  12  pressurizes the container fluid content (content not shown) thereby transferring pressure to a bottom-side  46  of membrane  10  (bottom-side  46  shown all FIGS.) causing the membrane to rupture at and along seams  22 , whereby flaps  26  of membrane  10  pop-open radially outward from the diametric center of membrane  10 , membrane  10  shown popped-open (FIGS. 4, 8B and  9 ). The outward pop-open action of flaps  26  causes grooves  24  to close, in cross section (FIG. 8B), and in turn assists in the radial bending action of flaps  26  at bases  28  further allowing the outward swing travel of flaps  26  within membrane  10  when the membrane is ruptured (FIG. 8B). Once container  12  is properly positioned for pouring and membrane  10  is ruptured (popped-open), membrane  10  then releases the fluid content of container  12  to a gravity free-flowing action (content free-flow not shown) for complete or partial emptying of container  12  at the first use of the accommodating container. In the case of partial emptying of the accommodating container at the first use, container  12  can be inversely positioned from the pouring position (the spout opening end downward) back to the normal position (the spout opening end upward) to end the first use before complete emptying of container  12  with far less chance of content spillage because of reduced content at the end of the first use, and container  12  can be later re-used at a second or further use with less chance of content spillage at the second use because of reduced content within container  12  at the start of the second use even though membrane  10  was previously ruptured at the start of the first use of container  12  (emptying of container  12  not shown).  
         [0035]    Membrane  10  of the accommodating container can be manually by-passed, (after the usual cap removal of the accommodating container) where the consumer manually and inwardly punches-open membrane  10  of container  12 , using thumb, forefinger or other object to enable the use of the accommodating container conventionally without membrane  10  intact at the first use of container  12 , if occasionally desired, (punching-open membrane  10  of container  12  not shown). Membrane  10  cannot be prematurely ruptured through inadvertently or intentionally compressing the accommodating container (manually or otherwise) as long as the factory emplaced cap  32  remains threadedly mated to spout  14  of container  12 , since an inside top area  40  (FIG. 3) of cap  32  normally compresses against a top-side  42  (FIG. 3) of membrane  10  when cap  32  is threadedly mated to spout  14  of the accommodating container thereby preventing the untimely rupture of membrane  10  (cap  32  not shown mated to spout  14  of the accommodating container).  
         [0036]    The normal airflow into the spout opening of any of the common containers mentioned and others assist in allowing the outward natural free-flow of the fluid content from a common container when the container usual cap is removed and the container is inverted (inward air flow and outward content free-flow not shown). When container  12  with membrane  10  in place and intact is inverted; properly positioned for pouring; and membrane  10  is manually initiated to rupture, membrane  10  then allows the normal air flow into container  12  through a plurality of vertexial areas  44  formed by flaps  26  of membrane  10  when ruptured (FIGS. 4, 8B and  9 ) to assist in the outward natural free-flow action of the accommodating container fluid content when pouring (air flow and fluid content free-flow not shown).  
         [0037]    Now having described a preferred embodiment of the present invention this description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as illustrations of the preferred embodiment, for example, the V-shaped grooves and the U-shaped grooves (in cross section) of the flow delay membrane may be of different shapes or depths; the flow delay membrane may be composed of other material; the pop-open flaps of the flow delay membrane may be of other or uncommon shapes without departing from the intended purpose and scope of the present invention. Therefore the spirit and scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims and their legal limitations rather than by the illustrations and descriptions given.