WO2016007777A1

WO2016007777A1 - Reservoir and method of making

Info

Publication number: WO2016007777A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/039794
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew J. Lyon; Samuel M. Lopez
Original assignee: Hydrapak, Inc.
Priority date: 2014-07-09
Filing date: 2015-07-09
Publication date: 2016-01-14

Abstract

A system for a fluid reservoir is disclosed. The reservoir can have a side seam. The reservoir can have a top seam and a bottom seam. The reservoir can have bottom corner edge seams. The bottom seam and the bottom corner edge seams can form an H-Seam. The reservoir can hold fluid materials.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

RESERVOIR AND METHOD OF MAKING

Matthew J. Lyon

Samuel M. Lopez

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/022,61 1 , filed on July 9, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of fluid reservoirs, more specifically to seams on the reservoir. 2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] Existing recreational liquid reservoir systems are popular for carrying liquids, particularly for personal hydration like water or sports drinks, during outdoor activities, such as hiking and skiing. However, many of the environments are subject to extreme temperature conditions, such as during desert hiking or winter skiing. Typical reservoir systems experience freezing and significant heating of the reservoir contents when subject to extreme hot and cold conditions. These fluctuations in temperature can affect the seams that hold the liquid in the reservoir device.

[0004] Furthermore, reservoir systems often include a single soft reservoir in a backpack. The reservoirs can be made from a flexible polymer that is sealed or welded shut along seams. The seams can act as potential failure points. For example, having too many seams can create many failure points resulting in fluids leaking from the reservoir system.

[0005] Moreover, additional seams can require additional steps in manufacturing. The additional steps in manufacturing can increase the likelihood of manufacturing failures.

Manufacturing failures can result in faulty reservoirs resulting in fluid leaking from the reservoir system. Additional manufacturing steps can also increase the cost of the reservoir system.

[0006] Accordingly, a reservoir is desired that has fewer seams and less total seam length. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] A method of making a reservoir is disclosed. The method can include forming a side seal extending along the side of the reservoir. The method can include forming a bottom seal along the bottom of the reservoir. The side seal can be in contact with the bottom seal. The method can include forming a first edge seal at a first terminal end of the bottom seal. The method can include forming a second edge seal at a second terminal end of the bottom seal. The side seal can be straight. The bottom seal can be straight. The first edge seal can be straight. The second edge seal can be straight. The first edge seal can be perpendicular to the bottom seal. The second edge seal can be perpendicular to the bottom seal. The second edge seal can be parallel to the first edge seal.

[0008] The method can include attaching a first cup to the first terminal end of the bottom seal. The attaching the first cup can form the first edge seal between the first cup and the bottom seal. The method can include attaching a second cup to the second terminal end of the bottom seal. The attaching the second cup can form the second edge seal between the second cup and the bottom seal. The method can include forming a flexible sheet of material into a cylindrical tube shape, and then pressing a first length of the terminal side edges of the flexible sheet against each other before forming the side seal, and pressing a second length of the bottom edge of the flexible sheet to contact itself before forming the bottom seal.

[0009] A reservoir device is disclosed. The reservoir device can have a reservoir having a flexible sheet having a side seal along the side of the flexible sheet, and having an H-seal at the bottom of the flexible sheet. The device can have a drinking tube detachably connected to the reservoir. The device can have a reservoir device top. The flexible sheet can have a top seal located at the top of the flexible sheet. The top seal can attach the reservoir device top with the flexible sheet. The H-seal can have a first bottom corner edge seal and a bottom seal. The first bottom corner edge seal can be configured to attach to a terminal end of the bottom seal. The first bottom corner edge seal can be perpendicular to the bottom seal. [0010] The reservoir device can have a flexible sheet having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first bottom edge, a second bottom edge, a first bottom corner edge, a side seam, a first bottom corner edge seam, and a bottom seam. The side seam can be formed where the first side edge attaches to the second side edge. The bottom seam can be formed where the first bottom edge attaches to the second bottom edge. The first bottom corner edge seam can be formed where the first bottom corner edge attaches to a terminal end of the bottom seam. The reservoir device can have a reservoir device top attached to the flexible sheet. The reservoir device top can be on the opposite side of the bottom seam. The bottom seam can be perpendicular to the side seam. The bottom seam can be perpendicular to the first bottom corner edge seam. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figures la to lc illustrate a variation of a reservoir device.

[0012] Figure Id illustrates a variation of the bottom of the reservoir device.

[0013] Figure 2a illustrates a variation of a flexible sheet.

[0014] Figure 2b illustrates a variation of a method of forming a side seam.

[0015] Figure 3a illustrates a variation of a method of forming a bottom seam.

[0016] Figure 3 b illustrates a variation of a method for forming the side seam and the bottom seam on a variation of the reservoir.

[0017] Figure 3c illustrates a variation of a bottom perspective of the bottom end of the reservoir.

[0018] Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a variation of a method of forming the side seam and the bottom seam on a variation of the reservoir.

[0019] Figure 5 illustrates a variation of a method of forming the bottom corner edge seams on a variation of the reservoir.

[0020] Figure 6 illustrates a variation of a method of forming the bottom corner edge seams on a variation of the reservoir.

[0021] Figure 7 illustrates a bottom three-quarter view of a variation of the reservoir seams formed by the methods illustrated in Figures 5 and/or 6.

[0022] Figure 8 illustrates a variation of a method for forming the bottom corner edge seams with cups on a variation of the reservoir. [0023] Figures 9a, 9b, and 9c are side, bottom and perspective views, respectively, of a variation of the reservoir with the H-seal.

[0024] Figures 10a and 10b are side and bottom views, respectively, of a variation of the reservoir with the H-seal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A reservoir device 100 can be used for holding, transporting, and delivering fluids, for example, for drinking. The reservoir device 100 can be circular, rectangular, square, oval, cylindrical, or any combination thereof. The reservoir device 100 can hold liquid volumes between about 150ml and 6L, for example, about 400ml, and about 600ml. The reservoir device 100 can be held and/or carried in backpacks or any other portable bag.

[0026] Figure la illustrates that the reservoir device 100 can have a reservoir longitudinal axis 102, a reservoir lateral axis 104, a reservoir device top 106, a nozzle 108, a flexible sheet 1 10, a top seam 1 12, a side seam 114, a reservoir bottom 1 16, and a reservoir 1 18.

[0027] The reservoir device top 106 can be located at the apex of the reservoir device 100. The reservoir device top 106 can be rigid and/or flexible. The reservoir device top 106 can be circular, rectangular, square, oval, cylindrical, or any combination thereof. The reservoir device top 106 can be made, for example, from plastic, a polymer such as molded

polyurethane, metal, a composite (e.g., carbon fiber), fabric (e.g., webbing), or any

combination thereof. The reservoir device top 106 can cover the top of the reservoir 118.

[0028] The reservoir device 100 can have at least one nozzle 108 (e.g., cap, opening), a slider 164, or any combination thereof. The reservoir device top 106, the nozzle 108, the slider 164, or any combination thereof can be detachably attached to the reservoir device 100 and/or the reservoir 1 18, for example, by screwing in, clipping on, sealing, welding, or any combination thereof.

[0029] The nozzle 108 can be located at a terminal end of the reservoir device top 106 and/or the reservoir device 100. The nozzle 108 can be located on the midline of the reservoir device 100. The nozzle 108 can comprise of drink tubes. The nozzle 108 can be in fluid communication with the inside of the reservoir 118. The nozzle 108 can deliver fluid contents from the inside of the reservoir 118. The nozzle 108 can screw-on, clip on, snap on, or any combination thereof to the reservoir device top 106. [0030] The slider 164 can be located between a terminal end of the reservoir device top 106 and the nozzle 108. The slider 164 can be located on the midline of the reservoir device 100. The nozzle 108 can be controlled by the slider 164. The slider 164 can enable the nozzle 108 to deliver fluid from the inside of the reservoir 1 18, for example, by turning, pushing, pulling, sliding, or any combination thereof the slider 164. The slider 164 can prevent the nozzle 108 from delivering fluid from the inside of the reservoir 1 18.

[0031] The flexible sheet 1 10 can be square, rectangular, circle, oval, triangular, quadrilateral, or any combination thereof. The flexible sheet 110 can form the reservoir 1 18. The flexible sheet 110 material can be made of any combination of materials listed below. The reservoir device top 106 can be attached to a terminal end of the flexible sheet 1 10. The flexible sheet 110 can have one or more layers.

[0032] The flexible sheet 1 10 can form the top seam 1 12. The top seam 1 12 can be located on a terminal end of the flexible sheet 110. The top seam 112 can be parallel to the reservoir lateral axis 104. The top seam 1 12 can be perpendicular to the reservoir longitudinal axis 102. The top seam 1 12 can be straight. The top seam 1 12 can be along the entire length of a terminal end of the flexible sheet 1 10 (e.g., circumference). The top seam 1 12 can be along a portion of the entire length of a terminal end of the flexible sheet 1 12. The top seam 1 12 can attach the flexible sheet 1 10 and the reservoir device top 106. The top seam 112 can attach to the interior of the reservoir device top 106 and/or the exterior of the reservoir device top 106. The top seam 1 12 can form a shape (e.g., square, rectangular, circular, oval, quadrilateral, or any combination thereof). The top seam 1 12 can have a top seam width between about .1cm to about 2.5cm, more narrowly, between about .1cm to about .8cm, for example, about .1cm, about .2cm, about .3cm, about .4cm, about .5 cm, about .6cm, about .7cm, and about .8cm.

[0033] The flexible sheet 110 can form the side seam 114. The side seam 114 (e.g., side seal, cross seam, cross seal, central seam, central seal) can be located on the flexible sheet 1 10. The side seam 1 14 can be parallel to the reservoir longitudinal axis 102. The side seam 1 14 can be perpendicular to the reservoir lateral axis 104 and/or the top seam 112. The side seam 1 14 can have a side seam width 1 15 between about .1cm to about 2.5cm, more narrowly, between about .1cm to about .8cm, for example, about .1cm, about .2cm, about .3cm, about .4cm, about .5 cm, about .6cm, about .7cm, and about .8cm. [0034] The side seam 1 14 can be connected to the top seam 112, for example, at an edge of the top seam 112 and/or between the edges of the top seam 112. The side seam 1 14 can be connected to the reservoir top 106. The side seam 1 14 can be along an entire length of the reservoir 1 18. The side seam 1 14 can extend along the reservoir, for example, from the reservoir bottom 1 16 and/or the bottom seam 138 to the reservoir device top 106 and/or the top seam 112. The side seam 1 14 can be along a portion of the length of the reservoir 1 18. The side seam 1 14 can extend from one terminal end of the flexible sheet 110 to the opposing terminal end of the flexible sheet 110.

[0035] The reservoir bottom 116 can be flat, curved, or any combination thereof. The reservoir bottom 1 16 can have a reservoir bottom width 122 between about 1cm and about 20cm, for example, about 7cm, and about 8cm. The reservoir bottom 116 can have at least a first reservoir bottom corner 120a and a second reservoir bottom corner 120b. The reservoir bottom corners 120 can attach the reservoir side with the reservoir bottom 116. The reservoir bottom corners 120 can be straight and/or curved. The reservoir bottom corners 120 can have a reservoir bottom corner radius of curvature 124. The reservoir bottom corner radius of curvature 124 can be between about .5cm and about 6cm, for example, about 2cm, and about 3cm.

[0036] The reservoir 118 can be rigid and/or flexible. The reservoir 1 18 can be

rectangular, circular, square, oval, cylindrical, spherical, cube, or any combination thereof. The reservoir 118 can have a top seam 112, a side seam 1 14, a bottom seam 138, and bottom corner edge seams 156 (e.g., edge seal, edge seam). The reservoir 1 18 can be attached to the reservoir device top 106, for example, by the top seam 1 12. The reservoir 118 can have liquid volumes between about 150ml and 6L, for example, about 400ml, and about 600ml. The reservoir 118 can have a reservoir length 126. The reservoir length 126 can be between about 10cm and about 20cm, for example, about 14cm, about 15cm, and about 18cm.

[0037] For example, the reservoir 1 18 can have straight sides, the reservoir bottom 1 16 can be flat, and the reservoir bottom corners 120 can be curved, as shown in Figure la.

[0038] Figure lb and lc illustrate that the reservoir device 100 can have reservoir panels 128, a reservoir bottom outside 130, and a reservoir bottom inside 132.

[0039] The reservoir device 100 can have at least a first reservoir panel 128a and a second reservoir panel 128b. The reservoir panels 128 can be flat, curved, or any combination thereof. The reservoir panels 128 can be tapered at a terminal end. The reservoir panels 128 can be flat and/or straight at a terminal end. The reservoir panels 128 can be parallel to the reservoir longitudinal axis 102 and/or the side seam 114. The reservoir panels 128 can be perpendicular to the top seam 1 12, bottom seam 138, reservoir lateral axis 104, or any combination thereof. The first reservoir panel 128a and the second reservoir panel 128b can be laterally located on the reservoir 1 18. The reservoir panels 128 can be connected to the top seam 1 12, reservoir top 106, the bottom seam 138, the reservoir bottom 1 16, or any combination thereof.

[0040] The reservoir bottom outside 130 can be straight, curved, flat, or any combination thereof. The reservoir bottom outside 130 can be on the exterior of the reservoir device 100. The terminal ends of the reservoir bottom outside 130 can be attached to the terminal end of the reservoir panels 128. The reservoir bottom outside 130 can be connected to the side seam 1 14, for example, at the midpoint of the reservoir bottom outside 130. The reservoir bottom outside length can be greater than, equal to, and/or less than the reservoir bottom width 122.

[0041] The reservoir bottom inside 132 can be straight, curved, flat, or any combination thereof. The reservoir bottom inside 132 is located within the reservoir. The reservoir bottom inside 132 can contact the liquid content. The reservoir bottom inside 132 can be intersected by the side seam 114, for example, at the midpoint of the reservoir bottom inside 132. The reservoir bottom inside 132 can be connected to the side seam 114, for example, at the midpoint of the reservoir bottom inside 132. The reservoir bottom inside length can be greater than, equal to, and/or less than the reservoir bottom width 122.

[0042] For example, the reservoir device 100 can have a first reservoir panel 128a and a second reservoir panel 128b that can be located laterally relative to the reservoir 118, a reservoir bottom outside 130 that can be straight, and a reservoir bottom inside 132 that can be curved, as shown in Figure lb.

[0043] Figure lc illustrates that the reservoir device 100 can be without a side seam 114.

[0044] Figure Id illustrates that the re voir bottom 1 16 can have a reservoir bottom longitudinal axis 134, a reservoir bottom lateral axis 136, a bottom seam 138, and brackets 140.

[0045] The bottom seam 138 can be located on the reservoir bottom 116. The bottom seam 138 can be on the opposite end of the reservoir device top 106. The bottom seam 138 can be parallel to the reservoir bottom longitudinal axis 134. The bottom seam 138 can be perpendicular to the reservoir bottom lateral axis 136 and/or the side seam 1 14. The bottom seam 138 can contact the side seam 1 14, for example, at the midpoint of the bottom seam 138. The bottom seam 138 can intersect the side seam 114, for example, at the midpoint of the bottom seam 138. The bottom seam 138 can have a bottom seam width 139 between about 0.1 cm to about 2.5 cm, more narrowly, from about 0.1 cm to about 0.8cm, for example about 0.1 cm, about 0.2 cm, about 0.3 cm, about 0.4 cm, about 0.5 cm, about 0.6 cm, about 0.7 cm, or about 0.8 cm.

[0046] The reservoir device 100 can have at least a first bracket 140a and a second bracket 140b. The brackets can have a straight shape, a C-shape, or any combination thereof. The brackets 140 can surround (e.g., encircle) any portion of the bottom seam 138, the side seam 1 14, or any combination thereof. The brackets 140 can be parallel to the reservoir bottom longitudinal axis 134. The terminal ends of the brackets 140 can connect with the terminal ends of the bottom seam 138. At least one of the brackets 140 can intersect with the side seam 1 14. The first bracket 140a and the second bracket 140b can be connected to each other, for example, at the terminal ends. The first bracket 140a and the second bracket 140b can have an opening when the first bracket 140a and the second bracket 140b are connected to each other. The opening can be oval, circular, square, rectangular, or any combination thereof. Any portion of the bottom seam 138, the side seaml 14, or any combination thereof can be within (i.e., in between) the opening. The brackets 140 can stabilize the reservoir device 100. The brackets 140 can support the reservoir device 100.

[0047] Figure 2a illustrates that the flexible sheet 1 10 can have at least a first side edge 142a and a second side edge 142b. The first side edge 142a and the second side edge 142b can be on opposite lateral sides. The first side edge 142a and the second side edge 142b can be parallel or can intersect.

[0048] Figure 2b illustrates that the flexible sheet 110 can be formed (e.g., by curling, rotating, bending, folding) into a shape (e.g., cylinder, rectangular, quadrilateral, trapezoid, oval, circular, square, or any combination thereof). The flexible sheet 1 10 can be formed into the shape by bringing together the opposite lateral sides, for example, the first side edge 142a and the second side edge 142b, as shown by the arrows. Forming the flexible sheet 1 10 into the shape can have at least a first bend 168a, a second bend 168b, a third bend 168c, a fourth bend 168d, or any combination thereof. The bends 168 can be formed by a form structure placed within the flexible sheet 110 and/ or can be done manually. The bends 168 can be at right angles, acute angles, obtuse angles, curved, or any combination thereof. The first side edge 142a and the second side edge 142b can overlap when the first side edge 142a and the second side edge 142b are brought together. The overlap can have an overlap width.

[0049] Then the first side edge 142a and the second side edge 142b can be pressed to contact each other. Then the first side edge 142a and the second side edge 142b can be sealed to each other along a single, side seam 114. The side seam width 1 15 can be greater than, equal to, and/or less than the overlap width.

[0050] The seal can begin at a first longitudinal terminal end of the side edges 142 when the side edges 142 are brought together. The seal can begin at the center of the side edges 142 when the side edges 142 are brought together. The side seam 114 can be one single, continuous seal. At least a first portion of the side seam 1 14 can be sealed first, and then a second portion of the side seam 1 14 can be sealed next.

[00511 After the side seam 138 is formed, the reservoir device 100 can have a bottom opening 146. The bottom opening 146 can be rectangular, quadrilateral, trapezoid, oval, circular, square, or any combination thereof.

[0052] Figure 3a illustrates that after the side seam 1 14 is formed, at least a first bottom edge 144a and an opposing second bottom edge 144b can be brought together, as shown by the arrows. The bottom edges 144 can be brought together by bending (i.e., curling, rotating, folding) the flexible sheet 1 10. The first bottom edge 144a and the second bottom edge 144b can overlap when the first bottom edge 144a and the second bottom edge 144b are brought together. The overlap can have a bottom overlap width.

[0053] Then, the first bottom edge 144a and the second bottom edge 144b can be pressed to contact each other. Then, the first bottom edge 144a and the second bottom edge 144b can be sealed to each other along a single, bottom seam 138. The bottom seam width can be greater than, equal to, and/or less than the bottom overlap width.

[0054] The length of the bottom seam 138 can be greater to, less than, and/or equal to the reservoir bottom width 122, the reservoir bottom outside 130, or the reservoir bottom inside 132. The bottom seam 138 can begin at one terminal end of the bottom edges 144 when the bottom edges 144 are brought together. The seam can begin at the center of the bottom edges 144 when the bottom edges 144 are brought together. The bottom seam 138 can be one single, continuous seal. At least a first portion of the bottom seam 138 can be sealed first, and then a second portion of the bottom seam 138 can be sealed next (i.e., a non-continuous seal).

[0055] The bottom seam 138 can be formed across the terminal end of the side seam 1 14. The terminal end of the side seam 114 can contact the first bottom edge 144a and/or the second bottom edge 144b, for example, at the center of the first bottom edge 144a and/or the second bottom edge 144b.

[0056] Figure 3b illustrates that after the opposite lateral side edges 142 are sealed to each other to form the side seam 1 14 and after the opposite lateral bottom edges 144 are sealed to each other to form the bottom seam 138, at least a first bottom corner opening 148a and a second bottom corner opening 148b can be formed. The bottom corner openings 148 can have a corner opening width 150 and a corner opening length 152. The corner opening width 150 can be equal to, less than, or greater than the corner opening length 152. The corner opening width 150 can be from about 0.1 cm to about 2.5 cm, more narrowly from about 0.1 cm and about 0.8 cm, for example about 0.1 cm, about 0.2 cm, about 0.3 cm, about 0.4 cm, about 0.5 cm, about 0.6cm, about 0.7 cm, or about 0.8 cm. The corner opening length 152 can be between about 0.1 cm and about 2.5cm, more narrowly, between about 0.1 cm and about 0.8 cm, for example, about 0.1 cm, about 0.2 cm, about 0.3 cm, about 0.4 cm, about 0.5 cm, about 0.6 cm, about 0.7 cm, or about 0.8 cm.

[0057] Figure 3c illustrates that that the reservoir device 100 can have at least a first bottom corner edge 154a and a second bottom corner edge 154b. The reservoir device 100 can have the first bottom corner opening 148a and the second bottom corner opening 148b.

[0058] The bottom corner edges 154 can be perpendicular to the bottom seam 138. The bottom corner edges 154 can be parallel to one another.

[0059] The bottom corner openings 148 can be triangular, square, circular, rectangular, oval, or any combination thereof. For example, the bottom corner openings 148 can be an acute isosceles triangle, an obtuse isosceles triangle, a right-angled triangle, an equilateral triangle, or any combination thereof.

[0060] Figure 4a illustrates that the side seam 114 and the bottom seam 138 can be one continuous, single seam.

[0061] Figure 4b illustrates that the side seam 1 14 and the bottom seam 138 can be one or more seams. The first bottom corner opening 148a can allow instrumentation to access the inside of the reservoir 1 18. The first bottom corner opening 148a can be sealed at a different time than the side seam 1 14 and/or the bottom seam 138.

[0062] Figure 5 illustrates that after the bottom seam 138 is formed, at least a first bottom corner edge seam 156a and a second bottom comer edge seam 156b can be formed. The bottom corner edge seams 156 can be formed at the terminal ends of the bottom seam 138. The bottom corner edge seams 156 can be formed by, for example, pinch welding (e.g., toothpaste tube) the bottom corner edges 154 of the flexible sheet 110. For example, the first bottom corner edge 154a can attach and/or move toward a terminal end of the bottom seam 138 to form the first bottom corner edge seam 156a. The bottom seam 138, the first bottom corner edge seam 156a, and/or the second bottom corner edge seam 156b can form an H-Seam 158 (e.g., H- Weld Bottom, H-Seal). The H-seam 158 can be within the perimeter of the reservoir bottom 1 16. The bottom seam 138 and the first bottom corner edge seam 156a can form a T-Seam.

[0063] The first bottom comer edge seam 156a can have a first extra flexible sheet material 157a. The second bottom corner edge seam 156b can have a second extra flexible sheet material 157b.The extra flexible sheet materials 157 forming the bottom comer edge seams 156 can extend out from the reservoir 1 18 (as shown in Figure 5). The extra flexible sheet materials 157 can extend inward into the reservoir 1 18 (as shown in Figure 9c, among elsewhere). The extra flexible sheet materials 157 can be located on the side of the reservoir 1 18 and/or on the reservoir bottom 116. The extra flexible sheet materials can be a triangle, square, semicircle, rectangle, circle, oval, quadrilateral, or any combination thereof. The extra flexible sheet materials 157 can point to the reservoir top 106 and/or the reservoir 1 18 midline. The extra flexible sheet materials 157 can have an extra flexible sheet material longitudinal axis. The extra flexible sheet material longitudinal axis can intersect with one another, the reservoir longitudinal axis 102, the reservoir lateral axis 104, or any combination thereof. The extra flexible sheet material longitudinal axis can be parallel with one another, the reservoir longitudinal axis 102, the reservoir lateral axis 104, or any combination thereof.

[0064] Figure 6 illustrates that the reservoir 1 18 can be turned inside out through the reservoir device top 106, for example before or after the bottom comer edge seams are pinch welded. Once everted, the bottom comer edge seams 156 can be formed, for example, at the opposite terminal ends of the bottom seam 138. The bottom corner edge seams 156 can completely close the bottom of the reservoir 118. If the bottom comer edge seams 156 are formed when the reservoir 1 18 is everted, the bottom corner edge seams 156 can have a smooth exterior when the reservoir 1 18 is right side out.

[0065] Figure 7 illustrates that after the H-seal is formed, the bottom of the reservoir 1 18 can be closed to fluid flow. A first terminal end of the bottom seam 138 can attach to a portion of the edge (e.g. , perimeter) of the first bottom corner edge seam 156a. A second terminal end of the bottom seam 138 can attach to a portion of the edge of the second bottom corner edge seam 156b. A first terminal end of the bottom seam 138 can attach within the perimeter of the first bottom corner edge seam 156a. A second terminal end of the bottom seam 138 can attach within the perimeter of the second bottom corner edge seam 156b.

[0066] Figure 8 illustrates that at least a first corner cup 160a and a second comer cup 160b (e.g., cup) can be attached, as shown by arrows, to the terminal end of the bottom seam 138 and/or the terminal end of the side seam 114 closest to the bottom seam 138. The corner cup seams can be formed around the perimeters of the corner cups 160 where the corner cups 160 contact the reservoir 1 18, the side seam 114, the bottom seam 138, or any combination thereof. The comer cups 160 can close the reservoir 1 18 between the side seam 114 and the bottom seam 138. The comer cups 160 can cover the bottom corner openings 148. The comer cups 160 can overlap with the bottom seam 138, the side seam 1 14, a terminal end of the bottom seam 138, a terminal ends of the side seam 1 14, or any combination thereof. The comer cups 160 can be attached to the exterior of the reservoir 1 18 and/or the interior of the reservoir 118. The comer cups 160 can be curved, straight, flat, depressed, cone-shaped, or any combination thereof.

[0067] Figures 9a to 9c illustrate that the H-seal can be formed at the bottom of a cylindrical tube of pre-formed material (i.e., without a side seal). The bottom comer edge seams 156 can have a terminal end extending inward in the reservoir 1 18. The bottom corner edge seams 156 can have a terminal end parallel to the reservoir longitudinal axis 102, the reservoir bottom lateral axis 136, or any combination thereof. The bottom comer edge seams 156 can have a terminal end on the side of the reservoir 118. The bottom comer edge seams 156 can have a terminal end extending outward away from the reservoir 118. The terminal end of the bottom corner edge seams 156 can be a angle, square, rectangle, circle, oval, quadrilateral, or any combination thereof. [0068] Figure 9c illustrates that the reservoir 1 18 can have a flat bottom, for example, to stand the reservoir device 100 vertically. The opening of the reservoir device top 106 can be parallel with the surface (e.g., a table top, the ground, or a floor) on which the reservoir device 100 can be standing.

[0069] Figures 10a and 10b illustrate that the reservoir 1 18 can be detachably attached to a slider 164. The slider 164 can be attached to the reservoir device top 106. The slider 164 can have at least a first slider opening 166a, a second slider opening 166b, a third slider opening 166c, or any combination thereof. The slider 164 can closeably open the top of the reservoir 1 18.

[0070] Any seam described in this application can be formed by welding, pinch welding, attaching corner cups 160, sealing corner cups 160, pick welding, RF welding, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, frequency welding, use of adhesives, or any combination thereof. For example, any seam may be formed by the methods as described in figure 5, figure 6, figure 7, figure 8, or any combination thereof.

[0071] The terms "seal" and "seam" are used interchangeably herein.

[0072] Any element of the reservoir device 100 can be made from, for example, polyethylene, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) or low density polyethylene (LDPE) (e.g., linear LDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE),

polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal resin, polytrioxane and polyformaldehyde (e.g., Delrin by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE), Nylon, a synthetic microfiber insulation (e.g., PrimaLoft, as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,588,635; 4,681,789; 4,992,327; 5,043,207; 5,798,166 which are all incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, and Thinsulate™, from 3M of St. Paul. MN) and/or natural insulation-specific (e.g., down) material, Nylon, TPU-film, TPU-backed Nylon sheets (e.g., Nylon fabric with TPU film laminated to the fabric), or combinations thereof.

[0073] International Application No. PCT/US2013/029429, filed March 6, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/607,507, filed March 6, 2012, 61/658,562, filed June 12, 2012, 61/668,918, filed July 6, 2012; and U.S. Patent No. 8,043,005, filed on June 2, 2006, are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. [0074] It is apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to this disclosure, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Elements of systems, devices and methods shown with any embodiment are exemplary for the specific embodiment and can be used in combination or othenvise on other embodiments within this disclosure.

Claims

We claim:

L A method of making a reservoir comprising:

forming a side seal extending along the side of the reservoir;

forming a bottom seal along the bottom of the reservoir, wherein the side seal is in contact with the bottom seal;

forming a first edge seal at a first terminal end of the bottom seal; and

forming a second edge seal at a second terminal end of the bottom seal. 2. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the side seal is straight. 3. The method of Claim 1, wherein the bottom seal is straight. 4. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the first edge seal is straight. 5. The method of Claim 4, wherein the second edge seal is straight. 6. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the first edge seal is perpendicular to the bottom seal. 7. The method of Claim 6, wherein the second edge seal is perpendicular to the bottom seal. 8. The method of Claim 1, wherein the second edge seal is parallel to the first edge seal. 9. The method of Claim 1, further comprising attaching a first cup to the first terminal end of the bottom seal, and wherein attaching the first cup comprises forming the first edge seal between the first cup and the bottom seal. 10. The method of Claim 9, further comprising attaching a second cup to the second terminal end of the bottom seal, and wherein attaching the second cup comprises forming the second edge seal between the second cup and the bottom seal.

1 1. The method of Claim 1, further comprising forming a flexible sheet of material into a cylindrical tube shape, and then pressing a first length of the terminal side edges of the flexible sheet against each other before forming the side seal, and pressing a second length of the bottom edge of the flexible sheet to contact itself before forming the bottom seal. 12. A reservoir device comprising:

a reservoir comprising a flexible sheet having a side seal along the side of the flexible sheet, and having an H-seal at the bottom of the flexible sheet. 13. The device of Claim 12, further comprising a drinking tube detachably connected to the reservoir. 14. The device of claim 12, further comprising a reservoir device top. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the flexible sheet comprises a top seal located at the top of the flexible sheet, wherein the top seal is configured to attach the reservoir device top with the flexible sheet. 16. The device of claim 12, wherein the H-seal comprises a first bottom corner edge seal and a bottom seal. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the first bottom corner edge seal is configured to attach to a terminal end of the bottom seal. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the first bottom corner edge seal is perpendicular to the bottom seal. 19. A reservoir device comprising:

a flexible sheet having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first bottom edge, a second bottom edge, a first bottom corner edge, a side seam, a first bottom corner edge seam, and a bottom seam, wherein the side seam is formed where the first side edge attaches to the second side edge, wherein the bottom seam is formed where the first bottom edge attaches to the second bottom edge, and wherein the first bottom corner edge seam is formed where the first bottom corner edge attaches to a terminal end of the bottom seam; and

a reservoir device top attached to the flexible sheet, wherein the reservoir device top is on the opposite side of the bottom seam. 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the bottom seam is perpendicular to the side seam. 21. The device of claim 19, wherein the bottom seam is perpendicular to the first bottom corner edge seam.