Method and apparatus for delivering fluid to an individual

Abstract

Herein is disclosed an apparatus and method for delivering a fluid to an individual in such a manner that sloshing of the fluid is substantially suppressed, even when the fluid has been only partially consumed. The apparatus includes a reservoir for containing the fluid and a valve in fluid communication with the reservoir. A biasing mechanism exerts a force upon the reservoir, causing it to contract and force fluid through the valve, when the valve is opened. The biasing mechanism and reservoir are housed within a body, according to some embodiments.

The claimed invention is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for containing and releasing a fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a reservoir for containing the fluid, wherein the reservoir has an orifice, and wherein the reservoir has a volume;   a valve in fluid communication with the orifice, so that the fluid must flow through the valve to exit the reservoir, wherein the valve has an open state and a closed state;   a means for exerting a force upon at least a portion of the reservoir, wherein 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, and wherein exertion of the force upon the reservoir causes the volume of the reservoir to diminish as the fluid exits the reservoir; and   wherein the reservoir is within an interior surface of a rigid body that is sized to be hand-held.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the rigid body is cylindrical, and wherein the reservoir has a bottom surface defined by a stopper. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stopper seals the reservoir, and is free to slide along the interior surface of the rigid body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the force exerting means exerts force upon the stopper, causing the stopper to slide along the inner surface of the rigid body toward the orifice. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the force exerting means comprises a spring coupled at a first end to a surface of the stopper and at a second end to a surface of the rigid body. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force exerting means is a pneumatic assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is biased to the closed state. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the valve transitions to the open state from the closed state upon experiencing a pressure differential across the valve. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the valve comprises a diaphragm and a seat, and wherein the diaphragm is biased toward the seat and seals the valve when in the closed state. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the diaphragm is secured so that a pressure differential across the diaphragm causes the diaphragm to withdraw from the seat, thereby transitioning the valve from the closed state to the open state. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a check valve. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a threaded neck;   a chamber defined by the inner surface of the body and a stopper, the stopper being free to slide along the inner surface and forming a seal with the inner surface;   a biasing mechanism situated within the body, the biasing mechanism exerting a force that causes the stopper to slide along the inner surface so as to shrink the chamber as the biasing mechanism relaxes; and   a threaded top assembly that mates with the threaded neck assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a member coupled to the stopper, the member passing through a passageway in the body, wherein the member may be grasped and pulled from outside the body, causing the stopper to slide along the inner surface of the body, so as to expand the chamber and cause the biasing mechanism to transition into a higher energy state.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the member comprises a telescoping rod. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the body is rigid and hand-held sized. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 a reservoir for containing a fluid;   a valve in fluid communication with the reservoir, the valve having an opened state and a closed state;   a biaser that exerts a force upon the reservoir, so that, when the valve is opened, the biaser causes the reservoir to contract and causes the fluid to exit the reservoir through the valve; and   a body housing the reservoir and the biaser.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the biaser comprises a spring. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the biaser comprises a plurality of springs. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the body is substantially rigid.