Patent ID: 6932239

Claim:
A device for coupling a drinking tube of a protective mask to a drinking fluid container comprising: a punch for piercing a wall of the fluid container, the punch having an aperture for fluid to flow therein; a central body in fluid communication at a first end with the punch; a port disposed at the second end of the central body, the port having an inner bore in fluid communication with the central body, the inner bore having a female receptacle for receiving a male connector of the drinking tube; and a valve disposed in the central body for controlling fluid flow through the central body, wherein the valve is biased to a first, closed position wherein a flange is seated at an end of the port, and the valve is moved to a second open position by the male connector of the drinking tube when the male connector is inserted into the female receptacle; wherein the aperture in the punch, the central body, and the inner bore of the port form a flow path through which the fluid from the container flows to a drinking tube.