Drinking dispenser for bedridden patients

• US 7,207,968 B1
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John C. Harcinske
• Original Assignee: John C. Harcinske
• Inventors: Harcinske, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons; Kevin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOULTON, ELIZABETH ROSE
• Application Number:
  US10/266,265
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• Field of Search: 604/30, 604/31, 604/33, 604/34, 604/77, 604/78, 604/79, 604/93.01, 604/257, 604/262, 604/264, 604/275, 604/278, 220/705, 220/714, 220/715, 215/387, 215/388, 215/389, 222/529, 222/185.1, 222/504
• US Class Current: 604/77
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0011 Feeding-tubes for delivery of nourishment to the mouth; Mouth pieces therefor breast-nipple shields A61J13/00; mouth pieces for drinking straws A47G21/185; straws to take medicine A61J7/0038, mouthpieces for tracheal tubes A61M16/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0092 Valves on feeding tubes tube valves A61M39/22

Abstract

A gravity-fed drinking dispenser for unassisted self-administration of liquids by a bedridden user includes a non-pressurized liquid container adapted to be positioned above the user'"'"'s head, a flexible tubing assembly connected therewith with a mouthpiece at its free end, and a normally closed solenoid valve between the container and the mouthpiece which, when opened, allows liquid to flow by gravity to the mouthpiece. A low-voltage D.C. electrical source connected with the solenoid valve supplies direct current thereto. Operation of the solenoid valve is controlled by an ergonomic pressure-sensitive microswitch connected between the power source and the solenoid valve, which has a generally oval-shaped housing with a bulbous upper portion shaped to receive the palm of the user and allow the user to put their fingers around it and actuate the microswitch by applying light pressure thereto for unassisted self-administration of liquids.

Claims

1. A gravity-flow drinking dispenser apparatus for unassisted self-administration of liquids by a bedridden user, comprising:

a non-pressurized container for holding a quantity of liquid and adapted to be positioned above the head of a user;

a flexible tubing assembly connected in fluid communication with the container interior and having a free end;

a mouthpiece connected at said tubing assembly free end adapted to be received in the mouth of the user and having an interior passageway through which liquids can flow;

a solenoid valve disposed in said tubing assembly between said container and said mouthpiece and having a valve element movable between a closed position preventing liquid flow from said container to said mouthpiece and an open position allowing liquid to flow by gravity from said container to said mouthpiece;

a low-voltage direct current electrical power source connected with said solenoid valve for supplying polarized low-voltage direct current thereto; and

an ergonomic low-effort pressure-sensitive microswitch electrically connected in series between a first terminal of said low-voltage direct current electrical power source and a first contact of said solenoid valve for allowing the user to control the operation of said solenoid valve;

said ergonomic low-effort pressure-sensitive microswitch having a generally oval-shaped housing with a generally flat bottom wall and a bulbous upper portion sized and shaped to receive the palm of the user and allow the user to put their fingers around it and actuate said microswitch by applying light pressure thereto and thereby control the operation of said solenoid valve for unassisted self-administration of liquids.

2. The drinking dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said ergonomic low-effort pressure-sensitive microswitch has a button mounted on said housing upper portion to receive and support a finger of the user, and an actuator stem beneath said button which when depressed under very light finger pressure will complete a circuit to energize said solenoid valve to move said valve element to said open position and allow liquid to flow by gravity from said container to said mouthpiece, and when the finger pressure is released allow said valve element to return to said closed position preventing liquid flow from said container to said mouthpiece.

3. The drinking dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said ergonomic low-effort pressure-sensitive microswitch has a button mounted on said housing to receive the palm of the hand of the user and capable of being depressed by applying light pressure or squeezing said housing by the hand of the user, and an actuator stem beneath said button which when depressed under very light pressure will complete a circuit to energize said solenoid valve means to move said valve element to said open position and allow liquid to flow by gravity from said container to said mouthpiece, and when the pressure is released allow said valve element to return to said closed position preventing liquid flow from said container to said mouthpiece.