Abstract:
The present invention relates to a personal hydration system. In one exemplary embodiment, the personal hydration system may comprise a hydration reservoir for containing a supply of hydrating fluid, the hydration reservoir may comprise a plurality of compartments. The hydration reservoir may have a low profile and may comprise at least one baffle.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to personal hydration systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods that control the slosh of hydration liquid in a personal hydration system as a user of the personal hydration system participates in various physical activities. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    People doing exercises, such as, bicyclists, hikers, rowers, racers, walkers, and other athletes, frequently utilize what are known as “personal hydration systems” to maintain adequate hydration while engaging in their respective activities. Other individuals may also benefit from such a hydration system, such as construction workers, etc. These personal hydration systems typically have a bag-like fluid reservoir (e.g., a bladder) that is carried in a back or waist-mounted pack. A long, flexible hose is connected to the reservoir at one end and terminates at a mouthpiece at the other end. The hose is long enough to allow the mouthpiece to be carried in the user&#39;s mouth to enable the user to draw or suck water from the reservoir at will. 
         [0003]    A personal hydration system may be subject to substantial jostling due to body movement of a user while the user is engaging in an activity (e.g., running, biking, hiking, etc.). As a result of this jostling, hydration liquid contained within a fluid reservoir of the personal hydration system is subject to forces to move about actively (e.g., slosh). Slosh of hydration liquid may exert forces on the fluid reservoir and may cause the fluid reservoir to move about actively on the user&#39;s body. Further, slosh of hydration liquid in the fluid reservoir may create unpleasant noises when the user is exercising. 
         [0004]    The use of baffles to create smaller areas of volume within a larger space in order to reduce liquid movement has been used in oil tankers and other large cargo ships. The lower volume and square area available for liquid movement decreases the disturbance impact from the moving liquid. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for controlling slosh (e.g., reducing slosh) in a personal hydration system. The reduction of slosh may be accomplished by forming a hydration reservoir (e.g., a bladder) comprising multiple smaller compartments. In one of many embodiments, for example, the multiple smaller compartments may be created by placing one or more baffles in the hydration reservoir. The baffles may be placed in different orientations (e.g., horizontal, vertical). Further, the baffles may be made of porous material to enhance its ability for dampening the movement of hydration liquid. Moreover, baffle material may be flexible and pliable, which may enable easier removal and replacement of the baffles. Once removed, the baffles may be easily cleaned and the internal of bladder may also be easily cleaned. In addition, baffle material may be light and non-absorbing to maximize amount of liquid available to a user. In one particular embodiment, baffle material may have a low freezing point, thus a baffle may be pre-refrigerated before placing into a bladder. This way, the baffle may help to keep hydration liquid cool. In another exemplary embodiment, one or more baffles may be angled to promote liquid to flow to the bottom of the bladder and pool there, thus a user can draw liquid from bladder more easily. 
         [0006]    In some exemplary embodiments, one or more baffles may be incorporated into the design and shape of the bladder. For example, baffles may be made integral to the bladder. In another example, the bladder may be made with more than one branch and each branch may form a small compartment. 
         [0007]    Other methods and apparatuses may be utilized to reduce slosh as well. For example, a bladder may have a low profile. In one exemplary embodiment, the bladder may have an oval shaped profile that keeps the center of weight low. 
         [0008]    The invention may be embodied in numerous other systems and through numerous other methods. The following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses examples of the invention. Other embodiments, which incorporate some or all of the features, are also possible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this disclosure: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a baffled bladder for a personal hydration system that may be employed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  shows a rear-view of a backpack with a personal hydration system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  shows a front-view of the backpack of  FIG. 2A  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  shows a side-view of a personal hydration system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of a user wearing the personal hydration system of  FIG.3A  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a personal hydration system worn by a user in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  shows a front-view of a personal hydration system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  shows a front-view of a personal hydration system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  shows a rear-view of a personal hydration system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  shows a front-view of the personal hydration system of  FIG. 6A  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7A  shows a rear-view of a personal hydration system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7B  shows a front-view of the personal hydration system of  FIG. 7A  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7C  shows a front-view of another embodiment of the personal hydration system of  FIG. 7A  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8A  shows a rear-view of a personal hydration system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8B  shows a front-view of the personal hydration system of  FIG. 8A  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9A  shows one embodiment of a an external baffle system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9B  shows another embodiment of an external baffle system of  FIG. 9A  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  shows a hydration reservoir in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  shows a personal hydration system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12A  shows a disassembled personal hydration and external baffle system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 12B  shows a partly assembled personal hydration and external baffle system of  FIG. 12A  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a personal hydration system  100  that may be employed in accord with the present invention. The personal hydration system  100  may comprise a baffled hydration reservoir  102 , which may be referred to as the baffled bladder  102 . The baffled bladder  102  may have a cap  108  near the top and an opening  112  near an elliptically shaped bottom  116 . The opening  112  may be connected to a mouth piece  106  (e.g., a nozzle) through a liquid conduit  104  (e.g., a hose). A user may draw hydrating liquid from the baffled bladder  102  through the mouthpiece  106  during physical exercise. The baffled bladder  102  may contain a baffle frame  110 . The baffle frame  110  may comprise a plurality of baffles  114   a  and  114   b.  Although in the example, two baffles are shown, any number of baffles may be used. 
         [0032]    The elliptical shaped bottom  116  may provide the baffled bladder with a greater capacity and a low center of gravity, thus making it suitable for holding and/or transporting a large volume of liquid. The baffles  114   a  and  114   b  may provide dampening structures to reduce hydration liquid movement. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 1 , baffles  114   a  and  114   b  may be fixed to the baffle frame  110 . In one exemplary embodiment, the baffle frame  110  may not be needed, and the baffles  114   a  and  114   b  may be placed in different orientations (e.g., one horizontal and one vertical, both horizontal, both vertical). Further, the baffles  114   a  and  114   b  may be placed with angles to facilitate hydration liquid to flow to the bottom of the baffled bladder  102 . Moreover, there may be less baffles (e.g., just one baffle), or more baffles (e.g., three baffles, four baffles), used in the baffled bladder  102 . In one exemplary embodiment, baffles  114   a  and  114   b  may be made of porous material. Porosity may be a factor under consideration for slosh reduction. For example, baffle porosity may be low to impede liquid movement. Likewise, in another example, baffle porosity may be high to facilitate hydration liquid movement (e.g., to converge at the bottom of a bladder). In one or more exemplary embodiments, the porosity of the baffle material, and the number and orientation of baffles, may be combined to achieve slosh reduction. 
         [0034]    In some instances, the baffles  114   a  and  114   b  may be made of flexible and/or pliable material, thus they may be easily removed from the baffled bladder  102  for cleaning of the baffled bladder  102  and/or baffles  114   a  and  114   b.  In one exemplary embodiment, the baffle material may be also light and non-absorbing thus making more hydration liquid available to a user. In another exemplary embodiment, the baffle material may also have a low freezing point. Accordingly, the baffle may be pre-refrigerated in a freezer before being put in a bladder, thus keeping hydration liquid in the bladder cool. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the baffle may be made of metal, foam, or inflatable material. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the baffled bladder  102  may be made of plastic or other flexible material. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  show a rear-view and a front-view of a backpack  200  with a personal hydration system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the backpack  200  may comprise a hydration reservoir compartment  202 . The hydration reservoir compartment  202  may contain a hydration reservoir (e.g., a baffled bladder as described previously in  FIG. 1 ). The backpack  200  may also comprise a pressure system which may comprise a cable  220 , two cable sheaths  204   a  and  204   b,  a cable housing  206 , a lacing system  208  and a plurality of lacing guides  210   a,    210   b,    210   c  and  210   d.  The backpack  200  may further comprise a pair of compression wing panels  212   a  and  212   b.  The backpack  200  may be secured on a user&#39;s body by detachable straps  214   a  and  214   b,  which are also shown in  FIG. 2B . In  FIG. 2B , the cable housing  206  is shown to terminate proximate to a cable reel  216  and the backpack  200  may also comprise two compression wing panels  218   a  and  218   b  in the front. 
         [0036]    The pressure system of the backpack  200  may provide compression to the hydration reservoir compartment  202 . The pressure system may use the cable  220  (e.g., a cord). The cable  220  may engage a steel wire lacing such as, but not limited to, the lacing system  208 . An exemplary embodiment of a backpack  200  may use a lacing system  208  in conjunction with the backpack panels to act as a hydration compression system. When the lacing system  208  is engaged through the cable sheaths  204   a  and  204   b  and the plurality of lacing guides  210   a,    210   b,    210   c  and  210   d,  the compression forces generated may be applied directly upon hydration reservoir compartment  202  of the backpack  200  and through which applied upon the hydration reservoir contained therein. As the hydration reservoir compression system is further engaged (e.g., by tightening the cord), the hydration reservoir compartment  202  may apply continuous pressure upon the hydration reservoir reducing liquid movement (slosh) and creating a better flow rate through the hydration reservoir and associated drinking hose and nozzle (not shown). When the hydration reservoir compression system is disengaged, compression of the hydration reservoir compartment  202  may be relieved, allowing for removal and refilling of the hydration reservoir. In one exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, the hydration reservoir may be a baffled bladder as described previously in reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 3A and 3B  show a side-view and a perspective-view of a personal hydration system  300  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the personal hydration system  300  may comprise a hydration reservoir  302 , a hose  304 , a head section  306 , a valve  308 , a drinking hose  310  and a nozzle  312 . The hose  304  at one end may connect to an opening near the bottom of the hydration reservoir  302 . The hose  304  then may run through the head section  306  before connecting to the valve  308 . The drinking hose  308  may connect the nozzle  312  to the valve  308 . In one or more exemplary embodiments, the nozzle  312  may be a mouthpiece that a user may draw hydration liquid. The head section  306  may be a hat that accommodates the hose  304  to run through an inside rim of the hat where the rim touches the head of a user. The hydration reservoir  302  may be a baffled bladder as described previously in reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , the personal hydration system  300  is worn by a user. The hose  304  and drinking hose  310  may also be attached to minimize their movement when a user moves. In one or more exemplary embodiments in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, the personal hydration system  300  may be put into a hydration reservoir compartment of a backpack (e.g., a backpack as shown in  FIG. 2A and 2B ). When a user drinks hydration liquid through the nozzle  312  as shown in  FIG. 3B , hydration liquid may run through the hose  304  and the head section  306  before flowing to the drinking hose  310  and the nozzle  312 . Hydration liquid may thus act as a cooling agent to cool the user&#39;s head. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a personal hydration system  400  worn by a user in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the personal hydration system  400  may comprise a low profile reservoir  402 , a mouth piece  404 , a watch  406  and a sweat band  408 . During a physical exercise, a user may use the mouth piece  404  to draw hydration liquid from the low profile reservoir  402 . Further, the user may use watch  406  as a sport watch. The sweat band  408  may also facilitate physical exercise of the user. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the watch  406  and/or sweat band  408  may be optional. Moreover, the personal hydration system  400  may optionally comprise a map and/or a dry erase board. The watch  406 , sweat band  408 , map and dry erase board may be part of a multi-function panel. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5A and 5B  show a front-view and a rear-view of a personal hydration system  500  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5A , the personal hydration system  500  may comprise a low profile reservoir  502  and a plurality of perforated baffles. The low profile reservoir  502  may wrap around a user&#39;s body. The combination of low profile and baffles may reduce the slosh caused by movement of hydration liquid within the low profile reservoir  502 . The perforated baffles reduce volume in an already low profile bladder, i.e. minimized volume. Slosh is minimized since liquid has less room to move around in the small volume and square area. Furthermore, the perforated baffles reduces the overall weight of the bladder. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6A and 6B  show a front-view and a rear-view of a personal hydration system  600  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the personal hydration system  600  may comprise a low profile reservoir  602 . The low profile reservoir  602  may comprise a plurality of branches  610 . The low profile reservoir  602  and the plurality of branches  610  may wrap around a user&#39;s body. The personal hydration system  600  may further comprise an opening  604  near bottom of the low profile reservoir  602 . The opening  604  may be connected to a drinking hose  606 . The drinking hose  606  may be connected to a mouthpiece  608  as shown in  FIG. 6B . The combination of low profile and plurality of branches may reduce the slosh caused by movement of hydration liquid within the low profile reservoir  602 . In one or more exemplary embodiments, the low profile reservoir  602  may be removably attached to a shirt in the fashion of a harness. In another exemplary embodiment, the low profile reservoir  602  may be integrated into a shirt (e.g., built into a shirt). Further, the low profile reservoir  602  may wrap around the body to mimic the spine and/or ribs to offer a front and back system. Alternatively, the low profile reservoir  602  may wrap around the body in any pattern and with just a front or a back. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7A ,  7 B and  7 C show a rear-view, two alternative front-views of a personal hydration system  700  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the personal hydration system  700  may comprise a low profile contoured lumbar reservoir  702 , a drinking hose  704  and two shoulder straps  708   a  and  708   b.  The two shoulder straps  708   a  and  708   b  may be fluidly connected in a v-shaped joint  712 . The v-shaped joint  712  may be further fluidly connected to the low profile contoured lumbar reservoir  702 . The drinking hose  704  may be removably attached to the shoulder strap  708   a.  Alternatively, the drinking hose  704  may be removably attached to the shoulder strap  708   b.  A nozzle  706  may be connected to the drinking hose  704  as shown in  FIG. 7C . The two shoulder straps  708   a  and  708   b  may be fixed together by two straps  710   a  and  710   b  as shown in  FIG. 7B . Another strap  708  may be used to fit the personal hydration system  700  to a user&#39;s body. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7C , the two shoulder straps  708   a  and  708   b  may be joined together (e.g., fluidly connected) in the front of the personal hydration system  700 . The low profile v-shaped reservoir may wrap around a user&#39;s body for an improved fit for the personal hydration system  700 . Further, the lumbar reservoir may increase liquid capacity. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the lumbar reservoir may contain baffles as described previously in reference to  FIG. 1 . The combination of low profile and baffles may reduce the slosh caused by movement of hydration liquid. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8A and 8B  show a rear-view and a front-view of a personal hydration system  800  in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8A , the personal hydration system  800  may comprise a hydration reservoir  802 , a hose  806  and a clip  804 . The hydration reservoir  802  may be in a contoured lumbar shape. The contoured lumbar shape may help the hydration reservoir reduces slosh and forms to the body of a user. The hose  806  may be connected to a mouthpiece  808  as shown in  FIG. 8B . The hose  806  may be secured to the hydration reservoir  802  by the clip  804 . A user of the personal hydration system  800  may draw hydration liquid from the hydration reservoir  802  through the mouthpiece  808 . The mouthpiece  808  may be attached to a shirt of the user when not in use. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the mouthpiece  808  may be a magnetic bite valve. The magnetic bite valve may be mounted to a valve mount integrated into the user&#39;s shirt. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9A and 9B  show two exemplary embodiments of a hydration reservoir compartment with external baffles  900  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9A , the hydration reservoir compartment  900  may comprise a back panel  902  and a front panel  908 . A plurality of baffles  904  may be attached to the back panel  902  and the front panel  908 . When the back panel  902  and front panel  908  is sealed together with a bladder in between to form a closed system, the baffles  904  may compress portions of the bladder in hydration reservoir compartment with external baffles  900 . The combination of compression (e.g., sandwiches the bladder) and baffles may reduce the slosh caused by movement of hydration liquid. In  FIG. 9B , there is shown another embodiment of the hydration reservoir  900 . A plurality of baffles  906  may be in different shape and arrangement in comparison to the baffles  904 . In one or more exemplary embodiments, other shapes and arrangement of baffles may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows a hydration reservoir  1000  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The hydration reservoir  1000  may comprise a cap  1004  near the top, a hose connector  1006  near the bottom and a plurality of gel pods  1002 . The gel pods  1002  may serve as baffles to dampen movement of hydration liquid. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the plurality of gel pods  1002  may be refrigerated before putting in the hydration reservoir  1002 , thus they may help to keep the hydration liquid cool. 
         [0046]      FIG. 11  shows a personal hydration system  1100  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the personal hydration system  1100  may comprise a hydration reservoir  1002 , a cap  1004 , a drinking hose  1006  and an air pump  1008 . The cap  1004  may be located near the top of the hydration reservoir  1002 . The drinking hose  1006  may be connected to the bottom of the hydration reservoir  1002 . The air pump  1008  may be fluidly connected to the hydration reservoir  1002 . When a user of the personal hydration system  1100  exercises, the user may draw hydration liquid through the drinking hose  1006 . At the same time, movement of the user may cause the air pump  1008  to pump air into the hydration reservoir  1002 . The air pump is low pressure thus replacing drained liquid with air until volume of bladder is filled without over-inflation. Therefore, as hydration liquid level in the hydration reservoir  1002  may decrease, the overall volume may be kept constant, thus slosh may be reduced. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  show a personal hydration system  1200  in accord with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 12A , the personal hydration system  1200  may comprise a frame  1202  and a hydration reservoir  1204 . The hydration reservoir  1204  may comprise a removable cap  1206 . Hydration liquid may be put in the hydration reservoir  1204  when the removable cap  1206  is removed. The frame  1202  may be an X-shaped frame. As shown in  FIG. 12B , when assembled, the pressure created by the snaps pulling on the frame  1202  may compress the hydration reservoir  1204  externally. Further, the frame  1202  may serve as a baffle structure by pressing the hydration reservoir  1204  and protruding into the inner space of the hydration reservoir  1204 , thus reducing hydration liquid movement. 
         [0048]    The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, while certain features of the invention may be shown on only certain embodiments or configurations, these features may be exchanged, added, and removed from and between the various embodiments or configurations while remaining within the scope of the invention. Likewise, methods described and disclosed may also be performed in various sequences, with some or all of the disclosed steps being performed in a different order than described while still remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.