Patent ID: 7152638

Claim:
A fuel tank system comprising: a fill tube in communication with a tank; a nozzle guide having surfaces configured to guide a nozzle spout in said fill tube during a filling operation of said tank; a sealing device located in said fill tube and between said tank and said nozzle guide, wherein said sealing device comprises at least one lip configured to contact an outer surface of said nozzle spout during said filling operation so as to seal said fill tube from an outside environment during said filling operation; a vent valve mounted on said tank, said vent valve being open during said filling operation and during periods of normal use of said tank and being closed at least when said tank is upside down or when said fuel reaches a predetermined level in said tank; and a pipe with a first end in communication with said fill tube at a location between said tank and said sealing device and a second end in communication with said tank, wherein said second end defines a maximum level for said fuel in said tank during said filling operation, wherein said pipe is configured to allow gases to escape from said tank without creating a substantial over pressure inside said tank so that said filling operation takes place without pressure in said tank, and said vent valve is open during said filling operation without pressure in said tank.