Wearable Hydration System, Bladder Ensemble, and Kit

Abstract

A wearable hydration system, bladder ensemble and hydration kit enabling hands-free user hydration. The wearable hydration system, ensemble and kit include a liquid-impermeable bladder, a conduit element, and a wearable mechanism. The bladder includes front and back bladder walls and at least one, but preferably a series of particularly configured seals that seal the front and back bladder walls or sides. The conduit element is inserted into the liquid-impermeable bladder in lateral adjacency to the seals for conducting liquid from the liquid-impermeable bladder to a user's mouth. The wearable mechanism may be exemplified by a pouch formation. The pouch formation received, holds, and positions the liquid-impermeable bladder relative to the user's body when donned by the user. A series of matable fasteners may fasten the bladder to the pouch formation via a series of fastener-receiving apertures particularly formed in the bladder and pouch formation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

PRIOR HISTORY

This application claims the benefit of pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/195,666 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on 1 Jun. 2022, the specifications and drawings of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a system and apparatus for enabling a user to rehydrate during activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bladder apparatus configurable with an article of clothing the combination of which functions to position and hold liquid on a user's person for hands-free rehydration during activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

As an active runner, the author always takes water with him during a run. Running without water, particularly during longer distance runs, is difficult and dangerous. Along the running path, the author regularly encounters other runners and most of them have the same things in their hands or pockets: a water bottle and a mobile phone. The author notes that separately carrying a water bottle in one's hand while running is inconvenient especially if one is required to communicate with others via a mobile phone while running. The author further notes that disposable plastic water bottles regularly end up on the ground polluting the environment. The author further recognizes there are different, more permanent, less disposable hydration containers that a runner may carry on a belt or in a backpack type article. A great number of runners nevertheless continue to carry disposable plastic water bottle(s) in their hands. Drinking water or hydrating from these types of disposable water bottles while running is inconvenient.

The author, having identified a perceived need in the field of art, developed the subject invention with a primary objective of placing a hydration pouch or bladder apparatus in anterior adjacency to the user's chest in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth so that liquid or water could then be consumed right from the chest-localized pouch or bladder apparatus hands-free while running or engaging in other similar activities during which hydration may prove beneficial or desired as summarized in more detail hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this invention is the provision of a water pouch or liquid-impermeable bladder ensemble that may be utilized hands-free and is as flat or low profile as possible with liquid/water contained thereby being as evenly dispersed in separate but interconnected smaller compartments to prevent water oscillation, and to also prevent the water from collecting at the bottom of the liquid-impermeable bladder. To achieve these primary objectives, the author fused or heat-sealed opposite sides of a common disposable plastic bag to develop an early prototype. An early prototype fused opposite pouch sides by providing spot seals or through-holes sealed at the diameter thereof. An alternative embodiment was later developed to provide interconnected vertical compartments separated by continuously linear seal lines or sites.

While forming edge-sealed through-holes, the concept of providing corner-based fastener-receiving apertures was born. The corner-based fastener-receiving apertures provide certain means or a mechanism to hang the liquid-impermeable bladder upon a flat basal bib element with matable snap fasteners fastening the liquid-impermeable bladder to the basal bib element. During the next step, the author found that by incorporating a fabric bag or pouch formation, the pouch formation provided a better result than a flat basal bib element. The inclusion of matable fasteners in combination with waist-encircling strap apparatus and a lanyard type neck-encircling strap apparatus enables the user to secure both the liquid-impermeable bladder and pouch formation to one another and to the user's body.

Further provided is an extendable and bendable straw or conduit element. It is contemplated the user or runner can adjust the straw or conduit element as needed. On the bottom end of the straw or at the lower conduit end is a small V-shaped notch to prevent the anterior and posterior walls of the bladders from interfering with water flow/suction. The conduit element may be inserted into the liquid-impermeable bladder(s) through a small liquid access aperture formed on the frontal or anterior side/wall of the bladder(s) just below the slide seal mechanism, which liquid access aperture may be preferably outfitted with an aperture-reinforcing O-ring or seal that snugly engages the conduit element to prevent unintended spillage of liquid or water at the aperture site.

Liquid or water may be poured into the liquid-impermeable bladder via the bladder mouth located at the upper bladder end, and the bladder may be closed with the slide seal or similar other mechanism. The pouch formation with the bladder held and positioned thereby may hang around the runner's neck via the neck strap apparatus and secured around his/her chest by the waist-encircling strap apparatus. The invention is not limited in terms of its use by runners or walkers (e.g. dog walkers), but can also be used by anyone desiring an easily accessible, chest-localized, hands-free water source, including the disabled, and bed-ridden patients, for example.

The basic invention may be said to essentially teach or disclose a wearable hydration system or kit for enabling hands-free user hydration, which wearable hydration system or kit essentially includes a bladder apparatus or liquid-impermeable bladder ensemble. The liquid-impermeable bladder is believed central to the practice of the present invention. When viewed systemically or as a kit compilation, the present invention may be said to essentially comprise, in combination, a liquid-impermeable bladder, a conduit element, and a pouch formation or wearable mechanism for holding and positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder and conduit elements relative to a user's mouth substantially as described or specified below.

The liquid-impermeable bladder essentially comprises an upper bladder end, a lower bladder end, a front bladder side, a back bladder side, and at least one, but preferably a series of seals for sealing the front bladder side to the back bladder side. The conduit element is inserted into the liquid-impermeable bladder by way of the upper bladder end and extends toward the lower bladder end in lateral adjacency to the at least one seal or intermediate a laterally opposed pair of seals or sets of seals for conducting liquid from the liquid-impermeable bladder to a user's mouth by way of the upper bladder end. The pouch formation includes an upper pouch end and a lower pouch end, and the liquid-impermeable bladder is received in, and held and positioned by the pouch formation that is worn by or secured to a user's body for positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth.

The liquid-impermeable bladder preferably comprises a series of seals, which series of seals extend intermediate the upper bladder end and the lower bladder end, and are preferably arranged in parallel longitudinal relation to one another such that the conduit element is made insertable intermediate a select pair of laterally opposed seals or laterally opposed sets of seals. The seals maintain a relatively low bladder profile when liquid is received in the liquid-impermeable bladder; minimize laterally directed liquid movement within the liquid-impermeable bladder; and damp oscillatory liquid movement within the liquid-impermeable bladder. The seal sites are particularly important to practice of the present invention given the wearable nature of a liquid-containing bladder worn during dehydrating activities exemplified by running activities.

The liquid-impermeable bladder preferably comprises a series of seals extending intermediate the upper bladder end and the lower bladder end within a seal zone, and are preferably configured or arranged in parallel, longitudinal (or vertical) relation to one another. The axial conduit element is insertable intermediate a select pair of laterally opposed seals or sets of seals. In the case of a first liquid-impermeable bladder, the series of seals continuously seal the front side to the back side within the seal zone. In the case of a second liquid-impermeable bladder, the series of seals periodically seal the front side to the back side within the seal zone, the series of seals being configured or arranged in parallel relation to one another both laterally and longitudinally or in a grid-like pattern. In both the first and second bladders, the series of seals terminate in superior adjacency to the lower bladder end for enabling laterally directed liquid movement at the lower bladder end.

In an alternative embodiment, the pouch formation is integrally formed with a shirt, at an anterior portion thereof for positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth. The pouch formation can be formed either exteriorly or interiorly relative to the shirt article. When the pouch formation is integrally formed with the shirt at an interior shirt portion, the pouch formation is concealed. The shirt ensemble, in this embodiment, necessarily comprises a bladder access aperture for enabling the user to access the liquid-impermeable bladder with the conduit element by way of the shirt. The pouch formation may be outfitted with upper or laterally positioned bladder-receiving openings or mouths, which openings or mouths are preferably outfitted with one or more zipper mechanisms for enabling the user to selectively open/close the pouch formation.

To help immobilize the liquid-impermeable bladders relative to the positioned placement in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth in anterior adjacency to the user's chest/abdomen, the hydration system and/or kit may preferably comprise or provide a series of matable fasteners, a neck-encircling strap apparatus, and waist-encircling strap apparatus. The matable fasteners are cooperable with particularly formed fastener-receiving apertures formed in the liquid-impermeable bladder and the pouch formation.

The liquid-impermeable bladder, for example, may be fastened to the pouch formation by way of the series of matable fasteners as received in the fastener-receiving apertures for maintaining positioned placement of the liquid-impermeable bladder within the pouch formation. Further, the neck-encircling strap apparatus may encircle a user's neck and attach to the upper pouch end for positioning the pouch formation apparatus and the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth. The waist-encircling strap apparatus may encircle a user's waist and attach to the lower pouch end for securing the lower pouch end against the user's waist.

The liquid-impermeable bladders may be outfitted with either an open upper mouth and/or a conduit-receiving, liquid access aperture for enabling the user to insert the conduit member or element into the liquid-impermeable bladder(s). The conduit-receiving, liquid access aperture is preferably outfitted with an aperture-reinforcing O-ring or seal that snugly engages the conduit element to prevent unintended spillage of liquid or water at the aperture site. A number of different bladder mouth-closing closure mechanisms are contemplated. In other words, the upper bladder mouth may be variously outfitted with select closure mechanisms. Further, the reader will below note other variations to a pouch or pocket closure mechanisms of a shirt-pouch formation combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and objectives of my invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief descriptions of patent drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevational front view of a first alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown without liquid received therein.

FIG. 2 is a first elevational front view of the first alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with liquid received therein.

FIG. 2A is a top edge view of the first alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with liquid received therein.

FIG. 2B is a side edge view of the first alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with liquid received therein.

FIG. 3 is an elevational front view of a second alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown without liquid received therein.

FIG. 4 is an elevational front view of the second alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with liquid received therein.

FIG. 4A is a top edge view of the second alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with liquid received therein.

FIG. 4B is a side edge view of the second alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with liquid received therein.

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of a preferred wearable hydration system or ensemble according to the present invention as shown worn by a user.

FIG. 6 is a second elevational front view of the first alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with liquid and a conduit element received therein for enabling a user to draw liquid therefrom.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as enlarged and sectioned from FIG. 6 to depict in greater details the structure associated with the lower bladder end and the lower conduit end.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of a first alternative wearable hydration system or ensemble according to the present invention as shown worn by a user.

FIG. 8 is a schematic depiction of essential components of the preferred wearable hydration system or kit according to the present invention showing a neck-encircling strap assembly, a generic water bottle, the first alternative liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus, a conduit element, and a pouch formation outfitted with a waist-encircling strap assembly.

FIG. 9 is a frontal view of a second alternative wearable hydration system or ensemble according to the present invention as shown worn by a user.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the second alternative wearable hydration system or ensemble according to the present invention as shown worn by a user.

FIG. 11 is a frontal view of a third alternative wearable hydration system or ensemble according to the present invention as shown worn by a user.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the third alternative wearable hydration system or ensemble according to the present invention as shown worn by a user.

FIG. 13A is a fragmentary frontal view of an upper bladder end of a generic liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with a first alternative bladder closure mechanism.

FIG. 13B is a fragmentary frontal view of an upper bladder end of a generic liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with a second alternative bladder closure mechanism.

FIG. 13C is a fragmentary frontal view of an upper bladder end of a generic liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with a third alternative bladder closure mechanism.

FIG. 13D is a fragmentary frontal view of an upper bladder end of a generic liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with a fourth alternative bladder closure mechanism.

FIG. 13E is a fragmentary frontal view of an upper bladder end of a generic liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with a fifth alternative bladder closure mechanism.

FIG. 13F is a fragmentary frontal view of an upper bladder end of a generic liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus according to the present invention shown with a sixth alternative bladder closure mechanism.

FIG. 14A is a fragmentary frontal view of the third alternative wearable hydration system or ensemble according to the present invention as shown worn by a user outfitted with a first alternative pouch formation closure mechanism.

FIG. 14B is a fragmentary frontal view of the third alternative wearable hydration system or ensemble according to the present invention as shown worn by a user outfitted with a second alternative pouch formation closure mechanism.

FIG. 14C is a fragmentary frontal view of the third alternative wearable hydration system or ensemble according to the present invention as shown worn by a user outfitted with a bladder access aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings with more specificity, the following specifications generally describe a wearable hydration system, bladder ensemble and hydration kit for enabling a user to rehydrate, in a hands-free manner, during activities in which hydration may be preferred or desired. The primary or exemplary activity during which hydration may be preferred or desired may be exemplified by running activities. However, the present invention is particularly useful for any user who has trouble separately carrying a water bottle, and requires hands-free hydration. In this regard, disabled and/or bed-ridden persons may also find the present invention useful.

Central to the practice of the present invention is a liquid-impermeable bladder apparatus as generally and alternatively depicted and referenced at 10 and 11. The liquid-impermeable bladders 10 and 11 according to the present invention each preferably comprise an upper bladder end as at 12, a lower bladder end as at 13, a front bladder side as at 14, a back bladder side as at 15, and at least one, but preferably a series of seals or seal sites preferably formed by heat-sealing the front bladder side 14 to the back bladder side 15 along continuous seals as at 16 in liquid-impermeable bladder 10, or at periodic spot seals as at 17 in liquid-impermeable bladder 11.

In the preferred embodiment the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 are characterized by bags on par with or akin to low-cost, disposable, liquid-impermeable plastic bags exemplified by slide seal plastic type bags as sold under the ZIPLOC® or HEFTY® brands. The low-cost plastic bag type articles of manufacture are outfitted with periodically positioned seals or seal sites 16/17 to seal the front bladder side 14 to the back bladder side 15 at the seal sites 16/17 for (a) maintaining a low bladder profile when water or liquid 100 is received in the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11; (b) minimizing laterally directed liquid movement 103 within the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 and (c) damping oscillatory liquid movement within the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11. A water bottle 110 is depicted in FIG. 8 as an exemplary liquid/water delivery vessel and an upper liquid or water line is depicted and referenced at 101 in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 7. The reader will note that when liquid is received within the bladders 10/11, the front bladder side or wall 14 and back bladder side or wall 15 of the bladders 10/11 expand anteriorly-posteriorly away from one another. The seals 16/17 prevent overextension of the sides or walls 14/15 relative to one another.

The essential structural difference between liquid-impermeable bladder 10 and liquid-impermeable bladder 11 is the form and function of the seals or seal sites 16 and 17 respectively associated with the bladders 10 and 11. Comparatively referencing FIGS. 1-2B versus FIGS. 3-4B the reader will there see that liquid-impermeable bladder 10 preferably comprises a series of longitudinally aligned or vertically parallel and laterally-spaced, continuous seals or seal sites as at 16 that extend longitudinally within a seal zone or seal portion as at 102. Liquid-impermeable bladder 11 preferably provides a series of longitudinally and laterally spaced or grid-positioned spot-type seals or seal sites as at 17. The reader will note that at the lower bladder end 13 of both liquid-impermeable bladder 10 and liquid-impermeable bladder 11 is devoid of seal sites 16/17 or seal structure so as to allow laterally directed water or liquid movement 103 adjacent the lower bladder end 13. In other words, the series of seals 16/17 terminate in superior adjacency to the lower bladder end 13 for enabling laterally directed liquid movement 103 at the lower bladder end. Liquid-impermeable bladder 11 allows laterally directed liquid movement 103 within the seal zone 102. The seal zone(s) 102 extend intermediate lower most seal structure(s) 18 and upper most seal structure(s) 19 in both bladders 10/11.

The liquid-impermeable bladders 10 and 11 may be preferably outfitted with a slide seal closure mechanism as at 20. The reader will note that unlike a state-of-the-art slide seal type plastic bag as sold under the ZIPLOC® or HEFTY® brands, the slide seal mechanism 20 of the liquid-impermeable bladders 10 and 11 is preferably centered relative to the width of the bladders 10 and 11 and does not necessarily extend across the entire upper bladder end 12. In this regard, it is contemplated that in a preferred embodiment, the center one-third of the upper bladder end 12 comprises a (slide) reversible seal closure mechanism 20 so as to allow the user to selectively open and close the upper bladder end 12 for possibly inserting a conduit element as at 21.

In an alternative embodiment, the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 comprise a conduit-receiving, liquid access aperture 22 the diameter of which is substantially equal to the diameter of the conduit element 21 to allow the user to insert the conduit element 21 into the bladders 10/11 without interfering with the slide seal mechanism outfitted upon or at the upper bladder end 12 and enabling the user to close the otherwise open upper bladder mouth. The conduit-receiving liquid access aperture 22 may be preferably outfitted with an aperture-reinforcing O-ring or seal as at 56 that snugly engages the conduit element 21 to prevent unintended spillage of liquid or water at the aperture site.

The conduit element 21 may be generally characterized as a straw type element with a flexible upper conduit end as at 23. In a preferred embodiment, however, the conduit element is characterized by a flexible tubing so that the upper conduit end 23 may be selectively and obliquely angled as at 106 relative to the primary conduit axis 104. The upper conduit end 23 may thus preferably comprise a secondary conduit axis 105, which axis 105 may be selectively angled relative to the primary conduit axis 104. The conduit element 21 may be inserted into the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 by way of the upper bladder end 12 and extended toward the lower bladder end 13 in lateral adjacency to the at least one seal site 16 or intermediate a laterally opposed pair of seal sites 16 or laterally opposed sets of seal sites 17 for conducting liquid 100 from the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 to a user's mouth by way of the upper bladder end 12. The lower conduit end 24 of the conduit element 21 is preferably outfitted with a liquid inlet notch as at 25. The liquid inlet notch is preferably positioned intermediate laterally opposed end portions 26 of the lower conduit end 24 for inletting liquid 100 adjacent the lower bladder end 13. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid inlet notch 25 is V-shaped as extended in a notch plane coplanar with the primary conduit axis 104 to prevent the front bladder side or bladder wall 14 and the back bladder side or bladder wall 15 from interfering with liquid/water flow/suction.

The hydration system according to the present invention further contemplates a wearable mechanism for properly positioning the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth in anterior adjacency to the user's chest/abdomen 107. In a preferred embodiment, the hydration system according to the present invention contemplates a wearable mechanism characterized or exemplified by a pouch or pocket formation as at 27 or a relatively simplified bib element as at 60 in FIG. 7. The preferred pouch or pocket formation 27 essentially comprises an upper pouch end 28 and a lower pouch end 29 and is dimensioned or sized and shaped to receive the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 therewithin. The pouch or pocket formation 27 may preferably be provided as a separate wearable article, or alternatively provided in combination with a wearable shirt, the latter of which may also be configured to properly position the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth in anterior adjacency to the user's chest/abdomen 107.

When the wearable article is provided as a shirt-based ensemble, the pouch or pocket formation 27 is integrally formed with a shirt as at 30. The pouch or pocket formation 27 is integrally formed with the shirt 30 either exterior to a primary exterior shirt surface 31 as generally depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 or interior to the primary exterior shirt surface 31 as generally depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12. The pouch or pocket formation 27 may be integrally formed as an interior pocket or pouch so as to substantially conceal the pouch formation 27 from view. In order for a user to access the liquid-impermeable bladder(s) 10/11, a bladder access aperture 32 is preferably formed in the primary exterior shirt surface 31, which bladder access aperture 32 may be outfitted with a zipper mechanism 36 or similar other mechanism for selectively closing the bladder access aperture 32.

The pouch or pocket formation 27 preferably provides a mouth 33 for receiving the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11. The mouth 33 may be preferably provided at the upper pouch end 28 as generally depicted in FIG. 9 or may alternatively be positioned at one or both of the lateral sides of the pouch or pocket formation 27. Access to the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 is enabled by way of openings preferably outfitted with a zipper mechanism 36 or similar other mechanism so as to enable the user to selectively open and close the openings.

To help prevent displacement of the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 when received within the pouch or pocket formation 27, a series of fastener-receiving apertures 37 are preferably formed in the pouch or pocket formation 27. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener-receiving apertures 37 are formed at or adjacent the corners 38 of the preferably rectangular pouch or pocket formation 27. Corresponding fastener-receiving apertures 39 are preferably formed in the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 at the corners 40 thereof. The fastener-receiving apertures 39 formed in the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 are each encircled by a seal ring or seal site 41 that seal the front bladder side 14 to the back bladder side 15 so as to prevent liquid from egressing via the fastener-receiving apertures 39. Matable fasteners, exemplified by snap fasteners 42, are insertable into the fastener-receiving apertures 37 and 39 so as to fasten the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 to the pouch or pocket formation 27.

The pouch or pocket formation 27, when not provided in combination with the shirt 30, may be worn by a user by providing a neck-encircling, lanyard type, neck strap assembly as at 43, which neck strap assembly 43 comprises a neck-encircling strap member 44 and fastener clips 45 at the ends of the strap member 44. A waist-encircling belt or waist strap assembly 46 may preferably secure the lower pouch end 29 to the user's body. In this regard, it is contemplated the pouch or pocket formation 27 may be provided with additional belt-receiving apertures as at 47 through which belt-receiving apertures 47 the waist-encircling belt or strap assembly 46 may be fed to more properly secure the lower pouch end 29 to the user's body. Tether elements 48 may be provided to help secure the upper bladder end 12 within the pouch or pocket formation 27 which tether elements 48 may extend intermediate a neck portion 49 of the shirt 30 and the fastener-receiving apertures 37/39 outfitted with snap fasteners 42 as generally and comparatively depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12. The shirt/pouch combination may be alternatively outfitted with reinforced threaded portions to help support the pouch or pocket formation 27 (not specifically illustrated).

The liquid-impermeable bladders 10 and 11 may be outfitted with an open upper mouth and/or a conduit-receiving, liquid access aperture as at 22 for enabling the user to insert the conduit member or element 21 into the liquid-impermeable bladder(s) 10/11. The conduit-receiving, liquid access aperture may be preferably outfitted with an aperture-reinforcing O-ring or seal that snugly engages the conduit element 21 to prevent unintended spillage of liquid or water at the aperture site. The bladder mouth may be variously outfitted with select closure mechanisms as generally and comparatively depicted in FIGS. 13A through 13F. Comparatively referencing FIGS. 13A through 13F the reader will there consider a number of different closure mechanisms, including a width-abbreviated closure mechanism with slide element as at 20 in FIG. 13A; a full width closure mechanism with slide element as at 50 in FIG. 13B; a width-abbreviated simplified closure mechanism without slide element as at 51 in FIG. 13C; and a full width simplified closure mechanism without slide element as at 52 in FIG. 13D.

Comparatively referencing FIGS. 13E and 13F, the reader will there consider two additional alternative upper bladder ends 12. FIG. 13E depicts an upper bladder end 12 outfitted with a modified full width closure mechanism with slide element as at 53. In this regard, the reader will see end portions 55 are referenced. End portions 55 have been marked with a structural X to denote a heat-sealed closure site within the entire area marked by the X. In other words, the upper bladder end 12 otherwise depicted in FIG. 13B is modified to heal seal the laterally opposite end portions 55, each of which are roughly one-third the width of the full width upper bladder end 12.

The upper bladder end 12 depicted in FIG. 13F is a modified version of the full width simplified closure mechanism without slide element otherwise depicted in FIG. 13D. The upper bladder end 12 depicted in FIG. 13F comprises heal-sealed, laterally opposite end portions 55, each of which are roughly one-third the width of the full width upper bladder end 12, leaving a simplified centrally-located closure mechanism without slide mechanism 54. The liquid-impermeable bladders 10 and 11 according to the present invention may incorporate any of the noted upper bladder ends 12 outfitted with the various closure mechanisms. The reader will further recall that a conduit access aperture 22 may preferably be provided and used in cooperation with the any and all closure mechanisms associated with the upper bladder end 12.

The reversible seals or closure mechanisms at the bladder mouth of the upper bladder end 12 of the liquid-impermeable bladders 10 and 11 comprise male/female tracks that connect together. The front bladder side or wall 14 at the upper bladder end 12 may, for example, comprise a male track while the back bladder side or wall 15 at the upper bladder end 12 may comprise a matable female track. The male track locks into the female track either manually as in the case of the simplified closure mechanisms, or via a slide seal fastener element (akin to a zipper pull) slidable in a first direction for fastening the male and female tracks into a closed condition. To open the male and female tracks one may either slide the slide seal fastener element in a second direction opposite the first direction or pull the front bladder side or wall 14 at the upper bladder end 12 away from the back bladder side or wall 15 at the upper bladder end 12. The closure mechanism is considered durable enough that you can hold the bag upside down and the contents will not spill out onto the floor.

In keeping with the notion of alternative mouth or opening-closure mechanisms, the reader is further directed to comparatively reference FIGS. 14A through 14C. Comparatively referencing FIGS. 14A through 14C the reader will there consider variations to the shirt 30-pouch formation 27 combination wherein FIG. 14A firstly depicts a centralized width-abbreviated bladder access aperture 32 outfitted with a length-abbreviated zipper mechanism 36. FIG. 14B depicts a full width bladder access-insertion aperture 32 outfitted with dual zipper mechanisms 36 to allow the user to control the size of the access aperture 32 by way of the zipper mechanisms 36. FIG. 14C depicts a shirt 30-pouch formation 27 combination having a centralized bladder access aperture 32 without any closure mechanism to simply allow a user to access the liquid-impermeable bladder with a conduit element 21 as otherwise depicted in FIG. 12.

These highlighted preferred and alternative features of the present invention show the reader that the present invention covers a number of different embodiments. In this regard, it is noted that while the above descriptions contain much specificity, this specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. In certain alternative embodiments, the basic invention may be said to essentially teach or disclose a wearable hydration system or kit for enabling hands-free user hydration, which wearable hydration system or kit essentially includes a bladder apparatus or liquid-impermeable bladder believed central to the practice of the present invention. When viewed systemically or as a kit compilation, the present invention may be said to essentially comprise, in combination, a liquid-impermeable bladder, a conduit element, and a pouch formation or wearable mechanism for holding and positioning the bladder and conduit elements relative to a user's mouth substantially as described or specified hereinabove.

The liquid-impermeable bladder essentially comprises an upper bladder end, a lower bladder end, a front bladder side, a back bladder side, and at least one seal. The at least one, but preferably a series of seals seal the front bladder side or wall to the back bladder side or wall. The conduit element is inserted into the liquid-impermeable bladder by way of the upper bladder end and extended toward the lower bladder end in lateral adjacency to the at least one seal or intermediate a laterally opposed pair of seals or sets of seals for conducting liquid from the liquid-impermeable bladder to a user's mouth by way of the upper bladder end. The pouch formation includes an upper pouch end and a lower pouch end. The liquid-impermeable bladder is received in the pouch formation, and held and positioned by the pouch formation that is worn by or secured to a user's body for positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth.

As prefaced above, the liquid-impermeable bladder preferably comprises a series of seals, which series of seals extend intermediate the upper bladder end and the lower bladder end, and are preferably arranged in parallel longitudinal relation to one another such that the conduit element is made insertable intermediate a select pair of laterally opposed continuous seals 16 as in the case of bladder 10 or intermediate a laterally opposed sets of spot seals 17 as in the case of bladder 11. The seals maintain a relatively low bladder profile when liquid is received in the liquid-impermeable bladder; minimize laterally directed liquid movement within the liquid-impermeable bladder particularly in the case of liquid-impermeable bladder 10; and damp oscillatory liquid movement within the liquid-impermeable bladder. The seal sites are particularly important to practice of the present invention given the wearable nature of a liquid-containing bladder worn during dehydrating activities exemplified by running activities.

Noting that the liquid-impermeable bladder preferably comprises a series of seals extending intermediate the upper bladder end and the lower bladder end within a seal zone, the series of seals are preferably configured or arranged in parallel, longitudinal (or vertical) relation to one another. The axial conduit element is insertable intermediate a select pair of laterally opposed seals 16 in the case of liquid-impermeable bladder 10 or sets of seals 17 in the case of liquid-permeable bladder 11. In the case of liquid-impermeable bladder 10, the series of seals 16 continuously seal the front bladder side or wall to the back bladder side or wall within the seal zone. In the case of liquid-impermeable bladder 11, the series of seals 17 periodically seal the front bladder side or wall to the back bladder side or wall within the seal zone. The series of seals 17 are preferably configured or arranged in parallel relation to one another both laterally and longitudinally or in a grid-like pattern. In both bladders 10 and 11, the series of seals terminate in superior adjacency to the lower bladder end for enabling laterally directed liquid movement at the lower bladder end.

In an alternative embodiment, the pouch formation is integrally formed with a shirt, and at an anterior portion thereof for positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth. The pouch formation can be formed either exteriorly or interiorly relative to the shirt article. When the pouch formation is integrally formed with the shirt at an interior shirt portion, the pouch formation is concealed. In this configuration, the shirt necessarily comprises a bladder access aperture for enabling the user to access the liquid-impermeable bladder with the conduit element by way of the shirt. The pouch formation may be outfitted with upper or laterally positioned bladder-receiving openings or mouths, which openings or mouths are preferably outfitted with zipper mechanisms or similar other mechanisms for enabling the user to selectively open/close the pouch formation.

To help immobilize the liquid-impermeable bladders 10/11 relative to the positioned placement in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth in anterior adjacency to the user's chest/abdomen, the hydration system and/or kit may preferably comprise or provide a series of matable fasteners, a neck strap apparatus, and a waist strap apparatus. The matable fastener elements are cooperable with particularly formed fastener-receiving apertures formed in the liquid-impermeable bladder and the pouch formation. The liquid-impermeable bladder, for example, may be fastened to the pouch formation by way of the series of matable fasteners as received in the fastener-receiving apertures for maintaining positioned placement of the liquid-impermeable bladder within the pouch formation. Further, the neck strap apparatus may encircle a user's neck and attach to the upper pouch end for positioning the pouch formation apparatus and the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth. The waist strap apparatus may encircle a user's waist and attach to the lower pouch end for securing the lower pouch end against the user's waist.

Although the inventive hydration system/kit with inventive liquid-impermeable bladder according to the present invention have been described by reference to a number of different embodiments, it is not intended that the novel combinations or assemblies be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the appended drawings, and the following claims.

Claims

1. A wearable hydration system for enabling hands-free user hydration, the wearable hydration system comprising, in combination:

a liquid-impermeable bladder, the liquid-impermeable bladder comprising an upper bladder end, a lower bladder end, a front bladder side, a back bladder side, and at least one seal, the at least one seal sealing the front bladder side to the back bladder side;

a conduit element, the conduit element being inserted into the liquid-impermeable bladder by way of the upper bladder end and extending toward the lower bladder end in lateral adjacency to the at least one seal for conducting liquid from the liquid-impermeable bladder to a user's mouth by way of the upper bladder end; and

a pouch formation, the pouch formation comprising an upper pouch end and a lower pouch end, the liquid-impermeable bladder being received in the pouch formation, the pouch formation being secured to a user's body for positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth.

2. The wearable hydration system of claim 1 comprising wherein the liquid-impermeable bladder comprises a series of seals, the series of seals extending intermediate the upper bladder end and the lower bladder end, the series of seals being arranged in parallel relation to one another, the conduit element being insertable intermediate a select pair of laterally opposed seals.

3. The wearable hydration system of claim 1 wherein the pouch formation is integrally formed with a shirt, the pouch formation being formed at an anterior portion of the shirt for positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth.

4. The wearable hydration system of claim 3 wherein the pouch formation is integrally formed with the shirt at an interior shirt portion so as to externally conceal the pouch formation, the shirt comprising a bladder access aperture for enabling the user to access the liquid-impermeable bladder with the conduit element by way of the shirt.

5. The wearable hydration system of claim 1 comprising a series of matable fasteners, the liquid-impermeable bladder and the pouch formation being outfitted with a series of fastener-receiving apertures, the liquid-impermeable bladder being fastened to the pouch formation by way of the series of matable fasteners as received in the fastener-receiving apertures for maintaining positioned placement of the liquid-impermeable bladder within the pouch formation.

6. The wearable hydration system of claim 1 comprising a neck strap apparatus, the neck apparatus strap encircling a user's neck and attaching to the upper pouch end for positioning the pouch formation apparatus and the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth.

7. The wearable hydration system of claim 6 comprising a waist strap apparatus, the waist strap apparatus encircling a user's waist and attaching to the lower pouch end for securing the lower pouch end against the user's waist.

8. A bladder ensemble for enabling hands-free user hydration, the bladder ensemble comprising:

a liquid-impermeable bladder, the liquid-impermeable bladder comprising an upper bladder end, a lower bladder end, a front bladder side, a back bladder side, and at least one seal, the at least one seal sealing the front bladder side to the back bladder side;

a conduit element, the conduit element being inserted into the liquid-impermeable bladder by way of the open upper bladder end and extending toward the closed lower bladder end in lateral adjacency to the at least one seal for conducting liquid from the liquid-impermeable bladder to a user's mouth by way of the open upper bladder end; and

a wearable mechanism for holding and positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth.

9. The bladder ensemble of claim 8 wherein the at least one seal maintains a low bladder profile when liquid is received in the liquid-impermeable bladder; minimizes laterally directed liquid movement within the liquid-impermeable bladder; and damps oscillatory liquid movement within the liquid-impermeable bladder.

10. The bladder ensemble of claim 8 wherein the liquid-impermeable bladder comprises a series of seals, the series of seals extending intermediate the open upper and the closed lower end within a seal zone.

11. The bladder ensemble of claim 10 wherein the series of seals are arranged in parallel relation to one another, the conduit element being insertable intermediate a select pair of laterally opposed seals.

12. The bladder ensemble of claim 11 wherein the series of seals continuously seal the front side to the back side within the seal zone.

13. The bladder ensemble of claim 11 wherein the series of seals periodically seal the front side to the back side within the seal zone, the series of seals being arranged in parallel relation to one another both laterally and longitudinally.

14. The bladder ensemble of claim 10 wherein the series of seals terminate in superior adjacency to the lower bladder end for enabling laterally directed liquid movement at the lower bladder end.

15. A hydration kit for outfitting a user's body to enable hands-free user hydration, the hydration kit comprising:

a liquid-impermeable bladder, the liquid-impermeable bladder comprising an upper bladder end, a lower bladder end, a front bladder side, a back bladder side, and at least one seal, the at least one seal sealing the front bladder side to the back bladder side;

a conduit element, the conduit element being insertable into the liquid-impermeable bladder by way of the upper bladder end and extendable toward the lower bladder end in lateral adjacency to the at least one seal for conducting liquid from the liquid-impermeable bladder to a user's mouth by way of the upper bladder end; and

a pouch formation, the pouch formation comprising an upper pouch end and a lower pouch end, the liquid-impermeable bladder being receivable in the pouch formation, the pouch formation being securable to a user's body for positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth.

16. The hydration kit of claim 15 wherein the liquid-impermeable bladder comprises a series of seals, the series of seals extending intermediate the upper bladder end and the lower bladder end, the series of seals are being arranged in parallel relation to one another, the conduit element being insertable intermediate a select pair of laterally opposed seals.

17. The hydration kit of claim 15 wherein the pouch formation is integrally formed with a shirt, the pouch formation being formed at an anterior portion of the shirt for positioning the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth.

18. The hydration kit of claim 15 comprising a series of matable fasteners, the liquid-impermeable bladder and the pouch formation being outfitted with a series of fastener-receiving apertures, the liquid-impermeable bladder being fastened to the pouch formation by way of the series of matable fasteners as received in the fastener-receiving apertures for maintaining positioned placement of the liquid-impermeable bladder within the pouch formation.

19. The hydration kit of claim 15 comprising a neck strap apparatus, the neck strap apparatus for encircling a user's neck and for attaching to the upper pouch end for positioning the pouch formation and the liquid-impermeable bladder in inferior adjacency to the user's mouth.

20. The hydration kit of claim 15 comprising a waist strap apparatus, the waist strap apparatus for encircling a user's waist and for attaching to the lower pouch end for securing the lower pouch end against the user's waist.