ITW's newest gizmo is most 'consumer'; Manufacturer wants automakers to add its capless gas tank closure.(Illinois Tool Works Inc. introduced fuel tank closures)

Crain's Chicago Business, August, 2005

Byline: BOB TITA It's remained mostly unchanged since cars had rumble seats. But Illinois Tool Works Inc. has big plans for the lowly gas tank cap. The company has developed a fuel tank closure with a valve that opens when a gas pump nozzle is inserted and closes automatically when the nozzle is removed, eliminating the need to fiddle with a screw-on cap.

The capless device is concealed behind a small hatch in a car's fender, just like some standard gas caps. The direct fuel system, as Illinois Tool Works (ITW) calls it, represents a departure for the Glenview-based manufacturing conglomerate. Slow to introduce For years, ITW's automotive unit has been content to focus on producing fasteners and other parts used to make larger auto components like...

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