US20180346177A1

US20180346177A1 - Baffled cross-through liquid container

Info

Publication number: US20180346177A1
Application number: US15/807,179
Authority: US
Inventors: Greg Latimer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-06
Filing date: 2017-11-08
Publication date: 2018-12-06
Also published as: US10144632B1; WO2018226881A1; US20180346314A1; US10144562B1; US20180346212A1; WO2018226883A1

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods of operating the same are described. An apparatus may include a lower compartment, a baffle, and an upper compartment. The lower compartment may form a lower cavity to hold a liquid. The baffle may include a channel connecting the lower compartment to an upper compartment, where the channel provides a first passageway for liquid to pass between the lower compartment and the upper compartment. The baffle may also include a baffle passage defining an opening through a middle section of the liquid container between the lower compartment and the upper compartment. The upper compartment may form an upper cavity to hold the liquid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/515,750, filed Jun. 6, 2017.

BACKGROUND

Motorized vehicles and machines often use fossil fuels to power the motorized vehicles or machines. A fuel station, such as a gas station, may provide a location for users of the motorized vehicles and machines to fill up their motorized vehicles and machines with the fossil fuels. However, the fuel stations may not always be conveniently located or open when an individual needs the fossil fuels. A portable fuel container, such as a gas can, may be used to by the individual to store fossil fuel and fill up the fuel tanks of the motorized vehicles and machines without the individual traveling to the fuel station each time additional fossil fuels are desired.

SUMMARY

An apparatus that may include a lower compartment, a baffle, and an upper compartment. The lower compartment may form a lower cavity to hold a liquid. The baffle may include a channel connecting the lower compartment to an upper compartment, where the channel provides a passageway for liquid to pass between the lower compartment and the upper compartment. The baffle may also include a baffle passage defining an opening through a middle section of the liquid container between the lower compartment and the upper compartment. The upper compartment may form an upper cavity to hold the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a liquid container with a thru-baffle, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B shows a top cross-sectional view of a liquid container with a thru-baffle, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of a liquid container with a thru-baffle, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a liquid container with a baffle, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the liquid container with hollow base handles, hollow side handles, hollow upper handles, and hollow bottom handle, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the liquid container shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the liquid container shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the liquid container shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows another second side view of the liquid container shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed liquid containers will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various liquid containers described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the liquid containers described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various liquid containers are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader is to understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
Liquid containers, such as gas cans, are an easy way to store and transport fuel and other liquids. Conventional liquid containers include a single large storage area of the container that may hold a liquid and a single opening to pour the liquid out. However, conventional liquid containers may not be easily securable when transporting them. For example, many conventional liquid containers may not include a way to tie down or strap down the liquid container. When the liquid container may not be tied down or strapped down, securing the liquid container for transportation may be inconvenient or difficult and make transporting liquids, such as fuel, dangerous. Some liquid containers may include a handle that may be used to tie a rope or strap to. However, when the rope or strap is attached to the handle, the container may slip along the rope or strap and cause the liquid container to be unsecured and dangerous to transport.
Additionally, a conventional liquid container may have a single open cavity to hold a liquid. The open cavity may not control or dampen the movement of the liquid in the cavity when the liquid container is moved. For example, a conventional liquid container may have an unobstructed interior cavity that allows the liquid in the cavity to move freely side to side and up and down. Even as the liquid container is tipped to pour, the liquid may gush out of the container's open top, splashing its contents. Additionally, the unobstructed interior cavity does not meter or control a flow of the liquid as the liquid may be poured out of an opening in the liquid container. When the flow of the liquid is not controlled, the rate the liquid leaves the container may exceed a desired rate. Furthermore, a conventional liquid container vents air into the liquid container through an outflowing stream of the liquid, which slows a flow rate of the liquid as it is poured from the liquid container because the air cannot enter the liquid container at a sufficient rate.
The embodiments described herein may address the above-noted deficiencies by providing a liquid container to control a flow rate of liquid poured from an opening of the liquid container. The liquid container may include handles, cavities, openings, or baffles to tie or strap down the liquid container and control a movement of the liquid.
FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a liquid container 100 with a baffle 104, according to an embodiment. Liquid container 100 may store a liquid for easy transportation and distribution. For example, the liquid container 100 may be a gas can used to store, transport, and distribute gasoline or diesel fuel. The liquid container 100 may be metal, plastic, rubber, polyurethane, and so forth.
The liquid container 100 may include a lower compartment 102, a baffle 104, an upper compartment 106, and a mouth opening 108. The lower compartment 102 may include an inner cavity that is shaped to hold a volume of liquid inside the liquid container 100. In one embodiment, the lower compartment 102 may include a base 110. In one example, the base 110 may be a flat surface or a substantially flat surface to sturdily support the container and any liquid held in the container. In another example, the base 110 may allow the liquid container 100 to stand vertically.
In another embodiment, the lower compartment 102 may include lower compartment walls 112 that may connect to the base 110 and extend upward from the base 110. The base 110 and the lower compartment walls 112 of the lower compartment 102 may enclose a first area within the liquid container 100 to hold a volume a liquid. As discussed below, the lower compartment 102 may be connected to the baffle 104 and the upper compartment 106 to form a cavity to hold a liquid.
In one example, the lower compartment walls 112 may connect to the base 110 at an angle. For example, the wall 112 may include four lower walls that extend upwards from the base 110. When the base 110 is substantially square, the four lower walls may each extend from an edge of the square base to form a square lower compartment 102. The square lower compartment 102 may allow the liquid container 100 to stand in a vertical position or lay in a horizontal position.
In another example, the lower compartment walls 112 may connect to the base 110 at substantially perpendicular angles, such as approximately 90-degree angle. In another example, one or more of the lower compartment walls 112 may connect to the base 110 to form rounded corners.
In another embodiment, the lower compartment walls 112 may extend from the base 110 at less than ninety degrees such that the lower compartment walls 112 converge inward, allowing the liquid container 100 to hold a lower volume of liquid. In another embodiment, the lower compartment walls 112 may extend more than ninety degrees such that the lower compartment walls 112 splay outward, allowing the liquid container 100 to hold an increased volume of liquid.
The base 110 and/or the lower compartment walls 112 may include one or more handles. In one example, the one or more handles may aid a user in transporting the liquid container 100. In another example, the one or more handles may aid a user in pouring a liquid from the liquid container 100.
The baffle 104 may be connected to the lower compartment 102. The baffle 104 may include one or more channels 118 that may provide a conduit for liquid stored in the lower compartment 102 to flow to the upper compartment 106. Each channel 118 may include a set of channel walls 132 that form the conduits. In one example, a bottom of the channel walls 132 may be connected to the lower compartment 102 and a top of the channel walls 132 may be connected to the upper compartment 106. The channel walls 132 may be connected to each other at angles. In one example, the channel walls 132 may be connected to each other at approximately 90-degree angles to form a square channel. In another example, the channel walls 132 may be connected to each other at approximately 45-degree angles to form a triangular channel. In another example, the channel walls 132 may be rounded to form a cylindrical channel.
The baffle 104 may include a lower sidewall 134 connected to a top portion of the lower compartment 102. The baffle 104 may include an upper sidewall 136 connected to a lower portion of the upper compartment 106. The lower sidewall 134 may also be connected to an edge of one or more of the channel wall 132. The lower sidewall 134 may provide a barrier to the liquid stored in the lower compartment 102 so that when the liquid in the lower compartment 102 is poured out of the liquid container 100, the lower sidewall 134 forces the liquid to flow through the channels 118. The lower sidewall 134 may also be connected to an edge of one or more of the channel wall 132. The upper sidewall 136 provides a barrier to the liquid stored in the upper compartment 106 so that when the liquid is transferred between the lower compartment 102 and the upper compartment, the upper sidewall 136 forces the liquid to flow through the channels 118.
The baffle 104 may include one or more baffle openings 114 with one or more through-holes or openings between the channels 118 and between the lower wall 134 and the upper sidewall 136. For example, the channels 118 may be connected at the corners of the lower compartment 102. A center of the baffle 104 and spaces between the channels 118, the lower wall 134, and the upper wall 136 may be open space. The baffle openings 114 may allow for objects to pass through a middle section of the liquid container 100.
The baffle openings 114 may be connected by one or more baffle passages 116 to allow objects, such as rope, tie-downs, or a hand, to pass through the middle section of the liquid container 100. In this example embodiment, the baffle 104 may include four baffle openings 114. The baffle openings 114 may be circular holes, rectangular holes, square holes, oblong holes, and so forth. An exterior of the baffle openings 114 may be rounded or squared. In one embodiment, the baffle openings 114 may each be the same shape or similar shapes. In another embodiment, the baffle openings 114 may be different shapes. The baffle openings 114 may be smaller than a peripheral edge of the lower compartment walls 112 such that the baffle openings 114 may run along a portion of the edge of the lower compartment walls 112, such as between the channel walls 132.
In one embodiment, the baffle openings 114 each connect with each other via a baffle passage 116. The baffle passage 116 may enclose an area such that an object may pass through the baffle passage 116 while being surrounded by the baffle passage 116. The baffle passage 116 may include the lower side wall 134 and the upper sidewall 136, where the lower sidewall 134, the upper sidewall 136, and the channels 130 connect to form the baffle passage 116.
The lower sidewall 134 may connect to the baffle openings 114 located around a perimeter of the lower compartment walls 112 and a perimeter of the baffle openings 114. The upper sidewall 136 may connect to the baffle openings 114 located around a perimeter of the upper compartment walls 120 and a perimeter of the baffle openings 114. By connecting the baffle openings 114 to the lower sidewall 134 and the upper sidewall 136 to make a connected baffle passage 116, the baffle passage 116, the lower sidewall 134, and the upper sidewall 136 separate an area contained within the liquid container 100 which may hold or contain a liquid from an outside area of the liquid container 100.
The number of baffle openings 114 for the baffle passage 116 is not intended to be limiting. In one embodiment, the baffle 104 may include baffle openings 114 on each side of the liquid container 100. In another embodiment, the baffle 104 may include baffle openings 114 on two or more sides of the liquid container 100 and other sides of the baffle 104 may not have baffle openings. 114. For example, the baffle passage 116 may connect two baffle openings 114.
The baffle 104 may control a movement of liquid that may be contained within the liquid container 100. In one example, as the liquid container 100 is moved or tilted at an angle, including being inverted, the liquid within liquid container 100 may slosh around or move around irregularly. The baffle 104 may reduce the irregular movement of the liquid to stabilize the liquid container 100 for transportation or pouring of the liquid from the liquid container 100. In another embodiment, when the baffle 104 reduces the movement of the liquid by metering a rate that the liquid is poured from the liquid container 100, reduces the velocity that the liquid is poured from the liquid container 100.
In one embodiment, as the liquid container 100 is tilted at an angle or inverted while pouring the liquid from the liquid container 100, the baffle 104 may provide an air passage for air to enter the liquid container 100 as the liquid exits the liquid container 100. For example, as the baffle 104 reduces the flow of liquid as it is poured, the reduced flow provides a gap or space at the mouth opening 108 where air may flow into the liquid container 100. Additionally, as the baffle forces the liquid stored in the lower compartment 102 to flow through one or more of the channels 118, the reduced flow of the liquid from the lower compartment 102 may create an air pocket at the upper compartment 106 for the air to flow into from the mouth opening 108.
In another embodiment, the baffle passage 116 and baffle openings 114 of the baffle 104 provides locations to hold or secure the liquid container 100. For example, during transportation of the liquid container 100, a rope or tie-down may be inserted into one of the baffle openings 114, through the baffle passage 116, and out another of the baffle openings 114. The rope or tie-down may then be secured to another object, such as a truck bed or trailer, or an area a user may desire to secure the liquid container 100 without a risk of the rope or tie-down slipping free from around the liquid container 100. The baffle passage 116 and baffle openings 114 may also provide a place for a user to grab and hold the liquid container 100.
The upper compartment 106 may be connected to the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118 of the baffle 104. The upper compartment 106 may be shaped to store and funnel liquid held inside the liquid container 100 toward a mouth opening 108 of the liquid container 100. The upper compartment 106 may include an inner cavity that is shaped to hold a volume of liquid and/or air inside the liquid container 100. The upper compartment walls 120 may connect to the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118 of the baffle 104 and extend upward from the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118 of the baffle 104. The upper sidewall 136 and the upper compartment walls 120 of the upper compartment 106 may enclose a second area within the liquid container 100 to hold a volume a liquid. For example, the lower compartment 102, the baffle 104, and the upper compartment 106 may be connected to form an upper cavity and a lower cavity to hold a liquid.
In one embodiment, the upper compartment walls 120 may connect to the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118 at an angle. For example, the upper compartment walls 120 may include four upper walls that extend upwards from the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118. In another embodiment, the upper compartment walls 120 may connect to the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118 at substantially perpendicular angles, such as approximately ninety degrees. In another example, one or more of the upper compartment walls 120 may connect to the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118 to form rounded corners.
In another embodiment, the upper compartment walls 120 may extend from the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118 at less than ninety degrees such that the upper compartment walls 120 converge inward, allowing the liquid container 100 to hold a lower volume of liquid. For example, the upper compartment walls 120 may extend at an angle from the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118 to converge at the mouth opening 108. The mouth opening 108 may be formed to connect with nozzles, lids, or other attachments. In one example, the mouth opening 108 may include threads to screw the nozzles, the lids, or the other attachments onto the mouth opening 108. In another example, the mouth opening may include a fastener to attach the nozzles, the lids, or the other attachments onto the mouth opening 108. The upper compartment walls 120 may be angled inward from to the upper sidewall 136 and the channels 118 such that the upper compartment walls 120 contain less volume as the upper compartment walls 120 converge. The converging shape of the upper compartment walls 120 enables liquid contained within liquid container 100 to be channeled or funneled toward an exit point or mouth opening 108 of the liquid container 100.
The upper compartment 106 may also include one or more upper handles 122 to allow a user to grip the liquid container 100. In one embodiment, the upper handles 122 may be integrated into the upper compartment 106. In one example, an upper handle 122 may have a hollow interior or channel. A first end of the upper handle 122 may connect at a first point along the surface of the upper compartment walls 120 into the cavity of the upper compartment 106 that is holding liquid. A second end of the upper handle 122 may connect at a second point along the surface of the upper compartment walls 120 into the cavity of the upper compartment 106 that is holding liquid. In one embodiment, as liquid is poured from the upper compartment 106 to the mouth opening 108, at least a portion of the liquid may flow through the channel of the upper handle 122. In another embodiment, as liquid is poured from the upper compartment 106 to the mouth opening 108, at least a portion of the air flowing in from the mouth opening 108 may flow through the channel of the upper handle 122.
In one example, one or more of the upper handles 122 may be located on an edge portion 124 where the upper compartment walls 120 connect. In another embodiment, the upper handles 122 may be located on the upper compartment walls 120 themselves. The upper handles 122 may provide a location to grip the liquid container 100, allowing for easier transportation and pouring ability.
In one embodiment, the upper compartment 106 may also include air vents 126. The air vents 126 may be small, closable or sealable holes located along one or more of the upper compartment walls 120. The air vents 126 may provide an opening for air to enter into liquid container 100 as the contents of liquid container 100 are poured out, allowing for a uniform flow of the liquid.
The mouth opening 108 may be connected to the upper compartment 106. The mount opening may provide an opening in the liquid container to allow liquid on air into or out of the liquid container 100. The mouth opening 108 may allow for attachments to affix to the liquid container 100. The attachments may include a lid to assisting in containing liquid in the liquid container 100, a funnel or spout to assist in filling the liquid container 100 with liquid, or a spout to assist in pouring the liquid out of the liquid container 100. In one example, the mouth opening 108 may be a small, round opening in the container, where the mouth opening 108 includes outer threads to attach the attachments. In another example, the mouth opening may be large opening to enable an increased amount of fluid or air to enter or exit the liquid container. In another example, the mouth opening 108 may be square shaped, rectangularly shaped, polygonal shaped, and so forth. In one example, the lower compartment 102, the baffle 104 and the upper compartment 106 may form a substantially square or rectangular liquid container 100. In another example, the lower compartment 102, the baffle 104 and the upper compartment 106 may form a substantially cylindrical liquid container 100 or another polygonal shaped liquid container 100.
FIG. 1B shows a top cross-sectional view of the liquid container 100 with the baffle 104, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 1B are the same or similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. The baffle 104 may include the passage baffle openings 114, the channels 118, the channel walls 132, and the passage 116.
In one embodiment, one or more of the channels 118 may provide a pathway for fluid to travel from the lower compartment 102 to the upper compartment 106. In another embodiment, one or more of the channels 118 may provide a pathway for air to travel from the mouth opening to the upper compartment 106 and/or the lower compartment 102. In another embodiment, one or more of the channels 118 may store air or fluid. In another embodiment, one or more of the passage baffle openings 114 may provide a space for a rope or tie down to pass through the liquid container 100 to secure the liquid container 100. In one example, the passage baffle openings 114 and the passage 116 may form a t-shaped open space where the channels 118 may be located at the corners of the baffle 104. The shape of the baffle 104 is not intended to be limiting. For example, the baffle 104 may form a y-shape with 3 channels 118 and a y-shaped passage 116.
FIG. 1C shows a cross-section view of the liquid container 100, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 1C are the same or similar to some of the features in FIGS. 1A and 1B as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. The liquid container 100 may store a liquid. For example, the liquid container 100 may store gasoline or diesel. When the liquid is poured from the liquid container 100 to another liquid container, such as a fuel tank, the liquid container 100 may be positioned on its side for pouring. As the liquid pours out of the liquid container 100, the liquid may flow through one or more passageways 138, 140, and 142 of the liquid container 100 to exit a portion of the mouth opening 108. For example, the liquid container 100 may include a first passageway 138 that extends from the lower compartment 102, through a first channel 148 of the baffle 104 at a bottom side of the liquid container 100, through an opening between the upper handles 122, and through the mouth opening 108 to a liquid exit 144. In another example, the liquid container 100 may include a second passageway 140 that extends from the lower compartment 102, through a fourth channel 155 of the baffle 104 at a top side of the liquid container 100, through the opening between the upper handles 122, and through the mouth opening 108 to the liquid exit 144.
The upper handles 122 may include a first handle 152 and a second handle 154. The first handle 152 may be integrated into the liquid container 100 and provide a first passage for liquid between the first handle 152 and a first inner surface 156 of the liquid container 100. The second handle 154 may be integrated into the liquid container 100 and provide a second passage for liquid between the second handle 154 and a second inner surface 158 of the liquid container 100. The first passage of the first handle 152 and/or the second passage of the second handle 154 may provide additional baffles for the liquid container 100. In another example, the liquid container 100 may include a third passageway 142 that extends from the lower compartment 102, through the first channel 148 of the baffle 104 at the bottom side of the liquid container 100, through a passage of the second handle 154, and through the mouth opening 108 to the liquid exit 144.
As the baffle 104, the first handle 152, and/or the second handle 154 meter a flow of the liquid as it exits the mouth opening 108, the liquid may flow through a first portion of the mouth opening and provide a second portion of the mouth opening for air to flow into the liquid opening via an air entrance 146. In one example, the liquid container 100 may include a fourth channel 150 that extends from the mouth opening 108, through the first passage of the first handle 152 to the upper compartment 106 and/or the lower compartment 102 of the liquid container 100. In another example, the liquid container 100 may include a fifth channel 153 that extends from the mouth opening 108, between a passage between the first handle 152 and the second handle 154, to the upper compartment 106 and/or the lower compartment 102 of the liquid container 100. The arrangement and number of channels and passages are not intended to be limiting. For example, the liquid container 100 may include four handles that provide four passageways around the handles. In another example, the liquid container 100 may not include the baffle 104 and only the handles 152 and 154 to provide baffles for the liquid container 100.
FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a liquid container 200 with a baffle 272, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 2A are the same or similar to some of the features in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. The liquid container 200 may include the lower compartment 102, the baffle 272, the upper compartment 106, and the mouth opening 108. The liquid container 200 may store a liquid for transportation and distribution. The baffle 272 of the liquid container 200 may control or meter the movement of the liquid and allow for securing of the liquid container 200.
The lower compartment 102 may be shaped to allow the liquid container 200 to hold a volume of liquid inside. The liquid container 200 may be shaped to enable the liquid container 200 to stand in a vertical position or lay in a horizontal position. For example, the lower compartment 102 may include a substantially square base 110 to allow the liquid container 200 to stand vertically. The base 110 may provide a flat or substantially flat surface to sturdily support the liquid container 200 and any liquid held in the liquid container 200. In one embodiment, the lower sidewalls 264 of the lower compartment 102 and the upper sidewalls 266 of the of the upper compartment 106 may be substantially flat and connect at approximately 90-degree angles so that the sides of the liquid container 200 are square and the liquid container 200 may be laid on its side when storing the liquid or when the liquid is poured from the mouth opening 108.
In another embodiment, the lower sidewalls 264 of the lower compartment 102 and the upper sidewalls 266 of the upper compartment 106 may be concave or curved and connect at approximately 90 degree angles so that the sides of the liquid container 200 are square and the liquid container 200 may be laid on its side when storing the liquid or when the liquid is poured from the mouth opening 108. The convex or curved lower sidewalls 264 of the lower compartment 102 and the upper sidewalls 266 of the convex or curved upper compartment 106 may enable the liquid container 200 to be laid on its side on an uneven surface. For example, when a surface that the side of the liquid container 200 is laid on has mounds, objects, protrusions, or divots, the concave or curved surface of the liquid container 200 may remain stable because the surface of the side of the liquid container 200 may not contact the mound, object, protrusion, or divot.
In another embodiment, an edge 268 formed between the base 110 and the lower compartment walls 112 may be curved, forming a concave edge. The concave portion of the edge 268 may extend along the edge 268 or a portion of the edge 268. The concave portion of the edge 244 may be shaped to conform to the contours of a leg, arm, or shoulder. Additionally, the concave portion of the edge 268 may assist in transporting or securing the liquid container 200 from slipping when being poured or tilted.
The liquid container 200 may include a baffle 272. The baffle 272 may include baffle openings and a baffle passage similar to the baffle passage 116 and the baffle openings 114 in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. In one embodiment, the baffle 272 may include a first baffle opening 274 and a second baffle opening 276 that are on opposite side surfaces of the liquid container 200 and a baffle passage that extends between the baffle openings 274 and 276 to provide an exterior through channel to put ropes or tie downs through when securing the liquid container 200.
The liquid container 200 may include one or more base handles 270, side handles 262, or upper handles 122. In one embodiment, the base handles 270, side handles 262, and/or upper handles 122 may be solid and attached to the liquid container 200.
In another embodiment, the base handles 270, the side handles 262, and/or the upper handles 122 may be hollow and attached to the liquid container 200. In one example, the hollow base handles 270, the side handles 262, and/or the upper handles 122 may provide additional storage cavities within the handles for liquids. In another example, the hollow base handles 270, the side handles 262, and/or the upper handles 122 may be baffles to control a movement of the liquid as the liquid is stored in the liquid container 200 or meter the liquid as the liquid is poured from the liquid container 200, as discussed below. In another example, one or more of the base handles 270, the side handles 262, and/or the upper handles 122 may be solid handles and one or more of the base handles 270, the side handles 262, and/or the upper handles 122 may be hollow. The number of handles and the location of the handles is not intended to be limiting.
FIG. 2B shows a cross-section view of the liquid container 200 with one hollow base handle 246, the side handles 248, the upper handles 250, and the bottom handle 255, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 2B are the same or similar to some of the features in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise.
In one embodiment, the base handle 270 may be a handle integrated into a bottom surface of the liquid container 200. In another embodiment, the side handles 262 may include a first side handle 278 and a second side handle 280 that are along surfaces opposite to the baffle passage and baffle openings 274 and 276. The upper handles 122 may include a first upper handle 282 and a second upper handle 284.
When the liquid is poured from the liquid container 200 to another liquid container, such as a gasoline tank, the liquid container 200 may be positioned on its side for pouring. As the liquid pours out of the liquid container 200, the liquid may flow through one or more channels around the base handle 270, the first side handle 278, the second side handle 280, the baffle 272, the first upper handle 282, and/or the second upper handle 284 of the liquid container 200 to exit a portion of the mouth opening 108.
As the base handle 270, the first side handle 278, the second side handle 280, the baffle 272, the first upper handle 282, and/or the second upper handle 284 meter a flow of the liquid as it exits the mouth opening 108, the liquid may flow through the liquid exit 144 of the mouth opening 108 and provide a second portion of the mouth opening for air to flow into through the air entrance 146.
The base handle 270, the first side handle 278, the second side handle 280, the first upper handle 282, and/or the second upper handle 284 may be set in a concave portion of the liquid container 200. In one embodiment, the base handle 270, the first side handle 278, the second side handle 280, the first upper handle 282, and/or the second upper handle 284 may also act as other baffles by interrupting or dampening the free flow of liquid that may be contained within the liquid container 200. In another embodiment, passageways between one or more of the base handle 270, the first side handle 278, the second side handle 280, the first upper handle 282, and/or the second upper handle 284 may provide paths for the fluid to exit the liquid container 200 as the liquid is poured and other passageways between the one or more of the base handle 270, the first side handle 278, the second side handle 280, the first upper handle 282, and/or the second upper handle 284 may provide paths for the air to enter the liquid container 200 as the liquid to poured.
The paths of the fluid or the air via the passageways of the liquid container 200 are not intended to be limiting. In one example, when the liquid container 200 is completely full, the liquid may flow out via all of the passageways. In another example, as the liquid container 200 empties or is only partially full of liquid, the liquid may flow out via one or more of the passageways and air may flow in via one or more other passageways.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the liquid container 200, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 3 are the same or similar to some of the features in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2B as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise.
The base 110 may include one of the base handles 270 to assist in transporting the liquid container 200 and pouring the contents of liquid container 200. In one example, the base handle 270 may be located on a bottom surface of the base 110. The base handle 270 may be located in a concave portion 378 of the base 110 such that the base handle 270 may be substantially flush with the base 210, so as to not jut out and compromise the stability of the liquid container 200 when set on the base 110. The number of base handles 270 is not intended to be limiting. For example, the liquid container 200 may include multiple base handles 270 or a single base handle 270.
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the liquid container 200, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 4 are the same or similar to some of the features in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2B as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. The liquid container 200 may include the first upper handle 282 and the second upper handle 284. The first upper handle 282 may be located along a surface of the upper compartment 106. The first upper handle 282 may include a first concave portion 486 for a user to insert a hand and grab the first upper handle 282. The second upper handle 284 may be located along the surface of the upper compartment 106. The second upper handle 284 may include a second concave portion 488 for a user to insert a hand and grab the second upper handle 284. The first upper handle 282 and the second upper handle 284 may be substantially flush with the surface of the upper compartment 106 so as to not jut out from the surface of the upper compartment 106.
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the liquid container 200, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 5 are the same or similar to some of the features in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2B as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. As discussed above, a concave portion of the edge 268 may extend along a portion of the edge 268 or a portion of the edge 268. The edge 268 may be shaped to conform to the contours of a leg, an arm, or a shoulder. Additionally, the edge 268 may assist in transporting or securing the liquid container 200 from slipping when being poured or tilted.
The liquid container 200 may include the first side handle 278 or the second side handle 280 to assist in transporting the liquid container 200 and pouring the contents of the liquid container 200. The first side handle 278 or the second side handle 280 may be located on a side surface of the liquid container 100. The first side handle 278 or the second side handle 280 may include a concave portion 590 for a user to insert a hand and grab the first side handle 278 or the second side handle 280. The first side handle 278 or the second side handle 280 may be substantially flush with the side surface of the liquid container 200 so as to not jut out and compromise the stability of the liquid container 200 when set on its side.
The upper compartment 106 may include the first upper handle 282 or the second upper handle 284 along the upper compartment 106 to assist in transporting liquid container 200 and pouring the contents of the liquid container 200. The first upper handle 282 or the second upper handle 284 may be located on the side surfaces of the upper compartment 106. The first upper handle 282 or the second upper handle 284 may include concave portions 592 for a user to insert a hand and grab include the first upper handle 282 or the second upper handle 284. The first upper handle 282 or the second upper handle 284 may be substantially flush with the upper compartment 106 so as to not jut out and compromise the stability of the liquid container 200 when set on its side.
The upper compartment 106 may be shaped to store and funnel liquid held inside the liquid container 200 toward the mouth opening 108 of the liquid container 200. The upper compartment 106 may extend at an angle from the lower compartment 102 to converge at the mouth opening 108. The upper compartment 106 may be angled inward from the lower compartment 102 such that the upper compartment 106 may store less volume as the upper compartment 106 converges towards the mouth opening 108. The converging shape of the upper compartment 106 may enable liquid stored within the liquid container 200 to be channeled or funneled toward the mouth opening 108 of the liquid container 200.
FIG. 6 shows a side view of the liquid container 200, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 6 are the same or similar to some of the features in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2B as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. The baffle 272 may be a baffle to help control or slow the movement of liquid that might be held in the liquid container 200. Further, the baffle 272 may allow for objects to pass through a middle section of the liquid container 200. The baffle 272 may include one or more baffle opening 274 which may be connected by one or more passages to allow object like rope, tie-downs, or a hand to pass through a center or middle portion of the liquid container 200. In one example, the baffle opening 274 may be a rounded rectangular opening. In another example, the baffle openings 274 may be circular openings, squared rectangular openings, square openings, oblong openings, or polygonal shaped openings. In one example, the baffle openings 274 may be the same shape. In another example, the multiple baffle openings 274 may be different shapes.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.

Claims

1. A liquid container comprising:

a lower compartment comprising:

a base;

a plurality of lower compartment walls connected to the base, the base and the plurality of lower compartment walls forming a lower cavity to hold a liquid;

a baffle comprising:

a lower sidewall connected to the plurality of lower compartment walls;

an upper sidewall connected to a plurality of upper compartment walls of an upper compartment;

a first channel comprising a first set of channel walls connecting the lower compartment to the upper compartment at a first location, wherein the first channel provides a first passageway for liquid to pass between the lower compartment and the upper compartment;

a second channel comprising a second set of channel walls connecting the lower compartment to the upper compartment at a second location, wherein the second channel provides a second passageway for the liquid to pass between the lower compartment and the upper compartment;

a baffle passage defining a first opening, a second opening, and a third passageway between the lower sidewall, the upper sidewall, the first channel, and the second channel, the third passageway providing being passage for an object to pass from the first opening to the second opening through a section between the lower compartment and the upper compartment; and

the upper compartment comprising a plurality of upper compartment walls connected to the upper sidewall of the baffle, the first channel, and the second channel, the plurality of upper compartment walls forming an upper cavity to hold the liquid.

2. The liquid container of claim 1, further comprising a handle integrated into at least one of the plurality of upper compartment walls, at least one of the plurality of the lower compartment walls, or the base.

3. The liquid container of claim 2, wherein the handle is hollow to provide a fourth passageway for the liquid to pass from a first portion of the lower compartment to a second portion of the lower compartment or a first portion of the upper compartment to a second portion of the upper compartment.

4. The liquid container of claim 2, wherein the handle is hollow to provide a second baffle to control a movement of the liquid stored in the liquid container.

5. The liquid container of claim 1, further comprising a mouth opening connected to the upper compartment, the mouth opening to provide an opening in the liquid container for the liquid to enter or exit the liquid container.

6. The liquid container of claim 5, wherein the mouth opening provides an opening for air to enter the liquid container.

7. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein the baffle is to meter a flow of the liquid exiting the liquid container.

8. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein the first channel is to provide the first passageway for liquid to pass from the lower compartment to the upper compartment and the second channel is to provide the second passageway to pass air from the upper compartment to the lower compartment.

9. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein the baffle passage is shaped to receive a rope or tie-down to secure the liquid container for transportation.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a lower compartment forming a lower cavity to hold a liquid;

a baffle comprising:

a channel connecting the lower compartment to an upper compartment, wherein the channel provides a first passageway for liquid to pass between the lower compartment and the upper compartment; and

a baffle passage defining an opening through a middle section of the apparatus between the lower compartment and the upper compartment; and

the upper compartment connected to the channel, the upper compartment forming an upper cavity to hold the liquid.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a first handle integrated into a first side of the upper compartment, the first handle to provide a second passageway for the liquid to pass from a first portion of the upper compartment to a second portion of the upper compartment; and

a second handle integrated into a second side of the upper compartment, the second handle to provide a third passageway for air to pass from a third portion of the upper compartment to a fourth portion of the upper compartment.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a first handle integrated into a first edge between a first side of the upper compartment and a second side of the upper compartment, the first handle to provide a second passageway for the liquid to pass from a first portion of the upper compartment to a second portion of the upper compartment; and

a second handle integrated into a second edge between a third side of the upper compartment and a fourth side of the upper compartment, the second handle to provide a third passageway for air to pass from a third portion of the upper compartment to a fourth portion of the upper compartment.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a mouth opening to provide an opening for the liquid to be poured out of the apparatus, wherein the baffle is to reduce a flow of the liquid poured out of the liquid container.

14. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the mouth opening provides an opening for air to enter the liquid container and the liquid to exit the liquid container.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, a vent integrated into a surface of the upper compartment, the vent to provide air into the apparatus.

16. A liquid container comprising:

a lower compartment comprising:

a base; and

a baffle comprising:

a channel comprising a set of channel walls connecting the lower compartment to an upper compartment, wherein the set of channel walls form a first passageway for liquid to pass between the lower compartment and the upper compartment; and

a baffle passage defining a second passageway through a middle section of the liquid container from a first side of the liquid container to a second side of the liquid container; and

the upper compartment comprising a plurality of upper compartment walls connected to the channel, the plurality of upper compartment walls forming an upper cavity to hold the liquid.

17. The liquid container of claim 16, further comprising a handle integrated into the lower compartment or the upper compartment, wherein the handle is substantially flush with a surface of the lower compartment or the upper compartment.

18. The liquid container of claim 16, wherein the base is substantially flat to provide a surface for the liquid container to stand vertically.

19. The liquid container of claim 16, wherein the plurality of lower compartment walls connect at approximately 90-degree angles and the plurality of upper compartment walls connect at approximately 90-degree angles to form a substantially rectangular container for the liquid container to stand horizontally.

20. The liquid container of claim 16, further comprising a mouth opening connected to the upper compartment.