초록 ▼

A flexible check valve is introduced within a fluid path for leakage protection. The flexible check valve is preferably a crossbill used in conjunction with a drinking straw to prevent undesired liquid leakage from a container such as a drink box. A transition section is used to mate the dissimilar

A flexible check valve is introduced within a fluid path for leakage protection. The flexible check valve is preferably a crossbill used in conjunction with a drinking straw to prevent undesired liquid leakage from a container such as a drink box. A transition section is used to mate the dissimilar materials of the straw and flexible check valve. The transition section retains an internal bayonet section of the flexible check valve within a snap-fit ring.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A flexible check valve retention system, the system comprising: a. a tube providing a fluid path; b. an adapter comprising polypropylene and having a proximal and distal end, the proximal end fluid sealably connected to the tubular section; c. a flexible check valve comprisin

What is claimed is: 1. A flexible check valve retention system, the system comprising: a. a tube providing a fluid path; b. an adapter comprising polypropylene and having a proximal and distal end, the proximal end fluid sealably connected to the tubular section; c. a flexible check valve comprising silicone, connected to and disposed over a portion of the distal end of the adapter and operatively connected to the fluid path, the flexible check valve and the adapter in combination defining a receiving recess, wherein the check valve opens to permit fluid flow through the fluid path upon exposure to a circumferentially compressive force and prevents fluid flow through the adapter from the tube while the flexible check valve is in a normally closed position; and d. a snap-fit ring retaining the operative interconnection of the adapter and the flexible check valve, the snap-fit ring being disposed within the receiving recess and secured therein by the flexible check valve and the adapter, and wherein the snap-fit ring prevents separation of the adapter and the flexible check valve and maintains fluid sealable engagement between the adapter and the flexible check valve. 2. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 1, wherein the fluid is any of: a liquid, a gas, a gel, a colloid, a powder, and a particulate. 3. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 1, wherein the adapter is connected to the tubular section using bonding techniques. 4. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 3, further comprising a drinking container operatively connected to the tube, wherein the tube is straw for removal of liquid from the drinking container. 5. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 4, wherein the drinking container comprises a juice box. 6. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 4, wherein the drinking container comprises a juice pouch. 7. A flexible check valve retention system, the system comprising: a. a tube providing a fluid path; b. an adapter comprising polypropylene and having a proximal and distal end, the proximal end fluid sealably connected to the tubular section; c. a flexible check valve comprising silicone, connected to and disposed over a portion of the distal end of the adapter and operatively connected to the fluid path, the flexible check valve and the adapter in combination defining a receiving recess, wherein the check valve opens to permit fluid flow through the fluid path upon exposure to a circumferentially compressive force and prevents fluid flow through the adapter from the tube while the flexible check valve is in a normally closed position; and d. a snap-fit ring retaining the operative interconnection of the adapter and the flexible check valve, the snap-fit ring being disposed within the receiving recess and secured therein by the flexible check valve and the adapter, wherein the snap-fit ring permanently retains the interconnection of the adapter and the flexible check valve and maintains fluid sealable engagement between the adapter and the flexible check valve. 8. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 7, further comprising a drinking container operatively connected to the tube, wherein the tube is a straw for removal of liquid from the drinking container. 9. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 8, wherein the drinking container comprises a juice box. 10. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 8, wherein the drinking container comprises a juice pouch. 11. A flexible check valve retention system, the system comprising: a. a tubular section providing a fluid path; b. an adapter comprising polypropylene and having a proximal and distal end, the proximal end connected to the tubular section; c. a flexible check valve comprising silicone and being operatively connected to the distal end of the adapter and operatively connected to the fluid path, the flexible check valve comprising an inwardly protruding section, the flexible check valve and the adapter in combination defining a receiving recess, wherein the check valve opens to permit fluid flow through the fluid path upon exposure to a circumferentially compressive force; d. the adapter additionally comprising a recess for mating with the inwardly protruding section of the flexible check valve; and e. a snap-fit ring retaining the mated connection of the inwardly protruding section and the recess, the snap-fit ring being disposed within the receiving recess and secured therein by the flexible check valve and the adapter, wherein the snap-fit ring permanently retains the interconnection of the adapter and the flexible check valve and maintains fluid sealable engagement between the adapter and the flexible check valve. 12. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 11, further comprising a drinking container operatively connected to the tubular section, wherein the tubular section is a straw for removal of liquid from the drinking container. 13. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 12, wherein the drinking container comprises a juice box. 14. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 12, wherein the drinking container comprises a juice pouch. 15. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 11, wherein the flexible check valve comprises any of: a duckbill or crossbill configuration. 16. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 11, wherein the adapter is connected to the tubular section using bonding techniques. 17. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 16, wherein the bonding techniques comprise any of: sonic welding, friction fit, adhesives, collar, and heat shrink methods. 18. A flexible check valve retention system, the system comprising: a. an adapter comprising polypropylene and having at least a distal section, a recessed section with upper and lower bosses, a lower seat, and a tapered proximal end; b. a flexible check valve comprising silicone operatively connected to the distal section of the adapter, the flexible check valve comprising an inwardly protruding bayonet section, the flexible check valve and the adapter in combination defining a receiving recess, wherein the check valve opens upon exposure to a circumferentially compressive force; c. the adapter and flexible check valve operatively interconnected by a mating of the inwardly protruding bayonet section and the recessed section, the inwardly protruding bayonet section vertically retained by the upper and lower bosses; and d. a snap-fit ring circumferentially retaining the mated connection of the inwardly protruding bayonet section and the recessed section, the snap-fit ring being disposed within the receiving recess and secured therein by the flexible check valve and the adapter, wherein the snap-fit ring permanently retains the interconnection of the adapter and the flexible check valve and maintains fluid sealable engagement between the adapter and the flexible check valve. 19. A flexible check valve retention system, as per claim 18, further comprising a drinking container operatively connected to the adapter to prevent unwanted leakage therefrom. 20. A method for connecting a tubular fluid path to a flexible check valve comprising silicone, the method comprising: a. permanently fixing, at a tapered proximal end, an adapter made of polypropylene to the tubular fluid path, the adapter comprising at least: a flexible check valve receiving end and recessed section; b. pressing a flexible check valve onto the flexible check valve receiving end, the flexible check valve comprising an inwardly protruding section and being capable of opening to permit fluid flow through the fluid path upon exposure to a circumferentially compressive force; c. continuing the pressing step until the inwardly protruding section is mated within the recessed section, the mating leaving an external snap-fit ring receiving section; and d. sliding a snap-fit ring over the flexible check valve, the sliding step circumferentially compressing the flexible check valve, wherein the sliding step is performed until the snap-ring is fully seated within the snap-ring receiving section, and wherein the snap-fit ring maintains a fluid sealable engagement between the adapter and flexible check valve. 21. A method for connecting a tubular fluid path to a flexible check valve comprising silicone as per claim 20, further comprising a drinking container operatively connected to the tubular section, wherein the tubular fluid path is a straw for removal of liquid from the drinking container. 22. A method for connecting a tubular fluid path to a flexible check valve comprising silicone, as per claim 21, wherein the drinking container comprises a juice box. 23. A method for connecting a tubular fluid path to a flexible check valve comprising silicone, as per claim 21, wherein said the drinking container comprises a juice pouch.