AU2018266554B2

AU2018266554B2 - Liquid-dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2018266554B2
Application number: AU2018266554A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christopher Richard Barchet; Jay Patrick BUBLITZ; Macarthur David HAUFF; Michael Aaron KASCHKO
Original assignee: Cascade Designs Inc
Current assignee: Cascade Designs Inc
Priority date: 2017-05-08
Filing date: 2018-05-01
Publication date: 2021-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-01
Also published as: EP3634355B1; EP3634355A4; EP3634355A1; PL3634355T3; EP3634355C0; CN111031993A; KR102305108B1; CN111031993B; WO2018208538A1; AU2018266554A1; KR20200037746A

Abstract

A liquid-dispensing apparatus includes a flexible container having first and second opposing walls and a bottom surface. The walls and bottom surface define an interior chamber configured to contain liquid. A coupling element is coupled to the first opposing wall and provides fluid communication between the chamber and the exterior of the container. A channel component is disposed within the chamber and has a length. The channel component has a proximal end in fluid communication with the coupling element and a terminal end extending toward the bottom surface of the container. The channel component is configured such that liquid may pass through the entirety of the length.

Description

LIQUID-DISPENSING APPARATUS PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Appl. No.

62/502,866 filed May 8, 2017, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference

as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates to a liquid-dispensing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no

way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of

common general knowledge in the field.

[0004] Flexible, re-sealable containers and systems for hydration can include a

drink tube connected to the bottom section of a flexible container where the tubing is

loosely bundled in order to manage extra length of tubing. When packed inside a

wearer's bag or backpack the drink tube can become kinked closing off the ability of the

wearer to ingest fluid in the container. Typically, there is a detachable coupling between

the tubing and container, which is difficult to access and sometimes not properly installed

thereby causing fluid to leak as a result of gravity. Sometimes it is not possible to

separate the coupling in this location without removing the entire system from the

backpack.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least

one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a

liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising: a flexible container comprising first and

second opposing walls and a bottom surface, the walls and bottom surface defining an

interior chamber configured to contain liquid; a coupling element coupled to the first

opposing wall and providing fluid communication between the chamber and the

exterior of the container; and a channel component disposed within the chamber and

having a length, the channel component comprising a proximal end in fluid

communication with the coupling element and a terminal end extending toward the

bottom surface of the container, the channel component being configured such that

liquid may pass through the entirety of the length.

[00071 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is

provided a liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising: a flexible container comprising

first and second opposing walls and a bottom surface, the walls and bottom surface

defining an interior chamber configured to contain liquid; a coupling element coupled

to the first opposing wall and providing fluid communication between the chamber and

the exterior of the container; and a channel component formed within the first opposing

wall and having a length, the channel component comprising a proximal end in fluid

communication with the coupling element and a terminal end extending toward the

liquid may pass through the entirety of the length.

[00081 According to further aspect of the present invention there is

defining an interior chamber configured to contain liquid; a detachable coupling

element coupled to an upper portion of the first opposing wall and providing fluid

communication between the chamber and an attached drinking tube exterior of the

container without introducing residual air bubbles to the chamber, wherein the first

wall comprises a storage compartment and the coupling element is rotatable to be in a

stored position within the compartment when the coupling element is not attached to

the drinking tube; and a channel component disposed within the chamber and having a

length, the channel component comprising a proximal end in fluid communication with

the coupling element and a terminal end extending toward the bottom surface of the

container, the channel component being configured such that liquid may pass through

the entirety of the length.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a

liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising: a flexible container comprising first and second

opposing walls and a bottom surface, the walls and bottom surface defining an interior

chamber configured to contain liquid; a detachable coupling element coupled to an upper

portion of the first opposing wall and providing fluid communication between the

chamber and an attached drinking tube exterior of the container without introducing

residual air bubbles to the chamber, wherein the first wall comprises a storage

compartment and the coupling element is rotatable to be in a stored position within the

compartment when the coupling element is not attached to the drinking tube; and a

channel component formed within the first opposing wall and having a length, the

channel component comprising a proximal end in fluid communication with the coupling element and a terminal end extending toward the bottom surface of the container, the channel component being configured such that liquid may pass through the entirety of the length.

[0010] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description

and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an

inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense

of "including, but not limited to".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are

described in detail below with reference to the following drawing figures in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a container according to an embodiment

of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a channel component and coupling

element according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a channel component

according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] This patent application is intended to describe one or more embodiments

of the present invention. It is to be understood that the use of absolute terms, such as

"must," "will," and the like, as well as specific quantities, is to be construed as being

applicable to one or more of such embodiments, but not necessarily to all such embodiments. As such, embodiments of the invention may omit, or include a modification of, one or more features or functionalities described in the context of such absolute terms.

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid-dispensing apparatus 1

includes a flexible and translucent or semi-translucent container 20 having first and

second opposing walls 21, 22 and a bottom surface 23. The walls 21, 22 and bottom

surface 23 define an interior chamber 24 configured to contain liquid. A detachable

coupling element 30 is coupled to the first opposing wall 21 and provides fluid

communication between the chamber 24 and the exterior (i.e., ambient) of the container

20.

[0019] A channel component 10 disposed within the chamber 24 includes a

proximal end 11 in fluid communication with the coupling element 30 and a terminal end

12 extending toward the bottom surface 23 of the container 20. As best illustrated in FIG.

5, the channel component 10 further includes a raised portion 13 configured to prevent

the first and second walls 21, 22 from completely contacting each other as liquid is

expelled from container 20. The channel component 10 may include a spine 14 that may

be coupled along its entire length to the first opposing wall 21. The channel component

10 is configured such that liquid may pass through the entirety of the length of raised

portion 13.

[0020] Suction may be applied to the coupling element 30, typically by a drink

tube (not shown) that can be fluidly coupled to the coupling element 30, such that liquid

is removed from the container 20 via channel component 10 and coupling element 30. As

suction is applied to the coupling element 30, the opposing walls 21, 22 of container 20,

beginning from the top of container 20, collapse into each other and, as the liquid

continues to be removed from container 20, continue to collapse into each other toward the bottom surface of the container 20. When all of the liquid is extracted from the container 20, the container 20 is essentially flat with almost the entireties of each opposing wall 21, 22 contacting the other.

[0021] However, the channel component 10 provides a path similar to closed

channel flow for liquid to flow along the length of the collapsed portion of the container

20. The specific design of the channel component 10, which, as best illustrated in FIG. 5,

may be roughly T-shaped in cross-section, prevents the flexible container 20 from sealing

off the water flow to the coupling element 30 and allows the full liquid volume to

discharge through the coupling element 30.

[0022] In an embodiment, the first wall 21 includes a storage compartment 31 and

the coupling element 30 is rotatable to be in a stored position within the compartment 31

when, for example, not attached to a drinking tube.

[0023] Channel component 10 can be flexible but rigid enough to prevent the

sides of container 20 to completely mate together creating the closed channel flow.

Channel component 10 is designed and attached in a manner to reduce or eliminate the

chance of harboring bacteria and can be easily cleaned without having to remove

components from within the container 20. Additionally, coupling element 30 and channel

component 10 are designed to reduce or remove all air, so no residual air bubbles are

introduced when extracting fluid out of the container 20.

[0024] One or more alternative embodiments may include the following features:

[0025] Coupling element 30 can attach to container 20 in other locations such as

any interior surface coupling the first and second opposing walls 21, 22, bottom surface

23, etc.

[0026] Channel component 10 can include one channel or multiple channels (e.g.,

raised portion(s)) oriented in various directions.

[0027] Channel component 10 is shaped or component added to alter flow rate in

order to indicate to user when fluid level is low.

[0028] Channel component 10 can be loose and detachable from wall 21.

[0029] Channel component 10 can be integrated into or operate in conjunction

with a baffle 40 disposed within the chamber 24 and coupled to at least one of the first

and second opposing walls 21, 22.

[0030] Instead of being a separate element, channel component 10 can be

integrally formed from and within first opposing wall 21 such that raised portion 13 does

not require spine 14 for attachment to wall 21.

[0031] Channel component 10 can have cross-sectional shapes such as but not

limited to C-Shape, L-Shape and/or tubular.

[0032] Channel component 10 may not be linear in configuration.

[0033] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and

described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit

and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the

disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined

entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A liquid-dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a flexible container comprising first and second opposing walls and a bottom

surface, the walls and bottom surface defining an interior chamber configured to contain

liquid;

a detachable coupling element coupled to an upper portion of the first opposing

wall and providing fluid communication between the chamber and an attached drinking

tube exterior of the container without introducing residual air bubbles to the chamber,

wherein the first wall comprises a storage compartment and the coupling element is

rotatable to be in a stored position within the compartment when the coupling element is

not attached to the drinking tube; and

a channel component disposed within the chamber and having a length, the

channel component comprising a proximal end in fluid communication with the coupling

element and a terminal end extending toward the bottom surface of the container, the

channel component being configured such that liquid may pass through the entirety of the

length.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the channel component further

comprises a raised portion configured to prevent the first and second walls from

completely contacting each other as the liquid is discharged from the container.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the channel component is coupled

along the entire length to the first opposing wall.
4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a baffle

disposed within the chamber and coupled to at least one of thefirst and second opposing

walls.
5. A liquid-dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a flexible container comprising first and second opposing walls and a bottom

surface, the walls and bottom surface defining an interior chamber configured to contain

liquid;

a detachable coupling element coupled to an upper portion of the first opposing

wall and providing fluid communication between the chamber and an attached drinking

tube exterior of the container without introducing residual air bubbles to the chamber,

wherein the first wall comprises a storage compartment and the coupling element is

rotatable to be in a stored position within the compartment when the coupling element is

not attached to the drinking tube; and

a channel component formed within the first opposing wall and having a length,

the channel component comprising a proximal end in fluid communication with the

coupling element and a terminal end extending toward the bottom surface of the

container, the channel component being configured such that liquid may pass through the

entirety of the length.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a baffle coupled to at least

one of the first and second opposing walls.