SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF DRAINING FLUID

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/842,461, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for draining and containing a fluid.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Engines and many other types of machines include various fluids (e.g., water, coolants, lubricants, gear oil, motor oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, etc.) that require periodic draining and replacement. Draining the fluids typically includes removing a drain plug in the system containing the fluid and allowing the fluid to drain into a first container, typically a large pan, that is placed below the open drain hole.

[0003] During the draining process the fluid often is spilled, dripped and splashed on the floor or ground below, on the equipment and on the person draining the fluid. Such spills require cleaning and disposal of the residue. Further, the fluid must be properly disposed of/recycled to increase safety, reduce pollution and conserve resources.

Properly disposing of the fluid typically requires the drained fluid to be poured from the first container into a second container for transport to the appropriate disposal/recycling location.

[0004] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a system for more easily and neatly draining the fluids that can also contain the fluids and reduce or substantially eliminate splashing, spilling, dripping of the fluid.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a system for and a method of draining fluid. In an embodiment, the system comprises a drain adapter configured for attachment to a first fluid container, an actuator that is removably attachable to the drain adapter and a second

fluid container. The drain adapter has a closed position, in which fluid is prevented from draining from the first fluid container, and an open position, in which the fluid is allowed to drain from the first fluid container. The drain adapter is self-biased to the closed position. Attachment of the actuator to the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to be in the open position and removal of the actuator from the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to return to the closed position. The second fluid container is removably attachable to the drain adapter and contains fluid drained from the first fluid container when the drain adapter is in the open position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] The present invention is described with respect to particular exemplary embodiments thereof and reference is accordingly made to the drawings in which:

[0007] Figure 1 shows a pictorial view of a fluid draining system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 2 shows a side view of the fluid drawing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 3 shows the fluid draining system separated into three parts, including a handle, a fluid container and a drain adapter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 4 shows a cut-away view of the fluid draining system separated into the three parts in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 5 shows the fluid draining system with the handle attached to the fluid container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 6 shows a pictorial view of the fluid draining system with the handle being attached to the fluid container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 7 is a flowchart diagram that illustrates method Operations performed in using the oil draining system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 8 shows a pictorial view of a fluid draining system having a non-coil spring retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 9 shows a top view of a spring retainer and valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 10 shows a bottom view of a spring retainer and a valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 11 shows a cut-away view of the fluid draining system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figures 12A-B show cut-away views of a valve and valve collar of the fluid draining system in closed and open positions, respectively, accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019] Figure 13 shows a cut-away view of a fluid container valve assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0020] Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a fluid draining system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 includes a drain adapter 102, a handle 104 and a fluid container 106.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a side view of the system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The adapter 102 includes a fluid valve assembly including a valve 108 and a valve collar 110 having a valve seat 112 at its top portion. The valve collar 110 may be threaded so that it can be attached to machinery by being threaded into a threaded receptacle for an original drain plug (not shown). The valve 108 is shown in Figure 2 in an open position. In a closed position, the valve 108 contacts the valve seat 112.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the system 100 separated into the three parts: the drain adapter 102; the handle 104; and the fluid container 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 3, the adapter 102 is shown connected to a fluid container 114 of piece of machinery 116 in place of the drain plug (not shown) that was previously part of the machinery 116.

[0023] Figure 4 shows a cut-away view of the system 100 separated into the three parts: the drain adapter 102; the handle 104; and the fluid container 106, in accordance

with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 also shows various cutaway details of the adapter 102, the handle 104 and the fluid container 106. Referring to the adapter 102, the valve 108 is shown in the closed position with the valve substantially sealed to the valve seat 112 of the valve collar 110. The valve assembly can also include a coil spring 118 that biases the valve into the closed position. The adapter 102 also includes an opening 120 into which a valve actuator 122 can enter. The actuator 122 is coupled to the handle 104 and may include a wedge portion which slides against the valve 108 to push the valve 108 open when the actuator 122 is inserted into the opening 120.

[0024] It will be apparent that the wedge portion of the actuator 122 generates a mechanical advantage by converting the force applied by a person sliding the actuator 122 into the drain adapter 102 into a valve-opening force. It will be apparent that another means of generating a mechanical advantage may be used in conjunction with sliding the actuator 122 into the drain adapter 102. For example, a lever or gearset may be utilized to actuate the valve 108.

[0025] Figure 5 shows the fluid draining system with the handle attached to the fluid container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, as the wedge portion of the actuator 122 enters the opening 120, the wedge catches a lower end 124 of the valve 108 and forces the valve upward against the tension of the spring 118. Thus, the actuator 112 pushes the valve 108 in a direction into the fluid container 114 to open the valve 108. A valve stem 126 extends from the valve 108, though the valve collar 110 and is connected to the lower end 124 of the valve.

[0026] Figure 6 shows a pictorial view of the fluid draining system 100 with the handle 104 being attached to the fluid container 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to Figures 4 and 6, a fluid container assembly includes the fluid container 106 and a fluid container collar 128 coupled to the fluid container 106. The fluid container 106 is secured to the handle 104 by a locking mechanism. The fluid container collar 128 includes a first portion 130 of the locking mechanism. Correspondingly, a second portion 132 of the locking system that can intermesh with the first portion 130 of the locking mechanism is coupled to the handle 104. As shown in

Figure 6, the first portion 130 and the second portion 132 of the locking mechanism are secured to each other by inserting the second portion 130 into the first portion and rotating them 90 degrees with respect to each other. It should be understood that any type of locking mechanism could be used (e.g., threaded, friction, o-ringed, with a locking pin, or any other suitable system).

[0027] As shown in Figure 6, a residue remover 134 can also be coupled to the handle 104. The residue remover 134 removes fluid residue from the valve assembly of the drain adapter 102 as the handle is removed from the drain adapter 102. By way of example, the residue remover 134 can be an absorbent pad or a squeegee having a flexible edge that wipes the reside or other system to substantially remove fluid residue from the adapter 102 so as to inhibit dripping of the fluid after the actuator 122 is removed from the adapter 102.

[0028] When the actuator 122 is inserted into the adapter 102 and the valve assembly of the adapter 102 is in the open position, fluid drains from the machinery 116 and into the fluid container 106 via an opening 136 in the collar 128. The handle 104 may also include an opening 138 through which the fluid passes. The collar 128 can also include a valve 140 that automatically closes the opening 136 in the collar 128 when the handle 104 is not connected to the fluid container 106. The valve 140 can thereby minimize fluid spillage from the fluid container 106 after the fluid has been drained into the fluid container 106. Alternatively or additionally, a removable cap (not shown) can be used to close the opening 136.

[0029] Referring again to Figure 4, the drain adapter 102 can include an outer sleeve 142 and an inner housing 144. The sleeve 142 is slidable with respect to the inner housing 144. The valve collar 110 is attached to the inner housing 114 so that the valve 108 and valve assembly are also attached to the inner housing 144. The coil spring 124 may be contained within the inner housing 144. The opening 120 may be formed in the inner housing 144. The inner housing 144 may include an opening 146 through which the fluid drains when the valve 108 is opened. When the fluid is not being drained, the outer sleeve covers the opening 146 and protects the valve assembly from damage which might be caused by debris entering the opening 146. In this closed position, the drain

adapter 102 is substantially the shape of a rectangular box. Both the outer sleeve 142 and the inner housing 144 can have a rectangular cross section. In addition, the opening 120 and the actuator 120 can have a rectangular cross section.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, when the actuator 122 is inserted into the opening 120 of the inner housing 144, the assembled handle 104 and fluid container 106 push against the outer sleeve 142 which causes the outer sleeve 142 to slide back, exposing the opening 146. When the actuator 122 is removed, the outer sleeve 142 may automatically slide back into the closed position. For example, a spring may be attached to the outer sleeve 142 and the inner housing 144 to bias the outer sleeve 142 to this closed position. Alternatively, the outer sleeve 142 may be slid back and forth manually. For example, when the fluid is to be drained, the person draining the fluid may first slide the outer sleeve 142 back and, then, once the fluid has been drained, the person may slide the outer sleeve 142 to the closed position.

[0031] Figure 7 is a flowchart diagram that illustrates method operations performed in using the system 100 for draining fluid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, hi an operation 705, the drain adapter 102 is installed to a piece of machinery 116. More particularly, a threaded drain plug of a fluid container 114 of the machinery 116 may be removed and the adapter 102 may be attached to the machinery 114 by the threaded portion of the collar 110 being installed in place of the drain plug.

[0032] To drain the fluid iri the machinery 116, the fluid container 106 may be secured to the handle 104 in an operation 710. The fluid container 106, the handle 104 and the actuator 122 are thus assembled as a single unit, hi an operation 715, the actuator 122 is inserted into the adapter 102. This may be accomplished by a person taking a hold of the handle 104, inserting the actuator 122 into the opening 120 of the drain adapter 102 and moving (i.e. sliding) the actuator 122 into position.

[0033] As the actuator 122 is inserted fully into the adapter 102, the valve 108 is opened and the fluid is allowed to drain from the machinery 116 into the fluid container 106 in an operation 720. The assembled handle 104 and fluid container 106 are thus attached to the drain adapter 102 while the fluid is drained. The fluid can drain through the opening 140 in the handle 104 and the opening 136 in the collar 130.

[0034] When the fluid is drained into the fluid container 106, the actuator 122 is removed from the adapter 102 in an operation 725. This may be accomplished by pulling the handle 104. The valve 108 then closes under tension of the spring 118.

[0035] In an operation 730, the fluid container 106 can be removed from the handle 104.

[0036] The drain adapter 102 can remain attached to the machinery 116 upon completion of the method. Therefore, once the drain adapter 102 has been installed, the fluid can be drained easily and conveniently without the use of mechanic's tools, such as a wrench, and without having to manipulate a threaded fastener.

[0037] The fluid container 106 can be sufficiently large to accommodate at least the volume of fluid to be drained. Alternatively, if the volume of fluid to be drained is larger than the largest size fluid container 106 available, then the actuator 122 can be removed from the adapter 102 when the fluid container 106 is nearly filled to capacity. Another fluid container can be attached to the handle 104 and the process repeated until the desired volume of fluid is drained from the machinery 114.

[0038] The fluid-filled fluid container 106 can be used as the container to deliver the fluid for disposal/recycling. The fluid container 106 can be made from any suitable material that is compatible with the fluid to be drained. The fluid container 106 can be a bag formed from a flexible material such as polyethylene so that the fluid container can fit into tight spaces. For example, there may be insufficient vertical clearance for the fluid container 106 to hang down from the handle 104.

[0039] The adapter 102, the handle 104 and the various components thereof can be formed from any suitable materials compatible with the environment, the desired wear and tear characteristics and compatible with the fluids. For example, the handle 104 and the fluid container collar 128 are preferably formed of plastic. However, because the drain adapter 102 may be left attached to the machinery 116 during normal operation of the machinery 116, the drain adapter 102 is preferably formed primarily of metal, such as steel.

[0040] In an embodiment, the machinery 116 is an automobile and the fluid is oil used to lubricate an internal combustion engine of the automobile. In this case, the drain adapter 102 is attached to an oil pan of the automobile. For such an application, the profile of the drain adapter 102 is preferably minimized so as to provide clearance between the drain adapter 102 and other elements of the automobile and between the drain adapter 102 and the roadway. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the outer sleeve 142 of the drain adapter 102 is approximately 16 mm or less.

[0041] As described above, the valve assembly of the drain adapter 102 comprises the coil spring 118 that biases the valve 108 into contact with the valve seat 124 to close the valve. The valve 108 is opened by the actuator 122 separating the valve 108 from the valve seat 124 by pushing the valve 108 into the fluid container 114 of the machinery 116.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the valve assembly comprises a non-coiled spring retainer that biases a valve into contact with a valve seat to close the valve. In this embodiment, the valve is opened by the actuator separating the valve from the valve seat by pushing the valve in a direction away from the fluid container of the machinery.

[0043] Figure 8 shows a pictorial view of a fluid draining system 100' in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Elements of the system 100' that correspond to those of the system 100 are given like reference numerals. The system 100' includes the same elements and functions in the same way as the system 100 with the exception of differences discussed below. As before, the system 100' includes a drain adapter 102, a handle 104, and a fluid container 106. And, a valve actuator 122 coupled to the handle 104 opens a valve assembly of the drain adapter 102 when the actuator 122 is inserted into an opening 120 in the drain adapter 102. However, rather than a coil spring 118 as in the embodiments of Figures 1-6, a non-coiled spring retainer 148 is provided in this embodiment.

[0044] Figure 9 shows a top view of the spring retainer 148 and a valve 150. As shown in Figure 9, the valve 150 is attached to a valve frame member 152. The valve frame member 152 is supported at each end by the spring retainer 148, with a first spring retainer portion 148 A supporting one end of the frame member 152 and a second spring

retainer portion 148B supporting the other end of the frame member 152. The first and second spring retainer portions 148 A and 148B have a substantial bows shape when relieved of tension.

[0045] Figure 10 shows a bottom view of the spring retainer 148 and the valve 150 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 10, the spring retainer portions 148 A and 148B may each include openings 154. In this case, the frame member 152 includes posts 156 that fit into the openings 154 to prevent the frame member 152 from slipping off of the spring retainer 148. [0046] Figure 11 shows a cut-away view of the fluid draining system 100' in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 11, a threaded portion of a valve collar 158 is attached to a fluid container 114 of machinery 116. In addition, the actuator 122 is inserted into the drain adapter 102 and the outer sleeve 142 is slid back from the valve assembly which is attached to the inner housing 144. As is also shown in Figure 11, the valve 150 is pushed down against the tension of the spring retainer 148 and in a direction away from the fluid container 114. The valve 150 is, therefore, opened which allows fluid from drain from the container 1 14 of the machinery 114 to the fluid container 106.

[0047] The actuator 122 includes wedge portions, each of which slides against the ends of the valve frame 152 to apply tension to each of the spring retainer portions 148A and 148B. The application of tension tends to flatten the bow shape of the spring retainer portions 148A and 148B, thus, pulling the valve 150 open.

[0048] Figures 12A-B show cut-away views of a valve assembly including the valve 150 and the valve collar 158 of the fluid draining system 100' in closed and open positions, respectively, accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, Figure 12A shows the valve 150 in a closed position in which the valve 150 is substantially sealed against a valve seat 160 of the collar 158. The valve 150 is biased in the closed position by the spring retainer 148. The collar 158 may include a cylindrical guide channel 162 into which a cylindrical guide 164 extends. The guide 164 is coupled to the valve 150 and tends to keep the valve 150 aligned with the valve seat 160 while the valve 150 is being opened and closed. The valve seat 160 may include a rubber or rubber-like gasket or over-mold to improve the quality of the seal between the

valve 150 and the valve seat 160 when the valve 150 is closed. In an embodiment, the gasket is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that is both heat and oil resistant. [0049] Figure 12B shows the valve 150 in an open position in which the valve 150 is pushed away from the valve seat 160. hi this position, fluid is allowed to drain from the machinery 116, as shown by the arrows. Also, in the open position, the guide 164 is partially extracted from the guide channel 162. Referring again to Figure 9, the fluid may travel through passages 166 provided in the valve frame member 152. [0050] Figure 13 shows a cut-away view of a valve assembly for the fluid container 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 13, the valve assembly includes an upper valve portion 168 and a lower valve portion 170, each having openings (e.g. four). The handle 104 may be attached to the fluid container 106 by the locking mechanism 130, 132 shown in Figures 4 and 6. In addition, rotation of the handle 104 during attachment to the fluid container 106 causes the openings in the upper valve portion 168 and the lower valve portion 170 to become aligned which opens the valve assembly by forming fluid passages 170. Conversely, rotation of the handle 104 in the opposite direction during removal of the fluid container 106 from the handle 104 causes the openings to be out of alignment, thereby closing the passages 170 and closing the valve assembly.

[0051 ] When the valve 150 of the drain adapter 102 is opened, its lower surface may contact an upper surface 174 of the collar 128. In an embodiment, the upper surface 174 comprises a rubber or rubber-like gasket or over-mold to improve the quality of the seal between the valve 150 and the collar 128 when the valve 150 is opened, hi an embodiment, the gasket is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that is both heat and oil resistant.

[0052] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the described embodiments.