Abstract:
A fluid hydration system for providing a replenishable supply of fluid by replacing a depleted fluid reservoir with a replacement fluid reservoir, and housing such reservoir in a protective housing specifically designed to withstand the rigors of particular rigorous activities, such as football, hockey or combat. The inventive system comprises a conduit for communication of fluid from a supply area, at least one reservoir, releasably securable in an appropriately protective supply area, for containing a supply of fluid, and a connector for releasably connecting the conduit in fluid communication with a selected reservoir.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/631,945, filed Nov. 30, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/642,393, filed Jan. 8, 2005. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Field of the Invention. The invention is generally related to hydration systems having a replenishable fluid supply and more specifically to a fluid supply protectively and replaceable attached to a piece of personal equipment.  
         [0004]     Description of the Related Art. Hydration systems are widely known in the field. Such systems generally comprise a transportable reservoir for maintaining a supply of fluid and a conduit to transport the fluid from the reservoir to the fluid consumer. As the supply of fluid diminishes one is able to replenish the supply by refilling the hydration reservoir.  
         [0005]     Various hydration systems are known in the field of portable hydration, of which some include: 
    U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,130 issued to Glusker et al. on Feb. 13 1979, discloses a canteen belt that is easily worn for use by an athlete, which provides a supply of liquid without interfering with the athlete&#39;s physical endeavor.     U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,650 issued to Gotta on May 23, 1978, discloses a canteen having a straw extending through the top of a cap and reachable to the bottom of the canteen interior.     U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,098 issued to Eger on Dec. 16, 1986, discloses a portable liquid dispenser suitable for use by persons while performing an activity, having a single flexible dispensing tube in fluid communication with a pair of opposing one-way parallel passages, and the tube connected at one end to the container filling cap and the other to a dispensing valve. The container may be pressurized to facilitate pressure assisted fluid dispensing by operation of a compressible bulb that forces air into the container through the inlet one-way passage.     U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,097 issued to Motsenbocker on Dec. 13, 1983, discloses a portable liquid dispenser with carrying case having a pillow shaped, plastic sheet material container in fluid communication with a flexible tube, where the tube has a valve at the distal end for controlling the flow of fluid from the container through the tube.     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,085,349 and 5,727,714 issued to Fawcett on Feb. 4, 1992 and Mar. 17, 1998, respectively, disclose a resilient valve and dispensing system for bicyclists having a collapsible reservoir attached to a flexible tube, where the tube has a valve at the distal end for controlling the flow of fluid from the container through the tube by deforming the shape of the valve to widen a slit opening therein.     U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,087 issued to Wery et al. on Mar. 4, 1997, discloses a pressurized fluid dispensing device for storing and dispensing fluid to an individual during the performance of an assortment of physical activities. A fluid reservoir is pressurized by slidingly inserting a pressure adapter into the filler opening, and charging the system with a common air pressurizing system.     U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,134 issued to Matic, Jr. on Aug. 4, 1998, discloses a liquid carrying apparatus for a bicycle having a liquid holding tank attachable to the frame of a bicycle and also having a hose disposed in the tank and extending to within the reach of an operator in order to permit fluid communication through the hose to operator.     U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,344 issued to Bradley on Sep. 4, 2001, discloses a hands-free personal hydration delivery system that provides a feed tube, connectable to a remote fluid supply, where the tube is secureable to a user&#39;s head, either by attachment to a helmet or hat, or by a various specialized head mounts.     U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,168 B1 issued to Gardner et al. on Apr. 2, 2002, discloses a personal hydration system with an improved mouthpiece that provides a greater bite valve activation area.     U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,533 B2 issued to Skillem on Apr. 20, 2004, discloses a hydration pouch with a detachable hose, such that the hose may remain in configuration for use while the pouch may be replenished, chilled or cleaned.    
 
         [0016]     It would be an improvement to the art to provide a protective housing for a hydration reservoir, specifically adapted for particular rigorous activities, such as football or combat, from which housing the reservoir may be easily removed for fluid replenishment or reservoir replacement.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later.  
         [0018]     In at least one illustrative embodiment, the invention is a hydration system that permits easy replacement of the reservoir, such that replenishing the supply of fluid is as simple as removing a depleted reservoir and attaching a reservoir with additional fluid. The inventive device is particularly suited for adaptation with various types of personal equipment, such as sporting equipment, where quick and convenient fluid supply replenishment is favorable. An exemplary adaptation includes configuring the device to attach to football shoulder pads, where the reservoir removably attaches to the rigid pad assembly and a protective housing is provided to prevent damage to the reservoir during football activity. An exemplary adaptation includes configuring the device to attach to personal body armor, where the reservoir removably attaches to the rigid pad assembly and a protective housing is provided to prevent damage to the reservoir during harsh physical activity. An additional exemplary adaptation may include removably attaching the reservoir to a bicycle such that a replacement reservoir may be easily installed by the rider or a person adjacent to the bicycle and rider during operation. An additional exemplary adaptation includes removably holding the reservoir to a harness that is securely attachable to a person&#39;s body, holding the reservoir suitably during prolonged physical activity, such as a marathon. Reservoir may be appropriately placed by a second person&#39;s personal equipment where that person may travel adjacent to the athlete without hindering the athletic performance of the athlete, so the athlete may continue with the physical activity.  
         [0019]     An alternative exemplary embodiment includes the capacity for selective connectivity to a refill reservoir for replenishment of the main reservoir. Alternative embodiments include accomplishing refill flow by use of gravity, air pressure created in the refill reservoir and fluid pressure created in the refill reservoir, but other methods of promoting fluid flow within the inventive system may be appreciated as obvious given the teaching of this disclosure.  
         [0020]     Many of these exemplary embodiments may include various integrated garments designed that may provide the features, individually or in combination, to compliment access to the reservoir for replenishment operations, provide protection, provide support and provide stability to the reservoir and housing system. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention integrated into protective football equipment.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the reservoir separated from the protective housing and personal equipment.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a close view of an exemplary reservoir connection configuration.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary refill system and an alternate exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary fluid reservoir containing a beverage powder.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of an exemplary complimentary garment configured over the embodiment of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 8   a  is a side view of an alternate exemplary refill system in charge mode.  
         [0030]      FIG. 8   b  is a side view of an alternate exemplary refill system in discharge mode.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a side view of an additional alternate exemplary refill system. 
     
    
       [0032]     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.  
         [0034]     The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures. The words and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term or phrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilled artisans, such a special definition will be expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for the term or phrase.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict an exemplary piece of personal equipment, specifically atheletic equipment of a football shoulder pad assembly  1 , adapted to protectively comprise hydration assembly  10 . The exemplary hydration assembly  10  is generally comprised of fluid reservoir  12 , for holding and dispensing a quantity of liquid, positioned within a protective area  20 . Hydration assembly  10  may additionally include feedline or conduit  14 , connector  16  and feed spout or valve  18 . Reservoir  12  may take the form of various types of containers known to hold fluid without leaking and permit controlled release of fluid through a flow valve. Exemplary reservoir  12  is a flexible bag having filler cap  11  at one end and flow outlet  19  at the other end. Connector  16  attaches intermediate to flow outlet  19  and conduit  14 , effectively connecting conduit  14  to reservoir  12  to support fluid communication therebetween such that fluid from reservoir  12  may flow through flow outlet  19 , through connector  16  and into conduit  14 . Conduit  14  provides communication of fluid from reservoir  12  to valve  18 , effectively transporting fluid from protective area  20  that provides protection to reservoir  12 , to a hydration point such as an individual&#39;s mouth.  
         [0036]     As known in the art, shoulder pad assembly  1  is constructed of both soft padded and rigid materials. In order to provide protection from the inherent rigors of the play of football, exemplary protective area  20  may be constructed of a similarly tough material as the rigid materials of shoulder pad assembly  1 . In the exemplary embodiment protective area  20  is comprised of housing  22  hingedly secured to one side edge by rivets  21  and releasably securable on the opposing side edge by hook and loop fastener strip  24 . It is understood the one component of the hook and loop fastener strip  24  is permanently affixed to the shoulder pad assembly  1  and the other component is permanently affixed to the edge of housing  22 . This configuration permits filler cap  11  to project out the top and flow outlet  19  to extend out the bottom of housing  22 . In alternative exemplary embodiments either or both rivets  21  and hook and loop fastener strip  24  may be replaced with suitable hardware connectors (not shown), such as grommets, screws, nut and bolt assemblies, toggle bolts or wing nut assemblies, as a few examples.  
         [0037]     Exemplary valve  18  is attached to conduit  14  removed from reservoir  12  in order to permit easy operation by a user. Exemplary valve  18  is a mouth-activated valve, known in the field, which inhibits fluid flow unless pressure is applied to its exterior, such as in biting down on the body of the valve. The applied pressure opens the valve permitting fluid to flow through conduit  14  and valve  18 . Various forms of valve  18  are known in the field of portable hydration and may be suitable for use with the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, valve  18  is positioned, and may be removably secured, to shoulder pads  1  in the front, adjacent to where a wearer&#39;s mouth would be.  
         [0038]     In the exemplary embodiment additional securement is provided to reservoir  12  by hood and loop fastener strips  26 , which have corresponding components affixed to the shoulder pad assembly  1  in the area coverable by housing  22 , and the exterior of reservoir  12 . Though it is not presently seen on reservoir  12 , one skilled in the art would understand the application and use of hood and loop fastener strips  26 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 3  shows exemplary connector  16  comprises two components. In a separated state, where one component, insert  15 , remains securely connected to flow outlet  19 , while the other component, receiver  17 , is removed from insert  15 . Detent button  13  releases a catch that secures insert  15  within receiver  17  so that the two components may be separated. Inserting insert  15  into receiver  17  sufficiently permits a catch operatively connected to detent button  13  to reengage, securing the two components of connector  16 . With the two components secured into unitary connector  16  fluid may travel between flow outlet  19  and conduit  14 . Exemplary connector  16  is just one embodiment of suitable connectors that should be obvious to the field given this disclosure.  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  shows exemplary refill system  30  connected to an alternate exemplary embodiment of hydration assembly  10 . An alternate exemplary protective area  20  is shown cut-away to show a fabric covering over housing  22 , which covers reservoir  12 . Exemplary protective area  20  contains grommets  23  through which screws (not shown) may be inserted to secure protective area  20  to the personal equipment. In the exemplary embodiment, protective area  20  is held to the protective equipment with hook and loop fastener strips  26 . Refill system  30  may replenish a fluid supply into reservoir  12  while positioned within protective area  20 , through conduit  14 . In the exemplary embodiment connector  16  is located a distance along conduit  14  away from protected area  20 . Refill conduit  34  connects into conduit  14  at connector  16 . Receiver  17  may be removed from insert  15  and refill receiver  17 ′ may be inserted into insert  15  establishing fluid communication between refill system  30  and reservoir  12 .  
         [0041]     The invention envisions various methods of creating flow of a fluid supply in refill reservoir  32  into reservoir  12 . The exemplary system may promote flow from refill reservoir  32  into reservoir  12  by gravity, where refill reservoir  32  is positioned at a greater elevation with respect to reservoir  12 . Alternatively, the exemplary system may have a pressurization system wherein a pressurized air supply is given access the interior of refill reservoir  32  through pressurization valve  38 . As pressurized air (not shown) enters refill reservoir  32 , fluid (not shown) inside reservoir  32  may be forced out reservoir outlet  36 , through refill conduit  34 , connector  16  and conduit  14 , and ultimately into reservoir  12 . In an alternative embodiment, refill reservoir  32  may be pressurized by incorporating a lever pump (not shown), as known in pressurized sprayers. When pressurize flow is employed a valve (not shown) may be included in reservoir outlet  36  to permit selective flow from refill reservoir  32 . The supply of refill fluid may be replenished within refill reservoir  32  by removing refill top  33  to access the interior of refill reservoir  32 .  
         [0042]     Existing hydration systems include forced flow hydration systems. The current invention includes the adaptation of such systems by providing an adapter (not shown), configured as receiver  17 ′, in  FIG. 4 , that can attach to the liquid outlet of the hydration system, permitting the existing hydration system to become a refill reservoir. The second adapter (not shown) may then be provided to insert into receiver  17 ′ in the same manner as insert  15 , but instead of being attached to conduit  14 , the other end of the insert  15  would be configured as a selectably open drinking top, as found in many sports water bottle. This makes the inventive hydration refill reservoir suitable to provide direct hydration to individuals not in possession of an entire hydration assembly  10 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative exemplary fluid reservoir  112 . Fluid reservoir  112  may be a pouch that is completely sealed except for outlet  19 . Fluid reservoir  112  is shaped to be containable within protective area  20  and designed to integrate into the other components of hydration assembly  10 . Such a fluid reservoir  112  may be used a limited number of times and disposed of rather than cleaned for reuse. The invention includes the process whereby fluid reservoir  112  may be supplied to an area for use without containing a fluid, making it lighter and more convenient to transport.  
         [0044]     As part of the inventive process, the exemplary embodiment of reservoir  112  is pre-filled with a serving of appropriate beverage powder  40 . The serving size would depend on the capacity of reservoir  112 . The process further includes filling the reservoir  112  with liquid either before or after connected into the balance of hydration assembly  10 . An exemplary embodiment of the inventive process further includes connecting reservoir  112  into hydration assembly  10  and subsequently filling reservoir  112  with an appropriate amount of water (not shown), inserted through outlet  19  by a variety of refill means disclosed in this disclosure, prior to athletic activity. In an alternate embodiment of the inventive process includes connecting reservoir  112  into hydration assembly  10  after being filled with an appropriate amount of liquid (not shown). If beverage powder  40  is present, the process may include permitting beverage powder  40  to dissolves inside reservoir  112 , creating a sports beverage (not shown). The process may include allowing additional time to permit the beverage powder  40  to completely dissolve prior to use for hydration. An exemplary embodiment of the inventive process may include filling a number of reservoirs  112  with liquid in anticipation of use prior to a time when they will be needed. Suitable beverage powders  40  that dissolve into water to make hydrating sports drinks are know in the field. An exemplary embodiment may also include any, or a combination of, refilling a depleted reservoir  112  during break intervals of the athletic activity, disposing of the depleted reservoir and replacing the depleted reservoir.  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  shows an alternate exemplary embodiment of hydration assembly  10  having two outlets  19  from reservoir  12 . In this embodiment one outlet  19  may be connected to conduit  14  as previously discussed, while another outlet  19  may be connected to refill conduit  34 . The connection between conduit  14  and  34  may or may not include connector  16 , since each outlet may be used for dedicated inward or outward flow. However, including connectors  16  selectively permits easy removal of reservoir  12  for maintenance, cleaning or replacement.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , to assist in refill operations this invention contemplates and includes modifications to pieces of apparel in order to facilitate access to either or both reservoir  12 ,  112  and conduit  14 . Such modifications may include access orifices constructed into the apparel or formed in the apparel as an end-use modification, such as exemplary orifice  51 . A non-exhaustive list of potentially suitable access types include hole, open seam, zipper opening, hook and loop fastener opening, button opening or flap. The use of these accesses and others not mentioned, but envisioned as equivalents are considered as part of this invention.  
         [0047]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show an alternate exemplary refill system. Liquid  3  is drawn into the body of refill reservoir  132  in  FIG. 8   a  through inlet  138  as piston head  62  is drawn back from refill reservoir  132  by piston rod  63 . Inlet  138  functionally includes inlet check valve  141 , which permits fluid communication into refill reservoir  132  as piston head  62  creates negative pressure within refill reservoir  132 , but prevents flow out of inlet  138  when the pressure within refill reservoir  132  is approximately neutral or greater. Outlet  136  functionally includes outlet check valve  143 , which prevents fluid communication out of refill reservoir  132  when the pressure within refill reservoir  132  is approximately neutral or less, yet, as in  FIG. 8   b , permits fluid communication out of refill reservoir  132  as piston head  62  is pushed forward creating positive pressure within refill reservoir  132 .  
         [0048]     An alternate exemplary embodiment (not shown) is similar to refill reservoir  132 , but has a combined inlet  138  and outlet  136 , having no check valve. A sufficiently tight seal between the interior of refill reservoir  132  and piston head  62  maintains pressure within refill reservoir  132  so that liquid  3  exclusively moves into and out of refill reservoir  132  through the combined inlet  138 /outlet  136 , with the respective draw and push of piston head  62 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 9  shows an alternate exemplary refill system. Refill reservoir  232  is configured similarly to a water bottle known to the art, except that outlet  236  functionally includes outlet check valve  243 , in removable cap  233  in the exemplary embodiment. Outlet check valve  243  prevents the flow of water  3  out of refill reservoir  232  when the pressure within refill reservoir  232  is approximately neutral or less. Pressure may be created within refill reservoir  232  by squeezing the sides of the refill reservoir  232 . Inlet  238  functionally includes inlet check valve  241 , which permits fluid communication of gas or liquid  3  into refill reservoir  232  as pressure within refill reservoir  232  falls below neutral, but prevents flow out of inlet  238  when the pressure within refill reservoir  232  is approximately neutral or greater. Though inlet valve  238  is shown distal to outlet valve  236 , inlet valve  238  may be positioned in various locations as long as the interior side of inlet valve  238  accesses the interior of refill reservoir  232  distal from where outlet valve  236  accesses the interior. This can be accomplished by integrating a tube extension (not shown) to either inlet valve  238  or outlet valve  236 , such that the tube offers fluid flow to a point distal the other valve. The configuration of refill reservoir  232  permits the rapid expulsion of liquid  3  through outlet valve  236  by repeatedly squeezing and releasing the body of refill reservoir  232 .  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 4, 8   b  and  9 , either outlet  136  or outlet  236  may be functionally connected to refill conduit  34  in order force water  3  into reservoir  12  in a similar fashion as described above in the description of the function of refill reservoir  32 .  
         [0051]     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is only illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. No limitations are intended to the details of construction or design, herein shown, or to the methods described herein, other than as described in the claims below. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.