Patent ID: 8604392

Claim:
A portable hydration system, comprising: a bladder assembly comprising a bladder chamber configured to hold a drinkable fluid; a hose assembly operably connected to the bladder assembly; and a heating system comprising at least one battery, a control switch operable by a user, and a heating element having at least a portion thereof configured in a loop, the heating system being configured to permit electrical current provided by the at least one battery to flow through the heating element and heat same when the control switch is actuated by the user into an “on” position; wherein the hose assembly further comprises a flexible hose member having an interior volume extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, the proximal end being operably connected to the bladder chamber, the distal end being operably connected to a bite valve comprising a valve chamber, the hydration system being configured to permit the user to withdraw fluid from the bladder chamber by sucking the fluid through the flexible hose member and the bite valve when at least portions of fluid disposed within the interior volume or the valve chamber are not frozen, and further wherein at least portions of the heating element are disposed within at least portions of the interior volume of the flexible hose member, and at least portions of the loop of the heating element are disposed within at least portions of the valve chamber, the hydration system further being configured to permit frozen fluid contained within at least portions of the interior volume or the valve chamber to be thawed by actuating the control switch into the “on” position and thereby causing electrical current to flow through, and cause heating of, the heating element.