Abstract:
A flexible fluid delivery system comprising a fluid bladder having a first inlet and a first outlet, the fluid bladder configured to contain liquid, an inflatable compartment capable of being pressurized by inflation and having a second inlet, the inflatable component being formed adjacent to the fluid bladder, such that the fluid bladder and the inflatable component are integrated to form a pressurized fluid reservoir, a seam element formed in the fluid bladder and the inflatable component of the pressurized fluid reservoir, the seam element being capable of controlling the shape of the pressurized fluid reservoir, a pump associated with the second inlet of the inflatable compartment, the pump being configured to inflate the inflatable component of the pressurized fluid reservoir, and a valve operatively coupled to the first outlet of the fluid bladder, the valve being capable of releasing the liquid contained in the fluid bladder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/497,672 filed Aug. 1, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/026,225 filed on Jan. 3, 2005 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/026,224 filed on Jan. 3, 2005, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. The Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a hydration system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system of pressurizing a hydration system. 
         [0004]    2. The Relevant Technology 
         [0005]    Bicyclists, hikers, runners, walkers and other athletes often use hydration packs to maintain adequate hydration while engaging in their sports. These hydration packs usually have a bag like fluid reservoir, or bladder that is disposed in a pack that can be carried by the user. A long flexible hose can connect to the reservoir and may provide a mouthpiece for the user. The mouthpiece can be carried in the user&#39;s mouth to allow the user to draw or suck liquid from the reservoir as desired. 
         [0006]    These types of hydration packs can be problematic because they depend on hydrostatic head pressure and suction to move fluid from the flexible container through the tube and mouthpiece. Hydrostatic head pressure is the pressure resulting in the hose from the weight of the liquid in the hydration pack. Often this hydrostatic head pressure is inadequate to move a sufficient amount of fluid to quench the user&#39;s thirst. Consequently, these types of hydration packs may also require suction by the user through the mouthpiece to provide adequate flow of fluid to the user. Providing the amount of suction force is difficult, if not impossible, for many users, especially when the user is engaged in a vigorous activity such as cycling, running, or the like. 
         [0007]    Another problem of these suction type hydration packs is that the amount of fluid drawn from the reservoir is directly proportional to the amount of sucking force applied. Consequently, a considerable amount of force may be needed to draw a sufficient amount of water to quench a user&#39;s thirst and meet the user&#39;s hydration needs. This is especially problematic when the user is short of breath because of participating in a strenuous activity. 
         [0008]    Some hydration packs have pressurization systems to pressurize the liquid in the reservoir to overcome the sucking force problem. Most of these systems have a second flexible tube coupled between the reservoir and a pressure source, such as a pump. The user can actuate the pump in order to force air, or some other compressible gas into the reservoir, thereby pressurizing the reservoir with the pumped air. The pumped, pressurized air exerts pressure on the liquid and forces the liquid out of the flexible tube when the mouthpiece valve is activated by the user. 
         [0009]    Unfortunately, these types of hydration packs work best when the pack is in an upright position since the liquid has to remain near the tube outlet in order to be pushed through the tube by the pressurized air. Moreover, as liquid is consumed, more pressurized air is required to maintain pressure on the liquid. Thus, many pressurization cycles may be needed to maintain enough pressure in the bladder to force the liquid through the tube. Additionally, when the pack nears an empty point, the pressurized air is often insufficient to force the remaining liquid out the tube. 
         [0010]    The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    These and other limitations are overcome by embodiments of the invention which relate to systems and methods for storing and delivering a fluid from a fluid bladder. As described more fully below, the systems provide a method of pressurizing the fluid stored in the fluid bladder so that the fluid may be more easily delivered from the fluid bladder than in previous systems known in the art. 
         [0012]    A first aspect of the invention is a flexible fluid delivery system. The system comprises a fluid bladder having a first inlet and a first outlet, the fluid bladder configured to contain liquid, an inflatable component capable of being pressurized by inflation and having a second inlet, the inflatable component being formed adjacent to the fluid bladder, such that the fluid bladder and the fluid bladder form an pressurized fluid reservoir, a seam element formed in the fluid bladder and the inflatable component of the integrated fluid delivery reservoir, the seam element being capable of controlling the shape of the pressurized fluid reservoir, a pump associated with the second inlet of the inflatable component, the pump being configured to inflate the inflatable component of the pressurized fluid reservoir, and a valve operatively coupled to the first outlet of the fluid bladder, the valve being capable of releasing the liquid contained in the fluid bladder of the pressurized fluid reservoir. 
         [0013]    A second aspect of the invention comprises an pressurized fluid reservoir configured to hold and selectively dispense a liquid through an outlet. The pressurized fluid reservoir comprises a bladder portion configured to contain a liquid and having a first inlet capable of receiving the liquid and an outlet capable of dispensing the liquid, an inflatable portion formed adjacent to the bladder portion, the inflatable portion having a second inlet capable of receiving a gas so as to inflate and apply a pressure on the bladder portion formed adjacent to the inflatable portion, a seam element formed in the bladder portion and inflatable portion capable of controlling the shape of the bladder portion and inflatable portion, a pressure inducer associated with the second inlet of the inflatable portion being configured to inflate the inflatable portion by transferring a gas into the inflatable portion via the second inlet, and a valve operatively coupled to the first outlet of the bladder portion, to the valve being capable of releasing the liquid contained in the fluid bladder portion of the pressurized fluid reservoir. 
         [0014]    A third aspect of the invention is a flexible fluid delivery system. The flexible fluid delivery system comprises a fluid bladder having a first inlet and a first outlet, the fluid bladder configured to contain liquid, an inflatable component capable of being pressurized by inflation and having a second inlet, the inflatable component being formed adjacent to the fluid bladder, such that the fluid bladder and the fluid bladder form an pressurized fluid reservoir, a seam element formed in the fluid bladder and the inflatable component of the integrated fluid delivery reservoir, the seam element being capable of controlling the shape of the pressurized fluid reservoir, a pump associated with the second inlet of the inflatable component, the pump being configured to inflate the inflatable component of the pressurized fluid reservoir, and a valve operatively coupled to the first outlet of the fluid bladder, the valve being capable of releasing the liquid contained in the fluid bladder of the pressurized fluid reservoir. In the flexible delivery system, the fluid bladder and the inflatable component are separated by a membrane wall, such that the membrane wall forms a wall of the fluid bladder and a wall of the inflatable component. 
         [0015]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0016]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    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: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pressurizable fluid delivery system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross section of the pressurizable fluid delivery system of  FIG. 1 , shown with an inflatable portion disposed adjacent to a fluid bladder; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a cut-away view of the pressurizable fluid delivery system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of an additional embodiment of the pressurizable fluid delivery system which includes reinforcements in the welds between the inflatable portion and the fluid bladder; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a method for pressurizing and dispensing liquid from a pressurizable fluid delivery system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a cross section of a pressurizable fluid delivery system according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a pressurizable fluid delivery system in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. The following detailed description and exemplary embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the invention are designated by numerals throughout. 
         [0026]    The present invention is generally directed to a pressurizable fluid delivery system for delivering pressurized fluids to a user. For example, pressurized fluid can be useful in hydrating a person engaging in a strenuous activity, such as cycling, running, hiking or the like. Depending on the specific requirements of the environment where the system is being used, the pressurizable fluid delivery system can include a pressurized fluid reservoir such as a bladder that can be filled with a liquid such as water, electrolyte replacement fluids, energy drinks, or the like. Pressurized fluid can also be useful in cleaning equipment or gear. Furthermore, the pressurizable fluid delivery system described herein may be used to hydrate a pet or other animal. 
         [0027]    A pressurizable portion of an integrated, flexible fluid delivery system can be disposed adjacent to the fluid bladder portion so that the pressurizable portion is capable of pressurizing the bladder. Thus, the pressurizable portion comprises a chamber that can be pressurized. Because the pressurized portion is disposed adjacent to the fluid bladder portion, the pressurized portion is capable of pressing against the fluid bladder portion when the pressurized portion is pressurized. The force of the chamber pressing against the fluid bladder portion can push the fluid in the fluid bladder portion toward an outlet in the fluid bladder portion. A valve can be operatively coupled to the fluid bladder portion so that fluid may be released from the bladder. Thus, the force of the pressurized portion pressing against the bladder portion can produce a pressurized liquid stream from the opened valve. 
         [0028]    Advantageously, the pressurizable water delivery system of the present invention reduces the need for repressurizing the fluid bladder portion since the pressure from the pressurizable portion can provide an applied force against the fluid bladder portion even as the bladder is emptied. Additionally, the force applied by the pressurizable portion against the fluid bladder portion can result in a more even pressure on the fluid bladder portion which results in a more evenly pressurized liquid stream from the opened valve. 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a pressurizable fluid delivery system, indicated generally at  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown for use in providing a portable, pressurized stream of liquid from an integrated, pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . The integrated, pressurized fluid reservoir  56  is comprised of a fluid bladder portion  25  and a pressurizable portion  20  which is disposed adjacent to the fluid bladder portion  25 . The fluid bladder portion  25  may be filled with a desired liquid, such as water, an electrolyte replacement drink, or the like. A pressure inducer  60 , such as a pump, can be operably coupled to the pressurizable portion to supply pressure to the pressurizable portion  20  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . The pressurizable fluid delivery system  10  can also include a valve  80  that can be operatively coupled to the fluid bladder portion  25  so as to selectively release fluid from the fluid bladder portion  25 . 
         [0030]    The pressurized fluid reservoir  56  may by comprised of a flexible plastic material suitable for containing both liquid fit for human consumption and an inflatable gas. In one embodiment described more fully below, the exterior of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  is comprised of a durable flexible plastic material capable of resisting ripping or tearing, whereas an interior membrane  27  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  which forms a dividing wall between the fluid bladder portion  25  and the pressurizable portion  20  is formed of a second plastic material. 
         [0031]    The pressurized fluid reservoir  56  includes an inlet  22  and an outlet  36  which are connected to the fluid bladder portion  25  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . The inlet  22  can be sized and shaped to allow the fluid bladder portion  25  to be filled with the desired liquid and also with a cooling material, such as ice. A lid  28  can close and seal the inlet  22  to restrict leakage of the liquid. As may be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the precise location of the inlet is not limited and the inlet  22  may be disposed any number of locations in the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 , including, but not limited to the seam  32  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 , provided only that the inlet  22  is capable of allowing the fluid bladder portion  25  to be filled with a liquid. 
         [0032]    The outlet  36  can be a hole positioned at an opposite end (or another location) of the fluid bladder portion  25  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  from the inlet  22 . A flexible tube  46  can be coupled to the outlet  36  and can carry liquid from the fluid bladder portion  25  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  to a desired release location, such as a user&#39;s mouth. The valve  80  can close the end of the tube  46  to restrict fluid from leaking from the tube  46 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the exterior wall of the fluid bladder portion  25  comprises the exterior of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  and may comprise a durable flexible plastic material, while the opposing, interior wall of the fluid bladder portion  25  comprises a dividing wall  27  comprised of a flexible plastic which separates the fluid bladder portion  25  from pressurizable portion  20 . 
         [0034]    The pressurizable portion  20  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  is formed adjacent to the fluid bladder portion  25 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pressurizable portion  20  comprises a chamber that is capable of being pressurized. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the exterior wall of the pressurizable portion  20  comprises the exterior of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  and may comprise a durable flexible plastic material, while the opposing, interior wall of the pressurizable portion comprises a dividing wall  27  comprised of a flexible plastic which separates the pressurizable portion  20  from the fluid bladder portion  25 . Alternatively, the dividing wall  27  may be comprised of the same material as the exterior wall of the pressurizable portion  20  and the fluid bladder portion  25 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pressurizable portion  20  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  can have an inlet  34  that can be coupled to the pressure inducer  60  to supply pressure to the pressurizable portion  20  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . A flexible tube  30  can be fluidly coupled between the pressure inducer  60  and the pressurizable portion  20 . It will be appreciated that the flexible tube  30  can be coupled to any portion of the pressurizable portion  20 . The flexible tube  30  can transmit a pressure supply from the pressure inducer  60  to the pressurizable portion  20  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . 
         [0036]    The pressure inducer  60  can be a source of compressible gas, such as a hand or electric air pump, an air compressor, a blow tube, a carbon-dioxide gas cartridge, a tank filled with a noble gas such as krypton, argon, or helium, or mixtures and combinations of these and other gas based sources. For example, the pressure inducer  60  can be a manual pump including a compressible bulb  62 . A relief and/or pressure limiting valve  66  can be coupled in line between the tube  30  and the compressible bulb  62  to allow release of the pressure in the pressurizable portion  20  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . In use, the compressible bulb  62  can be compressed by the user to pump air through the flexible tube  30 , indicated by the arrows, and into the pressurizable portion  20  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 , as illustrated by arrows shown within the flexible tube  30 . The air can then inflate and pressurize the pressurizable portion  20 , exerting a force on the walls of the pressurizable portion  20  (shown by arrows within the pressurizable portion  20 ) causing the inner wall  27  separating the pressurizable portion  20  and the fluid bladder portion  25  to flex toward the fluid bladder portion  25 , pressurizing the fluid bladder portion  25 . It will be appreciated that other types of hand pumps, such as bicycle pumps, or piston pumps can also be used, as well as common electrical pumps known in the art. 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated that, when pressurized, the pressurizable portion  20  can expand to have a larger volume than the pressurizable portion  20  in an unpressurized state. Consequently, when the pressurizable portion  20  is pressurized, the expanded, the pressurizable portion  20  can press against the fluid bladder portion  25  and push the liquid in the fluid bladder portion  25  toward the outlet  36 . In this way, the force of the pressure in the inflated or pressurized portion  20  can be transferred to the liquid inside the fluid bladder portion  25 . Advantageously, higher pressure supplied to the pressurized portion  20  results in higher pressure in the liquid in the fluid bladder portion  25 , and a more forceful release of liquid from the fluid bladder portion  25  when the valve  80  is opened. 
         [0038]    In order to control the shape of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  when the fluid bladder portion  25  is filled and/or the pressurized portion  20  is expanded, the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  includes a seam component  40  which runs substantially down a portion of the center of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . The seam component  40  is typically comprised of a weld which bonds the exterior walls of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  to the inner wall  27  of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . One advantage of this configuration is that the seam component  40  causes the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  to maintain a flattened shape, even when the fluid bladder portion  25  is filled and/or the pressurized portion  20  is expanded. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the seams  32  and the seam component  40  may be formed with a reinforcing material portions  101   a - 101   e  formed along the seam  32  and seam component  40  so as to reinforce the seams  32  and the seam component  40 . 
         [0040]    Thus, one advantage of the present invention is a flexible system that is capable of retaining a flattened shape when in use. This is particularly useful in configurations where the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  is used in a backpack and the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  is disposed in the backpack along a user&#39;s back where rounded or unequally weighted objects may result in the user&#39;s discomfort. 
         [0041]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , the valve  80  can be positioned at an end of the flexible tube  46  so as to be positionable by the user of the pressurizable fluid delivery system  10  in an easily accessible position. The valve  80  can be a standard gate type valve, such as a ball valve, a compression valve, a T valve, or the like. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the valve  80  can be a compression valve that can be closed in an uncompressed configuration and open in a compressed configuration. The compression valve  80  can include a bite shroud  82  that can be placed between the teeth of the user so that the user can bite on the bite shroud to compress and open the compression valve  80 . In this way, the compression valve  80  can be a bite valve or mouth valve that can allow hands free operation. Additionally, the shroud  82  can be compressed between the thumb and fingers of the user to open the compression valve  80 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this way, the user can selectively open the valve  80  to release liquid from the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . 
         [0042]    Advantageously, as shown in  FIG. 6  the force of the pressure from the chamber  20  can push the liquid in the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  through the flexible tube  30  and out the valve  80  with sufficient force so as to create a projecting stream of liquid  86  that can project into the mouth of the user without having the valve  80  directly in the mouth of the user. 
         [0043]    Additionally, it is a particular advantage of the present invention that the liquid can be forced by pressure from the tube as a pressurized, projected stream. Such a pressurized stream can be useful in many applications. For example, the projecting stream of liquid  86  can be used to wash and clean dirt and debris from shoes, bicycles, or other equipment employed by the user. The projecting stream of liquid  86  can also be used to create a mist of liquid that can be sprayed onto the user to cool and refresh the user, or a pet, or a partner that is engaged in strenuous activity. The projecting stream of liquid can also be used to fill another container or bowl. Additionally, the projected pressurized stream of liquid can be used to put out a fire, thereby allowing the present invention to be used as a light weight fire extinguisher. 
         [0044]    In this way, the pressurizable fluid delivery system  10  can be used in any number of scenarios, including as a personal hydration device that can be placed in a pack such as a back pack, lumbar carry back, shoulder harness, cross-shoulder hardness, vest, toolbar, automobile or ATV mounted carrier, or fanny pack. As may be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the size and shape of the pressurizable fluid delivery system  10  may be modified depending on the specific pack or carrier configuration. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may be integrated with and form a component of the pack. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  illustrates various embodiments that may be made to the pressurizable fluid delivery system  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the flexible tube  46  coupled to the outlet  36  which carries liquid from the fluid bladder portion  25  and the flexible tube  30  coupled to the outlet  34  which transmits a pressure supply to the pressurized portion  20  may be joined together in at least portion of the flexible tube  46  and the flexible tube  30  to form a single bifurcated tube  140 . One advantage of this configuration is that there is only one bifurcated tube  140  for the user to locate when he or she wishes to use the pressurizable fluid delivery system  10 . 
         [0046]    In an additional embodiment illustrate in  FIG. 7 , the outlet  36  of the fluid bladder portion  25  includes a cap  110  which includes a number of holes through with the fluid may pass into the outlet  36 . One advantage of this embodiment is that the cap  110  prevents the inner wall  27  of the fluid bladder portion  25  from expanding so far into the fluid bladder portion  25  that the outlet  36  is sealed by the inner wall  27 . More specifically, even in situations where the pressurized portion  20  is so pressurized that the inner wall  27  of the fluid bladder portion  25  flexes so far into the fluid bladder portion  25  that the inner wall  27  comes into contact with the outer wall of the fluid bladder portion  25 , the cap  110  has holes in its side walls which enable fluid disposed on either side of the cap  110  to enter the outlet  36 . Thus, the cap  110  ensures the continual flow of fluid out of the outlet  36 , even in situations where the pressurized portion  20  is highly pressurized and there is only a small amount of fluid in the fluid bladder portion  25 . 
         [0047]    As may be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the specific shape or configuration of the seam component may be varied. In the embodiment described herein, the seam component  40  comprises a single line disposed in the center of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  and extending in the lengthwise direction of the pressurized reservoir  56 . Alternatively, the seam component may comprise a plurality of smaller seam components, such as a series of dots or small lines formed in the center of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the seam component may also comprise a leaf or vein-like shape with a central portion  160  disposed in the center of the pressurized fluid reservoir  56  and extending in the lengthwise direction of the pressurized reservoir  56 , with a series of extending portions  165  which extend away from the central portion  160  in the widthwise direction of the pressurized reservoir. Thus, the seam component  40  may comprise any number of different shapes and sizes without departing from the meaning and scope of the claimed invention. 
         [0048]    While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below. 
         [0049]    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.