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.

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.