First use flow-delay membrane for pourable containerized motor oils and other viscous fluids

Abstract

The present invention is a flexible disc-like membrane that is burstable on demand. The membrane is adapted to accommodate an accommodating container (approximately 32 fl. oz.) for automotive type motor oils and other viscous fluids. The membrane serves to contain a fluid content within a container at first use, while the container (with cap removed) is being positioned for pouring and until the consumer manually initiates the membrane to burst so as to release the contained fluid into an engine or other equipment. The present invention improves container content pour-ability by allowing the consumer to manually initiate the release of a fluid content to a free-flowing action at the proper time as to avoid fluid content spillage without the need for the use of a funnel or other pouring assistance.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A substantially flat body of material having a perimetrical portion and a core portion therein, for providing assistance in pouring a viscous fluid from an accommodating container, therewith said body of material comprising: 
 (a) a diaphragm membrane means wherein said membrane means is adapted to accommodate said container at a substantially circular opening of a tubular spout therein, for providing a seal to restrict said fluids within said container, thereby replacing the usual seal of said container; and    (b) said membrane means is adapted to accommodate said container at said opening therein, for allowing the usual closure of said container;    (c) wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of yielding flap means within said membrane means for allowing said membrane means to yield in an outward radiate manner therefrom said core portion thereupon primary employment of said membrane means, henceforth allowing said membrane means to be nonrestrictive, thereby releasing said fluid therein said container to a natural flowing action therefrom said container in a timely convenient manner thereupon said employment of said membrane means, thus preventing nuisance spillage of said fluid, therefore rendering conventional supplementary pouring relief articles to be nonessential.    
     
     
         2 . The body of material according to  claim 1  wherein said membrane means comprises a pliable material, thereby allowing said flap means to bend outwardly in a radial manner thereupon said employment of said membrane means.  
     
     
         3 . The body of material according to  claim 1  wherein said membrane means is a solid, disc-shaped configuration comprising a circumferential portion, a central portion and two substantially parallel opposing sides and includes on one side a plurality of diametrical grooves wherein said diametrical grooves communicate each other and said central portion in an intersecting manner and said diametrical grooves communicate said circumferential portion in an intersecting manner, therewith including on said one side respective said diametrical grooves, a plurality of separation seams whereby said separation seams provide a predetermined yielding course of said flap means within said membrane means.  
     
     
         4 . The body of material according to  claim 3  wherein said membrane means further includes on said one side a plurality of substantially radial grooves wherein said radial grooves communicate said diametrical grooves in an intersecting manner, whereas said radial grooves parallel said circumferential portion respectively in a concentric manner therefrom said central portion, whereby said radial grooves provide assistance in the outward bending action of said flap means thereupon said employment of said membrane means.  
     
     
         5 . The body of material according to  claim 1  wherein the diameter of said membrane means is adapted to accommodate said container at a variable rate diameter of said opening, wherein normally said membrane means is approximately {fraction (15/16)} inches in diameter to accommodate a usual diameter of said opening.  
     
     
         6 . The body of material according to  claim 1  wherein the major portion thickness of said membrane means is adapted to accommodate a variable rate diameter of said membrane means, wherein normally said thickness of said membrane means is approximately {fraction (3/64)} inches being proportional to a diameter of about {fraction (15/16)} inches therein said membrane means.  
     
     
         7 . A substantially flat body of material having a perimetrical portion and a core portion therein, for providing assistance in pouring a motor oil and like fluid therefrom a container of variant capacities for containing said fluid, wherein the usual of said capacities is approximately 32 fluid ounces, therewith said body of material comprising: 
 (a) a diaphragm membrane means wherein said membrane means is durably affixed to said container at a substantially circular fill and discharge usual opening of said container at the open end of a tubular spout therein said container, said membrane means is affixed to said container at a substantially circular rim of said opening thereafter filling said container with said fluid, thus sealing said fluid within said container, thereby allowing said membrane means to supersede the usual seal of said container; and    (b) said membrane means is affixed to said container at said rim of said opening wherein said membrane means is fitted flush with the perimeter of said rim, thereby allowing the normal capping of said container;    (c) wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of yielding flap means within said membrane means for allowing said membrane means to fracture radiately outward therefrom said core portion thereupon first use of said membrane means, henceforth allowing said membrane means to release said fluid previously restricted therein said container, to a gravity free-flowing action therefrom said container in a timely convenient manner thereupon first use of said membrane means, thus preventing random scatter of said fluid, therefore obsolescing the usual flow-guiding and flow-controlling pouring assistance supplements.    
     
     
         8 . The body of material according to  claim 7  wherein said membrane means comprises a flexible material, thereby allowing said flap means to become radially curved in an outward bending manner therefrom said core portion thereupon said first use of said membrane means.  
     
     
         9 . The body of material according to  claim 7  wherein said membrane means is a solid, substantially circular body comprising a circumferential portion, a central portion and two substantially parallel opposing sides and includes on one side a plurality of diametrically linear grooves along the major portion diameter of said circular body, wherein said Linear grooves communicate each other and said linear grooves communicate said central portion in an intersecting course, and wherein said linear grooves communicate said circumferential portion in an intersecting course, therewith including on said one side respective said linear grooves a plurality of separation seams whereby said separation seams provide a predesignated separating form of said flap means within said membrane means.  
     
     
         10 . The body of material according to  claim 9  wherein said membrane means further includes on said one side a plurality of radially curved grooves, wherein said curved grooves communicate said linear grooves in an intersecting course, whereas said curved grooves parallel said circumferential portion respectively in a concentric manner therefrom said central portion, and said curved grooves provide assistance in the outward bending action of said flap means thereupon said first use of said membrane means.  
     
     
         11 . The body of material according to  claim 7  wherein said membrane means is normally about {fraction (15/16)} inches in diameter.  
     
     
         12 . The body of material according to  claim 7  wherein said membrane means is normally about {fraction (3/64)} inches in thickness.  
     
     
         13 . A substantially flat body of material having a perimetrical portion and a core portion therein, for providing convenience in pouring a motor oil and like fluid therefrom a container of variable measure capacities for containing said fluid, wherein the usual of said capacities is about 32 fluid ounces, therewith said body of material comprising: 
 (a) a diaphragm membrane means wherein said membrane means is permanently secured to a usual fill and dispense opening of said container at an unsealed end of a tubular spout therein said container, said membrane means is secured to said container at a circumference rim of said unsealed end of said tubular spout thereupon filling said container with said fluid, subsequently sealing said fluid within said container, thereby allowing said membrane means to serve as and replace the usual seal of said container; and    (b) said membrane means is secured to said container at said rim wherein said membrane means is adapted to equal the outside diameter of said rim allowing the usual capping of said container;    (c) wherein the improvement includes a plurality of yielding flap means within said membrane means for allowing said membrane means to fissure radiately outward therefrom said core portion thereupon first use of said membrane means, hence allowing said membrane means to release said fluid therein to a free-flow pouring action therefrom said container in a timely, convenient manner thereupon said first use of said membrane means, thereby avoiding undesired spillage of said fluid, and providing an alternative for individual extension items of pouring assistance.    
     
     
         14 . The body of material according to  claim 13  wherein said membrane means is composed of a synthetic latex rubber that is compatible with said container and said fluid, wherein said rubber allows said flap means to deflect radially outward therefrom said core portion thereupon said first use of said membrane means  
     
     
         15 . The body of material according to  claim 13  wherein said membrane means is a solid, substantially circular form comprising a circumferential portion, a central portion and two substantially parallel opposing sides, therewith including on one side a plurality of diametrically straight grooves continuing the major portion diameter of said circular form, wherein said straight grooves communicate each other in an intersection course and said straight grooves collectively communicate said central portion in an intersecting course and wherein each end of said straight grooves communicate said circumferential portion in an intersecting course, therewith including on said one side a plurality of separation seams respective to the long axial center of said straight grooves, wherein said separation seams provide a predetermined sectoral yielding path of said flap means within said membrane means.  
     
     
         16 . The body of material according to  claim 15  wherein said membrane means further includes on said one side a plurality of radially circular grooves wherein said circular grooves communicate each end of said straight grooves in an intersecting course, whereas said circular grooves parallel said circumferential portion concentrically therefrom said central portion, wherein said circular grooves assist in the outward bending action of said flap means thereupon said first use of said membrane means.  
     
     
         17 . The body of material according to  claim 13  wherein the diameter of said membrane means is adapted to accommodate variable rate diameters of said rim, wherein the usual diameters of said membrane means is approximately {fraction (15/16)} inches to accommodate the usual outside diameter of approximately {fraction (15/16)} inches of said rim.  
     
     
         18 . The body of material according to  claim 13  wherein the major portion thickness of said membrane means is adapted proportionally to variable diameters of said membrane means, wherein the usual diameter of said membrane means is approximately {fraction (15/16)} inches, therewith the usual major portion thickness of said membrane means is approximately {fraction (3/64)} inches.