Flow control element including elastic membrane with pinholes

摘要

A flow control element (e.g., a baby bottle nipple or a child nippy cup flow control valve) that includes a tube-like wall section defining a flow channel, and a substantially flat membrane supported by the wall section such that membrane impedes flow through the flow channel to an external region. The membrane punctured to form multiple, substantially round pinholes arranged in a two-dimensional pattern that remain closed to prevent fluid flow under normal atmospheric conditions, and open and to facilitate fluid flow rate through the membrane under an applied pressure differential (e.g., when sucked on by a child). The wall section has a greater rigidity than the membrane (which is formed from a relatively highly elastic material). Different sized pinholes are produced using different sized pins, thereby facilitating different flow rates in response to different applied pressure differentials. The pinholes are generated while stretching the membrane in a radial direction.

主权项

1. A flow control element for controlling the flow of a liquid id="REI-00002" date="20150908" between a first region and a second region of a wall sectionid="REI-00002" , the flow control element comprising:
a tube-like wall section having a first end and a second end, the wall section defining a liquid flow channel extending from the first end to the second end of the wall section; and a substantially flat, elastic membrane including a perimeter, wherein the perimeter of the membrane is connected to the wall section such that the membrane is disposed between the first region and the second region in the flow path of the liquid flow channel and an external region located outside of the flow control element, wherein the membrane defines a plurality of pinholes that are formed such that when the membrane is subjected to normal atmospheric conditions and the membrane remains undeformed, the plurality of pinholes remain closed to prevent liquid flow between the liquid flow channelfirst region and the externalsecond region through the membrane, and when the membrane is deformed in response to an applied pressure differential between the liquid flow channelfirst region and the externalsecond region, the plurality of pinholes open to facilitate liquid flow of said liquid through the membrane.