Disposable Hydration Pouch With Inner Baffles for Liquid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydration pouch systems face issues with bacterial buildup, difficulty in cleaning, residual flavors, and excess lateral movement of liquids, leading to user health risks and discomfort during outdoor activities.
Innovation Solution
A disposable hydration pouch made from thermally sealable poly-ethylene, poly-urethane, and other polymers, featuring equidistant inner baffles to reduce liquid movement and a wide opening for easy filling and cleaning, along with a detachable delivery tube for convenient use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a reusable hydration pouch is used, then liquid storage capacity is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases leading to bacterial buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable hydration pouch that is intentionally designed to be used once and then discarded. This eliminates the cleaning problem entirely by making the pouch non-reusable, while still providing sufficient liquid storage capacity for the intended single use. The pouch is filled with liquid before use and discarded after emptying, preventing bacterial buildup that would occur with repeated use and inadequate cleaning.
2Quantity of substance
If a reusable hydration pouch is used, then liquid storage capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable pouches made from inexpensive materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene that can be manufactured at low cost. By accepting single-use design, the manufacturing cost per unit is reduced compared to reusable pouches that require durable, expensive materials and complex cleaning mechanisms. The low manufacturing cost enables widespread distribution while maintaining adequate liquid storage capacity.
3Strength
If traditional water bottles are used, then durability is improved, but liquid volume capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible bladder-style pouches made from thin film materials that can expand to hold large volumes of liquid. Unlike rigid traditional water bottles, these flexible pouches can be collapsed when empty and expanded when filled, maximizing liquid volume capacity while maintaining sufficient durability for single-use outdoor activities. The flexible design allows the pouch to conform to various storage positions without requiring rigid structural support.
4Reliability
If electrolyte drinks with flavors are stored, then hydration effectiveness is improved, but residual flavors remain after cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable nature of the pouch eliminates residual flavor problems entirely. After use, the entire pouch is discarded rather than cleaned and reused, so no flavors remain in the system. This allows users to store any flavored electrolyte drink without concern for cross-contamination or persistent tastes, while maintaining full hydration effectiveness during the single use.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, easy-to-manufacture, and recyclable hydration pouch that effectively prevents bacterial growth, removes residual flavors, and minimizes liquid movement, ensuring user safety and comfort during outdoor activities.
Implementation Method 1
thermally sealable poly-ethylene, poly-urethane, urethane, and/or other polymers
Data Source
AI summary
An improved disposable hydration pouch and method of delivery is disclosed herein. The hydration pouch may be manufactured from poly-ethylene or other high self-friction polymers that can be thermally sealed, which allows the pouch to be inexpensive to manufacture and disposable. The hydration pouch also includes a plurality of latitudinal thermally sealed baffles to provide improved lateral support and strength while holding liquids during use over existing poly-ethylene hydration pouches in the prior art. The disposable hydration pouch may be used by athletes, hikers, cyclists, travellers, and more as a portable hydration source.