Hydration apparatus, system, and method of use

Abstract

Hydration apparatuses and methods of use, including, in one implementation, a hydration apparatus comprising a stiff outer shell defining a fluid reservoir, a drinking conduit extending from the stiff outer shell and having a first fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a valve positioned in series with the first fluid channel, a pressurizing conduit extending from the stiff outer shell and having a second fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a pump coupled to the pressurizing conduit and located a distance from the stiff outer shell. The pump is configured to supply air to increase a pressure within the fluid reservoir above an ambient pressure. The hydration apparatus may be used in conjunction with a wearable hydration apparatus holder, sized and dimensioned to be worn by a user and to receive the stiff outer shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydration apparatus for use in conjunction with a wearable hydration apparatus holder, comprising:
 a stiff outer shell defining a fluid reservoir;   a drinking conduit extending from the stiff outer shell and having a first fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir;   a valve positioned in series with the first fluid channel and configured to control passage of fluid through at least a portion of the first fluid channel;   a pressurizing conduit extending from the stiff outer shell and having a second fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and   a pump coupled to the pressurizing conduit and located a distance from the stiff outer shell, the pump being configured to supply air through the pressurizing conduit into the fluid reservoir so as to increase a pressure within the fluid reservoir above an ambient pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The hydration apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hydration apparatus further comprises a filtration device positioned in series with the first fluid channel, the filtration device having an inlet, an outlet, and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The hydration apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration device is located within the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The hydration apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration device is located outside of the stiff outer shell. 
     
     
         5 . The hydration apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is further defined as a bite valve. 
     
     
         6 . The hydration apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is further defined as a push-pull valve. 
     
     
         7 . The hydration apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a spray nozzle coupled to the drinking conduit and in fluid communication with the first fluid channel. 
     
     
         8 . The hydration apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a pour spout coupled to the drinking conduit and in fluid communication with the first fluid channel. 
     
     
         9 . The hydration apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the stiff outer shell defines an opening in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and the hydration apparatus further comprises a lid sealingly engageable with the portion of the stiff outer shell defining the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The hydration apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the lid comprises a first inlet in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a second inlet coupled to and in fluid communication with a dispenser tube extending from the lid and into the fluid reservoir, a first outlet removably coupled to the pressurizing conduit and in fluid communication with the first inlet, and a second outlet removably coupled to the drinking conduit and in fluid communication with the second inlet. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 wearing a holder having a stiff outer shell of a hydration apparatus positioned within the holder, the holder being sized and dimensioned to receive the stiff outer shell, the stiff outer shell defining a fluid reservoir containing a hydration fluid;   operating a pump located a distance from the stiff outer shell to supply air into the fluid reservoir so as to elevate a pressure within the fluid reservoir above an ambient pressure; and   dispensing at least a portion of the hydration fluid through a fluid channel of a drinking conduit extending from the stiff outer shell using the elevated pressure within the fluid reservoir, the fluid channel being in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising passing the hydration fluid through a filtration device positioned in series with the fluid channel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising positioning the filtration device in series with the fluid channel prior to passing the hydration fluid through the filtration device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising passing the filtration device through an opening defined by the stiff outer shell subsequent to positioning the filtration device in series with the fluid channel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein passing the hydration fluid through the filtration device is further defined as passing the hydration fluid through the filtration device prior to passing the hydration fluid into the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein passing the hydration fluid through the filtration device is further defined as passing the hydration fluid from a container in fluid communication with the filtration device prior to passing the hydration fluid into the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein passing the hydration fluid through the filtration device is further defined as passing the hydration fluid through the filtration device prior to wearing the holder. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the holder is further defined as a backpack, and wearing the holder is further defined as wearing the backpack such that the stiff outer shell is located on a back of a user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein dispensing at least a portion of the hydration fluid is further defined as opening a valve positioned in series with the fluid channel and dispensing the hydration fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein dispensing at least a portion of the hydration fluid is further defined as opening a valve positioned in series with the fluid channel and directing the hydration fluid into a container.