MODULAR SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR COMBINING FLUIDS
The disclosure is directed to modular devices and systems for providing variable strength mixtures of fluids. A fluid combining device allows for the relative volume of a first liquid to be varied with respect to a total volume of fluid being delivered to a user (such as a combination of two or more liquids), which in turn changes the fluid ratios.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/371,566, filed Aug. 16, 2022, entitled MODULAR SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR COMBINING FLUIDS which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUNDHydration packs and bladders have gained wide acceptance for a number of applications. Endurance athletes, military personnel, backpackers, cyclists, and other sports enthusiasts routinely use refillable bladders with a tube attached for easy drinking and convenient storage.
Many endurance athletes use hydration packs that carry water mixed with electrolytes (salts and other nutrients) to maintain hydration, and to reduce muscle fatigue. Electrolytic solutions allow for longer periods of exertion during competitions and/or long events where continuous and/or semi-continuous performance is desired. During an event, athletes may wish to increase or decrease the amount of electrolytes being consumed, based on event duration, upcoming challenges, etc.
Current hydration systems provide a single source of hydration/electrolytes and changing the amount of electrolytes per unit volume of fluid is difficult. What is needed are modular systems combining a plurality of fluid chambers that allow users to easily change chambers. Additionally what is needed is a way to control fluid delivery and fluid concentration.
SUMMARYDisclosed are modular hydration systems combining a plurality of fluid chambers that allow users to easily change fluid chambers. Also disclosed are systems and devices that control fluid delivery and fluid concentration. The systems and devices allow for the ratio of fluid output from each chamber of the modular system to be adjusted. The fluid ratio control does not rely on the size of a particular reservoir contributing to the system.
Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCEAll publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
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The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
I. Devices
The second fluid reservoir 112 when positioned in a relatively upper location adjacent a twin-line tubing element 1010 has an hanger aperture 102. The hanger aperture 102 can be used as a mechanism to allow the fluid delivery system 100 to engage a hanger, e.g., the fluid delivery system 100 can be hung from a structure using the hanger aperture 102. The first fluid reservoir 110 and the second fluid reservoir 112 are formed from flexible material and operable to receive fluid within an interior chamber of the fluid reservoir. The first fluid reservoir 110 and second fluid reservoir 112 can be made from, for example, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film. The first fluid reservoir 110 and the second fluid reservoir 112 can also be configured to retain the same or different volumes. Volumes can be selected from, for example, 0.5 L, 0.75 L, 1.0 L, 1.5 L, 2.0 L, and 3.0 L. Other sizes can be deployed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The disclosed fluid delivery system 100 configurations allow the reservoirs (e.g., first fluid reservoir 110 and the second fluid reservoir 112) to be hot swapped, e.g., reservoirs and tubing can be removed and replaced at any time including while the system is in use. The hot swap capability provides compatibility across, for example, backpack styles and sizes as well as across sport verticals and is facilitated by the use of a connection system between reservoirs. As discussed below, the connection system includes, but is not limited to zippers, hooks, hook and loop fastener (Velcro®), snaps, etc. Each reservoir is a reusable and releasable container and includes quick disconnect ports for the tubing attachments. Each reservoir is also reversible.
As illustrated in
A second surface of the first fluid reservoir 110 and the second fluid reservoir 112 can, as shown in
A reservoir connector system, such as the reservoir connector 132 shown in
Each of the first fluid reservoir 110 and second fluid reservoir 112 can have an aperture on a surface of the reservoir that is in fluid communication with a quick disconnect 600, 600′, discussed in more detail with respect to
The quick disconnect 600 has a first housing piece comprising a first quick disconnect component 622 (with a male end and a female end) wherein the male end that fits within an opening of the corresponding curved conduit 624, and a second quick disconnect component 620 (with two male ends shown in
The mixing valve 700 has a valve housing with a main mixing valve body 702. The main mixing valve body 702 has a rotatable knob 701 and forms a mixing chamber which receives fluid via two male receiving connectors 710, 712 from the fluid reservoirs and delivers a mixed fluid via a male delivery connector 714. The rotatable knob can be a rotatable dial knob. A tourniquet and magnetic coupler 703, or magnetic dial coupler, are positionable on the side opposite the rotatable dial knob 701. As illustrated the male receiving connectors 710, 712 are positioned on an opposing side of the main mixing valve body 702 from the male delivery connector 714. Other locations could be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the use of female vs. male connectors could change without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As will be appreciated in reviewing the exploded and partially exploded views in
A magnetic coupler 703 can be provided that engages a face of the valve housing. When the rotatable dial knob 701 is turned the second ceramic disk 722 moves with respect to the first ceramic disk 720. The movement of the second ceramic disk 722 controls fluid flow through the apertures located in the disk (e.g., by increasing or decreasing fluid flow from each aperture). When the rotatable dial knob 701 is turned fully to one side, flow from one aperture on the ceramic disk will be fully restricted while flow from the other aperture will be fully unrestricted. As the rotatable dial knob 701 moves from an extreme position (either turned farthest in a first direction or farthest in a second direction) to a neutral position (between either extreme position), the flow through the apertures evens out. The top two apertures on the ceramic disk are configured to, for example, coincide with the two inlet ports (e.g., male receiving connectors 710, 712) on the main mixing valve body. Regardless of where the rotatable dial knob is positioned, the total flow rate remains constant or substantially constant. A magnet, tourniquet, or mechanical clip interface can also be provided that engages the valve. Umbrella valve 762 is provided to prevent backflow. When fluid is drawn through the tube by a user, e.g., by sucking on a bite valve, the umbrella valve diaphragm lifts to allow fluid to flow through the valve. When the user stops drinking the fluid, e.g., no longer sucking on the bite valve, there is pressure of the fluid trying to flow back into the twin tubing. The umbrella valve 762 closes the diaphragm and prevents backflow.
II. Method of Use
The system is compiled by securing a first reservoir to a second reservoir. A valve system with tubular members are secured to the reservoirs. The valve member is turned to control the amount of fluid from the first reservoir and the second reservoir that is mixed before delivery to a user via the mouthpiece.
As desired by the user, a reservoir can be disconnected from the remaining reservoir and valve system and a new reservoir can be secured in its place. This process allows for hot swapping a first reservoir with a replacement reservoir.
Each of the reservoirs can contain a fluid. For example, a first reservoir could contain water while a second reservoir contains an electrolyte fluid. In an alternative, two different electrolyte fluids can be contained in each reservoir. The electrolyte fluids can be from fluid concentrates, diluted concentrates, or reconstituted powders. Additionally, the electrolyte fluids can have flavors.
III. Kits
The system can comprise part of a kit that includes two or more reservoirs, one or more twin-line tubing elements, one or more tubing elements, a mouth piece, and a tourniquet. Electrolyte fluids and powders can also be provided. The electrolyte fluids and powders can be provided in individual single served packaging.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that any claims presented define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
Claims
1. A modular fluid delivery system comprising:
- a first reservoir comprising a first reservoir closure mechanism having a first volume and a first reservoir quick disconnect;
- a second reservoir comprising a second reservoir closure mechanism having a second volume and a second reservoir quick disconnect;
- a reservoir connection system operable to removably secure the first reservoir to the second reservoir;
- a twin-line tubing element having a first tubing element end and a second tubing element end wherein a first end of a first tubing element of the twin-line tubing element removably engages the first reservoir quick disconnect and a first end of a second tubing element of the twin-line tubing element removably engages a first end of an inline connector;
- a single-line tubing element having a first single-line tubing element end and a second single-line tubing element end wherein the first single-line tubing element end is operable to engage a second end of the inline connector, and the second end of the single-line tubing element removably engages the second reservoir quick disconnect;
- a mixing valve comprising a mixing chamber and three connectors wherein a first mixing valve connector engages a second end of the first tubing element of the twin-line tubing element and a second mixing valve connector engages a second end of the second tubing element of the twin-line tubing element; and
- a mixing valve controller.
2. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the second volume is less than the first volume.
3. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the reservoir connection system is one of a zipper, hooks, a hook and loop fastener, and snaps.
4. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 1 further comprising a hanging element.
5. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the mixing valve controller comprises a dial knob.
6. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the mixing valve further comprises a gasket with three apertures.
7. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the first end of the inline connector and the second end of the inline connector are a male connector.
8. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the first reservoir quick disconnect and the second reservoir quick disconnect are female connectors operable to receive male connectors.
9. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the mixing valve controller is a rotatable knob.
10. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 9 wherein the rotatable knob has a controller interface with a shape selected from tear drop, flag, and dual flag.
11. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the mixing valve further comprises a first ceramic disk and a second ceramic disk.
12. The modular fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the first ceramic disk has three apertures and the second ceramic disk has two u-shaped apertures.
13. A method of using a fluid delivery system comprising the steps of:
- providing a first reservoir comprising a first reservoir closure mechanism having a first volume and a first reservoir quick disconnect, a second reservoir comprising a second reservoir closure mechanism having a second volume and a second reservoir quick disconnect, a reservoir connection system operable to removably secure the first reservoir to the second reservoir, a twin-line tubing element having a first tubing element end and a second tubing element end wherein a first end of a first tubing element of the twin-line tubing element removably engages the first reservoir quick disconnect and a first end of a second tubing element of the twin-line tubing element removably engages a first end of an inline connector, a single-line tubing element having a first single-line tubing element end and a second single-line tubing element end wherein the first single-line tubing element end is operable to engage a second end of the inline connector, the second end of the single-line tubing element removably engages the second reservoir quick disconnect, and a mixing valve comprising a mixing chamber and three connectors wherein a first mixing valve connector engages a second end of the first tubing element of the twin-line tubing element and a second mixing valve connector engages a second end of the second tubing element of the twin-line tubing element, and a mixing valve controller;
- placing a first fluid in the first reservoir and a second fluid in the second reservoir; and
- adjusting a concentration of a delivery fluid by moving the mixing valve controller.
14. The method of using a fluid delivery system of claim 13 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are different fluids.
15. The method of using a fluid delivery system of claim 13 further comprising removing the second reservoir.
16. The method of using a fluid delivery system of claim 15 further comprising attaching a third fluid reservoir.
17. A kit for fluid delivery systems:
- a plurality of reservoirs wherein each reservoir comprises a reservoir closure mechanism and a reservoir quick disconnect;
- a reservoir connection system operable to removably secure one of the plurality of reservoirs to a second reservoir;
- a twin-line tubing element;
- a single-line tubing element;
- a mixing valve;
- a mixing valve controller; and
- a plurality of electrolyte mixes.
18. The kit of claim 17 wherein the electrolyte mixes are selected from one or more of fluid concentrates, diluted concentrates, or reconstituted powders.
19. The kit of claim 17 wherein one or more electrolyte mix of the electrolyte mixes are flavored.
20. The kit of claim 17 wherein the electrolyte mixes are provided in individual single serve packaging.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 9, 2023
Publication Date: Feb 22, 2024
Applicant: MIXXY PRODUCTS, LLC (Belvedere, CA)
Inventors: Andrew DAWSON (Larkspur, CA), Nicolas BELGUM (Tiburon, CA), Benjamin MARTIN (San Francisco, CA), Cole Justin DERBY (Santa Clara, CA), Alex Yuexing GAO (San Jose, CA), Lauren HISHINUMA (Fremont, CA), John Michael ELAM (Woodland Hills, CA)
Application Number: 18/446,710