Abstract:
A portable, pressurized liquid storage system comprises a pliable and collapsible liquid reservoir including a fill pipe and a first valve disposed in the fill pipe; a pump operably connected to the reservoir; an outlet pipe including a second valve operably connected to the pump for connecting to a liquid-using device; and a housing in which the reservoir and the pump are disposed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a portable liquid storage system and particularly to a portable pressurized water storage system having a pliable, collapsible reservoir that can be carried around in a bag. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable, pressurized water storage system for various applications, such as for a portable shower, irrigation, cleaning, misting, etc., in an area where fresh water is not available. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable, pressurized liquid storage system that can be conveniently carried in a bag. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable, pressurized liquid storage system that requires no air vents or relief valves for proper operation, thereby making the system liquid-tight. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable, pressurized liquid storage system that has a reservoir that is compact and pliable, and collapsible so that it occupies relatively small space when empty. 
   In summary, the present invention provides a portable, pressurized liquid storage system, comprising a pliable and collapsible reservoir including a fill pipe and a first valve disposed in the fill pipe; a pump operably connected to the reservoir; an outlet pipe including a second valve operably connected to the pump for connecting to a liquid dispensing fixture; and a housing in which the reservoir and the pump are disposed. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bag housing the components of a portable pressurized liquid storage system made in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is perspective view of the bag shown in  FIG. 1 , with the compartments opened to show the components of the system within. 
       FIG. 3  is a top cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 2 , showing a water-using fixture connected to the system. 
       FIG. 6  shows the system in a bag as it is carried around by a user. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A portable, pressurized liquid storage system embodying the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1–4 . The liquid storage system comprises a bag  4 , preferably a soft exterior bag, such as a duffel bag or a backpack, that holds the various components of the system. The bag  4  includes a main compartment  6  and two smaller end compartments  8  and  10 . Access to the main compartment  6  is provided by a closure flap  12  with a zipper closure  14  or other standard means. The closure  14  preferably traces a U-shaped pattern on the outer edge of the closure flap  12  adjacent the outer periphery of the main compartment to provide maximum opening into the interior of the main compartment. The end compartments  8  and  10  are accessed through respective zipper closures  16  and  18 , preferably U-shaped, to provide maximum access into the respective interiors of the compartments. A pair of strap handles  20  on opposite sides of the main compartment  6  are used for carrying the bag  4 . A pair of wheels  22  may be provided at one end of the bag  4  to allow the bag to be rolled about. A strap handle  24  is disposed at the other end of the bag  4  opposite the wheels  22  as a convenient handle when rolling the bag  4  on the wheels  22 . 
   A pliable and collapsible liquid storage bladder  26  is disposed within the main compartment  6 . The bladder  26  functions as a reservoir for the system. A fill pipe  28  communicates with the bladder  26 . The fill pipe  28  can be flexible, such a rubber hose, or rigid. A valve  30  and a connector  32  are provided in the fill pipe  28 . The connector  32  is used to connect to a liquid source, such as a water faucet via a garden hose, for filling the bladder  26 . The valve  30  seals off the bladder after it has been filled up. 
   A pump  34  is connected to the bladder  26  by means of a pipe  36  which protrudes through a common wall  38  between the end compartment  8  and the main compartment  6 . The pump  34  includes an electric cord  40  for connection to a power source, such as a car battery. The pump is preferably high pressure, low volume, about 3.5 gal/min, to conserve water and provide for varied applications, such as showering, irrigating plants, car washing, misting, etc. 
   An accumulator  42  may be provided to even out the output of the pump  34 . A pipe  44  connects the output of the pump  34  to the accumulator  42 . A pipe  46  is connected to the output of the accumulator  42 . A valve  48  controls the output of the liquid from the system. A connector  50  is used to connect the output of the system to a liquid-using fixture, such as a shower head, garden hose nozzle, misting device, etc. The pipe  46  extends through an opening in the common wall  38 . The pipe  56  can be flexible or rigid. While it is preferable to have the accumulator  42 , it is not necessary for the proper operation of the system. 
   The pump  34  and the accumulator  42  are disposed in the end compartment  8 . The closure  16  is advantageously configured to substantially expose the interior of the compartment to the atmosphere when the pump is operating to provide heat transfer from the pump to the atmosphere. Further, the soft pliable structure of the sides of the bag allows the compartment  8  when open to be flattened to expose the pump  34 . 
   The end compartment  10  may be used to store other items, such as a length of flexible hose, nozzle, shower head, etc. The pipe  46  extends through a common wall  52  that separates the end compartment  10  from the main compartment  6 . 
   In use, the bladder  26  is filled with liquid, such as water, by connecting the connector  32  to a faucet via a hose. The valve  30  is opened to allow water into the bladder  26 . When the bladder  26  is filled up, the valve  30  is closed and the connector  32  is disconnected from the hose. The pump  34  is then connected to an electric source, such as a battery. The pump  34  then charges the accumulator  42  to a pre-determined pressure. The connector  50  in the output pipe  46  is then connected to a water usage fixture, such as a misting device  54 , as best shown in  FIG. 5 . The valve  48  is turned on to allow water to flow to water-using device, such as the misting device  54 . A pressure cut-off switch (not shown) in the pump  34  would automatically control the on/off operation of the pump. When the pre-determined pressure is reached within the accumulator  42 , the pump  34  would turn off. As water is drawn from the accumulator  42  and the pressure decreases below the pre-determined threshold, the pump  34  would then turn on to recharge the accumulator. As water is drawn from the bladder  26 , the bladder would automatically deflate due to the vacuum created inside. When use is completed, the valve  48  is closed and the pump  34  is disconnected from its power source. The connector  50  is then disconnected from the water-using device. 
   The system is liquid and air-tight so that it can be operated at any position, such as standing upright, lying on its side, upside down, etc., without spilling liquid or causing pump cavitations. With the use of a pliable and collapsible bladder  26 , air vents or relief valves are not necessary for proper pump operation. Without a relief valve, the risk of spillage during transportation or use is also minimized. Further, the bladder  26  provides for a lower center of gravity so that the bag  4  does not have to be mounted to anything, since it would not fall over or roll around. Unlike hard containers which are bulky and top-heavy when full, tending to fall over during transportation, and occupies space even when empty, the bladder  26  when empty is compact, freeing up space in the bag  4  to carry other items and even when full tends to occupy less space and has a lower center of gravity, minimizing shifting when being transported. When the system is transported around, the bladder  26  would tend to seek a lower center of gravity, allowing for easy handling, as for example shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.