Method and Apparatus for Delivering Fluid to an Individual

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 18/178,879, filed Mar. 6, 2023, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 16/906,462, filed Jun. 19, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,597,584, Issued Mar. 7, 2023, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 16/022,109, filed Jun. 28, 2018, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/909,947, filed Feb. 3, 2016, which is a National Stage Application of PCT/US2014/049723, filed Aug. 5, 2014, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/862,312, filed Aug. 5, 2013, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

The present document relates generally to an apparatus and associated methods for delivering a fluid, such as water or a sports drink, to an individual, and more particularly to a scheme for containing and delivering such fluid, so as to suppress a potential sloshing action of the fluid as the container housing the fluid is moved about.

Hydration is an essential component of various forms of recreational activities ranging from running to bicycling to rollerblading, for example. Participants in these activities oftentimes carry along containers of liquids so that they can drink fluid as they become dehydrated. Unfortunately, when carried on the person of a runner, bicycler or rollerblader, for example, the fluid within the container tends to slosh as the individual moves about during the course of his physical exertion. Such sloshing action consists of the fluid splashing about the container, causing the center of mass of the combination of the container and the fluid within it to vary with the sloshing of the fluid—a result that is distracting to the participant.

One strategy for suppressing the aforementioned variation in the center of mass is to increase the mass of the container, itself, so that the mobile fluid mass within the container is relatively small in comparison to the mass of the container, itself. While this strategy does suppress variation in the center of mass of the container-fluid combination, it increases the weight of the article that must be carried by the athlete, a result inimical to the goal of athletic performance enhancement.

Another strategy for suppressing the aforementioned variation in the center of mass is to contain fluid in a plurality of containers, each of which is typically contained in pouches fastened to a belt worn about the athlete's waist. If an individual container is sufficiently small, the athlete can consume the entirety of the fluid within the container, thereby preventing the possibility of sloshing. However, even if the sloshing is suppressed, the fluid weight is, at various times, carried asymmetrically about the athlete's body. For example, if the fluid is initially carried in four individual containers, spaced at even ninety degree intervals about the athlete's waist, in the wake of a single bottle having been consumed, the fluid weight will be asymmetrically borne in the direction of the three remaining full bottles. This result tends to interfere with proper performance of athletic motion.

As can be seen from the foregoing, there exists a need for a scheme by which fluid may be contained and delivered to an individual, so as to address the aforementioned issues.

Against this backdrop, the present invention was developed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus for containing and releasing a fluid includes a reservoir for containing the fluid. The reservoir has an orifice, and a volume. A valve is disposed upon the orifice, so that the fluid must flow through the valve to exit the reservoir. The valve has an open state and a closed state. The apparatus also includes a means for exerting a force upon at least a portion of the reservoir. Exertion of the force upon the reservoir causes the fluid to exit the reservoir through the valve when the valve is in the open state. Additionally, exertion of force upon the reservoir causes the volume of the reservoir to diminish as the fluid exits the reservoir. The reservoir is within an interior surface of a rigid body that is sized to be hand-held.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus includes a body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a threaded neck. A chamber is defined by the inner surface of the body and a stopper. The stopper is free to slide along the inner surface and forms a seal with the inner surface. A biasing mechanism is situated within the body. The biasing mechanism exerts a force that causes the stopper to slide along the inner surface so as to shrink the chamber as the biasing mechanism relaxes. A threaded top assembly mates with the threaded neck assembly. According to another embodiment, a method of delivering a fluid to an individual includes the act of containing a fluid within a chamber housed within a body that has an orifice. The method also includes the act of opening a valve coupled to the orifice. Opening of the valve permits a biasing mechanism to relax, thereby shrinking the chamber and causing the fluid to exit the chamber through the valve.

depicts an apparatusfor delivery of a fluidto an individual. The fluidis contained within a chamber or reservoir. In principle, the chambermay be of any shape. The chamber or reservoirhas a neckand an orificeat the distal end of the neck, with the orificebeing in fluid communication with the chamber. A valveis coupled to the neckat the orifice. The valvemay be opened or closed. When the valveis opened, the fluidmay exit the apparatusalong the neck, to the orifice, and through the valve, for delivery to an individual who may drink the fluid, if desired. In principle, the valvemay be of any variety. According to one embodiment, the valveis a check valve, such as a diaphragm check valve. According to another embodiment, the valveis a ball valve, according to yet another embodiment, the valveis a gate valve, and according to yet another embodiment, the valveis an aerosol valve.

The apparatusis filled with a fluid, so that the volume of the fluidis approximately equal to the combined volume of the chamberand neck. By virtue of the volumes of the fluidand chamberand neckcombination being approximately equal, the opportunity for sloshing of the fluidis diminished, even should the apparatusbe physically moved or disturbed, such as would be the case if the apparatuswas carried on the person of one who was participating in physical exertion, such as running, bicycling, rollerblading, walking or any other physical endeavor.

A force F is exerted upon the reservoir. The chamberis constructed so that when the valveis opened, the force F causes the chamberto contract. Contraction of the chambercauses the fluidto exit the apparatusthrough the valve, as described above. Upon closing of the valve, the contraction of the chamberceases, as does egress of the fluid. Accordingly, the volume of the fluidremains approximately equal to the combined volumes of the reservoirand neck, meaning that sloshing of the fluidis suppressed, even as the fluidis consumed.

According to some embodiments, the chamberis constructed from a plurality of walls, at least one of which is mobile. The aforementioned force F is applied to the mobile wall, so that, when the valveis open, the mobile wall moves, thereby contracting the volume of the chamber, and causing the fluidto exit the apparatusalong the neck, to the orifice, and through the valve. According to other embodiments, the chamberis a bladder, and the force F is applied to the bladder, causing the bladderto contract and propelling the fluidto exit the apparatusalong the neck, to the orifice, and through the valve. According to some embodiments, the force F is exerted upon the chamber or reservoirby a biasing mechanism, such as one or more excited springs, a pneumatic assembly, or a servo motor.

According to some embodiments, the apparatusincludes a body. The bodycontains the reservoirand the biasing mechanism or mechanisms that exert the force F upon the reservoir. According to some embodiments, the bodyis substantially rigid. Further, according to other embodiments, the bodyis shaped and contoured so as to be conveniently handled by hand.

depicts an apparatusfor holding fluid to be delivered to an individual. According to the embodiment depicted in, the apparatusincludes a rigid body. The rigid bodyhas an interior surfacethat is generally cylindrical in shape. According to some embodiments, the outer surfaceof the bodyis also cylindrical. The bodymay be sized to be conveniently held by hand, and the outer surfaceof the bodymay include contours to permit convenient gripping.

The apparatusincludes a reservoirthat is defined by the inner surfaceof the bodyand a stopperthat serves as a bottom surface of the reservoir. The stopperforms a seal with the inner surfaceof the body, so that the reservoirmay contain a fluid. The stopperis free to slide along the inner surfaceof the body, and maintains the seal as it does so. The apparatusincludes a threaded neckthat defines an orifice, which with fluid may be introduced into, or withdrawn from, the reservoir.

The apparatusincludes a biasing mechanismcomposed of one or more springs. When the stopperis positioned toward the bottom surfaceof the body, the springsare compressed. As the springsrelax, they urge the stoppertoward the neck, causing the volume of the reservoirto contract. In the event that the reservoircontains fluid, the fluid is propelled by force through the orifice.

depicts a top assemblythat mates with the apparatusdepicted in. The top assemblyis cut away along linesandto depict it in partial cross section in. As can be seen, the assemblyincludes a basehaving an inner surfacewith threads. The threadsof the inner surfaceof the basemate with the threaded neckof the apparatusof. When joined together via the threadsand, fluid within the reservoiris free to travel through the neck, through the orifice, and into the interior region of the baseof the top assembly.

The assemblyfurther includes a check valve that includes a diaphragmand a seat. Flangesextend from the diaphragm, biasing it against the seat. When seated, the diaphragmforms a seal with the seat, preventing the fluid from exiting the top assembly. When in the presence of a pressure differential across the diaphragm, if the differential is of sufficient magnitude, the biasing force of the flangesis overcome, and the diaphragm is withdrawn from the seat. Consequently, when the check valve is opened, fluid within the reservoiris free to travel from the reservoir, through the neckand its orifice, into the inner region of the base, around the diaphragmand through the orificeat the upper surfaceof the top assembly. Because the fluid is free to exit the apparatus(through the top assemblyas just described) when the check valve is opened, the biasing action of the springscauses the stopperto advance toward the neck, thereby contracting the volume of the reservoir, and causing fluid contained within the reservoir to exit the apparatuswhen the check valve is opened. When the check valve is closed, the fluid remains sealed within the combination of the spaces provided by reservoir, neckand inner region of the baseof the top assembly.

According to some embodiments, a telescoping memberis coupled to the stopper. The telescoping memberpenetrates the bottom surfaceof the bodyand terminates in a handle. The user of the apparatusmay grab the handle, and pull the stopperto a retracted position, thereby compressing or exciting the springsand enlarging the reservoirprior to filling the reservoirwith fluid. When the stopper is fully retracted, a flangeprotrudes through a viaand holds the stopperin place. The stopperremains in the fully retracted position until the user of the apparatuspushes the flangethrough the via, thereby freeing the stopperto slide along the inner surfaceof the body. The stopperwill slide along the inner surfacetoward the neckwhen the diaphragmis withdrawn from the seat, and will remain in place when the diaphragmis seated. By virtue of sliding toward the neck, the stopper, motivated by the springs, contracts the volume of the reservoir, causing the fluid to exit the reservoir, and creating a condition in which, during use, the volume of the reservoiris substantially equal to the volume of the fluid contained in the reservoir, meaning that the opportunity for the fluid to slosh is diminished.

depicts another top assemblythat mates with the apparatusdepicted in. The top assemblyis cut away along linesandto depict it in partial cross section in. As can be seen, the assemblyincludes a basehaving an inner surfacewith threads. The threadsof the inner surfaceof the basemate with the threaded neckof the apparatusof. When joined together via the threadsand, fluid within the reservoiris free to travel through the neck, through the orifice, and into the interior region of the baseof the top assembly.

The assemblyfurther includes a valve that includes a valve bodyand a seat. Springsbias the valve bodytoward the seatto keep it closed (although the valve is depicted in an opened position in). When seated, the valve bodyforms a seal with the seat, preventing the fluid from exiting the top assembly. When the headof the assemblyis depressed (as it is in), the biasing force of the springsis overcome, and the valve bodyis forced away from the seat. Consequently, when the valve is opened, fluid within the reservoiris free to travel from the reservoir, through the neckand its orifice, into the inner region of the base, around the valve bodyand through the orificeon the headof the top assembly. Because the fluid is free to exit the apparatus(through the top assemblyas just described) when the valve is opened, the biasing action of the springscauses the stopperto advance toward the neck, thereby contracting the volume of the reservoir, and causing fluid contained within the reservoirto exit the apparatuswhen the valve is opened. When the valve is closed, the fluid remains sealed within the combination of the spaces provided by reservoir, neckand inner region of the baseof the top assembly.

depicts a method for delivering fluid to an individual, according to another embodiment. The method ofbegins by containing the fluid within a chamber that has an orifice, as is shown in operation. In operation, the chamber, itself, it contained within a body, which, according to some embodiments, may be a substantially rigid body. In operation, a biasing mechanism, such as one or more springs, a pneumatic arrangement, a motor, one or more elastic bands, to name a few without limitation, is also contained within the rigid body. The biasing mechanism exerts a force upon the chamber housing the fluid, and as the biasing mechanism is permitted to relax, it causes the chamber to contract, thereby causing the volume of the chamber to contract as the volume of the fluid held within the chamber is diminished. To deliver the fluid to the individual, a valve in fluid communication with the orifice is opened, as shown in operation. By opening the valve, the biasing mechanism is permitted to relax, causing the fluid to exit the chamber, as just described.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the present invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.