# US 11,992,114 B2 · Flexible fluid reservoirs with closures and structural members > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,992,114 B2 - Document ID: US11992114B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/240,290 - Filed: 2023-08-30 - Published: 2023-12-21 - 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/US11992114B2 ## 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 a 3-D formed first sheet and a 3-D formed second sheet. The 3-D formed first sheet and the 3-D formed second sheet are sealed together at least partially around respective perimeter edges thereof to define an internal space for fluid storage. There is a first opening defined between the 3-D formed first sheet and the 3-D formed second sheet at a first end of the fluid reservoir. The first opening is configured for filling the fluid reservoir with fluid. There is a second opening defined between the 3-D formed first sheet and the 3-D formed second sheet at a second end of the fluid reservoir opposite the first end. The second opening has a fluid exit port configured for allowing fluid to exit the fluid reservoir. The reservoir can include an optional baffle that is coupled to the 3-D formed first and second sheets. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid reservoir, comprising: a 3-D formed first sheet and a 3-D formed second sheet, wherein the 3-D formed first sheet and the 3-D formed second sheet are sealed together at least partially around respective perimeter edges thereof to define an internal space for fluid storage, and wherein the 3-D formed first sheet and 3-D formed second sheet have different shapes that when sealed together define a curved vertical profile of the fluid reservoir; a first opening defined between the 3-D formed first sheet and the 3-D formed second sheet at a first end of the fluid reservoir, wherein the first opening is fitted with a first plate sealed to the 3-D formed first sheet and a second plate sealed to the 3-D formed second sheet to define a fill port configured for filling the fluid reservoir with fluid; a second opening defined between the 3-D formed first sheet and the 3-D formed second sheet at a second end of the fluid reservoir opposite the first end, the second opening having a fluid exit port seam-welded to the 3-D formed first sheet and the 3-D formed second sheet and configured for allowing fluid to exit the fluid reservoir; at least one collapsible baffle formed of a web of flexible material, the collapsible baffle being positioned within the internal space and having a first end welded to the 3-D formed first sheet and a second end welded to the 3-D formed second sheet, wherein the 3-D formed first sheet and 3-D formed second sheet have a continuous outer profile on respective outer surfaces thereof in areas adjacent the first and second ends of the baffle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the fluid exit port is configured for connecting to a fluid transfer tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid reservoir of claim 1, herein the fluid exit port comprises an outlet valve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the at least one baffle is a first baffle, further comprising a second baffle spaced apart from the first baffle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fluid reservoir of claim 1, further comprising a closure mechanism positioned adjacent a first end of the fluid reservoir, wherein the closure mechanism is configured to press the 3-D formed first sheet and the 3-D formed second sheet together from opposite sides to seal off the first opening, and wherein the closure mechanism comprises a lock movable to a locked position to retain the closure mechanism in a closed state. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir is configurable in a collapsed state in which the internal space is reduced from a non-collapsed state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fluid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the fluid exit port comprises an outlet valve oriented perpendicular to the vertical profile.