Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for a portable hydration system that includes a reservoir, a first check valve, a manual pump activated by user movement, a second check valve, a first fluid communication line including a proximal end in communication with the second check valve and a distal end in communication with a bleed valve, further included is a second fluid communication line including an inlet end in communication in the bleed valve and an outlet end in communication with the reservoir. The first fluid communication line and the second fluid communication line are continuously adjacent in position to one another, wherein the bleed valve discharges a selectable intermittent fluid flowrate to the user for consumption and the pump outputs a primary intermittent fluid flowrate greater than the selectable intermittent fluid flowrate, wherein operationally the heat transfer apparatus acts to further help equalize the reservoir and the bleed valve temperatures.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus and method for removably engaging a first article to a second article includes a beam having a first end portion sized and configured as an open ended hook and a second end portion that attaches to the first article. Also included in the retainer apparatus is a finger that has magnetic attraction to the second article, the finger is disposed adjacent to the second end portion of the beam, with the finger having an open state position allowing free passage of the hook through an aperture of the second article, the finger also having a closed state position wherein the finger is adjacent to the hook such that the hook and finger form a converging interface thereby engaging the first and second articles. Further included is structure for urging the finger from the open state position to the closed state position.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for a portable hydration system that includes a reservoir, a first check valve, a manual pump activated by user movement, a second check valve, a first fluid communication line including a proximal end in communication with the second check valve and a distal end in communication with a bleed valve, further included is a second fluid communication line including an inlet end in communication in the bleed valve and an outlet end in communication with the reservoir. The first fluid communication line and the second fluid communication line are continuously adjacent in position to one another, wherein the bleed valve discharges a selectable intermittent fluid flowrate to the user for consumption and the pump outputs a primary intermittent fluid flowrate greater than the selectable intermittent fluid flowrate, wherein operationally the heat transfer apparatus acts to further help equalize the reservoir and the bleed valve temperatures.

Abstract: A steerable carriage apparatus for manually transporting a payload across a surface, that includes frame multiple end portions that include rotating elements rotationally attached to each of the frame multiple end portions, with the rotating elements forming contacts on the surface. Additionally, the frame multiple end portions have a pivotal attachment to one another being operational to steer the carriage, with the pivotal attachment having a pivotal axis forming an angle to the surface, the pivotal attachment having the option of selectively controlling the urging, dampening, or locking of the pivotal movement.

Abstract: A steerable carriage apparatus for manually transporting a payload across a surface, that includes frame multiple end portions that include rotating elements rotationally attached to each of the frame multiple end portions, with the rotating elements forming contacts on the surface. Additionally, the frame multiple end portions have a pivotal attachment to one another being operational to steer the carriage, with the pivotal attachment having a pivotal axis forming an angle to the surface, the pivotal attachment having the option of selectively controlling the urging, dampening, or locking of the pivotal movement.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus and method for removably engaging a first article to a second article includes a beam having a first end portion sized and configured as an open ended hook and a second end portion that attaches to the first article. Also included in the retainer apparatus is a finger that has magnetic attraction to the second article, the finger is disposed adjacent to the second end portion of the beam, with the finger having an open state position allowing free passage of the hook through an aperture of the second article, the finger also having a closed state position wherein the finger is adjacent to the hook such that the hook and finger form a converging interface thereby engaging the first and second articles. Further included is structure for urging the finger from the open state position to the closed state position.