Patent Publication Number: US-2007108238-A1

Title: Personal beverage supply assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
      This Application claims the benefit on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/737,222 filed on Nov. 15, 2005. The contents of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/737,222 are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      Exercise has long been considered critical for improving both mental and physical health. The importance of staying hydrated with the proper fluids during exercise is also well-known. While some forms of physical activity are more conducive to taking breaks for proper hydration, others types of activities make it more difficult to do so. For example, some mid- to long-distance runners or competitive cyclists cannot afford to interrupt their activity for a hydration stop. Additionally, depending upon the location of the exercise, the availability for purchasing or otherwise obtaining beverages may be limited.  
      Further, today&#39;s society is becoming increasingly “hands-free”. Many people are more desirous of freeing up the use of both hands during both exercise and non-exercise activities. For instance, activities requiring balance and/or concentration such as rock-climbing, operating a car or motorcycle, hunting, skiing, kayaking, etc., can each be better accomplished if the participant is not required to use one or both hands to carry a beverage container.  
      Attempts to address these issues have included providing a reusable, refillable personal hydration container that holds a drinking fluid and which uses a relatively narrow delivery tube as a conduit to deliver the fluid to the user. These types of containers are carried by a user during various activities, and are subsequently emptied, cleaned and refilled with more drinking fluid. Unfortunately, many such containers and drinking tubes are difficult to thoroughly clean, which can result in leaving an unwanted residue, such as mold, mildew, bacteria or other microorganisms within the fluid retainer or drinking tube. Additionally, these types of containers can also be somewhat tricky, messy and/or time-consuming to properly refill. Over time, various seals of the fluid container can deteriorate or completely fail, which can lead to leakage of the drinking fluid, creating even more problems.  
     SUMMARY  
      In certain embodiments, a personal beverage supply assembly includes a fluid retainer assembly and a fluid delivery conduit, and is entirely disposable. The fluid retainer assembly can include a fluid retainer and a fitment. The fluid retainer defines a fluid cavity that selectively retains a fluid. The fitment is fixedly secured to the fluid retainer. In various embodiments, the fitment has a conduit aperture. The fluid delivery conduit extends through the conduit aperture and guides discharge of the fluid from the fluid cavity to the user. In certain embodiments, the fluid delivery conduit is the sole avenue for discharge of the fluid from the fluid cavity. In some embodiments, the fluid delivery conduit is adjustable relative to the fitment.  
      In some embodiments, the fluid delivery conduit includes a first section that extends into the fluid cavity and a second section that extends outside of the fluid cavity. The first section and the second section can be integrally formed as a homogeneous structure. In certain embodiments, the fitment and the fluid delivery conduit can be formed as a one-piece, unitary structure. The fitment and the fluid delivery conduit can be integrally formed as a homogeneous structure. The fitment can include a retainer bonding surface that bonds to the fluid retainer to form a seal between the fitment and the fluid retainer.  
      In various embodiments, the personal beverage supply assembly can include a valve secured to the second section. The valve can move from a first position that does not allow fluid to flow to the user, to a second position that allows fluid to flow to the user. In another embodiment, the fluid retainer includes an uninterrupted first wall and an opposing uninterrupted second wall. The fitment can be fixedly secured to and is positioned between the first wall and the second wall. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:  
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a personal beverage supply assembly having features of the present invention;  
       FIG. 1B  is a side view of the personal beverage supply assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1A  with a portion of one embodiment of a fluid delivery conduit illustrated in phantom;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of the fluid delivery conduit and a fitment having features of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the fitment;  
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the fitment taken on line  3 B- 3 B in  FIG. 3A ;  
       FIG. 3C  is a side view of the fitment illustrated in  FIG. 3A ;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a portion of the fluid delivery conduit and a fitment;  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of another embodiment of the personal beverage supply assembly having features of the present invention, including the fluid delivery conduit;  
       FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the fluid delivery conduit;  
       FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the fluid delivery conduit;  
       FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the fluid delivery conduit;  
       FIG. 7A  is a side view of another embodiment of the supply assembly, shown in a first position; and  
       FIG. 7B  is a side view of the supply assembly illustrated in  FIG. 7A , shown in a second position.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a personal beverage supply assembly  10  (also referred to herein simply as “supply assembly”). In one embodiment, the supply assembly  10  is intended to be a single-use, disposable supply assembly  10  that can fit within a slightly larger outer carrying container (not shown), such as a backpack or other carrier. Alternatively, the supply assembly  10  can be used on its own, without the need for an outer carrying container. Still alternatively, the supply assembly  10  can include one or more straps (not shown) that secure the supply assembly  10  to the back or front of a user&#39;s body during transport, exercise or other activities.  
      The supply assembly  10  is typically used during exercise, such as during hiking, biking, running, swimming, walking, various types of work, or any other type of exercise or exertion where intake of fluids is desired and/or necessary. Alternatively, the supply assembly  10  can equally be used during periods of relative inactivity on the part of the user.  
      In certain embodiments, the supply assembly  10  includes a fluid retainer assembly  12  and a fluid delivery assembly  14 . The fluid retainer assembly  12  selectively retains a drinking fluid  15  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 1A , and also sometimes referred to simply as “fluid”) until the fluid  15  is discharged to the user. In various embodiments, the fluid retainer assembly  12  includes a fluid retainer  16  and a fitment  18  that is fixedly secured to the fluid retainer  16 . The fluid retainer  16  defines a fluid cavity  20  that receives and selectively retains the fluid  15 . The fluid retainer  16  can be a substantially sealed reservoir that holds the fluid  15  until needed for drinking or other usage by the user.  
      Because certain embodiments of the supply assembly  10  are intended as single-use units, there is no need to detach and/or reattach the fluid delivery assembly  14  or any portion of the fluid delivery assembly  14  for cleaning or replacement, for example. In these embodiments, once the fluid  15  within the fluid retainer  16  has been emptied, or once the user is through using the supply assembly  10  during an activity, the entire supply assembly  10  can be discarded. In an alternative embodiment, at least a portion of the supply assembly  10  can be refilled and/or reused.  
      It is recognized that although the description provided herein primarily focuses on fluid  15  for ingestion by a user, that the fluid  15  can equally include non-ingestible materials, e.g. materials not intended for oral consumption by the user. As a non-exclusive example, the fluid  15  can include a cleaning solution such as soapy water, or any other suitable fluid  15  that can be dispensed from the fluid retainer assembly  12 . Stated another way, the supply assembly  10  can appropriately include any suitable liquid or gas, which includes fluids  15  too numerous to mention herein.  
      The overall shape of the fluid retainer  16  and/or the fluid cavity  20  can vary. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A , for example, the fluid retainer  16  is somewhat rectangular. Alternatively, the fluid retainer  16  can be oval, circular or can have any other suitable configuration.  
      The size of the fluid cavity  20  can vary. For example, the fluid cavity  20  can hold 24-100 ounces of fluid  15 . Alternatively, the fluid cavity  20  can hold less than 24 ounces or greater than 100 ounces of fluid  15 . In one embodiment, the fluid cavity  20  can come pre-filled with any suitable drinking fluid  15 , such as an energy drink, water, an electrolyte drink or any other non-alcoholic or alcohol-containing beverage for consumption by the user, and/or by another person or animal.  
      The fluid retainer  16  can be formed from two or more walls that are adhered to one another. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the fluid retainer includes a first wall  22  and a second wall  24 . In this embodiment, the first wall  22  and the second wall  24  are substantially similar to one another. In alternative embodiments, the first wall  22  and the second wall  24  can have different configurations from one another. Still alternatively, the fluid retainer  16  can be formed from greater than two walls or from a single wall.  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the walls  22 ,  24  are sealed or otherwise adhered together at a perimeter  26  of the fluid retainer  16 , with the exception of the positioning of the fitment  18 , as explained in greater detail below. In this embodiment, each wall  22 ,  24  is substantially uninterrupted. As used herein, the term uninterrupted means that the wall  22 ,  24  is essentially continuous to the perimeter  26 . Thus, each of the walls  22 ,  24  does not include any breaches through any portion of the respective wall  22 ,  24 .  
      The fluid retainer  16  can be constructed from plastic, foil, rubber, various synthetics, or other pliable, durable and/or relatively lightweight materials that can be easier to carry and are relatively inexpensive to manufacture. In these embodiments, the fluid retainer  16  is formed from a material that can dynamically change shape to accommodate a changing volume of fluid  15  within the fluid cavity  20 . Alternatively, the fluid retainer  16  can be formed from a rigid material, i.e. metal, rigid plastic or other suitable materials, which does not change shape regardless of the volume of fluid  15  within the fluid cavity  20 .  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the fitment  18  is positioned between the first wall  22  and the second wall  24  at or near the perimeter  26  of the fluid retainer  16 . In certain embodiments, the fitment  18  provides the sole breach in the direct contact between the walls  22 ,  24  at the perimeter  26  of the fluid retainer  16  to allow an avenue of discharge of the fluid  15  from the fluid cavity  20 .  
      The fluid delivery assembly  14  provides an avenue for the delivery of fluid  15  from the fluid cavity  20  to the user. The design of the fluid delivery assembly  14  can be varied to suit the design requirements of the supply assembly  10 . In certain embodiments, the fluid delivery assembly  14  includes a fluid delivery conduit  28  (illustrated partially in phantom in  FIG. 1A ) that extends between the first wall  22  and the second wall  24  at the fitment  18 . In one embodiment, the fluid delivery conduit  28  is secured to and extends directly through the fitment  18 .  
      The fluid delivery conduit  28  can be tubular and can have a substantially circular cross-section. Alternatively, the fluid delivery conduit  28  can have a cross-section with other suitable configurations.  
      In one embodiment, the supply assembly  10  includes a valve  30  positioned at or near one end of the fluid delivery conduit  28 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1A . In this embodiment, the valve  30  can be opened by force exerted by the user on the valve  30 . One example of this type of valve  30  is known as a bite valve, which is operated by the user selectively biting or releasing the valve  30  to open or close the valve  30 , respectively. Opening or closing the valve  30  results in allowing fluid  15  to flow to the user, or halting the flow of fluid  15  to the user, respectively. Alternatively, other suitable types of valves  30  can be incorporated into the fluid delivery assembly  14 . Alternatively, the valve  30  can be integrally formed with the fluid delivery conduit  28  to reduce the number of parts necessary to form the supply assembly  10  to increase manufacturing efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs.  
       FIG. 1B  is a side view of the supply assembly  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1A . In this embodiment, the fluid delivery conduit  28  is partially illustrated in phantom. As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the fluid delivery conduit  28  includes a first section  32  and a second section  34 . The first section  32  is positioned within the fluid cavity  20 . The second section  34  extends from the fitment  18 , and is positioned outside of the fluid cavity  20 . The first section  32  includes a first end  36  of the fluid delivery conduit  28 , and the second section  34  includes a second end  38  of the fluid delivery conduit  28 .  
      In certain embodiments, the first section  32  of the fluid delivery conduit  28  is substantially rigid to increase the likelihood that the first end  36  will be properly positioned within the fluid cavity  20  so that a greater amount of fluid  15  (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ) can be dispensed from the fluid cavity  20 . Alternatively, the first section  32  can be flexible. In either of these arrangements, a portion of the first section  32  can be fixedly secured to the fluid retainer  16 . Alternatively, the first section  32  can be entirely movable and unattached within the fluid cavity  20 .  
      Further, in certain embodiments, the second section  34  of the fluid delivery conduit  28  can be flexible to allow the user to better position the second section  34  relative to the user&#39;s mouth or another desired location. Alternatively, the second section  34  can be substantially rigid.  
      The length of the first section  32  and the second section  34  can be varied to suit the design requirements of the supply assembly  10 . Further, the length of the first section  32  relative to the second section  34  can be adjusted, as described in greater detail below.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fitment  218  and a portion of a fluid delivery assembly  214  including a fluid delivery conduit  228 . In this embodiment, the fitment  218  includes a conduit aperture  240  through which the fluid delivery conduit  228  is positioned. In one embodiment, the fluid delivery conduit  228  is immovably adhered or otherwise secured to the fitment  218  at the conduit aperture  240 .  
      In an alternative embodiment, the fluid delivery conduit  228  can be movable relative to the fitment  218  so that the lengths of the first section  232  and the second section  234  can be simultaneously adjustable. In this embodiment, by pulling the second section  234  away from the fluid retainer  16  (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ), the ratio of the length of the second section  234  to the first section  232  increases. On the other hand, by pushing the second section  234  toward the fluid retainer  16 , the ratio of the length of the second section  234  to the first section  232  decreases. In this embodiment, materials are used for the fitment  218  and the fluid delivery conduit  228  that promote an airtight and/or watertight seal therebetween during non-movement of the fluid delivery conduit  228  relative to the fitment  218 .  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , although not essential to the invention, the fluid delivery assembly  214  can include a conduit stop  242  that is fixedly secured to the first section  232  of the fluid delivery conduit  228 . When the fluid delivery conduit  228  is slidingly moved through the fitment  218  in the direction of arrow  244  so that the length of the second section  234  is increased, the conduit stop  242  will eventually contact the fitment  218 . With this design, the conduit stop  242  inhibits excessive movement of the fluid delivery conduit  228  relative to the fitment  218 . Consequently, the fluid delivery conduit  228  is inhibited from being completely removed from the conduit aperture  240  of the fitment  218  in order to reduce the likelihood of leakage of fluid  15  out of the fluid cavity  20 .  
       FIG. 3A  is an enlarged view of one embodiment of a fitment  318 . In this embodiment, the fitment  318  has a circular conduit aperture  340  to accommodate a similarly shaped fluid delivery conduit  228  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). Further, the fitment  318  includes one or more retainer bonding surfaces  346  (only one retainer bonding surface  346  is visible in  FIG. 3A ) that each directly adheres or attaches to one of the walls  22 ,  24  (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ) of the fluid retainer  16  (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ). The retainer bonding surfaces  346  can be curved as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . Alternatively, the retainer bonding surfaces  346  can have a substantially linear configuration. In this embodiment, the fitment  318  includes two retainer bonding surfaces  346  on opposing sides of the fitment  318 .  
      The shape of the fitment  318  can vary. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the fitment  318  has a tapered configuration that inhibits leakage of fluid  15  from the retainer cavity  20 . Alternatively, the fitment  318  can have a different configuration than that illustrated in  FIG. 3A .  
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the fitment  318  illustrated in  FIG. 3A . The dimensions of the fitment  318  can vary depending upon the dimensions of the fluid retainer  16  (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ) and the fluid delivery conduit  228  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). In one non-exclusive embodiment, the fitment  318  can have a length  348  of approximately 1.30 inches, a width  350  of approximately 0.65 inches, and a conduit aperture  340  with a diameter  352  of approximately 0.35 inches. It is understood that the length  348 , the width  350  and the diameter  352  of the conduit aperture  340  can have dimensions that are greater or less than the foregoing dimensions.  
       FIG. 3C  is a side view of the fitment  318  illustrated in  FIG. 3A . In one non-exclusive embodiment, the fitment  318  can have a height  354  that is approximately 0.40 inches. It is understood that the height  354  can have a dimension that is greater or less than that stated in the foregoing example.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fitment  418  and a portion of a fluid delivery conduit  428  that can be incorporated into the supply assembly  10 . In this embodiment, the fitment  418  and the fluid delivery conduit  428  are formed as a unitary structure. Stated another way, the fitment  418  and the fluid delivery conduit  428  are formed together from a homogeneous material, in a one-piece configuration. With this design, the fluid delivery conduit  428  cannot move relative to the fitment  418  as described previously relative to certain other embodiments. As a consequence of this design, the incidence of leakage is decreased because no fluid  15  (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ) can seep or otherwise move between the fitment  418  and the fluid delivery conduit  428 .  
       FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the supply assembly  510  including a fluid retainer  516  and a fluid delivery conduit  528 . In this embodiment, the fluid delivery conduit  528  includes an outer component  556  and an inner component  558 . The outer component  556  of the fluid delivery conduit  528  can be formed as a unitary structure with the fluid retainer  516  so that the fluid retainer  516  and the outer component  556  of the fluid delivery conduit  528  are effectively formed as a unit from a single material, i.e. one piece construction.  
      The outer component  556  can protect the inner component  558  from being breached, punctured or kinked. Additionally, or in the alternative, the outer component  556  can also insulate the inner component  558 , helping to maintain the temperature of the fluid  15  (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ) in the fluid delivery conduit  528  similar to that of the fluid  15  in the fluid retainer  516 . With this design, manufacturing of the supply assembly  510  is facilitated.  
      The inner component  558  can also inhibit collapse of the outer component  556  onto itself, which could otherwise make transferring the fluid  15  to the user difficult. Additionally, the inner component  558  can extend into the fluid retainer  516  to permit greater efficiency of use and more complete emptying of the fluid retainer  516  during use.  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the supply assembly  510  can include a plurality of slits  560  that can be used to attach straps (not shown) to secure the supply assembly  510  to the user. In an alternative embodiment, the slits  560  can be in the form of eyelets or other suitable similar structures to which one or more straps can attach for more convenient carrying or transport of the supply assembly  510  by the user.  
       FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of the fluid delivery conduit  528  taken on line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the fluid delivery conduit  628 A includes an inner component  658 A which can include a straw or other conduit that extends substantially within the length of an outer component  656 A to maintain flow of fluid  15  through (i) the inner component  658 A (and not the outer component  656 A), (ii) between the outer component  656 A and the inner component  658 A (and not within the inner component  658 A), or (iii) through both of the above.  
       FIG. 6B  is a fluid delivery conduit  628 B formed from the same material used for the fluid retainer  516  (illustrated in  FIG. 5 ), e.g. as an integral, unitary structure. In other words, in this embodiment, the fluid delivery conduit  628 B only includes an outer component  656 B formed from the same material as that used for the fluid retainer  516 .  
       FIG. 6C  illustrates a fluid delivery conduit  628 C that includes the inner component  658 C and the outer component  656 C and a very permeable foam material, i.e. sponge with large open cells, or a honeycomb structure, positioned inside the outer component  656 C to keep the fluid delivery conduit  628 C open, thereby allowing flow of fluid  15  to the user. In this embodiment, the fluid  15  can easily flow through the permeable foam material of the inner component  658 C to reach the user&#39;s mouth.  
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are plan views of another embodiment of the supply assembly  710 . In this embodiment, the supply assembly  710  can have an expandable, accordion-type fluid delivery conduit  728  that can “stretch” ( FIG. 7A ) or “compact” ( FIG. 7B ) to suit the needs of the user. The structure of the expandable fluid delivery conduit  728  also inhibits flattening of the fluid delivery conduit  728  during use which could otherwise impede flow of fluid  15  (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ) to the user. In the compact position ( FIG. 7B ), the supply assembly  710  takes up less space, i.e. for transport, shipping, etc.  
      In one embodiment, when the fluid delivery conduit  728  is moved from the compact position ( FIG. 7B ) to the stretched position ( FIG. 7A ), flow of fluid  15  is activated. In other words, upon expansion of the fluid delivery conduit  728 , a membrane or other sealer (not shown) within the fluid delivery conduit  728  can be intentionally punctured or otherwise ruptured to allow the fluid  15  within the fluid retainer  716  to flow completely through the fluid delivery conduit  728  to the user. Alternatively, expansion of the fluid delivery conduit  728  can result in breaking or moving a seal (not shown) within the fluid delivery conduit  728  or the fluid retainer  716  that would otherwise inhibit the fluid  15  from flowing completely through the fluid delivery conduit  728 , so that the fluid  15  can then flow through the fluid delivery conduit  728  to the user.  
      While the particular personal beverage supply assembly  10  as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.