Rear Entry Bladder Access for Athletic Hydration Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current athletic hydration packs face difficulties in accessing and managing the liquid storage bladder, including cumbersome design, obstruction by front compartment contents, and inefficient weight distribution, leading to discomfort and difficulty in refilling.
Innovation Solution
A user-borne athletic pack with a rear entry compartment and mesh webbing for secure bladder placement, allowing easy access and filling without disturbing the main compartment contents, and efficient weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bladder is stored in a front compartment accessible from the front of the pack, then the user can access the bladder, but the access is obstructed by contents in the front compartment and the user cannot easily see how full the bladder is
Solution Approach 1:
The pack is divided into separate compartments: a front compartment for general items and a rear compartment specifically for the bladder. This segmentation allows the bladder to be accessed independently from the front compartment contents, eliminating obstruction issues and providing clear visibility of the bladder's fullness state through the rear opening.
2Ease of operation
If the bladder is accessible from the front of the pack, then the user can reach the bladder, but the design becomes cumbersome and requires entry into the main storage area
Solution Approach 1:
The pack structure is segmented into distinct front and rear compartments with separate access points. The rear compartment provides direct access to the bladder without requiring the user to open or navigate through the main front storage area, simplifying the access process and reducing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the bladder is positioned in the pack to be accessible, then the user can refill it, but the bladder repositions itself over time increasing the burden on the user
Solution Approach 1:
The rear compartment is designed with features that preliminarily secure the bladder in the correct position during filling. The mesh webbing and compartment structure pre-establish proper bladder positioning, preventing it from shifting or repositioning itself during use, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent repositioning by the user.
4Ease of operation
If the bladder cap is placed in direct contact with the user's back for rear access, then the user can easily access the bladder, but this causes irritation and discomfort due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
A fabric-covered panel or mesh material is introduced as an intermediary between the bladder cap and the user's back. This intermediary layer reduces direct friction and contact between the bladder cap and skin, eliminating irritation and discomfort while maintaining easy rear access to the bladder through the same panel.
Data Source
AI summary
A user-borne athletic pack having an easy to access water/liquid bladder through a rear entry back-flap is presented. A construction of the athletic pack allows for a separate rear compartment containing the bladder to be accessed by unfastening of a back-flap. The rear compartment is separated from the front compartment via material integrally connected on the inside of the athletic pack. The rear access back-flap and rear compartment allows for unhindered access, storage and control of the water bladder in either its full or empty state.