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.

Abstract: Disclosed fluid reservoirs include closure mechanisms for sealing an upper opening of the reservoir. The reservoir can have plates adjacent the upper opening. When the upper end of the reservoir is folded, the plates can be positioned on opposite sides, and a closure frame can be slid over the plates to pressure them together. The plates can have pins that engage with slots in the closure frame, and a separate closure lock can be slid over the end of the closure frame to prevent the pins from exiting the slots. The plates can also bias the opening open when the closure is not engaged. Also disclosed are flexible fluid reservoirs that include structural elements, such as baffles, that help retain a desired shape of the reservoir when filled or empty. Some baffles can be elastically deformable to allow flattening and expansion of the bladder while biasing toward a neutral position.

Abstract: Disclosed fluid reservoirs include closure mechanisms for sealing an upper opening of the reservoir. The reservoir can have plates adjacent the upper opening. When the upper end of the reservoir is folded, the plates can be positioned on opposite sides, and a closure frame can be slid over the plates to pressure them together. The plates can have pins that engage with slots in the closure frame, and a separate closure lock can be slid over the end of the closure frame to prevent the pins from exiting the slots. The plates can also bias the opening open when the closure is not engaged. Also disclosed are flexible fluid reservoirs that include structural elements, such as baffles, that help retain a desired shape of the reservoir when filled or empty. Some baffles can be elastically deformable to allow flattening and expansion of the bladder while biasing toward a neutral position.

Abstract: A bite valve retention system can comprise a base comprising a pivot portion and one or more side portions, wherein the one or more side portions are configured to receive a portion of a strap; and a retention element comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is pivotably coupled to the pivot portion of the base such that the retention element pivots around an axis perpendicular to the pivot portion, and the second portion comprises a first coupling mechanism and extends from the first portion along an outer surface of the base; wherein the first coupling mechanism is configured to allow the retention element to couple and decouple from a second coupling mechanism disposed on an outer surface of a bite valve.

Abstract: Disclosed fluid reservoirs include closure mechanisms for sealing an upper opening of the reservoir. The reservoir can have plates adjacent the upper opening. When the upper end of the reservoir is folded, the plates can be positioned on opposite sides, and a closure frame can be slid over the plates to pressure them together. The plates can have pins that engage with slots in the closure frame, and a separate closure lock can be slid over the end of the closure frame to prevent the pins from exiting the slots. The plates can also bias the opening open when the closure is not engaged. Also disclosed are flexible fluid reservoirs that include structural elements, such as baffles, that help retain a desired shape of the reservoir when filled or empty. Some baffles can be elastically deformable to allow flattening and expansion of the bladder while biasing toward a neutral position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of hydration bladders that include flexible wall portions along with relatively more rigid structural portions that are shaped to help define the shape of the bladder and can also help a user grip and manipulate the bladder. The structural portions can also support or incorporate other bladder features, such as inlet ports, caps, outlet ports, valves, tubes, attachment points, graphic designs, and/or other features. Some embodiments include an outlet tube that is retractable and extendable through an upper port at the top of the bladder.

Abstract: A bite valve retention system can comprise a base comprising a pivot portion and one or more side portions, wherein the one or more side portions are configured to receive a portion of a strap; and a retention element comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is pivotably coupled to the pivot portion of the base such that the retention element pivots around an axis perpendicular to the pivot portion, and the second portion comprises a first coupling mechanism and extends from the first portion along an outer surface of the base; wherein the first coupling mechanism is configured to allow the retention element to couple and decouple from a second coupling mechanism disposed on an outer surface of a bite valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing, a collar, a sheath fixedly coupled to the collar, and a stem assembly. The collar and the sheath can be axially moveable relative to the housing between a first position, a second position, and a third position. In the first position, a fluid inside a lumen of the housing can be blocked from flowing into a lumen of the collar. In the second position, the fluid inside the lumen of the housing can flow through the lumen of the collar and into a chamber of the sheath. The fluid can be retained therein or flow out of the sheath through an aperture when the sheath is selectively deformed. In the third position, the fluid inside the lumen of the housing can flow through the lumen of the collar and the chamber, and then flow out of the sheath unobstructed through the aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of hydration bladders that include flexible wall portions along with relatively more rigid structural portions that are shaped to help define the shape of the bladder and can also help a user grip and manipulate the bladder. The structural portions can also support or incorporate other bladder features, such as inlet ports, caps, outlet ports, valves, tubes, attachment points, graphic designs, and/or other features. Some embodiments include an outlet tube that is retractable and extendable through an upper port at the top of the bladder.

Abstract: A fluid container can comprise a flexible bladder having an internal region for storing a fluid, a bladder opening at an upper end portion of the bladder for allowing passage of fluid in or out of the internal region, a lower rigid member secured to an outer surface of the bladder at a lower end portion of the bladder, an upper closure secured to the bladder over the bladder opening for selectively closing and opening the bladder opening, and a rigid, removable handle, wherein the handle has an upper end portion that is detachably coupled to the upper closure and a lower end portion that is detachably coupled to the lower rigid member.

Abstract: Some disclosed bladder closures comprise a first rigid member adapted to be secured to a first side of a bladder opening and a second rigid member adapted to be secured to a second side of the bladder opening opposite from the first side. At least one fastener is included for clamping the first and second rigid members together to seal the bladder opening. The fastener is rotatably mounted in the first rigid member and comprises a latch positioned on an outer side of the first rigid member, a shaft that passes through the first rigid member, and at least one tab that engages with a portion of the second rigid member when the latch is rotated. The latch pivots at least partially around the shaft to engage with a projection of the second rigid member that extends through a hole in the first rigid member to lock the fastener in place.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fluid bladders that include a port and a port closure, a handle, and/or other components. Some disclosed closures can be configured to provide at least two different sized openings for accessing the reservoir, as well as providing a sealing and/or locking mechanism to close the port and seal the port. Exemplary closures comprising a base defining a fill port and mounted to a wall of the bladder, a first cap component that is attached to the base, and a second cap component (e.g., a lid) that is attachable and detachable (via threaded engagement, a pivoting snap fit, or otherwise) to the first cap component. The base can be fixed (e.g., welded) to the bladder to cover the bladder wall opening and provide a second, rigid opening, or port.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of bottle caps that comprise a rigid body configured to be secured to an opening of a bottle, a multi-position valve coupled to the body for regulating fluid flow through the cap, and a lid coupled to the body that can cover the valve. The cap can be adjustable between at least a closed position, a selectively open position, and a fully open position. In the closed position, the lid covers the multi-position valve and fluid flow through the multi-position valve is prevented. In the selectively open position, the lid is uncovered from the multi-position valve and the multi-position valve is operable to open to allow fluid flow when a flexible portion of the multi-position valve is squeezed by a user. In the fully open position, the lid is uncovered from the multi-position valve and fluid can flow freely through the multi-position valve.

Abstract: A fluid container can comprise a flexible bladder having an internal region for storing a fluid, a bladder opening at an upper end portion of the bladder for allowing passage of fluid in or out of the internal region, a lower rigid member secured to an outer surface of the bladder at a lower end portion of the bladder, an upper closure secured to the bladder over the bladder opening for selectively closing and opening the bladder opening, and a rigid, removable handle, wherein the handle has an upper end portion that is detachably coupled to the upper closure and a lower end portion that is detachably coupled to the lower rigid member.

Abstract: Disclosed flexible fluid reservoirs include a front sheet and a rear sheet that are sealed around their mutual perimeters to form a bladder, and include at least one fluid port in an upper portion of the front sheet. The reservoirs can include rigid structural portions in combination with flexible bladder wall portions to provide increased stiffness in desired portions of the reservoirs. Some disclosed reservoirs include a rigid spout portion that is coupled to the front bladder wall and forms the upper fluid port. Such rigid spout portions can provide a gripping portion to hold and manipulate the reservoir, can provide an enlarged surface area that connects to the bladder wall to distribute forces applied between the bladder and the spout portion, can provide a desired size, shape and orientation of the port, can help counteract torque applied while twisting the cap, and/or can help shape and flatten the bladder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of multi-position valves, such as for drinking from a portable fluid container. Disclosed valves allow for manual actuation of the valve between three or more positions, including a closed position, a selectively open position where a user can obtain fluid through the valve by selectively actuating a bite valve, and a fully open position where the bite valve is disengaged to permit free flow of fluid through the valve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fluid bladders that include a port and a port closure, a handle, and/or other components. Some disclosed closures can be configured to provide at least two different sized openings for accessing the reservoir, as well as providing a sealing and/or locking mechanism to close the port and seal the port. Exemplary closures comprising a base defining a fill port and mounted to a wall of the bladder, a first cap component that is attached to the base, and a second cap component (e.g., a lid) that is attachable and detachable (via threaded engagement, a pivoting snap fit, or otherwise) to the first cap component. The base can be fixed (e.g., welded) to the bladder to cover the bladder wall opening and provide a second, rigid opening, or port.

Abstract: A drink bottle for fluid replenishment is described featuring multiple ports to access the bottle's contents. The drink bottle features a screw-on closure that when removed offers access to the bottle's entire top port. The closure itself includes a mouthpiece port and a fill/pour port. The drink bottle closure is constructed in such a way as to protect its multiple ports from the environment when they are not in use.

Abstract: Disclosed valves for drinking from a portable fluid container allow for manual actuation of the valve between an open configuration that permits fluid flow and a closed configuration that substantially prevents fluid flow. Disclosed valves comprise a valve housing having inner bore fluidly coupled to an inflow channel and an outflow channel that are angled with respect to one another, and a reciprocating valve member that is adjustably positioned partially within the bore to open and close the fluid flow pathway through the bore from the inflow channel to the outflow channel. The reciprocating valve member is shaped such that it can prevent fluid flow when fully inserted within the bore to a closed configuration, and can allow fluid flow when the valve member is retracted from this closed position by a relatively short distance to an open configuration.

Abstract: Some disclosed bladder closures comprise a first rigid member adapted to be secured to a first side of a bladder opening and a second rigid member adapted to be secured to a second side of the bladder opening opposite from the first side. At least one fastener is included for clamping the first and second rigid members together to seal the bladder opening. The fastener is rotatably mounted in the first rigid member and comprises a latch positioned on an outer side of the first rigid member, a shaft that passes through the first rigid member, and at least one tab that engages with a portion of the second rigid member when the latch is rotated. The latch pivots at least partially around the shaft to engage with a projection of the second rigid member that extends through a hole in the first rigid member to lock the fastener in place.