Patent ID: 7204382

Claim:
A hydration system comprising: a rigid container having an opening, the container being adapted to contain a liquid; a cap removably attachable to the container and adapted to cover the opening; a valve disposed through the cap, the valve defining an annular airflow path through the cap, wherein the valve includes a tubular body portion and a valve stem that slidably engages the tubular body portion, the valve stem being movable axially between an open position wherein the annular airflow path provides an airflow path into the container, and a closed position wherein the annular airflow path is blocked, the valve further having a central aperture that is surrounded by the annular airflow path; and a flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible tube extending snugly through the central aperture in the valve such that the proximal end of the flexible tube extends into the container when the cap is attached to the container; wherein the tubular body portion of the valve includes an outer tube and a concentric inner tube, the inner tube defining the central aperture that receives the flexible tube.