Apparatus and method for measuring, mixing, and dispensing fluids

#The present invention relates generally to fluid containers, and more particularly to apparatuses and methods for measuring, mixing, and dispensing fluids.

#It is common to mix one or more fluids in household, industrial, academic, agricultural, and other applications. For example, common household chemicals including detergents and cleaning solutions, lawn care products, adhesives, and the like must often be combined with water or another fluid before use. As another example, it can be necessary to mix a quantity of gasoline with a quantity of oil to fuel and lubricate a two-cycle internal-combustion engine. As still other examples, some industrial and agricultural chemicals (such as pesticides, fertilizers, solvents, and the like) must be diluted with water or combined with another fluid prior to use.

#Often it is necessary or desirable to mix two fluids in specific ratios by volume (referred to hereafter as the “mixing ratios”). For example, agricultural and industrial chemicals are often shipped and/or stored in two or more separate containers and must be combined in a proper mixing ratio before use. Similarly, oil is commonly mixed with gasoline for fueling and lubricating internal combustion engines as mentioned above. Additionally, the owner's manual or other directions of many devices instruct the user to mix different fluids in a particular mixing ratio. In these and other cases, it is desirable and often necessary that the fluids be mixed in specific mixing ratios.

#The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

#In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts:

#FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a fluid mixing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

#The term “fluid” is used herein and in the appended claims, and is intended to include any substance that is a liquid, gas, or other flowable substance. The term “fluid” therefore includes any solid in flowable form, such as granular or powder material. Also, as used herein and in the appended claims, the term “fluid” includes a mixture of one or more substances in the same or different forms, such as a mixture of liquids, a mixture of gasses, a liquid and gas mixture, a suspension of solid matter in a liquid, a mixture of flowable solids, and the like.

#Additionally, reference is made herein and in the appended claims to “first” and “second” fluids. These terms are used for ease of description only and are not intended as a limitation upon the present invention and are not intended to imply relative importance or quantities of the fluids discussed. Additionally, while the following description frequently refers to a first fluid and a second fluid, it is contemplated that the present invention can also be used to mix three or more fluids.

#Also, in the following description, reference is frequently made to mixing oil and gasoline for use in internal-combustion engines. The combination of oil and gasoline for use in internal-combustion engines is used as an example and is not intended as a limitation upon the present invention. It is contemplated that the present invention can also be used to mix, store, and dispense other fluid mixtures. For example, the fluid mixing apparatus of the present invention can be used with household chemicals, including detergents, lawn-care products, cleaning solutions, adhesives, and the like, industrial and agricultural chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, solvents, beverages and other comestible fluids, and the like. Additionally, mixed products generated by or created using the present invention can be used in a number of different applications and operations, including without limitation agricultural applications, industrial applications, laboratory applications, academic and scientific applications, food and beverage preparation, and the like.