Bite valve for personal hydration devices and a method for making the same

Abstract

A diaphragm ( 12 ) for use with a fluid carrying condiuit ( 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 valve 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 major surface, a second major surface, and a diaphragm perimeter generally coincident with the cylinder portion second perimeter; and    an elongate slit extending from the first major surface of the diaphragm portion through to the second major surface of the diaphragm portion and defined by a first wall and second wall of the diaphragm portion wherein at least a portion of the first wall and the second wall diverge towards the second major surface of the diaphragm to define a notch in the second surface of the diaphragm at the slit when the diaphragm portion is in a relaxed state.    
     
     
         2 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the cylinder has a circular cross section.  
     
     
         3 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the cylinder has a generally elliptical cross section.  
     
     
         4 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein there is only one slit.  
     
     
         5 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the slit is linear.  
     
     
         6 . The valve 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 valve of  claim 1  wherein the notch extends between 1% and 70% of the sectional thickness of the diaphragm portion.  
     
     
         8 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the second major surface of the diaphragm portion undergoes flexion when the slit is compressed along its axis.  
     
     
         9 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the first major surface of the diaphragm portion is convex.  
     
     
         10 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the first major surface of the diaphragm portion is concave.  
     
     
         11 . A diaphragm having a first major surface, a second major surface, and a perimeter bounding the first and second major surfaces, 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, whether compressed or not, and comprising: 
 an elongate slit extending from the first major surface of the diaphragm portion through to the second major surface of the diaphragm portion and 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 second major surface of the diaphragm so as to create a notch in the second surface of the diaphragm at the slit when the diaphragm portion is in a relaxed state.    
     
     
         12 . The diaphragm of  claim 11  wherein the cylinder has a circular cross section.  
     
     
         13 . The diaphragm of  claim 11  wherein the cylinder has a generally elliptical cross section.  
     
     
         14 . The diaphragm of  claim 11  wherein the first major surface and the second major surface are generally parallel to one another and are planar.  
     
     
         15 . The diaphragm of  claim 11  wherein the first major surface and the second major surface are generally parallel to one another and are non-planar.  
     
     
         16 . The diaphragm of  claim 15  wherein the first major surface is convex and the second major surface is concave.  
     
     
         17 . The diaphragm of  claim 15  wherein the first major surface is concave and the second major 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 70% of the sectional thickness of the diaphragm as determined from the first major surface to the second major surface.  
     
     
         21 . The diaphragm of  claim 11  wherein there is only one slit.  
     
     
         22 . The diaphragm of  claim 11  wherein the second major surface of the diaphragm undergoes flexion when the slit is compressed along its axis.  
     
     
         23 . The diaphragm of  claim 11  wherein the first major surface of the diaphragm undergoes flexion when the slit is compressed along its axis.