Personal hydration system

Abstract

A personal hydration system for use by military personnel in environments containing nuclear, biological and chemical agents. This system includes a bladder, a neck, a cap having an outlet port and a hose with a connector. The bladder has no sharp or small radius internal corners and may be turned inside out through an oversized fill port to ensure complete cleaning. The cap is sealed by a primary seal, wherein a thicker portion of the bladder is trapped between the cap and the neck, and a secondary seal, wherein seals are squeezed between the neck and the bladder's interior. The cap includes an outlet port, thereby decreasing the possible exposure sites. The connector is adapted so that it may attach itself to various other equipment, such as gas masks or mouthpieces. A user wearing thick gloves will be capable of operating the entire system, including the cap and the connectors.

1 . An improved personal hydration system comprising:
 an elastomeric bladder, for containing a drinking fluid, having an oversized fill port, wherein the bladder can be turned inside out through the fill port for cleaning and inspection purposes;   a neck having a base and a threaded portion extending from the base, wherein the base is attached to the interior side of the bladder at the fill port;   a cap that is removably attached to the threaded portion of the neck;   an outlet port located at a position on the improved personal hydration system such that the outlet port has access to the drinking fluid within the bladder;   a hose having an adjacent end and a distal end, wherein the adjacent end is attached to the outlet port and the distal end is attached to a connector; and   a shut-off device moveably positioned on the hose between the outlet port and the connector.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is constructed of silicone and has a parylene coating. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is constructed of butyl rubber. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said butyl rubber incorporates nano-fillers for improving impermeability. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said nano-filler is a nano-clay. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is located on the exterior side of the cap. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded portion of the neck has a large pitch. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rim of the cap is tapered. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises external ribs located around the side of the cap. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one deformable seal is placed between the top side of the base of the neck and the interior side of the bladder at the fill port. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a plurality of arcs to provide a greater surface area for sealing and preventing the neck from being dislodged from the bladder while a user pulls on the neck. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a thicker portion of the bladder is trapped between the cap and the neck, thereby creating a seal for the cap. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder has no sharp or small radius internal corners. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fill port is located at an angle on the top portion of the bladder, thereby creating a low profile. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap has a hard stop upon closure, thereby allowing a user to determine proper sealing of the cap. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an internal drinking tube attached to the interior side of the outlet port and extending toward the bottom of the bladder. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulated cover having a flap, wherein the insulated cover holds the bladder, and wherein the cap is accessible for filling with drinking fluid when the flap is in an open position. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is adapted to attach to a gas mask. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is adapted to attach to a mouthpiece. 
   
   
       20 . An improved personal hydration system capable of being used in environments containing nuclear, biological and chemical agents, the system comprising:
 an elastomeric bladder, for containing a drinking fluid, having an oversized fill port located on the top portion of the bladder, wherein the bladder can be turned inside out through the fill port for cleaning and inspection purposes, wherein the bladder has no sharp or small radius internal comers, and wherein the bladder is constructed of butyl rubber;   a neck having a base with at least one deformable seal located on its top side and a threaded portion extending from the base, wherein the base is attached to the interior side of the bladder at the fill port;   a cap having an outlet port, wherein the cap is removably attached to the threaded portion of the neck, wherein a thicker portion of the bladder is trapped between the cap and the neck thereby creating a seal for the cap, and wherein the cap has a hard stop upon closure thereby allowing a user to determine proper sealing of the cap;   a hose having an adjacent end and a distal end, wherein the adjacent end is attached to the outlet port; and the distal end is attached to a connector;   a shut-off device moveably positioned on the hose between the outlet port and the connector;   an internal drinking tube attached to the interior side of the outlet port and extending toward the bottom of the bladder; and   an insulated cover having a flap, wherein the insulated cover holds the bladder, and wherein the cap is accessible for filling with drinking fluid when the flap is in an open position.