U.S. patent application number 09/835255 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-13 for pressure-assisted liquid delivery system.
Invention is credited to Campion, Christopher R..
Application Number | 20010020628 09/835255 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26892759 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010020628 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campion, Christopher R. |
September 13, 2001 |
Pressure-assisted liquid delivery system
Abstract
A pressure-assisted liquid delivery system comprises a flexible
reservoir having an exit port and demand valve, a pair of
substantially rigid plates for sandwiching the reservoir, and a
plurality of loops of elastic rope for compressing the plates
around and pressurizing the reservoir such that liquid contents
thereof are expelled through the valve when it is opened without
application of a suction force.
Inventors: |
Campion, Christopher R.;
(Hong Kong, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brian Beverly
Suite 2360
One Kaiser Plaza
Oakland
CA
94612
US
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Family ID: |
26892759 |
Appl. No.: |
09/835255 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09835255 |
Apr 14, 2001 |
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09513322 |
Feb 25, 2000 |
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6267506 |
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60197336 |
Apr 14, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/24 20130101;
B65D 33/1658 20130101; A45F 3/16 20130101; B65D 2313/02 20130101;
A45C 11/22 20130101; A45C 13/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/103 |
International
Class: |
B65D 035/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pressure-assisted liquid delivery system comprising: a
resealable flexible reservoir, a hose connected to an exit port in
said reservoir, a valve attached to a free end of said hose, and
means for pressurizing said reservoir such that when said valve is
opened liquid contents of said reservoir are expelled through it
without applying a suction force to said valve.
2. The liquid delivery system of claim 1 wherein: said means for
pressurizing comprises a pair of substantially rigid plates for
sandwiching said reservoir, and compression means for urging said
plates together.
3. The liquid delivery system of claim 2 wherein: said reservoir
includes a roll-top closure.
4. The liquid delivery system of claim 2 wherein: said plates are
movable from a first position of relative separation wherein said
reservoir is fully dilated to a second position of relative
separation wherein said reservoir is constricted, and said
compression means provides a consistent and substantially
undiminished compressive force as said plates move between said
first position and said second position.
5. The liquid delivery system of claim 2 wherein: said plates
include a top plate and a bottom plate, and said compression means
comprises at least one elastic rope, each said rope attached to
said bottom plate and removably securable to said top plate for
pressing said bottom plate towards said top plate at a plurality of
compression points distributed around common edges of said plates
and said reservoir for delivering approximately evenly distributed
pressure across said plates on said reservoir.
6. The liquid delivery system of claim 5 wherein: said plates
overlie the reservoir, and said compression points are spaced
approximately evenly around a common perimeter of said plates and
said reservoir.
7. The liquid delivery system of claim 5 wherein: said plates
overlie half the reservoir, and said compression points are spaced
approximately evenly around a top edge and two sides all common to
said plates and said reservoir.
8. The liquid delivery system of claim 5 wherein: said compression
means comprises a plurality of loops of elastic rope, each loop
having two ends extending from said bottom plate, said top plate
having means for affixing each said loop to a top surface thereof,
each said loop drawn from an edge of said top plate and removably
affixed to a top surface of said top plate.
9. The liquid delivery system of claim 8 wherein: said plates are
movable from a first position of relative separation in which said
reservoir is fully dilated to a second position of relative
separation in which said reservoir is constricted, when said plates
in are said first position said plurality of loops are stretched to
a first length for imparting a first compressive force onto said
reservoir, and when said plates are in said second position said
plurality of loops are stretched to a second length for imparting a
second compressive force onto said reservoir which is substantially
undiminished from said first compressive force, such that said
plurality of loops provides a consistent and substantially
undiminished compressive force as said plates move from said first
position to said second position.
10. The liquid delivery system of claim 9 wherein: said reservoir
includes a roll-top closure.
11. The liquid delivery system of claim 8 wherein: said top surface
includes a plurality of lugs for affixing said loops.
12. The liquid delivery system of claim 11 wherein: said loops
overlap forming a web across said top surface of said top
plate.
13. The liquid delivery system of claim 11 wherein: said top plate
includes two opposing end portions and two opposing side portions,
and said loops comprise at least one end loop drawn from each of
said end portions, and at least two side loops drawn from each of
said side portions.
14. The liquid delivery system of claim 13 wherein: each of said
end loops is affixed to said top surface of said top plate
approximately in a center portion thereof, and each of said side
loops is affixed to said top surface of said top plate
approximately adjacent the opposing side portion.
15. The liquid delivery system of claim 13 wherein: each of said
end loops is affixed to said top surface of said top plate
approximately in a center portion thereof, and each of said side
loops is affixed to said top surface of said top plate
approximately midway between said side portions.
16. The liquid delivery system of claim 11 wherein: said top plate
includes two opposing side portions, and one end portion, and said
loops comprise one end loop drawn from said end portion, and two
side loops drawn from each of said side portions.
17. The liquid delivery system of claim 16 wherein: said top plate
includes a bottom portion opposed to said end portion, said bottom
portion overlying a midportion of said reservoir, said end loop is
affixed to said top surface of said top plate approximately
adjacent to said bottom portion of said top plate, and each of said
side loops is affixed to said top surface of said top plate
approximately adjacent the opposing side portion.
18. A pressure-assisted liquid delivery system comprising: a
resealable reservoir, a hose connected to an exit port in said
reservoir, a valve attached to a free end of said hose, a pair of
substantially rigid plates for sandwiching said reservoir,
compression means for urging said plates together for pressurizing
said reservoir such that when said valve is opened liquid contents
of said reservoir are expelled through it without applying a
suction force.
19. The liquid delivery system of claim 18 wherein: said plates
include a bottom plate and a top plate, said bottom and top plates
movable from a first position of relative separation wherein said
reservoir is fully dilated to a second position of relative
separation wherein said reservoir is constricted, and said
compression means provides a consistent and substantially
undiminished compressive force as said plates move between said
first position and said second position.
20. The liquid delivery system of claim 19 wherein: said
compression means comprises at least one elastic rope, each said
rope attached to said bottom plate and removably securable to said
top plate for pressing said bottom plate towards said top plate at
a plurality of compression points distributed around common edges
of said plates and said reservoir for delivering approximately
evenly distributed pressure across said plates on said
reservoir.
21. The liquid delivery system of claim 20 wherein: said
compression means comprises a plurality of loops of elastic rope,
each loop having two ends extending from said bottom plate, said
top plate having means for affixing each said loop to a top surface
thereof, each said loop drawn from an edge of said top plate and
removably affixed to a top surface of said top plate, said plates
are movable from a first position of relative separation in which
said reservoir is fully dilated to a second position of relative
separation in which said reservoir is constricted, when said plates
in are said first position said plurality of loops are stretched to
a first length for imparting a first compressive force onto said
reservoir, and when said plates are in said second position said
plurality of loops are stretched to a second length for imparting a
second compressive force onto said reservoir which is substantially
undiminished from said first compressive force, such that said
plurality of loops provides a consistent and substantially
undiminished compressive force as said plates move from said first
position to said second position.
22. The liquid delivery system of claim 21 wherein: said top plate
includes two opposing end portions and two opposing side portions,
said loops comprise one end loop drawn from each of said end
portions, and at least one side loop drawn from each of said side
portions, and said top surface includes a plurality of lugs for
affixing said loops.
23. The liquid delivery system of claim 21 wherein: said top plate
includes two opposing side portions and one end portion, said loops
comprise one end loop drawn from said end portion, and at least one
side loop drawn from each of said side portions, and said top
surface includes at least one lug for affixing said loops.
24. A pressure-assisted liquid delivery system comprising: a
flexible reservoir, a hose connected to an exit port in said
reservoir, a valve attached to a free end of said hose, a pair of
substantially rigid plates for sandwiching said reservoir, said
plates including a top plate and a bottom plate, and at least one
elastic rope comprising a plurality of elastic loops, each said
loop extending from said bottom plate and drawn across a top
surface of said top plate from an edge thereof, said top surface of
said top plate having a plurality of lugs, each said loop removably
attached to one of said lugs, said plurality of loops forming a
plurality of compression points distributed around common edges of
said plates and said reservoir for delivering approximately evenly
distributed pressure across said plates onto said reservoir, said
top plate and bottom plate movable from a first position of
relative separation in which said reservoir is fully dilated to a
second position of relative separation in which said reservoir is
constricted, said plurality of loops providing a consistent and
substantially undiminished compressive force as said plates move
from said first position to said second position, said compressive
force pressurizing said reservoir such that when said valve is
opened liquid contents of said reservoir are expelled through it
without applying a suction force.
25. The liquid delivery system of claim 24 wherein: said reservoir
includes a resealable roll-top closure for accessing an interior
thereof.
26. The liquid delivery system of claim 24 wherein: said top plate
includes two opposing end portions and two opposing side portions,
and said loops comprise at least one end loop drawn from each of
said end portions, and at least two side loops drawn from each of
said side portions.
27. The liquid delivery system of claim 26 wherein: each of said
end loops drawn from opposing end portions is affixed to one of a
plurality of lugs on said top surface of said top plate between
said end loops, said side loops comprise a plurality of opposing
pairs of side loops, and each of said pair of side loops is affixed
to one of said plurality of lugs on said top surface of said top
plate between said side portions.
28. The liquid delivery system of claim 26 wherein: each of said
end loops is affixed to said top surface of said top plate
approximately in a center portion thereof, and each of said side
loops is affixed to said top surface of said top plate
approximately adjacent the opposing side portion.
29. The liquid delivery system of claim 24 wherein: said top plate
includes two opposing side portions, and one end portion, and said
loops comprise at least one end loop drawn from said end portion,
and at least two side loops drawn from each of said side
portions.
30. The liquid delivery system of claim 29 wherein: said side loops
comprise at least one pair of opposing side loops, and each of said
pairs of opposing side loops and each of said end loops is affixed
to a lug on said top surface of said top plate between said side
portions.
31. The liquid delivery system of claim 29 wherein: said top plate
includes a bottom portion opposed to said end portion, said bottom
portion overlying a middle area of said reservoir, said end loop is
affixed to said top surface of said top plate approximately
adjacent to said bottom portion of said top plate, and each of said
side loops is affixed to said top surface of said top plate
approximately adjacent the opposing side portion.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
09/513,322, filed Feb. 25, 2000, and which is still pending. This
application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application
No. 60/197,336, filed Apr. 14, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Hydration systems for sports enthusiasts, workers, and
others engaged in a high level of physical activity typically
consist of a textile backpack or waist pack (or other pack-type
designs) containing a flexible reservoir bag with a hose or outlet
having a demand valve at its end. The reservoir contains a liquid
for drinking which is accessed via the valve. Most valves require
applying suction while simultaneously performing a bite or squeeze
action of some sort with the teeth, tongue, or lips, which opens of
the valve and allows the liquid to be drawn out through the hose.
There are many valve designs on the market having distinct
activating requirements. When the pack is mounted on the user's
back, the liquid is drawn from the reservoir up through a length of
hose requiring moderate but notable suction. When the pack is
waist-mounted, greater suction is required to raise the liquid to
mouth level. The suction required by existing art hydration pacts
is comparable to that needed to drink from a 24" to 30" vertical
drinking straw. The dual requirements of creating suction and of
valve manipulation while engaged in high levels of activity such as
running or cycling is inefficient and cumbersome, and interferes
with the user's breathing, concentration, and performance.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved liquid delivery system
providing a more efficient delivery of liquid to individuals
engaged in vigorous physical activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INTENTION
[0003] Applicant's pressure-assisted liquid delivery system
described herein constitutes a radical improvement over the prior
art. A reservoir for containing liquid is typically a seam-welded
leak-proof bag made of flexible plastic materials which can
withstand external pressure and compression. The reservoir has an
exit port to which a length of hose is connected, and a fill port,
or opening, which can be sealed shut by various means once the
reservoir has been filled. In applicant's invention, once the
reservoir has been filed and closed, a compressive force is applied
to the reservoir by one of several means described below. The
compressive force is such that the liquid contents of the reservoir
are maintained under constant pressure, driving the pressurized
liquid to flow through the hose to the valve. The valve system is
operable under such pressure without leaking or dripping. Thus,
once the user activates the valve, the compressive force in the
reservoir causes the liquid to flow actively and rapidly into the
mouth. No hydration system in the prior art provides such instant
delivery of liquid on demand to the athlete or other physically
active user.
[0004] Prior art hydration systems employ the conventional suction
method requiring the user/athlete to interrupt breathing for long
intervals in order to create suction, draw liquid up into the
mouth, and swallow; draw and swallow, draw and swallow, gulp by
gulp. Using applicant's pressure-assisted system, the drinking
interval is completed substantially faster, typically in 1/4 to 1/3
the time as compared to prior art hydration systems, because when
the valve is activated, the pressurized liquid jets directly and
immediately into the mouth leaving breathing rhythms uninterrupted,
and preventing breathlessness.
[0005] It is commonplace in human beings to drink only once we are
thirsty. By the time the "thirsty" sensation is detected and the
person takes action, the body's hydration level may have fallen
considerably below the optimum for best performance, especially
during exertion. The pressure-assisted delivery system, assists the
user/athlete with drinking a larger quantity of liquid in a given
period of time than would be possible using the prior art suction
method, resulting in achievement of a greater,
performance-enhancing hydrating effect at an earlier stage in the
event or activity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a
pressure-assisted liquid delivery system according to the
invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid delivery system
of FIG. 1 shown fully assembled.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a pressure-assisted liquid delivery system according
to the invention, having plates which cover half the reservoir.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liquid delivery system
of FIG. 3 shown fully assembled.
[0010] FIGS. 5 and 6 are end views of a pressure-assisted liquid
delivery system according to the invention, showing a first
position of plate separation wherein the reservoir is dilated, and
a second position of plate separation wherein the reservoir is
constricted.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a chart relating the compressive force of the
plates upon the reservoir to the stretched length of elastic loops
used to compress the plates together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] A pressure-assisted liquid delivery system 10 is illustrated
in the accompanying drawings and described below. The invention
comprises a reservoir bag 12 for containing liquids to be consumed
during a period of vigorous physical activity. The reservoir is
preferably a flexible bag constructed of seam-welded plastic
materials. It must be of sufficient strength to withstand the
compressive forces exerted on it by the invention and remain
leakproof. The reservoir 12 is accessed through a fill port 14 for
filling the bag with liquids and for cleaning. Ideally, the fill
port consists of a fold-top bag closure as described in applicant's
U.S. Patent application for a Fold-top Closure and Method Therefor,
application Ser. No. 09/513,322. The fold-top closure allows
improved access to the reservoir for cleaning, allowing for a
greater selection of liquids which can be contained in the
reservoir, e.g., dairy products, is easy to use, and provides a
leak-proof seal. In other embodiments, the opening comprises a
narrower neck, fill hose, or funnel.
[0013] The reservoir 12 further comprises an exit port 16 to which
is attached a hose 18 having at its free end a demand valve 20. The
demand valve 20 preferably is of the type which is mouth-activated
by a biting or squeezing action, but which can withstand the
compressive forces bearing on the reservoir and liquid contained
therein without leaking. Applicant has determined that the Gulp
valve manufactured for Bell Sports, Inc. by P&T Products, Ltd.
of Hong Kong provides reliable performance.
[0014] The pressure-assisted liquid delivery system can best be
seen in FIG. 1. The reservoir 12 is sandwiched between two
semi-rigid plates, a top plate 40 and bottom plate 42. The plates
are preferably constructed of polyethylene, but may be constructed
of any polymer or cellulose providing sufficient rigidity
characteristics. Both the top plate 40 and bottom plate 42 have
lateral dimensions slightly greater than the lateral dimensions of
the reservoir, allowing the plates to completely overlie and
sandwich the reservoir, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. A plurality of
loops of elastic rope extend from the edges of bottom plate 42,
including two end loops 44 and two pairs of side loops 46. In the
preferred embodiment, a single length of elastic rope is tied off
at a first corner 48a (see FIG. 2), looped through holes 50 in the
bottom plate 42 such that sufficient lengths of the elastic rope
extend upwardly from the bottom plate along its edges to form side
loops 46, and is tied off at second corner 48b. A second length of
elastic rope, tied off below bottom plate 42 as seen in FIG. 1, is
looped through holes 50 at each longitudinal end of bottom plate
42, and is of sufficient length to extend upwardly to form end
loops 44. The elastic rope may consist of any heavy-duty elastic
rope, such as Bungee.RTM. cord, that is strong enough to create the
compressive forces needed.
[0015] Top plate 40 includes on a top surface 52 thereof a
plurality of lugs 54 for removable attachment of loops 44 and 46.
As best seen in FIG. 2, each pair of side loops 46 extends upwardly
from the bottom plate, is drawn across side edges 56 of top plate
40, and is affixed to a single lug 54 in the top surface 52 of the
top plate 40. End loops 44 are similarly configured, extending
upwardly from bottom plate 42, drawn across or from end portions 58
of the top plate 40, and are mutually attached to a single lug 54
in a central area of the top plate. Both end and side loops are
easily detachable from lugs 54 for providing easy access to the
reservoir. Attachment of opposing pairs of side loops and end loops
to single lugs negates stresses on the lugs and forms a web of
loops extending across the entire top surface 52 of the top plate
40, thereby creating substantially uniform downward compressive
force across the top plate for pressurizing the reservoir and its
liquid contents, as seen in FIG. 2. Each loop has two ends
extending upwardly from bottom plate 42 across an edge portion 56,
58 of top plate 40. The loops 44, 46 thereby form a plurality of
primary compression points P coincident with each end of the loops
around a common perimeter of the plates and the reservoir, for
substantially uniform distribution of the compressive force of the
elastic ropes across the plates.
[0016] Use of the invention is initiated by opening the reservoir
12, filling it with a selected liquid, and sealing the fill port
closed. The reservoir is then positioned on bottom plate 42; top
plate 40 is moved into a position overlying the reservoir, and
loops 44, 46 are stretched and attached to lugs 54. The system is
generally mounted vertically in a suitable backpack, with the exit
port 16 located as low as possible. As the liquid is removed from
the reservoir during use, plates 40, 42 move from a position of
maximum separation S.sub.1 as seen in FIG. 5 wherein the reservoir
is fully dilated to a second position of closer separation S.sub.2
as seen in FIG. 6 wherein the reservoir is constricted. Referring
back to FIG. 1, by using a single lengths of elastic rope to form a
plurality of loops, the apparatus takes advantage of the fact that
the entire length of rope used will still remain substantially
stretched as the plates move from first position S.sub.1 to second
position S.sub.2. As graphically illustrated in FIG. 7, the
relatively small incremental decrease in the stretched length of
the rope effectively maintains the compressive force of the rope,
and hence the plates, upon the reservoir at all points of
separation between the plates. In other embodiments, the plurality
of loops could be formed by individual lengths of rope, or by any
plurality of ropes less than the total number of loops, so long as
a compressive force sufficient to expel the reservoir's liquid
contents through the hose and valve is maintained at all points of
separation of the plates. In still other embodiments, the
compressive force can be achieved by wrapping the plates and
reservoir in an elastic web or in an elastic sock or by using
mechanical assistance derived from springs or pumps.
[0017] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.
3 and 4, comprising reservoir 80, similar in construction to
reservoir 12 shown in FIG. 1, and dual compression plates
consisting of top plate 82 and bottom plate 84. Plates 82 and 84
extend longitudinally only approximately half as far as plates 40
and 42 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, plates
82 and 84 cover only approximately half of reservoir 80. Two side
loops 86 and one end loop 88 extend upwardly from edges of bottom
plate 84. Side loops 86 and end loop 88 are preferably constructed
from a single length of elastic rope, but in alternate embodiments,
each loop is a single length of elastic rope. On top plate 82 are
provided three gussets 90, which are attached to top plate 82 by
rivets 92. In alternate embodiments, gussets 90 are attached to top
plate 82 using adhesives or other means for attachment well known
in the art. Preferably, gussets 90 are manufactured from a sturdy
polyethylene, but in alternate embodiments are comprised of metal.
Each gusset 90 includes a lug 94.
[0018] Once reservoir 80 has been filled and sealed, the top
portion thereof as illustrated in FIG. 4 is sandwiched between
plates 82 and 84, and loops 86 and 88 are stretched over edges of
top plate 82 and removably attached to lugs 94. The configuration
of lugs 94 in this embodiment has the advantage that side loops 86
are stretched substantially across the entire width of top plate
82, and end loop 88 is stretched approximately the entire length of
plate 82. The longer extension of loops 86 and 88 minimizes the
incremental reduction in the stretched length of these loops as
plates 82 and 84 collapse toward each other during use of the
system.
[0019] The half plates 82, 84 of the second embodiment of
applicant's invention apply a compressive force to only the top
half of the reservoir. Once the plates reach their closest relative
separation, no further compressive force will bear on any liquid
remaining in the lower portion of the reservoir. However, the
compressive force bearing on the reservoir is small enough that, as
needed, air can simply be blown back into the reservoir through
demand valve 96, inflating the reservoir until fully dilated. Since
the apparatus is carried with exit port 98 at the lowest vertical
portion of the reservoir, reinflation of the reservoir recharges
the compressive force bearing on the reservoir's contents, thereby
again providing pressure-assisted liquid delivery upon activation
of the valve. The half-plate embodiment of applicant's invention
thus provides the benefits of reduced weight and manufacturing
cost, simplified installation of a filled reservoir, and controlled
pressure-assisted delivery of liquid upon recharging the
reservoir.
[0020] Further embodiments of a pressure-assisted liquid delivery
system, not illustrated, achieve the required compression using a
tourniquet-style elastic webbing which is wrapped around the upper
half of the reservoir. The elastic webbing avoids the need for
rigid plates and attendant complications with their fabrication.
This embodiment is used by filing and sealing shut the reservoir,
then wrapping the webbing tightly around the reservoir, and
fastening it in place using a hook-and-loop type fastener, snaps,
conventional hooks, or other fastening means well known in the
art.
[0021] Another embodiment of a pressure-assisted liquid delivery
system comprises hinging the plates together, placing the reservoir
between the hinged plates with the exit port disposed away from the
hinge, and wrapping the free ends of the plates with an elastic
rope or webbing to apply compressive force on the reservoir in the
style of a clam shell. This embodiment allows easier access to the
reservoir and simplifies assembly of the compression means.
[0022] A further embodiment of a pressure-assisted liquid delivery
system, also not illustrated, comprises a fill valve disposed in a
sidewall of the reservoir. Preferably the fill valve is of similar
construction as fill valves used on bicycle inner tubes. The device
is prepared for use by filling the reservoir and sealing it shut as
usual, and then inflating the reservoir, using a bicycle pump or
like means, to a level of pressure adequate to expel the liquid
contents through the exit port and demand valve. Although this
embodiment requires use of a pump, it eliminates the need for and
cost of manufacturing the compression plates.
[0023] There have thus been described and illustrated certain
preferred embodiments of a pressure-assisted liquid delivery system
according to the invention. Although the present invention has been
described and illustrated in detail, it should be clearly
understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only
and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope
of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the
appended claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *