Rigid Metal Reservoir Hydration System

• US 20190313777A1
• Filed: 06/21/2019
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matthew Calvin Hinson
• Original Assignee: Matthew Calvin Hinson
• Inventors: Hinson, Matthew Calvin
• Granted Patent: US 10,806,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0086 comprising a plurality of separable elements which can be used independently of one another
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/166 Hydration systems attached to the body by straps, e.g. incorporated in a backpack
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/16 Water-bottles; Mess-tins; Cups
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/18 of rigid material
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00537 on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0231 only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth of the container B65D43/0227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/122 Threaded caps
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00131 wearable by a person, e.g. as a backpack or helmet

Abstract

Provided is a novel hydration system which incorporates a rigid, low-profile, contoured reservoir made of stainless steel or another suitable non-plastic material that replaces typical plastic water bladders and a flexible metal drinking hose in backpack-mounted hydration systems. The rigid metal reservoir hydration system solves several problems and health concerns associated with plastic hydration systems.

Claims

1. A back-mounted hydration system comprising

a rigid metal reservoir;

an inlet;

an outlet;

a check valve assembly which allows air to enter the reservoir as liquid exits;

a fluid conduit;

wherein the liquid is delivered to the user'"'"'s mouth via a metal fluid conduit, having a first end and a second end, by means of oral suction applied to the first end of the conduit, which draws the liquid through the tube from the second end, being affixed to and running through the first and second vessels to access the liquid and allow delivery to the user'"'"'s mouth on demand;

and wherein the metal fluid conduit may be flexed and bent by the user into a position or orientation and stays in that position or orientation after the user relinquishes deliberate contact with and is finished adjusting the drinking tube;

and wherein the reservoir comprises a first vessel surrounded by a second vessel, oriented such that a gap is formed between the first and second vessels, on a user'"'"'s back, wherein a vacuum is formed in the gap between the two vessels, and liquids, which are stored within the first vessel, are kept cold or hot via the insulative effect of the vacuum between the vessels.

2. The hydration system of claim 1, wherein the flexible fluid conduit is surrounded by a sheath comprised of carbon fiber, rubber, neoprene, nylon, or braided stainless steel which is glued, epoxied, or otherwise permanently adhered to the reservoir wall, that will allow the copper tubing to bend, but will restrict the operable bending radius such that the flexible fluid conduit will not become creased or crimped during operation.

3. The hydration system of claim 1 wherein the reservoir features one or more corrugations to add cross-sectional rigidity in order to resist potential denting or crushing of the reservoir.

4. The hydration system of claim 1, wherein a user connects the metal fluid conduit to a coupling assembly that is adapted for releasably connecting and disconnecting a pair of fluid conduits in fluid communication with one another, including a socket on one of the fluid conduits for receiving the other fluid conduit inserted longitudinally therein into a releasable interlocking engagement with one or more resilient barbs or retainer finger members on a retainer member removably disposed within the socket.

5. The hydration system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is surrounded by a sheath comprised of carbon fiber, rubber, neoprene, nylon, or fiberglass which is glued, epoxied, or otherwise permanently adhered to the reservoir wall, that will allow the outer walls of the reservoir to be made thinner to reduce the weight of the reservoir, while maintaining adequate strength for the intended use.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a bite valve is affixed to the first end of the metal fluid conduit, giving the user control of the flow of the liquid through the conduit and preventing liquid flow while the bite valve is not engaged by the user.

7. A back-mounted hydration system comprising

a rigid metal reservoir;

an inlet;

an outlet;

a check valve assembly which allows air to enter the reservoir as liquid exits;

a fluid conduit;

wherein the liquid is delivered to the user'"'"'s mouth via a metal fluid conduit, having a first end and a second end, by means of oral suction applied to the first end of the conduit, which draws the liquid through the tube from the second end, being affixed to and running through the first and second vessels to access the liquid and allow delivery to the user'"'"'s mouth on demand;

and wherein the metal fluid conduit may be flexed and bent by the user into a position or orientation and stays in that position or orientation after the user relinquishes deliberate contact with and is finished adjusting the drinking tube;

and wherein an insulative sheath is placed around the metal fluid conduit to minimize the transfer of heat from the liquid while in the conduit to the external environment or from the external environment to the liquid while in the conduit.

8. The hydration system of claim 7, wherein the flexible fluid conduit is surrounded by a sheath comprised of carbon fiber, rubber, neoprene, nylon, or braided stainless steel which is glued, epoxied, or otherwise permanently adhered to the reservoir wall, that will allow the copper tubing to bend, but will restrict the operable bending radius such that the flexible fluid conduit will not become creased or crimped during operation.

9. The hydration system of claim 7 wherein the reservoir features one or more corrugations to add cross-sectional rigidity in order to resist potential denting or crushing of the reservoir.

10. The hydration system of claim 7, wherein a user connects the metal fluid conduit to a coupling assembly that is adapted for releasably connecting and disconnecting a pair of fluid conduits in fluid communication with one another, including a socket on one of the fluid conduits for receiving the other fluid conduit inserted longitudinally therein into a releasable interlocking engagement with one or more resilient barbs or retainer finger members on a retainer member removably disposed within the socket.

11. The hydration system of claim 7, wherein the reservoir is surrounded by a sheath comprised of carbon fiber, rubber, neoprene, nylon, or fiberglass which is glued, epoxied, or otherwise permanently adhered to the reservoir wall, that will allow the outer walls of the reservoir to be made thinner to reduce the weight of the reservoir, while maintaining adequate strength for the intended use.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein a bite valve is affixed to the first end of the metal fluid conduit, giving the user control of the flow of the liquid through the conduit and preventing liquid flow while the bite valve is not engaged by the user.

13. A method for manufacturing a hydration system comprising

a rigid metal reservoir;

an inlet;

an outlet;

a check valve assembly which allows air to enter the reservoir as liquid exits; and

a fluid conduit;

comprising the steps of;

pressing together the contact face of a top tool and a metal sheet along a bottom mold area to thereby retain the sheet in position;

sealing the sheet area that is subjected to the working fluid solely by contact between the contact face of the top tool and the metal sheet;

hydraulically pressure forming the sheet against the bottom mold area using a pressurized medium from a pressure generating unit;

completing the prior three steps for both a first front section and a first rear section, as well as a larger second front section and larger second rear section;

welding the first front and first rear sections to complete a first vessel;

welding multiple protruding tubular members into cut openings in the first vessel;

encapsulating the first vessel with a larger second vessel formed by welding the larger second front section to the larger second rear section and welding said larger sections to the multiple protruding tubular members, which are oriented to fit tightly through appropriately sized holes cut into said larger front and rear sections, such that the larger second vessel is oriented such that a gap is maintained between the first and second vessels; and

removing air from the gap to create a vacuum between the two vessels.