ARTICULATING CLOSURE FOR FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS

Abstract

This application describes articulating closures for flexible containers, such as fluid bladders, that have an open end between two flexible walls. Disclosed closures can comprise articulating opposing arms that lock together in a flattened configuration to seal an end opening of a flexible container. The disclosed closures can include four or more rigid arms that are linked together at their ends via pivoting joints to form an articulable loop so that the closure can collapse to a flattened or closed configuration to seal a container and can open to a polygonal configuration. In the closed configuration, the closures can be locked to keep the opening sealed until a user intentionally unlocks the closure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/154,956, filed Apr. 30, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/115,570, filed Feb. 12, 2015. Both provisional applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD

This application relates to the field of closures for flexible containers, such as for personal hydrations systems.

BACKGROUND

Sufficient hydration is important for replacing bodily fluids during extended periods of aerobic activity, such as cycling. Currently, several methods are known for getting fluids to a person engaged in aerobic activity and in need of fluid replenishment. In an attempt to overcome the deficiencies of water bottles, personal hydration systems have been developed that include a reservoir for holding fluid, a flexible drink tube for conveying the fluid from the reservoir to the person engaged in aerobic activity, and a mouth-operated valve attached to the end of the tube. Reservoirs for hydration systems are generally made from sheets of flexible materials that have been sealed at their edges to provide a watertight container. Soft-side reservoirs or bladders are relatively inexpensive, can be comfortably worn within in a back pack or waist pack, and withstand impact well.

Hydration system bladders typically include a closeable fill port and a drain port that connects to the drink tube. Configurations for the hydration bladder fill ports include screw cap ports welded to one side of the bladder or into the bladder seam. Another approach is to fill through an open seam at the top of the bladder and employ a zipper type or roll-top closure that seals in the fluid.

The various types of fill ports are designed meet certain needs of bladder-based hydration systems. Screw top ports offer secure, robust closing method that is familiar to users. Welding ports to the bladder material is a low-cost manufacturing method that integrates into the processes employed in forming and sealing the bladder edges. Roll and zip top closures offer a wide opening for filling and adding ice to the bladder and facilitate cleaning and drying.

Despite the capabilities of current bladder fill port designs, there remain problems associated with their use. For example, screw-ports welded to the bladder's side can be oversized to offer easier filling, but their side-facing orientation can make them difficult to fill under a faucet. Side-mounted ports can require that the bladder be removed from its hydration pack for filling. Cleaning and drying bladders made with side-mounted fill ports can be troublesome due to the size of the port opening and the tendency of the bladder sides to collapse together. Seam-welded ports can be placed at the top of the bladder, but can be more difficult to weld reliably and can become bulky when made with oversized openings. Roll and zip top closures may not seal as reliably as screw-top closures and may require extra effort to keep them opened during filling.

SUMMARY

This application describes exemplary embodiments of articulating closures for flexible containers, such as fluid bladders, that have an open end for filling, cleaning, etc. Such flexible containers often include at least one additional outlet for dispensing fluid from the container. For example, an exemplary flexible container comprises a fluid bladder having an open upper end, which is sealable by any of the disclosed articulating closures, and a lower fluid exit port that is coupled to a drink tube or the like.

The disclosed closures can comprise articulating opposing arms that lock together in a flattened configuration to seal an end opening of a fluid bladder or other flexible container. The disclosed closures can include four or more substantially rigid arms that are linked together at their ends via pivoting joints to form an articulable loop. The articulating closure formed by the pivotably linked arms can collapse to a flattened or closed configuration to seal a container and can open to an opened polygonal configuration for filling or cleaning of the flexible container. In embodiments with four arms, the four arms can form a “4-bar” mechanism comprising four substantially rigid arms that can freely articulate at all four corners/joints to move between a flattened, closed configuration where the arms are all parallel, and various open configurations.

In some embodiments, the arms can all be about the same length (e.g., forming a rhombus when opened), while other embodiments include arms of different lengths (e.g., forming a kite shape or a non-equilateral parallelogram when opened). For example, a four-arm closure can include two short arms and two long arms, four equal length arms, or four arms all having different lengths. Preferably, the arms can include two groups of arms, with each group have about the same total length, so that each group can form one side of the closure in the closed, flattened configuration. Each group of arms can have a different number of arms, such a two arms per group, three arms per group, or uneven numbers of arms in each group.

The disclosed closures can have arms that extend in three-dimensions such that the several arms are not all co-planar, while in other embodiments the arms are all substantially coplanar and they open and close within a common plane. The several pivot joints can have pivot axes that are all substantially parallel, or one or more of the pivot axes may not be parallel with the others. In any of the disclosed embodiments, the pivot joints between the arms can comprise any type of hinge mechanism, such as pinned joints, ball-and-socket joints, living hinges, flexible material regions, and/or other pivotable mechanisms.

In an open configuration, the arms can form a polygonal configuration forming a central opening. In some embodiments, the closure is removable from a flexible container when opened, while in other embodiments, the closure remains attached to at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening of the flexible container. In the latter embodiments, the closure can be used as a handle or support mechanism to hold and manipulate the container when it is open, such as during filling or cleaning operations, or to suspend or restrain the container.

The disclosed closures can seal closed an opening of a flexible container when the closure is in its closed position. In the closed positions, the disclosed closures can be locked or biased or otherwise held in the closed position and resist inadvertent opening of the closure from the closed position, which could undesirably allow the contents of the container to escape. Different embodiments can accomplish the goal of keeping the closure held in the closed position in different ways. For example, various embodiments can include one or more of the following locking/biasing mechanisms: spring clips with catches, clasps that rotate back to front to capture arms, sliders, zippers, a sliding clasp that then rotates, a clasp that rotates in the longitudinal plane, draw clamps, cam knobs, screw knobs, ratchet or catch-on hinges, snaps, friction fits, interference fits, etc. The locking/biasing feature that maintains the closure in the closed position can include features that are integrated into the rigid arms, separate components that are fixed to the arms, separate components that are mounted on the arms and articulate relative to the arms, and/or separate components that are attachable to the arms to secure them closed and can be removed entirely from the arms when not in use.

While disclosed closures provide a pinching force to close an opening of a container, additional sealing structures can be provided at the sealed location to ensure a leak proof seal. In some embodiments, the container itself can include a sealing structure, such as a tongue and groove interface on opposite sides of the opening. In some embodiments, the closure can include a sealing structure that presses on the outer sides of the flexible container opening to seal the openings. In some embodiments, additional sealing components, such as sealing plates, can be positioned between the inner surfaces of the closure and the outer surfaces of the container opening. Such sealing components can be attached to the container opening or to the closure in various embodiments. A tongue and groove sealing mechanism is just one example, and other exemplary sealing mechanisms include O-rings or other flexible elastomeric gasket-type structures, zippers or zip-lock type sealing mechanisms, structures that kink or fold the walls of the container around the opening, etc. Regardless of the type of sealing mechanism employed, the locking or biasing mechanisms of the closure can apply a pinching/compressive force that works with the sealing mechanisms to seal the opening of the container. However, in some embodiments, the locking mechanism can function independently of the sealing mechanism.

Disclosed closures can provide any one or more of the following exemplary advantages: low profile dimensions, low material volume, low weight, low cost to manufacture, opens wide for filling and cleaning the flexible container, moves between open and closed positions without disconnecting the arms at their pivot joints, open positions have a polygonal shape for maximized opening cross-sectional area, and closures can be used as a handle or holding mechanism.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed technology will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a flexible container with an articulating closure for sealing an upper opening.

FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with a locking mechanism of the closure removed.

FIG. 3 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the closure in an open configuration and the upper opening open.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 1 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 1 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the closure of FIG. 1 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 1 in an open configuration.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an exploded end view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary container having an articulating closure for sealing an upper opening.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 10 in an open configuration.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 10 in the open configuration.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 10 in a closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 10 in a closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 15 is an end view of the closure of FIG. 10 in a closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another exemplary articulating closure for sealing an upper opening of a flexible container.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 16 in an open configuration.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 16 in a closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 16 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 20 is an end view of the closure of FIG. 16 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the closure of FIG. 16.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another exemplary articulating closure for sealing an upper opening of a flexible container.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 22 in an unlocked and partially open configuration.

FIG. 24 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 22 in a closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 22 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 26 is an end view of the closure of FIG. 22 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another exemplary articulating closure for sealing an upper opening of a flexible container.

FIG. 28 is a first side view of the closure of FIG. 27 in a closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 29 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 27 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 30 is a second side view of the closure of FIG. 27 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 30A is an end view of the closure of FIG. 27 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of another exemplary articulating closure for sealing an upper opening of a flexible container.

FIG. 32 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 32 in a closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 33 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 32 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 34 is an end view of the closure of FIG. 32 in the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of another exemplary articulating closure for sealing an upper opening of a flexible container.

FIG. 36 shows a flexible container with an upper opening and the closure of FIG. 35 engaged around and sealing the upper opening.

FIG. 37 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 35 in a closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 38 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 35 is the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 39 is an end view of the closure of FIG. 35 is the closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another exemplary articulating closure for sealing an upper opening of a flexible container.

FIG. 41 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 40 in a closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 42 shows an exemplary flexible container having a lower opening with the closure of FIG. 40 secured around and sealing the lower opening closed.

FIG. 43 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary container having an articulating closure for sealing an upper opening, with sealing features included along inner walls of the bladder opening.

FIG. 44 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary container having an articulating closure for sealing an upper opening, with alternative sealing features included along inner walls of the bladder opening.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of an exemplary articulating closure that includes a handle.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of another exemplary articulating closure that includes an alternative fixed handle.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of an exemplary articulating closure that includes a handle that pivots relative to an end of one arm of the closure.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an exemplary articulating closure that includes a handle that pivots relative to arms on one side of the closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a container 2 that includes a flexible bladder 4 and an exemplary closure 10 that seals an upper opening 6 of the bladder. The bladder can comprise for example, two or more sheets of flexible polymeric material welded together around three sides and leaving the upper sides unwelded to create a collapsible bladder having the upper opening 6. The container can also optionally include an exit port 8, a drink tube 12 coupled to the exit port, and/or a mouthpiece 14 (e.g., a flexible bite valve, etc.). The closure 10 can include a fastener, or locking mechanism, (e.g., slider 16) to lock the articulable loop in the closed position with the upper opening sealed.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show perspective views of the container 2, with the closure 10 closed in FIG. 2 and open in FIG. 3. FIGS. 4-7 show various views of the closure 10 in isolation. As shown in FIG. 7, in the open position, the closure 10 generally forms a parallelogram when viewed from above. The closure 10 includes arms 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D that are connected end-to-end at pivot joints 22A, 22B, 24A, 24B. The arms 20 can all have about the same length, resulting in a rhombus or diamond shape in the open configuration. In other embodiments, the arms can have unequal lengths, with arms 20A and 20B having lengths that add up the about the same as the sum of the lengths of the arms 20C and 2D, so that in the closed position, they can lie flat against each other and seal the bladder. As shown in FIG. 5, the closure 10 can have a generally arched profile with the pivot joints 24A and 24B being elevated above pivot joints 22A and 22B. The arms 20 can be arched to create this arched profile.

FIG. 7 shows a fully open configuration, where the closure is prevented from opening any further by surfaces 26 on the ends of the arms abutting each other just inside of the joints 24. The fully open configuration can provide a maximum cross-sectional area for the opening, for example.

To lock the closure 10 is the closed position, the slider 16 is slid over the joints 24, which blocks the arms from separating and/or applies a compressive force on the arms. One or more of the arms can have a horizontal groove or ridge 32 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) that mates with corresponding ridges 30 or other features on the inside of the slider 16 to allow the slider to slide onto the arms horizontally while restricting the slider from moving vertically off of the arms. When the slider is applied, the U-shaped structure of the slider applies compressive pressure to the outer surfaces of the arms around the joints 24, sealing the opening of the bladder that is clamped between the arms.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the container 2, and FIG. 9 is an exploded end view of the container 2. The pivot joints 22 and 24 are show exploded with pivot pins 34 viewable able the pivoting end portions 36 of the arms 20. In other embodiments, the joints between the arms 20 can comprise a living hinge and/or flexible connectors. The closure 10 can also include sealing plates 40A, 40B that are coupled to the inner surfaces of the arms 20 to help seal the upper opening 6 of the bladder 4 when the closure is closed. The sealing plates 40 can include coupling features 42 on their outer surfaces that mate with complimentary coupling features 44 of arms 20. The sealing plates 40 can comprise semi-flexible material that allows the plates to flex apart from the rigid arms 20 when the closure is opened. The plates can be welded or adhered to the outer surfaces of the two outer sheets of the bladder such that the upper ends of the bladder extends above and passes over sealing features 46 and 48 on the inner surfaces of the plates. The sealing features can comprise tongue and groove type features that extend across the length of the plates, zipper type features, or other sealing features that help seal off the opening of the bladder to prevent fluid leakage when the closure is in the closed position. In other embodiments, the sealing features can be located on the inner surfaces of the bladder sheets instead of, or in addition to, on the plates 40. For example, zipper or zip-lock type sealing features can be located on the inner surfaces of the bladder sheets.

When the closure 10 is opened and the rigid arms 20 form a quadrilateral shape, the plates 40 can bow and curve away from the inner surfaces of the arms 20 at the ends of the plates beyond the coupling features 42, allowing the plates and the bladder opening to generally form a pointed oval or almond shape.

FIGS. 10-15 show another exemplary articulating closure 100 that includes spring clips 110 for compressing and locking the closure in the closed position. Each of arms 106A and 106B, which are on one side of the closure, can include spring clips 110 fixed to and projecting horizontally inwardly, and the opposing arms 106C and 106D can include openings 112 that receive the spring clips 110 when the articulable loop is in the closed position. In other embodiments, the spring clips can project in the opposite direction, such as one clip extending from arm 106A and the other from arm 106D. Or only one clip can be included on one of the arms. The spring clips 110 can include a tapered, hooked head that resiliently deflects to snap into a locked position when they pass through the openings 112. To release the spring clips, a user can pinch the heads of the clips together so that the hooks are free of the edge of the openings 112 and the heads of the spring clips 110 can release back through the openings. The closure 100 can otherwise be similar to the closure 10, including sealing plates 120, 122 welded or adhered to the outside of the bladder opening and coupled to the inside of the arms. The sealing plates can include sealing features 124, 126 in their inner surfaces that press in on the bladder sheets and seal them together when the closure is closed and the spring clips are locked.

FIGS. 16-21 show another exemplary articulating closure 200 that includes an alternative type of spring clips 210. One or more of the arms 206A-D can include spring clips 110 projecting horizontally inwardly, and the opposing arms can include cut-outs 212, over which the spring clips 210 snap into engagement when the closure is closed to apply compression to the arm and lock the articulable loop in the closed position. The spring clips 210 can include a tapered, hooked head that resiliently deflects to snap into a locked position when they pass over the cut-outs 212. To release the spring clips, a user can push up on the heads of the clips so that the hooks are free of the edge of the cut-outs 212 and the heads of the spring clips 210 can release. The closure 200 can otherwise be similar to the closures 10 and 100, including sealing plates 220, 222 welded or adhered to the outside of a bladder opening and coupled to the inside of the arms 206 via coupling features 234 and 240. The sealing plates 220, 222 can include sealing features 224, 226 on their inner surfaces that press in on the bladder sheets and seal them together when the closure is closed and the spring clips are locked.

FIGS. 22-26 show another exemplary articulating closure 300 that includes one or more rotating cam lock type fasteners 310. One or more of the arms 306A-D can mount a rotating cam lock 310. The cam locks 310 can include a handle 320 at one end and a curved engagement arm 318 that defines a curved slot 322 inside of the arm 318. When the articulating loop of arms is closed, rotating the cam lock 310 causes the engagement arm 319 to pass through an opening 312 in the opposing arm and causes a vertical post 314 in the opposing arm to enter into the curved slot 322. Continued rotation of the cam lock causes the curved arm 318 to wrap around the post and optionally project back in through a second opening 316 on the opposite side of the post from the opening 312. In so doing, the post 314 moved into an end of the slot 322 and a cam feature on the inside of the curved arm moves over the post, biasing the cam lock toward the closed position shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, maintaining compressive pressure between the two opposing groups of arms. Two opposing cam locks are illustrated, though two cam locks on the same side of the closure can be included in other embodiments, or only one cam lock can be included. Vertically oriented or other non-horizontally oriented cam locks may also be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 27-30A show another exemplary articulating closure 400 that includes a pivoting latch type closure 410. One or more of the arms 406A-D can mount a latch 410 that includes a pivot arm 420 that pivots about a horizontal axis 420 relative to the arm. As illustrated, the latch 410 is mounted on the arm 406A. The latch 410 pivots in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, causing a horizontal member 414 to swing over the top of the two groups of opposing arms. With the articulating loop in the closed position (FIGS. 28-30A), the horizontal member 414 can engage in corresponding open-topped slots 412 in the arms 406B and 406D. One or both of the slots 412 can include a slightly protruding ridge 418 at the top of the slot that locks the horizontal member 414 in the slots and causes a user to have to apply a substantial upward force on the horizontal member 414 to pop it out of the slots around the ridges 418. The end of the horizontal member 414 can optionally include or be coupled to a flange 416 that overhangs the slot 418 in the arm 406D to maintain compressive pressure between the two groups of opposing arms and to prevent the articulating loop from spreading open. Alternatively or in addition to the flange 416, the latch 410 can optionally include a secondary locking mechanism on the pivot arm 420. The end of the pivot arm 420 can project through an opening 424 in the opposing arm 406C and the pivot arm can include one or more radial projections 422 that engage with corresponding features in the opening 424 when the pivot arm is rotated to maintain compression and prevent the pivot arm from pulling back out of the opening 424 (see FIGS. 27 and 28). For example, the opening 424 can include a raised track/include ramps around the opening that engage with the projections 422 to apply a clamping force to the closure and lock the closure. Thus, the latch 410 can include dual locking features that both engage with the arms when the latch is rotated, using a single motion, to prevent the closure from opening.

FIGS. 31-34 show another exemplary articulating closure 500 that includes an alternative swinging latch 510. The arm 506D can mount a latch 510 that includes a pivot end 512 that pivots about a horizontal axis relative to the arm 506D. In some embodiments, a second such latch can be mounted on the opposite side of the closure on one of the arms 506A or 506B. As illustrated, the latch 510 is mounted on the arm 506D and pivots in a vertical plane parallel with the outer side of the arm 506D. The arms 506A and 506B on the opposite side of the articulating loop from the latch 510 can include projecting catches 516, 520 that extend through openings 530, 532 in the opposing arms 506C and 506D, and the latch 510 can pivot down to engage with the catches 516, 520 on the outer sides of the arms 506C and 506D. The latch 510 can include a first engagement portion 514 that engages the catch 516 and a second engagement portion 518 that engages the catch 520. The latch 510 can optionally also include an outwardly protruding or arched portion 522 that extends around the hinge between the arms 506C and 506D, and the arched portion 522 can be used as a location for a user to apply upward force on the latch 510 to unlock the latch. The latch 510 can block the catches 516, 520 from moving back out of the openings 530, 532 to prevent the articulating loop from opening and the snug fit between the latch and the catches can apply a compressive force between the two opposing groups of arms to seal an opening in a flexible container.

FIGS. 35-39 show another exemplary articulating closure 600 that includes four arms 606A-D forming an articulating loop and a slider lock fastener 610 to lock the arms in the closed position and apply a compressive force. The arms are offset vertically, with the arms 606A and 606C at one end being positioned below the arms 606B and 606D at the other end. Thus, each group of arms on each side of the loop include arms that are offset vertically from each other, but are aligned vertically with the opposing arms of the opposite group of arms. The central ends of the arms 606B and 606D overlap the central ends of the arms 606A and 606C. In the closed position, the slider 610 can be slid horizontally over the arms, with one or more ridges 622 inside the slider sliding in corresponding horizontal grooves 620 on the outer sides of the arms 606B and/or 606D. The slider 610 can have a stepped shape that corresponds to the staggered arrangement of the arms. The slider can have a lower tier 632 that overlies and engages the lower arms 606A and 606C, and an upper tier 630 that overlies and engages the upper arms 606B and 606D. The arms can also include a bi-level inner sealing feature that includes a lower portion 614, and upper portion 616, and curved center portion 618 that bridges between the joints between the lower arms and the upper arms. When the closure 600 is closed, the center portion 618 forms a continuous sealing path between the lower and upper portions 614, 616 of the sealing feature, providing complete sealing all the way across the closure, while the slider 610 applies compressive pressure. The sealing feature can include a male ridge along one side and a female groove along the opposing side. The closure 600 can be fixed to the outer surfaces of a bladder with the bladder walls extending over the sealing feature, or the closure 600 can be a detachable unit that can be removed and applied to different bladders.

FIGS. 40-41 show another exemplary articulating closure 700 that is similar to the closure 600 but includes a spring clip 710 instead of a slider to lock the arms in the closed position and apply compressive pressure to the arms. The spring clip 710 can extend from any one of the four arms and latch onto a corresponding ledge 712 on the opposite arm. In some embodiments, two spring clips can be included, one bridging the upper two arms and one bridging the lower two arms. The spring clips 710 can be vertically oriented (as illustrated in FIG. 40) and positioned on the end of the arms, or the spring clips can be horizontally oriented and positioned along the top or bottom surfaces of the arms.

FIG. 42 shows an exemplary application of the closure 700 with a bladder 720. In this example the bladder 720 has a lower opening that is sealed off using the closure 700 and has an upper exit port 724 coupled to a mouthpiece 726, such that the bladder can be used as a collapsible bottle. In order to allow the spring clip 710 to extend across to engage the opposite side of the closure, the bladder 720 can include an hole 722 or slot near the lower edge of the bladder (or alternatively at any location within the outer perimeter of the container. The hole 722 can pass through both layers of the bladder and be sealed around its perimeter to form an annular seam. The spring clip 710 can extend through the hole 722 to secure the opposing groups of arms together. Due to the hole, the closure 700 can be applied around the bladder 720 at any vertical positioned between the top and bottom ends of the bladder, provided the hole is positioned at that position. In alternative embodiments, more than one hole 722 can be provided at different vertical positions along the bladder to give a user various options of where to place the closure. Each different position can correspond with a different maximum volume of the bladder, for example. When the sealing features of the closure 700 are positioned above the hole 722, a full seal can be maintained without fluid loss through the hole, regardless of whether or not the hole is surrounded by a sealed seam. In other embodiments, the open end of the bladder can have a stepped edge (e.g., even with the lower edges of the closure) and no hole 722, such that the spring clip passes around the end of the bladder 720. In some embodiments, a slider locking mechanism, like that described in embodiment 600, can be used in a similar application to seal the bottom opening of a bladder.

FIG. 43 shows another exemplary articulating closure 800 that includes a spring clip locking mechanism that is similar to the closure 100, but wherein the bladder walls directly couple to the inner sides of the arms rather than being coupled via sealing plates. The bladder 802 can include coupling features 808 that couple to corresponding features 806 on the articulating arms 804. The bladder walls can include inner sealing features 810, such as gasket, O-ring, tongue and groove, zipper, or zip-lock type sealing features. Alternatively, or in addition, sealing features can be included on the inner surfaces of the arms 804 that compress the bladder walls.

FIG. 44 shows another exemplary articulating closure 900 that is similar to the embodiment 800 in FIG. 43 in that the bladder walls couple directly to the arms via features 906 and 908, but includes a different sealing feature. The inner surfaces of the arms 904 include compressive sealing features 910, but the sealing features 910 do not extend across the central portion of the closure where the pivot axes are located. Instead, complimentary sealing features 912 are included on the center of the outer surfaces of the bladder walls. The sealing features 912 fill in the gap between the sealing features 910 on the arms 904.

FIGS. 45-48 shows various exemplary handle embodiments, any of which can be included with any of the herein disclosed articulating closure embodiments. The illustrated handles can allow a user to hold and/or support the container in various manners, such as while filling a bladder attached to the closure with a fluid, while cleaning the bladder, while transporting the container, to suspend the container or mount the container within a pack or other support structure, etc. The handles can be used while the closure is in the open position or in the closed and locked position. The handles can also assist a user in the process of opening and closing the closure and bladder, and in locking and unlocking the closure.

FIG. 45 shows an exemplary handle 1000 that comprises a flexible strap that connects to the closure at two spaced apart locations on the same side of the bladder. For example, with the closure 200, one end of the handle 1000 can be attached the arm 206A and the other end can be attached to the arm 206B. In this way, the other side of the bladder and closure can freely move apart and the handle 1000 does not interfere with filling/cleaning the inside of the bladder.

FIG. 46 shows a closure having alternative exemplary handles 1002 that comprise horizontal rigid flanges the project outwardly from one or more of the rigid arms. Such handles 1002 can be included on any one or more of the plural arms of a closure, such as on the two arms on one side of the closure, as shown.

FIG. 47 shows a closure having another exemplary handle 1004 that extends longitudinally out from one end of one of the arms 1006 of the closure. In some embodiments, the handle 1004 can be hingedly coupled to the arm 1006 and can pivot (as shown by the arrow) from a closed position laying against the outer side of the arm to an extended position as shown. In other embodiments, the handle 1004 can slide longitudinally along length of the arm 1006 between closed and extend positions. For example, the handle 1006 can telescope inside of the arm 1006, or slide along the outer side of the arm 1006. The extended handle 1004 can allow a user to hold and support the bladder from the side without obstructing the upper opening of the bladder. In some embodiments, the closure can include two or more of the handles 1004, such as one that extends from each end of the closure.

FIG. 48 shows a closure having exemplary handles 1008 and 1010 that pivot and/or extend outwardly from two arms on one side of the closure and form an overlapping arched shape projecting around the pivot joint between the two supporting arms. In some embodiments, the handles 1008 and 1010 can pivot upwardly and outwardly from a folded down position where the handles lay flat adjacent the outer side of the bladder. In some embodiments, the handles 1008, 1010 can have distal ends that overlap with each other when the closure is in the closed position. The base ends of the handles 1008 and 1010 can be pivotable relative to the supporting arms in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction, or both vertically and horizontally, or the handles can be fixed relative to the arms.

For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of the invention are described herein. The disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The methods, apparatuses, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.

Any of the features or characteristics described herein in relation to any one or more of the described embodiments can also be used with or included in any of the other described embodiments where possible, even if such features or technologies are not specifically mentioned in direct connection to a specific embodiment.

Features, integers, characteristics, materials, or other descriptors provided in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods.

As used herein, the terms “a”, “an”, and “at least one” encompass one or more of the specified element. That is, if two of a particular element are present, one of these elements is also present and thus “an” element is present. The terms “a plurality of” and “plural” mean two or more of the specified element. As used herein, the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements means any one or more of the listed elements. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A”, “B,”, “C”, “A and B”, “A and C”, “B and C”, or “A, B, and C.” As used herein, the term “coupled” generally means physically coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items absent specific contrary language.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles disclosed herein may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the scope of the disclosure is at least as broad as the following claims. I therefore claim all that comes within the scope of these claims.

Claims

1. A closure for sealing an opening formed between two opposing walls of a flexible container, the closure comprising:

at least four arms pivotably coupled together end-to-end and forming an articulable loop, each arm being pivotably coupled to two adjacent arms via pivot joints at each end of the arm, wherein the at least four arms include a first group of arms that forms a first side of the articulable loop and a second group of arms that forms a second side of the articulable loop, wherein the articulable loop is articulable to an open configuration wherein the first group of arms is spaced apart from the second group of arms, and wherein the articulable loop is articulable to a closed configuration wherein the first group of arms is positioned along side the second group of arms; and

a fastener adapted to secure the articulable loop in the closed configuration and apply a compressive force between the first and second groups of arms;

wherein the articulable loop is adapted to articulate from the open configuration to the closed configuration while positioned around an opening formed between two opposing walls of a flexible container, such that in the closed configuration the opening between the two opposing walls is sealed closed by compression between the first group of arms and the second group of arms, the compression being applied to the first and second groups of arms by the fastener.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein all of the arms are substantially the same length.

3. The closure of claim 1, wherein some of the arms have a substantially different length that others of the arms.

4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the articulable loop forms a polygonal shape in the open configuration.

5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the first group of arms has a first total length and the second group of arms has a second total length, and the first and second total lengths are substantially equal.

6. The closure of claim 1, wherein the pivot joints between the rigid arms define respective pivot axes, and the pivot axes are all parallel with one another.

7. The closure of claim 1, wherein in the closed configuration, a compression region between the first and second groups of arms is linear.

8. The closure of claim 1, wherein in the closed configuration, a compression region between the first and second groups of arms in non-linear.

9. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a first sealing liner coupled to the first group of arms and a second sealing liner coupled to the second group of arms.

10. The closure of claim 1, wherein the fastener is detachable from and attachable to the articulable loop in the closed configuration.

11. The closure of claim 1, wherein the fastener is fixed to at least one of the arms and securable to at least one other of the arms in the closed configuration.

12. The closure of claim 1, wherein the fastener is artiuculably coupled to one of the arms.

13. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a second fastener adapted to secure the articulable loop in the closed configuration and apply a compressive force between the first and second groups of arms, wherein the two fasteners are securable to two spaced apart portions of the articulating loop.

14. The closure of claim 1, wherein when the articulable loop is in the open configuration, the articulable loop is positionable around an opening formed between two opposing walls of a flexible container with the first group of arms positioned adjacent to one of the two opposing walls and the second group of arms positioned adjacent to the other of the two opposing walls.

15. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a handle portion extending outwardly from the articulating loop.

16. An assembly comprising:

a flexible container comprising a first sheet fixed to a second sheet around a portion of the container's outer perimeter and forming an opening between the first and second sheets at a section of container's outer perimeter where the first and second sheets are not fixed together; and

an articulating closure adapted to selectively close and open the opening of the flexible container;

wherein the closure comprises: at least four rigid arms pivotably coupled together end-to-end and forming an articulable loop, each arm being pivotably coupled to two adjacent arms via pivot joints at each end of the arm, wherein the at least four rigid arms include a first group of arms that forms a first side of the articulable loop and a second group of arms that forms a second side of the articulable loop, wherein the articulable loop is articulable to an open configuration wherein the first group of arms is spaced apart from the second group of arms, and wherein the articulable loop is articulable to a closed configuration wherein the first group of arms is positioned alongside the second group of arms; and a fastener adapted to secure the articulable loop in the closed configuration and apply a compressive force between the first and second groups of arms;

wherein the articulable loop is adapted to articulate from the open configuration to the closed configuration while positioned around the opening of the flexible container, such that in the closed configuration the opening is sealed closed by compression between the first group of arms and the second group of arms, the compression being applied to the first and second groups of arms by the fastener.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the closure further comprises a first sealing liner coupled to the first group of arms and a second sealing liner coupled to the second group of arms, the first and second liners being positioned between the first and second groups of arms when the closure is in the closed position to help seal the opening.

18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the flexible container further comprises a first sealing liner coupled to the first sheet and a second sealing liner coupled to the second sheet, the first and second liners being positioned between the first and second groups of arms when the closure is in the closed position to help seal the opening.

19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein when the articulable loop is in the closed configuration and when the articulable loop is in the open configuration, the first group of arms remains positioned alongside the first sheet and the second group of arms remains positioned alongside the second sheet.

20. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the flexible container comprises a hole passing through the first and second sheets, the hole being surrounded by an annular seam where the first and second sheets are sealed together, the hole and the annular seam being positioned within the outer perimeter of the flexible container; and wherein the fastener extends through the hole to secure the first group of arms to the second group of arms.