This application claims priority to
Flexible, re-sealable containers and systems for hydration can include a drink tube connected to the bottom section of a flexible container where the tubing is loosely bundled in order to manage extra length of tubing. When packed inside a wearer's bag or backpack the drink tube can become kinked closing off the ability of the wearer to ingest fluid in the container. Typically, there is a detachable coupling between the tubing and container, which is difficult to access and sometimes not properly installed thereby causing fluid to leak as a result of gravity. Sometimes it is not possible to separate the coupling in this location without removing the entire system from the backpack.
Examples of drinking containers are known, for example, from
Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawing figures in which:
The present invention relates to a liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined by the appended claims. This patent application is intended to describe one or more embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the use of absolute terms, such as "must," "will," and the like, as well as specific quantities, is to be construed as being applicable to one or more of such embodiments, but not necessarily to all such embodiments. As such, embodiments of the invention may omit, or include a modification of, one or more features or functionalities described in the context of such absolute terms.
In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid-dispensing apparatus 1 includes a flexible and translucent or semi-translucent container 20 having first and second opposing walls 21, 22 and a bottom surface 23. The walls 21, 22 and bottom surface 23 define an interior chamber 24 configured to contain liquid. A detachable coupling element 30 is coupled to the first opposing wall 21 and provides fluid communication between the chamber 24 and the exterior (i.e., ambient) of the container 20.
A channel component 10 disposed within the chamber 24 includes a proximal end 11 in fluid communication with the coupling element 30 and a terminal end 12 extending toward the bottom surface 23 of the container 20. As best illustrated in
Suction may be applied to the coupling element 30, typically by a drink tube (not shown) that can be fluidly coupled to the coupling element 30, such that liquid is removed from the container 20 via channel component 10 and coupling element 30. As suction is applied to the coupling element 30, the opposing walls 21, 22 of container 20, beginning from the top of container 20, collapse into each other and, as the liquid continues to be removed from container 20, continue to collapse into each other toward the bottom surface of the container 20. When all of the liquid is extracted from the container 20, the container 20 is essentially flat with almost the entireties of each opposing wall 21, 22 contacting the other.
However, the channel component 10 provides a path similar to closed channel flow for liquid to flow along the length of the collapsed portion of the container 20. The specific design of the channel component 10, which, as best illustrated in
According to the invention, the first wall 21 includes a storage compartment 31 and the coupling element 30 is rotatable to be in a stored position within the compartment 31 when, for example, not attached to a drinking tube.
Channel component 10 can be flexible but rigid enough to prevent the sides of container 20 to completely mate together creating the closed channel flow. Channel component 10 is designed and attached in a manner to reduce or eliminate the chance of harboring bacteria and can be easily cleaned without having to remove components from within the container 20. Additionally, coupling element 30 and channel component 10 are designed to reduce or remove all air, so no residual air bubbles are introduced when extracting fluid out of the container 20.
One or more alternative embodiments may include the following features:
Channel component 10 can include one channel or multiple channels (e.g., raised portion(s)) oriented in various directions.
Channel component 10 is shaped or component added to alter flow rate in order to indicate to user when fluid level is low.
Channel component 10 can be integrated into or operate in conjunction with a baffle 40 disposed within the chamber 24 and coupled to at least one of the first and second opposing walls 21, 22.
Instead of being a separate element, channel component 10 can be integrally formed from and within first opposing wall 21 such that raised portion 13 does not require spine 14 for attachment to wall 21.
Channel component 10 can have cross-sectional shapes such as but not limited to C-Shape, L-Shape and/or tubular.
Channel component 10 may not be linear in configuration.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.