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Dripless nozzleRelated Patent Categories: Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver Or Receiver Coacting Means, Automatic Control Of Flow Cutoff Or Diversion, Level Or Overflow Responsive, Manually Initiated Valve With Both Manual And Level Cut-off ControlsDripless nozzle description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060000519, Dripless nozzle. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to fuel dispensing systems for dispensing fuel into a vehicle fuel tank. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dripless fuel dispensing nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle fuel tank. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Various nozzles have been proposed for use in fuel dispensing systems to transfer fuel from a storage tank to a vehicle fuel tank. Environmental and/or safety concerns have dictated that nozzles of a fuel dispensing system be designed to prevent fuel from dripping from the spout of the nozzle after the nozzle is removed from the vehicle fuel tank and returned to the dispenser. [0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,377,729; 5,645,116; 5,603,364; 5,620,032; and, 6,520,222 disclose various nozzle structures designed to prevent fuel from dripping from the spout once it is removed from a fuel tank. These designs have numerous inherent disadvantages. For example, a number of these prior designs require complex valves to prevent fuel dripping from the end of the spout of the nozzle. These valves increase the cost and time to manufacture the nozzle. Further, these prior designs all include a relatively large obstruction centrally located in the channel or passageway through which fuel travels through the nozzle and hence unnecessarily restrict the flow of fuel through the nozzle when a vehicle is being refueled. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] An object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a novel and unobvious nozzle that prevents excessive dripping from the end of the spout of the nozzle upon removal of the nozzle from a vehicle fuel tank after the refueling process has been completed. [0005] Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a nozzle that overcomes one or more disadvantages of previously known nozzles. [0006] A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a nozzle that can be readily and inexpensively manufactured. [0007] Still a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to reduce the obstructions in the fuel channel or passageway present in prior designs to minimize the obstruction or restriction of the flow of fuel through the nozzle in the refueling process. [0008] Yet still another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a dripless nozzle that does not rely upon a complex valve arrangement to prevent fuel dripping from the end of the spout of the nozzle. [0009] Yet another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a structure that can be readily retrofitted to existing nozzles to prevent dripping from the end of the spout of the nozzle. [0010] It must be understood that no one embodiment of the present invention need include all of the aforementioned objects of the present invention. Rather, a given embodiment may include one or none of the aforementioned objects. Accordingly, these objects are not to be used to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention. [0011] In summary, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzle comprises a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout to the vehicle. The spout has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion while the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. The first portion of the spout has a cross-sectional area greater than the second portion of the spout. A first fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the body portion and the spout. The first fuel collection member extends into the first portion of the spout and the second portion of the spout. [0012] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzle includes a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. A first fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout. At least a portion of the first fuel collection member extends into the first portion of the spout. A second fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout. The second fuel collection member is located in the second portion of the spout. [0013] A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzle includes a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion into a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion is removed from the body portion. The spout has a primary fuel collection area for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout. The spout further includes a secondary fuel collection area for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout. [0014] Still a further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzle comprises a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. A first fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout. The first fuel collection member is press-fit into the spout. [0015] Yet still a further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzle comprises a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. A first fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout. The first fuel collection member is fixed relative to the spout such that the first fuel collection member does not move relative to the spout. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a nozzle formed in accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle depicted in FIG. 1. [0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 1. [0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a nozzle formed in accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion I-I of FIG. 4. Continue reading about Dripless nozzle... Full patent description for Dripless nozzle Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Dripless nozzle patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Dripless nozzle or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Apparatus for inerting the headspace of a container Next Patent Application: Developer supply container Industry Class: Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting means ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Dripless nozzle patent info. 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