Patent Description:
Engine oil (also commonly referred to as motor oil, automotive lubricant or engine lubricant) includes one or more substances comprising base oils enhanced with additives, particularly anti-wear detergents, dispersants and viscosity improvers, that are required to properly service and maintain automobile engines. Most manuals for newer vehicles recommend the engine oil be changed every <NUM>,<NUM> miles (approx. <NUM>,<NUM>) under normal conditions. However, it is typically recommended that under severe driving conditions, for example, driving in freezing temperatures, short trips with numerous stops and starts, low speeds for long distances, towing trailers/caravans or driving on roads that are dusty, muddy and have sand/gravel spread on the surface, the engine oil be changed every <NUM>,<NUM> miles (approx. <NUM>,<NUM>).

Whilst some motor vehicle owners will rely on having the engine oil changed during periodic servicing of their vehicle (usually every six months), most owners will prefer to change the oil on a more regular basis since it is commonly known and accepted that changing the engine oil of a vehicle is the best and most effective form of vehicle maintenance. Accordingly, many motor vehicle owners are now electing to adopt a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approach to changing the engine oil of their motor vehicle in an effort to increase the intervals between having to service their vehicles by an authorised/registered automobile service department thereby saving on costs associated with frequent servicing of their motor vehicle.

However, there are a number of difficulties associated with the DIY approach to changing the oil of a motor vehicle. For example, adding oil/transmission fluid to an automobile engine, transmission, gear box or differential is quite difficult since the service space within and around an engine bay under the hood (bonnet) of a vehicle is small and accordingly, difficult to move and maneuver within. As a result, there is a high risk/incidence of fluid spillage and therefore wastage, in addition to the undesirable task of having to clean any spillage.

Engine oils and the like are provided to consumers in bulky and rigid plastic containers that are difficult to handle, particularly in confined spaces such as those encountered within and around a vehicle engine bay. Accordingly, in an effort to increase the ease with which fluid is dispensed from such containers, consumers are often required to purchase, in addition to the engine fluid, a <NUM> liter pump system which adds to the cost for consumers.

Whilst such pump systems are marketed as being able to assist in the dispensing of fluid from the bulky/rigid containers, the reality is that the process of dispensing fluid from the container into a vehicle engine using such pump systems is nevertheless slow and awkward and still has the potential to cause spillage which is undesirable for obvious reasons.

Furthermore, due to the bulky, rigid configuration of the containers in which engine oil is contained, it is difficult, if not impossible, to drain all of the oil from the container thereby adding to further wastage and cost to the consumer.

In addition, display shelving in retail outlets commonly have associated height and space restrictions which is problematic for displaying fluid dispensing containers, particularly when such containers are rigid and/or awkwardly shaped and have various components (for example, hoses, nozzles and the like) that extend outside the container footprint. This typically requires the size of such containers to be limited in order to accommodate any components extending outside the container footprint within the available retail shelving with height and space restrictions.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an apparatus and method that that ameliorates, or at least provides an alternative to, conventional apparatus and methods for dispensing fluids from containers, for example, during the addition of oil to an automobile engine during servicing of same.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a bracket configured to accommodate a hose operable to dispense fluid, the bracket including at least first and second portions extending along two different axes such that when the hose is accommodated by the first and second portions of the bracket, the first and second portions cause the hose to bend, wherein a distal end of the first portion is in the form of an annular ring and a distal end of the second portion is in the form of a curved arm, and wherein the bracket further includes at least one projection configured to engage an outlet portion of a container within which the fluid that is to be dispensed is contained to thereby retain the bracket in connection with the container when the container is in a sealed state.

It will be appreciated that retention of the hose within the bracket may assist to maintain the hose in a rigid configuration which avoids, or at least minimises, kinking of the hose which could otherwise restrict the flow of fluid during dispensing of same. Retention of the hose within the bracket may also facilitate the handling (i.e., the ease with which the hose is able to be angled in any desired direction) during, for example, servicing of vehicle components. In this regard, it will be appreciated that hoses, due to their flexible nature, are at times difficult to direct and maneuver, particularly in confined and/or difficult to reach places, which may result in spillage and wastage of fluid during dispensing of same from a container.

In an embodiment, the two axes are oriented substantially between <NUM> to <NUM> degrees relative to one another.

In an embodiment, the two axes are oriented substantially at <NUM> degrees relative to one another.

Bending of the hose at an angle of between about <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, may assist in maneuvering the hose (when attached to a container) in difficult to reach, and/or confined spaces, such as those found in areas within an engine bay of a vehicle.

It will also be appreciated that the retention of the hose in a bent and rigid configuration substantially between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, may not only facilitate the way in which the hose is able to be maneuvered and directed during servicing of, for example, vehicle components found in difficult to reach and/or confined spaces, but may also assist the way in which the bracket and hose are able to be releasably attached to a container for display purposes when the container is in a sealed state and offered for sale. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the bracket and hose are configured to enable them to be releasably attached to the container in a manner that does not interfere with the display of any advertising material located on an exterior surface of the container, and in a manner that enables the container, hose and bracket, to be displayed, stored and/or offered for sale as a single unit within retail or storage shelving of limited space and or restricted height.

It will be appreciated that such an arrangement may enable the hose to be readily removed/released from the bracket, whilst being able to be securely retained by the bracket when desired.

In an embodiment, the projection is in the form of an annulus.

In an embodiment, the projection is in the form of a cap that is configured to seal the outlet portion of the container when the projection is placed over the outlet portion of the container.

In an embodiment, the projection is configured to releasably engage the outlet portion of the container by snap-fit engagement. It will be appreciated that the ability to releasably engage the bracket from the outlet portion of the container by snap-fit engagement assists a user to readily detach the bracket from the container to thereby transition the apparatus from a "display mode" or "storage mode" (i.e., in which the hose and bracket are connected to the container for the purposes of display and/or storage) to a "dispensing-mode" (i.e., in which the hose and bracket are connected to the container by the use of the adapter inserted into, or otherwise located on, a distal end of the hose, to thereby achieve fluid communication between the outlet portion of the container and the hose, enabling the dispensing of fluid).

In an embodiment, the container is in a sealed state when the projection is placed over and engaged with the outlet portion of the container by snap-fit engagement. In this embodiment, the container is initially sealed by means of a cap, and the projection is placed over and engages, by snap-fit engagement, the cap (and thereby the outlet portion of the container) in order to retain and support the bracket onto the container.

In an alternative embodiment, the projection on the bracket is initially placed over the open (unsealed) outlet portion of the container and the container is subsequently sealed by means of a cap. In this embodiment, the projection may be engaged with the outlet portion of the container by means of snap-fit engagement, or alternatively, the cap itself may serve to retain and secure the projection (and hence the bracket), in connection with the container, thus obviating the need for a snap-fit engagement between the projection and container outlet portion.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus configured to facilitate dispensing of fluid from a container, the apparatus including a hose defining a first flow diameter operable to dispense fluid, , an adapter defining a second flow diameter, the adapter configured to connect one end of the hose to an outlet of the container, the outlet of the container defining a third flow diameter, and a bracket configured to accommodate the hose, the bracket including at least first and second portions extending along two different axes such that when the hose is accommodated by the first and second portions of the bracket, the first and second portions cause the hose to bend, wherein a distal end of the first portion is in the form of an annular ring and a distal end of the second portion is in the form of a curved arm, and wherein a bracket further includes at least one projection configured to engage an outlet portion of the container to thereby retain the bracket in connection with the container when the container is in a sealed state.

It will be appreciated that having first, second and third flow diameters of substantially the same dimension may assist in avoiding, or at least minimising, any restriction in flow of fluid from the container interior to the dispensing end of the hose during dispensing of fluid. This may not only increase the rate at which fluid is dispensed from the container, but may also avoid, or at least minimise, leakage of fluid as a result of pressure build-up and potential bursting of the container during external compression that could otherwise occur as a result of any restriction in fluid flow.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect, the two axes along which the first and second portions of the bracket extend are oriented substantially <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, relative to one another.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect, the two axes are oriented substantially at <NUM> degrees relative to one another.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect, the projection on the bracket is in the form of an annulus.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect, the projection is configured to engage an outlet portion of the container to thereby retain and hold the bracket in connection with the container.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect, the projection is further configured to function as a sealing means or a cap that covers the outlet portion of the container when the projection is placed over the outlet portion of the container thereby substantially sealing the container.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect, the container is fabricated from a flexible material thereby enabling the container contents to be dispensed by action of applying an external compressive force to the container.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of dispensing fluid from a container, the method including accommodating a hose operable to dispense fluid from the container by a bracket according to any of the claims <NUM> to <NUM>, attaching a first end of the hose to an outlet portion of the container whilst the hose is accommodated by the bracket, and applying an external compressive force to the container in order to cause fluid within the container to be dispensed.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of retaining a bracket according to any of the claims <NUM> to <NUM> and a fluid dispensing hose on a container when the container is in a sealed state, the method including, accommodating the hose by the bracket, and engaging the at least one projection on the bracket with the outlet portion of the container when the container is in a sealed state.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a fluid dispensing assembly including, a container including, a substantially upright body, an outlet portion extending from an upper front corner of the container at a substantially obtuse angle relative to the upright body of the container, a according to any of the claims <NUM> to <NUM> for accommodating a hose, and a projection configured to engage the outlet portion of the container; wherein the projection is arranged relative to the first and second portions of the bracket such that when the projection and outlet portion of the container are engaged, the bracket is retained against the upright body the container, and the projection is angled relative to the first and second portions of the bracket such that when the projection and the outlet portion of the container are engaged, one portion of the first and second portions of the bracket extends substantially horizontally along a top edge of the container and the other portion of the first and second portions of the bracket extends substantially downwardly along the upright body of the container.

In an embodiment according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the engagement of the at least one projection on the bracket with the cap is by snap-fit engagement.

It will be appreciated that the configuration of the bracket of the present invention enables the apparatus (i.e., container, bracket and hose) to be stored and/or displayed for sale as a single unit. The ability to retain the bracket and hose in connection with the container during display and/or storage of the apparatus is desirable since it avoids, or at least minimises, the risk of loss of the bracket and/or hose during periods of non-use (storage) or when the apparatus is displayed and offered for sale.

In addition, since the bracket is configured in a manner that achieves bending of the hose when the hose is retained by the bracket, the bracket (and hose) do not substantially extend beyond the outside edges (i.e., perimeter) of the container when the bracket is connected, by means of the projection, to the container. Accordingly, this assists in reducing the height of the apparatus as compared to the height of the apparatus that would be observed if the hose was connected to the outlet portion of the container in the absence of being retained by the bracket of the present invention. Accordingly, the apparatus of the present invention, according to one or more embodiments, may not only conserves shelving space, but may also meet shelving height restrictions which are often imposed in retail outlets.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures in which:.

For convenience, the invention will be described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, however it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these one or more particular embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, bracket <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in side-view. Bracket <NUM> according to an embodiment of <FIG> includes first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> extending along two different axes that are substantially at <NUM> degrees relative to one another. Bracket <NUM> also includes projection <NUM>, which, in this embodiment, is annular in configuration.

It will be appreciated that whilst the embodiment of <FIG> includes first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> extending along two different axes substantially at <NUM> degrees relative to one another, other angles are possible, and in some embodiments, first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> extend along two different axes substantially between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees relative to one another.

Retention of the hose in a bent and rigid configuration substantially between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, and in particular <NUM> degrees, facilitates the way in which the hose is able to be maneuvered and directed during servicing of, for example, vehicle components found in hard to reach and/or confined spaces, but also assists the way in which the bracket and hose are able to be releasably attached to a container for display purposes when the container is in a sealed state and offered for sale (as is discussed further with reference to <FIG>). In particular, the configuration of the bracket <NUM> according to preferred embodiments enables the bracket (with hose - shown in <FIG>) to be releasably attached to a container in a manner that does not interfere with the advertising material on the container, and in a manner that enables the container, hose and bracket, to be displayed, stored and/or offered for sale as a single unit within retail or storage shelving of limited space and or restricted height.

<FIG> illustrates bracket <NUM> shown in <FIG> but in perspective view. In addition to projection <NUM>, <FIG> more clearly shows annular ring <NUM> located at a distal end of first portion <NUM> and also curved arm <NUM> located at a distal end of second portion <NUM>.

However, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, second portion <NUM> has a curved arm <NUM> which facilitates the insertion of a hose in bracket <NUM>, and also facilitates the removal of a hose from bracket <NUM>, whilst annular ring <NUM> serves to retain and maintain the hose in place.

The way in which a hose is retained by bracket <NUM> and thereby cause the hose to bend is shown in <FIG>. This figure shows bracket <NUM> including first portion <NUM> with annular ring <NUM> at its distal end through which hose <NUM> is inserted and retained in place. Hose <NUM> is also retained by bracket <NUM> by the use of curved arm <NUM> located at the distal end of second portion <NUM>. Bracket <NUM> also includes projection <NUM>, the purpose of which will be described in further detail herein with reference to <FIG>. Hose <NUM> also includes open end <NUM> (through which fluid is dispensed) and adapter <NUM>, wherein adapter <NUM> serves to connect hose <NUM> to outlet portion <NUM> of container <NUM>, in order to achieve fluid communication between the fluid contents of container <NUM> and hose <NUM>. It will be appreciated that hose <NUM> may be connected to container <NUM> by any means known to persons skilled in the art and in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, adapter <NUM> has an internal thread (not shown) that is able to releasably engage a corresponding thread located on the external surface of outlet portion <NUM>. In other embodiments, adapter <NUM> is able to releasably engage outlet portion <NUM> by a snap-fit engagement.

<FIG> shows the assembled apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which hose <NUM>, retained by bracket <NUM> in a bent configuration, is attached to outlet portion <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of container <NUM>. It will be appreciated that retention of hose <NUM> within the bracket <NUM> assists to maintain hose <NUM> in a rigid configuration which avoids, or at least minimises, kinking of the hose which could restrict the flow of fluid during dispensing of same from container <NUM>. Retention of hose <NUM> by bracket <NUM> also facilitates the handling (i.e., the ease with which hose <NUM> is able to be angled and maneuvered) during, for example, servicing of vehicle components. In this regard, it will be appreciated that hoses, due to their flexible nature, are at times difficult to direct and maneuver, particularly in confined and hard to reach places, which may result in spillage and wastage of fluid during dispensing of same from a container.

When the apparatus is in an assembled state or in a "dispensing mode" as shown in <FIG>, the fluid contents of container <NUM> are able to be dispensed by the application of an external (manual) compressive force to container <NUM>. In order to facilitate the ability to readily dispense the fluid contents of container <NUM> by the application of a manual compressive force, container <NUM> is manufactured from a flexible polymer, for example, low density polyethylene, that is able to be compressed (squeezed) and thereby readily dispense its contents.

The use of a container manufactured from a flexible material also minimises wastage of any of the fluid contents, since substantially all of the fluid is able to be dispensed and no contents remain in the container as is typically observed with containers made of a rigid material.

It will also be appreciated that the use and handling of a bulky and rigid container within a confined space is typically awkward and difficult, since a rigid and bulky container tends to take up more space as compared with a container made of a flexible material. Accordingly, the adoption of a container made of flexible material in combination with the bracket that maintains the hose in a bent configuration in accordance with the apparatus shown in <FIG>, further assists in achieving maneuverability and ease of use of the apparatus within confined spaces.

<FIG> shows the apparatus of <FIG> when in a "display"/"storage" mode and when the container is in a sealed state. In order to transition the apparatus shown in <FIG> and <FIG> from a "dispensing" mode (as shown in <FIG>) to a "display"/"storage" mode, adapter <NUM> located on a distal end of hose <NUM> is disengaged from outlet portion <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) and outlet portion <NUM> is sealed by means of a screw-cap (not shown). Once container <NUM> is sealed, annular projection <NUM> is placed over outlet portion <NUM> (with screw-cap - not shown) and is urged into position so as to engage, by a snap-fit engagement, outlet portion <NUM> and thereby retain bracket (with hose) in connection with container <NUM> during display and/or storage of the apparatus.

It will be appreciated that the configuration of bracket <NUM> enables the apparatus (i.e., container, bracket and hose) to be stored and/or displayed for sale as a single unit. The ability to retain the bracket <NUM> and hose <NUM> in connection with the container <NUM> during display and/or storage of the apparatus is desirable since it avoids, or at least minimises, the risk of loss of the bracket <NUM> and/or hose <NUM> during periods of non-use (storage) or when the apparatus is displayed and offered for sale. In addition, since bracket <NUM> is configured in a manner that achieves bending of hose <NUM>, the bracket (and hose) do not substantially extend beyond the outside edges (i.e., perimeter) of container <NUM> when the bracket <NUM> is connected, by means of projection <NUM>, to container <NUM>. Accordingly, the use of bracket <NUM> reduces the height of the apparatus as compared to the height of the apparatus that is observed when the hose is directly connected (through adapter <NUM>) to the outlet portion <NUM> of container <NUM> in the absence of the use of bracket <NUM> during, for example, display and/or storage. Accordingly, the bracket shown in <FIG> and the apparatus shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, not only assists in conserving shelving space, but also assists in meeting shelving height restrictions which are often imposed in retail outlets.

<FIG> show the bracket of the present invention according to an alternative embodiment in which bracket <NUM> includes first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> that extend along two different axes substantially at <NUM> degrees relative to one another. Bracket <NUM> also includes annular ring <NUM> located on a distal end of first portion <NUM> and curved arm <NUM> located on a distal end of second portion <NUM>. Bracket <NUM> retains hose <NUM> including an adapter <NUM> and open end <NUM> through which fluid is dispensed. Annular ring <NUM> and curved arm <NUM> of bracket <NUM> also retain hose <NUM> in place in the same manner as discussed with reference to the embodiment of <FIG>. As can also be seen from <FIG>, bracket <NUM> includes projection <NUM> which is used to connect bracket <NUM> (with hose <NUM>) to a container (not shown), during periods of non-use when the container is required to be in a sealed state for display and/or storage. Projection <NUM> also includes cap <NUM> such that when projection <NUM> is placed over the outlet portion of a container, it also achieves sealing of the container contents at the same time. Accordingly, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, there is no need to seal a container prior to placing projection <NUM> over the outlet portion as was observed with the embodiment shown in <FIG>.

It is apparent from the foregoing disclosure, the bracket and apparatus of the present invention according to various embodiments facilitates the way in which fluids are able to be dispensed from containers into various components (e.g., vehicle engines, transmissions etc.,) which are typically found in confined spaces and which are often difficult to reach. The bracket also serves to retain the hose in a rigid configuration, which prevents, or at least minimises, the risk of kinking of the hose during dispensing of fluid and thereby avoids, or at least minimises, any restriction in the flow of flow from the container.

The ability to retain the hose in a rigid configuration may also assist in avoiding any spillage of fluid during servicing of, for example, a motor vehicle, which would be desirable from the perspective of an individual that prefers to personally undertake the servicing, or at least a portion of the servicing, of their own motor vehicle.

The bracket and apparatus of the present invention also enables the bracket (with hose) to be retained on the container during storage and/or when the apparatus is on display and offered for sale, without interfering with any advertising material located on the exterior surface of the container. Issues associated with limited shelving space and or height restrictions associated with shelving space, may also be addressed with various embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, since the bracket (and hose) of the apparatus, when in a "display"/"storage" mode, does not substantially extend beyond the perimeter of the container to which is connected.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to mean the inclusion of a stated feature or step, or group of features or steps, but not the exclusion of any other feature or step, or group of features or steps.

Claim 1:
A bracket (<NUM>) configured to accommodate a hose (<NUM>) operable to dispense fluid, the bracket (<NUM>) including:
at least first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) portions extending along two different axes such that when the hose (<NUM>) is accommodated by the first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) portions of the bracket (<NUM>), the first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) portions cause the hose (<NUM>) to bend;
wherein
a distal end of the first portion (<NUM>) is in the form of an annular ring (<NUM>) and a distal end of the second portion (<NUM>) is in the form of a curved arm (<NUM>); and characterised in that:
the bracket (<NUM>) further includes at least one projection (<NUM>) configured to engage an outlet portion (<NUM>) of a container (<NUM>) within which the fluid that is to be dispensed is contained to thereby retain the bracket (<NUM>) in connection with the container (<NUM>) when the container (<NUM>) is in a sealed state.