Hydration Bladder Refill System With Side Port Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydration packs require users to remove the bladder from the bag to refill, which is time-consuming and often necessitates assistance or placing the bag on a surface, disrupting high-energy activities that require constant hydration.
Innovation Solution
A hydration pack system that allows for refilling without removing the bladder from the bag by reorienting the pack from vertical to horizontal, accessing a refill port on the side, and extending a bladder nozzle for fluid ingress, enabling quick and independent refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bladder is removed from the bag for refilling, then the refill operation can be performed, but the user loses time and requires assistance or a surface to place the bag
Solution Approach 1:
The refill system is segmented into distinct functional components: a refill port in the bag, a nozzle assembly on the bladder, and a coupling mechanism. This allows the refill operation to be performed independently without removing the entire bladder from the bag, resolving the contradiction by enabling quick refilling while maintaining bladder security.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary coupling mechanism is introduced between the refill port and the nozzle assembly. This mediator enables fluid transfer without requiring full bladder removal, allowing users to refill quickly while keeping the bladder secured in the bag, thus reducing both time loss and operational complexity.
2Loss of time
If the bladder remains in the bag during refilling, then time is saved and independence is maintained, but the refill port must be accessible without removal
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is nested within the bag structure when not in use, with the refill port positioned to be accessible through the bag material. During refilling, the nozzle extends outward while remaining connected to the bladder inside the bag. This nested arrangement allows quick access for refilling without requiring bladder removal, resolving the contradiction between time savings and operational accessibility.
3Reliability
If the refill port is accessed through the bag, then the bladder can remain secured, but the port must be easily accessible for refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The refill port is pre-positioned and pre-configured within the bag structure at an accessible location. The coupling mechanism is pre-assembled on the nozzle, ready for quick connection. This preliminary preparation allows users to perform refilling operations quickly while the bladder remains securely nested in the bag, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments, the invention is a novel hydration pack refill system that comprises a fluid bladder, a bag for carrying the fluid bladder, a bladder nozzle for refilling the fluid bladder, a clip for sealing the end of the bladder nozzle, and a refill port for accessing the bladder nozzle through the bag and methods for its use. The invention may further comprise a water tube and a mouthpiece to allow a user to drink from the fluid bladder while wearing the bag. In preferred embodiments, the bag may be worn on a user's back, held in place by a pair of shoulder straps, and may be rapidly refilled by reorienting the bag from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, opening the refill port, extending the bladder nozzle, removing the clip to unseal the bladder nozzle, and refilling the fluid bladder via the bladder nozzle.