Valves and valve actuation – Valve actuator is valve casing or extension thereof – Jointed or flexible wall
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-12
2004-07-20
Look, Edward K. (Department: 3754)
Valves and valve actuation
Valve actuator is valve casing or extension thereof
Jointed or flexible wall
C222S175000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06764064
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fluid dispensing and storage system. Particularly, this invention relates to an orally activated fluid dispensing system incorporating an orally activated valve device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As bodily liquids are depleted, they must be replenished in maintaining a person's health including preventing injury or even death, such as from dehydration. More specifically, during physical exercise, one loses bodily liquids at a much more rapid pace. Other factors, such as the degree of activity including physical exertion and length of exercise, as well as environmental conditions, for instance, increased ambient temperature, humidity, wind resistance, and even the wearing apparel a person is wearing may contribute to a higher rate of bodily liquid loss. Therefore, there is a need to maintain and replenish bodily liquid supplies to those engaging in such physical activity. Further, there is a need for a way to continuously provide replenishing liquids to those who engage in physical activity as their bodily liquid supplies are depleted.
An example of this need can be seen in bicyclists, long distance runners, hikers, and other athletes that may not have a water supply or a replenishing liquid supply readily available to provide for the continuous need to maintain bodily liquid levels.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,349 to Fawcett describes a resilient valve and dispensing system for bicyclists incorporating a container having a tube connected to the container at one end and connected to a valve at the other end. The valve has a deformable closure member at one end that includes a slit extending in an axis transverse to the flow path through the valve. When the closure member of the valve is deformed by a user along the same axis that the slit is formed, the slit opens from a normally closed position to provide liquid from the container to the system user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,406 to Winefordner et al. describes a liquid dispensing system incorporating an orally activated valve device to draw liquid from a container through a tube. Winefordner et al. employs a valve that includes a valve plunger that can be depressed or deformed to an open configuration to enable fluid flow to a user's mouth.
Other drink valves have employed particular shapes that inherently define a bite direction or orientation for operation, or use an excess of irritation ribs providing a less intuitive device. Other drink valves have small or two-dimensional openings, which may not allow for adequate liquid flow or may need a high activating force. Also, other drink valves can become loose or separated exhibiting undesired leaking problems when not in use, or they may include a large outside shape making use of the valve cumbersome and inconvenient.
Although some of these devices may be useful for their intended purposes, improvements can be made to existing liquid dispensing designs that incorporate drink valves. In addition, there is a need to provide a more reliable drink valve that is convenient to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a fluid dispensing system includes a valve structure that improves upon and solves problems associated with previous designs. The present invention provides a fluid dispensing system with a fluid source, the fluid source is connected to a first end of a fluid line, and a drink valve is suitably connected to a second end of the fluid line that is actuatable from a normally closed position to an open position when in use.
In one embodiment, a drink valve includes a housing with a first end and a second end. The housing defines an opening extending longitudinally between the first and second ends. A valve member is telescopically engaged and resides within the opening of the housing. The valve member includes a first end and a second end. The valve member provides an opening extending longitudinally between the first and second ends, and defined by an inlet at the first end and an outlet disposed downstream of the inlet toward the second end. The housing and the valve member are in fluid communication and a flow path is defined by the openings of the housing and the valve member. An actuating mechanism includes a deformable seal defined by a resilient sidewall of the housing being deformable about the valve member. The actuating mechanism provides a fluid tight seal preventing fluid flow in a normally closed position, and is actuated to an open position when the sidewall of the housing is deformed to enable liquid to pass through the flow path.
In one embodiment, the first ends of the housing and the valve member are suitable for attachment to a fluid line.
In one embodiment, the second end of the housing is suitable for engagement by a valve operator including a pair of shoulder portions proximal to the second end and disposed about the outer sidewall of the housing on the outside of the housing. Preferably, the shoulders are spaced apart a suitable distance so as to facilitate engagement by a valve operator.
In another embodiment, the second end of the housing includes a chamber in fluid communication with the openings of the housing and the valve member.
In one embodiment, the valve member includes a plurality of ribs that extend longitudinally from the outlet of the valve member, and the ribs define a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the openings of the housing and the valve member. Preferably, the ribs are commonly connected to the second end of the valve member. More preferably, the ribs reside within the chamber when the valve member is telescopically engaged with the housing.
In one embodiment, the deformable seal of the actuating mechanism includes a sealing structure disposed about an inner side of the resilient sidewall, and cooperates with a sealing member disposed at the second end of the valve member. Preferably, the sealing structure is a sealing lip. More preferably, the sealing structure is a resilient material, and includes a preload so that the sealing structure presses and stretches about the sealing member to provide a suitable seal.
In one embodiment, the sealing member is substantially shaped as a portion of a sphere. Preferably, the sealing member is substantially shaped as a hemisphere.
In one embodiment, the open position occurs when oppositely applied forces press upon and deform the sidewall of the housing to actuate the actuating mechanism to the open position. Preferably, the oppositely applied forces are a squeeze force. More preferably, the oppositely applied forces are transverse to the direction of the flow path and along any radial position about the outer sidewall of the second end of the housing.
In one embodiment, the open position of the drink valve is a three-dimensional opening defined by the chamber, the sealing structure of the housing, and the sealing member.
In one embodiment, the housing is a one-piece integrally molded structure. Preferably, the housing is a soft resilient plastic material.
In one embodiment, the valve member is a one-piece integrally molded structure. Preferably, the valve member is a hard rigid plastic material.
In another embodiment, the drink valve includes a housing and a valve member together forming a two-piece device.
In another embodiment, the drink valve may be actuated by the operator's mouth, teeth, or hands.
In one embodiment a fluid dispensing system includes a fluid source. The fluid source is a container having a fluid reservoir and is suitable for attachment to one end of a fluid line. The fluid line is connected with a drink valve at the other end of the fluid line. The drink valve includes a housing and a valve member telescopically engaged within the housing. The housing and the valve member are in fluid communication and a flow path is defined between first and second ends of the housing and the valve member. An actuating mechanism includes a sealing member disposed at the second end of the valve member in cooperation with a resilient sidewall at the second end of the h
Pierce Brendan Erik
Sturm Sven
Fristoe Jr. John K.
HydraPak
Look Edward K.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
LandOfFree
Fluid dispensing and storage system with a drink valve does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fluid dispensing and storage system with a drink valve, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fluid dispensing and storage system with a drink valve will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3249688