U.S. patent application number 10/372037 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for bite valve for personal hydration devices and a method for making the same.
Invention is credited to Getzewich, Lee A., Lea, James M..
Application Number | 20030222238 10/372037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46282017 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030222238 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Getzewich, Lee A. ; et
al. |
December 4, 2003 |
Bite valve for personal hydration devices and a method for making
the same
Abstract
A diaphragm (12) for use with a fluid carrying condiuit (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: |
GRAYBEAL, JACKSON, HALEY LLP
155 - 108TH AVENUE NE
SUITE 350
BELLEVUE
WA
98004-5901
US
|
Family ID: |
46282017 |
Appl. No.: |
10/372037 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10372037 |
Feb 20, 2003 |
|
|
|
09779692 |
Feb 7, 2001 |
|
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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 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A valve 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 major surface, a second major surface, and a
diaphragm perimeter generally coincident with the cylinder portion
second perimeter; and an elongate slit extending from the first
major surface of the diaphragm portion through to the second major
surface of the diaphragm portion and defined by a first wall and
second wall of the diaphragm portion wherein at least a portion of
the first wall and the second wall diverge towards the second major
surface of the diaphragm to define a notch in the second surface of
the diaphragm at the slit when the diaphragm portion is in a
relaxed state.
2. The valve of claim 1 wherein the cylinder has a circular cross
section.
3. The valve of claim 1 wherein the cylinder has a generally
elliptical cross section.
4. The valve of claim 1 wherein there is only one slit.
5. The valve of claim 1 wherein the slit is linear.
6. The valve 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 valve of claim 1 wherein the notch extends between 1% and
70% of the sectional thickness of the diaphragm portion.
8. The valve of claim 1 wherein the second major surface of the
diaphragm portion undergoes flexion when the slit is compressed
along its axis.
9. The valve of claim 1 wherein the first major surface of the
diaphragm portion is convex.
10. The valve of claim 1 wherein the first major surface of the
diaphragm portion is concave.
11. A diaphragm having a first major surface, a second major
surface, and a perimeter bounding the first and second major
surfaces, 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, whether compressed or not, and
comprising: an elongate slit extending from the first major surface
of the diaphragm portion through to the second major surface of the
diaphragm portion and 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 second major surface of the
diaphragm so as to create a notch in the second surface of the
diaphragm at the slit when the diaphragm portion is in a relaxed
state.
12. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the cylinder has a circular
cross section.
13. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the cylinder has a generally
elliptical cross section.
14. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the first major surface and
the second major surface are generally parallel to one another and
are planar.
15. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the first major surface and
the second major surface are generally parallel to one another and
are non-planar.
16. The diaphragm of claim 15 wherein the first major surface is
convex and the second major surface is concave.
17. The diaphragm of claim 15 wherein the first major surface is
concave and the second major 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 70% of the sectional thickness of the diaphragm as
determined from the first major surface to the second major
surface.
21. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein there is only one slit.
22. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the second major surface of
the diaphragm undergoes flexion when the slit is compressed along
its axis.
23. The diaphragm of claim 11 wherein the first major surface of
the diaphragm undergoes flexion when the slit is compressed along
its axis.
Description
[0001] Benefit of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/779,692
under 35 USC .0.120 is hereby claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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 bit valve
positioned on the exposed end of the tube.
[0004] A relatively simple bit 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, and having inlet and outlet ends. A diaphragm
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 diaphragm and opening the
slit to allow liquid to be expelled, typically by sucking into the
user's mouth.
[0005] 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 flot 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 thereofre 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.
[0006] 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 valve if it deflects towards the fluid
source, will determine the orifice boundaries and therefore the
flow rate when actuated. Thus, smooth and square mating surfaces
descrease the flow rate. 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.
[0007] 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 diaphragm concave/convex
with the convex side oriented toward the inlet end of the valve,
and making the diaphragm thicker so as to provide both greater
contact area between the slit mating surfaces and a greater
restoring force to the diaphragm to bias the slit towards the
closed position following actuation of the valve.
[0008] Although increasing the thickness of the diaphragm, at least
in the central area of the diaphragm surrounding the slit, serves
to help reduce weeping and dribbling, this increase thickness often
requires greater physical force be applied by a user to operate the
valve and open the slit.
[0009] Furthermore, although the convex inner surface of the
diaphragm acts as a self-energizing seal (i.e., when placed under
pressure if forces the slit mating surfaces together and prevents
leaking), under very low hydrostatic pressures fluid can weep past
the diaphragm, particularly after a high number of cycles has
caused the material of the valve to lose some of its resiliency.
Moreover, the liquid container may become pressurized, or the
container may be raised above the outlet to create a hydrostatie
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 diaphragm are greatly reduced, if
not eliminated entirely.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to a bite valve including a
diaphragm portion and to a diaphragm for use with liquid containers
using a fluid delivery conduit. As used herein, a diaphragm portion
or diaphragm refers to a generally disc-shaped structure having two
major opposing surfaces and a perimeter establishing a sectional
thickness. A feature of the invention is the incorporation of
beveled or chamfered edges in a slit extending from one major
surface to the other major surface. The design maximizes flow
rates, and minimizes weeping and dribbling when compared to
conventional diaphragms of the prior art. Moreover, the diaphragm
portion or the diaphragm may be planar or convex/concave wherein
the convex surface may either be positioned towards or away from
the ultimate source of fluid.
[0011] The valve preferably comprises a cylinder portion and a
diaphragm portion, although as noted above only a diaphragm 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 hs 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
preferably adapted to fit the fluid delivery conduit.
[0012] The diaphragm portion is coextensive with the second
perimeter to prevent fluid entering the first end from exiting the
second end. The diaphragm portion has a first surface, a second
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 disc having a geometric cross section at least
approximating that of the tube in which it is to be inserted.
[0013] Formed in either the diaphragm portion or diaphragm is an
elongate slit defined by a first inner wall and second inner wall
of the diaphragm wherein at least a portion of the first and second
inner walls diverge towards the surface of the diaphragm undergoing
flexion when compressed in the slit axis. This geometry thereby
creates a notch or trough when the diaphragm portion or diaphragm
is in the relaxed state. The creation of a notch or trough operates
to maximize the orifice through which fluid will flow when the
diaphragm is compressed along the slit axis to create a gap, while
retaining sufficient material to maintain an effective sealing
arrangement when in the relaxed state.
[0014] Variations of the invention include multiple slits wherein
at least one slit includes a notch or trough; positioning the
convex side of the diaphragm or diaphragm portion towards the
upstream end of the conduit where the inner wall divergence is
either towards the upstream or downstream end; positioning the
concave side of the diaphragm or diaphragm portion towards the
upstream end of the conduit where the inner wall divergence is
either towards the upstream or downstream end; and the cross
sectional profile of the notch or trough is one of a "V" shape, a
"U" shape or a rectilinear "" shape.
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. Preferably, at least inner body 12
is constructed from liquid reaction injection molded silicone
having a 45 to 55 A scale durometer hardness. 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 memeber 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 major surface 26 polypeptide [SEQ ID NO: 2]. of
diaphragm 22 to receive complementary circumferential rib 52 as is
best shown 3], .beta.-secretase (1fkn) [SEQ ID NO: 4],
progastricsin (1htr) [SEQ ID NO: 5] and pepsinogen (3 pgs) [SEQ ID
NO: 6]. The lines indicate the residue pair involved in forming
disulfide bond as observed in 1fkn. The codes representing the
conserved residues at the active site for the aspartyl protease
family are residues 93-95 and residues 289-291 for pbsz, residues
9193 and residues 274-276 for 3psg, and residues 91-93 and residues
276-278 for 1htr. The signal peptide segments (residues 1-21 for
pbsz, residues 1-16 for 1 htr, and residues 1-15 for 3 psg) were
not included for the alignment operation because they will be
cleaved off by signal peptidase during the secretory process. walls
40 and 42 for reasons that will now be described.
[0028] The incorporation of diverging walls 40 and 42 to form a
chamfer, bevel, notch or trough 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 (or equivalently
failing to introduce material) present at the side of diaphragm
flexion, regardless of fluid flow direction, an increased area
through which fluid may flow is created. Naturally, by removing
material at this point to chamfer or notch the slit, the total area
of contact between the slit boundaries is necessarily reduced, thus
affecting weeping and dribbling properties. Thus, a suitable
sealing interface must be maintained, for example at least 30% of
the sectional thickness of the diaphragm at the slit.
[0029] Methods for creating the valve or the diaphragm include
injection molding the piece having the slit and notch preformed
therein, or injection molding the piece and subsequently creating
the slit and removing material adjacent to the slit to form the
notch.
[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
downstream 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. polyurethane material having a durometer value of
40-50, approximately 30-50 mil. remained for creating a seal at the
gap after material removal.
1 Flowrate Flowrate (cc/ Flow loss Slit (cc/min) min) with- due to
Sample Length WI barbed out barbed barbed fit- No. (mm) fitting
fitting ting (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 6.13 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 11
7.06 1350 1450 100 bite 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
* * * * *