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  Protective mask drinking tube coupling device and method of useUSPTO Application #: 20060272077Title: Protective mask drinking tube coupling device and method of use Abstract: A coupling device is provided for allowing one wearing a protective mask to drink fluids from a standard drinking fluid container. The device includes a punch at one end, a central body, and a capture port at the other end of the central body. The punch punctures a wall of a fluid container. Drinking fluid flows into the central body. The drinking tube is inserted into the port to allow one to drink fluid from the container. The device allows one wearing a protective suit in a contaminated environment to obtain drinking fluid from a standard, commercially-available container. (end of abstract) Agent: Mccarter & English, LLP - Newark, NJ, US Inventor: Robert McKittrick Related Keywords: coupling, port, standard USPTO Applicaton #: 20060272077 - Class: 002424000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Guard Or Protector, For Wearer's Head, And Face The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060272077. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a coupling device for connecting a drinking tube of a protective mask with a standard, commercially-available drinking fluid container. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Protective suits worn by individuals in hazardous or contaminated environments often include head coverings with protective masks. Governments, militaries, and private industries have developed such protective masks and suits in an attempt to allow personnel to function in areas where there may be nuclear, biological, or chemical contamination. These protective masks and suits are hot to wear. As a result, major problems for the wearers of such protective masks and suits include rapid and potentially life-threatening dehydration and associated elevated core body temperature, which necessitate frequent fluid intake. [0005] Many masks, such as the "M" series protective type, have drinking tubes that allow the mask wearer to access and drink from compatible "canteen" fluid sources. However, the canteen sources have a limited volume, and are very difficult to safely refill in a contaminated area. In order to obtain additional fluids, individuals are forced to leave the contaminated site, decontaminate themselves, and drink hydrating fluids from non-contaminated sources. From a military standpoint, as well as a Post-9/11 First Responder perspective, this is not only dangerous, but also impractical. Today's operating environment may require military forces, allies, first responders, and critical infrastructure managers to remain "in place" for extended periods of time, even days, to accomplish their assigned tasks. [0006] Thus, there is a need for a system of connecting the drinking tube of a protective mask with a commercially-available fluid container in a contaminated environment, such that both the mask wearer and the fluid in the container are maintained contaminant-free, and which also allows the uninterrupted functioning of personnel in the contaminated environment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention relates to a device for connecting a drinking tube extending from a protective mask to a standard, commercially-available drinking fluid container, such as a plastic water bottle, to enable the wearer of the mask to drink the fluid from the container without contaminating the wearer or the fluid. [0008] The present invention provides a hand-operated coupling device which includes a central cylindrical body with a punch at one end for insertion into a fluid container, and a capture port at the other end for insertion of a drinking tube extending from a protective mask. The punch has a sharp tip at one end which punctures a wall of the fluid container. The coupling device can be secured to the container in a number of ways. For example, the punch could include a threaded portion which is rotated into the container, whereby the threads secure the punch to the wall of the container. Alternatively, the punch could include one or more annular ridges shaped to engage a wall of the container upon insertion of the punch thereinto. Another way to secure the coupling device to the container is with a spring-loaded arm extending along the punch which bears against the inner wall of the container after the punch is inserted into the container. A gasket could be included for engaging with the outer wall of the container to seal the connection between the coupling device and the container. The gasket could be provided adjacent the central body of the coupling device. Apertures in the wall of the punch allow fluid to enter the punch and flow to the central body. A central bore that may vary in diameter extends through the central body. A valve, positioned within the central body and seated in the port, controls fluid flow between the punch and the port. Insertion of the mask drinking tube into the port moves the valve from a closed position seated in the bottom of the port to an open position so that fluid can flow through the device and into the mask tube to allow an individual wearing the protective mask to drink from the drinking fluid container. [0009] The present invention also provides a method for a wearer of a protective mask in a contaminated environment to access fluid from a standard fluid container. The method of the present invention comprises piercing a wall of the fluid container with a punch on the coupling device, securing the device to the wall of the fluid container, and inserting a male connector of a drinking tube into a port on the device. Insertion of the male connector into the port unseats the valve from a closed position to an open position, forming a flow path between the punch and the port through which the drinking fluid flows from the container to the drinking tube of the protective mask. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0010] Other important objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: [0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded exterior side view of the main components of an embodiment of the device of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 1. [0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2 in which the shaft of the punch has a uniform diameter. [0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2 in which the punch has annular ridges. [0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 3 in which the punch includes a spring-loaded arm. [0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a gasket of the device taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2. [0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 3 wherein the gasket may is biased against a container wall. [0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an annular projection within the device taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 2. [0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in an assembled form. [0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 9 connected at one end to a drinking fluid container and connected at the other end to a protective mask drinking tube. [0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 having a locking nut for urging the gasket against a wall of a drinking fluid container. 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