Flexible container
A container for holding and delivering liquids is disclosed. A method of making the same is disclosed. The container can have a molded container top, a molded container bottom, a flexible film reservoir, and a handle extending from the container top to the container bottom. The reservoir can be laterally exposed around the entire circumference of the reservoir along a part of the longitudinal length of the reservoir. A thermally insulated reservoir system is disclosed. The reservoir system can have a bag having a multi-layered bag wall. The bag wall can have a first layer sealed to a second layer. The volume defined between the first layer and the second layer can be partially or completely filled with a fluid insulator, such as air or saline solution. The volume defined between the first layer and the second layer can also or alternately be partially or completely filled with a solid insulator, such as a matted fiber layer.
1. A flexible container device comprising:
a rigid container top; and
a flexible reservoir panel having a first layer, a second layer and a third layer,
wherein at least a portion of the flexible reservoir panel forms a side and a bottom of the flexible container device,
wherein the flexible reservoir panel has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end forms at least a portion of the bottom of the flexible container device, wherein the first end is attached to the rigid container top,
wherein at least a portion of the second end has a seam,
wherein the flexible reservoir panel has a cross-sectional dimension that tapers from a first dimension to a second dimension less than first dimension, wherein the second dimension is closer to the seam than the first dimension,
wherein the second layer has a lower density than the first layer and/or the third layer,
wherein at least a portion of the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer, and
wherein the flexible reservoir panel is collapsible.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the rigid container top comprises a polyurethane section having a hardness from about 92 shore-A durometer to about 97 shore-A durometer and wherein the flexible reservoir panel is attached to the rigid container top at the polyurethane section.
3. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cap removeably attached to the rigid container top, wherein the cap comprises a bite nozzle configured to prevent fluid flow through the bite nozzle when in a closed configuration.
4. A flexible container device comprising:
a rigid container top;
a rigid container bottom;
a flexible reservoir panel having a first open end and a second open end, wherein the flexible reservoir panel is attached at the first open end to the rigid container top, and wherein the flexible reservoir panel is attached at the second open end to the rigid container bottom, and wherein the flexible reservoir panel is collapsible and is attached to itself at a seam, wherein the rigid container top and the rigid container bottom have a hardness from about 1.20 times to about 1.03 times the hardness of the flexible reservoir panel; and
a rigid intermediate ring attached to the flexible reservoir panel, wherein the rigid container top is configured to releasably couple to the rigid container bottom when the rigid intermediate ring snaps or fits into the rigid container bottom.
5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a rigid container bottom having a hardness from about 90 shore-A durometer to about 100 shore-A durometer.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible reservoir panel has a hardness from about 83 shore-A durometer to about 87 shore-A durometer.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the seam is welded by a lap weld.
8. The device of claim 4 , wherein the rigid container top comprises a polyurethane section having a hardness from about 92 shore-A durometer to about 97 shore-A durometer and wherein the flexible reservoir panel is attached to the rigid container top at the polyurethane section.
9. The device of claim 4 , further comprising a cap removably attached to the rigid container top, wherein the cap comprises a bite nozzle configured to prevent fluid flow through the bite nozzle when in a closed configuration.
10. A flexible container device comprising:
a rigid container top;
a rigid container bottom;
a flexible reservoir panel having a first open end and a second open end, wherein the flexible reservoir panel is attached at the first open end to the rigid container top, and wherein the flexible reservoir panel is attached at the second open end to the rigid container bottom, and wherein the flexible reservoir panel is collapsible and is attached to itself at a seam, wherein the rigid container top and the rigid container bottom have a hardness from about 1.20 times to about 1.03 times the hardness of the flexible reservoir panel;
a rigid intermediate ring attached to the flexible reservoir panel, wherein the rigid container top is configured to releasably couple to the rigid container bottom when the rigid intermediate ring snaps or fits into the rigid container bottom; and
a cap removably attached to the rigid container top, wherein the cap comprises a bite nozzle configured to prevent fluid flow through the bit nozzle when in a closed configuration.
11. The device of claim 4 , wherein the rigid container bottom has a hardness from about 90 shore-A durometer to about 100 shore-A durometer.
12. The device of claim 10 , further comprising:
a handle extending from at least one of the rigid container top and the rigid container bottom, wherein the handle is not attached to the flexible reservoir panel.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the handle is integrated with the rigid container top.
14. The device of claim 12 , wherein the handle is flexible and length adjustable.
15. The device of claim 12 , wherein the rigid container top comprises a polyurethane section having a hardness from about 92 shore-A durometer to about 97 shore-A durometer and wherein the flexible reservoir panel is attached to the rigid container top at the polyurethane section.
16. The device of claim 1 , wherein the seam comprises a weld or a gusset, wherein the second layer comprises an insulative material, and wherein the rigid container top has a hardness from about 1.20 times to about 1.03 times the hardness of the flexible reservoir panel.
17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the second layer is attached to the first layer and/or the third layer, and wherein at least a portion of one, two, or three edges of the flexible reservoir wall have a weld zone.
18. The device of claim 17 , wherein the first layer and/or the third layer comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane material.
19. The device of claim 18 , wherein the rigid container top is configured to releasably couple to the second end of the flexible reservoir panel when the flexible container device is in a collapsed configuration.
20. The device of claim 19 , wherein the second end of the flexible reservoir panel comprises a snap hub and the rigid container top comprises a snap arm, wherein the snap arm is configured to releasably snap fit against the snap hub when the flexible container device is in the collapsed configuration.