Reservoir system and method

Abstract

A reservoir system for preserving the chemical stability and, therefore, the flavor of fluids is disclosed. The reservoir system can include a bag having a lining around a reservoir. The reservoir can have a reservoir port. The reservoir system can have a screw cap with a port for receiving a nozzle. The screw cap can be attached to the reservoir port. The nozzle can sealably attach to the cap. The nozzle can also sealably attach to a hose. The reservoir port and reservoir can be configured to maximize drainage of the reservoir, for example when the reservoir is turned reservoir port-side-down.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to the field of fluid reservoirs for fluid transport and dispensing.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Light weight, resealable bags are used increasingly in sporting activities, such as hiking, biking, and snow sport activities like skiing and snowboarding. Limited access to the interior of typical bags makes cleaning more difficult and increases the potential for unclean and unsanitary bags. Once liquids placed in the bags are consumed, the remaining deposits encourage the growth of bacteria and mold. The more deposits left behind, the more likely such growths will leave stains on the bag, the bag may retain odors, or taint any other fluids subsequently introduced into the bag, and create health risks. Regular and thorough cleaning of the inside of the reservoir is critical, as is the maximum drainage of the fluid contents.[0005]Typical personal reservoir systems have large filling por...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent text describes three refillable reservoir systems for fluid transport and dispensing. These systems have a container with a reservoir opening and a closure member that can be attached to a fluid channel or an ultra-stable material. The closure member can be made of a soft material, such as silicone or resilient, and can be attached to the container or a reinforcement element around the reservoir opening. The reservoir system can also have a neck that tapers to the reservoir port, which allows for easier attachment of a fluid channel. The technical effects of these systems include improved durability, flexibility, and ease of use for fluid transport and dispensing applications."

Problems solved by technology

Limited access to the interior of typical bags makes cleaning more difficult and increases the potential for unclean and unsanitary bags.

The more deposits left behind, the more likely such growths will leave stains on the bag, the bag may retain odors, or taint any other fluids subsequently introduced into the bag, and create health risks.

The filling ports are often spaced from the periphery of the reservoir, resulting in large amounts of the fluid contents being left in the reservoir when the reservoir is “turned over” to empty the remaining contents.

This rectangular shape also fails to direct the remaining fluid contents to the filling ports during emptying and cleaning of the typical reservoir system.

Because manufacturers desire a material that performs well structurally and is easy to manufacture, these materials commonly leech into the fluid contents of the reservoir, resulting in an undesirable “plastic” taste of the fluid.

Having multiple ports in the reservoir systems increases manufacturing steps, and therefore manufacturing costs.

Multiple ports also increase the complexity of the reservoir system, thereby reducing user enjoyment and expense of manufacture.

Having multiple ports also increases likely failure points since each exiting port from the reservoir inherently has some connection that may be weaker than the surrounding material and / or increases stresses on the surrounding material.

Images