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 water system that allows a bicyclist to drink liquids anytime he desires. The system has a collapsible container of water or other liquid stored within a flexible back pack that is removably secured at a location between the shoulders of the bicyclist. A resilient mouthpiece adapted to be held in the mouth of the bicyclist is connected to the container by a length of tubing. The mouthpiece is a valve device and has a cylindrical sidewall that forms a chamber. A spring biased valve element located inside the chamber normally prevents flow therethrough. When the opposed sidewalls of the chamber are compressed between the teeth, liquid flows through the mouthpiece. This allows the mouthpiece to be held securely between the lips and whenever the sidewalls are compressed by the teeth, fluid flows from the container, through the tubing and into the mouth of the bicyclist.