Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to fuel tank caps and particularly to a fuel tank closure device that enables a user to push a fuel tank cap into an opening of a fuel tank.
Description of Related Art
[002] Fuel tank caps are provided for closing an opening of a fuel tank of vehicles to prevent fuel from spilling out from the fuel tank. Before refilling the fuel tank of the vehicle, the fuel tank needs to be opened by a driver or a fuel station operator. Traditionally, a thread has been provided on the fuel tank cap to seal the opening of the fuel tank. However, this design of the fuel tank cap makes a removal of the fuel tank cap from the fuel tank difficult. Also, removal of such fuel tank cap from the fuel tank is a time-consuming process. Therefore, to overcome the aforementioned issues, various types of fuel tank caps have been designed.
[003] Conventionally, the available fuel tank caps have been designed to provide a provision of easy removal of the fuel tank cap from the fuel tank. However, such fuel tank caps are not able to create an airtight seal over the opening of the fuel tank due to which leakage can occur and results in fire and explosion. Moreover, the seal provided in such fuel tank caps is not sturdy enough to deal with harsh environmental conditions.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced fuel tank closure device that can administer the aforementioned issues in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a fuel tank closure device. The device comprising: a seal securely attached to an opening of a fuel tank. The device further comprising a fuel tank cap fitted into the seal, to securely close the opening of the fuel tank. The fuel tank cap comprises: a handle to be held by a user to push or pull the fuel tank cap into and/or from the opening of the fuel tank.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a fuel tank closure device. The device comprising: a seal securely attached to an opening of a fuel tank. The seal is made up of a polymer material to prevent a leakage of fuel from the fuel tank. The device further comprising a fuel tank cap fitted into the seal, to securely close the opening of the fuel tank. The fuel tank cap comprises: a handle to be held by a user to push or pull the fuel tank cap into and/or from the opening of the fuel tank.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a fuel tank closure device that is provided with a seal made of polymer material to prevent leakage of fuel.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a fuel tank closure device that is provided with a fuel tank cap to be fitted into an opening of a fuel tank using a mechanism of push-fit.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a fuel tank closure device that requires push and pull force to close and open an opening of a fuel tank.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a fuel tank closure device that consumes less time for fitting into a fuel tank.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a fuel tank closure device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded view of the fuel tank closure device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of manufacturing the fuel tank closure device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0021] FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a fuel tank closure device 100 (hereinafter referred to as the device 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 may be designed to tightly close an opening of a fuel tank 102 of any vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 may be designed to be fitted into the fuel tank 102 using a mechanism of push-fit.
[0022] The vehicle may be, but not limited to, a two-wheeler vehicle, a four-wheeler vehicle, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the vehicle including known related art and/or later developed technologies. The fuel tank 102 may be, but not limited to, a plastic fuel tank, a metal fuel tank, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the fuel tank 102 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 may comprise a seal 104 that may be securely attached to an opening of the fuel tank 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, a size of the seal 104 may depend on a size of the opening of the fuel tank 102. The seal 104 may be provided to prevent a leakage of fuel from the fuel tank 102, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the seal 104 may be made up of any thermoplastic material such as, but not limited to, silicone, nitrile, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the seal 104 may be made up of polymer material to prevent a leakage of the fuel. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the seal 104 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 may comprise a fuel tank cap 106 that may be fitted into the seal 104, to securely close the opening of the fuel tank 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank cap 106 may require a push and pull force to close and open the opening of the fuel tank 102.
[0026] The fuel tank cap 106 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a round shape, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank cap 106 may be of a tapered shape to make the fuel tank cap 106 push fit. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the fuel tank cap 106 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank cap 106 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, brass, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank cap 106 may be made up of a plastic material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the fuel tank cap 106 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] FIG. 1B illustrates an enclosed view of the device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank cap 106 may comprise a handle 108 that may be provided at an outer surface of the fuel tank cap 106. The handle 108 may be held by a user to push or pull the fuel tank cap 106 into and/or from the fuel tank 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary scenario, the fuel tank cap 106 may be pushed by the user by using the handle 108 to securely fit the fuel tank cap 106 on the opening of the fuel tank 102. In another exemplary scenario, the fuel tank cap 106 may be pulled by the user by using the handle 108 for detaching the fuel tank cap 106 from the opening of the fuel tank 102.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method 200 of manufacturing the device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] At step 202, the device 100 may be provided with the seal 104 that may be securely attached to the opening of the fuel tank 102. The seal 104 may be made up of the polymer material to prevent the leakage of fuel from the opening of the fuel tank 102.
[0031] At step 204, the device 100 may be provided with the fuel tank cap 106 that may be designed to have the tapered shape to make the fuel tank cap 106 push fit.
[0032] At step 206, the device 100 may be provided with the handle 108 arranged at the outer surface of the fuel tank cap 106. The handle 108 may be held by the user to push or pull the fuel tank cap 106.
[0033] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0034] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
, Claims:I/We Claim:
1. A fuel tank closure device (100), the device (100) comprising:
a seal (104) securely attached to an opening of a fuel tank (102); and
a fuel tank cap (106) fitted into the seal (104), to securely close the opening of the fuel tank (102), wherein the fuel tank cap (106) comprises: a handle (108) to be held by a user to push or pull the fuel tank cap (106) into and/or from the opening of the fuel tank (102).
2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (104) is made up of a polymer material to prevent a leakage of fuel from the fuel tank (102).
3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel tank cap (106) is of a tapered shape to make the fuel tank cap (106) push fit.
4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a size of the seal (104) depends on a size of the opening of the fuel tank (102).
5. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel tank cap (106) requires a push and pull force to close and open the opening of the fuel tank (102).
6. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel tank cap (106) is made up of a plastic material.
7. A fuel tank closure device (100), the device (100) comprising:
a seal (104) securely attached to an opening of a fuel tank (102), wherein the seal (104) is made up of a polymer material to prevent a leakage of fuel from the fuel tank (102); and
a fuel tank cap (106) fitted into the seal (104), to securely close the opening of the fuel tank (102), wherein the fuel tank cap (106) comprises: a handle (108) to be held by a user to push or pull the fuel tank cap (106) into and/or from the opening of the fuel tank (102).
8. The device (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fuel tank cap (106) is of a tapered shape to make the fuel tank cap (106) push fit.
9. The device (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a size of the seal (104) depends on a size of the opening of the fuel tank (102).
10. The device (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fuel tank cap (106) requires a push and pull force to close and open the opening of the fuel tank (102).
Date: 03rd June 2022
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant