The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 11, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2001
Mark E. Gillen, Zionsville, IN (US);
Banjo Corporation, Crawfordsville, IN (US);
Abstract
A lid apparatus for a tank opening that retains fluid within the tank while allowing air to vent into or out of the tank. An air manifold is provided, preferably as part of an installation ring of the apparatus which is mounted to the tank around the tank opening. The air manifold has an outer radial wall and an inner radial wall spanned by an annular base surface. A plurality of angularly spaced openings in the outer radial wall are angularly offset from a plurality of openings in the inner radial wall to be out of angular alignment therewith, and the space above the annular base surface between the outer radial wall openings and the inner radial wall openings provides a plurality of air flow passageways. A cap of the apparatus has a cover portion and a depending mounting member adapted to insert within the installation ring and engage a cap mounting portion of that ring to detachably mount the cap to the installation ring. A plurality of angularly spaced vent openings in the cap mounting member are in angular alignment with the inner radial wall openings when the cap is mounted to the installation ring to promote tank venting through the air manifold. Splash guards inward of the vent openings serve to limit fluid from splashing through the vent openings into the manifold. Additional openings in the manifold inner wall that are angularly aligned with openings in the manifold outer wall are also provided to enhance venting, and the additional openings are separated from the aligned outer wall openings by upstanding diverter plates that also block fluid from splashing radially outward through the manifold.