Patent Document

PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/984,072, filed Apr. 25, 2014. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to unpressurized and pressurized personal hydration systems such as those installed and/or used on bicycles and/or other vehicles or carried and/or donned by persons while cycling, hiking, driving or conducting other activities. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Water bottles and unpressurized bladders are commonly used by cyclists, hikers, drivers and others during outdoor or indoor activities. They provide a valuable source of hydration to persons involved in such activities. Drawing hydration from water bottles through tubes with bite valves while cycling, walking, running or driving may cause stumbling, accidents and/or other damage. 
     In the past decade, certain pressurized hydration systems have been introduced into the market. These have improved the ability to draw hydration as long as a minimum required pressure is available. Some pressurized hydration systems use handheld air pumps to supply pressure while others use pressurized canisters to provide pressure. 
     Such hydration systems provide either water or a mixture of water and food additives (enhanced hydration) in the bottle or bladder. Having enhanced hydration in such containers requires frequent cleaning and rinsing of the bottles and/or bladders as well as other hydration system components including caps, bite valves and tubes to clear gummy residues that food/hydration additives leave. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,122, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/764,620, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,702, discloses a hydration system that is activated by a gas that exerts pressure, wherein baffles are used to regulate the flow of pressure. In this manner, the rate of release of the hydration substance stored in the bladder is controlled. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/270,787, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/497,672, discloses a pressurized fluid delivery system that reduces the need for repressurizing the flexible bladder because pressure from a pressurizable sleeve can provide an applied force against the flexible bladder even as the bladder is emptied. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,633 discloses a mouthpiece assembly of a water bottle wherein the seal member is moved when the user squeezes the mouthpiece. Other hydration systems are shown at http://bluedesert.co.il and http://www.geigerrig.com. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     At least one embodiment of the current invention provides a motorized hydration system that does not require gas canisters or hand-pumping. A user of the current invention receives on-demand hydration from a bottle, bladder or other container by activating the system. 
     At least one embodiment of the current invention further provides a kit that allows users to preserve a major part of their existing hydration systems whether unpressurized or pressurized. The kit, easily installed by the user, modifies existing products and allows for motorized (powered) on-demand hydration and enhanced hydration. 
     The invention also includes a method for installing a kit in conformance with the invention into an existing hydration system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings herein, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a prior art water bottle 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of a bicycle motorized hydration kit as used in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an embodiment of the motorized hydration embodiment of the invention shown installed on a bicycle. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a prior art backpack or waist pack hydration bladder. 
         FIG. 5  is a backpack or waist pack embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements, a motorized hydration system is shown in  FIG. 2  and typically comprises a pump assembly ( 3 ) that may be in the form of a passive cap for a container for holding liquids and may include an additional food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ). Pump assembly ( 3 ) and food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ) each include a respective housing, the material of which and construction of which are readily ascertainable by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains in view of the disclosure herein. 
     A power source, for example, a DC rechargeable or non-rechargeable power source ( 6 ), is included in the pump assembly ( 3 ) and is connected through wires to a lightweight micro or miniature vane or diaphragm motorized pump ( 4 ) that is installed into the pump assembly ( 3 ) and to a micro peristaltic motorized pump ( 10 ) that is installed in the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ), both pumps are controlled by a control module ( 5 ) installed in the pump assembly ( 3 ). The micro or miniature vane or diaphragm motorized pump ( 4 ) may be fitted in the pump assembly ( 3 ) if the container will contain water, flavored water or when the user will mix water with additives in the container since it is designed to handle food and hydration additives which can cause gumming of moving parts. The micro vane or diaphragm motorized pump ( 4 ) may be fitted in the pump assembly ( 3 ) if the bottle will contain water only, i.e., without food-type additives. That is, the micro vane or diaphragm motorized pump ( 4 ) is designed to handle water and lightly-enriched water products including, without restriction, Gatorade and Vitamin Water. 
     In a two-container embodiment, an electronically controlled diverter ( 7 ) is controlled by the control module ( 5 ). In a one-bottle embodiment, the diverter ( 7 ) may be included but not activated. 
     A single use concentrated food/hydration additive pod ( 16 ), providing a variety of food and/or hydration additives such as electrolytes, sugar, salt etc. as selected by the user, is inserted into the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ) and pumped by the micro peristaltic motorized pump ( 10 ) into a mixing chamber ( 15 ) where it is mixed with the liquid contained in the container(s); consequently providing the final mix to the user through a first output tube ( 21 ) in flow communication with the mixing chamber ( 15 ). The first output tube ( 21 ) may be attached to the handlebars of a bicycle or held in the user&#39;s mouth. 
       FIG. 3  shows the placement of the bicycle motorized system in accordance with the invention comprising two bottles, a first suction tube ( 1 ), an optional second suction tube ( 8 ), a first output tube ( 21 ), a second output tube ( 9 ), pump assembly ( 3 ) and food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ), bite valve ( 23 ) and user remote control ( 24 ). The user remote control ( 24 ) may also be integrated into a phone or smart phone as an application. The suction tube ( 1 ), ( 8 ) lead from a respective bottle or bladder ( 34 ) to the diverter valve ( 7 ), from which there is an internal tubing to the micro vane or diaphragm motorized pump ( 4 ), see  FIG. 2 . The second output tube ( 9 ) leads from the micro vane or diaphragm motorized pump ( 4 ) to the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ). The bite valve ( 23 ) and user remote control ( 24 ) are shown attached to a bicycle handle bar. The user remote control ( 24 ) may be wired or wireless and controls the control module ( 5 ) in the pump assembly ( 3 ), see  FIG. 2 . 
     An embodiment of the kit meant for water consumption only comprises the pump assembly ( 3 ) as described above with the second output tube ( 9 ) serving as output of the water. 
     A water bottle or water bladder ( 34 ), sold by others and shown in  FIG. 1 , may be screwed to the pump assembly ( 3 ) using threads ( 2 ), as shown in  FIG. 2 , or connected to the pump assembly ( 3 ) using a quick connect/disconnect coupling (not shown) as is known by those skilled in the relevant art. 
     The food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ) comprises the micro peristaltic pump ( 10 ), a receptacle configured to receive an additive container ( 16 ), a mixing chamber ( 15 ) embedded in the housing of the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ), additive suction tube ( 11 ), additive output tube ( 12 ) with an in-line check valve ( 13 ), a water, second output tube ( 9 ) with an in-line check valve ( 14 ) and the mix, first output tube ( 21 ), see  FIG. 2 . As also shown in  FIG. 2 , the additive container ( 16 ) may be a pod comprising, for example, a plastic body fitted with a foil base ( 17 ), a foil top cover ( 20 ), a semi sticky rubber ring ( 19 ) and a concentrated liquefied food/hydration additive. The concentrated liquefied food/hydration additive may be selected by the user. 
     Turning back to  FIG. 3 , the pump assembly ( 3 ) and the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ) are mounted on the bicycle frame utilizing braces ( 26 ) and the water, second output tube ( 9 ) connects the pump assembly ( 3 ) and the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ), only a portion of which is visible in  FIG. 3 . Instead of braces ( 26 ), any other securing mechanism or means for securing the pump assembly ( 3 ) and the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ) to a portion of the bicycle frame known to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may be used in the invention. 
     A first container is configured to be removably connected to the pump assembly ( 3 ). Specifically, a first bottle or bladder ( 34 ) may be connected to the pump assembly ( 3 ) using threads ( 2 ) as shown in  FIG. 2 , or a quick connect/disconnect coupling, or any other connecting technique known to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. An optional second container, e.g., a bottle or bladder, may be mounted to the bicycle frame, e.g., to the vertical frame member. The second suction tube ( 8 ) is placed into second container connecting it with pump assembly ( 3 ). The first, mix output tube ( 21 ) is inserted into the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ) and secured to the bicycle frame by braces ( 25 ). Instead of braces ( 25 ), any other securing mechanism or means for securing the first, mix output tube ( 21 ) to a portion of the bicycle frame known to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may be used in the invention. 
     An electronically controlled or bite controlled valve ( 23 ) is connected to the first, mix output tube ( 21 ). A bicycle-mounted wireless control pad ( 24 ) is mounted onto the bicycle bar or alternatively a hand held smart phone (not shown) is utilized as a wireless controller pad by installing an application on said smart phone. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a prior art hydration bladder ( 36 ) may be modified to work with a motorized kit ( 32 ) of the present invention as follows. The bladder ( 36 ) may include hanging notches ( 42 ). 
     An existing bladder tube ( 38 ) is cut about 0.5″ above the bottom of the existing fitting ( 40 ), creating a top cut end of the existing tube and a bottom cut end of the existing tube ( 38 ). As shown in  FIG. 5 , a top kit tube fitting and a bottom kit tube fitting ( 29 ) are inserted into the top cut end of the existing tube ( 38 ) and the bottom cut end of the existing tube ( 38 ), respectively. A modified version of the pump assembly ( 3 ), where the diverter ( 7 ) is eliminated and a plug ( 27 ) blocks the second suction port through which second suction tube ( 8 ) would pass, is connected to the bottom tube fitting ( 29 ) and the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ) is coupled to the top tube fitting ( 29 ), i.e., the first outlet tube ( 21 ) is placed into flow communication with the top tube fitting ( 29 ). 
     Next, the motorized kit may be secured to the bladder ( 36 ) by any means, including but not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps and/or adhesives. This embodiment of the invention therefore generally includes a securing mechanism or means for securing the motorized kit comprising the pump assembly ( 3 ) and the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ) to an existing bladder, which securing mechanism or means may be any known to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. 
     The kit is operated by a user wired switch ( 28 ) installed next to the bite valve or by a wireless remote control ( 24 ) carried by the user or smart phone carried by the user by installing an application on said smart phone. Another embodiment includes a modified bite valve configured to electronically control the control module ( 5 ). 
     In operation, the power source ( 6 ) provides power, command and control to micro vane or diaphragm motorized pump ( 4 ) and micro peristaltic pump ( 10 ) through the control module ( 5 ) as well as to the diverter ( 7 ), the bicycle-mounted wireless control pad ( 24 ), a wireless electronically control bite valve ( 28 ) and alternatively provides command and control to a handheld smart phone (not shown) utilized as a wireless controller pad. 
     When a user desires to use the hydration system, the bottle(s) and/or bladders are filled with water and connected to the pump assembly ( 3 ) and an additive pod ( 16 ) is inserted into the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ). When the food/hydration additives pod housing assembly ( 22 ) is closed, in a manner known to those skilled in the art of pods, the sharp pointed tip ( 18 ) penetrates the bottom foil base ( 17 ) of the pod ( 16 ) making the liquefied concentrate food/hydration additive ready for suction by the micro peristaltic pump ( 10 ). The user may select just water or a mix of water and the food/hydration additive by operating the controls of the hydration system, either by directly operating the control module ( 5 ) or by operating the user remote control ( 24 ) which controls control module ( 5 ). Specifically, when water is selected, control module ( 5 ) will operate only the micro vane pump ( 4 ) (or micro diaphragm pump ( 4 )), water will be sucked out of the bottle through first suction tube ( 1 ) and pumped out to the user through the first output tube ( 21 ). If the first container is empty and the optional second container is connected, the control module ( 5 ) will reposition the diverter ( 7 ) to point towards the second bottle and second suction tube ( 8 ) will be utilized while the first suction tube ( 1 ) will be plugged by the diverter ( 7 ). 
     When a mix of water and food/hydration is selected by the user, control module ( 5 ) simultaneously operates both micro vane pump ( 4 ) (or micro diaphragm pump ( 4 )) and micro peristaltic pump ( 10 ) causing both water and additive from additive pod ( 16 ) to be pumped into the mixing chamber ( 15 ) in programmed quantities to create a suitable mixture of water and additive that is then delivered to the user via output tube ( 21 ). 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific exemplary embodiments thereof. The invention is therefore to be limited not by the exemplary embodiments herein, but by all embodiments within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7