# US 11,992,113 B2 · Flexible fluid reservoirs with closures and structural members

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- Number: US 11,992,113 B2
- Document ID: US11992113B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/082,824
- Filed: 2022-12-16
- Published: 2023-04-20
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2020-07-20
- Assignees: TSI Manufacturing, LLC
- Applicants: TSI Manufacturing, LLC
- Inventors: Matthew Hoskins; Robert Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992113B2

## CPC

- A45F 3/20: of flexible material; Collapsible or stackable cups
- A45F 3/166: {Hydration systems incorporated in a backpack}
- B65D 33/02: Local reinforcements or stiffening inserts, e.g. wires, strings, strips or frames {(B65D33/007 takes precedence)}
- B65D 33/06: Handles {(forming part of the closing arrangement B65D33/16)}
- B65D 33/16: End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices (valves of valve bags {B65D31/14}; closures of filled bags B65D77/10)
- B65D 55/16: Devices preventing loss of removable closure members
- B65D 33/1658: {Elements for flattening or folding the mouth portion (B65D33/30 takes precedence)}
- A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

Disclosed fluid reservoirs include closure mechanisms for sealing an upper opening of the reservoir. The reservoir can have plates adjacent the upper opening. When the upper end of the reservoir is folded, the plates can be positioned on opposite sides, and a closure frame can be slid over the plates to pressure them together. The plates can have pins that engage with slots in the closure frame, and a separate closure lock can be slid over the end of the closure frame to prevent the pins from exiting the slots. The plates can also bias the opening open when the closure is not engaged. Also disclosed are flexible fluid reservoirs that include structural elements, such as baffles, that help retain a desired shape of the reservoir when filled or empty. Some baffles can be elastically deformable to allow flattening and expansion of the bladder while biasing toward a neutral position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fluid reservoir comprising:
a first sheet and a second sheet coupled together around perimeter edges and defining an internal space between the first and second sheets for fluid storage;
a baffle positioned within the internal space and having a first end welded to the first sheet and a second end welded to the second sheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet each have a continuous outer profile on a respective outer surface thereof, the continuous outer profile on the first sheet extending from a first outer surface end area opposite the first end of the baffle to a first surrounding area that surrounds the first outer surface end area, and the continuous outer profile on the second sheet extending from a second outer surface end area opposite the second end of the baffle to a second surrounding area that surrounds the second outer surface area;
wherein the baffle comprises a resiliently deformable material and is biased toward a neutral position where the first sheet and the second sheet are spaced apart from one another; and
wherein the baffle is deformable to a flattened position where the first sheet and second sheet are flattened against each other and a volume within the internal space is minimized, wherein when in the flattened position, the baffle biases the first and second sheets apart toward the neutral position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fluid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the baffle is elastically extendable from the neutral position to an expanded position where the first and second sheets are farther apart than when in the neutral position, wherein when in the expanded position, the baffle biases the first and second sheets together toward the neutral position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The fluid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the baffle comprises a dimple between the first end and the second end that provides increased structural rigidity.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The reservoir of claim 3, wherein the baffle comprises a strut member extending from the first end and the second end, the strut member spanning between the first sheet and the second sheet, and the strut member comprises the dimple.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The reservoir of claim 4, wherein the strut member forms an oblique angle relative to the first sheet and the second sheet.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The reservoir of claim 4, wherein the strut member is elongated in a direction extending lengthwise between an upper opening of the reservoir and a lower fluid outlet of the reservoir.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The reservoir of claim 3, wherein the dimple is elongated in a direction extending between the first end of the baffle and the second end of the baffle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The reservoir of claim 1, wherein the first end of the baffle is welded to a mid-portion of the first sheet between the perimeter edges, and the second end of the baffle is welded to a mid-portion of the second sheet between the perimeter edges.

### Claim 9

A fluid reservoir comprising:
a first sheet and a second sheet coupled together around perimeter edges and defining an internal space between the first and second sheets for fluid storage;
a baffle positioned within the internal space and having a first end coupled to the first sheet and a second end coupled to the second sheet;
wherein the baffle comprises a resiliently deformable material and is biased toward a neutral position where the first sheet and the second sheet are spaced apart from one another;
wherein the baffle is deformable to a flattened position where the first sheet and second sheet are flattened against each other and a volume within the internal space is minimized, wherein when in the flattened position, the baffle biases the first and second sheets apart toward the neutral position;
wherein the baffle is elastically extendable from the neutral position to an expanded position where the first and second sheets are farther apart than when in the neutral position, wherein when in the expanded position, the baffle biases the first and second sheets together toward the neutral position; and
wherein the baffle comprises dimples between the first end and the second end that provide increased structural rigidity.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The reservoir of claim 9, wherein the baffle has a Z-shaped cross-sectional profile.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The reservoir of claim 9, wherein the baffle comprises a strut member extending from the first end and the second end, the strut member spanning between the first sheet and the second sheet, and the strut member comprises the dimples.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The reservoir of claim 11, wherein the strut member forms an oblique angle relative to the first sheet and the second sheet.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The reservoir of claim 11, wherein the strut member is elongated in a direction extending lengthwise between an upper opening of the reservoir and a lower fluid outlet of the reservoir.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The reservoir of claim 9, wherein the first end of the baffle is coupled to a mid-portion of the first sheet between the perimeter edges, and the second end of the baffle is coupled to a mid-portion of the second sheet between the perimeter edges.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The reservoir of claim 9, wherein the dimples are elongated in a direction extending between the first end of the baffle and the second end of the baffle.

### Claim 16

A fluid reservoir comprising:
a first sheet and a second sheet coupled together around perimeter edges and defining an internal space between the first and second sheets for fluid storage;
a baffle positioned within the internal space and having a first end coupled to the first sheet and a second end coupled to the second sheet, wherein the baffle has a Z-shaped cross-sectional profile;
wherein the baffle comprises a resiliently deformable material and is biased toward a neutral position where the first sheet and the second sheet are spaced apart from one another; and
wherein the baffle is deformable to a flattened position where the first sheet and second sheet are flattened against each other and a volume within the internal space is minimized, wherein when in the flattened position, the baffle biases the first and second sheets apart toward the neutral position.