Sealable Container, and Method for Sealing a Container

Abstract

A container (51) for storage and dispensing of fluids, comprising collapsible front (54) and rear walls (56) defining a chamber, having a gland (50) defining a fluid passage for allowing the passage of fluids into the chamber carried on the front wall (54) of the container (51). The gland (50) includes a sealing land (59) within the container for sealingly engaging a heat sealable membrane (61) along a continuous seal upon the application of heat through the rear wall (56) of the container. The sealing land (59) in a pre-sealed condition, includes at least one thermo-deformable projection (64) having a raised profile providing an initial melt zone of reduced area relative to the area of the sealing land.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a sealable container, and to a method of sealing such a container. In particular, the invention relates to an aseptically sealable container, as well as to an aseptic seal for said container and an associated aseptic packaging fitment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Filling of pre-sterilised containers in an aseptic manner is known and various systems are employed which utilise different filling apparatus, different containers, and different sterilisation techniques. Typically, the container to be filled is produced in such a way as to ensure that the interior of the container is sterilised during manufacture. During the filling procedure, an inlet into the container is opened and a filling nozzle is used to fill the container with flowable material. The inlet is then sealed to thereby contain the flowable material within the container until dispensing is required. The resealing of the container after it is filled must be...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In broad terms, the present invention provides a container for storage and dispensing of fluids, said container comprising collapsible front and rear walls defining a chamber, a gland defining a fluid passage carried on the front wall for allowing the passage of fluids into the chamber, the gland including a sealing land within the container for

Problems solved by technology

When using currently known devices and methods for the containment of fibrous and particulate products as discussed above, difficulty may be experienced in achieving satisfactory heat seals without entrapment of fibrous materials and particles within or across the seal.

Another disadvantage experienced is the extended time required for heat penetration into the package from the external heat source under the limitations of the maximum temperature able to be employed without damage to the outer package layers.

A further disadvantage is experienced when alternative methods of heat sealing such as ultrasonic sealing are employed, whereby the ultrasonic transducer tends to damage the rearmost walls of the container configured as disclosed in the prior art, and does not achieve a satisfactory seal between the inner membrane and the filling port.

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