Patent Publication Number: US-8540122-B2

Title: Pressurized hydration system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/764,620 filed Jun. 18, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,702 (now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0308578 A1 to Skillern et al.) having the same title, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 60/822,273, filed Aug. 14, 2006. The present application also claims the priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/969,742 filed Sep. 4, 2007. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Personal hydrations systems help athletes maintain adequate hydration while engaging in strenuous physical activities, such as running, cycling, skiing, hiking, or mountain climbing. These personal hydration systems typically include a bag-like reservoir carried in a back pack or waist pack. A flexible drinking tube connects to the reservoir through an exit port at one end and terminates in a mouthpiece at the other end. The tube is long enough to allow the mouthpiece to be carried in the user&#39;s mouth to enable the user to draw water from the reservoir like sucking water through a straw. When low on breath during vigorous exercise, drawing water from the reservoir can prove to be a difficult task. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrates an exemplary a personal hydration system in the form of a reservoir.  FIG. 1 . is a top plan view, while  FIG. 2  is a side elevation view. 
         FIGS. 3-7B  illustrate a pressurized hydration system.  FIG. 3  is a top plan view.  FIGS. 4 and 5  are partial exploded views.  FIG. 6  illustrates a reservoir being filled with a liquid.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are partial cross sectional views showing baffles. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a remote pressurized hydration system. 
         FIGS. 9-12  illustrate balloon pressurized hydration systems. 
         FIGS. 13-14  illustrate manually pressurized hydration systems. 
         FIGS. 15-16  illustrate an exemplary implementations in which a removable thermal pack can is inserted between the baffles. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an exemplary filter tube. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an exemplary shower tube. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Introduction: Various embodiments of the present invention assist in expelling liquid from a personal hydration system. The following description is broken into sections. The first provides an example of a conventional hydration system. The second section provides an example of a pressurized hydration system. The third section describes a remote pressurized hydration system. The fourth section describes various balloon pressurized hydration systems. The fifth section discusses manual pressurization, and the last section describes a self-cooling pressurized hydration system. 
     In the various examples discussed below, the term reservoir is used. While the figures show specific examples of bag like reservoirs, other types of containers such as sports bottles and the like are encompassed by the term reservoir. In short, the term reservoir refers to any object in which a drinking fluid can be sealed. 
     Non-Pressurized Hydration System:  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary hydration system in the form of reservoir  10 . Reservoir  10  includes bladder  12  formed by opposing walls  14  and  16  (seen best in  FIG. 20 ), fill port  18 , exit port  20 , and drinking tube  22 . Walls  14  and  16  form an internal compartment  24  adapted to store a volume of fluid such as water. Walls  14  and  16  can be formed from a flexible, waterproof material. An example of a suitable material is polyurethane, although others may be used. The size and shape of compartment  24  may vary, such as depending upon the desired application with which the system will be used, any pack into which reservoir  10  will be placed, the mechanism by which the reservoir  10  will be transported, and the volume of drink fluid that compartment  24  is designed to hold. 
     The length of drinking tube  22  may vary depending upon the desired distance between the user&#39;s mouth and the location where reservoir  10  is positioned, such as on a user&#39;s back, waist, inside a user&#39;s garments, on a user&#39;s bike or other equipment. An end of drinking tube  22  is connected to reservoir  10  at exit port  20  through which fluid in compartment  24  is received into tube  22 . In other words, compartment  24  is in fluid communication with exit port  20 . 
     Reservoir  10  includes fill port  18  through which fluid may be poured into or removed from compartment  24 . Fill port  18  also provides an opening through which compartment  24  may be accessed for cleaning. As shown, fill port  18  includes collar  26  and cap  28 . Collar  26  is sealed to wall  14 . Cap  28  is removably sealed to collar  26 . For example, collar  26  and cap  28  may include mating threads and a gasket allowing cap  28  to be twisted off to be separated from collar  26  and twisted on to be sealed to collar  26 . With cap  28  removed, a fluid can be poured into compartment  24  through collar  26  of fill port  18 . Cap  28  can then be sealed to collar  26  securing the fluid in compartment  24 . User supplied suction applied to drinking tube  22  can then pull the fluid out of compartment  24  through exit port  20 . 
     Pressurized Hydration System:  FIGS. 3-7B  illustrate an exemplary pressurized hydration system in the form of reservoir  30 . In this example, reservoir  30  includes bladder  32  formed by opposing walls  50  and  52  (seen best in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ), fill port  34 , exit port  36 , drinking tube  38 , and bite valve  40 . Walls  50  and  52  form an internal sealable compartment  54  (seen best in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ) adapted to store a volume of fluid such as water. Walls  50  and  52  can be formed from a flexible, waterproof material. An example of a suitable material is polyurethane, although others may be used. The size and shape of compartment  54  may vary, such as depending upon the desired application with which the system will be used, any pack into which reservoir  30  will be placed, the mechanism by which the reservoir  30  will be transported, and the volume of drink fluid that compartment  54  is designed to hold. 
     The length of drinking tube  38  may vary depending upon the desired distance between the user&#39;s mouth and the location where reservoir  30  is positioned, such as on a user&#39;s back, waist, inside a user&#39;s garments, on a user&#39;s bike or other equipment. An end of drinking tube  38  is connected to reservoir  30  at exit port  36  through which fluid in compartment  54  is received into tube  38 . In other words, compartment  54  is in fluid communication with exit port  36 . 
     Reservoir  30  includes fill port  34  through which fluid may be poured into or removed from compartment  54 . Reservoir  30  includes pressure port  42  and pressure regulator  46 . Pressure port  42  represents an inlet through which a pressurizing gas can enter into compartment  54 . Pressurizing gasses can be provided via a pressurizer such as cartridge holder  44  and cartridge  48  (best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Cartridge holder  44  is configured to hold and cause cartridge  48  to mate with pressure port  42  in such a manner that pressurizing gas is allowed to expel from cartridge  48  and enter compartment  54 . Pressure regulator  46  functions to regulate the level at which internal compartment is pressurized. Pressure regulator  46  may also function as a manual on/off switch and may regulate a rate at which pressurizing gas is allowed to escape cartridge  48  and enter compartment  54 . 
     Once compartment  54  is filled with a liquid and pressurized, activation of bite valve results in the liquid being forced out of compartment  54  through drinking tube  38  and into a person&#39;s mouth. In this manner the person utilizing the reservoir  30  need only bite on bite valve  40  and liquid is expelled. The person need not suck to draw liquid from compartment  54 . 
     Focusing on  FIGS. 4 and 5 , cartridge  48  is shown to fit inside cartridge holder  44 . Cartridge holder  44  threads into pressure port  42  causing cartridge  48  to engage pressure port  52  allowing pressurizing gas to be expelled from cartridge  48  through pressure port  42  and into compartment  54 . 
     It is noted that fill port  34 , exit port  36 , and pressure port  42  are shown as being formed in wall  50  such that fill port  34  provides ingress for liquid into compartment  54 . Likewise, pressure port  42  provides ingress for pressurizing gases into compartment  54 , and exit port  36  provides an egress for liquid out of compartment  54 . While show as being formed in wall  50 , one or more of ports  34 ,  36 , and  42  may be formed in wall  52  or elsewhere so long as they provide the noted ingress and egress functions. Furthermore, two or more of ports  34 ,  36 , and  42  may be the same port. 
     In  FIG. 6 , it is shown that cartridge holder  44  can also function as a handle when filling reservoir  32 . 
     Baffles: Moving to  FIG. 7A , bladder  32  is shown to include baffles  56  and  58  that connect wall  50  to wall  52  within compartment  54 . Baffles  56  and  58  may be constructed from the same or different material than walls  50  and  52 . As compartment  54  is pressurized, it tends to expand separating walls  50  and  52  and increasing in volume as walls  50  and  52  stretch apart. Baffles  56  and  58  operate to oppose expansion or “footballing” of walls  50  and  52  as pressurizing gasses are introduced into compartment  54 . In other words, baffles  56  and  58  help keep compartment  54  at a more consistent volume as pressurizing gasses are introduced. Baffles  56  and  58  allow for a higher pressure per unit volume for compartment. While shown in a lengthwise orientation with respect to walls  50  and  52 , baffles  56  and  58  can be in any orientation with respect to walls  50  and  52  so long as baffles  56  and  58  remain able to oppose the expansion of walls  50  and  52  as pressurizing gasses are introduced. Furthermore, while  FIG. 7A  shows bladder  32  having two baffles  56  and  58 , bladder  32  may have any number of baffles. 
     Looking at  FIG. 7B , reservoir  32  includes baffles  56 ′ and  58 ′. Baffle  56 ′ includes opposing panels  56 A and  52 B while baffle  58 ′ includes opposing panels  58 A and  58 B. Panels  56 A and  56 B connect wall  50  to wall  52  within compartment  54  in such manner as to form a sealed baffle pocket  56 C between panels  56 A and  56 B. Panels  58 A and  58 B connect wall  50  to wall  52  within compartment  54  in such manner as to form a sealed baffle pocket  58 C between panels  58 A and  58 B. Baffle pockets  56 C and  58 C can be filled with a cooling and/or heating medium or a medium suitable for either application. Any such medium may be referred to as a thermal capacitance medium. The thermal capacitance medium may be water, a gel or another material, which can be repeatedly chilled and/or heated. Once its temperature is altered, the thermal capacitance medium effectively maintains fluid within compartment  54  at a depressed or an elevated temperature for some time. 
     In the Example of  FIG. 7B , compartment  54  can be viewed in three sections  54 A,  54 B, and  54 C. Panel  56 A forms an interior wall of section  54 A. The thermal capacitance medium contained in baffle pocket  56 C helps to heat or cool liquid found in section  54 A. Panels  56 B and  58 B forms interior walls of section  54 BA. The thermal capacitance medium contained in baffle pockets  56 C and  58 C help to heat or cool liquid found in section  54 B. Panel  58 A forms an interior wall of section  54 C. The thermal capacitance medium contained in baffle pocket  58 C helps to heat or cool liquid found in section  54 C. Because the surface areas of panels  56 A,  56 B,  58 A, and  58 B are exposed mainly to the interior of reservoir  32 —that is—within compartment  54 , the thermal capacitance medium held in baffle pockets  56 C and  58 C can more effectively heat or cool liquid found in compartment  54 . 
     Remote Pressurized Hydration System:  FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary remote pressurized hydration system in the form of reservoir  60 . Reservoir  60  includes fill port  62 , swivel port  64 , transfer tube  66 , pressure port  68 , cartridge holder  70 , and pressure regulator  72 . Swivel port  64  serves to provide an input for pressurizing gas into reservoir  60  via transfer tube  66 . As its name suggests swivel port  64  swivels allowing transfer tube  66  to rotate about a point. While not shown, swivel port  64  may be integrated into fill port  62 . For example, fill port  62  is shown to include a cap that closes fill port  62 . Swivel port  64  could be formed in that cap such that when fill port  62  is closed, swivel port  64  would provide input for pressurizing gases through the cap and into reservoir  60 . 
     Transfer tube  66  couples pressure port  68  to swivel port  64  and serves as a sealed transfer allowing pressurizing gas to pass from pressure port  68  through swivel port  64 , and into reservoir  60 . Pressure port  68  represents an inlet through which a pressurizing gas can ultimately be introduced into reservoir  60 . Pressurizing gases can be provided via a cartridge such as cartridge  48  seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Cartridge holder  70  is configured to hold a cartridge allowing it to mate with pressure port  68  in such a manner that pressurizing gas is allowed to exit the cartridge and enter reservoir  60  via transfer tube  66  and swivel port  64 . Pressure regulator  72  functions to regulate the level at which reservoir  60  is pressurized. Pressure regulator  72  may also function as a manual on/off switch and may regulate a rate at which pressurizing gas is allowed to escape a cartridge. 
     A length of transfer tube  66  is selected to allow for convenient access to pressure port  68  and regulator  72 . For example pressure port  68  may be attached to or integrated within a shoulder strap of a backpack used to carry reservoir  60 . In this manner, a person can more easily access pressure port  68  and regulator  72  while wearing that backpack. 
     Balloon Pressurized Hydration System: In the Examples of  FIGS. 3-7B , bladder  32  included an internal compartment  54  for containing a liquid. The bladder  32  is pressurized by introducing pressurizing gas into compartment  54  along with the liquid.  FIGS. 9-12  illustrate another embodiment in which pressurizing gas is introduced into a balloon fitted within a reservoir. Expansion of that balloon pressurizes the reservoir. 
     Starting with  FIGS. 9 and 10 , reservoir  74  includes bladder  76  defining an internal compartment for containing a liquid. Balloon  78  is fitted within that internal compartment with the liquid. Reservoir  74  includes support members  80  designed to help prevent reservoir  78  from “footballing” or over expanding as balloon  78  is pressurized. Reservoir  74  also includes pressure port  82  and pressure regulator  86 . Pressure port  82  represents an inlet through which a pressurizing gas can enter into balloon  78  through passage  88 . Pressurizing gases can be provided via a cartridge such as cartridge  48  seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . A cartridge holder  84  is configured to hold and cause the cartridge to mate with pressure port  82  in such a manner that pressurizing gas is allowed to exit the cartridge  48  and enter balloon  78 . Pressure regulator  86  functions to regulate the level at which balloon  78  is pressurized. Pressure regulator  86  may also function as a manual on/off switch and may regulate a rate at which pressurizing gas is allowed to escape a cartridge and enter balloon  78 . Introduction of pressurizing gas causes balloon  78  to expand pressurizing bladder  76 . 
     Moving to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , reservoir  90  includes bladder  92  into which balloon  94  is fitted. Reservoir  90  includes a top located entry port  96  through which liquid can be introduced into an internal compartment of bladder  92 . Reservoir  90  includes central support member  98  designed to help prevent reservoir  90  from “footballing” or over expanding as balloon  94  is pressurized. Reservoir  90  also includes pressure port  100  and pressure regulator  104 . Pressure port  100  represents an inlet through which a pressurizing gas can enter into balloon  94 . Pressurizing gases can be provided via a cartridge such as cartridge  48  seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . A cartridge holder  102  is configured to hold and cause the cartridge to mate with pressure port  100  in such a manner that pressurizing gas is allowed to exit the cartridge and enter balloon  94 . Pressure regulator  104  functions to regulate the level at which balloon  94  is pressurized. Pressure regulator  104  may also function as a manual on/off switch and may regulate a rate at which pressurizing gas is allowed to escape a cartridge and enter balloon  94 . Introduction of pressurizing gas causes balloon  94  to expand pressurizing bladder  92 . 
     Manual Pressurization: While  FIGS. 3-12  illustrate a pressurizer in the form of holder and cartridge such as holder  44  and cartridge  48 . Other means for pressurizing are also contemplated. In  FIGS. 13 and 14 , for example, a pressurizer includes a bulb style pump such as squeeze pump  106 . 
     Referring first to  FIG. 13 , reservoir  108  includes bladder  110 , fill port  112 , exit port  114 , exit tube  116 . One end of exit tube  116  is coupled to exit port  114 . The other end of exit tube  116  is shown to include female coupler  118 . Also shown are drinking tube  120  and squeeze pump  106 . One end of drinking tube  120  includes bite valve  122  while the other end includes male coupler  124 . Squeeze pump  106  include male coupler  126 . Male couplers  124  and  126  are configured to be removably coupled to female coupler  118 . Female coupler  118  includes a check valve (not shown) that s opened when coupled to either one of male couplers  124  or  126  allowing passage of fluids and gases through female coupler  118 . When decoupled, the check valve is closed blocking the passage fluids and gases through female coupler  118 . 
     Male coupler  126  of squeeze pump  106  can be coupled to and decoupled from female coupler  118  of exit tube  116 . When coupled, the repeated manual squeezing of squeeze pump  106  forces pressurizing gas in the form of air into bladder  110  via exit tube  116 . Also, male coupler  124  of drinking tube  120  can be coupled to and decoupled from female coupler  118  of exit tube  116 . When coupled, fluid contained in bladder  110  is allowed to pass into and through drinking tube  120 . In this example, port  114  serves as an exit port through which fluid can exit bladder  110  and as a pressure port through which pressurizing gases can enter bladder  110 . 
     Once bladder  110  is filled with a liquid and pressurized using squeeze pump  106  and male coupler of drinking tube  124  is coupled to female coupler  118 , activation of bite valve  122  results in the liquid being forced out of bladder  110  through exit tube drinking tube  38  and into a person&#39;s mouth. In this manner the person utilizing the reservoir  30  need only bite on bite valve  40  and liquid is expelled. The person need not suck to draw liquid from compartment  54 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , reservoir  128  includes bladder  130 , fill port  132 , exit port  134 , drinking tube  136 , bite valve  138 , swivel port  140 , transfer tube  142 , and female coupler  144 . Also shown is squeeze pump  106  which includes male coupler  146  configured to couple to and decoupled from female coupler  144  of transfer tube  142 . Female coupler  144  includes a check valve (not shown) that is opened when coupled to male coupler  146  allowing squeezed pump  106  to force pressurizing gases through transfer tube  140  and into bladder  130 . When decoupled, the check valve is closed blocking the passage of fluids and gases through female coupler  144 . 
     Swivel port  140  serves to provide an input for pressurizing gas into reservoir  128  via transfer tube  142 . As its name suggests swivel port  140  swivels allowing transfer tube  142  to rotate about a point. With male coupler  146  of squeeze pump  106  coupled to female coupler  144  of transfer tube  142 , the repeated manual squeezing of squeeze pump  106  forces pressurizing gases in the form of air through transfer tube  142  into bladder  130 . While not shown, swivel port  140  may be integrated into fill port  132 . For example, fill port  132  is shown to include a cap that closes fill port  132 . Swivel port  140  could be formed in that cap such that when fill port  1322  is closed, swivel port  140  would provide input for pressurizing gases through the cap and into bladder  130 . 
     A length of transfer tube  142  is selected to allow for convenient access to squeeze pump  106 . For example squeeze pump  106  may be attached to or integrated within a shoulder strap of a backpack used to carry reservoir  128 . In this manner, a person can more easily squeeze pump  106  while wearing that backpack. 
     Once bladder  110  is filled with a liquid and pressurized using squeeze pump  106 , activation of bite valve  138  results in the liquid being forced out of bladder  130  through drinking tube  136  and into a person&#39;s mouth. In this manner the person utilizing the reservoir  128  need only bite on bite valve  138  and liquid is expelled. The person need not suck to draw liquid from bladder  130 . 
     Removable Thermal Pack: Moving to  FIG. 15 , reservoir  148  is shown to include bladder  150  formed by opposing walls. As with  FIGS. 7A and 7B , those walls are connected by baffles  152  and  154  within the interior compartment of bladder  150 . As shown, reservoir  148  includes fill port having a collar  156  and a cap  158 . Reservoir also includes an exit port  160  and, as seen in  FIG. 16 , a pressurization port  164 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 15 , reservoir  148  includes a removable thermal pack  162 . Thermal pack can be filled with a cooling and/or heating medium or a medium suitable for either application. Any such medium may be referred to as a thermal capacitance medium. The thermal capacitance medium may be water, a gel or another material, which can be repeatedly chilled and/or heated. Once its temperature is altered, the thermal capacitance medium effectively maintains fluid within bladder  150  at a depressed or an elevated temperature for some time. 
     As shown, baffles  152  and  154  are separated by a distance D 1 . Thermal pack  162  has a width dimension D 2 . In a given implementation D 2  is generally equal to D 1  allowing thermal pack to be inserted through collar  156  and wedged or positioned between baffles  152  and  154 . In instances where D 2  is greater than D 1 , inserting thermal pack  162  causes baffles  152  and  154  to stretch apart and snugly hold thermal pack in place. 
     As shown, baffles  152  and  154  are parallel to one another and extend along a longitudinal axis of bladder  150  whose internal compartment has an internal width dimension D 3 . In a given implementation, D 1  is approximately one-third of D 3 . This ratio has proven most effective in preventing “footballing” of bladder  150  as pressurizing gases are introduced. Footballing is discussed in more detail above with respect to  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In particular, selecting D 1  to be approximately two inches has proven effective. The two inch dimension allows thermal pack  162  to be of sufficient volume to affectively heat or cool the contents of bladder  150 . In other implementations D 1  can range from 1.5 to 2.5 inches. 
       FIG. 16  is a left side view of reservoir  148  of  FIG. 15 . As shown bladder  150  has opposing walls  150 A and  150 B. Collar  156 , and exit port  160  are positioned on wall  150 A while pressurization port  164  is positioned on wall  150 B. When used, reservoir may be inserted into a backpack. The positioning of pressurization port  164  on wall  150 B allows transfer tube  166  to pass over one of the wearer&#39;s shoulders to provide access to squeeze bulb  168 . The positioning of exit port  160  on wall  160 A allows drinking tube to pass over the wearer&#39;s other shoulder to provide access to bite valve  172 . In this manner, the wearer can actuate squeeze bulb  168  as desired to introduce pressurizing gases into bladder  150  without interrupting activities such as cycling, skiing, and hiking. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , baffles  152  and  154  serve multiple purposes. One is to help prevent over expansion or footballing of bladder  150  when pressurized. Another is to secure thermal pack  162  preventing it from sloshing around within bladder  150  during use. Furthermore, baffles  152  and  154  secure thermal pack  162  in a generally central location within bladder  150  allowing thermal pack  162  to more efficiently heat or cool contents of bladder  150 . More particularly, the central location helps to maximize the surface area of pressure pack  162  that is exposed to the contents of bladder  150 . 
     Accessories: In the examples discussed above, each pressurized hydration system is utilized to expel a liquid from a bladder through a tube. Using couplers, examples of which are discussed above, those tubes can be removed and interchanged. Beneficially, various tubs can serve various purposes. As discussed above, a tube can be a simple drinking tube with a valve on one end and another tube can be part of a pressurizer. However, many other options are available. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an example of reservoir  240  and filter tube  242 . Reservoir  240  includes pressurizer  244  coupleable to pressure port  246 . Reservoir  240  also includes exit port  248 . Filter tube  242  includes first tube  250  having a first end with a coupler  252  and a second end  254 . Coupler  252  is configured to couple to exit port  248  so that a liquid held in reservoir  240  can pass through exit port  248  and into first tube  250 . Filter tube  242  also included filter  256  and second tube  258 . Second end of first tube  250  couples to a first port of filter  256 . First end  260  of second tube  258  couples to a second port of filter  256 . Second tube  258  also includes a second end with a valve  262 . 
     The first and second ports of filter  256  are configured such that as a liquid is expelled from reservoir  240 , the liquid passes through first tube  250  and through the first port and into filter  256 . The liquid passes through the second port through the second tube and is ultimately expelled through valve  262 . The pressure supplied by pressurizer  244  supplies the force for urging the liquid out of reservoir  240  through filter tube  242 . Filter  256  is configured to remove impurities from the liquid. In this manner, reservoir  240  can be filled with water from a muddy lake, stream, or other impure source. Reservoir  240  can then be pressurized and the liquid forced through filter tube  242  to purify the water for drinking or other purposes. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an example of reservoir  264  and shower tube  266 . Reservoir  264  includes pressurizer  268  coupleable to pressure port  270 . Reservoir  264  also includes exit port  272 . Shower tube  266  includes tube  274  having a first end with a coupler  276  and a second end  278 . Coupler  276  is configured to couple to exit port  272  so that a liquid held in reservoir  264  can pass through exit port  272  and into tube  266 . Shower tube  266  also included shower hear  280 . Second end  278  of tube  274  couples to an input port of shower head  280 . Shower head  280  includes shower valve  282  configured to selectively allow and block the flow of a liquid. 
     As a liquid is expelled from reservoir  264 , the liquid passes through tube  274  and is either blocked by shower valve  282  or allowed to be sprayed by shower head  280 . The pressure supplied by pressurizer  268  supplies the force for urging the liquid out of reservoir  240  through shower tube  266 . Shower head  280  includes an array of holes through which the liquid flows creating a spray pattern. In this manner, reservoir  240  can be filled with water and pressurized. Valve  282  can be opened and a person can manipulate shower head  282  to direct a spray pattern to a desired location. 
     Conclusion: The various examples discussed above allow for the pressurization of a hydration system where that pressurization functions to more pressurized efficiently expel liquid from a reservoir. Pressurization can be achieved through a variety of techniques including the use of pressurized gas cartridges and manual bulb type pumps. The reservoir can be worn as part of a pack or even integrated into a vehicle such as a kayak. The contents of the reservoir can be cooled by a thermal capacitance medium contained in the baffles or by a removable thermal pack secured between the baffles. Furthermore, the liquid in a pressurized reservoir can be expelled through a filter, shower head, or any other useful accessory.