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.

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.