Valves and valve actuation – With correlated flow path – Tank
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-05
2001-07-24
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Valves and valve actuation
With correlated flow path
Tank
C251S340000, C251S348000, C220S714000, C222S518000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264166
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of a liquid delivery device for delivering a liquid such as water to the mouth of someone who is unable to use his or her hands or alternatively is engaged in an activity such as bicycle riding where it is much more convenient to deliver the liquid through a method which does not require the cyclist to remove his or her hands from the handlebars.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, the present invention involves the concept of a valve through which liquid can be dispensed for drinking which does not require the user to use his or her hands to cause the liquid to flow into the user's mouth.
The following seven (7) prior art patents are found to be pertinent to the field of the present invention:
1. U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,349 issued to Fawcett on Feb. 4, 1992 for “Resilient Valve And Dispensing System For Bicyclists” (hereafter the “Fawcett Patent”);
2. U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,207 issued to Paczonay on Feb. 11, 1997 for “Bite Valve Having A Plurality Of Slits” (hereafter “the '207 Paczonay Patent”);
3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,933 issued to Ho et al on Dec. 23, 1997 for “Valve For A Water Dispenser For Bicyclists” (hereafter the “Ho Patent”);
4. U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,510 issued to Paczonay on Aug. 11, 1998 for “Self Sealing Bite Valve” (hereafter “the '510 Paczonay Patent”);
5. U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,472 issued to Forrer on Apr. 13, 1999 for “Spout For Valve Assembly” (hereafter the “Forrer Patent”);
6. U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,767 issued to Gardner et al. on Jun. 6, 2000 for “Personal Hydration System With An Improved Mouthpiece” (hereafter the “Gardner Patent”); and
7. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 358,295 issued to Moench on May 16, 1995 for “Valve Coupling” (hereafter the “Moench Patent”).
The Fawcett Patent discloses a resilient valve and dispensing system for bicyclists. The Fawcett Patent discusses the concept of a hands-free activating valve. The resilient valve is an elongated body that forms a hollow structure having an open inlet end opposed to a closed outlet end. A fluid supply chamber is formed between the inlet and outlet ends, and the open end is connected to the end of a length of tubing in order to supply fluid flow to the supply chamber, while the closed end provides a closure member that normally precludes fluid flow therethrough. The body member can be deformed to move the valve into the closure member, where the slit extends through the end wall and communicates the supply chamber with fluid whenever the slit is deformed into the opened position. The slit is biased into a closed position by the fluid pressure effected on the closure member together with the memory resilient body. A liquid supply is connected to the tubing and provides a fluid source for the supply chamber and when the valve body is deformed to open the slit, fluid flows from the supply chamber and away from the valve where the contents of the chamber are made available to be ingested by the person.
The '207 Paczonay Patent discloses a bit valve having a plurality of slits through which the liquid can be dispensed.
The Ho Patent discloses a valve for a water dispenser for bicyclists.
The '510 Paczonay Patent discloses a self sealing bite valve.
The Forrer Patent discloses a spout for a valve assembly.
The Gardner Patent discloses a personal hydration system with an improved mouthpiece.
The Moench Patent discloses a valve coupling.
While the prior art of record discloses the general concept of a hands-free activating valve for delivering liquid for ingestion by the user, the devices are not efficient and are subject to leak. It is therefore desirable to provide an efficient non-leaking hands-free activation valve for delivering liquid which may be ingested by a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of valves and more particularly to a hands-free activating valve which permits liquid to flow and be ingested by the user.
The apparatus includes a mouth portion and a mounting portion which can be press-fitted or threadedly engaged to the opening of a container such as a water bottle. Embedded within the mouth portion is the hands-free activating valve which includes an elongated flexible arch shaped activating stem, where one end is fixed to a holding plate and the other end is attached to a valve. The activating stem is made of resilient plastic material that has memory which allowed the stem to return to its initial condition.
The valve is seated on a valve seat of the mounting portion for blocking liquid from exiting the apparatus. In addition, there is also provided an elongated liquid channel which is located adjacent to the activating stem. This liquid channel extends from the holding plate to the valve and communicates to the outside for allowing the liquid to flow therethrough and be consumed by the user.
To activate the hands-free activating valve, the user's front teeth are positioned on the arch of the activating stem, where the user's front teeth apply a downward force on the arch, thereby moving the valve inwardly to allow the valve to move away from the valve seat which in turn allows liquid to flow through the liquid channel to be sucked and consumed by the user. As the pressure from the bite is released on the arch of the activating stem, the valve is allowed to move back into the valve seat to block off the flow of liquid in the liquid channel.
It has been discovered, according to the present invention, that if a resilient plastic member is formed into an arch with one end of the member being held fixed and the other end of the resilient member attached to a valve which is forced against a valve seat, then a transverse force on the arch will cause the valve to move away from the valve seat.
It has further been discovered, according to the present invention, that if the resilient plastic member which is formed into an arch and is mounted on the opening of a liquid container such that one end of the resilient plastic member is fixed to a plate and the other end of the resilient plastic member is attached to a valve which is caused to move into a valve seat by the prestressed state of the resilient plastic member such that a transverse force on the arch shaped portion of the resilient plastic member such as a bite from teeth will cause the valve to move away from the valve seat and permit the liquid in the container to flow through the valve. It has further been discovered that if a liquid channel is connected from the valve seat to an opening, then upon the transverse force on the resilient plastic member being effected, the valve will open and permit the liquid to flow out of the opening to be ingested by a user. It is further discovered that upon the removal of the transverse force, the prestressed nature of the resilient plastic member will once again cause the valve to move back into the valve seat and shut off the flow of liquid.
It has also been discovered, according to the present invention, that with an arch shaped resilient member of sufficient memory, once the transverse force on the arch shaped member is removed, the resilient member under tension will always cause the valve to close and prevent leakage of fluid from the container.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a resilient plastic member which is formed into an arch with one end of the member being held fixed and the other end of the resilient member attached to a valve which is forced against a valve seat, so that a transverse force on the arch will cause the valve to move away from the valve seat.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a resilient plastic member which is formed into an arch which in turn is mounted on the opening of a liquid container such that one end of the resilient plastic member is fixed to a plate and the other end of the resilient plastic member is attached to a valve which is caused to move into a valve seat by the prestressed tension on the resilient plastic member such that a transverse for
Bowland Brian A.
Bowland Mark A.
Chen Tony D.
Fong Jerry
Keasel Eric
Rozsa Thomas I.
Shaver Kevin
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