Bite valve
First Claim
1. A valve operable to restrict fluid flow through a conduit, said valve comprising:
- a valve seal member having an inside perimeter surface oriented to circumscribe an opening of said valve, and through which opening a fluid path exiting said valve exists; and
a flexible conduit having an exterior surface at a first end adapted for a self-biased engagement with said perimeter surface to occlude said opening to resist fluid flow therethrough, wherein;
a transverse displacement of a localized portion of said exterior surface relative to a corresponding engaged portion of said perimeter surface opens said fluid path.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved bite valve for use in personal hydration devices and other water dispensing systems. The valve has a flexible conduit sealed at an end by a cap. Fluid is blocked from flowing out of the conduit by the cap. The cap provides a fluid seal as a ring around an exterior surface of the conduit. Biting an end of the conduit, near the cap, radially separates the conduit from the cap, permitting fluid to flow into a person'"'"'s mouth. The configuration of the valve permits a larger valve opening, and correspondingly improved fluid flow through the valve. A positive stop mechanism, to prevent undesired fluid flow, may also be provided in a valve.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A valve operable to restrict fluid flow through a conduit, said valve comprising:
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a valve seal member having an inside perimeter surface oriented to circumscribe an opening of said valve, and through which opening a fluid path exiting said valve exists; and
a flexible conduit having an exterior surface at a first end adapted for a self-biased engagement with said perimeter surface to occlude said opening to resist fluid flow therethrough, wherein;
a transverse displacement of a localized portion of said exterior surface relative to a corresponding engaged portion of said perimeter surface opens said fluid path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A bite valve of the type to regulate fluid delivery to a human mouth, the improvement comprising:
an inside seal member comprising a first flexible portion configured in self-biased harmony with an outside seal member such that a localized transverse displacement, directed inwardly, of said first flexible portion opens a fluid flow path through an opening formed, as a result of separation of contact between said inside and outside seal members, by said transverse displacement. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A valve comprising:
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an inside seal member comprising a transversely flexible first conduit for guiding fluid from a first end to a second end, and having a first seal surface located at an exterior perimeter of said second end;
an outside seal member configured and arranged as a cap to block distally directed fluid flow exiting said second end of said first conduit, and having a proximally directed flange forming a second conduit having an inside surface comprising a second seal surface, said first seal surface being self-biased for engagement with said second seal surface to form a fluid seal to resist fluid flow therepast; and
a support member adapted to locate said outside seal member in a functional position relative to said inside seal member, wherein;
a radially inward displacement, of a localized portion of said first seal surface relative to a corresponding portion of said second seal surface, opens a fluid path through said valve. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification