TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to hydration systems, and more specifically to hydration reservoirs with handles allowing for easy handling of the hydration reservoir.

BACKGROUND

Hydration reservoirs typically are constructed of multiple layers of film and act to carry a liquid for a user to drink during an activity, such as bike riding, running, skiing, or the like. Such hydration reservoirs have a fill opening for filling the reservoir or bladder with a fluid. It is undesirable to directly hold these layers when filling the bladder as such handling prevents the layers from separating and the bladder from fully expanding. Some conventional hydration reservoirs have a tab connected to the structure of the fill opening for a user to hold onto when filling the bladder to prevent interference with bladder expansion. However, such tabs can be awkward to grab and hold. Further, slight movement of such a tab may shift the fill opening and disrupt the flow of fluid therethrough.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved hydration system, and more specifically an improved handle for a hydration reservoir that addresses the above described problems and/or which more generally offers improvements or an alternative to existing arrangements.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure there is provided a hydration reservoir as described below and defined in the accompanying claims. The present disclosure advantageously provides a hydration reservoir with an improved handle. As explained in detail below, through use of a handle of the present disclosure, the reservoir may be easily repositioned and moved.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a hydration reservoir. The hydration reservoir may include a bladder for storing fluid defining a front panel and a rear panel. A fill opening may be defined in the front panel. An outlet port may be defined in the front panel and spaced away from the fill opening at a distance. A handle assembly may be coupled to the front panel. The handle assembly may include a spine layer coupled to the front panel and a handle protruding from the spine layer. The handle may be spaced away from the fill opening.

Additionally or separately, the fill opening may be formed by a fill opening collar extending outwardly from the front panel.

Additionally or separately, the handle may have a grip portion defining opposing ends. One of the opposing ends may engage the spine layer near the fill opening. Additionally or separately, the other of the opposing ends may engage the spine layer at a location closer to the outlet port than the fill opening. Additionally or separately, a gap may be formed between the spine layer and the grip portion. Additionally or separately, the other of the opposing ends may be free and the grip portion may define a cantilever.

Additionally or separately, the spine layer may be coupled to the front panel at a location spaced away from the fill opening. Additionally or separately, the spine layer may be coupled to the front panel along a portion of the distance between the fill opening and the outlet port. Additionally or separately, the spine layer may be coupled to the front panel continuously. Additionally or separately, the spine layer may extend to and encompass the outlet port. Additionally or separately, the spine layer may be formed by a long strip of sheet material coupled to the front panel by bonding.

Additionally or separately, the hydration reservoir may include a baffle. The baffle may be positioned inside the bladder. The baffle may be coupled between the front and rear panels and may extend along at least a portion of the distance between the fill opening and the outlet port. The spine layer may be at least partially co-extensive with the baffle.

Additionally or separately, the handle assembly may include at least two materials. The spine layer may include a first material, and the grip portion may include a second material. The first material and second material may be different from one another.

Additionally or separately, at least one of the front panel and the rear panel may be molded into a three-dimensional shape.

Other examples or embodiments of the present disclosure may include a fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir may include a flexible bladder. The bladder may include a fill opening, an outlet port for connecting to an outlet hose and spaced away from the fill opening, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly may be secured to the flexible bladder at a location spaced away from the fill opening. The handle assembly may include a spine layer coupled to the flexible bladder and a handle extending from the spine layer to form a gap between the handle and the spine layer.

Additionally or separately, the spine layer may include at least two anchors positioned a distance apart. The handle may include at least two cavities positioned at opposing ends of the handle. At least two cavities may couple with the at least two anchors to couple the handle with the spine layer.

Additionally or separately, the handle may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing ends. Each end may include an attachment structure that couples the respective end to the spine layer. A distance between the top surface and the bottom surface may define a thickness of the handle. The thickness of the opposing ends may be greater than the thickness of a middle region of the handle.

Additionally or separately, the handle assembly may include a first end proximate the fill opening and a second end proximate the outlet port. The gap may be larger proximate the first end than proximate the second end.

Additional examples or embodiments of the present disclosure may include a reservoir for storing a fluid. The reservoir may include a bladder for storing a fluid. The bladder may include a front panel and a rear panel. A fill opening may be defined by the front panel. A handle assembly may be coupled with the front panel by a spine layer. The spine layer may be coupled with the reservoir at a location spaced away from the fill opening.

Additionally or separately, the spine layer may be linear and may extend longitudinally along a portion of a length of the front panel.

Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in the description that follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed subject matter. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, which forms a part of this disclosure. One of skill in the art will understand that each of the various aspects and features of the disclosure may advantageously be used separately in some instances, or in combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure in other instances.

