Flexible fluid vessel and related methods

Abstract

An apparatus for receiving a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an at least partially flexible vessel. The vessel includes a top wall and a plurality of sidewalls, a first of said sidewalls having a first length in a first plane that is greater than a second length of the second, generally orthogonal sidewall in the first plane, and a bottom wall depending from the at least two sidewalls. The vessel may have a generally rectangular cross section, and may include a depending portion. The vessel may be at least partially rigid. Related methods are also disclosed.

1 . An apparatus for receiving a fluid, comprising:
 an at least partially flexible vessel including a top wall and a plurality of sidewalls, a first of said sidewalls having a first length in a first plane that is greater than a second length of the second, generally orthogonal sidewall in the first plane, and a bottom wall depending from the at least two sidewalls.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel comprises a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel comprises a generally continuous rectangular cross-section from the top wall to the bottom wall. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the area of the cross-section generally decreases continuously from a lowermost portion of the sidewalls to a vertex of the bottom wall. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall of the vessel is flexible. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall of the vessel is rigid. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall of the flexible vessel comprises at least two generally triangular panels and at least two generally trapezoidal panels. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall comprises at least four generally triangular panels. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom wall comprises at least four generally trapezoidal panels. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall comprises a central region including a generally flat upper surface. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the central region is formed by a rigid portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the rigid portion includes at least one port. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the rigid portion is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel includes a bottom weld for connecting at least part of the bottom wall to at least one of the sidewalls, wherein the bottom weld forms an angle of less than 45 degrees relative to the sidewall in at least a folded state. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel includes a bottom K weld that is less than 45 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the vessel includes a top K weld that is 45 degrees or more. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel in a folded condition includes a side comprising a first length of a bottom portion, an intermediate portion having a second length, and a third length of a top portion, wherein the first length is greater than the third length. 
     
     
         19 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus for receiving a fluid, comprising a vessel in the form of a bag having a top K weld, Θ, and a bottom K weld, β, wherein Θ>β. 
     
     
         30 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method of forming a vessel for receiving a fluid, comprising:
 forming a depending portion of the vessel by connecting a first panel of film adapted to form a bottom of the vessel to a second panel of film also adapted to form the bottom of the vessel at an angle of less than 45 degrees.   
     
     
         41 .- 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the vessel includes a top K weld having an angle that is greater than the angle of the bottom weld.