US3911973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel vapor seal device
Assignee: Citgo Petroleum Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-18
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A fuel dispensing apparatus of the type having an automatic vacuum shut-off valve in combination with a fuel vapor seal and collection device carried on the delivery spout of said apparatus which will eliminate virtually all loss of fuel during tank filling operations. The vapor seal and collection device, which must be locked into place before fuel is dispensed, comprises a locking-ring assembly with means for interconnecting with the fill pipe of a fuel tank to prevent loss of fuel to the atmosphere. The assembly is provided with a projection having a closure element operable to open and close a vacuum shut-off aperture of the dispensing apparatus when the device is moved relative to the spout. The locking-ring assembly includes conduit means for channeling fuel vapor displaced from the tank to a storage facility, and spring means for moving and turning the fuel vapor seal and collection device to close the shut-off aperture automatically when the delivery spout is disengaged from the tank fill pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Peter Casteline
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:23
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/42; B67D7/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A fuel vapor seal and collection device for collecting fuel vapor from a fuel storage tank and channelling it to a reservoir, said device for use in combination with a fuel dispensing apparatus of the type having a delivery spout with an automatic vacuum shut-off aperture, said fuel vapor seal and collection device comprising a locking-ring assembly operable to make a vapor-tight seal to the exterior of a delivery spout of a dispensing apparatus while being movable relative to the spout, said locking-ring assembly having (a) conduit means for channeling the fuel vapor displaced from a full storage tank to a reservoir during filling operations, and (b) a projection mounted to the assembly and positioned adjacent to an vacuum shut-off aperture automatic in said spout cooperating to open and close said aperture when the device is moved relative to the spout.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A fuel vapor seal and collection device for collecting fuel vapor from a fuel storage tank and channelling it to a reservoir, said device for use in combination with a fuel dispensing apparatus of the type having a delivery spout with an automatic vacuum shut-off aperture, said fuel vapor seal and collection device comprising a locking-ring assembly operable to make a vapor-tight seal to the exterior of a delivery spout of a dispensing apparatus while being movable relative to the spout, said locking-ring assembly having (a) conduit means for channeling the fuel vapor displaced from a full storage tank to a reservoir during filling operations, and (b) a projection mounted to the assembly and positioned adjacent to an vacuum shut-off aperture automatic in said spout cooperating to open and close said aperture when the device is moved relative to the spout.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 1 including resilient means for moving and torquing the locking-ring assembly and the projection relative to the spout to close the vacuum shut-off aperture automatically when the assembly is not connected to the fill pipe of the fuel storage tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the locking-ring assembly includes a tank capping element for engaging and securing the spout to the fill pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the projection comprises a closure member mounted to said locking-ring assembly by means of one or more connecting elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the closure member comprises a collar encircling the spout and the collar is formed with an opening operable to register with said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
A dispensing apparatus useful for eliminating loss of fuel during filling of a fuel storage tank comprising in combination a fuel delivery spout having a handle, housing an automatic vacuum shut-off valve disposed in the handle, a vacuum shut-off aperture formed in the spout and a fuel vapor seal and collection device disposed about said spout, said fuel vapor seal and collection device comprising a tank capping element movable relative to the delivery spout and effective to seal said spout to a fuel storage tank to prevent escape of fuel to the atmosphere, said capping element having (a) conduit means for channeling fuel vapor displaced from the fuel storage tank to a fuel reservoir, and (b) a projection mounted to the capping element and positioned adjacent to the vacuum shut-off aperture cooperating to open and close said aperture when the device is moved relative to the delivery spout.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
A dispensing apparatus useful for eliminating loss of fuel during filling of a fuel storage tank comprising in combination a fuel delivery spout having a handle, housing an automatic vacuum shut-off valve disposed in the handle, a vacuum shut-off aperture formed in the spout and a fuel vapor seal and collection device disposed about said spout, said fuel vapor seal and collection device comprising a tank capping element movable relative to the delivery spout and effective to seal said spout to a fuel storage tank to prevent escape of fuel to the atmosphere, said capping element having (a) conduit means for channeling fuel vapor displaced from the fuel storage tank to a fuel reservoir, and (b) a projection mounted to the capping element and positioned adjacent to the vacuum shut-off aperture cooperating to open and close said aperture when the device is moved relative to the delivery spout.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the fuel vapor seal and collection device includes resilient means for moving and torquing the tank capping element and the projection relative to the spout to close the vacuum shut-off aperture of the delivery spout automatically when the spout is disengaged from a fuel tank fill pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the tank capping element cooperates with a stop lug fixed to the spout to limit motion of the capping element relative to the spout.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the projection of the capping element comprises a closure member connected to said capping element by means of at least one strap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the closure member defines a collar with an aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
183 words
In an automatic shut-off dispensing apparatus having a fuel delivery spout with a vacuum shut-off aperture, the dispensing apparatus beiNg useful for introducing fuel into the fuel storage tank of a motor vehicle, said tank having a fill pipe and a removable cap having locking lugs operable to interlock with mating lugs on the fill pipe, the improvement comprising a vapor seal member having tank capping means carried by the delivery spout while being movable relative to the spout and operable to interlock with the tank fill pipe and effective to seal the spout to the tank during filling operations, said tank capping means including (a) a conduit for channeling displaced fuel vapor from the storage tank to a vapor reservoir, (b) an aperture closure member secured to said capping means by one or more connecting elements and positioned adjacent to the vacuum shut-off aperture cooperating to open and close said aperture, and (c) spring means for moving and torquing the vapor seal member automatically to a closed position closing said aperture when the delivery spout is disengaged from the tank fill pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
183 words
In an automatic shut-off dispensing apparatus having a fuel delivery spout with a vacuum shut-off aperture, the dispensing apparatus beiNg useful for introducing fuel into the fuel storage tank of a motor vehicle, said tank having a fill pipe and a removable cap having locking lugs operable to interlock with mating lugs on the fill pipe, the improvement comprising a vapor seal member having tank capping means carried by the delivery spout while being movable relative to the spout and operable to interlock with the tank fill pipe and effective to seal the spout to the tank during filling operations, said tank capping means including (a) a conduit for channeling displaced fuel vapor from the storage tank to a vapor reservoir, (b) an aperture closure member secured to said capping means by one or more connecting elements and positioned adjacent to the vacuum shut-off aperture cooperating to open and close said aperture, and (c) spring means for moving and torquing the vapor seal member automatically to a closed position closing said aperture when the delivery spout is disengaged from the tank fill pipe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the aperture closure member of the vapor seal member is a collar formed with an opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the tank capping means is formed with locking lugs operable to interlock with said mating lugs on the fill pipe so that when said tank capping means is interlocked the vacuum aperture is open.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2936799A
Cited
US3719215A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |