Hydration Bladder Drying System with Heated Airflow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydration systems are difficult to dry properly, leading to mold growth and health hazards due to inadequate drying methods, which existing cleaning and drying kits fail to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a cap with a fluidic connection to a blower and heater unit, a conduit with an exhaust vent, and a clip for the mouthpiece, which facilitates ambient and heated airflow through the hydration bladder, hose, and mouthpiece to expedite drying, using a rack to hold the bladder during the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional cleaning methods are used, then cleaning is straightforward, but the system is difficult and time consuming to dry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoiddrying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by incorporating drying channels and heating elements during the cleaning process itself. The drying channels are pre-integrated into the bladder structure, and heating elements are positioned to immediately begin evaporating moisture as cleaning completes, eliminating the need for separate, time-consuming drying steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the cleaning and drying functions into a single integrated system. The same bladder structure that receives cleaning solution also contains drying channels and heating elements, combining multiple operations (cleaning, rinsing, drying) into one continuous process rather than separate sequential steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the bladder walls are made soft-sided for flexibility, then the system is portable and comfortable, but the walls collapse and stick together making drying difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and comfortVSAvoiddrying ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bladder structure is segmented into functional zones: soft-sided flexible walls for portability, internal drying channels for moisture removal, and heating elements for evaporation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drying channels act as intermediaries between the flexible bladder walls and the external environment. These channels provide dedicated pathways for air circulation and moisture evacuation, mediating the drying process without compromising the soft-sided flexible nature of the bladder walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If existing drying kits with brushes and cleaning solution are used, then cleaning is achieved, but mold prevention is not guaranteed due to inadequate drying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidmold prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes physical parameters by introducing controlled heating (temperature increase) and enhanced air circulation during the drying process. These parameter changes create conditions that actively prevent mold growth by eliminating the moisture and warmth that mold spores require to survive and proliferate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potentially harmful accumulation of moisture and warmth (which promotes mold) into beneficial conditions for drying and sanitization. By strategically positioning heating elements and drying channels, the system creates controlled thermal and aerodynamic conditions that eliminate moisture while preventing mold growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system efficiently dries hydration system components, preventing mold growth and ensuring the system is sanitary for storage and future use, addressing the limitations of prior art by providing a rapid and effective drying method.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element, a fan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

produces airflow through the bladder, the tube, and the mouthpiece... expedite drying

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a fan... produces airflow through the bladder, the tube, and the mouthpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20240151466A1Methods and systems for hydration bladder drying

Publication Date: 2024.05.09 TRL 9 LLC

AI summary

A system, method, and apparatus for drying a hydration system comprises an airflow apparatus comprising a case, a heating element, a fan, a cap for a hydration bladder cap comprising a fluidic connection to bladder and air flow apparatus, a conduit connected to cap and airflow apparatus, conduit further comprising an exhaust vent, a clip connected to a mouthpiece associated with bladder wherein airflow apparatus produces airflow through bladder and mouthpiece, and a rack configured to hold hydration bladder while airflow flow through bladder and mouthpiece.