Device for sealing fluid product containers
By designing a snap-fit mechanism for plastic plugs, attachment rings, caps, and blocking elements, as well as a tearable wing structure, the problems of fluid product integrity and high-speed assembly in existing sealing devices are solved, achieving sealing and tamper-proof indication of fluid products.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- APTAR FRANCE SAS
- Filing Date
- 2022-02-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing sealing devices cannot guarantee the integrity of fluid products before use, and there are problems such as metal particle contamination and difficulty in high-speed assembly.
A sealing device comprising a plug, attachment ring, cap, and blocking element has been designed. Utilizing plastic materials, it achieves sealing and tamper-proofing of fluid products through snap-fit and tearable fin design, and is suitable for high-speed assembly.
It ensures the integrity of fluid products before use, avoids metal contamination, and enables the simultaneous assembly of dozens of devices in a high-speed assembly machine, providing tamper-proof indication.
Smart Images
Figure CN117136161B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for sealing containers of fluid products, such as vials containing pharmaceutical fluid products. An advantageous application of the invention is the ability to use a needle to puncture the stopper to sample all or some of the fluid product contained in the container. Background Technology
[0002] Typically, this type of sealing device comprises a plug made of a relatively flexible material (e.g., an elastomer) that is inserted into the collar of the container under force. During assembly, the plug is pushed into its closed position, where it seals the container tightly, and a metal capsule is mounted around the plug, specifically curled, to attach the plug to the collar of the container.
[0003] This known implementation method has several drawbacks.
[0004] Therefore, if the seal is not punctured to allow sampling of the fluid contained in the container by puncturing the stopper, the seal must be completely removed before use, which can be difficult. This also includes the risk of accidentally removing the stopper, and consequently, the risk of loss of the fluid contained in the container.
[0005] On the other hand, if the seal is punctured to the point that the stopper is punctured, the portion not covered by the seal is unprotected, especially during transport and storage, and therefore at risk to the integrity of the fluid contained in the container. In this case, it is almost impossible to know whether the stopper has been punctured, thus creating uncertainty about the contents of the container.
[0006] Furthermore, the use of metal cladding, typically made of aluminum, can generate metal particles as the cladding curls onto the container's collar, potentially damaging the fluid contained within. More generally, the use of metal components is detrimental in terms of recycling and environmental considerations.
[0007] To overcome these drawbacks, a method has been proposed to attach and retain the stopper to the container using a plastic attachment ring, wherein the blocking element is assembled around the ring to maintain its attachment, and a cap is removably disposed on the ring or the blocking element to protect the stopper until the device is used. This type of device is described in document WO2017001459.
[0008] This type of device also has disadvantages.
[0009] Therefore, removable protective caps can usually be easily removed and put back in place, making it impossible to know whether the product has been sampled from the container. The integrity of the fluid contained in the container cannot be guaranteed either.
[0010] Furthermore, the complexity of this type of sealing device prevents high-speed assembly from being achieved by using, for example, a machine capable of assembling dozens of sealing devices simultaneously.
[0011] Document DE102017127313 describes another prior art device. Summary of the Invention
[0012] The present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.
[0013] The present invention is particularly intended to provide a sealing device that ensures the integrity of fluid contained in a container prior to its use.
[0014] The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device including a tamper-proof first use indicator.
[0015] The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device that can be used with a plug having a coating on the surface that comes into contact with the fluid product.
[0016] The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device that contains no metal at all.
[0017] The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device that can be assembled at a high rate, particularly in an assembly machine capable of assembling dozens, for example one hundred devices simultaneously.
[0018] The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
[0019] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an apparatus for sealing a fluid product container, the fluid product container including a collar having an upper axial edge, the sealing apparatus comprising:
[0020] A plug, comprising a radial plate and an axial drum, the axial drum being inserted into the interior of the collar during assembly, the plug including a sealing device for sealing with the container.
[0021] An attachment ring for attaching the plug to the collar, the attachment ring comprising a cylindrical axial sleeve having a radial flange on its upper side, the radial flange extending radially inward and including a central opening, and the cylindrical axial sleeve having a first attachment device on its lower side for attaching to the collar of the container.
[0022] The cover includes a radial disk and a cylindrical axial envelope extending axially downward from the radial disk, the cover including a second attachment device.
[0023] The blocking element includes a cylindrical axial wall and a complementary attachment device that engages with the second attachment device of the cover in the assembled state.
[0024] The axial wall includes, on a portion of its periphery, a tearable tab defined between two grooves forming a bridge of thin material. The tab includes a gripping portion on one side and terminates in a flared portion on the opposite side, such that once torn, the axial wall opens outward along its entire height, thus enabling the removal of the blocking element from the sealing device.
[0025] Advantageously, the axial rotating cylinder of the plug includes at least one sealing bead on its outer surface, which engages with the interior of the collar of the container to ensure the container is sealed.
[0026] Advantageously, the radial plate of the plug has an outer diameter larger than that of the axial rotating cylinder, and includes at least one downwardly extending annular protrusion that engages with the upper axial edge of the collar in a sealing position.
[0027] Advantageously, the annular protrusion is peripheral, and during the assembly of the sealing device onto the collar of the container, the annular protrusion flattens out on the upper axial edge of the collar to seal with the container.
[0028] Advantageously, the radial plate includes a central tapping zone defined within the interior of the axial ring.
[0029] Advantageously, the radial outer edge of the axial ring is tapered by flaring upwards.
[0030] Advantageously, in the assembled state of the sealing device, the radial flange of the attachment ring is positioned on the radial plate of the plug, and the central opening accommodates the axial ring and the tapping area of the plug.
[0031] Advantageously, the radial edge of the central opening snaps into the radially outer tapered edge of the axial ring.
[0032] Advantageously, the first attachment device of the attachment ring is a snap-fit device, including at least one radially inwardly extending radial profile.
[0033] Advantageously, the first attachment device includes a single radial profile extending over the entire periphery of the cylindrical axial sleeve.
[0034] Advantageously, the inner diameter of the axial sleeve of the cover is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the axial sleeve of the attachment ring, such that in the assembled state of the sealing device, the axial sleeve is positioned around the axial sleeve, wherein there is no gap or a small gap between the axial sleeve and the axial sleeve.
[0035] Advantageously, the second attachment device of the cover includes one or more protrusions extending radially outward.
[0036] Advantageously, the complementary attachment device of the blocking element includes one or more radially inwardly extending profiles that snap onto one or more protrusions forming the second attachment device of the cover.
[0037] Advantageously, the axial wall of the blocking element includes a radially inwardly extending annular radial wall on its lower axial edge, the diameter of the radially inner edge of the annular radial wall being smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical axial sleeve of the attachment ring and smaller than the outer diameter of the container.
[0038] Advantageously, the device does not contain metal.
[0039] The present invention also aims to provide an assembly comprising a fluid product container having a collar and a sealing device such as described above for attaching and retaining a plug on the collar. Attached Figure Description
[0040] These features and advantages of the invention, as well as other features and advantages, will become more apparent in the following detailed description, given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided as non-limiting examples, and in the drawings:
[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective sectional view of a sealing device attached to a container according to an advantageous embodiment;
[0042] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic vertical sectional view of the sealing device;
[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic three-dimensional sectional view and exploded view of the sealing device;
[0044] Figure 4 It is similar to Figure 3 A view of the exploded three-dimensional diagram;
[0045] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A schematic perspective sectional view of the attachment ring of the sealing device;
[0046] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A schematic three-dimensional sectional view of the plug of the sealing device;
[0047] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the blocking element of the sealing device;
[0048] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A schematic three-dimensional cross-sectional bottom view of the cover of the sealing device;
[0049] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A schematic exploded perspective view of the sealing device after the removal of the blocking element and the cap;
[0050] Figure 10 It is based on an advantageous variant implementation. Figure 2 A schematic vertical sectional view of the sealing device during assembly;
[0051] Figure 11 and Figure 12 They are Figure 2 Schematic vertical sectional views of the sealing device before and after it is assembled onto the container. Detailed Implementation
[0052] The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal center axis of the device. The terms "top," "bottom," "upper," and "lower" refer to... Figure 11 and Figure 12 The device shown is in its upright position.
[0053] A container 1, which may be made of plastic or glass, has a collar 2 formed on its upper portion. In particular, the container 1 may be provided in the form of a vial. The container 1 contains a fluid product, especially a pharmaceutical-type fluid product.
[0054] According to the present invention, a sealing device is attached to a collar 2 of a container 1. The sealing device includes a plug 10, an attachment ring 20, a cap 30, and a blocking element 40.
[0055] The plug 10 for sealing the container 1 is preferably made of a resiliently deformable material, such as rubber or any other suitable elastomer material.
[0056] The plug 10 includes a radial plate 11 and a generally cylindrical axial rotating cylinder 12. In the sealed position, the axial rotating cylinder 12 extends into the interior of the collar 2.
[0057] The stopper 10 includes a sealing device for sealing with the container.
[0058] According to a first advantageous variation of the sealing device, the axial rotating cylinder 12 includes at least one peripheral sealing bead 13 on its outer surface, which engages with the interior of the collar 2 of the container 1 to ensure the sealing of the container.
[0059] Advantageously, the outer diameter of the radial plate 11 is larger than the outer diameter of the axial rotating cylinder 12, and its radial outer edge includes a downwardly extending annular protrusion 14. During the assembly of the sealing device on the container, the annular protrusion 14 will deform and ensure a certain spring effect and dimensional compensation to optimize assembly and / or sealing in the assembled state.
[0060] According to a second advantageous variation of the sealing device, the annular protrusion 14 is peripheral, and during the assembly of the sealing device onto the collar 2 of the container 1, the annular protrusion 14 flattens out on the upper axial edge 3 of the collar 2 to seal against the container 1. In this variation, the sealing bead 13 is no longer mandatory and can be omitted entirely, or replaced by several bead portions that are separated from each other and distributed on the periphery of the axial rotating cylinder 12 without a sealing function.
[0061] The radial plate 11 includes a tap area 15 for piercing by a suitable device (e.g., a syringe) to sample all or some of the fluid products contained in the container 1. Figure 6 As shown, the taper 15 is preferably located at the center of the axial ring 16 and defined within the axial ring 16. Advantageously, the radially outer edge of the axial ring 16 is slightly tapered by flaring upwards.
[0062] Optionally, the inner surface of the plug 10, which comes into contact with the fluid product contained in the container 1, may be covered with a coating, particularly a thin ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) film, in order to limit the interaction between the plug 10 and the fluid product.
[0063] The attachment ring 20 is configured to attach and hold the plug 10 on the collar 2 of the container 1.
[0064] The attachment ring 20 includes a cylindrical axial sleeve 21, which has a radial flange 22 on its upper side. The radial flange 22 extends radially inward and includes a central opening 23. In the assembled position of the sealing device, particularly... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the radial flange 22 is located on the radial plate 11 of the plug 10, wherein the opening 23 accommodates the axial ring 16 and the taper area 15 of the plug 10. Advantageously, the radial edge of the central opening 23 engages with the radial outer edge of the axial ring 16 when it is slightly tapered.
[0065] On its lower side, the cylindrical axial sleeve 21 includes first attachment devices 25, specifically attached to the collar 2 of the container 1 via a snap-fit engagement. These first attachment devices 25 include a radially inwardly extending radial profile. In the example shown, this radial profile is peripheral, but in a variation, it may include multiple lugs distributed on the periphery. Other attachment devices on the collar 2 of the container 1 are also contemplated.
[0066] The cover 30 includes a radial disk 31, which, in the assembled state, is located on the upper surface of the radial flange 22 of the attachment ring 20, specifically as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown.
[0067] The cover 30 also includes a cylindrical axial sleeve 32 extending axially downward from the radial disk 31. The inner diameter of the axial sleeve 32 is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the axial sleeve 21 of the attachment ring 20. Therefore, in the assembled state, the axial sleeve 32 is positioned around the axial sleeve 21, with no gap or a small gap between the axial sleeve 32 and the axial sleeve 21.
[0068] Advantageously, as shown in the figure, the axial sleeve 32 extends only over a small portion of the height of the axial sleeve 21.
[0069] The axial sleeve 32 includes second attachment devices 33, such as one or more radially outwardly extending protrusions, which will be described in more detail below. These second attachment devices 33 are advantageously located at the lower axial edge of the axial sleeve 32.
[0070] Advantages, such as Figure 8 As shown, the lower surface of the radial disk 31 includes a central recess 35 defined by an annular axial protrusion 36, which, in the assembled state, is located above the tap area 15 of the plug 10. Figure 8 In the example shown, the annular axial protrusion 36 is attached to the axial sleeve 32 by a plurality of radial bridges 37 distributed around the periphery. Thus, in this embodiment, these are the annular axial protrusion 36 and the radial bridges 37, which, in the assembled state, contact the upper surface of the radial flange 22 of the attachment ring 20.
[0071] The blocking element 40 includes a cylindrical axial wall 41 with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the axial sleeve 32 and the outer diameter of the second attachment device 33 of the cover 30.
[0072] Advantageously, the axial wall 41 includes complementary attachment devices 43 at its upper axial edge. In the example shown in the figures, these complementary attachment devices include one or more radially inwardly extending profiles 43, the inner diameter of which is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the axial sleeve 32, but smaller than the outer diameter of the protrusions 33 of the cover 30. Thus, in the assembled state, the profile 43 of the blocking element 40 snaps into the protrusion(s) 33 of the cover 30. To optimize this snap-fit, the outer shapes of the profiles 43 and the protrusions 33 can be conventionally achieved, wherein the inclined planes slide over each other during the assembly phase, and the radial surfaces form a snap-fit abutment after assembly.
[0073] In the example shown in the figures, the cover 30 includes several individual protrusions 33 distributed on its periphery, such as two or three, but it is also possible to consider only one protrusion 33 extending radially outward throughout the periphery. Similarly, in the example shown in the figures, the blocking element 40 includes a single profile 43 extending radially inward throughout the periphery, but it is also possible to consider several individual profiles 43 distributed on its periphery.
[0074] In one variation, the second attachment device 33 of the cover 30 and the complementary attachment device 43 of the blocking element 40 can be implemented differently without forming a snap-fit. Thus, the cover 30 can be non-removably attached to the blocking element 40, for example, by laser or ultrasonic welding. In this variation, the cover 30 and the blocking element 40 thus form a single sub-assembly. Other alternative attachments are also possible.
[0075] The axial wall 41 includes a tearable flap 42 defined between two grooves 44, 45 on a portion of its periphery, the grooves 44, 45 forming a bridge of thin material. The flap 42 includes a gripping portion 46 that a user can hold to tear the flap at a portion of the periphery of the blocking element 40. Figure 9 As shown, the tearable flap 42 terminates at the flared portion 42' on the opposite side of the gripping portion 46, such that once torn, the axial wall 41 opens outward along its entire height, thereby allowing the blocking element 40 to be removed from the sealing device.
[0076] On its lower axial edge, the axial wall 41 includes an annular radial wall 49 extending radially inward. The diameter of the radially inner edge of the annular radial wall 49 is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical axial sleeve 21 of the attachment ring 20. In the assembled state, the annular radial wall 49 is axially positioned below the cylindrical axial sleeve 21, thereby preventing the removal of the blocking element 40 by upward axial pulling. The diameter of the radially inner edge of the annular radial wall 49 is also smaller than the outer diameter of the container 1.
[0077] In the assembled state of the sealing device, the plug 10 seals against the collar 2 of the container 1, the attachment ring 20 attaches the plug 10 and holds it in its sealed position, the cap 30 protects the plug 10 and prevents entry into its tap area 15, and the blocking element 40 prevents the cap 30 from being removed while held in the blocking position by snap-fitting with the cap 30, and also by axial blocking achieved by the attachment ring 20 at the annular radial wall 49. In the assembled state, the sealing device thus forms a non-removable sub-assembly.
[0078] To assemble the sealing device, the attachment ring 20 is first assembled onto the plug 10, advantageously engaging with it at the central opening 23. Then, in Figure 10In the example, cap 30 is assembled onto attachment ring 20 from above, and then plugging element 40 snaps onto cap 30 from below according to arrow F1. In a variation, the plug-attachment ring unit may be first disposed in plugging element 40, and then cap 30 snaps onto it from above. Alternatively, the assembly of cap 30 and plugging element 40 around the plug-attachment ring unit can be completed in a single step, with the plug-attachment ring unit thus sandwiched between cap 30 and plugging element 40.
[0079] according to Figure 11 As indicated by arrow F2, the assembly of the sealing device on the collar 2 of the container 1 is advantageously accomplished by an axial thrust downwards from the sealing device. This simultaneously inserts the plug 10 into the collar 2 of the container 1 and attaches the attachment ring 20 to the collar 2 (particularly a snap-fit engagement). The presence of the central recess 35 in the cap 30 ensures that during assembly, all forces F2 applied to the cap 30 are transmitted to the attachment ring 20, without direct interaction between the cap 30 and the plug 10.
[0080] The size and shape of the at least one sealing bead 13 are selected such that a seal is maintained in the assembled state without generating excessive force during assembly. This allows the use of an assembly machine with baskets or nests, capable of assembling dozens of devices simultaneously, for example, approximately one hundred.
[0081] After the sealing device is assembled onto the container, the sealing device includes a tamper-proof first use indicator. In fact, since the tear-open flap 42 is not torn and the blocking element 40 is removed, the cap 30 cannot be removed. Therefore, the contents of the container are fully protected. The cap 30 can also be removed after the blocking element 40 is removed. However, since this assembly must be completed before assembly onto the container 1, it is no longer possible to recover another blocking element 40. In fact, the inner diameter of the annular radial wall 49 is smaller than the outer diameter of the container 1, making it impossible to assemble the blocking element 40 above the container 1. Similarly, the inner diameter of the annular radial wall 49 is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical axial sleeve 21 of the attachment ring 20, making it impossible to assemble the blocking element 40 above the attachment ring 20.
[0082] Of course, variations of the implementation methods may be considered without departing from the scope of the invention, such as that defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1), the fluid product container (1) including a collar (2) having an upper axial edge (3), the apparatus for sealing the fluid product container (1) comprising: A plug (10) includes a radial plate (11) and an axial rotating cylinder (12), the axial rotating cylinder (12) being inserted into the interior of the collar (2) during assembly, and the plug (10) including a sealing device for sealing with the container (1). An attachment ring (20) for attaching the plug (10) to the collar (2) includes a cylindrical axial sleeve (21) having a radial flange (22) on its upper side, the radial flange (22) extending radially inward and including a central opening (23), and the cylindrical axial sleeve (21) including a first attachment device (25) on its lower side for attaching the collar (2) to the container (1). The cover (30) includes a radial disk (31) and a cylindrical axial sleeve (32) extending axially downward from the radial disk (31), the cover (30) including a second attachment device (33). The blocking element (40) includes a cylindrical axial wall (41) and a complementary attachment (43) that engages with the second attachment (33) of the cover (30) in the assembled state. The axial wall (41) includes a tearable flap (42) on a portion of its periphery, defined between two grooves (44, 45) forming a bridge of thin material. The flap (42) includes a gripping portion (46) on one side and terminates at a flared portion (42') on the opposite side, such that once torn, the axial wall (41) opens outward along its entire height, thereby enabling the removal of the blocking element (40) from the sealing device. The radial plate (11) is characterized by including a central taper area (15) defined inside the axial ring (16), the radial outer edge of the axial ring (16) being tapered by upward flaring, wherein, in the assembled state of the sealing device, the radial flange (22) of the attachment ring (20) is positioned on the radial plate (11) of the plug (10), the central opening (23) accommodates the taper area (15) of the axial ring (16) and the plug (10), and the radial edge of the central opening (23) snaps into the radial outer tapered edge of the axial ring (16).
2. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The axial rotating cylinder (12) of the plug (10) includes at least one sealing bead (13) on its outer surface, which engages with the interior of the collar (2) of the container (1) to ensure the container is sealed.
3. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The radial plate (11) of the plug (10) has an outer diameter larger than that of the axial cylinder (12) and includes at least one downwardly extending annular protrusion (14) that engages with the upper axial edge (3) of the collar (2) in a sealing position.
4. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The annular protrusion (14) is peripheral and, during the assembly of the sealing device onto the collar (2) of the container (1), the annular protrusion (14) flattens out on the upper axial edge (3) of the collar (2) to seal with the container (1).
5. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The first attachment device (25) of the attachment ring (20) is a snap-fit device, including at least one radially inwardly extending radial profile.
6. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The first attachment device (25) includes a single radial profile extending over the entire periphery of the cylindrical axial sleeve (21).
7. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The inner diameter of the axial sleeve (32) of the cover (30) is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the axial sleeve (21) of the attachment ring (20), such that in the assembled state of the sealing device, the axial sleeve (32) is positioned around the axial sleeve (21), wherein there is no gap or a small gap between the axial sleeve (32) and the axial sleeve (21).
8. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The second attachment device (33) of the cover (30) includes one or more protrusions extending radially outward.
9. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The complementary attachment device (43) of the blocking element (40) includes one or more radially inwardly extending profiles that snap onto one or more protrusions forming the second attachment device (33) of the cover (30).
10. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The axial wall (41) of the blocking element (40) includes an annular radial wall (49) extending radially inward on its lower axial edge, the diameter of the radial inner edge of the annular radial wall (49) being smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical axial sleeve (21) of the attachment ring (20) and smaller than the outer diameter of the container (1).
11. The apparatus for sealing a fluid product container (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The device for sealing the fluid product container (1) does not contain metal.
12. An assembly comprising a fluid product container (1) having a collar (2) and means for sealing the fluid product container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to attach and retain a plug (10) on the collar (2).