Abstract:
A golf bag and integrated liquid hydration system that allows golfers to bring multiple servings of liquids onto the golf course, while not increasing the amount of items he would normally carry. The hydration system is also able to serve multiple users in a hygienic fashion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present disclosure is for a beverage delivery, or hydration, system integrated into a specialized golf bag used for carry golf clubs and other golfing equipment.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The water content in our bodies is extremely important to our health and well being, and must be maintained at a suitable level. Drops in the body&#39;s water content can happen especially quickly while exercising in the heat, often catching a person unawares until symptoms set in. Sweating is the body&#39;s main system for getting rid of extra heat. When you sweat, and the water evaporates from your skin, the heat that evaporates the sweat comes mainly from your skin. As long as blood is flowing properly to your skin, extra heat from the core of your body is “pumped” to the skin and removed by sweat evaporation. If you do not sweat enough, you cannot get rid of extra heat well, and you also can&#39;t get rid of heat as well if blood is not flowing to the skin. Dehydration will make it harder for you to cool of in two ways: if you are dehydrated you won&#39;t sweat as much, and your body will try to keep blood away from the skin to keep your blood pressure at the right level in the core of your body. But, since you lose water when you sweat, you must make up that water to keep from becoming dehydrated. If the air is humid, it&#39;s harder for your sweat to evaporate—this means that your body cannot get rid of extra heat as well when it&#39;s muggy as it can when it&#39;s relatively dry. This can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat prostration and in severe situations, even loss of consciousness and death.  
         [0003]     Even if severe symptoms do not occur, dehydration can affect an athlete&#39;s performance in less than an hour of exercise—even sooner if the athlete begins the session less than fully hydrated.  
         [0004]     Athletes who exercise outdoors, especially in hot weather have long recognized the importance of staying hydrated while exercising. Numerous devices are known to enable bikers, hikers and runners to carrying a supply of beverage with them while exercising. Usually worn on the athlete&#39;s back or on the hip, these “hydration packs” allow the user to carry a container of liquids on their bodies. These packs commonly have a soft pouch for holding liquids and a drinking tube that allows the user to drink directly from the hydration.  
         [0005]     While these camelback packs are ideal for bikers, hikers and runners since they are carried on the person&#39;s body, it is becomes unwieldy for use by a golfer because the golfer already has to carry his golf clubs.  
         [0006]     Golfing is usually not associated with more strenuous aerobic exercises such as running and biking, and many golf courses do not allow golfers to bring beverage containers onto the greens. However, it can be just as strenuous as other aerobic sport. Due to the wide range of age and physique of golfers, and the hot or humid conditions the game is often played, there is an often-ignored need to bring a sufficient amount of drinking water. Also, because a round of golf can take a long time, small servings of beverage may not be enough. Finally, there may be multiple golfers in a group that require liquid sustenance.  
         [0007]     While the afore-discussed hydration backpacks may serve its purpose well for other outdoor sports, for a golfer this means carrying a second pack in addition to the golf bag and clubs he already has to carry. This becomes quite unwieldy and cumbersome when the golfer wants to have a drink while carry both the golf bag and the hydration pack. He would also have to take off the hydration pack when he is ready to play a round. Because of the hassle involved, most golfers simply do not bring liquids to drink while they are on the greens.  
         [0008]     What is desired is a liquid delivery/hydration system that allows golfers to bring multiple servings of liquids onto the golf course, while not increasing the amount of items he would normally carry. It is also desired that the hydration system be able to serve multiple users in a hygienic fashion.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts an outside view of the golfbag according to one embodiment.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2   a  depicts a front view of the beverage reservoir part of the hydration system.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2   b  depicts the side view of the beverage reservoir.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     A novel sports bag and integrated hydration system is disclosed.  FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the golf bag  101 . Much like a standard golf bag, it should have capacity to hold a set of golf clubs  102 , and pouches  103  for golf gear such as tees. Straps  104  are for carrying the bag on a golfer&#39;s back or shoulder. In the embodiment depicted, a reservoir pocket  105  with a closeable closure  106  is positioned on an outside wall of the golf bag. The reservoir pocket  105  forms an enclosure for carrying a beverage reservoir  201  as described below. Preferably, the reservoir pocket  105  should be positioned on the exterior of the golf bag such that it rests against the side or back of the person carrying the golf bag. This way, when the beverage reservoir  201  is loaded into the reservoir pocket  105 , the weight of the liquid rests against and cushions the carrier&#39;s body.  
         [0013]     The inner lining of the reservoir pocket  105  should be made of, or covered in, an insulated material that can help maintain the temperature of the beverage carried in the beverage reservoir. The enclosure  106  of the reservoir pocket can be fastened shut by any known or convenient means, including buttons, fasteners, Velcro®, and zippers. An opening, or slit  107 , allows the beverage flow lines to pass through to the outside of the pocket (see below).  
         [0014]     An embodiment of a beverage reservoir and hydration system is depicted in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  (collectively  FIG. 2 ).  FIG. 2   a  shows a front view of the reservoir, and  FIG. 2   b  shows a side view of it. The beverage reservoir  201  is made of a durable but collapsible material that will allow the reservoir to be flattened when empty. It should also be made of a transparent material for easy viewing of the level of beverage when it is being filled. Any material known or convenient may be chosen, including plastics, polyurethane, or rubber. In the embodiment of the reservoir depicted, the reservoir has a vertically elongated shape such that the weight of the liquid carried will be distributed evenly along the side of the sports bag. With the weight distributed evenly, a user will have an easier time carrying the sports bag when the hydration system is loaded.  
         [0015]     The beverage reservoir  201  has an opening  202  for filing it with a liquid or beverage  203 . The opening  202  is closed with a removable cap  202   a  that forms a watertight seal when securely mated with the opening. A top handle  204  is made integral with the beverage reservoir  201 , and is used for carrying and handling the reservoir when it is to be filled with liquid, or emptied. In another embodiment not shown, a bottom handle may be employed. The handles can be flat and molded from the same material that forms the beverage reservoir itself. Liquid level markers  206  can assist the user if a powder or liquid beverage mix is used and need to be diluted with water.  
         [0016]     Beverage flow line connectors  207  are located near the bottom of the beverage reservoir  201 . These connectors are located near the bottom of the reservoir so that the beverage will flow easily into beverage flow lines. In the embodiment depicted, two beverage flow lines, suitable for serving beverage to two users, can be connected to the beverage reservoir  201 . If only one user is using the hydration system, the unused connector is capped shut with a water-tight cap  208  and a beverage flow line is not connected. In an alternate embodiment, the beverage flow lines can be permanently made integral with the reservoir. In a further embodiment, only one beverage flow line will be made available.  
         [0017]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a beverage flow line  210  has opposed ends, one ending in a connector  211  for connecting with a beverage flow line connector  207 , and the other ending in a mouthpiece  212 . The beverage flow line  210  should be of sufficient length to reach the user&#39;s mouth when the beverage reservoir is loaded in to the reservoir pocket, and the user is carrying the golf bag. For easy access, the beverage flow line  210  can be connected to one of the shoulder straps  104  of the golf bag  101 .  
         [0018]     In an embodiment of the system, the mouthpiece  212  is a valve device and has a cylindrical sidewall that forms a chamber. A valve element is located inside the chamber and prevents backflow of the beverage. The mouthpiece is formed such that it allows it to be held securely between the user&#39;s lips. When the user compresses the opposed sidewalls of the chamber with his teeth, liquid flows through the mouthpiece.  
         [0019]     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , arrow  111  indicates the beverage reservoir  201  being loaded, bottom first, into the golf bag  101 . The closure  106  of the reservoir pocket  106  is opened and the filled reservoir  201  is lifted into and secured inside the reservoir pocket  105 . A beverage flow line  210  is passed through the opening  107  in the reservoir pocket so that the flow line and mouthpiece is outside the reservoir pocket. Once the reservoir  201  is loaded, the closure can be closed again, forming an insulated space to maintain the temperature of the beverage. The beverage delivery line can then be removably attached to the shoulder strap  104  for easy access.  
         [0020]     When the user is done with the hydration system, the beverage reservoir can be taken out of the reservoir pocket, drained and cleaned. When the hydration system is not needed for use with the golf bag (for example, when the user is going to a driving range only), the hydration system can be conveniently stored separately by compressing it flat.  
         [0021]     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. By way of example, a tennis racquet bag with a similar construction to the golf bag disclosed above can be made. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.