Patents by Inventor Jeff Skillern
Jeff Skillern has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 8540122Abstract: A hydration system includes first and second opposing flexible walls that form a bladder having a sealable compartment for containing a liquid. The system includes a drinking tube having a first end with a valve and a second end. A first port is configured to receive pressurizing gasses into the compartment. A second port is configured to provide fluid communication between the compartment and the drinking tube. The third port allows liquid to be supplied into the compartment. A first baffle and a second baffle connect the opposing walls within the compartment. The first and second baffles are configured to oppose expansion of the bladder as the pressurizing gasses are introduced into the compartment. A space between the first and second baffles is accessible via the third port. The space is configured to receive and secure a thermal pack. The thermal pack is insertable and removable via the third port.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Oakley, Inc.Inventors: Jeff Skillern, James H. Sadler
-
Patent number: 8152138Abstract: A bite valve for a hydration system includes a body, a sheath, a seal post, a first seal, and a second seal. The body includes a body channel configured to flow a fluid. The sheath is configured to attach to the body. The sheath includes a sheath channel extending from the body to a sheath opening. The seal post is positioned within the sheath channel and is configured to be movable with respect to the sheath and the body between a sealed position and an unsealed position.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: OAKLEY, Inc.Inventor: Jeff Skillern
-
Patent number: 8136702Abstract: A hydration system includes opposing flexible walls forming a bladder having a sealable compartment for containing a liquid. The system includes a drinking tube having a first end with a valve and a second end. A first port is configured to receive pressurizing gasses into the compartment. A baffle connects the opposing walls within the compartment. The baffle is configured to oppose expansion of the bladder as the pressurizing gasses are introduced into the compartment. A second port is configured to couple to the second end of the drinking tube to provide fluid communication between the compartment and the drinking tube. A third port allows the liquid to be supplied into the compartment. Activation of the valve unseals the compartment and allows the liquid to be expelled from the compartment via the second port and the drinking tube as a result of a pressurization of the compartment by the pressurizing gasses.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Oakley, Inc.Inventors: Jeff Skillern, James H. Sadler
-
Patent number: 7971549Abstract: A hydration system for kayak integration includes a deck port configured to allow fluid passage through a deck of a kayak. The system includes a reservoir having an internal sealable compartment configured to contain a liquid under pressure. The reservoir has a first port configured to receive pressurizing gasses into the compartment, a second port, and a third port through which the liquid can be supplied into the compartment. A transfer tube couples the reservoir to the deck port. The transfer tube has a first end configured to be coupled to the second port of the reservoir and a second end configured to be coupled to the deck port at a position within an interior space of the kayak. A pressurizer is configured to be coupled to the first port of the reservoir. The pressurizer is operable to supply the pressurizing gasses. A drinking tube has a first end with a valve and a second end. The second end is configured to be coupled to the deck port at a position exterior to the kayak.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Oakley, Inc.Inventors: Jeff Skillern, James H. Sadler
-
Publication number: 20100044396Abstract: A hydration system includes first and second opposing flexible walls that form a bladder having a sealable compartment for containing a liquid. The system includes a drinking tube having a first end with a valve and a second end. A first port is configured to receive pressurizing gases into the compartment. A second port is configured to provide fluid communication between the compartment and the drinking tube. The third port allows liquid to be supplied into the compartment. A first baffle and a second baffle connect the opposing walls within the compartment. The first and second baffles are configured to oppose expansion of the bladder as the pressurizing gases are introduced into the compartment. A space between the first and second baffles is accessible via the third port. The space is configured to receive and secure a thermal pack. The thermal pack is insertable and removable via the third port.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventor: Jeff Skillern
-
Publication number: 20080308032Abstract: A hydration system for kayak integration includes a deck port configured to allow fluid passage through a deck of a kayak. The system includes a reservoir having an internal sealable compartment configured to contain a liquid under pressure. The reservoir has a first port configured to receive pressurizing gasses into the compartment, a second port, and a third port through which the liquid can be supplied into the compartment. A transfer tube couples the reservoir to the deck port. The transfer tube has a first end configured to be coupled to the second port of the reservoir and a second end configured to be coupled to the deck port at a position within an interior space of the kayak. A pressurizer is configured to be coupled to the first port of the reservoir. The pressurizer is operable to supply the pressurizing gasses. A drinking tube has a first end with a valve and a second end. The second end is configured to be coupled to the deck port at a position exterior to the kayak.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventor: Jeff Skillern
-
Publication number: 20080308578Abstract: A hydration system includes opposing flexible walls forming a bladder having a sealable compartment for containing a liquid. The system includes a drinking tube having a first end with a valve and a second end. A first port is configured to receive pressurizing gasses into the compartment. A baffle connects the opposing walls within the compartment. The baffle is configured to oppose expansion of the bladder as the pressurizing gasses are introduced into the compartment. A second port is configured to couple to the second end of the drinking tube to provide fluid communication between the compartment and the drinking tube. A third port allows the liquid to be supplied into the compartment. Activation of the valve unseals the compartment and allows the liquid to be expelled from the compartment via the second port and the drinking tube as a result of a pressurization of the compartment by the pressurizing gasses.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventors: Jeff Skillern, James H. Sadler
-
Patent number: 7311231Abstract: A hydration pouch with a releasable coupling is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hydration pouch is a flexible bag or pouch with a separate inlet and outlet. A hose or tube is provided for a user to draw refreshment from the pouch. A bite valve is provided at one end of the tube to be actuated by a user's teeth. A coupling is provided for attaching and detaching at least a portion of the hose at an opposite end of the hose. The coupling includes a shutoff or check valve that maintains the patency of the pouch when the hose is disconnected. In an alternative embodiment prefilled, disposable hydration pouches are removably coupled to the hose and then disposed and replaced following consumption of the liquid contained therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Blackhawk Industries Product Group Unlimited LLCInventors: Micheal M. Noell, Jeff Skillern
-
Publication number: 20040238570Abstract: A hydration pouch with a releasable coupling is disclosed. The hydration pouch is a flexible bag or pouch with a separate inlet and outlet. A hose or tube is provided for a user to draw refreshment from the pouch. A valve is provided at one end of the tube. Closer to the pouch, or at the pouch itself, a coupling is provided for attaching and detaching at least a portion of the hose. The coupling includes a shutoff or check valve in order to maintain the patency of the pouch when the hose is disconnected. Upon engaging the portions of the coupling, fluid within the pouch is able to feed into the tube. In use, the pouch is generally housed in a backpack. By actuating the coupling, the pouch alone may be removed for refill, chilling or cleaning—leaving the hose behind so it does not also have to be refit in the pack the next time around.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventor: Jeff Skillern
-
Publication number: 20040238571Abstract: A hydration pouch with a releasable coupling is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hydration pouch is a flexible bag or pouch with a separate inlet and outlet. A hose or tube is provided for a user to draw refreshment from the pouch. A bite valve is provided at one end of the tube to be actuated by a user's teeth. A coupling is provided for attaching and detaching at least a portion of the hose at an opposite end of the hose. The coupling includes a shutoff or check valve that maintains the patency of the pouch when the hose is disconnected. In an alternative embodiment prefilled, disposable hydration pouches are removably coupled to the hose and then disposed and replaced following consumption of the liquid contained therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Michael M. Noell, Jeff Skillern
-
Patent number: 6722533Abstract: A hydration pouch with a releasable coupling is disclosed. The hydration pouch is a flexible bag or pouch with a separate inlet and outlet. A hose or tube is provided for a user to draw refreshment from the pouch. A valve is provided at one end of the tube. Closer to the pouch, or at the pouch itself, a coupling is provided for attaching and detaching at least a portion of the hose. The coupling includes a shutoff or check valve in order to maintain the patency of the pouch when the hose is disconnected. Upon engaging the portions of the coupling, fluid within the pouch is able to feed into the tube. In use, the pouch is generally housed in a backpack. By actuating the coupling, the pouch alone may be removed for refill, chilling or cleaning—leaving the hose behind so it does not also have to be refit in the pack the next time around.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Jeff Skillern
-
Publication number: 20030160065Abstract: A hydration pouch with a releasable coupling is disclosed. The hydration pouch is a flexible bag or pouch with a separate inlet and outlet. A hose or tube is provided for a user to draw refreshment from the pouch. A valve is provided at one end of the tube. Closer to the pouch, or at the pouch itself, a coupling is provided for attaching and detaching at least a portion of the hose. The coupling includes a shutoff or check valve in order to maintain the patency of the pouch when the hose is disconnected. Upon engaging the portions of the coupling, fluid within the pouch is able to feed into the tube. In use, the pouch is generally housed in a backpack. By actuating the coupling, the pouch alone may be removed for refill, chilling or cleaning—leaving the hose behind so it does not also have to be refit in the pack the next time around.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventor: Jeff Skillern
-
Publication number: 20020113101Abstract: A hydration system with integral thermal medium is described. It includes a sealable sac or pouch closely associated with a cooling and/or heating medium. The pouch includes an interior portion with a sealable opening to receive liquid for consumption and at least one exterior portion containing the medium. The pouch may be fit into a backpack. It is preferred that any pack used includes insulation. A conduit, preferably capped by a valve, may be fluidly connected to the interior of the pouch to facilitate remote use of the same. In preparation for use, the pouch is preferably chilled, for example in a freezer, or heated, for example in a microwave and then filled with liquid to be consumed by a user to maintain hydration or for enjoyment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventor: Jeff Skillern