초록 ▼

The invention is directed to an improved hydration dispensing device and method for preventing the freeze-up of the hydration line, to dispense potable fluids, such as water, from the hydration dispensing device, eliminating freezing by routing the line under the user's clothes with the line accessi

The invention is directed to an improved hydration dispensing device and method for preventing the freeze-up of the hydration line, to dispense potable fluids, such as water, from the hydration dispensing device, eliminating freezing by routing the line under the user's clothes with the line accessible section and extending beyond user's cuff, to be accessible at any time. The device and method comprise a remotely actuated valve mechanism adapted worn and remotely actuated, having a valve means for controlling the flow of potable fluid through the mechanism and a shell, defining an interior cavity, providing a valve seat projecting into the interior cavity, adapted to cooperatively seat the valve means, and operationally adapted to selectively open and close a hydration line when operated. The hydration line attaches to a hydration reservoir, or pack liquid-filled bladder, containing the potable fluid.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A hydration dispensing device, said device comprising: (a) a remotely actuated valve mechanism adapted to be worn by a user, said valve mechanism comprising a valve means for controlling potable fluid flowing through said valve mechanism;(b) the valve means operationally adapted to selectively op

1. A hydration dispensing device, said device comprising: (a) a remotely actuated valve mechanism adapted to be worn by a user, said valve mechanism comprising a valve means for controlling potable fluid flowing through said valve mechanism;(b) the valve means operationally adapted to selectively open and close a hydration line;(c) the remotely actuated valve mechanism being located along and in fluid regulating communication with the hydration line, the hydration line securely attaching to and in fluid communication with a hydration reservoir worn by the user, containing the potable fluid, the hydration line having a reservoir end connected to the hydration reservoir and an opposite exposed end extending outside the user's clothes;(d) the hydration line is disposed adjacent to the user permitting radiantly provided passive heating from the user to the hydration line;(e) the valve means being in actuating, cooperative relation with the hydration line, allowing potable fluid to move from the hydration reservoir through the actuated valve mechanism and out the exposed end;(f) the hydration line containing a means for clearing potable fluid out of the hydration line proximally from the remotely actuated valve mechanism and through the exposed end; and(g) wherein the remotely actuated valve mechanism further comprises:(i) a mechanism shell defining an interior cavity and providing a valve seat projecting into the interior cavity adapted to cooperatively seat the valve means, the valve means operationally adapted to selectively open and close the hydration line at the valve seat against which the valve means is seated when the actuated valve mechanism is operated;(ii) a pushrod securely located against the valve means at said valve mean's rod side, the pushrod having a diaphragm end opposite the rod side;(iii) a dedicated hydraulic line adapted to selectively exert fluid pressure against a diaphragm disposed at a mechanism end of the hydraulic line and the hydraulic line having an opposite engaged end fixedly secured to a squeeze bulb;(iv) the dedicated hydraulic line sealedly containing hydraulic antifreeze fluid;(v) the diaphragm having a hydraulic side operatively disposed within the mechanism end of the hydraulic line and an opposite pressure side cooperatively engaging the pushrod at the diaphragm end;(vi) the hydraulic line being in pressure exerting, actuating relation against the hydraulic side of the diaphragm when the squeeze bulb is compressed by the user;(vii) the diaphragm being in yielding relation at the pressure side and pressure-exerting, actuating relation against the pushrod at the diaphragm end;(viii) the pushrod at the rod side being in cooperative relation with the valve means unseating the valve means from the valve seat, allowing potable fluid to move through the actuated valve mechanism into an exposed section of the hydration line and out the exposed end, wherein the exposed end of the hydration line comprises: at least one nozzle; and(ix) the actuated valve mechanism being in remotely actuating relation with the squeeze bulb. 2. The remotely actuated valve mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the valve means comprises: (a) a spring-biased ball adapted to selectively open and close the hydration line at the valve seat against which the spring-biased ball is biasedly seated when said valve mechanism is closed, the spring-biased ball having a spring anchored to the mechanism shell at a first end and being disposed against the spring-biased ball at an opposite second end;(b) the pushrod securely located against the spring-biased ball at the rod side circumferentially opposite the spring; and(c) the pushrod at the rod side being in cooperative relation with the spring-biased ball causing said ball to move against the spring unseating said ball away from the valve seat, allowing potable fluid to move through the actuated valve mechanism into the exposed section of the hydration line and out the exposed end. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the squeeze bulb and the exposed end to the remotely actuated valve mechanism are adapted to be worn by user and secured by a fastening means. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hydration reservoir comprises: a bladder hydration pack. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for clearing potable fluid out of the hydration line from the remotely actuated valve mechanism and through the exposed end comprises: an open-ended clearing straw running proximally from the said valve mechanism and out the exposed end.