Abstract:
The hydration pouch includes an elastic band that compresses the bottom portion of the hydration bladder inside the pouch to more evenly distribute the fluid contents of the bladder vertically within the pouch, thereby preventing the pooling of the fluid contents in the bottom of the bladder.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to pouches and pockets for carrying hydration bladders. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Hydration bladders are often used in recreation and other sustained outdoor activities. Hydration bladders include a flexible reservoir constructed from sheets of plastic film and a hose that allows a user to drink directly from the contents of the reservoir. Hydration bladders are typically carried within pockets specifically formed in “hydration-system compatible” backpacks and carriers or in pouches that mount to packs, armor carriers or other load bearing carriers. Typically, hydration bladders are carried vertically within these pockets and pouches; consequently, gravity causes the contents to “pool” or “balloon” in the bottoms of the bladder reservoirs inside the pouches and pockets. 
         [0003]    The hydration pouch of this invention supports a conventional hydration bladder and includes a wide elastic band that compresses the bottom portion of the hydration bladder within the pouch interior to more evenly distribute the fluid contents of the bladder vertically, thereby preventing the pooling effect of the fluid contents within the bladder. In addition to reducing the pooling effect, the elastic band also provides an added measure of water pressure within the bladder&#39;s drinking hose. Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of the hydration pouch of this invention and a conventional hydration bladder; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the hydration pouch of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the hydration pouch of  FIG. 1  with a portion cut away to show the elastic band; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a side sectional view of the hydration pouch and the hydration bladder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the hydration pouch of  FIG. 1  with a portion cut away to show the hydration bladder; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the hydration pouch of  FIG. 1  and a conventional armor plate carrier; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the hydration pouch of  FIG. 1  mounted to a conventional armor plate carrier. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0012]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-7  show an embodiment of the hydration pouch of this invention, designated generally as reference numeral  10 . Pouch  10  is designed and intended to accept and support a conventional hydration bladder  2 , of the type manufactured by such companies as Camelbak Products, LLC. of Petaluma Calif., USA, or Source Vagabond Systems, Ltd. of Tirat Carmel, Israel. As shown, hydration bladder  2  includes a reservoir body  4 , a screw cap  6  and a drink hose  8 . 
         [0013]    Pouch  10  is constructed from a durable cloth or fabric, such as Cordura® from INVISTA, but can be made from any natural or synthetic cloth or fabric, which resists tears, abrasions and scuffs. The weight of the fabric for the pouch body is selected to provide sufficient rigidity to support the weight of a 1-5 liter hydration bladder. As shown, the outside of pouch  10  is covered with PALS (pouch attachment Ladder System) webbing to be MOLLE (MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) compatible. The PALS webbing allows the pouches to be attached to other MOLLE compatible carriers, vests and packs. PALS webbing consists of horizontal rows of heavy-duty 1″ nylon webbing. As shown in  FIG. 7 , PALS webbing allows pouch  10  to be attached to an armor plate carrier  50  or other MOLLE compatible carrier, vest or pack using polymer MALICE Clips® 6 from Tactical Tailor  52  or alternatively using “Natick” snaps (polyethylene reinforced webbing straps with push the dot snaps for security) or other MOLLE compatible fasteners (not shown). 
         [0014]    Pouch  10  includes a front panel  12 , back panel  14  and side panels  16 , which are sewn together to form a generally rectangular pouch body having a pouch interior  11  for receiving the hydration bladder  2 . Hydration bladder  2  is inserted into pouch interior  11  through an opening  17  in the top of pouch  10 , which is enclosed by a zipper  18 . The bottom portion  15  of back panel  14  is constructed of a nylon mesh, which allows passage of condensation formed on hydration bladder  2  and other debris through pouch  10 . Pouch also has a pair of opposed openings  13  through which hose  8  extends. 
         [0015]    Pouch  10  also includes a wide band of elastic webbing  20 , which passes under the front panel  12 . Elastic band  20  is generally four to eight inches wide. As shown, the ends of elastic band  20  are sewn to back panel  14 . Elastic band  20  passes over side panels  16  and under front panel  12  through slotted openings  15 . A small vertical bar tack  28  connects the middle of elastic band  20  to the back of front panel  12  at the top of the band. Elastic band  20  provides compression to the bottom of hydration bladder  2  when inserted into pouch  10 , which helps prevent the fluid contents of the bladder from pooling in the bottom of the bladder. The compression force from elastic band  20  also provides an added measure of water pressure within hose  6 . It should be noted that bar tacking the top of the middle of elastic band  20  to the back of front panel  12  allows the hydration bladder to be fully inserted into pouch interior  11  without binding on elastic band  20 , which lies loosely across the pouch interior. 
         [0016]    Hydration pouch  10  constitutes only one embodiment of the present invention. While this embodiment is illustrated and described as a separate pouch that may be attached to other MOLLE compatible armor carriers, packs and load bearing carriers, the teaching of this invention may be incorporated directly into and integrated with the design of a hydration pocket in such carriers and packs. In addition, any embodiment of this invention may be modified or adapted to accommodate a hydration bladder of any size, style or configuration within the teachings of this invention. 
         [0017]    The embodiment of the present invention herein described and illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope of the following claims.