Hydration delivery tube with check valve

Abstract

A hydration system includes a liquid reservoir, a reservoir coupler, a tube, a hydration valve (e.g., bite valve), a tube coupler (e.g., quick connect), and a flow-restricting device (e.g., check valve). The tube comprises a first end having the hydration valve, a second end for coupling to the liquid reservoir, and the flow-restricting device interposed between the first and second ends.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydration system comprising:
 a tube;   a reservoir coupler at a first end of the tube;   a flow-restricting device positioned within the tube to prevent backflow;   wherein when suction is applied to the tube, the flow-restricting device allows liquid to pass to a user; and   wherein when suction is stopped, the flow-restricting device prevents water from passing from the tube into a liquid reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydration valve. 
     
     
         3 . The hydration system of  claim 2 , wherein the hydration valve is a bite valve. 
     
     
         4 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow-restricting device is a check valve. 
     
     
         5 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow-restricting device comprises a flow through material, a cylindrical component, and a sphere positioned between the flow through material and the cylindrical component. 
     
     
         6 . The hydration system of  claim 5 , wherein the flow through material comprises a mesh material. 
     
     
         7 . The hydration system of  claim 5 , wherein the flow through material comprises a metal coil. 
     
     
         8 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid reservoir is a disposable bottle. 
     
     
         9 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises a pliable material. 
     
     
         10 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises an insulated material. 
     
     
         11 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tube coupler. 
     
     
         12 . The hydration system of  claim 11 , wherein the tube coupler comprises a quick connect to connect and disconnect the tube. 
     
     
         13 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a water filter. 
     
     
         14 . A hydration system comprising:
 a liquid reservoir;   a tube comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a hydration valve and the second end comprising a reservoir coupler;   a flow-restricting device interposed between the hydration valve and the reservoir coupler to prevent backflow into the liquid reservoir, the flow-restricting device comprising:
 a flow through material to allow a liquid to pass therethrough, 
 a cylindrical component, and 
 a sphere interposed between the flow through material and the cylindrical component; 
   wherein when suction is applied to the tube, the sphere moves towards the flow through material, allowing liquid to pass from the liquid reservoir to a user; and   wherein when suction is stopped, the sphere moves towards and seats in the cylindrical component, preventing water from passing back through the tube into the liquid reservoir.   
     
     
         15 . The hydration system of  claim 14 , wherein the hydration valve comprises a bite valve. 
     
     
         16 . The hydration system of  claim 14 , wherein the tube comprises a pliable material. 
     
     
         17 . The hydration system of  claim 14 , wherein the tube comprises an insulated material. 
     
     
         18 . The hydration system of  claim 14 , further comprising a water filter. 
     
     
         19 . The hydration system of  claim 14 , further comprising a quick coupler. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a hydration system to prevent backflow, the method comprising:
 a first user coupling a first tube to a liquid reservoir, the first tube comprising a bite valve and a check valve, the bite valve and check valve preventing backflow from the first user to the liquid reservoir;   the first user de-coupling the first tube from the liquid reservoir;   a second user coupling a second tube to the liquid reservoir, the second tube comprising a bite valve and a check valve, the bite valve and check valve preventing backflow from the second user to the liquid reservoir.