This invention is directed to a duckbill valve arrangement (10) for a beverage dispensing container (70). The arrangement (10) includes a tube (11) having a resilient tube wall (12) with an outer surface (15) and defining an internal passageway (13). The arrangement (10) further includes a duckbill valve (30) mounted within the passageway (13). The duckbill valve (30) includes a resiliently closable valve mouth (41) arranged to be opened upon compression of the tube (11). At least one groove (20, 21) extends along the outer surface (15) of the tube wall (12) for reducing the force required to compress the tube (11) and open the duckbill valve (30).

An elastomeric valve includes a barrel having one or more walls defining an interior fluid pathway. The barrel is deformable between a non-deformed state and a deformed state. The elastomeric valve further includes a gate assembly of two or more gate elements forming a tapering volume projecting into the fluid pathway from the one or more walls of the barrel. In at least some examples, each gate element joins the barrel at a reduced cross-section that forms a hinge of that gate element. The two or more gate elements interface with each other along one or more gate boundaries to collectively block the fluid pathway in the non-deformed state and separate from each other along the one or more gate boundaries in the deformed state to permit fluid flow through the gate assembly.

A hydration system includes a liquid reservoir, a bottleneck plug, a tube, a hydration valve (e.g., bite valve), and a flow-restricting device (e.g., check valve). The tube comprises a first end for coupling to the liquid reservoir via the plug, a second end having the hydration valve, and the flow-restricting device interposed between the liquid reservoir and the hydration valve. The plug may be inserted into a variety of bottlenecks.

The present invention relates to a mouthpiece apparatus for bridging the mismatch in shape between the generally circular cross section of a tube, such as a straw, and the more oval or elliptic shape of a person's mouth. The mouthpiece has an input interface, an output interface, and a continuous passageway connecting the input interface and the output interface. The input interface forms a socket in which to seat the tube, and the output interface conforms generally to the shape of the lips of a person's mouth in a natural state. In alternate embodiments, the adapter may be formed with, or pre-mounted to, a tube or straw, or to a vessel such as a juice box.

The disclosure, aka HydroPiece in the only product of its kind that channels water through a primary tube then directly through a face guard to ensure athletes have quick and easy access to water, when needed, effectively eliminating the task of having to remove play equipment in order to address thirst or dehydration. This unprecedented product is uniquely designed with a simple filter that catches small debris from compromising the water and employs durable materials to ensure long-term sustainability during utilization. The disclosed hydration device includes a mouthpiece comprising a connecting opening, a head comprising a channel opening and sides each defining a clip chamber and a tube having a first end configured to connect to the mouthpiece connecting opening and a second end configured to connect to the head channel opening.

A hydrating mouthguard is disclosed. The mouthguard has a mouthpiece and a housing that holds a container or reservoir. The container can be removed from the housing, refilled with a hydrating fluid, and reused. The mouthpiece has an internal channel that fluidly couples the interior space of the housing with the exterior of the mouthpiece. The mouthguard also includes a tube. One end of the tube is removably inserted into the container. An annular flange on the exterior of the tube fluidly seals with the opening on the container. The other end of the tube is removably inserted into the channel of the mouthpiece. The tip of the tube has a valve that opens to dispense the hydrating fluid when squeezed.

Methods and apparatus to provide improved straws are described. In an embodiment, a drinking straw comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion is to engage with a user's upper lip and the bottom portion is to engage with a user's lower lip. The top portion is to have a curvature to promote reduced crinkle/wrinkle in the user's upper lip while sipping through the straw. Other embodiments are disclosed and/or claimed.