Patent Description:
The present invention relates to hand-carried hydration bladders that include reinforcement members to inhibit bladder and liquid movement while performing vigorous activities.

Hand-carried hydration containers provide users with liquids (for example, water) during various types of activities, such as running, hiking, and the like. Hand-carried hydration bladders have a relatively high degree of flexibility to conform to the shape of the user's hand. This property makes hand-carried hydration bladders more comfortable than other relatively rigid hand-carried hydration containers. However, this property also facilitates a significant amount of movement of hand-carried hydration bladders and carried liquids during vigorous activities, such as running. This movement can be distracting, and some users grip hand-carried hydration bladders tightly to inhibit the movement, which can be physically tiring.

Document <CIT> discloses a bottle holder with handle.

It should be understood that the drawings are intended facilitate understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily to scale.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a hydration bladder <NUM>, which may also be referred to as a "flask", according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrate the hydration bladder <NUM> being empty or in an unfilled state, and <FIG> illustrate the hydration bladder <NUM> carrying a liquid (for example, water) or in a filled state. Generally, the hydration bladder <NUM> includes a collapsible and flexible body <NUM> that forms an internal liquid chamber <NUM>. The liquid chamber <NUM> receives and carries the liquid therein. The flexible body <NUM> is coupled to a port <NUM>, which is in communication with the liquid chamber <NUM> to deliver the liquid thereto and receive the liquid therefrom. The flexible body <NUM> is also coupled to a reinforcement member <NUM> that is disposed adjacent the liquid chamber <NUM>. The reinforcement member <NUM> reduces movement of the hydration bladder <NUM> and the liquid carried in the liquid chamber <NUM> during vigorous activities, such as running and the like. The above and additional aspects of the hydration bladder <NUM> are described in further detail below.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a hydration bladder <NUM> according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrate the hydration bladder <NUM> being empty or in an unfilled state, and <FIG> illustrate the hydration bladder <NUM> carrying a liquid or in a filled state. The hydration bladder <NUM> includes the same features as the hydration bladder <NUM>. That is, the hydration bladder <NUM> includes the flexible body <NUM>, the internal liquid chamber <NUM>, the port <NUM>, and the reinforcement member <NUM> (obscured in <FIG> and <FIG>). In addition, the hydration bladder <NUM> includes a hand harness <NUM> that is detachably coupled to the flexible body <NUM> and configured to engage a hand of a user. The hydration bladder <NUM> further includes a jacket <NUM> that partially surrounds the flexible body <NUM>. The hand harness <NUM> and/or the jacket <NUM> facilitate carrying the hydration bladder <NUM> in a relatively comfortable manner. The above and additional aspects of the hydration bladder <NUM> are described in further detail below.

Returning now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the flexible body <NUM> may be formed of various materials, such as one or more polymers (for example, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET)). In some embodiments, the flexible body <NUM> is formed of a translucent material. In some embodiments, such a material has a relatively low elastic modulus to facilitate flexibility of the body <NUM>. The elastic modulus may be, for example, less than <NUM> MPa. The flexible body <NUM> may generally have a thickness of about <NUM> to <NUM>, although the thickness of the flexible body <NUM> may vary in different sections or portions of the body <NUM>, such as the portions described below. In some embodiments, the elastic modulus and one or more dimensions of the flexible body <NUM> may provide the flexible body <NUM> with a relatively low stiffness (for example, bending stiffness, flexural rigidity, or column strength). The stiffness may be, for example, less than <NUM> MPa.

The flexible body <NUM> may be sized to provide the liquid chamber <NUM> with any of various volume capacities. For example, the liquid chamber <NUM> may have a volume capacity of <NUM> milliliters, a volume capacity from <NUM> fl. to <NUM> fl. (from <NUM> milliliters to <NUM> liter), or the like.

In some embodiments, the flexible body <NUM> is elongated along a longitudinal axis <NUM> (see <FIG>) that extends between an opening portion <NUM> and an opposite end portion <NUM>. The flexible body <NUM> further includes an elongated portion <NUM> that is disposed between the opening portion <NUM> and the opposite end portion <NUM>. The elongated portion <NUM> extends along the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the elongated portion <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM> couples to the reinforcement member <NUM>. For example, the elongated portion <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM> includes a separate reinforcement member chamber <NUM> that receives the reinforcement member <NUM>. The reinforcement member chamber <NUM> is formed by an outer flexible wall <NUM> and an inner flexible wall <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) that are coupled to each other (for example, via adhesive bonding, heat bonding, or the like). As shown in the drawings, the reinforcement member chamber <NUM> is closed to inhibit removal of the reinforcement member <NUM> therefrom.

In some embodiments, the flexible body <NUM> includes a first eyelet <NUM> and a second eyelet <NUM> that are coupled to the opening portion <NUM> and the opposite end portion <NUM>, respectively. The eyelets <NUM>, <NUM> also couple to the hand harness <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). In some embodiments, the eyelets <NUM>, <NUM> (and therefore the harness <NUM>) and the reinforcement member <NUM> are substantially angularly aligned about the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM> (that is, aligned within ± <NUM> degrees).

The port <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) in communication with the liquid chamber <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is formed by the opening portion <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM>. The port <NUM> also includes a mouthpiece <NUM> that couples to the opening portion <NUM> and is in fluid communication with the opening <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the opening portion <NUM>, for example, via threaded surfaces (not shown). In some embodiments, the mouthpiece <NUM> may be selectively opened or closed to permit or inhibit, respectively, delivery of the liquid from hydration bladder <NUM>. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece <NUM> may be selectively locked to inhibit the mouthpiece <NUM> from being opened.

In other embodiments, the hydration bladder <NUM> may include multiple ports that facilitate delivering a liquid to and receiving the liquid from the liquid chamber <NUM>. As a specific example, the hydration bladder <NUM> may include an inlet port (not shown) to deliver liquid to the liquid chamber <NUM> and a separate outlet port (not shown) to receive the liquid from the liquid chamber <NUM>.

The reinforcement member <NUM>, which may also be referred to as a "spine", is illustrated separately in <FIG>. The reinforcement member <NUM> may be formed of various materials, such as one or more polymers (for example, polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), TPU, Nylon, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)). In some embodiments, such a material has a relatively high elastic modulus to provide structural support <NUM>. Stated another way, the flexible body <NUM> includes a material having a first elastic modulus, the reinforcement member <NUM> includes a material having a second elastic modulus, and the second elastic modulus is greater than the first elastic modulus. The elastic modulus of the reinforcement member <NUM> may be, for example, more than <NUM> MPa. In some embodiments, the elastic modulus and one or more dimensions of the reinforcement member <NUM> may provide the reinforcement member <NUM> with a relatively high stiffness (for example, bending stiffness, flexural rigidity, or column strength). Stated another way, the flexible body <NUM> has a first stiffness, the reinforcement member <NUM> has a second stiffness, and the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness. The stiffness may be, for example, more than <NUM> MPa. In some embodiments, the relatively high stiffness of the reinforcement member <NUM> reduces movement of the hydration bladder <NUM> and the carried liquid during vigorous activities.

The reinforcement member <NUM> may have various shapes and/or sizes. In some embodiments, the reinforcement member <NUM> is (<NUM>) elongated along a length direction <NUM> that extends between a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>; (<NUM>) relatively short in a width direction <NUM> that is substantially perpendicular to the length direction <NUM> (that is, perpendicular within ± <NUM> degrees); and (<NUM>) relatively thin in a thickness direction that is substantially perpendicular to the length direction <NUM> and the width direction <NUM> (that is, extending into the page, and perpendicular to the length direction <NUM> and the width direction <NUM> within ± <NUM> degrees). In some embodiments, the reinforcement member <NUM> is symmetric over a plane extending in the thickness direction and intersecting with the length direction <NUM>. In some embodiments, the reinforcement member <NUM> is symmetric over a plane extending in the thickness direction and intersecting with the width direction <NUM>. In some embodiments, the length direction <NUM> is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM> (that is, parallel within ± <NUM> degrees), and the width direction <NUM> that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM> (that is, perpendicular within ± <NUM> degrees).

In some embodiments and as shown in the figures, the reinforcement member <NUM> has a shape that is appropriate for being comfortably received in the palm of the user's hand. Specifically, such a shape includes a first width <NUM>, a second width <NUM> that is greater than the first width <NUM>, and a third width <NUM> that is less than the second width <NUM> and is disposed on an opposite of the second width <NUM> relative to the first width <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first width <NUM>, the second width <NUM>, and the third width <NUM> are each local maximum widths of the reinforcement member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second width <NUM> is the global maximum width of the reinforcement member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second width <NUM> is from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the length of the reinforcement member <NUM>, from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the length of the reinforcement member <NUM>, or from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the length of the reinforcement member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first width <NUM> is from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>, from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>, or from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>. In some embodiments, the third width <NUM> is from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>, from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>, or from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>.

In some embodiments and as shown in the figures, the reinforcement member <NUM> further includes a first intermediate width <NUM> and a second intermediate width <NUM>. The first intermediate width <NUM> is disposed between the first width <NUM> and the second width <NUM>. The first intermediate width <NUM> is less than the first width <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first intermediate width <NUM> is from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>, from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>, or from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first intermediate width <NUM> is a local minimum width. The second intermediate width <NUM> is disposed between the second width <NUM> and the third width <NUM>. The second intermediate width <NUM> is less than the third width <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second intermediate width <NUM> is from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>, from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>, or from <NUM> percent to <NUM> percent of the second width <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second intermediate width <NUM> is a local minimum width.

In some embodiments, the reinforcement member <NUM> has a monolithic structure. In other embodiments, the reinforcement member <NUM> has a multiplecomponent structure (not shown). In such embodiments, the components of the reinforcement member <NUM> may be detachably coupled or telescopically coupled to each other, which may facilitate storing the hydration bladder <NUM> in a relatively compact shape.

In some embodiments and as shown in the figures, the reinforcement member <NUM> has a convex outer surface <NUM> (that is, a convex surface that faces away from the longitudinal axis <NUM>; see <FIG>). In some embodiments and as shown in the figures, the reinforcement member <NUM> has a concave inner surface <NUM> (that is, a concave surface that faces toward the longitudinal axis <NUM>; see <FIG>).

In some embodiments, the reinforcement member <NUM> varies in other manners to enhance the stiffness of the member <NUM>. For example, the reinforcement member <NUM> may include reinforcement elements (not shown), such as elongated rods, that are carried by a base material with a relatively low stiffness. As another example, the reinforcement member <NUM> may include different and/or non-uniform cross-sections. As another example, the reinforcement member <NUM> may be foldable (for example, via one or more hinges). As yet another example, the outer surface <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the reinforcement member <NUM> may be curved in other manners or may be flat. In some embodiments, the flexible body <NUM> may carry a plurality of reinforcement members <NUM>.

Returning now to <FIG> and <FIG> and with additional reference to <FIG>, the hand harness <NUM> may generally be formed of various materials, such as woven fibers, knitted fibers, flexible polymers, or the like. In some embodiments, the hand harness <NUM> includes a main hub <NUM> that couples to a first coupling strap <NUM>. The first coupling strap <NUM> extends from the main hub <NUM>, through the first eyelet <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM>, and detachably couples to itself and/or the main hub <NUM> (via a hook-and-loop fastener <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>), a snap fastener, or the like). Opposite the first coupling strap <NUM>, the main hub <NUM> couples to a hand strap <NUM> and an adjustment buckle <NUM>. Together, the main hub <NUM>, hand strap <NUM>, and the adjustment buckle <NUM> form a loop <NUM> that is configured to receive and engage the hand of the user. A free end <NUM> of the hand strap <NUM> passes through the adjustment buckle <NUM>, and the hand strap <NUM> may be displaced through the adjustment buckle <NUM> to modify the size of the loop <NUM>. The hand strap <NUM> couples to second coupling strap <NUM> opposite the main hub <NUM>. The second coupling strap <NUM> extends from the hand strap <NUM>, through the second eyelet <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM>, and detachably couples to itself and/or the hand strap <NUM> (via a snap fastener <NUM>, a hook-and-loop fastener, or the like).

In some embodiments, the jacket <NUM> is a flexible component that is detachably carried by the elongated portion <NUM> of the flexible body <NUM>. The jacket <NUM> may be formed of various materials, such as woven fibers, knitted fibers, polymer foams, or the like. In some embodiments, the jacket <NUM> includes a pocket <NUM> for carrying items (for example, identification cards, keys, or the like).

In some embodiments, any of the properties described herein (for example, elastic modulus or stiffness) may be measured using available ISO/ASTM standards or other test methods commonly associated with such metrics.

Claim 1:
A hydration bladder (<NUM>) comprising:
a flexible body (<NUM>) elongated along a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) thereof, and the flexible body (<NUM>) having a first stiffness, the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) extending between an opening portion (<NUM>) and an end portion (<NUM>) opposite the opening portion (<NUM>);
a port (<NUM>) coupled to the flexible body (<NUM>);
a liquid chamber (<NUM>) formed by the flexible body, the liquid chamber configured to carry a liquid therein and in communication with the port (<NUM>); and
a reinforcement member (<NUM>) coupled to the flexible body, the reinforcement member having a second stiffness, the second stiffness being greater than the first stiffness, and the reinforcement member (<NUM>) further comprising:
a first width (<NUM>) in a width direction (<NUM>) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (<NUM>);
a second width (<NUM>) in the width direction (<NUM>), the second width (<NUM>) being greater than the first width (<NUM>); and
a third width (<NUM>) in the width direction (<NUM>), the third width (<NUM>) disposed on an opposite of the second width (<NUM>) than the first width (<NUM>), the third width (<NUM>) being less than the second width,
characterized in that a reinforcement member chamber (<NUM>) is formed by an outer flexible wall (<NUM>) and an inner flexible wall (<NUM>) of the flexible body (<NUM>) that are coupled to each other, the reinforcement member chamber (<NUM>) carrying the reinforcement member (<NUM>) and being closed to inhibit removal of the reinforcement member (<NUM>) therefrom.