Patent · US Expired

Overfill safety spout for fluid container

US6520386B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
16References
15Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 13, 2001
Grant dateFeb 18, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 13, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65D25/42
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A spout for a liquid container, such as a gasoline container, as well as a container equipped with the spout. The spout comprises a fluid passage and a vent passage fluidically parallel with the fluid passage. The fluid passage has an inlet, an outlet, and an S-shaped portion between the inlet and outlet. The vent passage has an inlet adjacent the outlet of the fluid passage. The S-shaped portion of the fluid passage is configured to entrap a liquid therein, causing a liquid lock to form, when a liquid is dispensed through the spout and air is prevented from flowing through the vent passage. In this manner, the spout is capable of preventing the overfilling of a receptacle tank being filled with fluid dispensed from a container equipped with the spout when the fluid level in the receptacle tank blocks the flow of air into the inlet of the vent passage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.