Dripless nozzle

Abstract

A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzles 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. Preferably, at least one 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 to prevent dripping of fuel from the end of the spout.

Description

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 compl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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