Abstract: Personal hydration systems include a flexible bladder, a fill port assembly, an exit port, and a dryer mechanism. The dryer mechanism is configured to be selectively positioned to engage the outer surface of the flexible bladder and deform the flexible bladder from a non-drying configuration into a drying configuration in which opposing side portions are spaced further apart from each other and further away from the central axis of the flexible bladder than when the flexible bladder is in the non-drying configuration to enable circulation of air in the internal compartment of the flexible bladder. In some embodiments, the dryer mechanism is coupled to the fill port assembly. In some embodiments, the dryer mechanism includes at least one elongate member that is pivotally coupled to the fill port assembly.

Abstract: Multi-layered drink-containers including an inner liquid-container and an outer shell in an at least partially overlapping, telescopic relation relative to the inner-liquid-container and methods of assembling the same. In some examples of multi-layered drink-containers, the inner liquid-container includes a lower portion having an outer cross-sectional area, an orthogonal projection of which at least partially overlaps an orthogonal projection of an inner cross-sectional area of an upper portion of the outer shell. Some examples of methods of assembling multi-layered drink-containers include reducing a resiliently deformable restrictive-portion of an inner liquid-container, positioning an outer shell in an at least partially overlapping, telescopic relation relative to the inner liquid-container, and returning the resiliently deformable restrictive-portion to a neutral, un-deformed and un-reduced state.

Abstract: Drink containers with mouthpiece assemblies having a dispensing configuration and a stowed configuration. A mouthpiece assembly defines a liquid passage through which drink liquid may be dispensed when the mouthpiece assembly is in the dispensing configuration and includes means for selectively restricting the flow of drink liquid through the liquid passage when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration. In some examples, the means for selectively restricting the flow of drink liquid include a tube that at least partially defines the liquid passage and which includes a crimping region. The crimping region may be constructed of a resiliently and reversibly deformable material that is adapted to restrict the flow of drink liquid through the liquid passage when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece assembly includes a means for automatically releasing the mouthpiece assembly from its stowed configuration to a dispensing configuration.

Abstract: Drink bottles, or containers, with bite-actuated mouthpieces. In some embodiments, the mouthpieces are self-sealing mouthpieces that are biased to return from a dispensing configuration to a closed configuration. The bottles may be rigid or collapsible and may include a removable cap assembly. In some embodiments, the bottles include a manual on/off valve adapted to prevent drink fluid from being dispensed regardless of the mouthpiece's configuration. In some embodiments, the bottles include a straw extending into the bottle and/or a drink tube extending from external of the bottle and/or an air return system. In some embodiments, the bottles include a dispensing spout that is pivotally coupled to the cap of the drink bottle. In some embodiments, the dispensing spout includes a mount for the mouthpiece and/or cooperates with the cap to provide a manual on/off valve to selectively restrict flow of drink fluid from the bottle regardless of the mouthpiece's configuration.

Abstract: Drink bottles, or drink containers with cap assemblies that include a drink spout. In some embodiments, the drink spout is pivotally coupled to a base of the cap assembly. In some embodiments, the drink spouts include mouthpieces, including self-sealing mouthpieces. In some embodiments, the cap assembly includes a handle, which may include at least one guard for the drink spout and/or mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the drink containers include a manual on/off valve. In some embodiments, the dispensing spout includes a mount for the mouthpiece and/or cooperates with the cap to provide a manual on/off valve to selectively restrict flow of drink fluid from the drink container regardless of the drink spout's and/or mouthpiece's configuration. In some embodiments, the drink containers include a drink tube extending from external of the drink containers and/or an air return system.

Abstract: Waist-mounted hydration systems that include a fluid reservoir, an elongate drink tube that extends from the reservoir and terminates at a mouthpiece from which a user can draw drink fluid from the reservoir, and a pack that houses the reservoir. The pack is secured around a user's waist by a waist strap assembly. In some embodiments, the waist strap assembly provides a continuous strap that extends around the user's hips and abdomen, and which may be free from rigid body-contacting components. In some embodiments, the hydration system includes a reservoir compression assembly. In some embodiments, the hydration system includes a waist strap assembly that, upon tightening of the strap assembly, is configured to initially apply compression to the reservoir and subsequently to shorten the length of the strap assembly around a user's waist. In some embodiments, the free ends of the waist strap(s) extend from behind a user.

Abstract: Quick-connect assemblies and hydration systems incorporating the same. The hydration system includes a fluid reservoir and may be housed within a pack. Drink fluid is drawn from the reservoir through a drink tube to a mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the drink tube is connected to the reservoir at an exit port, the hydration system includes a manually actuated on/off valve, a filter, a pump, and/or a bite-actuated mouthpiece. The quick-connect assembly fluidly interconnects components of the hydration system and is configured to quickly release, and permit reattachment of, the detached components or replacement components. In some embodiments, the replacement components enable different performance from the detached components. In some embodiments, the quick-connect assembly is adapted to selectively couple a bite-actuated mouthpiece and a gas mask adapter to the drink tube. In some embodiments, at least a portion, if not the entire, hydration system is formed from a chemically resistant material.

Abstract: Hydration systems with improved fluid reservoirs. An elongate drinking tube extends from the reservoir and includes a distal end upon which a mouthpiece may be mounted. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece is a self-sealing mouthpiece. The reservoir includes a fill port, through which drink fluid may be added to the reservoir, and a closure member in the form of a cap for selectively sealing the fill port. In some embodiments, the reservoir includes a support member that extends around the fill port, including a handle that projects generally away from the fill port, and is adapted to provide a counter lever to assist in opening and closing of the fill port and/or to position the reservoir for filling. In some embodiments, the hydration system includes a pack into which the reservoir is received.

Abstract: Hydration systems with improved fluid reservoirs. The reservoirs include a fill port with a neck having an opening. The hydration systems further include a closure member, such as a cap, that selectively seals the opening, and an elongate drink tube through which a user may draw drink fluid from the reservoir. The hydration systems further include a wrench assembly that extends around the neck and includes handle that projects generally away from the neck. In some embodiments, the wrench assembly provides a counter lever to assist in the removal or coupling of the cap onto the neck. In some embodiments, the wrench assembly is removably mounted on the fill port, and in some embodiments, the wrench assembly is fixed secured to the fill port. In some embodiments, the wrench assembly is rotatably coupled to the fill port and in other the wrench assembly is non-rotatably coupled to the fill port.

Abstract: A personal hydration system with component connectivity. The hydration system includes a fluid reservoir that may be housed within a pack. Drink fluid is drawn from the reservoir through a drink tube in fluid communication with the reservoir at one end and with a mouthpiece at the other. In some embodiments, the hydration system includes a manually actuated on/off valve downstream from the reservoir and/or a bite-actuated mouthpiece. The hydration system further includes a quick-connect assembly that fluidly interconnects components of the hydration system and which is configured to quickly release, and permit reattachment of, the detached or replacement components. In some embodiments, the hydration system includes a quick-connect assembly that is adapted to selectively couple a bite-actuated mouthpiece and a gas mask adapter to the hydration system's drink tube. In some embodiments, at least a portion, if not the entire, hydration system is formed from a chemically resistant material.

Abstract: Packs that have a body-conforming frame assembly. In some embodiments, the frame assembly is adapted to conform in multiple dimensions to the shape of a user's back or other body portion. In some embodiments, the frame assembly's shape is at least substantially defined by the shape of the flexible pack to which the frame assembly is secured. In some embodiments, the pack includes a retainer assembly that secures the frame assembly to the pack, with the retainer assembly optionally defining a compartment that is smaller in at least one dimension than the frame assembly. The frame assembly may be an internal or an external frame assembly and may include ventilation structure. In some embodiments, the pack includes a hydration system, with the pack including a compartment that receives a fluid reservoir, from which a drinking tube extends external the pack to a mouthpiece.

Abstract: A hydration system with an improved fluid reservoir. A drinking tube extends from an outlet port of the reservoir and includes a distal end upon which a mouthpiece may be mounted. In some embodiments, the reservoir includes a relatively large-diameter fill port. In some embodiments, the reservoir includes a closure member with a handle for selectively sealing the input port. In some embodiments, the reservoir includes a wrench assembly that enables the user to more easily open and close the input port and/or to position the reservoir for filling. In some embodiments, the hydration system includes a pack into which the reservoir is received, and in some embodiments, the pack includes a hanger assembly adapted to support the reservoir within the pack.