A recent thread in a.h.r blamed the government for "ruining"
the portable gasoline container:
TITLE: The government ruined the gas can...
URL: http://tinyurl.com/cszj22e

Personally, I feel manufacturers ruined the gasoline can, simply
by following only half the requirements for a gasoline can.

That half is the government requirement that the gas stay
*inside* the can. Yet, the manufacturers wholly punted on the
consumer's requirement that the gas flows *out* of the can!

All photos below are of the Blitz brand, since it's all I could
find local Lowes hardware store, here in California anyway:
http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925619.jpg

The real problem is that the engineers at Blitz designed a gas
can *only* to government standards (and not to consumer needs).

For example, the government stipulated that no gas should diffuse
or leak leak out of the can, even after a year in the hot sun; and,
they mandated that accidental expression of the contents be prevented;
and and they required child-proof caps, all of which Blitz engineered
into the gas can.

But, the government didn't mandate consumer ease of use.
Neither did Blitz design to any reasonable consumer use model.

The result is that Blitz engineers designed a gas can that holds
gasoline *in*; but Joe Consumer can't easily get that gas *out*.

In a followup post, I'll describe what I think may be the engineer
foibles that resulted, which I know many of you know full well.

I'm also well aware of the common workarounds to the problem,
which I will mention later; but if you know of better solutions,
now would be a good time to suggest them. The best solution of
all, would be a replacement cap - so if you know of one, please
let us know where to get it.

On Mon, 13 May 2013 23:20:01 +0000, Danny D wrote:

The real problem is that the engineers at Blitz designed a gas can
*only* to government standards (and not to consumer needs).

The few Blitz portable gasoline containers I own hold gasoline
*in* without losing an ounce by weight even after a full year
in the blazing sun, it's almost ridiculous how difficult it is
to get that gasoline *out* of the poorly designed Blitz gas can!

A quick way to show how well the can holds the gasoline *in*, is
simply to take two cans from the cool windowless shed, as I did
just now, and put one in the sun and leave the other next to it,
in the shade, for a few minutes (this was after about ten min):
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12926771.jpg

Bear in mind, both those portable gasoline containers are
holding a full 5 gallons, and they still balloon outward in
the sun. When they're a quarter full or less, they basically
blow over in the wind like a beach ball rolling about.

It should be clear that the Blitz cans are designed only to
keep the gasoline *in*, but that no attention whatsoever was
made to making it easy for the consumer to get the gas *out*.

For example, pour spout manipulation requires two hands alone:
http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925803.jpg

The problem with that is we're talking five gallons of gasoline,
which you can't hold high in the air with your pinky while you're
refueling a standard-sized automobile. So, in effect, you need
three hands (two to defeat the buttons, the other to fight gravity).
http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925919.jpg

Worse yet, your third hand will be holding those five gallons for
a long time, because there is no external vent. The internal vent
only allows the gasoline to trickle out.
http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925923.jpg

You'd think these handles conspicuously molded into the can would
be helpful under these circumstances, but only the top handle is
of any use whatsoever when there is any appreciable gas in the can:
(If you don't believe me, try to use that handle & report back):
http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925908.jpg

Of course, the only logical solution is to remove the button
(which the manufacturer designed expecting you to do just that):
http://www2.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925925.jpg

And Youtube videos exist showing where to drill the 1/2-inch
hole to vent the gasoline can (again, where the manufacturer
left conspicuously thick knowing full well that's what you'd do):
http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925914.jpg

Since nobody on this planet can stand the pour spout, most of
the time you just remove the spout in its entirety and just pour
or siphon out of the open mouth of the can.
http://www2.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12926515.jpg

That means you'll be removing the cap a lot - so - again, the
manufacturer made it painfully obvious what you have to do in
order to make cap removal even close to palatable:
http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925909.jpg

True to the design goal of keeping gasoline *in* the can, even
if you tilt the can fully upside down, and do the Harlem Shake,
you'll still *never* get all the gas *out* of the can!
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12926632.jpg

Would one of the engineers on this group explain *how* it can
be that the spout isn't at a point where *all* the gasoline
comes out when you fully invert the gasoline can???
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12926701.jpg

The result of this inexplicable design flaw is that the trapped
gasoline vaporizes such that it all leaks out into the
atmosphere the moment you remove the spout to refill the can.

While we're discussing engineering fixes, a little known yet
very serious flaw in the Blitz spout design is that this spot
tends to develop a circular crack, within only about a year of
use, which again, allows all the gasoline to leak into the
atmosphe
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925906.jpg

While common workarounds exist (e.g., remove the button, cut
off the ratchet lock, add a tire valve vent, etc.) the one
workaround I haven't seen, since the spout is so useless,
is to replace it with a plain old gasoline cap?
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12941482.jpg

On Mon, 13 May 2013 23:21:29 +0000, Danny D wrote:

the one workaround I haven't seen, since the spout is so useless,
is to replace it with a plain old gasoline cap?

I'm not sure if the company will ever get out of chapter 11; but,
if anyone knows of a second source for a plain old gasoline cap,
we'd all benefit.
http://www.blitzusa.com/chapter11filings.html

Any ideas for a plain Jane gasoline cap for the Blitz gas can?

Danny D wrote:
On Mon, 13 May 2013 23:21:29 +0000, Danny D wrote:

the one workaround I haven't seen, since the spout is so useless,
is to replace it with a plain old gasoline cap?

I'm not sure if the company will ever get out of chapter 11; but,
if anyone knows of a second source for a plain old gasoline cap,
we'd all benefit.
http://www.blitzusa.com/chapter11filings.html

Any ideas for a plain Jane gasoline cap for the Blitz gas can?


http://ezpourspout.bluesarthouse.ws/wp/
Works great and has fit every can I have.

On Mon, 13 May 2013 19:54:13 -0400, Steve W. wrote:

Any ideas for a plain Jane gasoline cap for the Blitz gas can?

http://ezpourspout.bluesarthouse.ws/wp/

This is interesting because it provides for a second vent opening.
That would be plan B, if I can't find a plain Jane gas cap to fit.

Since I siphon, I don't really need to pop a vent hole; I just need
a plain gas cap.

So, plan A is a gas cap source for the Blitz USA gas cans.
Plan B, if no cap can be found, is that nice spout you just found!

Thanks for the helpful information!

Danny D wrote:
On Mon, 13 May 2013 19:54:13 -0400, Steve W. wrote:

Any ideas for a plain Jane gasoline cap for the Blitz gas can?

http://ezpourspout.bluesarthouse.ws/wp/

This is interesting because it provides for a second vent opening.
That would be plan B, if I can't find a plain Jane gas cap to fit.

Since I siphon, I don't really need to pop a vent hole; I just need
a plain gas cap.

So, plan A is a gas cap source for the Blitz USA gas cans.
Plan B, if no cap can be found, is that nice spout you just found!

Thanks for the helpful information!


They also sell plain caps. Look under the parts heading.

--
Steve W.

On 2013-05-13, Steve W. wrote:
Danny D wrote:
On Mon, 13 May 2013 23:21:29 +0000, Danny D wrote:

the one workaround I haven't seen, since the spout is so useless,
is to replace it with a plain old gasoline cap?

I'm not sure if the company will ever get out of chapter 11; but,
if anyone knows of a second source for a plain old gasoline cap,
we'd all benefit.
http://www.blitzusa.com/chapter11filings.html

Any ideas for a plain Jane gasoline cap for the Blitz gas can?


http://ezpourspout.bluesarthouse.ws/wp/
Works great and has fit every can I have.

Because they sell it for containers made -before- 2009. In other words
it works because it doesn't meet the regs. See it's up to you not use it
on containers made after 2009....

On 5/14/2013 1:17 AM, Brent wrote:
On 2013-05-13, Steve W. wrote:
Danny D wrote:
On Mon, 13 May 2013 23:21:29 +0000, Danny D wrote:

the one workaround I haven't seen, since the spout is so useless,
is to replace it with a plain old gasoline cap?

I'm not sure if the company will ever get out of chapter 11; but,
if anyone knows of a second source for a plain old gasoline cap,
we'd all benefit.
http://www.blitzusa.com/chapter11filings.html

Any ideas for a plain Jane gasoline cap for the Blitz gas can?


http://ezpourspout.bluesarthouse.ws/wp/
Works great and has fit every can I have.

Because they sell it for containers made -before- 2009. In other words
it works because it doesn't meet the regs. See it's up to you not use it
on containers made after 2009....


I have only dealt with a few but the thread size on the pre 2009 cans is
different than the post 2009 "new style" cans. Likely intentional to
prevent the use of older accessories.

On May 13, 10:17*pm, Brent wrote:
On 2013-05-13, Steve W. wrote:





Danny D wrote:
On Mon, 13 May 2013 23:21:29 +0000, Danny D wrote:

the one workaround I haven't seen, since the spout is so useless,
is to replace it with a plain old gasoline cap?

I'm not sure if the company will ever get out of chapter 11; but,
if anyone knows of a second source for a plain old gasoline cap,
we'd all benefit.
*http://www.blitzusa.com/chapter11filings.html

Any ideas for a plain Jane gasoline cap for the Blitz gas can?

http://ezpourspout.bluesarthouse.ws/wp/
Works great and has fit every can I have.

Because they sell it for containers made -before- 2009. In other words
it works because it doesn't meet the regs. See it's up to you not use it
on containers made after 2009....

From the few I have tried, the compliant cans take a different size
cap. They changed the size.

Harry K

On 5/13/2013 7:54 PM, Steve W. wrote:
Danny D wrote:
On Mon, 13 May 2013 23:21:29 +0000, Danny D wrote:

the one workaround I haven't seen, since the spout is so useless,
is to replace it with a plain old gasoline cap?

I'm not sure if the company will ever get out of chapter 11; but, if
anyone knows of a second source for a plain old gasoline cap, we'd all
benefit.
http://www.blitzusa.com/chapter11filings.html

Any ideas for a plain Jane gasoline cap for the Blitz gas can?


http://ezpourspout.bluesarthouse.ws/wp/
Works great and has fit every can I have.

I have purchased those but they are useless on the new and improved cans
which have a different thread size.

Their web site prominently notes that:

"EZ-POUR REPLACEMENT SPOUT KIT IS DESIGNED AND SOLD AS REPLACEMENT PARTS
SPECIFICALLY FOR PORTABLE FUEL CONTAINERS MANUFACTURED BEFORE JANUARY 2009"

On Tue, 14 May 2013 06:45:18 -0400, George wrote:

"EZ-POUR REPLACEMENT SPOUT KIT IS DESIGNED AND SOLD AS REPLACEMENT PARTS
SPECIFICALLY FOR PORTABLE FUEL CONTAINERS MANUFACTURED BEFORE JANUARY 2009"

This could be due to one of two possible reasons:
1. It could be legalese (as previously stated), or,
2. It might actually be the wrong threads.

I'll try calling Blitz again to see if they changed their threads:
Blitz U.S.A., Inc., 404 26th Ave. NW, Miami, OK 74354

Unfortunately, the Blitz USA hotline is out of commission:
24-hour Consumer Service Hotline at 877-922-5489
So is the Blitz local telephone number:
918-540-1515

I'm going to have to order a few caps just to see if they fit.
I may also buy the water jug caps, to see if they fit.

If anyone has *already* tested the cap, it would be nice to
see if they fit.

Maybe someone can test them side-by-side in the store?
(I'll check out my local stores to see if they have both
the water jugs and the gasoline jugs to test.)

On Mon, 13 May 2013 23:21:29 +0000, Danny D wrote:

Would one of the engineers on this group explain *how* it can
be that the spout isn't at a point where *all* the gasoline
comes out when you fully invert the gasoline can???
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12926701.jpg

I have the same problem!
There must be a puddling spot inside somewhere.
This guy had a similar problem at point 6:45 of this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcnwdIYEfI

On Tue, 14 May 2013 01:35:34 +0000, Eddie Powalski wrote:

This guy had a similar problem at point 6:45 of this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcnwdIYEfI

Another fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpaP-nT3Zog

And another:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3o5tHLWZKc

Eddie Powalski wrote:
On Tue, 14 May 2013 01:35:34 +0000, Eddie Powalski wrote:

This guy had a similar problem at point 6:45 of this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcnwdIYEfI

Another fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpaP-nT3Zog

And another:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3o5tHLWZKc

those videos are great. Later I am going to see if YouTube can teach me
to tie my shoes again.....damn velcro....

GW

On Tue, 14 May 2013 11:44:52 -1000, Geoff Welsh wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcnwdIYEfI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpaP-nT3Zog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3o5tHLWZKc

I am going to see if YouTube can teach me
to tie my shoes again.....damn velcro....

Everything in those videos was intuitive to me except
what to use for a vent. I thought it was ingenious that
they drilled a half-inch hole (paddle wood bit would be
better than the spiral flute bit they used though) and
inserted an automotive tire valve sans the stem.

Pulling out the locking "trigger" was obvious, I agree.

Personally, I defeat the child-proof lock simply by knocking
off the nub on the red plastic, whereas in the videos, they
redundantly cut both the nub and the ratchet (either one
would have worked alone).

That child-proof feature is odd though, because even with
it removed, it's still darn difficult to get the cap off.

It's my opinion that any 'kid' strong enough to remove that
cap is certainly already old enough to defeat the ratchet
lock on his own anyway.

Overall, after experiencing these cans since their inception
in California (which happened before you guys had the honor
of following CARB regulations)... I've concluded the best
thing to do with the spout is to simply remove it.

That's why I'm looking for caps to fit!

On Tue, 14 May 2013 11:44:52 -1000, Geoff Welsh wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcnwdIYEfI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpaP-nT3Zog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3o5tHLWZKc

I am going to see if YouTube can teach me
to tie my shoes again.....damn velcro....

Everything in those videos was intuitive to me except
what to use for a vent. I thought it was ingenious that
they drilled a half-inch hole (paddle wood bit would be
better than the spiral flute bit they used though) and
inserted an automotive tire valve sans the stem.

Pulling out the locking "trigger" was obvious, I agree.

Personally, I defeat the child-proof lock simply by knocking
off the nub on the red plastic, whereas in the videos, they
redundantly cut both the nub and the ratchet (either one
would have worked alone).

That child-proof feature is odd though, because even with
it removed, it's still darn difficult to get the cap off.

It's my opinion that any 'kid' strong enough to remove that
cap is certainly already old enough to defeat the ratchet
lock on his own anyway.

Overall, after experiencing these cans since their inception
in California (which happened before you guys had the honor
of following CARB regulations)... I've concluded the best
thing to do with the spout is to simply remove it.

That's why I'm looking for caps to fit!

On Tue, 14 May 2013 11:44:52 -1000, Geoff Welsh wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcnwdIYEfI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpaP-nT3Zog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3o5tHLWZKc

I am going to see if YouTube can teach me
to tie my shoes again.....damn velcro....

Everything in those videos was intuitive to me except
what to use for a vent. I thought it was ingenious that
they drilled a half-inch hole (paddle wood bit would be
better than the spiral flute bit they used though) and
inserted an automotive tire valve sans the stem.

Pulling out the locking "trigger" was obvious, I agree.

Personally, I defeat the child-proof lock simply by knocking
off the nub on the red plastic, whereas in the videos, they
redundantly cut both the nub and the ratchet (either one
would have worked alone).

That child-proof feature is odd though, because even with
it removed, it's still darn difficult to get the cap off.

It's my opinion that any 'kid' strong enough to remove that
cap is certainly already old enough to defeat the ratchet
lock on his own anyway.

Overall, after experiencing these cans since their inception
in California (which happened before you guys had the honor
of following CARB regulations)... I've concluded the best
thing to do with the spout is to simply remove it.

That's why I'm looking for caps to fit!

Eddie Powalski wrote:
On Mon, 13 May 2013 23:21:29 +0000, Danny D wrote:

Would one of the engineers on this group explain *how* it can
be that the spout isn't at a point where *all* the gasoline
comes out when you fully invert the gasoline can???
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12926701.jpg

I have the same problem!
There must be a puddling spot inside somewhere.
This guy had a similar problem at point 6:45 of this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcnwdIYEfI

Really, really liked the hint of obtaining gas can vent caps via Ebay !

Cheap (1 for $3.00, 5 for $7.75, 10 for $11.20, 15 for $11.98, etc. ),
trivial to install (1/2" bit is all you need), and quite functional.

On Tue, 14 May 2013 17:48:30 -0500, HeyBub wrote:

Really, really liked the hint of obtaining gas can vent caps via Ebay !

I wonder how 'much' gas (percentage wise) actually escapes as vapor
from a modified gas can with a vent?

That is, how much of a problem is the EPA trying to solve?

I'll call CARB tomorrow to see if I can nail down what we're
saving in gas venting versus the huge frustration and cost of
those useless spouts.

BTW: Sorry for the duplicate posts (AIOE does that every once in a while).
(Using a different newsserver for this post).

On 05/14/2013 07:28 PM, Danny D. wrote:
On Tue, 14 May 2013 17:48:30 -0500, HeyBub wrote:

Really, really liked the hint of obtaining gas can vent caps via Ebay !

I wonder how 'much' gas (percentage wise) actually escapes as vapor
from a modified gas can with a vent?

That is, how much of a problem is the EPA trying to solve?

I'll call CARB tomorrow to see if I can nail down what we're
saving in gas venting versus the huge frustration and cost of
those useless spouts.

not to mention the increased spillage trying to get them to work...



BTW: Sorry for the duplicate posts (AIOE does that every once in a while).
(Using a different newsserver for this post).



--
fact check required

On 05/13/2013 07:20 PM, Danny D wrote:
A recent thread in a.h.r blamed the government for "ruining"
the portable gasoline container:
TITLE: The government ruined the gas can...
URL: http://tinyurl.com/cszj22e

Personally, I feel manufacturers ruined the gasoline can, simply
by following only half the requirements for a gasoline can.

That half is the government requirement that the gas stay
*inside* the can. Yet, the manufacturers wholly punted on the
consumer's requirement that the gas flows *out* of the can!

All photos below are of the Blitz brand, since it's all I could
find local Lowes hardware store, here in California anyway:
http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12925619.jpg

The real problem is that the engineers at Blitz designed a gas
can *only* to government standards (and not to consumer needs).

For example, the government stipulated that no gas should diffuse
or leak leak out of the can, even after a year in the hot sun; and,
they mandated that accidental expression of the contents be prevented;
and and they required child-proof caps, all of which Blitz engineered
into the gas can.

But, the government didn't mandate consumer ease of use.
Neither did Blitz design to any reasonable consumer use model.

The result is that Blitz engineers designed a gas can that holds
gasoline *in*; but Joe Consumer can't easily get that gas *out*.

In a followup post, I'll describe what I think may be the engineer
foibles that resulted, which I know many of you know full well.

I'm also well aware of the common workarounds to the problem,
which I will mention later; but if you know of better solutions,
now would be a good time to suggest them. The best solution of
all, would be a replacement cap - so if you know of one, please
let us know where to get it.


Just take the damned thing off and use a funnel... seriously.

The nozzle is damn near worthless, a simple screw-off cap would be more
practical, less likely to break, and would make it more clear to the end
user how to actually get the gasoline out of the stupid thing.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Mon, 13 May 2013 20:24:00 -0400, Nate Nagel wrote:

The nozzle is damn near worthless, a simple screw-off cap would be more
practical, less likely to break, and would make it more clear to the end
user how to actually get the gasoline out of the stupid thing.

I agree 100%.

Based on the spout information from Steve W., I just sent an email to
(EZPourSpout, 18451 Centaur Road, Wildwood MO
63005) asking if they sell a plain flat one-piece gas cap.

I'll also call them tomorrow at 573-751-2783, and 866-223-6535 to ask
the same question. (Blitz USA never returned my calls or emails.)

A plain gas cap would solve all the practical problems inherent in the
Blitz USA gasoline cans & would still meet CARB & EPA standards:
a) A cap would hold the gasoline inside the can until needed
b) A cap could have the same child-proof lock features as does the spout!
c) A cap would prevent accidental spills even better than the spout!

The advantage of the simple one-piece gas cap would be that it then gets
out of the way when you actually need to pour or siphon the gasoline.

Personally, I siphon the 5 gallon cans into a vehicle and pour the 2
gallon cans into a funnel; but in both cases, I have no need for anything
more than a simple flat one-piece gas cap.

QUESTION:
Anyone know a source of plain gas caps for Blitz USA gasoline cans?

UPDATE:

Called CARB at 800-242-4450 and was transferred to Angus at
916-445-4686 who discussed with me the legality of gas caps:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/contact.htm

Angus says that the cans aren't tested in the sun, but the
"system" is certified for permeability after 140 days in an
enclosure or after an accelerated 30-day test at 100 degrees F.

It seemed to him that gas cap 'should' easily meet those
permeability requirements, as long as it's made of similar
material.

Angus said the cap must hold the ~13 psi above atmospheric
Reid Vapor Pressure of California winter formulation gasoline
(which has a higher vapor pressure than summer formulations);
but that RVP & permeability requirement seems easy enough for
a gas cap of the same material as the current spout.

In addition, the spout must be spill proof and child proof;
but again, those requirements would be met by use of a cap.

The only requirement of the spout that the cap can't meet
is the auto-shutoff requirement; but if the cap is used just
for storage, then that requirement wouldn't be applicable.

Interestingly, Angus said there is a provision in the specs
for a "secondary opening" (e.g., a vent!); but he said none
of the cans certified for California have opted for that
secondary opening.

Angus said these 5 manufacturers are certified in California:
1. The Plastics Group
2. Scepter
3. Midwest
4. Great Outdoor Products
5. NoSpill

Of those manufacturers, the first three have the lions share of
sales in California, according to Angus, and the first is the
one he thinks who bought the Blitz operation in July of 2012.

That explains why I can't get a hold of anyone at Blitz
to affirm the threads on the gas can caps. I'll work on
The Plastics Group next, to see if they sell just the gas caps.

Q: Anyone have a 411 on "The Plastics Group"?

On Tue, 14 May 2013 18:20:55 +0000, Danny D wrote:

That explains why I can't get a hold of anyone at Blitz
to affirm the threads on the gas can caps.

Apparently Angus was right in that Blitz ceased operations:
http://tinyurl.com/d6ebfem
http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/...EWS/306139977/
beleaguered-gas-can-manufacturer-blitz-usa-closing-down

And, Hopkins Manufacturing technical support was right when they
told me they bought everything *but* the gas can manufacturing.

Blitz was spending about 3 million dollars a year in lawsuits,
mostly for the gas cans not having flame arrestors built in.

---- cut here for verbatim press release ---

MIAMI, OKLA. (June 13, 10:15 a.m. ET) €”
Plastic fuel-can molder Blitz USA Inc. will shut operations after
unsuccessfully trying to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection since Nov. 9, according to a company statement issued June 12.

The July 31 shutdown will affect 117 employees at Blitzs manufacturing
plant in Miami, Okla.

The firm plans to liquidate all assets either en masse or piecemeal,
external affairs manager Amanda Emerson said in a telephone interview.

€œWe appreciate the support of our employees and their families in their
efforts to reorganize and develop a viable business plan,€� said Blitz
President Rocky Flick, according to an article in the Joplin (Missouri)
Globe. €œUnfortunately, we were not able to address the costs of the
increased litigation associated with our fuel-containment products.€�

In April, Blitz sold its F3Brands LLC business, a major in oil drains and
other associated auto products, in a bankruptcy auction sale to Hopkins
Manufacturing Corp. of Emporia, Kan. Court documents stated Blitz netted
$14.6 million from the sale, which it applied to secured debt.

Blitz has been facing a storm of lawsuits blaming its products for
consumer injuries caused by fires. The firm spent some $30 million
defending itself in product liability suits and owes $3.5 million in
legal fees, Blitz reported in court documents.

Blitzs decision to sell its assets is subject to approval by bankruptcy
court. It sought Chapter 11 protection in Delaware. Wal-Mart Stores Inc.,
a major retailer of Blitz gas cans, also faces lawsuits.

Blitz has been the dominant producer of plastic gas cans in the United
States and claimed 75 percent of the market.

€œOther manufacturers face similar uncertainty €” putting the industrys
ability to meet the typical spike in demand driven by storms in serious
jeopardy,€� Blitz stated in a news release.

In the week of June 4 the Portable Fuel Container Manufacturers
Association began alerting consumers in hurricane-prone states of a
potential product shortage, which increases public safety risk. In times
of disaster, consumers rely on portable fuel supplies to operate
electricity generators, vehicles, chain saws and other relief equipment.

PFCMAs legal office is in Sacramento, Calif.

PFCMA has said congressional intervention is needed to stabilize the
business environment so PFCMA group members can continue supplying the
products necessary for safely transporting and storing gasoline and
diesel fuel.

€œWhile it is now too late to save Blitz, adoption of mandatory safety
standards could convince others to invest in expanded operations,€� the
Blitz news release stated.

PFCMA has criticized the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission for
twice refusing to mandate fuel-can safety standards because it claims
that harmful incidences were the result of misuse of the fuel cans rather
than a product issue.

Fuel-can producers have adopted voluntarily standards developed by the
American Society for Testing and Materials since the 1980s. The standards
include container stability and heat resistance, openings and closings,
filling and pouring, drop strength, permeability and cautionary labeling.

Labeling, for example, states that gasoline should never be used to start
or accelerate a fire. Much litigation resulted from such misuse of the
fuel in the containers.

U.S. consumers buy more than 15 million portable fuel cans each year, but
that number rises by 30 percent when hurricanes make landfall.

€œIf gas cans arent available, disaster victims will still be
transporting and storing fuel, but at much greater risk to themselves and
everyone around them,€� Blitz stated.

Blitz President and CEO Rocky Flick said the sale process for the Miami
assets could take three months.

Other PFCMA members include Midwest Can Co. of Melrose Park, Ill.; No-
Spill Inc. of Lenexa, Kan.; Scepter Corp. of Scarborough, Ontario; and
the Plastics Group Inc. of Willowbrook, Ill.

€œBlitz was very good at what they did,€� said Tom Cray, president of No-
Spill. €œThe legal system is what brought them down. Blitz exported around
the world and only here [in the United States] were there lawsuits.€�

I have one of these idiotic gas cans. I hate the damn thing with a
passion, but until I find a replacement older style can at a garage sale
or auction, I'm stuck with it. The other night I went to town after
dark. I needed some gas for my tractor, and I put about 4 gallons in
the 5 gal can, and placed it in the bed of my pickup truck, being sure
to tie it to the truck rail so it dont tip over and possibly spill. Gas
it too damn expensive to spill these days.

I got home late and was damn tired, so I went to sleep without putting
the gas can in the shed. The next day was hot and sunny with temps well
over 90 deg. Around noon I walked past my truck and noticed the gas can
had ballooned out. The can was so bloated it was actually round, and
was rocking back and forth from myself leaning against the truck. Only
the twine I used to tie it kept it from falling over. I released the
lever and a huge amount of gas smelling air came out. Even after
allowing all the air to escape, the can was still rounded. I then put
the can in the shed. Today the weather was cooler and when I went to
get the gas can, it had gone the other way, now it was all sucked
inward.

Those valves apparently do seal well, maybe too well. I wonder how much
longer that can would have held the huge amount of pressure inside of
it, sitting in the hot sun, before rupturing. And if I had not tied it,
it would have tipped over, because it was only the twine that held it
upright.

Somehow this does not seem safe. If the temperature had been higher,
I'm afraid it would have blown up. There needs to be some sort of
pressure relief on them, or KABOOM!

So much for government safety!

On Thu, 16 May 2013 01:08:11 -0500, repairs wrote:

Somehow this does not seem safe. If the temperature had been higher,
I'm afraid it would have blown up. There needs to be some sort of
pressure relief on them, or KABOOM!

While I agree with you that they blow up like a balloon, which
makes them tip over easily, I don't think they'll ever actually
explode from the 13 psi above atmospheric vapor pressure inside.

If you didn't see it, here's a picture I had posted of my 5-gallon
Blitz gasoline can where I took two cans from the shaded shed, and
put one in the sun, and the other next to it, in the shade, for
ten minutes ... look what happened:

http://www2.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/13045875.jpg

On 5/16/2013 2:08 AM, wrote:

Somehow this does not seem safe. If the temperature had been higher,
I'm afraid it would have blown up. There needs to be some sort of
pressure relief on them, or KABOOM!

So much for government safety!



Yah, this is serious ****. There should be a law that requires all new
gas cans have a charcoal canister/vapor recovery unit on them.

Remember, it's for the children!

On Thu, 16 May 2013 01:08:11 -0500, wrote in
Re Blitz gasoline cans
may be dangerous and explode:

I have one of these idiotic gas cans. I hate the damn thing with a
passion, but until I find a replacement older style can at a garage sale
or auction, I'm stuck with it. The other night I went to town after
dark. I needed some gas for my tractor, and I put about 4 gallons in
the 5 gal can, and placed it in the bed of my pickup truck, being sure
to tie it to the truck rail so it dont tip over and possibly spill. Gas
it too damn expensive to spill these days.

I got home late and was damn tired, so I went to sleep without putting
the gas can in the shed. The next day was hot and sunny with temps well
over 90 deg. Around noon I walked past my truck and noticed the gas can
had ballooned out. The can was so bloated it was actually round, and
was rocking back and forth from myself leaning against the truck. Only
the twine I used to tie it kept it from falling over. I released the
lever and a huge amount of gas smelling air came out. Even after
allowing all the air to escape, the can was still rounded. I then put
the can in the shed. Today the weather was cooler and when I went to
get the gas can, it had gone the other way, now it was all sucked
inward.

Those valves apparently do seal well, maybe too well. I wonder how much
longer that can would have held the huge amount of pressure inside of
it, sitting in the hot sun, before rupturing. And if I had not tied it,
it would have tipped over, because it was only the twine that held it
upright.

Somehow this does not seem safe. If the temperature had been higher,
I'm afraid it would have blown up. There needs to be some sort of
pressure relief on them, or KABOOM!

So much for government safety!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's publication "AP-42:
Compilation of Air Pollution Emission Factors", Chapter 7, Table
7.1-2, publishes the True vapor pressures (in psia) for gasolines
having Reid Vapor Pressures of 7.

That Table 7.1-2 is at:
http://www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/ch07/final/c07s01.pdf

Extracted from the table

deg F: 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100
psi: 7.8, 8.3, 10, 11.5, 13, 13.5 and 15.

In your case the temp of the can was probably well over 100F so the
internal pressure was well over 15psi.

On Thu, 16 May 2013 05:48:11 -0500, CRNG wrote:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's publication "AP-42:
Compilation of Air Pollution Emission Factors", Chapter 7, Table 7.1-2,
publishes the True vapor pressures (in psia) for gasolines having Reid
Vapor Pressures of 7.

Angus, at CARB, told me that the California Winter forumulation had a RVP
of 13.

Does that mean that California gasoline is more volatile than those
having an RVP of 7?

On May 16, 10:07*am, "Danny D." wrote:
On Thu, 16 May 2013 05:48:11 -0500, CRNG wrote:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's publication "AP-42:
Compilation of Air Pollution Emission Factors", Chapter 7, Table 7.1-2,
publishes the True vapor pressures (in psia) *for gasolines having Reid
Vapor Pressures of 7.

Angus, at CARB, told me that the California Winter forumulation had a RVP
of 13.

Does that mean that California gasoline is more volatile than those
having an RVP of 7?

I use gasoline to clean bearings before repacking. Just a little in a
small pan.

Much of the gasoline NEVER evaporates. just a one inch deep sluge
remains 3 weeks later.

i have tried using bearing cleaner without much success.......

its a big job getting to them, and i dont want to have to do the job
again because all the crud wasnt removed....

On 05/16/2013 01:08 AM, wrote:
I have one of these idiotic gas cans. I hate the damn thing with a
passion,

The lack of a vent makes flow erratic. I'll be filling my mower, and it
has slowed to a trickle. Then along comes a burst, causing gas to spill
on the mower.

[snip]

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

"And then, one Thursday nearly two thousand years after one man had been
nailed to a tree for saying how great it would be to be nice to people
for a change..."

Amen...worst idea ever. I am disabled and have limited arm use. Being able to use this gas can spout is nearly impossible for me. The spout doesn't really work anyway. Tip it up and gas leaks out. It is so cumbersome that I spill gas all over the place. I don't see having to buy an additional spout to be able to use this gas can. I will be returning this overpriced gas can.. My best suggestion is to send emails to Blitz telling them how bad this idea was for consumers.

On 9/15/2017 9:27 AM, DMorgan wrote:
Amen...worst idea ever. I am disabled and have limited arm use. Being able to use this gas can spout is nearly impossible for me. The spout doesn't really work anyway. Tip it up and gas leaks out. It is so cumbersome that I spill gas all over the place. I don't see having to buy an additional spout to be able to use this gas can. I will be returning this overpriced gas can. My best suggestion is to send emails to Blitz telling them how bad this idea was for consumers.


Never knew the name of those damned cans and googling it says company is
going broke:

https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma...t-of-business/

I've said before that when the people in the EPA who mandated them die
and go to hell they should have to spend eternity pouring gas on the
hell fires from these cans.

On 9/15/2017 12:04 PM, Frank wrote:
On 9/15/2017 9:27 AM, DMorgan wrote:
Amen...worst idea ever. I am disabled and have limited arm use. Being able to use this gas can spout is nearly impossible for me. The spout doesn't really work anyway. Tip it up and gas leaks out. It is so cumbersome that I spill gas all over the place.
I don't see having to buy an additional spout to be able to use this gas can. I will be returning this overpriced gas can. My best suggestion is to send emails to Blitz telling them how bad this idea was for consumers.


Never knew the name of those damned cans and googling it says company is going broke:

https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma...t-of-business/

I've said before that when the people in the EPA who mandated them die and go to hell they should have to spend eternity pouring gas on the hell fires from these cans.


The article claims Blitz is going out of business because they can no longer afford liability insurance.

I guess we can blame America's stupid jury panels for awarding enormous settlements.

On 2017-09-15, Judge Wapler wrote:

I guess we can blame America's stupid jury panels for awarding enormous settlements.

.....or greedy health insurance companies who continue to increase
premiums cuz the profits are jes not enough!!

nb

On 09/15/2017 12:49 PM, notbob wrote:
On 2017-09-15, Judge Wapler wrote:

I guess we can blame America's stupid jury panels for awarding enormous settlements.
....or greedy health insurance companies who continue to increase
premiums cuz the profits are jes not enough!!

nb


Look around. See all the obese "eggs with legs" people.Â* See all the "eggs" riding the obesemobiles around Walmart?Â* These ticking fatbombs are just one french fry away from a coronary event.

I'm not an insurance company but if I was, I would not want to be forced to insure these fatasses.

On 9/15/17 9:39 AM, Judge Wapler wrote:
On 9/15/2017 12:04 PM, Frank wrote:
On 9/15/2017 9:27 AM, DMorgan wrote:
Amen...worst idea ever. I am disabled and have limited arm use. Being
able to use this gas can spout is nearly impossible for me. The spout
doesn't really work anyway. Tip it up and gas leaks out. It is so
cumbersome that I spill gas all over the place. I don't see having to
buy an additional spout to be able to use this gas can. I will be
returning this overpriced gas can. My best suggestion is to send
emails to Blitz telling them how bad this idea was for consumers.


Never knew the name of those damned cans and googling it says company
is going broke:

https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma...gest-maker-of-
portable-gas-cans-is-going-out-of-business/


I've said before that when the people in the EPA who mandated them die
and go to hell they should have to spend eternity pouring gas on the
hell fires from these cans.


The article claims Blitz is going out of business because they can no
longer afford liability insurance.

I guess we can blame America's stupid jury panels for awarding enormous
settlements.


yeh, it's a shame that corporations make defective products and have to
pay the piper.

On 9/16/2017 9:44 PM, ZZyXX wrote:
On 9/15/17 9:39 AM, Judge Wapler wrote:
On 9/15/2017 12:04 PM, Frank wrote:
On 9/15/2017 9:27 AM, DMorgan wrote:
Amen...worst idea ever. I am disabled and have limited arm use. Being
able to use this gas can spout is nearly impossible for me. The spout
doesn't really work anyway. Tip it up and gas leaks out. It is so
cumbersome that I spill gas all over the place. I don't see having to
buy an additional spout to be able to use this gas can. I will be
returning this overpriced gas can. My best suggestion is to send
emails to Blitz telling them how bad this idea was for consumers.


Never knew the name of those damned cans and googling it says company
is going broke:

https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma...gest-maker-of-

portable-gas-cans-is-going-out-of-business/


I've said before that when the people in the EPA who mandated them die
and go to hell they should have to spend eternity pouring gas on the
hell fires from these cans.


The article claims Blitz is going out of business because they can no
longer afford liability insurance.

I guess we can blame America's stupid jury panels for awarding enormous
settlements.


yeh, it's a shame that corporations make defective products and have to
pay the piper.

Unfortunately, it is not always a defective products so much as failure
to read and follow instructions or using the product for a use not
intended. Much too easy to get a big payday for being stupid.

On 9/16/2017 9:44 PM, ZZyXX wrote:
On 9/15/17 9:39 AM, Judge Wapler wrote:


The article claims Blitz is going out of business because they can no
longer afford liability insurance.

I guess we can blame America's stupid jury panels for awarding enormous
settlements.


yeh, it's a shame that corporations make defective products and have to pay the piper.


What exactly was defective about the previous versions of gas cans?

Why is it the gas can manufacturer's fault when some numbnutz fills the tank on a hot lawnmower engine?

Or pours gasoline on a smoldering brush pile?

On Friday, September 15, 2017 at 11:05:06 AM UTC-5, Frank wrote:
On 9/15/2017 9:27 AM, DMorgan wrote:
Amen...worst idea ever. I am disabled and have limited arm use. Being able to use this gas can spout is nearly impossible for me. The spout doesn't really work anyway. Tip it up and gas leaks out. It is so cumbersome that I spill gas all over the place. I don't see having to buy an additional spout to be able to use this gas can. I will be returning this overpriced gas can. My best suggestion is to send emails to Blitz telling them how bad this idea was for consumers.

Never knew the name of those damned cans and googling it says company is
going broke:

https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma...t-of-business/

I've said before that when the people in the EPA who mandated them die
and go to hell they should have to spend eternity pouring gas on the
hell fires from these cans.


A fellow's quest for a gas can that didn't SUCK! ”Œ( à²*_à²*)”˜

http://www.gad.net/Blog/2012/11/22/o...hat-dont-suck/

[8~{} Uncle Gassy Monster