NL2010319C2

NL2010319C2 - Disposable and collapsible bag packaging and connector system and method.

Info

Publication number: NL2010319C2
Application number: NL2010319A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Willem Ipenburg
Original assignee: Filoform Bv
Priority date: 2013-02-18
Filing date: 2013-02-18
Publication date: 2014-08-21

Description

DISPOSABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE BAG PACKAGING AND CONNECTOR SYSTEM AND METHOD

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 member 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 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 with 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 section, 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 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 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. of aluminum foil or a foil containing an aluminum or other metal layer to provide an enhanced 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. 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 sealed 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 present invention also relates to a disposable and collapsible bag according to claim 15.

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.

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 11, 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 11 in rotatable manner.

In this practical embodiment the base body 11 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 11 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 11 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 11 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 11 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 11 so that no product can enter between these parts.

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

Claims

A packaging and connection system with a disposable and collapsible bag, comprising: - a disposable and collapsible bag (1), with at least one chamber (2) filled or filled with a flowable product, a first connector (10) for dispensing the product from the at least one chamber (2) of the bag, the first connector (10) having a base body (11) permanently attached to the bag, - a second connector (40) with an internal channel (41) for the passage of the product, which channel (41) has an outlet, the second connector (40) being releasably connectable to the first connector, characterized in that the first connector (10) has a first bayonet connector portion ( 13) and the second connector (40) comprises a second bayonet connector portion (44, 44a, 44b) so that the first and second connectors (10.40) are connectable by one of the first and second connectors axially in a bore (12) ) from the other connector, followed by rotation through an angle of the inserted connector (40) relative to the other connector (10) such that the first and second bayonet connector portions reach a final connected position, the first connector (10) comprising a rotatable valve member (20) rotatably is connected to a base body (11) of the first connector, wherein the rotatable valve member (20) - in a first angular position thereof with respect to the base body of the first connector - closes the chamber (2) of the holder (1), the rotary valve member (20) has a first coupling portion (21) which, when the valve member (20) is in its first angular position, is adapted to connect directly to a second coupling portion (44a) of the second connector (40) at the axially inserting one of the first and the second connectors into a bore (12) of the other connector, wherein - when rotating the plug-in connector with respect to the other connector towards the other connector final connected position - the rotatable valve member (20) is held stationary in the angular direction relative to the second connector (40) by the cooperating first and second coupling sections (21, 44a) and thus to a second angular position with respect to the basic body of the first connector (10) is rotated, the rotatable valve member (20) being adapted to provide - in the second angular position - a connection between the product-filled chamber (2) and the internal channel (41) in the second connector (40) which allows the product to be dispensed from the chamber (2) into the internal channel (41) and along it to the outlet of the internal channel.

The system of claim 1, wherein the first connector is a female connector (10) and the second connector is a male connector (40), and wherein the first connector comprises a bore (12) where the male connector (40) of the transfer member (30) can be inserted axially through an insertion opening (12a) of the bore, and wherein the rotatable valve member (20) is rotatably mounted in the bore (12), and wherein the first coupling portion (21) of the rotatable valve member - when the valve member is in its first angular position - is adapted to connect directly to a second coupling portion (44a) of the male connector (40) when the male member is inserted into the bore (12) in the axial direction.

A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connector (10) has a base body (11) provided with at least one port (14) adjacent to the chamber (2) of the container (1), and wherein the rotatable valve member (20) includes a passage (23) that is not aligned with the basic body port (14) in the first angular position and that is aligned with the basic body port in the second angular position.

The system of claim 3, wherein the rotatable valve member (20) has a tubular body member (23) rotatably mounted in the base body (11) of the first connector, which tubular body member is open at a towards the second connector (40) turned end, and closed by a top wall (24) at the other end, with one or more side ports (25) formed in the tubular body part (23), and with the one or more ports (14) in the base body are each aligned with a port (25) in the tubular body portion in the second angular position of the rotary valve member (20).

The system of claim 4, wherein the rotatable valve member (20) comprises an annular skirt (26) that extends around the tubular body portion (23) at an end thereof that faces the second connector (40), a slit ( 27) is present between the annular skirt (26) and the tubular body part (23), into which slot an end region of the second connector (40) is inserted during axial insertion of the second connector (40) into the bore (12) of the first connector.

The system of claim 5, wherein a face (28) of the tubular body portion (23) adapted to extend into the second connector (40) and a face of the second connector (40) are formed as sealing faces so as to form a seal when the connectors are interconnected.

A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second connector has at least one bayonet connector slot (44), preferably two bayonet connector slots (44) at diametrically opposed locations on the second connector (40), and wherein the first connector has one or more corresponding bayonet pins (13), each slot (44) having an axial slot portion (44a) and a circumferential slot portion (44b), preferably wherein the circumferential slot portion is provided with a retaining obstruction (44c), e.g. or along which the pin (13) is urged during relative rotation of the first and second connectors, which dam provides resistance to a return movement that disengages the connectors (10, 40).

A system according to claim 7, wherein the rotatable valve member (20) comprises one or more, preferably two diametrically opposed locations, coupling lugs (21), each of which, viewed in the axial insertion direction of the connectors (10, 40), is axial are aligned with respect to a bayonet pin (13) and behind that pin (13) when in the first angular position, the coupling cam (21) being arranged such that - when one connector is inserted axially into the other connector - the coupling cam (21 ) enters the axial slot portion (44a) and remains in that axial slot portion (44a) while the bayonet pin (13) aligns with the circumferential slot portion (44b) to allow subsequent relative rotation between the connectors (10,40) to form the bayonet connection.

A system according to claims 5 and 7, wherein the skirt (26) of the rotary valve member has a stop portion (26a) which comes in circumferential direction against a bayonet pin (13) of the first connector (10) when the rotary valve member (20) ) is in the first angular position.

System according to claims 2 and 4, wherein the bore (12) of the female connector - viewed in the insertion direction of the male connector - has a first bore portion (12b) with a larger diameter and a second bore portion (12c) with a smaller diameter, wherein a shoulder (12d) is present which forms a transition between the first and second bore portion, the rotatable valve member (20) having a circumferential supporting wall (29) extending between the tubular body portion (23) which is in the second bore portion (12c) ) and the skirt (26) that fits into the first bore portion (12b), the collar wall extending along the shoulder (12d) of the female connector.

A system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer member (30) is provided with an inlet valve (48) in its inner channel (41), which inlet valve is normally closed and is adapted to be opened by interconnection of the first and second connectors, or, alternatively and preferably through product flow from the container into the channel of the second connector.

System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second connector comprises a body part (30), preferably a plate body part (30), from which the male connector (40) protrudes.

A system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (11) is sealed, for example by heat sealing or ultrasonic welding, between two opposite walls of the bag (1).

A system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the bag comprises a first chamber (2) filled with a first product component and a second chamber (2b) filled with a second product component, the first and second chamber are separated by a temporary barrier (2c), for example a breakable seal, which makes it possible to connect the chambers (2, 2b) to mix the components prior to dispensing the mixed product from the bag (1) via the first connector.

15. Disposable and collapsible bag (1), with at least one chamber (2) filled or to be filled with a flowable product, a first connector (10) for dispensing the product from the at least one chamber ( 2) of the bag, the first connector (10) having a base body (11) permanently connected to the bag, the first connector (10) being releasably connectable to the second connector (40) having an internal channel (41) ) for the passage of the product, which channel (41) has an outlet, characterized in that the first connector (10) comprises a first bayonet connector portion (13) and the second connector (40) a second bayonet connector portion (44, 44a , 44b) so that the first and second connectors (10.40) are connectable by inserting one of the first and second connectors axially into a bore (12) of the other connector, followed by rotation through an angle of the plugged-in connector (40) relative to the other connector ( 10) so that the first and second bayonet connector portions reach a finally connected position, the first connector (10) comprising a rotatable valve member (20) rotatably connected to a base body (11) of the first connector, the rotatable valve member (20) - in a first angular position thereof with respect to the basic body of the first connector - closes the chamber (2) of the holder (1), wherein the rotatable valve member (20) has a first coupling portion (21) that when the valve member (20) ) is in its first angular position - is adapted to connect directly to a second coupling portion (44a) of the second connector (40) when axially inserting one of the first and the second connectors into a bore (12) of the another connector, wherein - when the inserted connector is rotated through an angle relative to the other connector to the final connected position - the rotatable valve member (20) is held stationary in the angular direction is rotated relative to the second connector (40) by the cooperating first and second coupling portions (21, 44a) and thus to a second angular position relative to the base body of the first connector (10), the rotatable valve member (20) is arranged to provide - in the second angular position - a connection between the product-filled chamber (2) and the internal channel (41) in the second connector (40) that allows the product from the chamber (2) to inner channel (41) is dispensed and along it to the outlet of the inner channel.

16. In combination a dispensing device and a disposable and collapsible bag according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing device is provided with a second connector adapted to be releasably connected to the first connector of the disposable and collapsible bag, for example wherein the dispensing device comprises a pump for pumping a flowable product into and / or out of the bag, for example wherein the dispensing device is a vending machine.

A method for dispensing a flowable product, wherein use is made of a system or a disposable and collapsible bag according to one or more of the preceding claims.