Patent Application
20070034634
1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to hydration systems and more particularly to portable hydration systems having a supply tube for communicating fluid from a reservoir to a user.
2. The Relevant Technology
Portable hydration systems have evolved to include arrangements much like a back pack that include a flexible pouch to retain and transport hydration fluids (e.g., water). The flexible pouch has an inlet for the user to supply desired fluids and an outlet to which a supply tube is connected. The supply tube or conduit has a mouthpiece at the other end that includes a valve operable by a user to access the fluid as desired. Typically, a bite valve or other fluid transfer mechanism is positioned at the end of the supply tube operable by user between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the user may draw the hydration fluid out of the flexible pouch.
The tube or conduit is typically of a length that extends from the bottom of the pouch on the user's back over the user's shoulder or under the user's arm to the vicinity of the user's mouth. The tube typically is connected to the pouch in the vicinity of a seam where the side walls of the pouch are joined. In other systems, the tube is connected to the pouch at a location on one of the side walls.
In some systems, the tube is attached to the pouch with a rigid portal or connecting member that either extends directly out from the side wall, or that has an elbow configuration. When the connecting member has an elbow configuration, it ordinarily directs the tube up the user's back towards the shoulder or to the side of the user's back. Such an arrangement does not work well for medical hydration applications, where the hydration pack is used for wheelchair or bedridden individuals, or certain outdoor activities, such as a shower application, where the configuration of the elbow configuration should be downward instead of upward.
When the connecting member is attached to the side wall, the connecting member and the end of the tube close to the pouch are typically in a fixed position, and cannot be rotated or pivoted around the point where the tube is attached to the pouch. This arrangement poses a significant problem when the pouch is removed for filling or cleaning. Further, when the tube's position is adjusted by the user, the portion of the tube adjacent the fixed connecting member is subject to twisting and bending, which can constrict the tube and hinder flow of fluid through the tube.
A hydration system includes a pouch for storing fluid, a flexible conduit for delivering fluid from the pouch to the user, a surface mount receiver located in a side wall of the pouch through which fluid can pass, an outlet connector that is connected to the surface mount receiver and to a proximal end of the conduit, and a quick connect for easily connecting and disconnecting the conduit from the pouch. The outlet connector is configured to rotate relative to the portal structure. The surface mount receiver is attached to a side wall in the bottom portion of the pouch, proximate an opening in the side wall so that fluid passes from the pouch and into the portal structure.
The port structure is generally articulated, and includes at least two sections connected at a joint so that one section can move relative to the other. The first section includes the male coupling element of an outlet connector that provides attachment to the surface mount receiver. The second section is a female coupling element in a surface mount receiver that receives the male coupling element of the outlet connector. The movement of the two sections relative to each other may be rotational, with the first section rotating around a longitudinal axis of the second section. The conduit is connected to the outlet connector. The outlet connector may include a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the outlet connector.
The quick connect apparatus rotates relative to an axis of rotation extending through the approximate centers of the opening of the conduit, the inlet and male coupling element of a male insert adapter, the female coupling of the quick connect and the inlet to the outlet connector. The outlet connector rotates relative to the surface mount receiver around an axis of rotation extending through the approximate centers of each. This arrangement provides a dual axis of rotation, one at the connection between the female coupling of the quick connect apparatus and the male coupling of the male insert adapter and a second at the moveable joint structure coupling the outlet connector to the surface mount receiver.
In one embodiment, the surface mount receiver comprises a plurality of ridges on the bottom of the surface mount receiver for providing a fluid pathway when in operation. When under suction, the ridges prevent the bottom of the surface mount receiver from directly contacting a bladder wall and essentially forming a watertight seal thus blocking the opening thereby sealing off the flow of fluid from the opening to the bladder.
In another embodiment, the conduit may be disconnected from the quick connect element. This arrangement allows for the provision of one of a plurality of connectable elements to be connected to the female coupling of the quick connect at the port structure. Connectible elements include any structure that may be connectable to a hydration system, such as a shower element, a water filtration system, medical hydration system, a mobile water tank and a replacement mouthpiece structure to name a few. The connectable element is fitted with a corresponding male coupling element that is sized and configured to mate with the female coupling element of the quick connect to provide a watertight seal and therefore reduce if not eliminate the loss of fluid from the bladder.
In yet another embodiment, the quick connect element is provided with an internal valve configuration. The internal valve configuration restricts the flow of fluid through the quick connect when the quick connect is detached from a connectable element. This arrangement substantially reduces the loss of fluid from the bladder and out of the conduit when, for example, the male coupling of the male insert adapter coupled to a conduit is disconnected from the female coupling of the quick connect and, a period of time later, the male coupling of a shower device is connected to the female coupling of the quick connect to provide a shower apparatus for a hiker.
These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention relates to portable hydration systems for storing fluid and delivering fluid to a user.
The tube or conduit 20 is typically a hollow conduit for passing fluid from the pouch 12 to the user. The conduit 20 may be formed of any number of flexible plastic materials in any number of sizes that is currently used for a typical hydration system. In a preferred embodiment, conduit 20 is a flexible medical grade poly tubing having an outside diameter of about 0.5 inches. The bite valve 26 is secured or attached to the distal end 24. As shown in
A surface mount receiver 18 is positioned on the lower portion 36 of the outer side wall 16, proximate an opening (not shown) in the side wall so that fluid passes from the pouch 12 into the surface mount receiver 18. The surface mount receiver 18 permits both the discharge of fluid from the pouch 12 and the introduction of fluid to the pouch 12. The plate 38 has an aperture (not shown), positioned proximate the opening in the side wall 16.
In the illustrated embodiment, the surface mount receiver 18 includes a plate 38 that attaches and seals to the outer side wall 16 around the opening in such side wall 16. For example, plate 38 may be sealed within the layers of a multi-layered or dual-layered side wall. However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that there are numerous methods for attaching the plate 38 to the side wall 16, and there is no intent to limit the present description to any particular method of attachment.
The surface mount receiver 18 includes a surface mount 40, attached or integrally molded to the surface of the plate 38 at a location opposite the side wall 16. The surface mount 40 is a raised structure with a central conduit 42 for passing fluid. Attached to the interior of the central conduit 42 is a female coupling element 44, that may be a raised rubber lip, rubber ring or gasket, adapted and suitably sized to form a watertight seal when coupled to portal connector or outlet connector 30. The outlet connector 30 includes a male coupling element 46, illustrated as a plurality of raised rubber rings or gaskets, adapted to create a seal with the central conduit 42 of the surface mount 40. The illustrated embodiment using a female coupling element and a male coupling element shows one of many configurations for providing a pivotal watertight seal between the pivotal connector 30 and the surface mount receiver 18. Therefore, the sealing method is not limited solely to the illustrated method.
The outlet connector 30 and the surface mount receiver 18 are preferably formed of lightweight plastic material, although other materials, such as metals, may be used.
In addition to being sold as part of a complete hydration system 10, the outlet connector 30 and conduit 20 combination can be sold and used as replacement parts. Additionally, the outlet connector 30, tube 20, and surface mount receiver 18 may be sold individually or together (such as the configurations shown in
The pouch 12 includes a second portal structure 58 with a cap 60 in the outer side wall 16 or a seam of its top portion, through which fluid can pass. The preferred use of the second portal structure 58 is for introduction of fluid to re-supply the pouch 12, although it can be used for other purposes such as the discharge of fluid from the pouch and cleaning the interior of the pouch.
In operation, the male end 53 of the outlet connector 30 is inserted into the central conduit 42 of the surface mount 40. Upon integration, the female coupling element 44 engages male coupling element 46, thereby providing a watertight connection for fluid to flow from the pouch 12 into the outlet connector 30, and eventually to a connectable element.
It should be appreciated that, in operation, the user may adjust the position of the flexible conduit 20. When the conduit 20 is adjusted, the outlet connector 30 is capable of articulating and moving in response to the adjustment. Further, the plate 38 and surface mount 40 of the surface mount receiver 18 provide support and stability and protect the side wall 16 from tearing when the outlet connector 30 articulates in response to the position of conduit 20.
While the hydration system 10 here discussed includes or is in the form of a pack, which is typically referred to as a back pack, it may be in a wide variety of forms, such as a hip type or lumbar type hydration pack. Any hydration system or apparatus will be suitable so long as it has a means for delivering fluid from a conduit to a user, as discussed hereinafter, and a container means to retain the fluid that is dispensed through the conduit for consumption.
The male end 66 of outlet connector 60 has a male coupling element or O-ring 68 for forming a watertight seal with a female coupling element located within central conduit 42 of surface mount 40. In operation, the connection between outlet connector 60 and surface mount 40 is created by snap fitting male end 66 into central conduit 42, thereby creating a watertight seal between the female coupling element (not shown) of surface mount 40 and the male coupling element 68 of the outlet connector 60.
In operation, the male end 66 and male coupling element 68 are inserted into the central conduit 42, thereby connecting male coupling element 68 to the female coupling element (not shown) of surface mount 40 of surface mount receiver 18. The combination forms a moveable joint structure, thereby rotatably connecting the outlet connector 60 to the surface mount 38. The joint structure is configured so that the male end 66 can rotate within the central conduit 42, thereby also causing the position of the outlet connector 60 to change relative to the position of the surface mount receiver 18.
The outlet connector 60 is adapted to rotate in a direction 74 relative to an axis of rotation A, as shown in
The body portion 83 of quick connect 84 is press fit into the female portion 78 of outlet connector 76. In the illustrated embodiment, the quick connect 84 is a spring loaded connector with a button 88 for releasing the spring loaded locking mechanism (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the quick connector or quick disconnect is manufactured by Colder Products, Inc. Significantly, quick connect apparatus 84 has an internal valve (not shown) that is configured to prevent the flow of fluid through the quick connect apparatus 84 when a male coupling element is disconnected from the female coupling element 86. This internal valve provides a means for connecting and disconnecting the conduit 98 from the port structure 75 so that the internal valve seals the internal chamber of the quick connect apparatus 84, thereby preventing precious fluid loss from the bladder.
Male insert connector 90 generally comprises an inlet 92 and a male coupling element 94. The male coupling element 92 is sized and configured to connect to the female coupling end 86 of quick connect 84. The male coupling element 92 has an O-ring element 91 that, when connected with quick connect apparatus 84, seals against the interior wall of quick connect 84 to create a watertight seal. Male insert connector 90 also includes an outlet 94 that is configured and sized for insertion into the distal end 99 of conduit 98. To create a tight seal, the outlet 94 of male insert connector 90 has a barbed fitting 96 sized to snugly receive the distal end 99 of conduit 98 thereover. Accordingly, the male insert connector 90 may be secured or attached to the distal end 99 of conduit 98.
In operation, the male coupling element 92 of male insert adapter 90 is inserted into the female coupling element 86 of the quick connect 84 until the spring loaded connector engages. The spring loaded mechanism (not shown) internal to quick connect 84 connects with ribbed portion 91 of male coupling element 92, thereby locking the male insert adapter 90 in place, the o-ring 91 creating a watertight seal between quick connect 84 and the male insert adapter 90.
In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet connector 76 and the surface mount receiver 18 are connected by a moveable joint structure that enables the outlet connector 76 to change orientation relative to the surface mount receiver 18. Similarly, the quick connect 84 is constructed to allow the male coupling element 92 of male insert adapter 90 to rotate within the female coupling element 86 of quick connect 84 while maintaining a watertight seal.
The conduit 98 and male insert connector 90 rotate relative to an axis of rotation C 81 extending through the approximate centers of the opening of the quick connect apparatus 84, the male insert adapter 90 conduit 98. As stated previously, the outlet connector 76 rotates relative to the surface mount receiver 18 around an axis of rotation B 95 extending through the approximate centers of the male coupling element 80 and the opening to central conduit 42. This arrangement provides a dual axis of rotation, one at the point of connection between outlet connector 76 and the surface mount receiver 18 and a second at the point of connection between the female coupling 86 of the quick connect 84 and the male coupling 92 of the male insert adapter 90. Advantageously, the dual axis of rotation keeps the conduit from tangling.
In operation, the conduit 98 may be quickly removed from outlet connector 76 by pressing button 88, which releases male insert adapter 90 from quick connect 84. The advantages to such an arrangement are many. Significantly, the ability to remove the conduit from a rotating port structure enables the user to completely remove the bladder from a hydration system without having to worry about removing the conduit from the hydration system as well. The connect/disconnect feature of the quick connect 84 is highly advantageous for filling a bladder with fluid, since the bladder may be easily disconnected from the conduit, filled with fluid and returned to the hydration system. In addition, the ability to remove the conduit 98 from the port structure 75 and rotate the outlet connector 76 relative to surface mount receiver 18 provides a means for adding different add-ons or connectable elements, such as a shower adapter, medical hydration system for a wheelchair bound or bedridden individual, and a water filtration system to name a few.
In certain circumstances, such as hydration system is under suction during operation, the bottom 111 of plate 100 is forced towards an interior wall of a bladder that is adjacent to the wall of the bladder 12 that plate 100 is mounted. Ridges 115, 120, 125 facilitate the creation of a fluid path between a wall of the bladder 12 and adjacent ridges. The ridges 115, 120, 125, and not the bottom 111 of plate 100, contact the adjacent bladder wall thereby creating a path for fluid to flow between adjacent ridges. By creating an alternate fluid pathway, ridges 115, 120, 125 prevent the adjacent wall of bladder 12 from closing off the flow of fluid through the inner channel 110 when a hydration system is under suction during operation.
To effect a connection, the male portion of an outlet connector is press fitted into an interior channel 110 of surface mount receiver 101. A section of the male portion of the outlet connector engages the plurality of female connector members 130, 135 located within the interior channel 110 of pressure connector 101. The connection between the male portion of the outlet connector allows the male portion to freely rotate 360° within the interior channel 110 relative to the surface mount receiver 101, but also provides a watertight seal at the point of connection.
The second male coupling portion 410 comprises a top end 432, a bottom end 435 and a coupling means 430 there between. Top end 432 also includes a seal member 436. In a typical operation, the second male coupling potion 410 is inserted into the opening 205 of the outlet connector 200 shown in
In operation, when a user bites, squeezes or otherwise causes the sleeve 645 to deform, the portion of the sleeve 645 covering the valve post end 655 collapses slightly into a slightly oblong shape. Accordingly, the end closed 650 of the outer sleeve 645 is pulled away from the valve post end 655, allowing fluid to be released from a location interior to outer sleeve 645 to the user's mouth. Other types of fluid discharge elements, such as a nipple or clamp, or a push/pull type valve that is commonly used in cycling water bottles, can be substituted for the illustrated bite valve. Accordingly, the illustrated embodiment is not intended to limit the present system to the illustrated bite valve structure.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
