The present invention relates to disposable and collapsible bag packaging and connector system and method.

In the field of packaging of flowable products, in particular of liquid or pasty products, it is known to use disposable collapsible bags, which bags have at least one chamber filled with the flowable product. For example the product is a food product, e.g. a beverage, a sauce, a dairy product, a fruit product, but other non-edible products, e.g. detergent, cream, oil, etc. are also envisaged. It is also known to make use of dual chamber bags, wherein a first chamber is filled with a first product component and a second chamber of the container is filled with a second product component, the first and second chamber being separated by a temporary barrier, e.g. a breakable seal or a removable clamp, allowing to bring the chambers into

communication in order to mix the product components prior to discharge of the mixed product from the bag.

In the field it is known to provide the bag with a female connector with a bore into which a male connector is to be introduced. The female connector is provided with a plug that seals the bore, which plug is pushed inward from its seat by the male connector. In the introduction motion of the male connector, the plug couples to the head of the male connector. This allows the plug to be returned into its seat when the product bag is disconnected from the male connector. Thereby the bag is closed again.

In another presently available system, the bag is provided with a female connector having a containment membrane therein that seals the chamber of the bag. The male connector is provided with a part having piercing teeth. Both connectors are screwthreaded and upon screwing the bag onto the male connector, the piercing teeth rupture the containment membrane so as to allow for discharge of the product from the bag. It is desired to further improve the systems of this type in view of e.g. chance of product wastage, skin contact, etc. It is further desirable to enhance the user friendliness of the system. The present invention therefore aims to provide an improved system.

The present invention proposes a system according to claim 1. The inventive system enhances user friendliness and provides enhanced reduction of the risk of product wastage and skin contact. This is achieved by combining the ease of a bayonet connection between the bag and the second connector with the resulting simultaneous actuation of the rotary valve member such that this rotary valve opens only during the last stage of fastening of the bayonet connection and closes during the first stage of the release of the bayonet connection. This means that the valve is only open when it is assured that the bag is fastened onto the second connector by means of the bayonet connection. Once the product has been dispensed and the bag is removed, the rotary valve is reclosed automatically and reliably whereby any residue is safely held in the closed bag. The rotary valve reliable closes the bag.

In a preferred embodiment the angular motion towards the final connected position is over about a quarter turn, e.g. between 60° and 120°. This allows for a convenient operation, e.g. compared to a screw connection which requires several full turns. In a practical embodiment the bag is to be squeezed by hand in order to expel the product from the bag, but one can also envisage other means to compress the bag or even the provision of a pump that sucks the product from the bag via the connectors.

In an embodiment the first connector is a female connector and the second connector is a male connector, wherein the first connector comprises a bore into which the male connector is insertable in axial direction via an insertion opening of the bore, and wherein the rotary valve member is journaled in said bore, and wherein the first coupling portion of the rotary valve member - when the valve member is in its first angular position - is adapted to couple directly to a second coupling portion on the male connector upon of insertion of the male connector into the bore in the axial direction. This version is preferred as it enhances intuitive use by the user. In another embodiment the second connector is female and the first connector is male.

In an embodiment the base body of the first connector is provided with at least one port that adjoins the chamber of the bag, wherein the rotary valve member comprises a passage which in the first angular position is not in aligned with the port and which in the second angular position is aligned with the port. In an embodiment the first connector has a base body that is provided with at least one port that adjoins the chamber of the bag, and the rotary valve member comprises a passage, preferably within the valve member but optionally as a groove or the like on the outside of the body, which passage in the first angular position is not in aligned with the port and which in the second angular position is aligned with the port so that the product can be dispensed from the bag.

In a further development thereof the rotary valve member has a tubular body part that is journaled within the base body of the first connector, which tubular body part is open at an end facing the second connector, and which is closed by a top wall at the other end, wherein one or more ports are formed laterally in the tubular body part, and wherein the one or more ports in the base are each aligned with a port in the tubular body part in the second angular position of the rotary valve member. In a further development the rotary valve member comprises an annular skirt extending around the tubular body part at an the end thereof facing the second connector, a gap being present between said annular skirt and the tubular body part, into which gap an end region or forward end portion of the second connector is inserted during axial insertion of the second connector into a bore of the first connector.

In an embodiment the rotary valve member has a tubular body part that is adapted to extend with a part thereof into the second connector, a face of the tubular body part that is adapted to extend into the second connector and a face of the second connector are embodied being embodied as sealing faces so as to form a seal when the connectors are interconnected.

In a practical embodiment the second connector has at least one bayonet connector slot, preferably two bayonet connector slots at diametrically opposed locations of the second connector. Preferably the one or more bayonet connector slots on the second connector are provided on an external surface thereof so as to be easily visible for the user which enhances the intuitive operation of the connector system.

Preferably the first connector has one or more corresponding bayonet pins, each slot of the second connector having an axial slot section and a circumferential slot section. The axial slot section may be oriented truly axial but an inclined orientation of said section towards the bend where the circumferential slot section starts is also possible. The circumferential slot section may equally extend in a plane normal to the axial direction, but may also be inclined relative to said plane when desired.

In an embodiment the circumferential slot section is provided with a retaining obstacle, e.g. a dam, over which the pin is urged during relative rotation of the first and first connectors, which dam provides resistance against reverse motion that releases the connectors.

In an embodiment the rotary valve member comprises one or more, preferably two at diametrically opposed locations, coupling bosses which each are, when seen in axial insertion direction of the connectors, axially aligned with a bayonet pin and behind said pin when in the first angular position, the coupling boss being arranged such that - when the one connector is axially inserted into the other connector - the coupling boss enters the axial slot section and remains in said axial slot section, whereas the bayonet pin becomes aligned with the circumferential slot section so as to allow for a subsequent relative rotation between the connectors in order to establish the bayonet connection.

In an embodiment the rotary valve member has a tubular portion and a coaxial skirt at the end of the tubular portion facing the second connector, a gap being present between the skirt and the tubular portion, wherein the skirt of the rotary valve member has an abutment portion, that abuts in circumferential direction against a bayonet pin of the first connector when the rotary valve member is in its first angular position.

In an embodiment of the first connector as female connector with a valve member having a tubular body part journaled therein, the bore of the female connector may have - when seen in insertion direction of the male connector - a first large diameter bore section and a second smaller diameter bore section, with a shoulder being present forming a transition between said first and second bore sections, wherein the rotary valve member has a circumferential collar wall extending between the tubular body part that fits into the second bore section and the skirt that fits into the first bore section, said collar wall extending along the shoulder of the female connector.

In an embodiment first connector is a female connector comprising a base body having a bore into which the male connector is insertable in an axial direction via an insertion opening of the bore. The rotary valve member is journaled within the bore of the base body. The valve member has a tubular body part that is open at an end facing the insertion opening for the male connector and a top wall is present at the other end of the tubular body part. For example one or more ports are formed laterally in the tubular body part or in the top wall of the tubular body part. In the first angular position of the valve member the one or more ports of the valve member are not aligned with the one or more ports in the base body so that the bag is closed. In the second angular position the alignment is established so that the bag is open and product can flow from the bag into the interior of the tubular valve member and the adjoining interior channel of the male connector.

In an embodiment the tubular body part of the rotary valve member that is journaled in the bore of the female connector member is provided with one or more axially protruding bosses at the open end of the tubular body part, which - when the valve member is in its first angular position - are adapted to couple directly to a second coupling portion on the male connector, for example one or more recesses on the other connector member which each receive a boss therein, upon axial insertion of the male connector into the bore in the axial direction. Preferably each coupling boss has beveled sides and each coupling recess has corresponding beveled sides enhancing the introduction of a boss into a recess.

In an embodiment the male connector has a forward tubular portion at a forward end of the connector that is adapted to sealingly fit into a tubular body part of the rotary valve member. As is preferred this forward tubular portion is provided on its exterior with one or more circumferential sealing ribs that provide a seal with the interior of the tubular part.

In embodiment the male connector has a forward tubular portion at a forward end of the connector that is adapted to sealing fit into a tubular part of the rotary valve member and the male connector has, rearward from the forward tubular portion, said first coupling portion, e.g. formed by one or more recesses, which first coupling portion is adapted to cooperate with a second coupling portion of the valve member, e.g. formed by one or more axially protruding bosses at the open end of the tubular body part of the rotary valve member. Preferably the male connector has - on an exterior thereof and forward of the first coupling portion - one or more circumferential sealing ribs that sealingly engage the interior of the tubular part of the rotary valve member so that product flowing through the interconnected connectors is prevented from reaching the region where the first and second coupling portions interengage.

In an embodiment the rotary valve member and the base body of the first connector are provided with cooperating position indexing members that provide an indexed first angular position and indexed second angular position of the valve member. For example the valve member is provided with an indexing boss and the base body with a corresponding indexing groove extending in circumferential direction over the angle between said two indexed position.

In an embodiment a tubular body part of the valve member is provided on its exterior with one or more circumferential ribs that sealingly cooperate with the interior of the bore of the base body. As is preferred these one or more sealing ribs are located, seen in axial direction, in the region between the one or more ports on the one hand and the end of the valve member that is provided with the second coupling portion on the other hand. This avoids any leakage of product between the valve member and the base body. If desired, additionally or as an alternative, a sealing rib may extend around each port.

An axial snap - fit arrangement, e.g. with a circumferential rib, e.g. embodied as a circumferential sealing rib, may be provided to axially retain the valve member in the bore of the base body. This allows to press the rotary valve member in the bore with the snap-fit retaining the valve member in axial direction.

In an embodiment the first connector is embodied as a female connector and the second connector as the male connector. Herein the base body of the female connector may be provided, at the introduction side for the male connector, with one or more, e.g. two, bayonet connector slots, e.g. at diametrically opposed locations around the base body bore. Each slot has an axial slot section and a circumferential slot section. The male connector is then provided with one or more corresponding outwardly extending bayonet pins, e.g. two pins at diametrically opposed positions on the exterior of the connector body. As is preferred the one or more bayonet pins are arranged rearward of the second coupling portion on the male connector.

In an embodiment the second connector is provided with an inlet valve in the internal channel thereof, which inlet valve is normally closed and which is adapted to be opened by interconnection of the first and first connector or, alternatively, by product flow from the bag into the housing. For example, a biasing spring is mounted between the inlet valve and the second connector, which biases the inlet valve into its closed position.

Possibly the bag is at least partly transparent, e.g. to allow the user to see whether the kneading and/or mixing of the product prior to discharge of the product from the bag is completed. If desired the collapsible bag is packaged in an outer protective packaging, e.g. a packaging envelope of aluminum foil or a foil containing an aluminum or other metal layer to provide an enhanced barrier, e.g. as an oxygen barrier, from which the bag is removed when it is to be used. In another embodiment the bag wall includes a metal barrier layer, e.g. sandwiched between plastic layers.

If desired a removable covering, e.g. a foil seal or a cap, is placed on/over the first connector to provide extra shielding during transport and storage, the covering being removed prior to mating the first and second connector.

The collapsing of the bag to expel the product may be done by squeezing the bag directly by hand, but in another, known, approach use may be made of a pump to discharge the product from the bag, e.g. the pump compressing the bag or the pump sucking the product from the bag. In another embodiment the bag comprises a further chamber that is to be filled with pressurized medium, e.g. air, to expel the product from one or more other chambers of the bag.

For example the bag has a product volume between 0.1 and 3 liters. In a practical embodiment the first connector has a base body that is permanently secured to the bag, e.g. sealed to a wall of the bag or between two opposed walls of the bag. For example the base body has a central portion, e.g. circular or oval, wherein the bore is present, and possibly fins that protrude in opposite directions from the central portion. The central portion and any fins are preferably sealed between opposed walls of the bag. For example the sealing is done by heat-sealing or ultrasonic welding to permanently secure the first connector to the bag.

In an embodiment the bag comprises a first chamber filled with a first product component and a second chamber filled with a second product component, the first and second chamber being separated by a temporary barrier, e.g. a breakable seal or a removable clamp, allowing to bring the chambers into communication in order to mix the components prior to discharge of the mixed product from the bag.

In an embodiment the product is a 2-component product, each component being stored in a respective chamber of a bag with a temporary seal there between. The bag of the system can for example be filled with a resin compound allowing the system to be employed as a cable jointing or cable terminal end system, allowing to establish a joint or terminal end of one or more cables, e.g. electrical or optical cables. The system can for example also be embodied for use in resin compound filled joints or terminal ends of pipes, e.g. pipes conducting a gas or liquid. The system can for example also be embodied to be used in establishing a resin compound based seal, e.g. to seal penetrations of cables or pipes through partitions, to seal gaps in constructions, e.g. in building industry, etc., for example as a fire or barrier seal. Resin compounds are also employed to as bonding or adhesive agent.

For example in the field of the preparation of insulated electric cable joints and electrical cable terminal ends it is known to use squeezable containers embodied as bags, which bags have at least one chamber filled with an electrically insulating resin compound. As is known, in an embodiment use is made of dual chamber bags, wherein a first chamber of the bag is filled with a first resin component and a second chamber of the bag filled with a second resin component, the first and second chamber being separated by a temporary barrier, e.g. a breakable seal or a removable clamp, allowing to bring the chambers into communication in order to mix the components prior to discharge of the mixed resin from the bag.

The resin compound may be dispensed by squeezing the bag, e.g. manually or by means of a pump. The resin compound then is discharged into a cable joint housing in which a completed cable joint is received, so that the housing is filled with the cable joint resin and the cable joint becomes embedded in the resin. Common resin compounds are curable, normally cold curing, resins that harden over time.

As indicated above, similar joint or terminal end systems are employed for delivery of resin compound that seal and/or insulate pipe joints and pipe terminal ends, e.g. to ensure a complete sealing of the pipe joint or pipe terminal end.

In an embodiment the at least one chamber is filled with a resin compound and the bag is adapted to be squeezed in order to expel the resin compound from the chamber. The second connector is provided on a resin compound transfer member, which transfer member has an internal channel for passage of the resin compound that is expelled from the bag by squeezing. In an embodiment - as is known in the art - the transfer member is provided with an inlet valve in the internal channel thereof, which inlet valve is normally closed and which is adapted to be opened by interconnection of the first and second connector or, alternatively, by resin compound flow into the channel . For example, a biasing spring is mounted between the inlet valve and the body of the transfer member, which biases the inlet valve into its closed position.

In an embodiment the transfer member forms a joint or terminal end housing member that is adapted to form by itself or in combination with one or more additional housing members a joint or terminal end housing in which a cable or pipe joint or a cable or pipe terminal end is received, e.g. of electrical cable(s), optical cable(s), or of pipe(s), which housing is to be filled with the resin compound to embed the joint or terminal end therein.

In an embodiment - as is known in the art - the transfer member comprises a plate body part, preferably a curved plate body part, e.g. semi-cylindrical, from which the male connector protrudes. This embodiment is e.g. advantageous in an embodiment - as is known in the art - wherein the housing further comprises an open structure gauze that is adapted to be wound around the electrical cable(s) to be joined or terminated and possibly about the plate body part, the housing further comprising a plastic tape that is to be applied to form a liquid-tight outer envelope of the housing, wherein the resin is to be supplied via the transfer member.

In an embodiment the transfer member forms part of a first housing shell part and a second housing shell part is then provided, possibly hinged to one another, the shell parts being adapted to be join one another to form a box about a joint or terminal end, e.g. of one or more cables or pipes. For example the shell parts are injection molded from suitable plastic material, e.g. polycarbonate. The shell parts may be hinged to one another, or e.g. secured to one another by clips, locking members, tape, etc. Preferably, in an embodiment of the system with a housing which is to be filled with the resin compound, e.g. the shell parts or the tape wrapping, the housing is at least partially transparent to allow the user to witness the filling of the housing with the resin compound.

In an embodiment the transfer member is provided with a fastening flange that is provided with an adhesive layer allowing to secure the transfer member onto an object, e.g. onto a housing in which the joint or terminal end is received. If desired an additional and removable covering seal, e.g. a foil patch, plug, or cap, can be provided to close the bore, which is removed prior to making the connection. This e.g. allows to avoid the ingress of dirt into the bore, e.g. when the bag is inadvertently dropped during a kneading process.

In an embodiment the resin is a cold curing resin, e.g. a cold curing epoxy resin or a cold curing polyurethane resin. Preferably the resin is hydrolysis resistant.

In an embodiment the resin contains one or more of polyether polyols, estherpolyols, and fire retardant additives.

In an embodiment the resin is a 2-component resin, each component being stored in a respective chamber of the container with a temporary seal there between. The system may also be embodied to deliver a resin sealant, e.g. to fill a wall penetration gap around a pipe or cable, or to fill a gap in a construction. For example the transfer member is then embodied as a delivery tube from which the sealant is dispensed into the gap to be filled. The present invention also relates to a bag as disclosed herein having at least one chamber filled with an electrically insulating resin for use in the manufacturing of a cable joint or cable terminal end.

The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a joint or terminal end, wherein use is made of a system or a bag according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to a disposable and collapsible bag according to claim 28.

The present invention also relates to a connector system comprising in combination a first connector and a second connector as disclosed herein, the second connector e.g. being adapted to be secured to a bag. For example the first and second connectors according to the combination of claims 1 , 2, 7, and 8.

The present invention also relates to the combination a dispensing device and a disposable and collapsible bag, wherein the dispensing device is provided with a second connector adapted to releasably connect to the first connector of the bag. The dispensing device may comprise a pump for pumping a flowable product out of and/or into the bag. For example the dispensing device is a vending machine.

The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a product, e.g. a food product, wherein use is made of a system or a bag according to the invention.

The invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows an example of a system according to the invention,

Fig. 2 illustrates the a two-chamber bag version,

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the female connector and housing member with male connector of the system of fig. 1 , a portion being cut away for clarity,

Fig. 4 shows female connector and housing member of fig. 3 with assembled parts prior to connection of the male and female connectors,

Fig. 5a and 5b show, in different views, the male and female connectors of fig. 4 after axial insertion of the male connector into the female connector,

Fig. 6. shows the male and female connectors of fig. 5a, 5b after relative rotation of the connectors so that the final connected position has been reached,

Fig. 7a shows the female connector of fig. 6 with the rotary valve member in its first angular position,

Fig. 7b shows the body of the female connector of fig. 4,

Fig. 7c shows the rotary valve member of the female connector of fig. 4,

Fig. 8a shows the connectors in the situation of figs. 5a, 5b from a different angle with a further portion cut away to illustrate the location of the bayonet pin of the body of the female connector and the boss of the rotary valve member,

Fig. 8b shows a view corresponding to fig. 8a after the relative rotation of the connectors so that the final connected position has been reached,

Fig. 9a illustrates the manufacture of a cable joint with the system of the invention,

Fig. 9b illustrates the system of figure 9a,

Fig. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the cable joint housing of the inventive system. Fig. 1 1a shows in an exploded view another embodiment of a system according to the invention,

Fig. 1 1 b shows the female connector of figure 11 a from the other side,

Fig. 12 shows in an exploded view a variant of the system of figure 1 1a.

With reference to the drawings examples of a system according to the invention will be discussed. The system comprises a disposable and collapsible bag 1 as is preferred. The bag has at least one chamber 2 that is filled with a flowable product. Figure 2 shows a dual chamber bag with two chambers 2, 2b separated by a temporary barrier 2c. The system further comprises an article from which a male connector 40 protrudes. The article is here embodied with a plate body part 30, that is integrally molded with the male connector 40 from plastic material.

As discussed above, the bag 1 may be introduced into a device which is adapted to compress the bag 1 in order to expel the product. In another approach the bag 1 is squeezed directly by hand. Otherwise the connector 40 may lead to a pump, which sucks the product from the bag.

The male connector 40 has an internal channel 41 for the passage of the product. As is preferred the male connector 40 is injection molded of plastic material.

The bag 1 is provided with a female connector 10 for dispensing the product from the chamber 2. The female connector 10 comprises a base body 1 1 , as is preferred injection molded of plastic material, with a bore 12 into which the male connector 40 of the housing member 30 is insertable in an axial direction via an insertion opening 12a of the bore 12.

A rotary valve member 20, as is preferred injection molded of plastic material, is journaled to the base body 11 of the female connector 10, here generally arranged within the bore 12 of the base body 1 1 in rotatable manner.

In this practical embodiment the base body 1 1 is permanently sealed between two opposed walls of the bag 1. In this example the base body has a central, here an circular portion, and fins that protrude in opposite directions from the central portion. The central portion and the fins are sealed between the opposed walls of the bag. For example the sealing is done by heat-sealing or ultrasonic welding to permanently secure the first connector to the bag.

In a first angular position of the valve member 20 relative to the base body 11 of the female connector 10 (figures 4, 5a, 5b, 7a, 8a) the valve member 20 seals or closes the chamber 2 of the bag 1 so that chamber 2 is not connected to the bore 12. The rotary valve member 20 comprises a first coupling portion, here a boss 21 , which - when the valve member 20 is in its first angular position - is adapted to couple directly to a second coupling portion 44a on the male connector 40 upon axial insertion of the male member 40 into the bore in the axial direction. This is illustrated in figures 8a, b as will be explained further below.

The male connector 40 comprises a second bayonet connection portion, here formed by two bayonet connector slots 44 at diametrically opposed locations of the male connector 40, as is preferred on an external surface of the male connector 40. Each slot 44 has an axial slot section 44a and a circumferential slot section 44b.

The female connector 10 has a base body 1 1 that is provided with one or more

corresponding bayonet pins 13, here two pins 13 at diametrically opposed position on an internal surface of the body, inwardly protruding into the bore 12 of the female connector 10.

As is shown here, the circumferential slot section 44b is provided with a retaining obstacle, here a dam 44c, over which the pin 13 is urged during relative rotation of the connectors. This dam 44c provides resistance against reverse motion that releases the connectors. The male and female connectors 10, 40 are hereby directly mechanically interconnectable by axial insertion of the male connector 40 into the bore 12 of the female member 10, followed by rotation over an angle of the female connector 10 relative to the male connector 40 so that the pins 13 reached their final connected position at the blind end of the circumferential slot section 44b. This position is visible in figures 2, 6, 8b.

As can be seen best in figure 8a and 8b the rotary valve member 20 is held stationary in angular direction relative to the male connector 40 by the cooperating first and second coupling portions, here the boss 21 in the axial slot section 44a as is preferred. As a result thereof - upon the rotation over an angle to the final connected position of the female connector 10 relative to the male connector 40 - the valve member is rotated to a second angular position relative to the base body 11 of the female connector 10.

The rotary valve member 20 is embodied to provide - in this second angular position - for communication between the chamber 2 of the bag and the internal channel 41 in the male connector 40 and so allows for discharge of the product from the chamber 2 into the internal channel 41 and there along. The bag 1 can be removed by disconnecting the bayonet connection. This involves first rotation of the bag 1 and the female connector 10 in reverse direction, until the pin 13 becomes aligned with the axial slot section 44a. Due to this motion, the valve member is brought into its first angular position again so that the bag 1 is now closed. Then the bag 1 is lifted from the male connector 40 in axial direction, wherein the pin 13 passes through and out of the slot section 44a.

As can be seen in e.g. fig. 5 the male connector is provided with an inlet valve 48 in the internal channel 41 thereof, which inlet valve is normally closed and which is adapted to be opened by interconnection of the connectors or, alternatively, by product flow from the bag 1 into the housing. For example a biasing spring (not shown for clarity) is placed underneath the valve 48, e.g. resting on lugs 49 inward in the channel 41.

The base body 1 1 of the connector 10 is provided with at least one, here two diametrically opposed, ports 14 that adjoin the chamber 2 of the bag 1.

The rotary valve member 20 has a tubular body part 23 that is journaled within the base body 1 1 of the connector 10. This tubular body part 23 is open at an end facing the insertion opening 12a for the male connector 40, and is closed by a top wall 24 at the other end of the part 23. One or more ports 25, here two at diametrically opposed locations, are formed laterally in the tubular body part 23. In the first angular position (fig. 5a, 5b, 8a) of the valve member 20 the ports 25 are not aligned with the ports 14 in the base body 1 1 so that the bag 1 is closed. In the second angular position (fig. 6, 8b) the ports in the base body are each aligned with a port 25 in the tubular body part 23 so that the bag 1 is open and product can flow from the bag 1 into the channel 41 of the male connector 40.

As shown here the rotary valve member 20 comprises an annular skirt 26 extending around the tubular body part 23 at an the end thereof facing the insertion opening 12a for the male connector 40. A gap 27 is present between the annular skirt 26 and the tubular body part 23. As can be seen in e.g. figure 5a, 5b, 6 this gap 27 receives an end region of the male connector 40 during axial insertion of the connector 40 into the bore of the connector 10.

A face 28 of a part of the tubular body part 23 that is adapted to extend into the connector 40 and a face of the connector 40 are embodied as sealing faces so as to form a seal when the connectors 10, 40 are interconnected. When the valve member 20 is in its first angular position, as shown in figure 8a, the coupling bosses 21 each are, when seen in axial insertion direction of the connectors 10, 40, axially aligned with a bayonet pin 13 and behind the pin 13. The coupling bosses 21 are arranged such that - when the one connector 40 is axially inserted into the other connector 10 - the pin 13 and then the coupling boss 21 enter the axial slot section 44a. The bayonet pin 13 becomes aligned with the circumferential slot section 44b so as to allow for a subsequent relative rotation between the connectors 10, 40 in order to establish the bayonet connection. But the boss 21 remains in the axial slot section 44a and thus prevents the valve member 20 from rotation relative to the male connector 40.

In order to establish the first angular position in reliable manner, the skirt 26 of the rotary valve member 20 has an abutment portion 26a, that abuts in circumferential direction against a bayonet pin 13 of the connector 10 when the rotary valve member 20 is in its first angular position.

Figure 7b illustrates that the bore 12 of the female connector 10 has - when seen in insertion direction of the male connector 40 - a first large diameter bore section 12b and a second smaller diameter bore section 12c, with a shoulder 12d being present forming a transition between said first and second bore sections 12b, 12c. The rotary valve member 20 has a circumferential collar wall 28 extending between the tubular body part 23 that fits into the second bore section 12c and the skirt 26 that fits into the first bore section 12b, said collar wall extending along the shoulder 12d.

As can be seen in figure 7c an outwardly protruding rib 25a extends around each port 25 which optional feature serves to enhance sealing between valve member 20 and the base body 1 1 so that no product can enter between these parts.

With reference to the figures 9a, 9b, and 10 examples will be elucidated of cable jointing systems wherein the present invention is applied, e.g. for the jointing of one or more electrical cables. It will be appreciated that a similar system is applicable for pipe joints or terminal ends.

Figures 9a, b depict the squeezable bag 1 which has at least one chamber 2 (figure 9a shows two chambers 2, 2b separated by a temporary barrier 2c) that is filled with an synthetic resin compound, here an electrically insulating cable joint resin compound. The system further comprises a cable joint housing member 30, here embodied as a curved plate body part 30 embodying a resin compound transfer member that is provided with a protruding male connector 40. The part 30 and the connector 40 are integrally molded from plastic material. For example the part 30 is also molded with two hooks 31 (see figure 9b) that can be broken off from the plate body and applied as is known in the art to secure a gauze.

As is known in the art, and illustrated in figure 9a, the housing member 30 is embodied to be combined with other housing members to constitute a housing in which the cable joint is received and which is to be filled with resin compound from the bag 1. For example, in figure 9, the housing further comprises an open structure gauze 33 that is wound around the electrical cables A, B, C, to be joined. The housing further comprising a plastic tape 32 that is wrapped around the structure to form a liquid-tight outer envelope of the housing. The resin compound is to be supplied via the connector 40 and then is dispersed within the housing via the open structure gauze until the housing is filled. If desired the bag 1 may be introduced into a pump device which is adapted to compress the bag 1 in order to expel the resin. In another approach the bag 1 is squeezed directly by hand.

Figure 10 illustrates an alternative housing having one or more shell parts 30a, 30b, to form a box in which the joined cables A and B are received. One of the shell parts is provided with a transfer member portion provided with the male connector 40. An internal channel 41 is present for the passage of the resin compound into the housing.

With reference to figures 1 1a, b now another embodiment of a system according to the invention will be discussed.

The system comprises a female connector 1 10 having a base body 11 1 , the base body 1 1 1 being mounted to a bag 1. As is preferred the base body 11 1 is a monolithic injection molded plastic part.

Here, as in the other embodiments, the base body 1 11 is permanently sealed between opposed walls of the bag. Other mounting solutions, e.g. the base body 11 1 being snap- fitted (e.g. with permanent snap-fit) or screwed in or on a neck of a fitment provided on the bag 1 are also envisaged.

The bag has at least one chamber 2 that is filled with a flowable product, e.g. a resin. Here only two fragments of side walls 1a, 1 b of the bag joined at the seam are depicted. The system further comprises an article 100 from which a male connector 140 protrudes. The article is here embodied with a plate body part 100, that is integrally molded with the male connector 40 from plastic material. The male connector 140 has an internal channel for the passage of the product. It will be appreciated that the article 1 10 can be part of a dispensing device, e.g. connecting to a duct leading to a pump, or a part of a cable joint housing, etc.

As discussed above, the bag 1 may be introduced into a device which is adapted to compress the bag 1 in order to expel the product. In another approach the bag 1 is squeezed directly by hand. Otherwise the connector 140 may lead to a pump, which sucks the product from the bag.

The base body 11 has a bore 1 12 into which the male connector 140 is insertable in an axial direction via an insertion opening of the bore 1 12.

A rotary valve member 120, as is preferred injection molded of plastic material, is journaled to the base body 1 11 of the female connector 110, here generally arranged within the bore 1 12 of the base body 1 1 1 in rotatable manner. As is preferred the valve member 120 is shorter than the bore 1 12 so that the member 120 lies within the bore 112 at a distance from the insertion opening. This avoids inadvertent rotation of the valve member, e.g. when handling the bag 1.

The valve member 120 has a tubular body part 123 that is journaled within the base body 1 1 1 of the female connector 1 10. This tubular body part 123 is open at an end facing the insertion opening for the male connector 140, and is closed by a top wall 124 at the other end of the part 123. One or more ports 125, here one port 125, is formed laterally in the tubular body part 123. In the first angular position of the valve member 120 the port 125 is not aligned with the port 114 in the base body 1 1 1 so that the bag 1 is closed. In the second angular position the port 125 is aligned with the port 1 14 so that the bag 1 is open and product can flow from the bag 1 into the interior of the valve member 120 and the adjoining interior channel of the male connector 140.

The rotary valve member 120 comprises a first coupling portion, here one or more axially protruding bosses 150 at the open end of the tubular body 123, which - when the valve member 120 is in its first angular position - will couple directly to a second coupling portion on the male connector 140, here one or more recesses 151 which each receive a boss 150 therein, upon axial insertion of the male member 140 into the bore 112 in the axial direction. As is preferred each boss 150 has beveled sides and each recess 151 has corresponding beveled sides enhancing the introduction of a boss 150 into a recess 151.

As is shown in figures 11 a, b, the male connector has a forward tubular portion 142 at its forward end that is adapted to sealing fit into the tubular part 123 of the rotary valve member 120. As is preferred this forward tubular portion 142 is provided on its exterior with one or more circumferential sealing ribs 143 that provide a seal with the interior of the tubular part 123. If desired said arrangement can be inversed, with one or more of such ribs 143 on the interior of the part 123.

The tubular portion 142 extends forward beyond the one or more recesses 150, as is preferred with said one or more recesses 151 being located rearward of the one or more sealing ribs 143 so that the product flowing through the interconnected connectors cannot reach the region where the bosses 150 and recesses 151 or other coupling formations interengage.

As is preferred, the rotary valve member 120 and the base body 11 1 are provided with cooperating position indexing members that provide an indexed first angular position and indexed second angular position of the valve member 120. In this example the member 120 is provided with an indexing boss 126 and the base body 1 11 with a corresponding indexing groove 116 extending in circumferential direction over the angle between said two indexed position.

In this example, as is preferred, the indexing boss 126 extends in axial direction and groove 1 16 is arranged to be mated in axial direction with the boss. In this example the boss 126 is provided on the wall 124 of the valve member 125 and the groove 1 16 in the blind end wall 1 11 a of the base body bore 112. If desired the inverse arrangement is also possible. In yet another embodiment one or more indexing bosses extend radially, e.g. radially from the exterior of the tubular part 125 with the groove extending around a section of the

circumference of the interior of the bore 112 or the inverse arrangement thereof.

As is preferred the tubular part 123 of the valve member 120 is provided on its exterior with one or more circumferential ribs 127 that sealingly cooperate with the interior of the bore 1 12 of the base body. As is preferred these one or more sealing ribs 127 are located, seen in axial direction, in the region between the one or more ports 125 on the one hand and the end of the member 120 that is provided with the coupling portions 150 on the other hand. This avoids any leakage of product between the member 120 and the base body 1 1 1. If desired, additionally or as an alternative, a sealing rib may extend around each port 125.

A snap - fit arrangement, e.g. with a circumferential rib, e.g. embodied as a circumferential sealing rib 127, may serve to axial retain the valve member 120 in the bore 1 12 of the base body. For example the rib 127 engages in a circumferential groove on the interior of the bore so as to provide said axial retention. For example an O-ring may be provided to create both a seal and axial retention. Other snap-fit connections between the valve member 120 and the base body to provide axial retention of the valve member 120 are also possible, e.g. with one or more inward retention bosses extending in the bore of the base body engaging into a circumferential groove on the valve member.

As can be seen in figure 11 b the base body 11 1 , at the introduction side for the male connector 140, is provided with one or more, here two, bayonet connector slots 144 at diametrically opposed locations of the base body bore 112. Each slot 144 has an axial slot section and a circumferential slot section.

The male connector 140 is provided with one or more corresponding outwardly extending bayonet pins 1 13, here two pins 1 13 at diametrically opposed position on the exterior of the connector body. The one or more pins 113 are arranged rearward of the recesses or other coupling portions 151 on the male connector.

If desired the circumferential slot section may be provided with a retaining obstacle, e.g. a dam, over which the pin 1 13 is urged during relative rotation of the connectors.

The male and female connectors 110, 140 are - by means of the bayonet structure - directly mechanically interconnectable by axial insertion of the male connector 140 into the bore 1 12 of the female member 110, followed by rotation over an angle of the female connector 1 10 relative to the male connector 140 so that the pins 1 13 reach their final connected position at the blind end of the corresponding circumferential slot section. At the same time the forward portion 142 of the connector 140 is sealing fitted into the valve member 120.

After insertion of the male connector 140, the rotary valve member 20 is held stationary in angular direction relative to the male connector 140 by the cooperating first and second coupling portions, here the bosses 150 and the recesses 151. As a result thereof - upon the rotation over an angle to the final connected position of the female connector 110 relative to the male connector 140 - the valve member 120 is rotated to the second angular position relative to the base body 11 1 of the female connector 110. Thereby the port 125 aligns with the port 114 and the product can be discharged from the chamber 2 into the internal channel in the valve member 120 and the adjoining channel of the male connector 140 and there along.

The bag 1 can be removed by disconnecting the bayonet connection. This involves first rotation of the bag 1 and the female connector 110 in reverse direction, until the pins 1 13 become aligned with the respective axial slot section. Due to this motion, the valve member 120 is brought into its first angular position again so that the bag 1 is now closed. Then the bag 1 is lifted from the male connector 140 in axial direction, wherein the pins 1 13 passes through and out of the axial slot section.

In figure 12 a system is depicted having many features discussed with reference to the figure 1 1. In the figure 12 embodiment the valve member 120' has a tubular portion 123 that lacks a lateral port and instead the port 125' is provided in the blind end wall 124 of the valve member 120. The port 1 14' in the base body 11 1' is arranged to cooperate with the axial port 125' as the port 114' is arranged in the blind end wall 11 1a delimiting the base body bore 112. If desired multiple ports 125' and 114' can be provided in this manner in the adjoining blind end walls of the valve member 120' and the base body 1 11 '. In an embodiment the second connector is adapted to be releasably mounted on an engine oil filling member of an internal combustion engine, e.g. in a motor vehicle. For example the second connector is embodied similar to an engine oil fill cap at one end, and is provide with the second connector at another end. One can envisage that the original engine oil fill cap is removed and the second connector then installed, allowing a bag filled with engine oil to be connected to the second connector. Once sufficient oil has been filled into the engine, the bag is disconnected, the second connector removed, and the fill cap replaced. In another approach the second connector is embodied a true replacement of the original fill cap, e.g. with the second connector having a valve. One can also envisage that the second connector is part of a dispensing device, e.g. a vending machine, e.g. for a food product or a non-edible product