초록 ▼

A system for preventing spillage from containers during the filling thereof includes an electrical circuit extending between one or more filling ports of the container and being connected with one or more liquid level sensitive switches within the container. A liquid dispensing apparatus for dispens

A system for preventing spillage from containers during the filling thereof includes an electrical circuit extending between one or more filling ports of the container and being connected with one or more liquid level sensitive switches within the container. A liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing liquid into the container is coupled to the circuit so as to be enabled to dispense liquid into the container when the circuit is closed and to be disabled from dispensing liquid into the container when the circuit is opened. The circuit includes electrically isolated leads at each of the one or more filling ports that can be connected with each other so as to complete the circuit at that port when either the filling port is properly capped or the liquid dispensing apparatus is properly coupled to the port. The one or more liquid level sensitive switches complete the circuit as long as the level of the liquid within the tank is below a prescribed limit level and open the circuit when the level of the liquid within the container is at or above the prescribed level. The liquid level sensitive switches are preferably installed at vent openings of the container, and embodiments of the liquid level sensitive switches also function as shut-off valves to prevent liquid from escaping from the container through the vent openings when the tank is tipped over.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for preventing spillage from a liquid container during the filling thereof, the container including at least two filling apertures, each of the at least two filling apertures being selectively closable by an associated filler cap, the liquid container being selec

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for preventing spillage from a liquid container during the filling thereof, the container including at least two filling apertures, each of the at least two filling apertures being selectively closable by an associated filler cap, the liquid container being selectively filled by a dispensing apparatus having at least one filling aperture coupling device constructed and arranged to selectively couple the dispensing apparatus to at least one of the at least two filling apertures when the at least one filling aperture is not closed by an associated filler cap, said system comprising a dispenser apparatus controlling circuit constructed and arranged to:(1) enable the dispensing apparatus to dispense liquid into the liquid container when:(a) the dispensing apparatus is coupled to the at least one filling aperture by the at least one filling aperture coupling device,(b) any filling apertures of the at least two filling apertures to which the dispensing apparatus is not coupled by a filling aperture coupling device are closed by an associated filler cap, and(c) the liquid container contains less than a prescribed amount of liquid, and(2) disable the dispensing apparatus to prevent the dispensing apparatus from dispensing liquid into the liquid container when either:(a) any one of the at least two filling apertures is not coupled to the dispensing apparatus by a filling aperture coupling device and is not closed by an associated filler cap, or(b) the liquid container contains at least the prescribed amount of liquid.