U.S. patent application number 09/779692 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-31 for bite valve for personal hydration devices and a method for making the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cascade Designs, Inc.. Invention is credited to Getzewich, Lee A., Lea, James M..
Application Number | 20020011583 09/779692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25117221 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020011583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Getzewich, Lee A. ; et
al. |
January 31, 2002 |
Bite valve for personal hydration devices and a method for making
the same
Abstract
A diaphragm (12) for use with a fluid carrying conduit (70) or
outer body (14) where the diaphragm (12) has a convex outer surface
(26), a concave inner surface (28), a slit (32) extending from
surface (26) to surface (28), and a notch defined by two walls (40,
42) at outer surface (26). The walls (40, 42) preferably diverge
towards the outlet end (20) so that upon deflection of diaphragm
(12), a greater minimum gap (46) for fluid movement is created when
compared to the minimum gap (48) of a diaphragm not having the
notch. The notch may have a cross section shape of a "V", a "U", or
a three section rectilinear form, and may be formed at either
surface depending upon the direction of diaphragm deflection.
Inventors: |
Getzewich, Lee A.; (Auburn,
WA) ; Lea, James M.; (Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen M. Evans
GRAYBEAL JACKSON HALEY LLP
Suite 350
155-108th Avenue N.E.
Bellevue
WA
98004-5901
US
|
Assignee: |
Cascade Designs, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
25117221 |
Appl. No.: |
09/779692 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
251/342 ;
220/714; 222/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/2018
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
251/342 ;
220/714; 222/490 |
International
Class: |
B65D 035/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 8, 2000 |
US |
PCT/US00/15980 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A diaphragm arrangement for use with a fluid carrying conduit
comprising: a cylinder portion having an inner surface, an outer
surface, a first end at a first perimeter, and a second end at a
second perimeter wherein the first end is adapted to fit the
conduit; a diaphragm portion coextensive with the second perimeter
to prevent fluid entering the first end from exiting the second
end, the diaphragm portion having a first surface, a second
surface, and a diaphragm perimeter generally coincident with the
cylinder portion second perimeter; and an elongate slit defined by
a first wall and second wall of the diaphragm wherein at least a
portion of the first wall and the second wall diverge towards the
second surface of the diaphragm to define a notch in the second
surface of the diaphragm at the slit.
2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the cylinder has a circular
cross section.
3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the cylinder has a generally
elliptical cross section.
4. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the notch has a generally "V"
shaped cross section.
5. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the notch has a generally "U"
shaped cross section.
6. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the notch has a cross section
shape from the group consisting of a "V" shape, a "U" shape, and a
three section rectilinear form shape.
7. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first surface of the
diaphragm portion is exposed to fluid entering the first end of the
cylinder portion.
8. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the second surface of the
diaphragm portion is exposed to fluid entering the first end of the
cylinder portion.
9. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first surface of the
diaphragm portion is convex.
10. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first surface of the
diaphragm portion is concave.
11. A diaphragm having a first surface, a second surface, and a
perimeter, the diaphragm being for use with a fluid carrying
conduit having a first end, a second end and an inner diameter
sufficient to receive the diaphragm, and comprising: an elongate
slit defined by a first wall and a second wall of the diaphragm
wherein at least a portion of the first wall and the second wall
diverge towards the first surface of the diaphragm so as to create
a notch in the first surface of the diaphragm at the slit.
12. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the first surface faces the
first end of the conduit and the first end of the conduit is
considered upstream.
13. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the first surface faces the
second end of the conduit and the second end of the conduit is
considered upstream.
14. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the first surface and the
second surface are generally parallel to one another and are
planar.
15. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the first surface and the
second surface are generally parallel to one another and are
non-planar.
16. The diaphragm of claim 15 wherein the first surface is convex
and the second surface is concave.
17. The diaphragm of claim 15 wherein the first surface is concave
and the second surface is convex.
18. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the maximum external diameter
of the perimeter is generally equal to or less than the maximum
internal diameter of the conduit.
19. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the notch has a cross section
shape selected from the group consisting of a "V" shape, a "U"
shape, and a three section rectilinear form shape.
20. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the notch does not extend
more than 50% of the sectional thickness of the diaphragm as
determined from the first surface to the second surface.
21. A method for creating an enhanced fluid flow diaphragm for use
with a fluid carrying conduit from a blank of fluid impervious
material having a first surface and a second surface, the method
comprising: a) forming a slit in the blank of fluid impervious
material wherein the slit extends from the first surface to the
second surface of the blank; and b) forming a notch generally
symmetrical about the slit at the first surface.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the formed notch does not exceed
about 50% of the sectional thickness of the blank as determined
from the first surface to the second surface.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the formed notch has a cross
section shape selected from the group consisting of a "V" shape, a
"U" shape, and a three section rectilinear form shape.
24. The method of claim 21 further comprising inducing a curvature
to the blank whereby the first surface is concave and the second
surface is convex.
Description
[0001] Benefit under 35 USC .sctn.120 of PCT/US00/15980,
designating the US, is claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains generally to liquid
dispensing valves and more particularly to mouth-operated liquid
dispensing valves for use with flexible liquid containers, and
methods for making same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Flexible liquid container systems are extensively used in
recreational and sporting activities for carrying supplies of water
or other nourishing fluids often referred to as sport-drinks. Such
systems may be adapted to be carried by someone engaged in sporting
activities such as cycling or mountain climbing, and are often used
by these persons to drink liquids without pausing from the
activities in which they are engaged.
[0004] An important component of a flexible liquid container
system, particularly a system that is used during a sporting
activity, is a valve that permits a user to rapidly ingest large
volumes of liquid, while also providing a liquid tight seal for the
container while not in use. To achieve these objectives, a commonly
used system provides for a flexible container, a tube partially
disposed in the container and extending therefrom, and a bite valve
positioned on the exposed end of the tube.
[0005] A relatively simple bite valve for such a system is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,349. The valve has a body in the
form of a tube having two flattened (opposite) sides, thus
approximating a flattened ellipse in cross section, and having
inlet and outlet ends. A plug valve proximate the outlet end of the
tube has a slit formed therein, extending generally along the minor
axis of the ellipse. A user operates the valve by compressing the
flattened sides of the tube together, thereby distorting the plug
and opening the slit to allow liquid to be expelled, typically by
sucking into the user's mouth.
[0006] While clearly a simple arrangement, because it has no moving
parts, this valve has certain shortcomings, particularly restricted
flow rates and excessive weeping and dribbling. The flow rate of
liquid through the valve is dependent upon the geometry of the slit
and is restricted by two particular factors: the length of the slit
and the shape of the slit mating surfaces. The size of the orifice
created when the valve is actuated, and therefore the flow rate, is
directly related to the length of the slit. The shorter the slit,
the lesser the flow rate. Although a longer slit will obviously
increase flow rates, it also will weaken the integrity of the seal
and allow more weeping and dribbling.
[0007] In addition to the length of the slit, the shape of the slit
mating surfaces impacts the size of the orifice under actuation.
The leading edges of the slit, typically defined as those on the
outlet surface of the plug, will determine the orifice boundaries
and therefore the flow rate. The smoother and squarer the mating
surfaces, the lesser the flow rate. (If the compression of the
sides of the tube effects the distortion of the plug toward the
outlet end, then the leading edges of the slit will be those on the
inlet surface of the plug.) However, if the surfaces do not
squarely mate with each other, the integrity of the seal will be
weakened and more weeping and dribbling will occur.
[0008] Weeping and dribbling of liquid through the valve when not
in use result at least in depletion of liquid resources for the
user and also a gradual loss of valve integrity, not to mention the
possibility of collateral damage to surrounding goods such as
clothes. In the prior art, two particular means have been used to
control weeping and dribbling: making the plug concave/convex with
the convex side oriented toward the inlet end of the valve, and
making the plug thicker so as to provide both greater contact area
between the slit mating surfaces and a greater "spring-back" force
to the plug to bias the slit in the closed position following
actuation of the valve.
[0009] Although increasing the thickness of the plug, at least in
the central area of the plug surrounding the slit, serves to help
reduce weeping and dribbling, this increased thickness often
requires greater physical force be applied by a user to operate the
valve and open the slit.
[0010] Furthermore, although the convex inner surface of the valve
plug acts as a self-energizing seal (i.e., when placed under
pressure it forces the slit mating surfaces together and prevents
leaking), under very low hydrostatic pressures fluid can weep past
the seal, particularly after a high number of cycles has caused the
material of the valve to lose some of its resiliency. The liquid
container may be pressurized, or the container may be raised above
the outlet to create a hydrostatic pressure head, thus generating
the expelling force for the liquid through the valve. However, the
contents of the liquid container are often not under any pressure
at all, and therefore the sealing characteristics of this type of
plug are greatly reduced, if not eliminated entirely.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention relates to a bite valve diaphragm for
use with liquid containers using a fluid delivery conduit. The
design maximizes flow rates and minimizes weeping and dribbling
when compared to conventional diaphragms of the prior art.
[0012] A feature of the invention is the incorporation of beveled
or chamfered edges in a slit defined by the diaphragm. The
diaphragm preferably comprises a cylinder portion and a diaphragm
portion, although only a diaphragm portion is needed. If a cylinder
portion is used, it may be circular in cross section, or have a
cross section of other geometric forms such as generally
elliptical. Preferably, the cylinder portion has an inner surface,
an outer surface, an upstream end at a first perimeter, and a
downstream end at a second perimeter wherein the upstream end is
adapted to fit the conduit.
[0013] The diaphragm portion is coextensive with the second
perimeter to prevent fluid entering the upstream end from exiting
the downstream end. The diaphragm has an upstream surface, a
downstream surface, and a perimeter coincident with the second
perimeter. As noted previously, the cylinder portion is intended to
provide the means by which the diaphragm is located on the fluid
conduit or tube. It is contemplated that the diaphragm can also be
directly located in the tube. In such a situation, the diaphragm
becomes an insertable disk.
[0014] Formed in the diaphragm is an elongate slit defined by a
first wall and second wall of the diaphragm wherein at least a
portion of the first and second walls diverge towards the
downstream surface of the diaphragm so as to create a notch in the
downstream surface of the diaphragm at the slit. The creation of a
notch or trough operates to maximize the orifice through which
fluid will flow, while retaining sufficient material on the
upstream side to maintain an effective sealing arrangement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a bite valve assembly
incorporating the present invention taken along the longitudinal
axis and orthogonal to a slit in a diaphragm;
[0016] FIG. 1a is a cross section view of an alternative embodiment
of the invention wherein a diaphragm is directly insertable into a
fluid conduit and a cap is employed to retain the diaphragm
therein;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the inner body, showing
the details of the diaphragm;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the inner body, showing the slit
located along the minor axis of an elliptical diaphragm with
chamfered or beveled edges thus forming a notch or trough;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the outer body, showing
the plug and sleeve;
[0020] FIG. 5a is a cross section view of the of the inner body,
illustrating an increased fluid orifice when beveled or chamfered
edges are employed regarding the slit;
[0021] FIG. 5b is a plan view of the inner body of FIG. 5a, showing
the area of the orifice of the actuated valve;
[0022] FIG. 6a is a cross section view of the inner body of a prior
art diaphragm design, illustrating a fluid flow constriction at the
downstream end of the slit; and
[0023] FIG. 6b is a plan view of the inner body of FIG. 6a, showing
area of the orifice of the actuated valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to the several Figures wherein like numerals
indicate like parts, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a preferred
embodiment of bite valve 10 is shown in cross section. Bite valve
assembly 10 comprises resilient, elastomeric inner body 12 and
resilient, elastomeric outer body 14, which are positioned
co-axially with respect to each other such that inner body 12 is
substantially surrounded by outer body 14, and both bodies 12 and
14 share longitudinal axis 16. Assembled bite valve assembly 10
thus has inlet end 18 to receive a fluid conduit or tube, and
outlet end 20. The interference fits between the two bodies 12 and
14 serve to lock and retain valve assembly 10 in the correct
configuration while in use, but also provides for a convenient
means to replace inner body 12, which may become worn through
use.
[0025] Also shown in FIG. 1 is circumferential lip 58 positioned
generally radially outward from the active portion of inner body
12. Lip 58 creates an enhanced area of localized resiliency to
increase the restoring force present at the active portion of inner
body 12, and decreases wear on diaphragm 22.
[0026] An alternative form of the invention is shown in FIG. 1a.
Instead of incorporating a cylinder portion to engage with outer
body 14, only diaphragm 22' is present. Tube 70 is modified to
receive diaphragm 22' and retention member or cap 80 frictionally
fits over tube 70 to prevent unintentional escapement of diaphragm
22'.
[0027] The cross section view of inner body 12 in FIG. 2 and the
plan view thereof in FIG. 3 show in greater detail the nature of
slit 32. Inner body 12 has cylinder portion 24 and diaphragm
portion 22. Cylinder portion 24 has a generally elliptical section,
a smooth outer wall, and a pair of circumferential ribs 38. These
ribs are formed to locate in corresponding complementary grooves 54
formed in outer body 14 as is best shown in FIG. 4. Diaphragm 22
has concave outer surface 26 and convex inner surface 28.
Additionally, groove 34 is defined at the periphery of diaphragm 22
to receive complementary circumferential rib 52 as is best shown
also in FIG. 4. Thus, the combination of mating grooves and ribs
functions to retain body 12 in body 14 during use of bite valve
assembly 10, as is best shown in FIG. 1.
[0028] Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, diaphragm 22 also defines slit
32, which extends from concave outer surface 26 through to convex
inner surface 28. Preferably, slit 32 intersects the longitudinal
axis 16 and is coincident with the minor axis 36 of diaphragm 32.
Slit 32 is intentionally formed to have a chamfered or beveled
profile, thus forming a notch or trough defined by converging walls
40 and 42 for reasons that will now be described.
[0029] The incorporation of converging walls 40 and 42 to form a
chamfer or bevel is intended to increase the volumetric flow of
fluids during fluid expulsion actions. Turning to FIGS. 5a, 5b, 6a,
and 6b, it can be seen that for a given upstream gap 44, the
minimum gap through which fluids must pass is greater with respect
to a diaphragm incorporating the invention, i.e., gap 46 as
compared to a diaphragm not incorporating the invention, i.e., gap
48. Thus, by reducing the degree of gap constriction by removing
diaphragm material present at the downstream side of the diaphragm,
an increased area through which fluid may flow is created.
Naturally, by removing material at this point to chamfer the slit,
the total area of contact between the slit boundaries is
necessarily reduced, thus affecting weeping and dribbling
properties.
[0030] The following data describes the effect of modifying a prior
art bite valve to incorporate the invention without encountering
undesirable weeping and/or dribbling. To obtain the data, 15
standard slit bite valves were used; five were left unmodified for
control, five were modified to remove material adjacent the
upstream side of the slit by means of a sharpened blade, and five
were modified to remove material adjacent the upstream side of the
slit by means of a grinding tool. Chamfer or bevel angles relative
to centerline ranged from about 30 to 45 degrees. Also tested,
although not pertinent to the invention, was the effect of
different fittings to connect the assembly to a fluid tube. In all
tests, a 127 cm water column and reservoir was used to supply water
under pressure to the valve assembly, and the minor axis of the
assembly measured about 9.53 mm. The depth of material removal was
generally limited to no more than 50% of the diaphragm thickness.
Thus, for 80 mil. polyethylene material having a durometer value of
40-50, approximately 30-50 mil. remained for creating a seal at the
gap after material removal.
1 Slit Flowrate (cc/min) Flow loss due to Sample Length Flowrate
(cc/min) without barbed barbed fitting No. (mm) w/barbed fitting
fitting (cc/min) Beveled 1 6.81 1850 2150 300 edge-razor 2 6.99
1750 2000 250 cut 3 6.99 2000 2350 350 4 6.73 1800 2100 300 5 6.81
1800 2100 300 Avg. 6.86 1840 2140 300 Std. Dev. 0.127 96 129 35
Beveled 6 6.81 1900 2150 250 edge-tool 7 7.06 1950 2250 300 ground
8 6.93 1900 2200 300 9 6.99 1950 2250 300 10 6.81 1850 2150 300
Avg. 6.91 1910 2200 290 Std. Dev. 0.102 42 50 22 Prior art bite 11
7.06 1350 1450 100 valve 12 7.09 1350 1500 150 13 6.76 1300 1450
150 14 6.65 1250 1350 100 15 6.99 1350 1450 100 Avg. 6.91 1320 1440
120 Std. Dev. 0.203 45 55 27
* * * * *