Bite valve having a plurality of slits
DCFirst Claim
1. Apparatus for positioning in the mouth of an individual for selectively delivering liquid from a liquid source for consummation by the individual, said apparatus being formed of resilient, flexible material, and comprising, in combination:
- a hollow body portion defining an interior for accommodating fluid received from a liquid source, said body portion including a fluid inlet end communicating with said interior for receiving liquid from the liquid source and a fluid outlet end spaced from said fluid inlet end; and
a deformable closure connected to said body portion and extending across the fluid outlet end of said body portion, said closure including an outer closure surface and an inner closure surface spaced from said outer closure surface and having a plurality of slits formed therein, said plurality of slits being spaced from one another and extending between said outer closure surface and said inner closure surface, and at least one portion of said closure being located between and defined by said plurality of slits and cooperating with the remainder of said closure to maintain said slits in closed condition to prevent liquid flow through said slits from said interior, said at least one portion changing shape upon application of opposed external forces on said apparatus to open said plurality of slits and form a plurality of openings allowing liquid flow from said interior.
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Abstract
A bite valve for delivering liquid to the mouth of an individual includes a hollow body portion and a deformable closure connected to the body portion. A plurality of spaced slits are formed in the deformable closure. A portion of the deformable closure between the slits changes shape when the bite valve is subjected to opposed compressive forces. This causes the portion of the deformable closure to change shape and the slits to open and form a plurality of openings allowing liquid flow through the deformable closure.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. Apparatus for positioning in the mouth of an individual for selectively delivering liquid from a liquid source for consummation by the individual, said apparatus being formed of resilient, flexible material, and comprising, in combination:
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a hollow body portion defining an interior for accommodating fluid received from a liquid source, said body portion including a fluid inlet end communicating with said interior for receiving liquid from the liquid source and a fluid outlet end spaced from said fluid inlet end; and a deformable closure connected to said body portion and extending across the fluid outlet end of said body portion, said closure including an outer closure surface and an inner closure surface spaced from said outer closure surface and having a plurality of slits formed therein, said plurality of slits being spaced from one another and extending between said outer closure surface and said inner closure surface, and at least one portion of said closure being located between and defined by said plurality of slits and cooperating with the remainder of said closure to maintain said slits in closed condition to prevent liquid flow through said slits from said interior, said at least one portion changing shape upon application of opposed external forces on said apparatus to open said plurality of slits and form a plurality of openings allowing liquid flow from said interior. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. In combination:
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a container for containing liquid; a liquid delivery tube leading from said container; and bite valve apparatus connected to said liquid delivery tube for positioning in the mouth of an individual for selectively delivering liquid from said container for consummation by the individual, said bite valve apparatus being formed of resilient, flexible material, and comprising; a hollow body portion defining an interior for accommodating fluid received from said container through said delivery tube, said body portion including a fluid inlet end communicating with said interior connected to said delivery tube for receiving liquid from the container and a fluid outlet end spaced from said fluid inlet end; and a deformable closure connected to said body portion and extending across the fluid outlet end of said body portion, said closure including an outer closure surface and an inner closure surface spaced from said outer closure surface and having a plurality of slits formed therein, said plurality of slits being spaced from one another and extending between said outer closure surface and said inner closure surface, and at least one portion of said closure being located between and defined by said plurality of slits and cooperating with the remainder of said closure to maintain said slits in closed condition to prevent liquid flow through said slits from said interior, said at least one portion changing shape upon application of opposed external forces on said bite valve apparatus to open said plurality of slits and form a plurality of openings allowing liquid flow from said interior.
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20. Bite valve apparatus for positioning in the mouth of an individual for selectively delivering liquid from a liquid source for consummation by the individual, said bite valve apparatus being of unitary construction, and formed of resilient, flexible material, said bite valve apparatus comprising, in combination:
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a hollow body portion defining an interior for accommodating fluid received from a liquid source, said body portion including a fluid inlet end communicating with said interior for receiving liquid from the liquid source and a fluid outlet end spaced from said fluid inlet end; and a deformable closure connected to said body portion and extending across the fluid outlet end of said body portion, said closure including an outer closure surface and an inner closure surface spaced from said outer closure surface and having a plurality of slits formed therein, said plurality of slits being spaced from one another and extending between said outer closure surface and said inner closure surface, and at least one portion of said closure being located between and defined by said plurality of slits and cooperating with the remainder of said closure to maintain said slits in closed condition to prevent liquid flow through said slits from said interior, said at least one portion upon application of opposed biting forces on said bite valve apparatus along a first plane moving in a second plane angularly disposed relative to said first plane to open said plurality of slits and form openings allowing liquid flow from said interior.
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21. Apparatus for selectively delivering liquid from a liquid source, said apparatus comprising, in combination:
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a hollow body portion defining an interior for accommodating fluid received from a liquid source, said body portion including a fluid inlet communicating with said interior for receiving liquid from the liquid source and a fluid outlet spaced from said fluid inlet; and a deformable closure formed of resilient, flexible material connected to said body portion and extending across the fluid outlet of said body portion, said closure including a first closure surface and a second closure surface spaced from said first closure surface and having a plurality of slits formed therein, said plurality of slits being spaced from one another and extending between said first closure surface and said second closure wall, and at least one portion of said closure being located between and defined by said plurality of slits and cooperating with the remainder of said closure to maintain said slits in closed condition to prevent liquid flow through said slits from said interior, said at least one portion changing shape upon application of forces on said apparatus to open said plurality of slits and form a plurality of openings allowing liquid flow from said interior. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification