U.S. patent application number 11/531036 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for systems and methods for beverage storage and concealment.
Invention is credited to Lee Tyler Olson.
Application Number | 20070056998 11/531036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37854040 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070056998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olson; Lee Tyler |
March 15, 2007 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BEVERAGE STORAGE AND CONCEALMENT
Abstract
This invention relates generally to containers, and more
specifically, to systems and methods for beverage storage and
concealment. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a
liquid container that includes a flat bag with a front and rear
sheet that has one or more cross-connection, which couple portions
of the front and rear sheet and thereby reduces bulging of the flat
bag when the flat bag is holding liquid. The flat bag also includes
an exit port that defines an orifice between the inside of the flat
bag and the outside of the flat bag. Additionally, the flat bag is
a closed system aside from the orifice defined by the exit port and
the flat bag is configurable to hold and dispense liquid. In other
embodiments, the flat bag can have a fill port that provides an
additional opening to the inside of the flat bag and which can be
closed by a fill cap. Additionally, the flat bag is configurable to
be concealed beneath or within clothing or various articles of
manufacture and in one embodiment a drinking tube can be coupled to
the exit port, which allows a user to draw liquid from the flat
bag.
Inventors: |
Olson; Lee Tyler; (Seattle,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dylan O. Adams;RuttlerAdams, LLC
1122 East Pike Street
PMB 1131
Seattle
WA
98122-3934
US
|
Family ID: |
37854040 |
Appl. No.: |
11/531036 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60715739 |
Sep 12, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/148.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/148.2 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/16 20060101
A45F003/16 |
Claims
1. A liquid container, the liquid container comprising: (a) a flat
bag, the flat bag comprising a front and rear sheet (b) one or more
cross-connection, the one or more cross-connection coupling the
front and rear sheet and defining one or more interconnected
compartment; and (c) an exit port, the exit port defining an
orifice between the inside of the flat bag and the outside of the
flat bag, wherein the flat bag is a closed system aside from the
orifice defined by the exit port, wherein the flat bag is
configurable to hold liquid, wherein the flat bag is configurable
to dispense liquid, and wherein the one or more-cross connection
defines one or more interconnected compartment, which is configured
to reduce bulging of the flat bag when the flat bag is holing
liquid.
2. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein the one or more
interconnected compartment does not exceed a width of 2.0
inches.
3. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein the one or more
interconnected compartment is defined by: (a) a first
cross-connection, the first cross-connection being vertically
centered in the approximate center of the flat bag and not
extending to the edge of the flat bag; and (b) a second and third
cross-connection, the second and third cross-connection being
perpendicular to the first cross connection and not extending to
the edge of the flat bag.
4. The liquid container of claim 1, further comprising a sealed
edge, the sealed edge coupling the front and rear sheet around the
edge of the flat bag.
5. The liquid container of claim 1, further comprising a fill port,
the fill port defining an orifice between the inside of the flat
bag and the outside of the flat bag, wherein the flat bag is a
closed system aside from the orifice defined by the exit port and
the orifice defined by the fill port.
6. The liquid container of claim 1, further comprising a drinking
tube, the drinking tube being coupled to the exit port, the
drinking tube having a terminal end and wherein the drinking tube
is configurable to convey liquid from the inside of the flat
bag.
7. The liquid container of claim 6, further comprising a
mouthpiece, the mouthpiece coupled to the terminal end of the
drinking tube.
8. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein the liquid container is
concealed within a vest.
9. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein the flat bag is made of
plastic.
10. A liquid container, the liquid container comprising: (a) a flat
bag, the flat bag comprising a front and rear sheet (b) one or more
cross-connection, the one or more cross-connection coupling the
front and rear sheet and defining one or more interconnected
compartment; and (c) an exit port, the exit port defining an
orifice between the inside of the flat bag and the outside of the
flat bag, wherein the flat bag is not a closed system and the flat
bag comprises one or more opening in addition to the orifice
defined by the exit port, wherein the opening is configurable to be
sealed and make the flat bag a closed system aside from the orifice
defined by the exit port, wherein the flat bag is configurable to
hold liquid, wherein the flat bag is configurable to dispense
liquid, and wherein the one or more cross-connection defines one or
more interconnected compartment, which is configured to reduce
bulging of the flat bag when the flat bag is holing liquid.
11. The liquid container of claim 10, wherein the one or more
interconnected compartment does not exceed a width of 2.0
inches.
12. The liquid container of claim 10, wherein the one or more
interconnected compartment is defined by (a) a first
cross-connection, the first cross-connection being vertically
centered in the approximate center of the flat bag and not
extending to the edge of the flat bag; and (b) a second and third
cross connection, the second and third cross-connection being
perpendicular to the first cross-connection and not extending to
the edge of the flat bag.
13. The liquid container of claim 10, further comprising a sealed
edge, the sealed edge coupling the front and rear sheet at one or
more edge of the flat bag.
14. The liquid container of claim 10, further comprising a fill
port, the fill port defining an orifice between the inside of the
flat bag and the outside of the flat bag, wherein the flat bag is a
closed system aside from the orifice defined by the exit port and
the fill port.
15. The liquid container of claim 10, further comprising a drinking
tube, the drinking tube being coupled to the exit port, the
drinking tube having a terminal end and wherein the drinking tube
is configurable to convey liquid from the inside of the flat
bag.
16. The liquid container of claim 10, wherein the liquid container
is concealed within a vest.
17. The liquid container of claim 10, wherein the liquid container
is concealed beneath the clothing of a user.
18. The liquid container of claim 10, wherein the flat bag is made
of plastic.
19. The liquid container of claim 10, wherein the one or more
opening in the flat bag can be sealed by folding.
20. The liquid container of claim 10, wherein the one or more
opening in the flat bag can be sealed by an adhesive.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application 60/715,739 filed Sep. 12th, 2005. The foregoing
application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as
if fully set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to containers, and more
specifically, to systems and methods for beverage storage and
concealment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Previously, wearable beverage containers have been primarily
designed to allow a user involved in vigorous exercise to carry and
dispense beverage liquids to the user to maintain hydration. These
containers typically have a bag-like liquid container that is worn
on the back or waist of the user and a long flexible tube attached
to an exit port on the container that allows the user to draw
liquid from the container through a mouthpiece on the terminal end
of the flexible tube. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No 6,820,780.
[0004] Other wearable beverage containers are fashioned to mimic
pieces of clothing, while also having containers within them that
can hold liquids and facilitate delivery of the liquids to a user
through a long flexible tube connected to an exit port of the
container. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,220,490 and
6,598,770.
[0005] While most wearable beverage containers allow a user to
comfortably and conveniently carry and drink liquids during
exercise, they are not easily concealed when a user desires to
carry and drink beverages without others knowledge. Typically, the
bag-like liquid container is a large, single chambered pouch, which
creates a bulgy profile when worn by the user, even if it is worn
under clothing. Additionally, the harness or straps that hold the
container onto the user cannot be easily concealed and can be
detected by others, even when worn under clothing.
[0006] Although some beverage containers are fashioned to resemble
articles of clothing, they suffer from limitations regarding volume
capacity for liquid and lack of realism as a genuine article of
clothing or they are not suitably worn in non-exercise contexts.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,490 discloses a vest that has
beverage container within it comprised of sinuous tubing. While
this vest appears to effectively conceal the beverage container
within it, the tubing container has a thick profile, which makes
the vest that contains it thicker than a typical vest;
additionally, the vest would not be an article of clothing that
would be appropriate to wear in non-exercise contexts. Accordingly,
this design does not result in a beverage container that is
effectively concealable because the method of storing liquid gives
the vest an unnatural a bulky appearance and vest cannot be
effectively worn naturally in many social environments. In addition
to giving the vest a bulky appearance, the method of liquid storage
does not allow a user to store a very large volume of liquid
compared to the total volume of the vest itself.
[0007] In another example, a beverage container is in the form of a
belt. U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,770 discloses a belt-like container that
is worn around the waist, which comprises a liquid container which
can dispense beverages to the user through a long flexible tube
that is attached to an exit port on the liquid container. Although
this invention can provide improved concealability to users, it
ultimately suffers from an even smaller volume capacity for liquids
than the aforementioned vest and does not have the appearance of a
typical belt.
[0008] Therefore, what are needed are systems and methods for
systems and methods for beverage storage and concealment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention relates generally to containers, and more
specifically, to systems and methods for beverage storage and
concealment. In one embodiment the present invention provides a
liquid container that includes a flat bag with a front and rear
sheet that has one or more cross-connection, which couple portions
of the front and rear sheet and thereby reduces bulging of the flat
bag when the flat bag is holding liquid. The flat bag also includes
an exit port that defines an orifice between the inside of the flat
bag and the outside of the flat bag. Additionally, the flat bag is
a closed system aside from the orifice defined by the exit port and
the flat bag is configurable to hold and dispense liquid.
[0010] In another embodiment, the flat bag is not a closed system
and has one or more opening that allows a user to fill the flat bag
with liquid. The one or more opening can then be sealed or closed,
thus making the flat bag a closed system aside from the orifice
defined by the exit port
[0011] In other embodiments, the flat bag can have a fill port that
provides an additional opening to the inside of the flat bag and
which can be closed by a fill cap. Additionally, the flat bag is
configurable to be concealed beneath or within clothing or various
articles of manufacture and in one embodiment a drinking tube can
be coupled to the exit port, which allows a user to draw liquid
from the flat bag. In further embodiments, the drinking tube can
have a mouthpiece on its terminal end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail
below with reference to the following drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the present invention
concealed within a vest, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a concealable beverage
container, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the concealable beverage
container, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fill port and a fill
cap, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exit port and
attached drinking tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] This invention relates generally to containers, and more
specifically, to systems and methods for beverage storage and
concealment. Specific details of certain embodiments of the
invention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS.
1-5 to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. The
present invention may have additional embodiments, or may be
practiced without one or more of the details described for any
particular described embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the present invention
concealed within a vest, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 1 depicts a user wearing the concealable beverage
container 3, where the concealable beverage container is concealed
or enclosed within a vest 7. In one embodiment, the concealable
beverage container can be configured to be concealed within any
article of clothing including, but not limited to a belt, a tie,
pants, a bra, or shorts. In a further embodiment, the concealable
beverage container can be configured to be concealed within
articles of manufacture, including, but not limited to, a chair, a
deck chair, an inflatable raft, a binder, or a backpack or a laptop
case.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a concealable beverage
container, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG.
2 depicts a concealable beverage container 3, which comprises a
flat bag 8, a fill cap 6, a fill port 5, an exit port 4, a drinking
tube 2, and a mouthpiece 1. Additionally, the flat bag 8 comprises
a sealed edge 18 and cross-connections 16, which define
compartments 14 within the flat bag 8.
[0021] As depicted in FIG. 2, there is a flat bag 8 that is closed
on all sides by a sealed edge 18 and composed of two sheets. The
sealed edge 18 is a waterproof connection or coupling between the
two sheets, which is achieved by any suitable sealing system or
method. Examples of suitable sealing systems and methods include,
but are not limited to, use of an adhesive, heat sealing, and
welding, such as RF welding; however, others systems and methods
may be used. The flat bag 8 is formed from a flexible, waterproof
material. Examples of suitable materials include but are not
limited to polyethylene, nylon/polyethylene, metalized laminates,
ethylene vinyl alcohol, and polyurethane. In another embodiment the
flat bag 8 can be made of or comprise any type of material, either
natural or synthetic, including, but not limited to plastic, glass,
metal, paper, fabric, or wax. The size and shape of the flat bag 8
may vary, depending on where the concealable beverage container 3
is intended to be concealed. For example, FIG. 1 shows an
environmental view of the concealable beverage container 3 adapted
to be concealed within a vest 7, which is one of many potential
embodiments.
[0022] The flat bag 8 further includes cross-connections 16 between
the two sheets. The cross-connections 16 are achieved by a suitable
sealing system or method, which can be similar to or the same as
the sealing mechanism that seals or couples the two sheets at the
sealed edge 18 as described herein. Again, examples of suitable
sealing mechanisms include use of an adhesive, heat sealing, and
welding, such as RF welding; however, other mechanisms may be used,
and one skilled in the art will immediately recognize the plethora
of systems and methods that can be employed to achieve such a
result. The cross-connections 16 divide the flat bag 8 into
interconnected compartments 14 that reduce bulging of the flat bag
8 when it is filled with liquid and thereby facilitate a flat
profile, which allows the concealable beverage container 3 to be
concealed within or beneath personal items that also have a
relatively flat profile. The cross connections 16 are positioned
such that compartments 14 are created in the flat bag 8 which, can
be between 0.5 and 1.5 inches in width and of variable length
depending of the size of the flat bag 8 and arrangement of the
cross connections 16. In one embodiment, one or more compartment
can be of any width, including 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50,
1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75 inches or any integer between. In a
further embodiment the cross connections 16 can be configured such
that the compartments are of any size, shape or configuration.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary arrangement of cross-connections
16; however, the arrangement of cross-connections 16 may vary
depending on the size and shape of the flat bag 8 and the desired
application of the concealable beverage container 3. In one
embodiment there can be one or more cross-connection 16. In a
further embodiment, one or more cross-connection 16 and the sealed
edge 18 can define one or more compartment 14.
[0024] The concealable beverage container 3 further includes a fill
port 5, which defines and orifice through which liquid beverages
may be poured into or removed from the flat bag 8. As shown in FIG.
4, the fill port 5 is a tube that is connected to the front sheet
12 of the flat bag 8, which creates an orifice through which liquid
may pass. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 shows the fill port 5
connected to the internal surface of the flat bag 8 on the front
sheet 12 of the bag. A person reasonably skilled in the art,
however, will immediately recognize that other fill port
embodiments are possible, for example, where the fill port 5 is
connected to the flat bag 8 on the exterior side of the front sheet
12. Connection of the fill port 5 to the front sheet 12 can be
accomplished in the same manner as the sealed edge 18 and
cross-connections 16 are achieved. In one embodiment, the fill port
5 and fill cap 6 can be made of or comprise any material.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a concealable beverage
container 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 depicts a concealable beverage container 3, which comprises
a flat bag 8, a fill cap 6, a fill port 5, an exit port 4, a
drinking tube 2, and a mouthpiece 1. The flat bag 8 comprises a
front sheet 12 and a rear sheet 10. Additionally, the flat bag
comprises a sealed edge 18 and cross-connections 16, which define
compartments 14.
[0026] In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention,
there is a flat bag 8 that is closed on all sides by a sealed edge
18 and comprises a front sheet 12 and a rear sheet 10. The sealed
edge 18 is a waterproof connection or coupling between the front
and rear sheets 12, 10, which is achieved by any suitable sealing
system or method. Examples of suitable sealing systems and methods
include use of an adhesive, heat sealing, and welding, such as RF
welding; however, others systems and methods may be used. The flat
bag 8 is formed from a flexible, waterproof material. Examples of
suitable materials include but are not limited to polyethylene,
nylon/polyethylene, metalized laminates, ethylene vinyl alcohol,
and polyurethane. In one embodiment, the flat bag 8 can be made of
any material. The size and shape of the flat bag 8 may vary,
depending on where the concealable beverage container 3 is intended
to be concealed. For example, FIG. 1 shows an environmental view of
the concealable beverage container 3 adapted to be concealed within
a vest 7, which is one potential embodiment.
[0027] The flat bag 8 further includes cross-connections 16 of the
two sheets. The cross-connections 16 are achieved by a suitable
sealing system or method which can be similar to or the same as the
sealing mechanism that seals the two sheets at the sealed edge 18
as described herein. Again, examples of suitable sealing mechanisms
include use of an adhesive, heat sealing, and welding, such as RF
welding; however, other mechanisms may be used. The
cross-connections 16 divide the flat bag 8 into interconnected
compartments 14 that reduce bulging of the flat bag 8 when it is
filled with liquid and thereby facilitate a flat profile, which
allows the concealable beverage container 3 to be concealed within
or beneath personal items or items of manufacture that also have a
relatively flat profile. The cross connections 16 are positioned
such that compartments 14 are created in the flat bag 8 which, can
be between 0.5 and 1.5 inches in width and of variable length
depending of the size of the flat bag 8 and arrangement of the
cross connections 16. In a further embodiment the cross connections
16 can be configured such that the compartments are of any size or
shape. In one embodiment, there is no sealed edge 18.
[0028] In another embodiment the flat bag 8 can be made of a single
contiguous flat bag that comprises a front sheet 12 and a rear
sheet 10, or a first and second bag plane. In one embodiment the
flat bag does not comprise a sealed edge. In a further embodiment,
the sealed edge 18 does not completely seal or close the flat bag
8. In a still further embodiment, there is no fill port 5.
[0029] In another embodiment, there can be one or more opening in
the flat bag 8; for example, a length of the flat bag 8 where the
sealed edge 18 is not contiguous and creates a hole, cavity, or
slit in the flat bag 8, a user can fill the concealable beverage
container 3 with any type of liquid through this opening. In one
embodiment, a user can fill the concealable beverage container 3
with any type of liquid through one or more hole, cavity or slit in
the flat bag 8 and the user can seal the one or more hole, cavity,
or slit in the flat bag 8, either permanently, semi-permanently, or
temporarily by any known system or method of permanently,
semi-permanently, or temporarily sealing, including, but not
limited to use of an adhesive, heat sealing, and welding, such as
RF welding, folding, slot and pin, button and slit, clasp, or a
system such as or similar Ziploc .RTM. bags and containers (C. S.
Johnson & Son, Inc., www.ziplock.com).
[0030] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fill port 5 and a fill
cap 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4
depicts a fill port 5, which defines an orifice in a front sheet
12, and onto which a fill cap 6 can be secured. As shown in FIG. 4,
a fill cap 6 may be secured over the fill port 5 to thereby prevent
liquid and other substances from passing through the fill port
5.
[0031] The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 shows a typical screw cap,
which has threads on the inside of the fill cap 6 that match
threads on the fill port 5. Again, a person reasonably skilled in
the art will immediately recognize that many other systems and
methods can be employed to facilitate securing the fill cap 6 to
the fill port 5. Examples of suitable mechanisms that may
facilitate securing the fill cap 6 to the fill port 5 include:
pin-and slot mechanisms, a snap fit between corresponding tongues
and grooves on the neck portion and cap, and a friction fit between
the cap and corresponding portion of the fill port 5. Furthermore,
any suitable fastening mechanism that facilitates securing the cap
to the fill port 5 such that liquid cannot past through the fill
port 5 may be used. In one embodiment there can be one or more fill
port 5 and the one or more fill cap 5 can be located anywhere and
define one or more orifice anywhere on the flat bag 8.
[0032] The flat bag 8 further includes an exit port 4 that is
positioned at the bottom of the flat bag 8, which allows gravity to
draw liquid beverage held in the flat bag 8 toward the exit port 4.
The exit port 4 creates an orifice through liquid beverage held in
the flat bag 8 can exit the flat bag 8 and be subsequently ingested
by the user. In one embodiment, the exit port can be positioned
anywhere on the flat bag 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the exit port 4 is
a tube that is connected to the front sheet 12 of the flat bag 8 to
the internal surface of the of the front sheet 12. Again, as with
the fill port 5, a person reasonably skilled in the art will
immediately recognize that other exit port embodiments are possible
and examples of suitable exit ports are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,085,349 and 5,727,714, the complete disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated by reference; additionally, connection of the
exit port 4 to the front sheet 12 may be accomplished in the same
manner as the sealed edge 18, fill port 5 and cross-connections 16
are achieved. In one embodiment, the exit port 4 and drinking tube
2 can be made of any material, and be any shape or size.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exit port and
attached drinking tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 5 depicts an exit port 4, which defines an orifice
in a front sheet 12 and onto which is coupled a drinking tube 2.
Additionally, in one embodiment, there is a mouthpiece (not shown
in FIG. 5, but labeled as 1 in other figures), which is coupled to
the terminal end of the drinking tube 2.
[0034] As depicted in FIG. 5, the drinking tube 2 is attached to
the exit port 4, which is a dispensing means by which beverage
liquid traveling through the exit port 4 can be conveyed to the
mouth of the user. The drinking tube 2 is a long flexible tube
composed of a waterproof material such as plastic, which may vary
in length and diameter depending on the desired embodiment of the
concealable beverage container 3. In one embodiment, the drinking
tube can be made of or comprise any material, including, but not
limited to plastic, fabric, glass, metal, wax and can be of any
length, size, or shape. Typically, the drinking tube 2 will be long
enough to comfortably reach the mouth of a user and the diameter of
the tube is preferably as small as possible such that a user can
comfortably draw a reasonably volume of the beverage liquid through
the tube while also being small enough to facilitate reasonable
concealment of the drinking tube 2.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the drinking tube 2 is connected to the
exit port 4 with a friction fit between the end of the drinking
tube 2 and the exit port 4; however, the drinking tube 2 may also
be attached to the exit port 4 with pin-and slot mechanisms, a snap
fit between corresponding tongues and grooves on the neck portion
and cap, or a corresponding thread screw connection. Other
connection means that create a seal that prevents beverage liquid
from leaking between the connection of the drinking tube 2 and the
exit port 4 are also acceptable. One reasonably skilled in the art
will immediately recognize the multitude of additional systems and
methods that can be employed to achieve similar results.
[0036] Additionally, on the terminal end of the drinking tube 2 is
a mouthpiece 1. The mouthpiece 1 may have a variety of
configurations including an open end of tubing, the configuration
as shown in FIG. 2, a bite-actuated mouthpiece, or a mouthpiece
with a manually actuated on/off valve. A bite actuated mouthpiece
is placed into a user's mouth and configured from a closed or
sealed position, to an open, or dispensing position when a user
bites upon the mouthpiece or otherwise compresses the mouthpiece
with the user's lips or teeth. Examples of suitable bite-actuated
mouthpieces are disclosed in U.S. Pat Nos. 6,070,767, 5,085,349 and
5,060,833, the complete disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference. Additionally, a manually actuated on/off
valve, may be used on the mouthpiece to selectively prevent
beverage liquid from being dispensed through the mouthpiece 1. The
valve can be manually actuated to an open or closed position by the
user and will typically remain in that position.
[0037] While preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention
have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited
by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments.
Instead, the invention should be determined by reference to the
claims that follow.
* * * * *
References