Remotely located liquid dispensing valve

Abstract

A flexible member is fabricated with side walls forming a chamber which is coupled to a liquid source on one side and has a slit through an end wall on the other side. The end wall is generally curved toward the chamber on its interior surface. The exterior surface of the end wall has ridges adjacent to the slit that extends through the end wall. Deformation of the side walls of the flexible member as by biting causes the end wall with the slit to deform and open the slit which otherwise is retained closed by the walls of the flexible member. This action establishes fluid dispensing from the source through the slit. The thickness of the end wall varies over its distance creating weaken areas in the end wall. These weakened areas create areas in which the end wall deforms opening the slit. In addition to the foregoing, the interior surface forming the chamber has a minimal surface area. The surface is smooth, allowing easier cleaning of the chamber.

1 . A liquid dispensing valve for positioning in the mouth of an individual for selectively delivering liquid from a liquid container comprising: 
 a unitary body portion sized to comfortably fit in the mouth of a user and being constructed of a flexible resilient material with an inlet side of said unitary body for establishing fluidic communication with a fluid supply tube, an internal cavity formed by side wall members, a top wall member opposite of said inlet side enclosing said side wall members;    said top wall member having an inner surface facing said cavity and outer surface and a normally closed slit extending through said top wall member with said through slit opening upon pressure being applied to an opposing pair of said side wall members thereby establishing a fluid flow line through said cavity;    said outer surface of said top wall member includes a plurality of discontinuity.    
     
     
         2 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said inner surface of said top wall member being curved inward toward said cavity.  
     
     
         3 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said side wall members having an interior surface and exterior surface; 
 said exterior surface being planar.  
 
     
     
         4 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said interior surface of said side wall member being continuous and absent of interruptions.  
     
     
         5 . A liquid dispensing valve for positioning in the mouth of an individual for selectively delivering liquid from a liquid container comprising: 
 a unitary body portion sized to comfortably fit in the mouth of a user and being constructed of a flexible resilient material with an inlet side of said unitary body for establishing fluidic communication with a fluid supply tube, an internal cavity formed by side wall members, a top wall member opposite of said inlet side enclosing said wall members;    said top wall member having an inner surface facing said cavity and outer surface and a normally closed slit extending through said top wall member with said through slit opening upon pressure being applied to an opposing pair of said side wall members thereby establishing a fluid flow line through said cavity;    said outer surface of said top wall member having ridges adjacent to said through slit, in which said ridges extend against each other to close said slit and prevent outside air from entering said cavity.    
     
     
         6 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said inner surface of said top wall member being curved inward toward said cavity.  
     
     
         7 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said side wall members having an interior surface and exterior surface; said exterior surface being planar.  
     
     
         8 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said interior surface of said side wall member being continuous and absent of interruptions.  
     
     
         9 . A liquid dispensing valve for positioning in the mouth of an individual for selectively delivering liquid from a liquid container comprising: 
 a unitary body portion sized to comfortably fit in the mouth of a user and being constructed of a flexible resilient material with an inlet side of said unitary body for establishing fluidic communication with a fluid supply tube, an internal cavity formed by side wall members, a top wall member opposite of said inlet side enclosing said wall members;    said top wall member having an inner surface facing said cavity and outer surface and a normally closed slit extending through said top wall member with said through slit opening upon pressure being applied to an opposing pair of said side wall members thereby establishing a fluid flow line through said cavity;    said side wall members having an interior and exterior surface; said side wall members having a plurality of discontinuity on said external surface;    said plurality of discontinuity creates weakened areas in said side wall members, and are oriented in the direction of fluid flow through said liquid dispensing valve.    
     
     
         10 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said inner surface of said top wall member being curved inward toward said cavity.  
     
     
         11 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said exterior surface of said side wall members being planar.  
     
     
         12 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said exterior surface of said top wall member having ridges, in which said ridges extend against each other sealing the said slit preventing air from entering said cavity.  
     
     
         13 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said interior surface of said side wall member being continuous and absent of interruptions.  
     
     
         14 . A liquid dispensing valve for positioning in the mouth of an individual for selectively delivering liquid from a liquid container comprising: 
 a unitary body portion sized to comfortably fit in the mouth of a user and being constructed of a flexible resilient material with an inlet side of said unitary body for establishing fluidic communication with a fluid supply tube, an internal cavity formed by side wall members, a top wall member opposite of said inlet side enclosing said wall members;    said top wall member having an inner surface facing said cavity and outer surface and a normally closed slit extending through said top wall member with said through slit opening upon pressure being applied to an opposing pair of said side wall members thereby establishing a fluid flow line through said cavity;    said side wall members having an interior and exterior surface; said side wall members having ridges on said exterior surface;    said ridges create strengthen areas in said side wall members, and are generally oriented in the direction of fluid flow through said liquid dispensing valve.    
     
     
         15 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said inner surface of said top wall member being curved inward toward said cavity.  
     
     
         16 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said exterior surface of said side wall members being planar.  
     
     
         17 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said exterior surface of said top wall member having ridges, in which said ridges extend against each other sealing the said slit preventing air from entering said cavity.  
     
     
         18 . A liquid dispensing valve in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said interior surface of said side wall members being continuous and absent of interruptions.