Spout with controlled fluid flow for portable fuel containers

Abstract

The present invention provides a spout for use with containers, particularly portable fuel containers. The spout has a slide assembly physically coupled to a proximally positioned plunger. The slide and plunger may be moved in tandem to variably control the flow rate of liquid or fuel through it. The spout may have a main body portion and a nozzle portion, and an exit opening at or near the distal end of the spout. Passageways within the spout are designed to encourage segregated and orderly flows of liquid/fuel and air for control and increased flow rate of liquid/fuel from a container. The spout may further have a holder(s) on the side of the spout for contacting or engaging a structure or surface of a container, tank, etc., being filled, to help hold and properly position the spout to avoid overflow during use. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spout comprising:
 an elongated body surrounding a continuous passageway within the body, the passageway extending from a first opening at the proximal end of the body to an exit opening at or near the distal end of the body, wherein the spout has a top and a bottom;   a slide assembly comprising a slide and a plunger, the plunger comprising a base portion, wherein the slide is physically coupled to the plunger such that movement of the slide causes tandem movement of the plunger, wherein the slide is positioned distally to the plunger; and   at least one holder extending out from a side of the elongated body,   wherein distal movement of the slide causes movement of the base portion of the plunger out of or away from the first opening, and wherein proximal movement of the slide causes movement of the base portion of the plunger into or toward the first opening, and   wherein the cross-sectional size and shape of the base portion of the plunger is about the same as the cross-sectional size and shape of the first opening such that the plunger closes the first opening when at least part of the base portion is inserted into the first opening.   
     
     
         2 . The spout of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the spout comprises a main body portion and a nozzle portion, wherein the nozzle portion is positioned distally to the main body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The spout of  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle portion of the spout is angled downward relative to the main body portion of the spout. 
     
     
         4 . The spout of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one holder extends out from a side of the nozzle portion of the body of the spout. 
     
     
         5 . The spout of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one holder extends out from a bottom side of the nozzle portion of the body of the spout. 
     
     
         6 . The spout of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one holder has a distal face that is angled proximally toward the side of the elongated body. 
     
     
         7 . The spout of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one holder has a groove formed in the distal face near the side of the elongated body. 
     
     
         8 . The spout of  claim 6 , wherein a lip extends distally from the at least one holder at or near an outermost side of the at least one holder. 
     
     
         9 . The spout of  claim 1 , wherein the slide is positioned on the top of the spout. 
     
     
         10 . The spout of  claim 1 , wherein the slide is coupled to the plunger by a stem, wherein the proximal end of the stem is connected to the plunger and the distal end of the stem is connected to the slide. 
     
     
         11 . The spout of  claim 1 , wherein the movement of the slide is generally confined to a proximal-distal axis by a cavity disposed and recessed within the body of the spout. 
     
     
         12 . The spout of  claim 11 , wherein the cavity is separated from the passageway within the body of the spout by a plurality of walls, wherein the plurality of walls include a proximal wall, a distal wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall. 
     
     
         13 . The spout of  claim 12 , wherein the continuous passageway comprises a proximal chamber, a central passage and a nozzle lumen,
 wherein the proximal chamber and the central passage correspond to the portion of the passageway within a main body portion of the spout,   wherein the central passage corresponds to the portion of the passageway between the plurality of walls and the outer sides of the main body portion,   wherein the central passage is distal to the proximal chamber, and wherein the nozzle lumen corresponds to the portion of the passageway within a nozzle portion of the spout, and   wherein the nozzle portion is positioned distally to the main body portion, and wherein the nozzle portion is angled downward relative to the main body portion.   
     
     
         14 . The spout of  claim 13 , wherein the nozzle lumen has a cone shape with the proximal portion of the nozzle lumen being wider than the distal portion of the nozzle lumen. 
     
     
         15 . The spout of  claim 12 , wherein the slide is coupled to the plunger by a stem, wherein the proximal end of the stem is connected to the plunger and the distal end of the stem is connected to the slide, and wherein the stem passes through a bore in the proximal wall of the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . A spout comprising:
 an elongated body surrounding a continuous passageway within the body, the passageway extending from a first opening at the proximal end of the body to an exit opening at or near the distal end of the body, wherein the spout has a top and a bottom;   a slide assembly comprising a slide and a plunger, the slide being disposed in a cavity, the cavity being recessed within the body of the spout, wherein the slide is physically coupled to the plunger such that movement of the slide causes tandem movement of the plunger,   wherein the slide is positioned distally to the plunger, wherein distal movement of the slide causes movement of the plunger out of or away from the first opening, and wherein proximal movement of the slide causes movement of the plunger into or toward the first opening,   wherein the body of the spout comprises a main body portion and a nozzle portion, wherein the nozzle portion is positioned distally to the main body portion and is angled downward relative to the main body portion, and   wherein the exit opening spans from a top side to a bottom side of the nozzle portion of the body of the spout.   
     
     
         17 . The spout of  claim 16 , wherein the exit opening is disposed in a bottom-distal location of the nozzle portion of the spout. 
     
     
         18 . The spout of  claim 16 , wherein the exit opening is defined by at least two edges including a first curved edge and a second edge, the first edge being between the top side of the nozzle portion of the spout and the second edge, and the second edge being slanted proximally toward the bottom side of the nozzle portion of the spout. 
     
     
         19 . The spout of  claim 18 , wherein the exit opening is defined by a first curved edge, a pair of second edges, and a third curved edge, wherein the pair of second edges slanted proximally toward the bottom side of the nozzle portion of the spout between the first and third edges. 
     
     
         20 . The spout of  claim 19 , wherein the first curved edge is within a first plane, the pair of second edges are within a second plane, and the third curved edge is within a third plane, the second plane being oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the first and third planes.