Portable Drinking Water Bag with Outer Protection and One-Way Valve

The problem

When carrying drinking water for outdoor activities, users typically rely on rigid bottles or single-layer flexible bladders. Rigid bottles add weight even when empty, while single-layer bladders must be made from thick material to resist punctures, which also adds bulk. Furthermore, each time a user drinks from a standard bladder, outside air flows back into the container to replace the removed liquid. This air exchange introduces ambient contaminants and can shorten the time the remaining water stays fresh. Sealing mechanisms on basic bags may also wrinkle the opening area, creating paths for slow leaks during transport.

The solution

This design addresses these points by separating the structural protection from the water-holding layer and controlling airflow during use.

1. An outer bag (1) acts as the protective shell. It sleeves entirely around the water-holding component, taking the physical wear of transport.
2. An inner bag (2) made of light, thin plastic film holds the actual water. Because the outer bag provides the main protection, the inner bag material can remain thin, reducing overall weight.
3. A water intake assembly (3) sits at the top. Its fixed body (32) attaches to the top of the outer bag via a threaded connection, a clamping connection, or a rotating connection.
4. Inside the assembly, a fixed disc (31) connects to the fixed body with a rotational or sliding joint. Its lower surface is shaped as a downward-arched arc. When this surface contacts the top of the inner bag, it tensions the film to prevent wrinkling or leaking.
5. A water intake needle (33) connects to the fixed disc. It is a hollow tube whose bottom end extends into the top of the inner bag to draw water out.
6. A one-way valve (34) is located in a water intake pipeline (36) connected to the top of the needle. This valve allows water to flow out when the user drinks, but blocks external air from traveling back down the pipeline into the inner bag.
7. A hemispherical water intake cover (35) rotates on top of the fixed body, enclosing the pipeline and valve when not in use.

Who it is for

• Outdoor gear brands looking to offer a lightweight hydration system where the water container itself is minimal in weight, relying on a separate outer shell for durability.
• Amazon sellers and wholesalers sourcing travel and camping accessories who need a product with a distinct double-bag structure to differentiate from standard single-layer bladders.
• Emergency preparedness suppliers requiring water storage solutions where limiting air exposure helps prolong the shelf life of the stored water during standby periods.
• Promotional product companies needing a customizable hydration item where the outer bag can carry branding while the inner bag remains a standardized, replaceable film component.

How it works

The main parts

Operating steps

1. Fill the inner bag with drinking water. The inner bag body is a plastic film bag, and its top features a clamping ring made of a plastic ring, a rubber ring, or a silica gel ring.
2. Insert the inner bag into the outer bag. The clamping ring secures into a groove on the inner wall of the outer bag, or it clamps between a step surface on the inner wall and the fixed body.
3. Attach the fixed body to the top of the outer bag. The fixed disc seats against the top of the inner bag, and its downward-arched surface tensions the film. A sealed space forms among the fixed disc’s lower surface, the fixed body, the outer bag, and the inner bag’s top.
4. Drink from the bag. Suction pulls water up through the hollow water intake needle, past the one-way valve in the pipeline, and out to the user. When suction stops, the one-way valve closes, preventing outside air from flowing back into the inner bag.
5. Close the cover. Rotate the hemispherical water intake cover over the pipeline to store it neatly.

Applications

Hiking and backpacking

Hikers need to minimize pack weight without sacrificing water capacity. The thin inner bag reduces the base weight of the container, while the outer bag handles abrasion against rocks and gear inside the backpack.

Camping and base camps

At a campsite, water may sit for hours before consumption. The one-way valve prevents ambient air from entering the inner bag after each pour, helping to maintain the condition of the stored water over the duration of the trip.

Emergency water storage

Preparedness kits require water containers that keep contents isolated from the environment. By blocking return airflow, the valve limits exposure to outside air, aligning with the goal of prolonging the shelf life of the stored water.

Travel and commuting

Commuters carrying water in crowded transit systems risk crushing soft containers. The outer bag provides a buffer against impacts and pressure from other items in a bag, protecting the thin inner film from rupturing.

Where it is less suitable

• High-pressure hydration packs - systems designed for hands-free drinking tubes under constant pressure may require different valve mechanics than a simple one-way suction valve.
• Hot liquid transport - the patent describes the inner bag as a plastic film bag intended for drinking water; suitability for hot liquids is not specified and would need to be confirmed in design.
• Rigid bottle replacements - users who prefer a self-standing, hard-shell bottle will find this flexible double-bag system behaves differently when placed on flat surfaces.