Bite-open drinking spouts and drinking vessels including bite-open drinking spouts

Abstract

A bite-open drinking spout and a drinking vessel including the bite-open drinking spout are disclosed. The bite-open drinking spout includes a body comprising a dispensing wall, one or more side walls extending from the dispensing wall, and an inlet leading to an internal volume, the one or more side walls defining the internal volume together with the dispensing wall. A self-sealing outlet is biased toward a closed configuration and configured to selectively reconfigure from a closed configuration to an open configuration in response to a compressive force applied by a user to an opposing biting area. The dispensing wall has a dispensing surface opposite to the internal volume, and in some examples, the dispensing surface is concave.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application filed on May 30, 2019, with application number 201980050863.0 and invention title "Biting-open drinking spout and drinking vessel including biting-open drinking spout". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to bite-actuated mouthpieces and drinking vessels including bite-actuated mouthpieces. Background Technology

[0003] When used as a component of a drinking container or hydration system, a bite valve allows a user to selectively drink a beverage in response to the user applying a counter-compressive force (i.e., biting) to the valve. Characteristics of a bite valve that may be important to the user may include (but are not limited to) the mouth-feel of the bite valve, the flow rate of the beverage from the bite valve, the compressive force required to operably open the bite valve, the sealing performance of the bite valve (and conversely, leakage or seepage), etc., and an improvement in one characteristic may be detrimental to another. A bite valve configured for use with a drinking container may require different design considerations and / or constraints than a bite valve configured for use with a hydration system, and vice versa. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A bite-open drinking spout and a drinking vessel including the bite-open spout are disclosed. The bite-open drinking spout includes a body having a dispensing wall and one or more sidewalls extending from the dispensing wall. The dispensing wall includes a self-sealing outlet. The one or more sidewalls and the dispensing wall define an internal volume, and the body also includes an inlet leading to the internal volume. The one or more sidewalls include opposing engagement regions. The self-sealing outlet is selectively configured between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the self-sealing outlet is closed and drinking liquid in the internal volume cannot be dispensed through the self-sealing outlet, and in an open configuration, the self-sealing outlet is open and drinking liquid in the internal volume can be dispensed through the self-sealing outlet; the self-sealing outlet is biased toward the closed configuration and configured to be selectively reconfigured from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a compressive force applied by a user to the opposing engagement regions. In some embodiments, the dispensing wall has a concave dispensing surface opposite to the internal volume.

[0005] In some embodiments, the thickness of the dispensing wall is reduced relative to the longitudinal axis of one or more sidewalls toward the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0006] In some embodiments, one or more sidewalls define a cylindrical portion of a body extending around an internal volume, and the body also includes a flange extending from the cylindrical portion away from the internal volume.

[0007] In some embodiments, the body includes a drinking spout portion and a crimp tube extending from the drinking spout portion. The crimp tube is configured to be operably and selectively crimped and uncrewed by a corresponding structure of the drinking container in response to user manipulation of the drinking container, such that the drinking container defines an on / off valve distinct from a self-sealing outlet. In some embodiments, the body also includes an anchoring structure connected to the crimp tube distal to the drinking spout portion. The anchoring structure is configured to engage with a corresponding structure of a component of the drinking container to prevent unintentional removal of the bite-open drinking spout from a component of the drinking container; Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is an illustrative representation of an example of a bite-open drinking spout and drinking vessel according to the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 This is an illustrative representation of an example of a drinking container according to this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic representation of an example of a hydration system according to the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a schematic end view representation of an example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 The schematic cross-sectional side view of an example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure is shown in line 5-5.

[0013] Figure 6 It is along Figure 4 Another schematic cross-sectional side view representation of an example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure, taken from line 6-6.

[0014] Figure 7 This is another illustrative side view representation of an example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure, corresponding to Figure 6 The view shows the drinking spout as being in an open configuration.

[0015] Figure 8 It is along Figure 6 The schematic cross-sectional end view of an example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure is shown in line 8-8.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of an example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 Another perspective view of the bite-open drinking spout.

[0018] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 A cross-sectional side view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0019] Figure 12 yes Figure 9 Another cross-sectional side view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0020] Figure 13 yes Figure 9 A cross-sectional end view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0021] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of an example of a lid assembly for a drinking container according to this disclosure, including... Figure 9 The bite-open drinking spout is in its retracted position.

[0022] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A cross-sectional side view of the lid assembly, with the bite-open drinking spout in its dispensing position.

[0023] Figure 16 This is a perspective view of another example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 A cross-sectional side view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0025] Figure 18 yes Figure 16 Another cross-sectional side view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0026] Figure 19 This is a perspective view of another example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 20 yes Figure 19 A cross-sectional side view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0028] Figure 21 yes Figure 19 Another cross-sectional side view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0029] Figure 22 It is based on the provisions of this disclosure, including Figure 19 A perspective view of an example lid assembly of a drinking container with a bite-open spout, wherein the bite-open spout is in its retracted position.

[0030] Figure 23 yes Figure 22A cross-sectional side view of the lid assembly, with the bite-open drinking spout in its dispensing position.

[0031] Figure 24 This is a cross-sectional side view of another example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure.

[0032] Figure 25 yes Figure 24 Another cross-sectional side view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0033] Figure 26 It is along Figure 25 The line 26-26 was cut off Figure 24 A cross-sectional end view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0034] Figure 27 It is based on the provisions of this disclosure, including Figure 24 A perspective view of an example lid assembly of a bite-open drinking container.

[0035] Figure 28 yes Figure 27 A cross-sectional view of the cover component.

[0036] Figure 29 This is a perspective view of another example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure.

[0037] Figure 30 yes Figure 29 A cross-sectional side view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0038] Figure 31 yes Figure 29 Another cross-sectional side view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0039] Figure 32 It is along Figure 31 The line 32-32 is cut off Figure 29 A cross-sectional end view of the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0040] Figure 33 It is based on the provisions of this disclosure, including Figure 29 A perspective view of an example of a hydration system with a bite-sized drinking spout. Detailed Implementation

[0041] This article discloses a bite-open drinking spout 10 and a drinking vessel 13 including the bite-open drinking spout 10, and in Figures 1-8The figures are schematically represented. Generally, elements that are likely to be included in the given examples are shown with solid lines, while elements that are optional for the given examples are shown with dashed lines. However, elements shown with solid lines are not essential to all examples of this disclosure, and elements shown with solid lines may be omitted from a particular example without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, elements shown with dashed lines may be important for a particular example.

[0042] First refer to Figure 1 An example of a bite-sized drinking spout 10 is schematically illustrated. As schematically shown, the bite-sized drinking spout 10 can be used with at least a liquid reservoir 11 to define a drinking vessel 13 (such as a drinking container 12 or a hydration system 14), examples of which are shown in [illustrations]. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the process. The bite-type drinking spout 10 is configured to dispense drinking liquid into the user's mouth upon receiving a compressive force applied to it by the user (such as applied to the opposing sidewalls or opposing biting areas of the spout's body). Furthermore, the bite-type drinking spout 10 is biased to a sealed or closed configuration, in which the bite-type drinking spout prevents drinking liquid from being dispensed from the spout. Therefore, the bite-type drinking spout 10 nominally remains in a closed configuration until sufficient user-applied compressive force is received to configure the spout to a dispensing or open configuration, in which drinking liquid can be dispensed or flow through the bite-type drinking spout. Upon removal of the user-applied compressive force, the bite-type drinking spout 10 is biased to automatically return to the closed configuration, thereby limiting or preventing unintentional or undesirable dispensing of drinking liquid through the spout when the user is not biting on the spout to apply the necessary user-applied compressive force. In view of the foregoing, additionally or alternatively, the bite-type drinking spout 10 may be described or referred to as a bite-valve, a bite-actuated valve, a self-sealing valve, a valve assembly, a self-sealing valve assembly, a self-sealing drinking spout, and / or a drinking spout.

[0043] exist Figure 1 The image above schematically illustrates an example of the bite-sized drinking spout 10 according to the present disclosure, while... Figures 2-3 A schematic representation of an example of a drinking vessel 13 according to this disclosure is provided, while Figures 4-8 A less simplified illustrative representation of an example of a bite-sized drinking spout according to this disclosure is provided, and at the same time Figures 9-33 Further specific examples of the bite-open drinking spout 10 and drinking vessel 13 according to this disclosure are provided. Within the scope of this disclosure is the combination of... Figures 1-8 More illustrative examples and / or diagrams of structures, features, dimensions, characteristics, and / or properties may be applied. Figures 9-33 A less simplified, illustrative example. Instead, combining... Figures 9-33 More specific examples and / or illustrations of structures, features, dimensions, properties, and / or characteristics may be included in the descriptions disclosed herein (including those in the examples disclosed herein). Figures 1-8 (In any other bite-sized drinking spout 10, as shown in a more illustrative example)

[0044] exist Figure 1 In this diagram, the bite-sized drinking spout 10 schematically illustrates various structures corresponding to multiple embodiments of the bite-sized drinking spout according to the present disclosure. A wavy line divides the lower portion of the schematically illustrated bite-sized drinking spout into left and right sides, each of which schematically illustrates various alternative structures that may be used in some bite-sized drinking spouts 10 but not in others. Other bite-sized drinking spouts 10 may include the structures illustrated on the left and right sides, and the various embodiments are not limited to including only those from... Figure 1 The structure of one of the left and right sides.

[0045] Continue to refer to Figure 1 The bite-open spout 10 includes a body 34 having a dispensing wall 36 and one or more sidewalls 38 extending from the dispensing wall. The dispensing wall 36 and the one or more sidewalls 38 define an internal volume 40 for operatively delivering drinking liquid from an upstream liquid source (such as a liquid reservoir 11 of the drinking vessel 13) to a user. As used herein, the terms “downstream” and “upstream” refer to the typical direction in which drinking liquid flows from the liquid reservoir 11 to the bite-open spout 10 and subsequently to the user via the outlet of the bite-open spout. Thus, these terms can be used to position elements relative to each other, such as by describing an upstream element of the bite-open spout 10 and / or a downstream element of the liquid reservoir 11.

[0046] The bite-sized drinking spout 10 also includes an inlet 39 leading to an internal volume through which drinking liquid enters the internal volume 40 from an upstream component of the drinking vessel 13. The inlet 39 may generally be opposite to the dispensing wall 36, such as on the side of the internal volume 40 opposite to the dispensing wall, through which drinking liquid from the liquid reservoir flows into the bite-sized drinking spout, reaches the internal volume 40, and is then selectively dispensed from the bite-sized drinking spout by the dispensing wall 36. However, also within the scope of this disclosure, the inlet 39 may not be directly opposite the dispensing wall, but may be transverse to the dispensing wall, such as extending through one or more side walls 38.

[0047] One or more sidewalls 38 may be described as including opposing occlusal regions 56, such that the self-sealing outlet reconfigures from a closed configuration to an open configuration in response to a compressive force applied by a user to the opposing occlusal regions. For example, a user may place at least a portion of the drinking spout in their mouth and bite down on the occlusal regions to push the drinking spout from a closed configuration to an open configuration, thereby enabling the user to receive drinking liquid from a drinking vessel to which the bite-open drinking spout is attached.

[0048] One or more sidewalls 38 may be described as forming a cylindrical portion 58 of the body 34 or at least a majority of the cylindrical portion 58 forming the body 34, where, if not the entire internal volume 40, the cylindrical portion extends around and / or defines at least a majority of the internal volume 40. The cylindrical portion 58 may have various suitable or desired shapes for at least partial insertion into a user's mouth. Examples of suitable shapes include (or include): arcuate or curved surfaces and / or one or more flat surfaces extending parallel to the general direction of liquid flow through the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0049] The distribution wall 36 has a distribution surface 46 opposite to the internal volume, and the distribution wall includes, has, and / or defines a self-sealing outlet 42 extending from the internal volume 40 through the distribution wall 36 to the distribution surface 46. Additionally or alternatively, the self-sealing outlet 42 may be referred to as a self-sealing outlet 42, an outlet 42, and / or a discharge port 42. In some examples, the self-sealing outlet 42 includes, defines, at least one slit 44 extending through the distribution wall 36, and / or is defined by at least one slit 44 extending through the distribution wall 36. For example, the self-sealing outlet 42 may include one (i.e., a single) slit 44, two slits 44, two parallel slits 44, two intersecting slits 44, two non-intersecting slits 44, or more than two slits 44. When the self-sealing outlet 42 includes at least one slit, and when the self-sealing outlet is in a closed configuration, the opposing surfaces of the at least one slit engage together to restrict liquid flow through the self-sealing outlet. Conversely, when the self-sealing outlet is in the open configuration, at least one slit's opposite faces are separated to allow liquid to flow through the self-sealing outlet.

[0050] In some of the bite-type drinking spouts 10 according to this disclosure, the dispensing surface has a concave configuration because a portion of the dispensing surface extending along the longitudinal axis 48 of the drinking spout is closer to the entrance of the drinking spout than a portion of the dispensing surface that intersects or connects with the sidewall 38 of the drinking spout.

[0051] In some examples, the bite-open mouthpiece 10, as a whole or at least its body 34, is constructed as a single monolithic body, such as via a molding process. In other examples, the bite-open mouthpiece 10 may be composed of more than one monolithic body. For example, an over-molding process may be used to construct the mouthpiece, such as in which the dispensing wall 36 is composed of one piece, and the sidewall 38 is composed of a second piece molded on the dispensing wall. Other configurations are also within the scope of this disclosure. The mouthpiece 10, or at least its body 34, may be formed of an elastic material (such as silicone) suitable for contacting and delivering drinkable liquid to the user's mouth.

[0052] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the illustration, an example of a drinking vessel 13 in the form of a drinking container 12 and a hydration system 14 is schematically shown to graphically illustrate that the bite-sized spout 10 according to the present disclosure can be used to selectively dispense drinking liquid from such a drinking vessel, which is a drinking container or a hydration system. For example, the bite-sized spout 10 can be mounted, installed, and / or otherwise connected in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir 11 of the drinking vessel (i.e., the liquid storage area or internal storage compartment of the liquid vessel of the drinking container or the liquid sac / reservoir of the hydration system).

[0053] Examples of drinking containers 12 include water bottles, sports bottles, squeeze bottles, semi-rigid bottles, collapsible flasks, insulated bottles, double-walled bottles, and the like. Drinking containers 12 may include rigid, semi-rigid, resilient, or collapsible (inelastic) liquid vessels 16 sized to contain a volume of drinking liquid selectively dispensed to a user via a bite-open spout 10. In addition to selectively actuating the bite-open spout 10, drinking containers 12 may include a cap or cap assembly 18 mechanically coupled to the opening of the liquid vessel, such as by threads or a friction-fit mechanism, to block the opening and thus restrict dispensing of drinking liquid from the liquid vessel. In some examples, the bite-open spout 10 may be a component or sub-component of the cap assembly 18 of the drinking container 12, or may be integral with the cap assembly 18.

[0054] Examples of the maximum fluid volume (i.e., the capacity of the liquid container 16) that can be stored in the liquid container 16 include at least 6 fluid ounces, at least 8 fluid ounces, at least 10 fluid ounces, at least 12 fluid ounces, at least 15 fluid ounces, at least 20 fluid ounces, at least 24 fluid ounces, at least 28 fluid ounces, at least 30 fluid ounces, at least 40 fluid ounces, up to 60 fluid ounces, up to 50 fluid ounces, up to 40 fluid ounces, up to 30 fluid ounces, up to 20 fluid ounces, up to 14 fluid ounces, in the range of 6 fluid ounces to 20 fluid ounces, in the range of 10 fluid ounces to 30 fluid ounces, in the range of 15 fluid ounces to 40 fluid ounces, and / or in the range of 20 fluid ounces to 40 fluid ounces. The capacity of liquid containers outside these examples remains within the scope of this disclosure. Some drinking containers 12, such as rigid and semi-rigid liquid containers, can be described as free-standing liquid containers and / or upright liquid containers because the liquid container retains its nominal shape and can remain in an upright configuration when placed on a horizontal surface. Some liquid containers, such as (non-elastic) collapsible liquid containers and / or soft flasks, may have a flexible liquid vessel 16 that does not have a nominal shape but generally conforms to the shape of the surface against which the liquid vessel rests.

[0055] Examples of drinking containers 12 according to the present disclosure are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,252,224, 8,191,727 and 7,533,783, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0056] like Figure 3As schematically illustrated, the bite-sized drinking spout 10 may be a component of the hydration system 14. The hydration system 14 includes a flexible bladder or liquid reservoir 26 sized to contain a volume of drinking liquid for selective dispensing to a user via the bite-sized drinking spout 10. Examples of suitable maximum liquid volumes (i.e., the capacity of the liquid reservoir 26) for the liquid reservoir 26 of the hydration system 14 include at least 0.5 liters (L), at least 0.75 L, at least 1 L, at least 1.5 L, at least 2 L, at least 2.5 L, at least 3 L, up to 6 L, up to 5 L, up to 4 L, up to 3 L, up to 2 L, in the range of 0.5 L to 1.5 L, in the range of 1.5 L to 2.5 L, and / or in the range of 2.5 L to 3.5 L; capacities outside these examples are also within the scope of this disclosure. The liquid reservoir 26 typically includes a filling port or filling opening 27 through which drinking liquid is poured into the liquid reservoir, wherein the filling port 27 is typically selectively sealed with a cap, fold, clip, or other closure 29. The liquid reservoir 26 also typically includes an outlet port 31 through which drinking liquid from the liquid reservoir can flow via an elongated flexible drinking tube 30 to the bite-sized drinking spout 10.

[0057] In the hydration system 14, an elongated flexible drinking tube 30 optionally fluidly interconnects the liquid reservoir 26 with the bite-sized drinking spout 10 via one or more liquid ports or connections between the reservoir and the drinking tube, and between the drinking tube and the spout. The elongated drinking tube 30 downstream of the liquid reservoir 26 and other components of the hydration system may be referred to as the downstream assembly 28 of the hydration system. As an example, the downstream assembly 28 may also include one or more additional components 35, such as (but not limited to) an on / off valve configured to selectively impede liquid flow through the elongated drinking tube 30, a quick-connect assembly configured to selectively and fluidly interconnect at least two fluidly interconnected components of the downstream assembly 28, a pump, a filter, and / or a liquid flow meter. The hydration system 14 may include and / or may be configured to be operatively received by a bag, a worn bag, clothing, or other carrying structure or carrier 32.

[0058] Examples of hydration systems 14, carriers 32, components 35, and / or accessories thereof that can be used with a bite-sized drinking spout 10 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,177,097, 6,908,015, and 6,675,998, and in U.S. Patent Application Publications Nos. 2004 / 0089301 and 2006 / 0231561, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0059] While not required in all embodiments, the bite-open spout 10 may be a detachable component of the drinking vessel 13, allowing it to be selectively removed from the remainder of the drinking vessel, such as for cleaning or replacing the spout, without damaging or destroying the spout or the drinking vessel. In other embodiments, the bite-open spout 10 may be permanently attached to the remainder of the drinking vessel or an upstream component (such as the lid assembly 18 attached to the drinking container 12) in a manner that prevents it from being removed from the upstream component without damaging or destroying the spout or at least a portion of the upstream component.

[0060] As mentioned, and as its name suggests, the bite-opening spout 10 is configured to dispense drinking liquid into the user's mouth upon receiving a compressive force applied to it by the user. More specifically, the bite-opening spout 10 is configured to dispense drinking liquid into the user's mouth upon receiving a compressive force applied to the opposing surfaces of one or more sidewalls 38 by the user, to operatively open and allow the self-sealing outlet 42 to flow through it. For example, when the self-sealing outlet 42 includes a slit 44, the opposing faces of the slit 44 are configured to be spaced apart to allow drinking liquid to flow through it. When no compressive force is applied to the opposing surfaces of one or more sidewalls 38, the self-sealing outlet 42 is configured to automatically prevent or at least limit the flow of drinking liquid through it. In other words, the bite-open drinking spout 10 and its self-sealing outlet 42 can be described as having a closed or sealed configuration and an open or dispensing configuration, in which the self-sealing outlet is closed and prevents or at least restricts the flow of drinking liquid through the self-sealing outlet 42, and in the open or dispensing configuration, the self-sealing outlet is open and allows drinking liquid to flow through the self-sealing outlet 42.

[0061] refer to Figure 2 In some examples, the bite-open spout 10 is configured to be operatively coupled to the cap assembly 18 or other parts of the drinking container 12 via the drinking spout 20. When the drinking spout 20 is present, the drinking spout 20 may extend relative to the cap base 19 of the cap assembly 18 in a fixed or predefined orientation, or the drinking spout may be selectively movable, such as pivoting, within a range of positions relative to the liquid vessel to which the cap assembly is coupled. Figure 2 The dashed lines in the diagram are used to illustrate this. For example... Figure 2 As schematically illustrated, the bite-open drinking spout 10 can be configured to operably receive at least a portion of the drinking mouth 20, or operably be received by at least a portion of the drinking mouth 20, for securing the bite-open drinking spout 10 to the corresponding drinking container 12 or its cap assembly 18. Similarly, see reference... Figure 3The bite-sized drinking spout 10 can be configured to operatively receive at least a portion of an upstream component of the hydration system 14, or be operatively received by at least a portion of an upstream component of the hydration system 14, such as an elongated drinking tube 30, a quick-release assembly, a switching valve, a pump, a filter, a flow meter, or some other mounting or attachment 35 of the hydration system.

[0062] In such an example, and as Figure 1 As schematically illustrated, the bite-open spout 10 may include and / or define an installation volume 22, which is sized and shaped to receive, or be received by and cooperate with, such an upstream component of the drinking vessel 13 to establish a water-tight seal fluidly connecting the bite-open spout 10 to the upstream component of the drinking vessel. The installation volume 22 may be defined by any suitable inner or outer surface(s) of the bite-open spout, such as by the inner or outer surface of the bite-open spout near the inlet 39. Thus, when the installation volume is defined by the inner surface of the bite-open spout, the upstream component of the drinking vessel may be received within the installation volume. Alternatively, when the installation volume is defined by the outer surface of the bite-open spout, the cylindrical portion 58 of the bite-open spout or other upstream component or region may be at least partially received within the upstream component of the drinking vessel.

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown schematically on the left side of the bite-sized drinking spout 10, some bite-sized drinking spouts 10 may include an inner wall 78 that extends circumferentially around the inner surface or inner surface 77 of the cylindrical portion 58, protruding from one or more side walls 38 into the inner volume 40, and / or depicting the mounting volume 22 from the sub-volume 76 near the dispensing wall 36. When the inner wall 78 is present, additionally or alternatively, the inner wall 78 may be described or referred to as an inner flange, lip, ledge, or stop. When the inner wall 78 is present, the inner wall 78 can provide a structure for engaging with an upstream component of the drinking vessel, thereby limiting the extent to which the upstream component can be inserted into the spout and / or preventing the upstream component of the drinking vessel from entering the sub-volume 76, and thus preventing potential interference with the operation of the drinking liquid flowing through the sub-volume 76 and the self-sealing outlet 42.

[0064] Additional or alternative land, and also as Figure 1As shown schematically on the left side of a bite-open drinking spout 10, some bite-open spouts 10 include a bottom wall 82 extending circumferentially around the inner surface of the body portion 58, extending into the internal volume 40, and defining the internal volume 40 at least partially at the inlet 39 of the bite-open spout. Additionally or alternatively, the bottom wall 82 may be described or referred to as an inlet flange, lip, lug, or catch. In examples of bite-open spouts 10 that include both an inner wall 78 and a bottom wall 82, a mounting volume 22 may be defined between the inner wall 78 and the bottom wall 82, and thus may be sized and shaped to a corresponding structure receiving an upstream component of the drinking vessel 13. Examples of such cap assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,191,727, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0065] Additional or alternative land, and also as Figure 1 As shown schematically on the left side of a bite-open spout 10, some bite-open spouts 10 include a coiled tube 25 extending upstream from the body portion of the spout. When the coiled tube 25 is present, it is configured to be operatively and selectively coiled and uncoiled (e.g., by means of the structure of the drinking vessel 13), such that an on / off valve is defined as a different self-sealing outlet 42 from the bite-open spout. In some examples, the bite-open spout may also include an anchoring structure 24 or anchor 25 connected to the coiled tube distal to the body portion. When the anchoring structure 24 is present, it may be configured to mechanically engage with the cap assembly 18 or other upstream components of the drinking vessel 13, and to limit unintentional removal of the bite-open spout 10 from upstream components and / or allow selective removal of the bite-open spout 10 from upstream components. As an example, the anchoring structure 24 can be configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to restrict the through-passage of the bite-sized drinking spout 10 through upstream components of the drinking container 12 (such as the cap assembly 18 of the drinking container 12 or component 35 of the hydration system 14). In some examples, at least two of the cylinder portion, anchoring structure, and coiled tube can be constructed from a single piece of elastic material. In some examples, all the cylinder portion, anchoring structure, and coiled tube can be constructed from a single piece of elastic material. Furthermore, as discussed, the cylinder portion and the dispensing wall (which can be collectively referred to as the drinking spout portion) can be constructed from a single piece of elastic material.

[0066] like Figure 1As schematically and optionally shown on the left, some bite-sized drinking spouts 10 additionally include a flange 72 extending from the barrel portion 58 of the body 34 and away from the internal volume 40. In some such examples, when the flange 72 is present, it typically extends from the barrel portion 58 at the end region of the barrel portion 58 opposite to / away from the dispensing wall 36; however, when the flange 72 is present, its position is not required in all examples of bite-sized drinking spouts 10 with the flange 72. In some examples, the flange extends from less than 60% of the circumference of the barrel portion, such that the flange does not extend circumferentially around the barrel portion. When the flange 72 is present, it can provide a structure for engagement with another component of the drinking vessel 13 (e.g., a drinking spout, mounting bracket, quick-release assembly, on / off valve, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, flange 72 may provide a structure for user gripping, such as a structure for operatively removing the bite-open spout 10 from another component of drinking container 12 and / or hydration system 14. Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, flange 72 may provide engagement surfaces, such as an engagement surface for the user's thumb, an engagement surface for operatively moving the bite-open spout 10 when mounted on a corresponding cap assembly 18, and an engagement surface configured to allow the user to operatively pivot the bite-open spout 10 between a retracted position and a dispensing position. An example of a corresponding cap assembly 18 is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,533,783, which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, flange 72 may be formed of an elastic material (such as silicone) that provides greater frictional and / or tactile feedback than the rigid (i.e., metal or plastic) drinking spout supporting the flange and the spout. In some such examples, the flange may be integral or integral with the body of the spout.

[0067] For example Figure 1 As schematically and optionally shown on the left side, some drinking spouts 10 include and / or define a limiting structure 74 configured to engage and / or cooperate with a corresponding structure of the drinking vessel 13, thereby limiting rotation of the drinking spout 10 relative to the corresponding structure. As an example, the limiting structure 74 may be or may include a channel extending into or defined by the flange 72.

[0068] As another example, the limiting structure 74 may be or may include a rib or other protrusion extending from or defined by the flange. Other examples of the limiting structure 74 may be incorporated into the flange 72 and / or another portion of the bite-sized drinking spout 10. As another example, the base portion 73 and / or inlet 39 of the barrel portion 58 may have a contoured, non-circular, stepped, irregular, wavy, or asymmetrical shape that limits the relative rotation of the drinking spout 10 with respect to the receiving spout of the drinking container 12 or the hydration system, or the component received by the spout.

[0069] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, such as Figure 1 As schematically and optionally shown on the right side, some bite-sized drinking spouts 10 include a retaining structure 80 configured to engage or mate with a corresponding structure of a component of the drinking vessel 13, thereby preventing unintentional removal or separation of the spout from the corresponding structure of the component of the drinking vessel 13. In some such examples, when the retaining structure 80 is present, it may extend from an outer surface of the body 34 into the body 34, such as in the form of a recess, channel, groove, hole, slot, or other opening, which is sized and shaped to operatively receive the corresponding structure of the component of the drinking vessel 13. In other such examples, when the retaining structure 80 is present, it may extend away from the directly adjacent portion of the body 34 of the bite-sized drinking spout 10. As an example, the optional retaining structure 80 may be configured to mate with a collar that is a component of the drinking vessel 13, such as with a lid assembly 18 of the drinking container or an additional component 35 of the hydration system 14. When anchoring structure 24 is present, anchoring structure 24 may additionally or alternatively be described as an example of retaining structure 80, and conversely, retaining structure 80 may also be described as an example of anchoring structure 24.

[0070] Additional or alternative land, and also as Figure 1 As shown on the right, some bite-sized drinking spouts 10 include a cylindrical portion 58 that includes a neck region 81 defining an inlet 39, and this neck region has a smaller cross-sectional area than the downstream portion of the cylindrical portion. Such a smaller neck region may be shaped and / or sized to receive or be received by an upstream component of the drinking vessel 13 (such as the drinking spout 20 of the drinking container 12 or the drinking tube 30 of the hydration system 14, a quick-release assembly, an on / off valve, or other component 35). In some embodiments, having a larger lateral cross-sectional area in the cylindrical portion 58 downstream of the neck region 81 can facilitate a continuous and stable dispensing of drinking liquid from the spout.

[0071] Additional or alternative land, and also as Figure 1As shown on the right, some bite-sized drinking spouts 10 include an outer sleeve 83 that extends outward from the sidewall 38 of the spout to define a channel or passage 85 into which an upstream component of the drinking vessel 13 (such as the drinking spout 20 of the drinking container 12 or the drinking tube 30 of the hydration system 14, or other components 35) can be inserted. When the sleeve 83 is present, it can provide additional support and / or friction retention to the upstream component of the drinking vessel. Additionally or alternatively, the sleeve 83 may be referred to as a collar and / or a clamp.

[0072] Next, turn to Figures 4-8 The schematic representation of an example of a bite-sized drinking spout 10 shown in the figure can be described or characterized as having a longitudinal axis or flow axis 48 that extends through the internal volume 40 of the body 34 of the bite-sized drinking spout and generally defines the flow direction of drinking liquid from the upstream component of the hydration system 14 or drinking container 12 through the inlet 39 and the internal volume 40, to the distribution wall 36, and through the self-sealing outlet 42. In some examples, the longitudinal axis 48 extends through the geometric center of a cross-section of the body 34 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 48.

[0073] The bite-type drinking spout 10 can also be described or characterized as having a first lateral dimension or axis 50 and a second lateral dimension or axis 52 perpendicular to the first lateral dimension 50. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As schematically illustrated, in an example of a bite-sized drinking spout 10 having a self-sealing outlet 42 including at least one slit 44, a first lateral dimension 50 may be perpendicular to the slit 44, and a second lateral dimension 52 may be parallel to the slit 44. Figures 2-8 As schematically indicated by solid lines, in some bite-sized drinking spouts 10, at least at the dispensing wall 36 (e.g., at the circumferential lip 66 of the sidewall(s) 38) and / or at one or more vertical cross-sections of the body 34 relative to the longitudinal axis 48 (such as in examples where the outer surface of the body is circular at its vertical cross-section), the maximum width of the body 34 in the first lateral dimension 50 may be equal to or approximately equal to the maximum width of the body 34 in the second lateral dimension 52. That is, the body 34 of the bite-sized drinking spout 10 does not need to be shaped uniformly along its entire longitudinal axis 48. For example, and as... Figure 4As schematically and optionally illustrated, in other bite-sized drinking spouts 10, such as in optional examples where the outer surface of the body 34 on the first lateral dimension 50 is elliptical, oval, or other oblong, the maximum width of the body 34 on the first lateral dimension 50 may be greater than the maximum width of the body 34 on the second lateral dimension 52 at the dispensing wall 36 or at one or more vertical cross-sections of the body relative to the longitudinal axis 48. In some such examples, such as those corresponding to... Figure 4 The outermost schematic representation of the dashed line indicates that, at one or more vertical cross-sections of the body 34 relative to the longitudinal axis 48, the outer surface of the body 34 can be described as a roughly rectangular shape with curved, rounded, or gently sloping corners.

[0074] As an example, the maximum width of the body 34 in the first lateral dimension 50 and / or the second lateral dimension 52 (optionally at the distribution wall 36 of the body) can be at least 10 mm, at least 20 mm, at least 25 mm, at least 30 mm, at most 40 mm, at most 35 mm, at most 30 mm, at most 25 mm, at most 20 mm, in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm, in the range of 10 mm to 25 mm, in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm, in the range of 10 mm to 15 mm, in the range of 15 mm to 30 mm, in the range of 15 mm to 25 mm, in the range of 15 mm to 20 mm, in the range of 20 mm to 25 mm, and / or in the range of 25 mm to 30 mm. Widths outside these ranges are also within the scope of this disclosure. As discussed, the maximum width of the body in the first lateral dimension 50 may be equal to or substantially equal to the maximum width of the body in the second lateral dimension 52, or one of the maximum widths may be greater than the other of the maximum widths. As an example, one of the maximum widths may be at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 50%, or at least 50% larger than the other of the maximum widths.

[0075] Additional or alternative land, and also as Figures 4-8 As schematically indicated by the solid lines in the diagram, in some bite-sized drinking spouts 10, one or more sidewalls 38 may have a uniform or substantially uniform thickness (which may be referred to as sidewall thickness) in one or more cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 48. However, as... Figure 4As schematically and optionally indicated by the dashed lines, in other bite-type drinking spouts 10, the sidewall thickness may be non-uniform (i.e., may vary) at one or more vertical cross-sections of the body, such as where the outer surface is circular and the inner surface is planar, or other non-circular surfaces, where the outer surface is non-circular and the inner surface is circular, or where both the inner and outer surfaces are non-circular and not parallel to each other. In some examples, at one or more cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 48, the sidewall thickness in a first lateral dimension is greater than the sidewall thickness in a second lateral dimension. Such a configuration can reduce the biting force required to reconfigure the self-sealing outlet from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

[0076] In some such examples, such as Figure 8 As schematically and optionally shown, the inner surface 49 of the body 34 may have three or more vertices 51 between adjacent surface regions in one or more vertical cross-sections of the body 34 relative to the longitudinal axis 48. For example, in such vertical cross-sections, the inner surface 49 of the body 34 may be a polygon or a generally polygonal shape with flat or substantially flat sides, such as in... Figure 8 The schematic example of a hexagon is shown in the diagram. Additionally or alternatively, at such a vertical cross-section, the inner surface of the body 34 may have curved sides between adjacent vertices, such as in... Figure 8 The schematic examples of four such sides are shown. Additionally or alternatively, in such a vertical cross-section, the inner surface of the body 34 may have one or more flat surfaces between adjacent vertices and one or more curved surfaces between other adjacent vertices, such as in… Figure 8 The diagram is schematically represented by a combination of four curved surfaces and two flat surfaces. In some such examples, the flat surfaces may extend over a first lateral dimension 50 and may be parallel to or substantially parallel to the opposing engagement areas 56 of the outer surface of the body 34. Specific configurations can be selected to optimize factors such as the force required to be applied to the opposing engagement areas of the drinking spout for operably reconfiguring the self-sealing outlet to the open configuration, the internal bias of the drinking spout to return the self-sealing outlet to the closed configuration, and the effective sealing of the self-sealing outlet (i.e., prevention of leakage), etc.

[0077] Additionally or alternatively, the occlusal region 56 may be referred to as the occlusal surface 56. As an example, the thickness of one or more sidewalls 38 of the body 34 may be within the range of 1 mm-5 mm, 1 mm-4 mm, 1 mm-3 mm, 1 mm-2 mm, 2 mm-5 mm, 2 mm-4 mm, 2 mm-3 mm, 3 mm-5 mm, 3 mm-4 mm, or 4 mm-5 mm and / or may vary within these ranges. Thicknesses outside these ranges are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0078] Additional or alternative, and as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As schematically indicated by the solid lines, in some bite-sized drinking spouts 10, one or more sidewalls 38 may have a uniform sidewall thickness along the longitudinal axis at one or more cross-sections containing the longitudinal axis 48. However, as... Figure 5 As schematically and optionally indicated by the dashed lines, the sidewall thickness may vary along the longitudinal axis 48 at one or more cross-sections containing the longitudinal axis 48, for example, as... Figure 6 The thickness, indicated by the dashed lines, increases away from the distribution wall 36 and the circumferential lip 66 and toward the inlet 39. Alternatively, the thickness may decrease away from the distribution wall and the circumferential lip and toward the inlet. As an example, the thickness of one or more sidewalls 38 may vary along the length of one or more sidewalls 38 (i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis 48) by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 25%, 5%-20%, 10%-15%, 1%-10%, 1%-8%, 1%-6%, 1%-4%, 1%-2%, 2%-10%, 2%-8%, 2%-6%, 2%-4%, 4%-10%, 4%-8%, 4%-6%, 6%-10%, 6%-8%, or 8%-10%. Percentages outside these ranges are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0079] Further examples of other internal geometries for the body 34 are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,032,831, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing discussion of the thickness and / or internal geometry of the body 34 may additionally or alternatively apply only to a portion of the body 34, such as the entire cylindrical portion 58 of the body 34 or a portion of the cylindrical portion 58.

[0080] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5One or more sidewalls 38 of the body 34 of the bite-type drinking spout 10 include opposing occlusal regions 56 positioned to receive compressive forces applied thereto by a user to operatively open and shut the self-sealing outlet 42 (i.e., reconfigure the self-sealing outlet from a closed configuration to an open configuration), thereby allowing drinking liquid to flow through the self-sealing outlet 42. In some examples, such as those where the outer surface of the body 34 is oval, generally rectangular, or other oblong, the opposing occlusal regions 56 may include planar, generally planar, flat, or generally flat areas. In examples of the bite-type drinking spout 10 (where the self-sealing outlet 42 includes a slit 44), the opposing occlusal regions 56 are positioned on opposite sides of the ends of at least one slit 44. In other words, the opposing occlusal regions 56 may be perpendicular to or transverse to at least one slit 44 and extend generally in a direction of a first transverse dimension 50 and transverse to a second transverse dimension 52.

[0081] like Figure 5 As schematically and optionally illustrated, in some bite-type drinking spouts 10, the body 34 defines opposing recesses 60 within the body 34. These opposing recesses 60 at least partially define opposing occlusal regions 56 and are sized and positioned to accommodate the user's upper and lower incisors for applying compressive force to operably open and unseal the self-sealing outlet 42, and to allow the user to more easily hold the bite-type drinking spout 10 between the user's upper and lower incisors without applying compressive force. In some such examples, such as... Figure 5 As schematically and optionally shown, each of the opposing recesses 60 may have a bevel or inclined surface 62 extending at an obtuse angle from the corresponding occlusal region 56 in a direction away from the distribution wall 36. When such a bevel 62 is present, it facilitates the user's positioning of the corresponding occlusal region 56 using the user's corresponding incisor.

[0082] Additional or alternative land, also as Figure 5 As schematically and optionally shown, each of the opposing recesses 60 may have a lug surface 64 extending perpendicularly, substantially perpendicularly, and / or generally perpendicularly from the corresponding occlusal region 56 on one side toward the distribution surface 46, and opposite to an optional bevel surface 62 when present. When such a lug surface 64 is present, it facilitates the user in holding the body 34 of the open-mouth sucker 10 between the user's incisors, as the user's incisors engage the lug surface 64 and restrict movement of the open-mouth sucker 10 away from the user's mouth. Additionally or alternatively, the opposing recesses 60 may be described as or referred to as bite locators.

[0083] refer to Figures 4-7In some bite-type drinking spouts 10, the dispensing surface 46 may be concave. For example, the ends (one or more) of one or more sidewalls 38 may define a circumferential lip 66 that defines the farthest (i.e., most downstream) surface of the body 34 relative to the inlet 39, and the dispensing surface 46 may extend from the lip 66 toward the internal volume 40 and / or the inlet 39 of the drinking spout 10. In some such examples, the dispensing surface 46 extends generally from the lip 66 into the internal volume 40 and / or toward the inlet 39. In other examples, such as Figure 6 Optionally, the circumferential lip may extend beyond the distribution wall 36 relative to the internal volume 40.

[0084] As an example, the defining element of the distribution wall 36 and / or the inner surface 68 facing the internal volume 40 may extend from one or more sidewalls 38 at angles of at least 45°, at least 55°, at least 60°, at least 65°, at least 70°, at least 75°, at least 80°, up to 90°, up to 85°, up to 80°, up to 75°, up to 70°, within the range of 45°-90°, within the range of 45°-80°, within the range of 45°-70°, within the range of 45°-60°, within the range of 60°-90°, within the range of 60°-80°, within the range of 60°-70°, within the range of 70°-90°, within the range of 70°-80°, and / or within the range of 80°-90°. Compared to other identical drinking spouts with planar or convex dispensing surfaces, a concave dispensing surface 46 can provide one or more of the following: a greater flow rate of drinking liquid through the self-sealing outlet; a reduced compressive force for switching the spout to an open configuration and / or maintaining the spout in an open configuration; greater resistance to dispensing the drinking liquid due to backpressure (i.e., pressure exerted against the inner surface 68 of the dispensing wall 36 in response to increased pressure within the internal volume 40); and / or an increased outlet size. The degree of variation of one or more of these properties can be at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 35%, at least 45%, at least 50%, and / or at least 75%.

[0085] The angle at which the inner surface 68 of the distribution wall 36 facing the internal volume 40 extends from one or more sidewalls 38 may be constant around the entire inner surface of the distribution wall, or it may vary. When the angle is not constant, it may vary periodically around the entire inner surface of the distribution wall, such as by becoming larger or smaller in a region of the inner surface parallel to and / or transverse to at least one slit of the outlet.

[0086] The radius of curvature at the transition section 53 between one or more sidewalls 38 and the distribution wall 36 on the inner side of the cylindrical portion 58 (i.e., between the inner surface 68 of the sidewall(one or more) 38 and the distribution wall 36) can be substantially uniform around the internal volume 40. However, in other examples, the radius of curvature at the transition section 53 can vary, change periodically, and / or not be constant around the internal volume 40. In some examples of the bite-open drinking spout 10, when the self-sealing outlet 42 includes a slit 44, such a radius of curvature is along the span of the transition section transverse to the slit 44 ( Figure 6 ) than the span along the transition section parallel to the slit ( Figure 5 Small. In other words, in some examples, the radius of curvature of the conversion section 53 at a first cross-section of the body including the longitudinal axis and on the first lateral dimension 50 can be greater than the radius of curvature at a second cross-section of the body including the longitudinal axis and on the second lateral dimension 52. In some such examples, the radius of curvature closer to the self-sealing outlet 42 can be smaller than the radius of curvature farther from the self-sealing outlet. Such a configuration may be advantageous, allowing the compressive force applied by the user on the opposing engagement area 56 to be transferred more directly to the dispensing wall 36 for operably opening the self-sealing outlet 42 and the expanding slit 44 for dispensing drinking liquid through it. As an example, the radius of curvature at the transition section 53 between one or more sidewalls 38 and the distribution wall 36 on the inner side of the cylindrical portion 58 can be within the range of 0.05°-1°, 0.05°-0.8°, 0.05°-0.6°, 0.05°-0.4°, 0.05°-0.2°, 0.05°-0.1°, 0.1°-1°, 0.1°-0.8°, 0.1°-0.6°, 0.1°-0.4°, 0.1°-0.2°, 0.2°-1°, 0.2°-0.8°, 0.2°-0.6°, 0.2°-0.4°, 0.4°-1°, 0.4°-0.8°, 0.4°-0.6°, 0.6°-1°, 0.6°-0.8°, or 0.8°-1° and / or vary within these ranges. Radius outside these ranges is also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0087] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As schematically indicated by the solid lines in the diagram, the distribution wall 36 can have a generally uniform thickness, which can be referred to as the distribution wall thickness; however, as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As schematically and optionally indicated by the dashed lines, the thickness of the distribution wall 36 may be non-uniform. For example, the thickness of the distribution wall 36 may increase relative to (i.e., away from) the sidewalls (one or more) 38 toward the self-sealing outlet 42 and / or toward the longitudinal axis 48, as... Figure 5 and Figure 6The diagram is schematic and optional. An increased distribution wall thickness at or near the self-sealing outlet 42 can promote a stronger liquid seal at the self-sealing outlet compared to other identical drinking ports with a thinner distribution wall at or near slit 44. In other examples, such as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As schematically and optionally illustrated, the thickness of the distribution wall 36 may decrease relative to (i.e., away from) the sidewalls (one or more) 38 toward the self-sealing outlet 42 and / or toward the longitudinal axis 48. Having a reduced thickness near the self-sealing outlet can provide the lower engagement force required to transition the self-sealing outlet from a closed configuration to an open configuration. As an example, the thickness of the distribution wall 36 of the body 34 may be in the range of 1mm-5mm, 1mm-4mm, 1mm-3mm, 1mm-2mm, 2mm-5mm, 2mm-4mm, 2mm-3mm, 3mm-5mm, 3mm-4mm, or 4mm-5mm and / or may vary within these ranges. Additionally, the thickness of the distribution wall can vary across the distribution wall 36 (e.g., from the adjacent lip 66 toward the self-sealing outlet 42) by 1%-10%, 1%-8%, 1%-6%, 1%-4%, 1%-2%, 2%-10%, 2%-8%, 2%-6%, 2%-4%, 4%-10%, 4%-8%, 4%-6%, 6%-10%, 6%-8%, or 8%-10%. Thicknesses and percentages outside these ranges are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0088] At one or more cross-sections of the body 34 containing the longitudinal axis 48, the distribution surface 46 may be straight, linear, or substantially straight or linear, and / or may include straight or linear, or substantially straight or linear regions, such as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The diagram is schematically and optionally shown. In some such examples, the distributing surface 46 is at least in the cross-section of the body 34 that includes the longitudinal axis 48 and extends together with the slit 44 (i.e., it bisects the cross-section of the distributing wall 36 on the second transverse dimension 52 at the slit 44). Figure 5The distribution surface is linear at the longitudinal axis 48. In some such examples, the distribution surface is straight or linear, or substantially straight or linear, at all or substantially all cross-sections of the body 34 containing the longitudinal axis 48. In these examples, the distribution surface 46 can therefore be described as conical, substantially conical, truncated conical, or having a truncated conical shape, or having one or more conical regions. That is, in such examples, the perimeter of the distribution surface 46 and any perpendicular cross-section of the distribution surface 46 relative to the longitudinal axis 48 need not be circular. In some examples, the distribution surface is V-shaped at one or more cross-sections of the body containing the longitudinal axis (and optionally at all cross-sections), i.e., having two straight or linear segments at an angle to each other.

[0089] Additional or alternative land, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As schematically and optionally illustrated, the distributing surface 46 may be arcuate (e.g., parabolic) and / or may include arcuate regions at one or more cross-sections of the body 34 containing the longitudinal axis 48. In some such examples, the distributing surface 46 is arcuate at all, or substantially all, cross-sections of the body 34 containing the longitudinal axis 48; in these examples, the distributing surface 46 may be described as bowl-shaped. In some such examples, the distributing surface may have a uniform radius of curvature, while in other such examples, the distributing surface may have a non-uniform radius of curvature.

[0090] In some examples, the contours of the dispensing surface 46 and the inner surface 68 of the dispensing wall 36 are parallel to each other, making the thickness of the dispensing wall 36 approximately uniform. In other examples, the contour of the dispensing surface 46 differs from the contour of the inner surface 68 (i.e., the dispensing surface and the inner surface are not parallel), making the thickness of the dispensing wall 36 non-uniform. As a more specific example, in some bite-type drinking spouts 10, the cross-section of the body 34 extending together with the slit 44 (e.g., bisects the cross-section of the dispensing wall 36 on the second lateral dimension 52 at the slit 44) Figure 5 At the location, the profile of the distribution surface 46 may have a linear region, while in the cross section of the body 34 perpendicular to the slit 44 (e.g., the cross section bisecting the slit 44 on the first lateral dimension), Figure 6 At this point, the contour of the dispensing surface can have an arcuate region. As another more specific example, in some bite-sized drinking spouts 10, at the cross-section of the body extending together with the slit 44 (such as... Figure 5 (as shown) and / or at a cross-section of the body perpendicular to slit 44 (such as) Figure 6As shown in the figure, the thickness of the distribution surface can be greater near the slit than near the sidewall, wherein the distribution surface transitions from the thicker region to the thinner region with a linear and / or arcuate span.

[0091] Additional or alternative, see reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The distributing surface 46 can be described as having an outer region 84 near one or more sidewalls 38 and an inner region 86 radially inward relative to the outer region 84 (i.e., closer to and around the longitudinal axis 48). In some examples, the outer region is conical (i.e., straight in the cross-section containing the longitudinal axis) and the inner region is bowl-shaped (i.e., arcuate or parabolic in the cross-section containing the longitudinal axis). In some examples, at all cross-sections containing the longitudinal axis, the distributing surface is straight in the outer region and arcuate or parabolic in the inner region. In other examples, the outer region is bowl-shaped (i.e., arcuate or parabolic in the cross-section containing the longitudinal axis) and the inner region is planar, such that the inner region can be described as the flat bottom of the distributing surface 46. In other examples, at one or more cross-sections containing the longitudinal axis (optionally at all cross-sections), the distributing surface is straight in the outer region and straight in the inner region, while still being concave overall. In some such examples, the dispensing surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis within the inner region, thus allowing the inner region to be described as having a flat bottom. In yet another example, at one or more cross-sections containing the longitudinal axis (optionally at all cross-sections), the dispensing surface is arcuate or parabolic in the outer region and straight in the inner region. In some such examples, the dispensing surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis within the inner region, thus allowing the inner region to be described as having a flat bottom. Other configurations are also within the scope of this disclosure, and specific configurations can be selected to optimize factors such as the force required to be applied to the opposing engagement area of ​​the drinking spout for operably reconfiguring the self-sealing outlet to the open configuration, the internal bias for returning the self-sealing outlet to the drinking spout in the closed configuration, and the effective sealing of the self-sealing outlet (i.e., prevention of leakage), etc.

[0092] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As schematically and optionally illustrated, in some examples of a bite-sized drinking spout 10 having a self-sealing outlet 42 including a slit 44, the dispensing wall 36 is thicker along the slit 44 than the wall spaced apart from the slit. For example, the dispensing wall 36 may include a pair of elongated protrusions 70 that extend at least partially along the slit 44 from the inner surface 68 of the dispensing wall 36 and partially define the slit 44. Additionally or alternatively, these protrusions 70 may be described and / or referred to as a lip, slit flange, or rib. In some examples, such as Figure 5 As schematically and optionally shown, thicker regions, such as the region defined by protrusion 70, may completely or at least substantially span the internal volume 40 in the second lateral dimension 52. In some examples, it may be advantageous for the thicker region to completely span the internal volume, allowing the compressive force applied by the user to the opposing occlusal region 56 to be transmitted more directly to the dispensing wall 36 for operably opening the self-sealing outlet 42 and the expanding slit 44 for dispensing drinking liquid. In other examples, also as... Figure 6 As schematically and optionally illustrated, the protrusion 70 may not completely span the internal volume 40 in the second lateral dimension 52, but may terminate away from one or more sidewalls 38. In some such examples, the protrusion 70 may at least substantially span the length of the slit 44.

[0093] When the protrusion 70 is present, it can increase the seal on the self-sealing outlet 42 by providing a larger contact surface area between the opposing surfaces of the dispensing surface 46 that defines the slit 44. Additionally or alternatively, the protrusion 70 can be described as increasing the minimum compressive force that the user must apply to switch the drinking spout 10 from a closed configuration to an open or dispensing configuration, and / or increasing the minimum back pressure that can be applied against the inner surface of the dispensing surface to prevent unintentional dispensing (i.e., leakage) of drinking liquid through the self-sealing outlet when the user-applied compressive force is not applied to the drinking spout.

[0094] like Figure 5 Indically and optionally, in some examples, each of a pair of elongated protrusions 70 includes a planar region perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 48. In some such examples, the spacing between the planar regions is smaller than the overall length of the respective elongated protrusion. In some examples, each of the pair of elongated protrusions includes three planar regions. These planar regions include a first planar region and a second planar region forming one or more sidewalls 38, and a third planar region extending between the first and second planar regions. The third planar region may optionally be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 48, or extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 48. In some such examples, the first and second planar regions extend from one or more sidewalls at an angle of at least 45°. Other configurations of the elongated protrusions are also within the scope of this disclosure, and specific configurations can be selected to optimize the sealing properties of the drinking spout 10, the flow rate of the drinking spout 10, the engagement force required to reconfigure the self-sealing outlet from a closed configuration to an open configuration, etc.

[0095] Additional or alternative, and as Figure 5 and Figure 6As schematically and optionally shown, the dispensing surface 46 and / or the inner surface 68 may include a generally planar or substantially planar region perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 48. In some such examples, when present on the dispensing surface 46 and / or the inner surface 68, such a planar region perpendicular to the longitudinal axis may increase the minimum compressive force that the user must apply to switch the drinking spout 10 from a closed configuration to an open or dispensing configuration, and / or may increase the minimum back pressure that can be applied against the inner surface of the dispensing surface to prevent unintentional dispensing (i.e., leakage) of drinking liquid through the self-sealing outlet when the user-applied compressive force is not applied to the drinking spout.

[0096] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As schematically illustrated, when the self-sealing outlet 42 includes a slit 44, the slit 44 may extend radially inward from one or more sidewalls 38 and their lips 66, spanning less than the entire dispensing wall 36. As used herein, "radially inward" means toward the longitudinal axis 48 of the drinking spout 10. However, as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As schematically and optionally illustrated, the slit may extend radially inward from one or more sidewalls 38 or substantially across the entire dispensing wall 36. In some such examples, extending the slit 44 radially inward from one or more sidewalls 38 substantially across the entire dispensing wall 36 facilitates a lower compressive force applied by the user to the opposing occlusal region 56 required to operably expand the slit 44 to achieve the desired drinking liquid flow rate. As an example, the slit 44 can be radially inwardly across 50%-100%, 50%-90%, 50%-80%, 50%-70%, 50%-60%, 60%-100%, 60%-90%, 60%-80%, 60%-70%, 70%-100%, 70%-90%, 70%-80%, 80%-100%, 80%-90%, or 90%-100% of the entire distribution wall 36 from one or more sidewalls 38. Examples of suitable lengths for slit 44 include lengths of at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 11 mm, at least 12 mm, at least 13 mm, up to 20 mm, up to 18 mm, up to 16 mm, up to 14 mm, up to 12 mm, in the range of 8 mm to 18 mm, in the range of 9 mm to 15 mm, and / or in the range of 10 mm to 12 mm. Lengths outside these ranges are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0097] As discussed, the bite-open spout 10 according to this disclosure may have a concave dispensing surface 46 and may also have a self-sealing outlet 42 defined by at least one slit 44. A potential advantage of such a concave dispensing surface compared to other similar bite-open spouts having planar or convex dispensing surfaces is that, when the bite-open spout is in the open configuration, the area of ​​the self-sealing outlet at the dispensing surface is not obstructed by the remainder of the dispensing surface defining the slit and / or by the protrusion 70 (if present), as referenced. Figure 7 The schematic representation of the bite-sized drinking spout 10 in the open configuration is understood. For the concave dispensing surface, the dispensing wall will shift upstream (i.e., flex towards the inner volume 40), at which point the size of the opening in the self-sealing outlet 42 increases with the magnitude of the compression force applied by the user. Furthermore, when the self-sealing outlet is in the closed configuration, an increase in liquid pressure within the inner volume 40 will actually increase the sealing force of the self-sealing outlet, at least up to the threshold pressure, rather than causing leakage from the self-sealing outlet. Additionally, as referenced... Figure 7 It is understood that in the drinking spout 10, which also includes the elongated protrusion 70, when the drinking spout is in the open configuration, the protrusion will not obstruct or reduce the effective size of the opening in the self-sealing outlet.

[0098] Now go to Figures 9-33 The illustration shows an exemplary embodiment of the bite-open drinking spout 10, and an example of a drinking vessel 13 (i.e., drinking container 12 and hydration system 14) that includes the bite-open drinking spout 10 according to this disclosure. Where appropriate, from Figures 1-8 The reference numbers in the schematic diagrams are used for labeling. Figures 9-33 The corresponding part of the example; however, the Figures 9-33 The examples are non-exclusive and do not limit the bite-sized drinking spout to... Figures 9-33 The illustrated embodiment. That is to say, the bite-open drinking spout 10 is not limited to... Figures 9-33 Specific embodiments, and the bite-open drinking spout 10 can be combined with reference to Figures 1-8 illustrative representation and / or Figures 9-33 The embodiments and variations thereof are described and discussed for any number of aspects, configurations, characteristics, properties, etc. of the bite-type drinking spout 10, but it is not necessary to include all of these aspects, configurations, characteristics, properties, etc. For the sake of brevity, each component, part, section, aspect, region, etc., or its variation thereof discussed above may no longer be referred to. Figures 9-33 Examples are discussed, illustrated, and / or labeled; however, within the scope of this disclosure, the features, variations, etc., previously discussed may be related to... Figures 9-33 Use it together with examples.

[0099] The first concrete example of the bite-sized drinking spout 10 is in Figures 9-13The image is shown in the middle, and is referred to herein as a bite-sized drinking spout 100. A second specific example of the bite-sized drinking spout 100 is shown in... Figures 16-18 The image is shown in the middle, and is referred to herein as a bite-sized drinking spout 110. A third specific example of the bite-sized drinking spout 10 is shown in... Figures 19-21 The image is shown in the middle, and is referred to herein as a bite-sized drinking spout 200. A fourth specific example of the bite-sized drinking spout 10 is shown in... Figures 24-26 The image is shown in the middle, and is referred to herein as a bite-sized drinking spout 300. A fifth specific example of the bite-sized drinking spout 10 is shown in... Figures 29-32 The diagram is shown in the image, and it is referred to in this article as the bite-open drinking spout 400.

[0100] Each of drinking spouts 100, 110, 200, 300, and 400 is an example of drinking spout 10, having a concave dispensing surface 46 and a single slit 44 defining its self-sealing outlet. Furthermore, each of drinking spouts 100, 110, 200, 300, and 400 is an example of drinking spout 10, wherein the maximum width of its body at the dispensing wall in a first lateral dimension is greater than the maximum width in a second lateral dimension, wherein the slit is parallel to the second lateral dimension. Thus, in each of these examples, the outer surface of the body 34 in the first lateral dimension 50 can be described as generally elliptical, oval, or other oblong.

[0101] Furthermore, the inner surface 68 of the dispensing surface of each of the drinking spouts 100, 110, 200, 300 and 400 extends from one or more sidewalls 38 at an angle of at least 45°. Additionally, in each of the drinking spouts 100, 110, 200, 300 and 400, the inner surface and the dispensing surface are not parallel to each other.

[0102] Additionally, each of drinking spouts 100, 110, 200, 300, and 400 is an example of drinking spout 10, whose dispensing wall 36 includes a pair of elongated protrusions 70 extending from the inner surface 68 along the slit 44 and at least partially defining the slit. Furthermore, in these exemplary drinking spouts, each elongated protrusion includes a first planar region and a second planar region extending from the sidewall 38, and a third planar region extending between the first and second planar regions, wherein the third planar region is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0103] Each of these exemplary drinking spouts is an example of a drinking spout 10, whose sidewall thickness is non-uniform at one or more cross-sections of the sidewalls perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In particular, in these examples, at one or more cross-sections of the sidewalls perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the sidewall thickness on the first lateral dimension 50 is greater than the sidewall thickness on the second lateral dimension 52.

[0104] refer to Figures 9-13The bite-open spout 100 is an example of the bite-open spout 10, which is configured as a component of the drinking container 12 and / or the lid assembly 18 of the drinking container 12; however, the elements and features of the bite-open spout 100 may be used in conjunction with the bite-open spout 10, which is configured as a component of the hydration system 14 or other drinking vessel 13.

[0105] The drinking spout 100 is an example of the drinking spout 10, whose dispensing surface is V-shaped at all cross-sections of the body, including the longitudinal axis 48. Furthermore, and specifically refer to... Figure 11 and Figure 12 The drinking spout 100 is also an example of the drinking spout 10, wherein the transition portion 53 between the inner surface 68 and the sidewall 38 has a radius of curvature at a first cross-section of the body including the longitudinal axis and on the first transverse dimension that is greater than the radius of curvature at a second cross-section of the body including the longitudinal axis and on the second transverse dimension. Similarly, as... Figure 11 and Figure 12 As can be seen, the dispensing wall 36 of the drinking spout 100 has a dispensing wall thickness that increases relative to the sidewall 38 toward the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the dispensing wall is thicker near the slit than near the sidewall.

[0106] Furthermore, the bite-open spout 100 is an example of the bite-open spout 10, which includes a flange 72 that extends from the outer surface of the barrel portion 58 approximately at the end region opposite the dispensing surface 46. Additionally, the flange 72 defines a channel-shaped limiting structure 74 that extends into the flange 72 and is sized and shaped to mate with a corresponding ridge of the cap assembly 18 of the drinking container 12 (such as the drinking spout 20 of a cap assembly), as... Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown in the image.

[0107] The bite-open spout 100 is an example of the bite-open spout 10, which has an installation volume 22 defined between the inner wall 78 and the bottom wall 82 for operatively receiving the drinking spout 20 of the associated drinking container 12.

[0108] Figure 14 and Figure 15 An example of a suitable lid or lid assembly 18 for a drinking container 12 is illustrated, the drinking container 12 including a bite-open spout 100. Within the scope of this disclosure, Figure 14 and Figure 15 The cap assembly shown can be used with other bite-open drinking spouts 10 according to this disclosure. For example... Figure 14 and Figure 15As illustrated in the figure, the exemplary cap assembly 18 includes a drinking spout 20 that selectively pivots within a range of pivoting positions relative to the base 19 of the cap assembly, thereby pivoting the drinking spout 100 from a retracted configuration close to or even at least partially received within the base 19 of the cap assembly to a dispensing position in which the drinking spout and drinking spout extend away from the base of the cap assembly.

[0109] refer to Figures 16-18 Similar to the bite-open spout 100, the bite-open spout 110 is an example of the bite-open spout 10, configured as a component of the drinking container 12 and / or the lid assembly 18 of the drinking container 12; however, the elements and features of the bite-open spout 110 can be used in conjunction with the bite-open spout 10, configured as a component of the hydration system 14 or other drinking vessel 13. More specifically, the bite-open spout 110 is another example of the bite-open spout 10, similar to the bite-open spout 100, including a flange 72 extending from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 58. Similar to the flange 72 of the bite-open spout 100, the flange of the bite-open spout 110 defines a restraining structure 74, which is sized and shaped to mate with a corresponding ridge of the lid assembly 18 of the drinking container 12 (such as the drinking spout 20 of such a lid assembly).

[0110] Now for reference Figures 19-21 The bite-open spout 200 is also an example of the bite-open spout 10, which is configured as a component of its cap assembly 18, such as Figure 22 and Figure 23 As shown in the diagram; however, the elements and features of the bite-open spout 200 can be used in conjunction with the bite-open spout 10, which is configured as part of the hydration system 14 or other drinking vessel 13. As an example, the bite-open spout 200 can be used with the drinking container disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,191,727, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0111] More specifically, the bite-open spout 200 is an example of the bite-open spout 10, which includes an anchoring structure 24 configured to be operatively coupled to the lid assembly 18 of the drinking container 12 and to restrict the removal of the bite-open spout 200 from the lid assembly 18 and / or allow the bite-open spout 200 to be selectively removed from the lid assembly 18.

[0112] The bite-open spout 200 is an example of the bite-open spout 10, which has a retaining structure 80 in the form of two opposing grooves. Specifically, these grooves are configured to engage with a collar of the associated cap assembly 18 of the drinking container 12.

[0113] Additionally or alternatively, the bite-open spout 200 can be described as a spout assembly including a spout portion 202 (including a dispensing wall 36 and a cylindrical portion 58), an anchoring structure 24, and a coiled tube 25 interconnecting the anchoring structure 24 with the spout portion 202 for conveying drinking liquid from an associated liquid vessel 16 to the spout portion 202. The coiled tube 25 is configured to be operably and selectively coiled and uncoiled by a corresponding structure of the drinking container 12 in response to user manipulation of the drinking container 12, such that the drinking container 12 defines an on / off valve distinct from the self-sealing outlet 42 of the bite-open spout 200. In the illustrated example of the spout 200, the spout portion, anchoring structure, and coiled tube are constructed as a single monolithic piece of resilient material.

[0114] Next reference Figures 24-26 The bite-opening spout 300 is also an example of the bite-opening spout 10, which is configured as a component of the cap assembly 18, an example of which is shown in Figure 27 and Figure 28 As shown in the figure; however, the elements and features of the bite-open spout 300 can be used in conjunction with the bite-open spout 10, which is configured as a component of the hydration system 14 or other drinking vessel 13.

[0115] More specifically, the bite-type drinking spout 300 is an example of the bite-type drinking spout 10, which includes opposing recesses 60 defining opposing biting areas 56, wherein each recess 60 has a bevel 62 and a lug surface 64.

[0116] The bite-open spout 300 includes an inner skirt 302 and an outer skirt 304 extending relative to the dispensing wall 36 away from the body portion 58. The inner skirt 302 and outer skirt 304 define a mounting volume 22, which is sized and shaped to receive and mate with a corresponding mounting structure of the associated drinking container 12 or its cap assembly. The outer skirt 304 is an example of a sleeve 83, wherein the mounting volume 22 provides an example of a channel 85. The bite-open spout 300 also includes a retaining structure 80 in the form of a flange 306 extending from the outer skirt 304 into the mounting volume 22, wherein the flange 306 is configured to engage and mate with a corresponding structure of the mounting structure of the associated drinking container or its cap assembly when received in the mounting volume 22.

[0117] Now for reference Figures 29-32 The bite-type drinking spout 400 is an example of the bite-type drinking spout 10, which is configured as a component of the hydration system 14, such as Figure 33 The hydration system; however, the elements and features of the bite-open spout 400 can be used in conjunction with the bite-open spout 10, which is configured as a component of the drinking container 12 or other drinking vessel 13.

[0118] Similar to the drinking spout 100, the bite-type drinking spout 400 is an example of the drinking spout 10, wherein the transition portion 53 between the inner surface 68 and the sidewall 38 has a radius of curvature at a first cross-section of the body including the longitudinal axis and in the first transverse dimension greater than the radius of curvature at a second cross-section of the body including the longitudinal axis and in the second transverse dimension, as shown in the reference. Figure 30 and Figure 31 What can be seen.

[0119] The bite-open drinking spout 400 is an example of the bite-open drinking spout 10, which has an installation volume 22 that is sized to receive and mate with an elongated drinking tube 30 or other components of the hydration system 14.

[0120] The side wall 38 of the main body 34 of the bite-type drinking spout 400 gradually tapers inward from the cylindrical part 58 to the neck region 81 that defines the installation volume 22.

[0121] like Figure 30 and Figure 31 As can be seen, at all cross-sections of the drinking spout 400 that include the longitudinal axis, the dispensing surface is straight in the outer region and arc-shaped in the inner region.

[0122] Figure 33 An example of a hydration system 14 is illustrated, to which a bite-sized drinking spout 10 (such as bite-sized spout 400) may be fluidly connected. As shown, the hydration system 14 includes a reservoir or sac 26 sized to receive a volume of drinking liquid. An elongated drinking tube 30 extends from the reservoir and is fluidly connected to the reservoir, such as through an outlet port 31. As illustrated, the drinking tube also forms part of a downstream assembly 28, including the bite-sized drinking spout 10 and optional components 35 (such as a manual on / off valve). The reservoir includes a filling port 27, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is selectively sealed by a cap 29.

[0123] The following paragraphs describe examples of bite-sized drinking spouts, drinking containers, and hydration systems according to this disclosure:

[0124] A. A bite-open drinking spout, comprising:

[0125] The main body includes:

[0126] A dispensing wall, wherein the dispensing wall includes a self-sealing outlet;

[0127] One or more sidewalls extending from the distribution wall, wherein one or more sidewalls and the distribution wall define the internal volume; and

[0128] The entrance to the internal volume;

[0129] The one or more sidewalls include opposing occlusal regions; the self-sealing outlet is selectively configured between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the self-sealing outlet is closed and drinking liquid in the internal volume cannot be dispensed through the self-sealing outlet, and in the open configuration, the self-sealing outlet is open and drinking liquid in the internal volume can be dispensed through the self-sealing outlet; and the self-sealing outlet is biased toward the closed configuration and configured to selectively reconfigure from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a compressive force applied by a user to the opposing occlusal regions.

[0130] A1. According to paragraph A, the bite-open drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet, wherein the bite-open drinking spout has a first lateral dimension and a second lateral dimension perpendicular to the first lateral dimension, and wherein the first lateral dimension and the second lateral dimension are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0131] A2. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A1, wherein the self-sealing outlet includes at least one slit; wherein, when the self-sealing outlet is in the closed configuration, the opposing faces of the at least one slit engage together to restrict liquid flow through the self-sealing outlet, and when the self-sealing outlet is in the open configuration, the opposing faces of the at least one slit separate to allow liquid flow through the self-sealing outlet.

[0132] A2.1. A bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A2 when it is subordinate to paragraph A1, wherein at least one slit is parallel to the second lateral dimension.

[0133] A2.2. A bite-type drinking spout as described in paragraph A2 when subordinate to paragraph A1, wherein at least one slit is composed of a single slit, and wherein the single slit is parallel to a second lateral dimension, and wherein the opposing biting areas extend approximately in the first lateral dimension.

[0134] A2.3. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A2-A2.2 when subordinate to paragraph A1, wherein the maximum width of the body in the first lateral dimension of the dispensing wall is greater than the maximum width of the body in the second lateral dimension of the dispensing wall.

[0135] A3. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A2.3, wherein the dispensing wall has a dispensing surface opposite to the internal volume, and wherein the dispensing surface is concave.

[0136] A3.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A1, wherein the one or more sidewalls define a circumferential lip edge, the circumferential lip edge defining the farthest side surface of the body relative to the inlet, and wherein the dispensing wall extends from the circumferential lip edge toward the internal volume.

[0137] A3.1.1. When relying on paragraph A1, the bite-type drinking spout described in paragraph A3.1, wherein the maximum width of the body at the circumferential lip edge in the first lateral dimension is greater than the maximum width of the body at the circumferential lip edge in the second lateral dimension.

[0138] A3.2. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.1.1, wherein the dispensing wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume; and wherein the inner surface extends from the one or more sidewalls at an angle of at least 45°.

[0139] A3.3. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.2, wherein the dispensing surface is conical.

[0140] A3.4. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.3, wherein the dispensing surface has a truncated conical shape.

[0141] A3.5. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.2, wherein the dispensing surface is bowl-shaped.

[0142] A3.6. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.2,

[0143] The bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet; and

[0144] Wherein, at one or more cross sections of the main body including the longitudinal axis, the distribution surface is V-shaped.

[0145] A3.7. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.6, wherein the dispensing wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume, and wherein the transition between the inner surface and one or more sidewalls has a radius of curvature.

[0146] A3.7.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A3.7, wherein the radius of curvature is approximately uniform around the internal volume.

[0147] A3.7.2. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A3.7, wherein the radius of curvature varies around the internal volume.

[0148] A3.7.3. A bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A3.7 when it is subordinate to paragraph A1, wherein the radius of curvature of the body at a first cross-section including the longitudinal axis and on the first transverse dimension is greater than the radius of curvature of the body at a second cross-section including the longitudinal axis and on the second transverse dimension.

[0149] A3.7.4. The bite-open drinking spout as described in paragraph A3.7, wherein the radius of curvature closer to the self-sealing outlet is smaller than the radius of curvature farther from the self-sealing outlet.

[0150] A3.8. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.7.4, wherein the dispensing surface has a uniform radius of curvature.

[0151] A3.9. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.7.4, wherein the dispensing surface has a non-uniform radius of curvature.

[0152] A3.10. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.9, wherein the dispensing wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume; and wherein the inner surface and the dispensing surface are parallel.

[0153] A3.11. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.9, wherein the dispensing wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume; and wherein the inner surface and the dispensing surface are not parallel.

[0154] A3.12. The bite-type drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.11, wherein the dispensing surface has an outer region adjacent to the one or more sidewalls and an inner region positioned radially inward relative to the outer region;

[0155] A3.12.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A3.12, wherein the outer region is conical and the inner region is bowl-shaped.

[0156] A3.12.2. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A3.12, wherein the outer region is bowl-shaped and the inner region is planar.

[0157] A3.12.3. The bite-open drinking spout according to paragraph A3.12, wherein the bite-open drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein, at one or more cross sections including the longitudinal axis, the dispensing surface is straight in the outer region and arcuate or parabolic in the inner region.

[0158] A3.12.3.1. The bite-type drinking spout according to paragraph A3.12.3, wherein, in all cross-sections including the longitudinal axis, the dispensing surface is straight in the outer region and arcuate or parabolic in the inner region.

[0159] A3.12.4. The bite-open drinking spout according to paragraph A3.12, wherein the bite-open drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein, at one or more cross-sections including the longitudinal axis, the dispensing surface is straight in the outer region and straight in the inner region.

[0160] A3.12.4.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A3.12.4, wherein the dispensing surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis within the inner region.

[0161] A3.12.4.2. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3.12.4-A3.12.4.1, wherein the dispensing surface is straight in the outer region and straight in the inner region at all cross sections including the longitudinal axis.

[0162] A3.12.5. The bite-open drinking spout according to paragraph A3.12, wherein the bite-open drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein, at one or more cross sections including the longitudinal axis, the dispensing surface is arcuate or parabolic in the outer region and straight in the inner region.

[0163] A3.12.5.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A3.12.5, wherein the dispensing surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis within the inner region.

[0164] A3.12.5.2. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3.12.5-A3.12.5.1, wherein, at all cross-sections including the longitudinal axis, the dispensing surface is arcuate or parabolic in the outer region and straight in the inner region.

[0165] A3.13. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.12.5.2, wherein the dispensing surface flexes toward the internal volume when the self-sealing outlet changes from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0166] A3.14. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A3-A3.13, wherein when the self-sealing outlet is in the closed configuration, the sealing force of the self-sealing outlet increases in response to an increase in the liquid pressure within the internal volume.

[0167] A4. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A3.14, wherein the dispensing wall has a dispensing wall thickness.

[0168] A4.1. According to paragraph A4, the bite-sized drinking spout has a generally uniform wall thickness.

[0169] A4.2. The bite-open drinking spout as described in paragraph A4, wherein the distribution wall thickness increases relative to one or more sidewalls toward the self-sealing outlet.

[0170] A4.3. The bite-open drinking spout according to paragraph A4 or A4.2, wherein the bite-open drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein the distribution wall thickness increases relative to one or more sidewalls toward the longitudinal axis.

[0171] A4.4. The bite-open drinking spout as described in paragraph A4, wherein the thickness of the distribution wall decreases relative to one or more sidewalls toward the self-sealing outlet.

[0172] A4.5. The bite-open drinking spout as described in paragraph A4 or A4.4, wherein the bite-open drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein the distribution wall thickness decreases relative to one or more sidewalls toward the longitudinal axis.

[0173] A5. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A4.5, wherein the dispensing wall is thicker near the self-sealing outlet than near the one or more sidewalls.

[0174] A6. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A5, wherein the self-sealing outlet includes at least one slit; wherein the dispensing wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume; and wherein the dispensing wall includes a pair of elongated protrusions extending from the inner surface along at least one slit and at least partially defining at least one slit.

[0175] A6.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A6, wherein the pair of elongated protrusions spans the internal volume between the opposing sidewalls of one or more sidewalls.

[0176] A6.2. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A6-A6.1, wherein the bite-open drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein each of the pair of elongated protrusions includes a planar region perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0177] A6.2.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A6.2, wherein the planar region spans less than the entire corresponding elongated protrusion.

[0178] A6.3. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A6-A6.2.1, wherein each of the pair of elongated protrusions comprises three planar regions, the three planar regions comprising a first planar region extending from the one or more sidewalls, a second planar region, and a third planar region extending between the first planar region and the second planar region.

[0179] A6.3.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A6.3, wherein the first planar region and the second planar region extend from one or more sidewalls at an angle of at least 45°.

[0180] A6.3.2. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A6.3-A6.3.1, wherein the bite-open drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein the third planar region is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0181] A7. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A6.3.2, wherein one or more sidewalls define a circumferential lip edge, the circumferential lip edge defining the farthest surface of the body relative to the inlet.

[0182] A7.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A7, wherein the circumferential lip extends beyond the dispensing wall relative to the internal volume.

[0183] A8. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A7.1, wherein one or more sidewalls have a sidewall thickness.

[0184] A8.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A8, wherein the sidewall thickness is approximately uniform.

[0185] A8.2. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A8, wherein the sidewall thickness is variable.

[0186] A8.3. A bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A8 when it is subordinate to paragraph A7, wherein the sidewall thickness increases from near the circumferential lip edge toward the inlet.

[0187] A8.4. The bite-type drinking spout as described in paragraph A8 when it is subordinate to paragraph A7, wherein the sidewall thickness increases from the distal side of the circumferential lip edge toward the vicinity of the circumferential lip edge.

[0188] A8.5. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A8-A8.4, wherein the bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein the sidewall thickness is substantially uniform at one or more cross-sections of one or more sidewalls perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0189] A8.6. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A8-A8.4, wherein the bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein the sidewall thickness is non-uniform at one or more cross-sections of one or more sidewalls perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0190] A8.7. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A8-A8.4 when it is subordinate to paragraph A1, wherein at one or more cross sections of one or more sidewalls perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the sidewall thickness in a first transverse dimension is greater than the sidewall thickness in a second transverse dimension.

[0191] A9. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A8.7, wherein the bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet; wherein one or more sidewalls have an inner surface facing the internal volume; and wherein at one or more cross-sections of one or more sidewalls perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the inner surface has three or more vertices between adjacent surface regions.

[0192] A9.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A9, wherein three or more vertices include six vertices.

[0193] A9.2. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A9-A9.1, wherein one or more of the adjacent surface regions are arc-shaped.

[0194] A9.2.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A9.2, wherein one or more of the adjacent surface regions are convex.

[0195] A9.2.2. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A9.2-A9.2.1, wherein one or more of the adjacent surface regions are concave.

[0196] A9.3. A bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A9-A9.2.2, wherein one or more of the adjacent surface regions are planar.

[0197] A10. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A9.3, wherein one or more sidewalls define a cylindrical portion of the body, wherein the cylindrical portion extends around the internal volume; and wherein the body further includes a flange extending from the cylindrical portion away from the internal volume.

[0198] A10.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A10, wherein the flange extends from the cylinder portion at the end region of the cylinder portion opposite the dispensing wall.

[0199] A10.2. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A10-A10.1, wherein the flange extends from less than 60% of the circumference of the cylindrical portion.

[0200] A10.3. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A10-A10.2, wherein the flange includes a limiting structure configured to engage with a corresponding structure of the drinking container or hydration system to limit rotation of the bite-open drinking spout relative to the corresponding structure of the drinking container or hydration system.

[0201] A10.3.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A10.3, wherein the limiting structure includes a channel extending into the flange.

[0202] A11. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A10.3.1, wherein the body includes a drinking spout portion, an anchoring structure, and a coiled tube interconnecting the anchoring structure and the drinking spout portion; wherein the anchoring structure is configured to engage with a corresponding structure of a component of the drinking container to restrict unintentional removal of the bite-open drinking spout from the component of the drinking container; and wherein the coiled tube is configured to be operably and selectively coiled and uncoiled by a corresponding structure of the drinking container in response to user manipulation of the drinking container, such that the drinking container defines an on / off valve distinct from a self-sealing outlet.

[0203] A11.1. The bite-open drinking spout as described in paragraph A11, wherein at least two of the drinking spout portion, the anchoring structure, and the coiled tube are constructed as individual units of an elastic material.

[0204] A11.2. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A11-A11.1, wherein the drinking spout portion, the anchoring structure, and the coiled tube are constructed as a single unit of elastic material.

[0205] A12. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A10.3.1, wherein the one or more sidewalls define a cylindrical portion of the body; wherein the cylindrical portion extends around the internal volume and includes a neck region that defines the inlet and has a smaller cross-sectional area than the downstream portion of the cylindrical portion.

[0206] A12.1. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in paragraph A12, wherein the neck region is configured to receive or be received by an upstream component of a drinking container or hydration system.

[0207] A13. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A12.1, wherein the bite-open drinking spout is constructed as a single unit of elastic material.

[0208] A14. The bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A12.1, wherein the body is constructed as a single piece of elastic material.

[0209] A15. The bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A14 further includes any one or more of the elements, features, aspects, configurations, dimensions, characteristics and / or properties disclosed and / or combined herein.

[0210] A16. Use of a bite-sized drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A15 for dispensing liquid from a drinking vessel to a user.

[0211] B. A drinking vessel, comprising:

[0212] A liquid storage container, configured to hold a certain volume of drinking liquid; and

[0213] A bite-sized drinking spout operably connected to a liquid reservoir according to any one of paragraphs A-A15.

[0214] B1. The drinking vessel according to paragraph B, wherein the drinking vessel is a drinking container according to this disclosure, including any one of paragraphs C-C3.1.2.

[0215] B2. The drinking vessel according to paragraph B, wherein the drinking vessel is a hydration system according to this disclosure, including any one of paragraphs D-D4.

[0216] C. A drinking container, comprising:

[0217] Liquid containers, sized to hold a certain volume of drinking liquid; and

[0218] A lid assembly configured to be operably and selectively coupled to and removed from a liquid vessel, wherein the lid assembly includes a bite-open drinking spout according to any one of paragraphs A-A15.

[0219] Cl. The drinking vessel according to paragraph C, wherein the liquid vessel is at least one of rigid, semi-rigid, elastic, and collapsible (inelastic).

[0220] C2. The drinking container according to any one of paragraphs C-C1, wherein the drinking container is a water bottle, sports bottle, squeeze bottle, semi-rigid bottle or collapsible flask.

[0221] C3. The drinking container according to any one of paragraphs C-C2, wherein the lid assembly includes a drinking spout, and wherein the bite-open drinking spout is operatively coupled to the drinking spout.

[0222] C3.1. The drinking container according to paragraph C3, wherein the lid assembly further includes a lid base, and wherein the drinking spout extends from the lid base.

[0223] C3.1.1. A drinking container according to paragraph C3.1, wherein the drinking spout extends in a fixed orientation relative to the base of the cap.

[0224] C3.1.2. The drinking container according to paragraph C3.1, wherein the drinking spout is configured to move selectively (optionally pivot) relative to the base of the cap.

[0225] D. A hydration system comprising:

[0226] According to any one of paragraphs A-A15, the bite-open drinking spout;

[0227] A liquid storage container, sized to hold a certain volume of drinking liquid; and

[0228] Downstream components that fluidly interconnect the liquid reservoir with the bite-sized drinking spout.

[0229] Dl. The hydration system according to paragraph D, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a flexible bladder.

[0230] D2. The hydration system according to any one of paragraphs D-D1, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises:

[0231] A filling port, configured to receive drinking liquid into a liquid reservoir; and

[0232] The outlet port defines the pathway for conveying drinking liquids from the liquid reservoir to downstream components.

[0233] D3. The hydration system according to any one of paragraphs D-D2, wherein the downstream component includes one or more elongated flexible drinking tubes, an on / off valve configured to selectively impede flow through the elongated flexible drinking tubes, a quick-connect assembly of at least two fluid interconnecting parts configured to selectively and fluidly interconnect the downstream component, a pump, a filter, and / or a liquid flow meter.

[0234] D4. The hydration system according to any one of paragraphs D-D3 further includes:

[0235] A bag, garment, or carrier worn on the body that is configured to operatively receive a liquid reservoir of at least a hydration system.

[0236] As used herein, the term “and / or” placed between the first entity and the second entity means one of the following: (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and / or” should be understood in the same way as “one or more” of the entities thus combined. Other entities may optionally be present, whether related to or unrelated to those explicitly identified by the “and / or” clause. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “including,” a reference to “A and / or B” may in one embodiment refer only to A (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, refer only to B (optionally including entities other than A); and in yet another embodiment, refer to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

[0237] As used herein, the phrase “at least one” in relation to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more entities in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one and every single entity specifically listed in the list of entities, and does not exclude any combination of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows for the optional presence of entities other than those explicitly identified in the list of entities referred to by the phrase “at least one,” whether related to or unrelated to those explicitly identified entities. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or equivalently, “at least one of A or B”, or equivalently, “at least one of A and / or B”) in one embodiment may refer to at least one A, optionally including more than one A, but not B (and optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment may refer to at least one B, optionally including more than one B, but not A (and optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment may refer to at least one A, optionally including more than one A, and at least one B, optionally including more than one B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and / or” are open-ended expressions that are both operationally connective and disjoint. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and / or C” can mean a single A, a single B, a single C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and any of the above, optionally combined with at least one other entity.

[0238] As used herein, when reference is made to one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and / or methods according to this disclosure, the phrases “for example,” “as an example,” and / or simply the term “example” are intended to express illustrative, non-exclusive examples of the described components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and / or methods according to this disclosure. Therefore, the described components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and / or methods are not intended to be limiting, essential, or exclusive / extensive; and other components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and / or methods (including structurally and / or functionally similar and / or equivalent components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and / or methods) are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0239] As used herein, the terms “suitable” and “configured” mean that an element, component, or other subject matter is designed and / or intended to perform a given function. Therefore, the use of the terms “suitable” and “configured” should not be construed as meaning that a given element, component, or other subject matter is merely “capable” of performing a given function, but rather that the element, component, and / or other subject matter is specifically selected, generated, implemented, utilized, programmed, and / or designed for the purpose of performing that function. Also within the scope of this disclosure, elements, components, and / or other subject matter stated as suitable for performing a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as configured to perform that function, and vice versa.

[0240] As used herein, “operable” and “operably” when modifying the action, movement, configuration, interconnection, connection or other relationship of one or more components of a drinking container according to this disclosure mean as a result of the standard (i.e. intended) operation and / or functional utilization of one or more components of the drinking container, such as performing and / or realizing the specified action, movement, configuration, interconnection, connection or other relationship in the manner described herein.

[0241] As used herein, "at least substantially" when modifying a degree or relationship can include not only the "substantially" degree or relationship, but also the entire range of the degree or relationship. The substantially amount of the degree or relationship can include at least 75% of the degree or relationship. For example, an object formed at least substantially of a material includes an object formed of at least 75% of that material, and also includes an object formed entirely of that material. As another example, a first length at least substantially equal to a second length includes a first length that is at least 75% of the second length, and also includes a first length equal to the second length. As yet another example, a component at least substantially parallel includes a component extending in a direction deviating from a maximum of 22.5°, and also includes parallel components.

[0242] Where any patent, patent application or other reference is incorporated herein by reference and (1) defines a term in a manner inconsistent with any of the unincorporated portions of this disclosure or any of the other incorporated references, and / or (2) otherwise is inconsistent with any of the unincorporated portions of this disclosure or any of the other incorporated references, the unincorporated portions of this disclosure shall prevail, and the terms or incorporated disclosures therein shall prevail only with respect to the references in which the terms are defined and / or the incorporated disclosures are originally presented.

[0243] It is believed that the above-described disclosure covers a number of different inventions with independent uses. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein should not be considered limitingly, as many variations are possible. The subject matter of this disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions, and / or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where a claim states "a" or "first" element or its equivalent, such a claim should be understood to include one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

[0244] It is believed that the appended claims specifically point to certain novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations relating to one of the disclosed inventions. Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements, and / or properties may be claimed by amendments to these claims or by setting forth new claims in this application or related applications. Such amended or new claims are also considered to be included within the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein, regardless of whether they relate to different or the same invention, or whether they differ in scope from, are broader in, narrower in, or equivalent to the original claims.

[0245] This application also provides the following items:

[0246] 1. A bite-open drinking spout, comprising:

[0247] The main body includes:

[0248] Dispensing wall, wherein the dispensing wall includes a self-sealing outlet,

[0249] One or more sidewalls extending from the distribution wall, wherein the one or more sidewalls and the distribution wall define an internal volume, and further, wherein the one or more sidewalls include opposing engagement regions; and

[0250] An entrance to the internal volume;

[0251] The distribution wall has a distribution surface opposite to the internal volume;

[0252] The dispensing surface is concave.

[0253] The self-sealing outlet is selectively configured between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the self-sealing outlet is closed, and drinking liquid in the internal volume cannot be dispensed through the self-sealing outlet. In the open configuration, the self-sealing outlet is open, and drinking liquid in the internal volume can be dispensed through the self-sealing outlet.

[0254] The self-sealing outlet is biased toward the closed configuration and is configured to selectively reconfigure from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a compressive force applied by a user to the opposing engagement area.

[0255] 2. According to the bite-sized drinking spout described in Project 1,

[0256] The bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet;

[0257] The bite-sized drinking spout has a first lateral dimension and a second lateral dimension perpendicular to the first lateral dimension;

[0258] The first lateral dimension and the second lateral dimension are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

[0259] The self-sealing outlet includes at least one slit; wherein the at least one slit is parallel to the second lateral dimension;

[0260] Specifically, when the self-sealing outlet is in the closed configuration, the opposing faces of the at least one slit are joined together to restrict liquid flow through the self-sealing outlet, and when the self-sealing outlet is in the open configuration, the opposing faces of the at least one slit are separated to allow liquid flow through the self-sealing outlet; and

[0261] The maximum width of the body at the distribution wall in the first lateral dimension is greater than the maximum width of the body at the distribution wall in the second lateral dimension.

[0262] 3. The bite-type drinking spout according to Item 2, wherein the at least one slit is composed of a single slit; wherein the single slit is parallel to the second lateral dimension; wherein the opposing biting areas extend substantially along the first lateral dimension.

[0263] 4. The bite-sized drinking spout according to Item 1, wherein the dispensing wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume; and wherein the inner surface extends from the one or more sidewalls at an angle of at least 45°.

[0264] 5. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in Project 1,

[0265] The bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet; and

[0266] Wherein, at one or more cross sections of the main body containing the longitudinal axis, the distribution surface is V-shaped.

[0267] 6. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in Project 1,

[0268] The bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet;

[0269] The bite-sized drinking spout has a first lateral dimension and a second lateral dimension perpendicular to the first lateral dimension;

[0270] The first lateral dimension and the second lateral dimension are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

[0271] The distribution wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume;

[0272] The transition between the inner surface and the one or more sidewalls has a radius of curvature; and

[0273] The radius of curvature of the body at a first cross-section containing the longitudinal axis and on the first lateral dimension is greater than the radius of curvature of the body at a second cross-section containing the longitudinal axis and on the second lateral dimension.

[0274] 7. The bite-sized drinking spout according to Item 1, wherein the dispensing wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume; and wherein the inner surface and the dispensing surface are not parallel.

[0275] 8. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in Project 1,

[0276] The distributing surface has an outer region near the one or more sidewalls and an inner region positioned radially inward relative to the outer region;

[0277] The bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet; and

[0278] Wherein, at one or more cross sections containing the longitudinal axis, the distribution surface is straight in the outer region and arcuate in the inner region.

[0279] 9. The bite-sized drinking spout according to item 8, wherein at all cross-sections including the longitudinal axis, the dispensing surface is straight in the outer region and arcuate in the inner region.

[0280] 10. The bite-open drinking spout according to item 1, wherein when the self-sealing outlet changes from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the dispensing surface flexes toward the internal volume.

[0281] 11. The bite-open drinking spout according to Item 1, wherein when the self-sealing outlet is in the closed configuration, the sealing force of the self-sealing outlet increases in response to an increase in the liquid pressure within the internal volume.

[0282] 12. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in Project 1,

[0283] The dispensing wall has a dispensing wall thickness;

[0284] The bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet; and

[0285] The thickness of the distribution wall increases relative to the one or more sidewalls toward the longitudinal axis.

[0286] 13. The bite-sized drinking spout according to Item 1, wherein the dispensing wall is thicker near the self-sealing outlet than near the one or more sidewalls.

[0287] 14. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in Project 1,

[0288] The dispensing wall has a dispensing wall thickness;

[0289] The bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet; and

[0290] The thickness of the distribution wall decreases relative to the one or more sidewalls toward the longitudinal axis.

[0291] 15. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in Project 1,

[0292] The self-sealing outlet includes at least one slit;

[0293] The distribution wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume;

[0294] The dispensing wall includes a pair of elongated protrusions that extend from the inner surface along the at least one slit and at least partially define the at least one slit.

[0295] The bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet; and

[0296] Each of the pair of elongated protrusions includes a planar region perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0297] 16. The bite-sized drinking spout according to item 15, wherein the planar region spans less than the entire corresponding elongated protrusion.

[0298] 17. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in Project 1,

[0299] The self-sealing outlet includes at least one slit;

[0300] The distribution wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume;

[0301] The dispensing wall includes a pair of elongated protrusions extending from the inner surface along the at least one slit and at least partially defining the at least one slit; and

[0302] Each of the pair of elongated protrusions includes three planar regions, the three planar regions including a first planar region extending from the one or more sidewalls, a second planar region, and a third planar region extending between the first planar region and the second planar region.

[0303] 18. The bite-open drinking spout according to item 17, wherein the bite-open drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume and the self-sealing outlet; and wherein the third planar region is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0304] 19. The bite-sized drinking spout according to Item 1, wherein one or more sidewalls have a sidewall thickness; and wherein the sidewall thickness varies.

[0305] 20. The bite-open drinking spout according to item 19, wherein one or more sidewalls define a circumferential lip edge, the circumferential lip edge defining the farthest side surface of the body relative to the inlet; and wherein the sidewall thickness increases from near the circumferential lip edge toward the inlet.

[0306] 21. According to the bite-sized drinking spout described in Project 1,

[0307] The one or more sidewalls have a sidewall thickness;

[0308] The bite-sized drinking spout has a longitudinal axis extending through the inlet, the internal volume, and the self-sealing outlet; and

[0309] The thickness of the sidewalls is non-uniform at one or more cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the one or more sidewalls.

[0310] 22. The bite-sized drinking spout as described in Item 21,

[0311] The bite-sized drinking spout has a first lateral dimension and a second lateral dimension perpendicular to the first lateral dimension;

[0312] Wherein the first lateral dimension and the second lateral dimension are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and

[0313] Wherein, at one or more cross-sections of the one or more sidewalls perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the sidewall thickness in the first lateral dimension is greater than the sidewall thickness in the second lateral dimension.

[0314] 23. Based on the bite-sized drinking spout described in Project 1,

[0315] The one or more sidewalls define the cylindrical portion of the main body;

[0316] The cylindrical portion extends around the internal volume;

[0317] The body further includes a flange that extends from the cylindrical portion away from the internal volume; and

[0318] The flange extends from the cylindrical portion at the end region opposite the distribution wall of the cylindrical portion.

[0319] 24. The bite-sized drinking spout according to item 23, wherein the flange extends from less than 60% of the circumference of the cylindrical portion.

[0320] 25. The bite-open drinking spout according to item 23, wherein the flange includes a limiting structure configured to engage with a corresponding structure of the drinking container or hydration system to limit rotation of the bite-open drinking spout relative to the corresponding structure of the drinking container or hydration system.

[0321] 26. According to the bite-sized drinking spout described in Project 1,

[0322] The main body includes a drinking spout, an anchoring structure, and a coiled tube that interconnects the anchoring structure and the drinking spout.

[0323] The anchoring structure is configured to engage with a corresponding structure of a component of the drinking container to prevent unintentional removal of the bite-sized drinking spout from the component of the drinking container; and

[0324] The coiled tube is configured to be operablely and selectively coiled and uncoiled by a corresponding structure of the drinking container in response to user manipulation of the drinking container, such that the drinking container defines an on / off valve distinct from the self-sealing outlet.

[0325] 27. The bite-sized drinking spout according to Item 1, wherein one or more sidewalls define a cylindrical portion of the body; and wherein the cylindrical portion extends around the internal volume and includes a neck region that defines the inlet and has a smaller cross-sectional area than a downstream portion of the cylindrical portion.

[0326] 28. A drinking vessel, comprising:

[0327] A liquid reservoir, the liquid reservoir being sized to hold a certain volume of drinking liquid; and

[0328] According to Project 1, the bite-open drinking spout is operatively connected to the liquid reservoir.

Claims

1. A bite-open drinking spout, comprising: A dispensing wall extending from one or more sidewalls and including a self-sealing outlet, the self-sealing outlet being selectively configured to switch between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the self-sealing outlet is closed in the closed configuration and open in the open configuration, wherein the one or more sidewalls form a cylindrical portion, the one or more sidewalls being inclined such that the diameter of the cylindrical portion narrows from one end of the drinking spout opposite to the dispensing wall to a second end of the drinking spout including the dispensing wall; as well as An entrance to an internal volume formed by the one or more sidewalls and the distribution wall; The self-sealing outlet is biased toward the closed configuration and is configured to selectively switch from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a compressive force applied by a user to opposing engagement areas provided on the one or more sidewalls; and The entire distribution wall, from the one or more sidewalls to the center of the distribution wall, slopes downward toward the internal volume and has a minimum thickness that continuously increases from the minimum thickness adjacent to the one or more sidewalls to the maximum thickness at the center of the distribution wall.

2. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 1, wherein, The self-sealing outlet includes at least one slit.

3. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 2, wherein, The distribution wall includes an inner surface facing the internal volume and includes a pair of elongated protrusions extending from the inner surface.

4. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 3, wherein, The pair of elongated protrusions extend from the inner surface along the at least one slit and at least partially define the at least one slit.

5. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one slit includes two intersecting slits.

6. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 1, wherein, The distribution wall has a distribution wall thickness that continuously increases from the minimum thickness of the adjacent one or more sidewalls to the maximum thickness at the center of the distribution wall.

7. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more sidewalls have a sidewall thickness, wherein the sidewall thickness narrows from one end of the drinking spout opposite to the dispensing wall to a second end of the drinking spout including the dispensing wall.

8. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 1, wherein, The distribution wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume, and the inner surface extends from the one or more side walls at an acute angle.

9. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 8, wherein, The inner surface extends from the one or more sidewalls at an angle of at least 45°.

10. A bite-open drinking spout, comprising: A dispensing wall extending from one or more sidewalls and including a self-sealing outlet, the self-sealing outlet being selectively configured to switch between a closed configuration and an open configuration in response to a compressive force applied by a user to an engagement area provided on the one or more sidewalls, in which the self-sealing outlet is closed and in which the self-sealing outlet is open; as well as An entrance to an internal volume formed by the one or more sidewalls and the distribution wall; The distribution wall has a distribution wall thickness that increases continuously from a minimum thickness adjacent to the one or more sidewalls to a maximum thickness at the center of the distribution wall. Wherein, the one or more sidewalls form a cylindrical portion, and the one or more sidewalls are inclined such that the diameter of the cylindrical portion narrows from the end of the drinking spout opposite the dispensing wall to the second end of the drinking spout including the dispensing wall; and The thickness of the one or more sidewalls increases away from the distribution wall.

11. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 10, wherein, The self-sealing outlet includes at least one slit.

12. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 11, wherein, The distribution wall includes an inner surface facing the internal volume and includes a pair of elongated protrusions extending from the inner surface.

13. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 12, wherein, The pair of elongated protrusions extend from the inner surface along the at least one slit and at least partially define the at least one slit.

14. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 11, wherein, The at least one slit includes two intersecting slits.

15. The bite-sized drinking spout of claim 10, wherein the entire distribution wall from the one or more sidewalls to the center of the distribution wall slopes downward toward the internal volume.

16. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 10, wherein, The one or more sidewalls have a sidewall thickness, and the sidewall thickness narrows from one end of the drinking spout opposite the dispensing wall to a second end of the drinking spout including the dispensing wall.

17. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 10, wherein, The distribution wall has an inner surface facing the internal volume, and the inner surface extends from the one or more side walls at an acute angle.

18. The bite-open drinking spout according to claim 17, wherein, The inner surface extends from the one or more sidewalls at an angle of at least 45°.

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