Abstract: A pack for wearing on a person's back, comprising a front facing outwardly when the pack is worn and a pocket attached to and extending at least partially across the front of the pack. The pocket overlies generally the small of the person's back when the pack is worn, and includes an open entrance defined by an upper edge oriented for readily being located by touch when the person reaches behind their back, thereby guiding and facilitating access into the pocket. The pocket preferably includes an upwardly extending pocket flap that provides the upper edge of the pocket.

Abstract: A personal hydration device for use in providing fluid for delivery to an individual, the hydration device including a flexible bladder configured to hold fluid and including opposing side walls, at least one of the side walls having an opening through which the fluid may be passed. The device also includes an exit valve joined to the bladder adjacent the opening, where the exit valve includes a generally conically-shaped fluid accumulator region with a broad base disposed over at least part of the opening to receive fluid therefrom and the accumulator region extends from the broad base to a narrower peak. The exit valve includes an output port which connects to the accumulator region adjacent the peak. A flexible hose with first and second ends, the first end being connected to the output port and the second end being connected to a mouthpiece configured to be placed in the individual's mouth to provide fluid delivery thereto.

Abstract: A unitary resilient valve device that can be used in a system for delivering liquid from a container to a person'mouth. The valve is in the form of an elongated body member that forms a hollow structure having an open inlet end opposed to a closed outlet end. A fluid supply chamber is formed between the inlet and outlet ends, and the open end is connected to the end of a length of tubing in order to supply fluid flow to the supply chamber, while the closed end provides a closure member that normally precludes fluid flow therethrough. The body member can be deformed to move the valve into an opened configuration to enable fluid flow to occur therethrough. A slit is formed in the closure member. The slit extends through the end wall and communicates the supply chamber with ambient whenever the slit is defomed into the opened position.