Flexible Container

What is this patent about?

’980 is related to the field of flexible containers, specifically those used for hydration during recreational activities. These containers often need to be lightweight, collapsible for easy storage when empty, and durable enough to withstand outdoor conditions. Existing designs often struggle with a balance between these features, particularly in maintaining structural integrity while allowing for collapsibility.

The underlying idea behind ’980 is to create a collapsible container with a rigid top and bottom connected by a flexible reservoir body. This design allows the container to maintain its shape when filled, providing a stable drinking experience, while also enabling it to be easily collapsed and folded when empty for convenient storage. The flexible reservoir is constructed from a panel that is folded and seamed to form a cylinder.

The claims of ’980 focus on a flexible container device that includes a flexible or rigid container top portion with a footprint, a rigid cap assembly (shoulder and neck with threads), a flexible or rigid container bottom with a footprint, and a flexible reservoir body between the top and bottom. The reservoir body is coupled to the top and bottom via perimeter seams and is formed from a flexible panel folded and attached to itself along body seams. The reservoir is collapsible and foldable and shaped substantially as a cylinder when filled.

In practice, the container is manufactured by first creating the flexible reservoir body from a flat panel of material, folding and sealing it along its length to form a cylinder. The rigid top and bottom are then attached to the open ends of the cylinder using perimeter seams, creating a sealed container. The rigid cap assembly is then attached to the container top. The rigid components provide structural support and a secure interface for drinking, while the flexible reservoir allows for collapsibility when the container is not in use.

This design differentiates itself from traditional flexible containers by incorporating rigid elements at the top and bottom. This provides a more robust structure compared to fully flexible bags, which can be difficult to handle when filled. The use of a folded and seamed flexible panel for the reservoir body also allows for a more controlled and predictable collapsing behavior compared to simply using a flexible bag, ensuring that the container can be easily stored when empty.