国民经济行业分类号：
C2190 | C2110 | C2120 | C2043 | C2130 | C2140
当前申请(专利权)人：
UK PODS LIMITED
原始申请(专利权)人：
UK PODS LIMITED
当前申请(专利权)人地址：
6 Wallis Road Skippers Lane Industrial Estate,Middlesbrough Yorkshire TS6 6JB,GB
发明人：
CRAWFORD, PALKESH D.
摘要：
A closure assembly (100) comprising a connector assembly (102), mountable at an opening (402) providing a fluid path through the opening (402). The connector assembly (102) comprises a male connector member (108), comprising a first tubular body (107, 126) having a first proximal end (110, 128, 142) portion and a first distal end portion (112) along a first central axis (200), and a first flange (114) portion protruding radially outwards at said first proximal end (110, 128, 142) portion, and a female connector member (106), comprising a second tubular body (107, 126) having a second proximal end (110, 128, 142) portion and a second distal end portion (112) along a second central axis (200), a second flange (138) portion protruding radially outwards at said second proximal end (110, 128, 142) portion and at least one diametrically traversing internal support member at said distal end portion (112), said female connector member (106) being configured to coaxially matingly and interlockingly engage with said male connector member (108), so as to securingly clamp at least a peripheral edge portion of the opening (402) of the flexible container (400) between said first and second flange (138) portion. The closure assembly (100) further comprises a plug member (104), said plug member (104) being configured to matingly and sealingly engage with said male connector member (108) and lockingly engage with said female connector during use.
技术问题语段：
The technical problem addressed in this patent is to provide an improved and tamper-proof closure assembly for flexible containers, such as pellet-filled safety pods or beanbags, that can withstand high impact forces and prevent unauthorized access. The current closure assembly, which typically includes a connector assembly and a plug member, is not strong enough to withstand higher pressures and may be burst open or endangering patients. The invention provides a new closure assembly that is secure and easy to use with standard filling tubes.
技术功效语段：
The present invention relates to a closure assembly for flexible containers, such as pellet-filled safety pods or beanbags. The closure assembly includes a connector assembly, a plug member, and a female connector member. The connector assembly provides a fluid path through the opening of the flexible container and is securely clamped between the two connectors. The plug member is securely lockable and tamper-proof, allowing for easy access with a standard filling tube but only with a suitable tool. The locking members may be L-shaped and formed to lockingly engage with an internal support member during use. The female connector member is telescopically and rotatingly coaxially received by the male connector member. The technical effects of the invention include improved security and ease of refilling for flexible containers, as well as better protection against tampering and accidental injury.
权利要求：
CLAIM(S)
1 . A closure assembly for a flexible container, comprising: a connector assembly, mountable at an opening of the flexible container, configured to provide a fluid path through the opening of the flexible container, comprising: a male connector member, comprising a first tubular body having a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion along a first central axis, and a first flange portion protruding radially outwards at said first proximal end portion, and a female connector member, comprising a second tubular body having a second proximal end portion and a second distal end portion along a second central axis, a second flange portion protruding radially outwards at said second proximal end portion and at least one diametrically traversing internal support member at said distal end portion, said female connector member being configured to coaxially matingly and interlockingly engage with said male connector member, so as to securingly clamp at least a peripheral edge portion of the opening of the flexible container between said first and second flange portion; a plug member, comprising a third cylindrical body having a third proximal end portion and a third distal end portion along a third central axis, at least two radially opposed locking members, each one protruding axially away from said distal end portion so as to lockingly engage with said internal support member during use, said plug member being configured to matingly and sealingly engage with said male connector member and lockingly engage with said female connector during use.
2. A closure assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said locking members comprise L-shaped locking members, each one protruding axially away from said distal end portion and circumferentially about said third central axis towards a first direction, so as to form a bayonet mount with said internal support member during use.
3. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said female connector member is configured to telescopically and rotatingly coaxially
receive said male connector member and said male connector member is configured to telescopically and rotatingly coaxially receive said plug member. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support member comprises at last one internally threaded through bore extending parallel to said third centre axis and configured to threadingly engage with a screw fastener. A closure assembly according to claim 4, wherein said plug member further comprises at least one counterbore axially recessed from said third proximal end portion towards said third distal end portion, configured to receive a screw fastener and abuttingly engage and axially align with said at least one internally threaded through bore. A closure assembly according to claim 5, wherein said at least one counterbore has a predetermined diameter and length adapted to prevent the insertion of a human digit. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support member comprises two of said at least one internally threaded through bore that are symmetrical to and equidistantly spaced apart from said third centre axis. A closure assembly according to claim 7, wherein said plug member comprises two of said at least one counterbore, each one arranged so as to axially align with a respective one of said two internally threaded through bores. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support member comprises a substantially planar grid structure arranged normal to said second central axis, configured to allow fluid flow through said connector assembly, during use. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first tubular body of said male connector member comprises an external thread portion and said second tubular body of said female connector member comprises an
14 internal thread portion adapted to threadingly engage with said external thread portion during use. A closure assembly according to claim 10, wherein said external thread portion is provided at said first proximal end portion adjacent to said first flange portion and said internal thread portion is provided at said second proximal end portion adjacent to said second flange portion. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second tubular body is frustoconically shaped towards said second distal end portion A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second tubular body comprises a plurality of axially and circumferentially equidistantly arranged reinforcing external ribs. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said plug member further comprises a third flange portion protruding radially outwards at said third proximal end portion. A closure assembly according to claim 14, wherein each one of said first, second and third flange portion has a frustoconical profile configured to matingly engage with a respective one of said first, second and third flange portion. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connector assembly is adapted to operably receive a filling tube. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein any one of said male connector member, said female connector member and said plug member is made from a polymer or polymer compound using suitable polymer manufacturing processes (thermoforming, injection moulding, extrusion), but also 3D printing manufacturing processes. A flexible container comprising a closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.