Liquid dispensing and item storage system with orally activated valve
First Claim
1. An orally activated valve for use with a liquid delivery system to which the valve is connected by a tube, the valve comprising:
- a hard, elongated housing having an inlet located at a first end of said housing and a plurality of short outlets located at a second end of said housing and a flow path extending in an axial direction therebetween, the inlet being connected to said tube, the outlets having a spring biased sealing device therein for selective opening of said outlets, an annular ring cap attached to an outer periphery of the housing second end, the annular ring cap being configured for oral retention in the mouth of the user, the sealing device being a plunger, said plunger having an outer peripheral wall engaging said ring cap for limiting plunger movement to the axial direction for unsealing the outlets in response to an axial depression force by the tongue of the user whereby a liquid flows directly from said inlet to said outlets, said plunger being axially biased contiguous said housing for fluidly blocking said plurality of short outlets when said depression force is removed;
said movable plunger extending beyond said housing second end for ease of access by the tongue of the user.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A combined liquid dispensing and item storage system with an orally activated valve. The system comprises a collapsible container for liquid that incorporates integrated auxiliary expandable storage pockets. The system is removably secured at a location on the back between the shoulders. An externally accessible fill port is covered by a flexible embossed foam panel held in place by shoulder straps and which panel protects against the discomfort of the fill port cap against the back, insulates the liquid, and provides air channels to vent and dissipate body heat. A length of flexible tubing for delivering the liquid is attached to the collapsible container, then routed through a slot in the auxiliary expandable storage pocket, over either shoulder, and held near the mouth by adjustable orienting holders attached to the shoulder straps. The orally activated valve is located at the end of the flexible tubing which delivers the liquid from the flexible tubing to the mouth. The valve device is in the form of an elongated hollow structure having an open inlet end opposed to a closed outlet end forming a fluid supply chamber between the open inlet and closed outlet end. The open inlet end is connected to the flexible tubing in order to obtain liquid from the collapsible container for the supply chamber. The closed outlet end embodies a spring biased valve plunger which can be depressed by tongue or teeth to move the valve plunger into an open configuration to enable liquid flow therethrough.
97 Citations
2 Claims
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1. An orally activated valve for use with a liquid delivery system to which the valve is connected by a tube, the valve comprising:
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a hard, elongated housing having an inlet located at a first end of said housing and a plurality of short outlets located at a second end of said housing and a flow path extending in an axial direction therebetween, the inlet being connected to said tube, the outlets having a spring biased sealing device therein for selective opening of said outlets, an annular ring cap attached to an outer periphery of the housing second end, the annular ring cap being configured for oral retention in the mouth of the user, the sealing device being a plunger, said plunger having an outer peripheral wall engaging said ring cap for limiting plunger movement to the axial direction for unsealing the outlets in response to an axial depression force by the tongue of the user whereby a liquid flows directly from said inlet to said outlets, said plunger being axially biased contiguous said housing for fluidly blocking said plurality of short outlets when said depression force is removed; said movable plunger extending beyond said housing second end for ease of access by the tongue of the user. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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Specification