A hydration bladder includes a flexible body. A port is coupled to the flexible body. A chamber is formed by the flexible body, and the chamber is configured to carry a liquid therein and is in communication with the port. The chamber has an hourglass-like shape that tapers inwardly and outwardly. A baffle is coupled to the flexible body within the chamber.

A bottle holding system for installed use upon a backpack comprises an inflatable cuff substantially cylindrical in configuration and adapted for positioned attachment to the outer side of the backpack, the cuff formed having a sealed chamber therein to support its inflation and sized to hold a bottle of drinking fluid when inflated. Tubing connected at one end to the cuff chamber is routed along the interior of the backpack, extending outwardly from the backpack near the shoulder straps to connect with a flexible bulb member mounted on one of the shoulder straps with an air release valve connected in-line there between. In operation, the user inflates the cuff through the air release valve, squeezing the bulb to retain the bottle in the inflated cuff, and when drinking fluid is needed, actuates the valve to vent air from the cuff so that the bottle is easily retrieved by the user.

A hydration bladder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a flexible body having a first stiffness. A port is coupled to the flexible body. A liquid chamber is formed by the flexible body. The liquid chamber is configured to carry a liquid therein and in is communication with the port. A reinforcement member is coupled to the flexible body. The reinforcement member having a second stiffness, and the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness. The reinforcement member includes a first width, a second width greater than the first width, and a third width disposed on an opposite of the second width than the first width. The third width is less than the second width.

The present disclosure relates generally to backpack, or waist pack type personal hydration systems that store and disburse fluids, and more particularly to those systems that have novel improvements such splash guards, costuming, various attachments, additional elements including hoods, eyewear, and other improving features.

An apparatus for carrying liquid includes a liquid container and an article of apparel. The liquid container includes a body, which is configured to removably receive the liquid, and a cap, which is configured to selectively seal the body. The article of apparel includes a pocket, which has an interior configured to removably receive the body. The article of apparel also includes a first opening and a second opening, each of which is in communication with the pocket interior. The first opening passes the liquid container, and the second opening passes the cap. The article of apparel further includes a flap, which is movably coupled to the article of apparel. The flap includes a third opening, which passes the cap. The flap is coupled to the article of apparel and movable between a first position, covering the first opening, and a second position, not covering the first opening.

A bite valve for controlling fluid flow from a fluid source includes a sleeve and a hollow valve core. The sleeve includes an outlet end and an opposite, a sleeve outer surface and an opposing sleeve inner surface, and an outlet lip. The core includes a core body including distal and inlet ends. The core includes an inlet defining a flow channel. The core includes a core central chamber and the flow channel extending to the central chamber. The core includes an annular chamber formed about the core body within the sleeve inner surface. The core includes flow ports disposed radially about the core body. The core includes an outer rim that is cooperatively sized and configured with the outlet lip with the outer rim in sealing engagement with the outlet lip and out of sealing engagement when the sleeve deformed towards the core body for discharging fluid flow.

Backpacks with cooperatively adjusted hip belt segments and compression strap segments. A backpack includes a pack body, a shoulder strap, and a belt assembly. The pack body includes a back panel and an exterior panel. The belt assembly includes a compression strap segment, a hip belt segment, an adjustment strap, and a releasable fastener. The backpack includes a belt assembly waist loop with a belt assembly waist perimeter. Each adjustment strap is configured to selectively adjust each of the pack volume and the belt assembly waist perimeter. The belt assembly is configured such that, responsive to the user applying a tension force to the adjustment strap, each of a pack volume and the belt assembly waist perimeter decreases by a respective degree that depends upon a ratio of the force required to decrease the pack volume to the force required to decrease the belt assembly waist perimeter.

A system for monitoring the volume of fluid in a hydration pack comprises a monitoring unit which is attached to an output of the hydration pack and to a feed tube. The monitoring unit comprises a pressure sensor and a tilt sensor. The pressure sensor obtains a measure of pressure of fluid within the hydration pack that may be used to estimate remaining fluid in the hydration pack. The tilt sensor is able to provide adjustment parameters tor adjusting for changes in pressure due to tilt of the hydration pack. An application on a mobile telephone provides a user with an indication of remaining liquid in the hydration pack. The application provides a visual indication of remaining fluid and may also provide an indication of rate of consumption. The application may also calibrate the system, enabling the system to be fitted to existing hydration pack assemblies.

Backpacks with cooperatively adjusted hip belt segments and compression strap segments. A backpack includes a pack body, a shoulder strap, and a belt assembly. The pack body includes a back panel and an exterior panel. The belt assembly includes a compression strap segment, a hip belt segment, an adjustment strap, and a releasable fastener. The backpack includes a belt assembly waist loop with a belt assembly waist perimeter. Each adjustment strap is configured to selectively adjust each of the pack volume and the belt assembly waist perimeter. The belt assembly is configured such that, responsive to the user applying a tension force to the adjustment strap, each of a pack volume and the belt assembly waist perimeter decreases by a respective degree that depends upon a ratio of the force required to decrease the pack volume to the force required to decrease the belt assembly waist perimeter.

Portable beverage coolers and methods of using the same. An exemplary cooler described herein comprises an outer shell having a general shape as a container, suitable to receive contents therein, a handle pivotally coupled to the outer shell a removable insert configured to fit within the outer shell, said insert configured to receive a liquid or other items therein, and a hinged lid coupled to the outer shell. Said coolers are configured to retain a beverage therein, maintaining a desired cold temperature, and to dispense beverage directly therefrom via a tap.