Adapter for connecting the dispenser to the container

Abstract

An adapter (1) for connecting a dispenser to a container having a neck with an internal passageway comprises a body portion (2) having a container end (27) and a dispenser end (23, 25) opposite the container end (27). The body portion (2) has a longitudinal axis (21) extending through the center between the dispenser end (23, 25) and the container end (27) and an essentially cylindrical outer surface (22). The body portion (2) comprises sealing lamellas (24) extending outwardly from the outer surface (22). The sealing lamellas (24) of the body portion (2) are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis (21). Each of the sealing lamellas (24) of the body portion (2) has a root end adjacent the outer surface (22) of the body portion (2). The root ends of at least two adjacent sealing lamellas (24) have different thicknesses.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Technical Field The present invention relates to an adapter according to the preamble of independent claim 1. Such an adapter comprises a body part having a container end and a dispenser end opposite the container end, the dispenser end of the body part may have an orifice, the body part having a longitudinal axis extending through the centre between the dispenser end and the container end and an essentially cylindrical outer surface, the body part comprising sealing lamellae extending outwards from the outer surface, the sealing lamellae of the body part being spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis, such an adapter can be used to connect a dispenser to a container having a neck with an internal passage. [Background technology]

[0002] Background technology Nowadays, pharmaceutical substances are often administered in liquid form. However, many pharmaceutical substances, especially biopharmaceutical substances, are very unstable in liquid form. Therefore, pharmaceutical substances are often provided in freeze-dried or lyophilized form, which is inherently more stable and robust compared to liquid form. Lyophilized pharmaceutical substances are reconstituted or dissolved in a diluent or liquid prior to application.

[0003] Lyophilized pharmaceutical substances or drugs are often delivered in a suitable container having a neck with an internal passage. For example, glass or plastic bottles and similar containers are used in this context. Other liquid pharmaceutical substances are also commonly provided in such containers, e.g., bottles.

[0004] Dispensers such as graduated oral syringes can be used to allow for the reconstitution of lyophilized drugs and / or the provision of specific doses from containers containing liquid pharmaceutical substances. For example, a quantity of drug can be withdrawn by the oral dispenser for administration. To connect the dispenser to the container, it is known to use adapters that allow for accurate and essentially leak-free delivery and / or withdrawal of liquid to and from the container.

[0005] A typical embodiment of this type of adapter is pushed onto the neck of the container and placed tightly thereon. Typically, providing sufficient tightness is established by a sealed connection between the adapter and the neck of the container. However, such a sealed connection usually requires a relatively large insertion force when advancing the adapter into the neck of the container. This can make it relatively difficult to achieve a correct connection between the adapter and the container, e.g., with respect to preventing the container from falling off. Also, such a push-in adapter can spontaneously slip out of the neck and require re-insertion before connecting the dispenser to the container. Furthermore, in handling the push-in adapter, the user is sometimes forced to touch or come into contact with the dosing orifice of the push-in adapter.

[0006] In order to provide a suitable balance between high tightness and low insertion force, known adapters comprise several radially extending sealing lamellae. When pressed into the container, the lamellae are bent against the direction of insertion and are elastically pressed against the inner wall of the container's neck. However, even with such adapters, there remains a risk that the adapter will not be fully inserted into the neck due to the required insertion force. This may still result in insufficient protection against leakage. Also, unintentional withdrawal of the adapter may not be sufficiently prevented.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an adapter that provides an efficient and safe connection of a dispenser to a container, particularly so that the dispenser can accurately and safely dispense material from the container. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Disclosure of the Invention According to the present invention, this need is solved by an adapter as defined by the features of independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] In particular, the invention is an adapter for connecting a dispenser to a container having a neck with an internal passageway. The adapter includes a body portion having a container end and a dispenser end opposite the container end. The body portion has a longitudinal axis extending through a center between the dispenser end and the container end and an essentially cylindrical outer surface. The body portion includes sealing lamellae extending outwardly from the outer surface. The sealing lamellae of the body portion are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis. Each of the sealing lamellae of the body portion has a root end adjacent the outer surface of the body portion. The root ends of at least two adjacent sealing lamellae have different thicknesses.

[0010] The dispenser for which the adapter is intended to be used may be a dispenser for administering the liquid of a liquid pharmaceutical product in a container to a patient. For example, it may be a dosage dispenser such as a syringe or an oral dispenser, or an enteral dispenser. Alternatively, the dispenser may be a device for supplying a liquid, such as a reconstitution medium, to a container. For example, such supply may be required for reconstituting a lyophilized drug in the container. Syringes are generally used to measure substances from a container and also to supply liquids to the container.

[0011] As used herein, the term "drug" refers to a therapeutically active agent, also commonly referred to as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), as well as combinations of a plurality of such therapeutically active agents. The term also encompasses diagnostic or imaging agents that need to be administered to a patient in liquid form, such as contrast agents (e.g., MRI contrast agents), tracers (e.g., PET tracers), and hormones.

[0012] As used herein, the term "drug substance" refers to a drug as defined above that has been made or reconstituted into a form suitable for administration to a patient. For example, a drug substance may further comprise excipients and / or other auxiliary ingredients in addition to the drug. Particularly preferred drug substances in the context of the present invention are drug solutions, particularly solutions for oral administration, injection, or infusion.

[0013] As used herein, the term "drug product" refers to a finished final product that contains a drug substance or multiple drug substances. In particular, a drug product may be a ready-to-use product that has a drug substance in an appropriate dosage and / or in an appropriate form for administration. For example, a drug product may include an administration device such as a pre-filled syringe.

[0014] The term "cylindrical" as used in connection with the outer and inner surfaces of the body portion and other portions specified below may refer to an essentially cylindrical shape, in particular a cylindrical shape, the term also includes partially cylindrical shapes, the cylindrical portion having to be large enough to allow rotational movement.

[0015] The container in which the adapter is embodied may in particular be a bottle. Such bottles are typically made of glass or plastic material, whereby the neck of the container can terminate in an opening in the container that allows access to the interior of the container via a passageway.

[0016] The adapter according to the invention may be referred to as a push-fit bottle adapter (PIBA) and may be manufactured from a plastic material, in particular an inert plastic material.

[0017] The term "longitudinal axis" with respect to the body portion may in particular relate to the axis of main extension of the body portion. The longitudinal axis may be the main or central axis of a cylinder formed by the outer surface of the body portion.

[0018] The body portion may be a single piece or monolithic element. It may be made of a polymeric material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Conveniently, it is made from linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the body part is essentially rotationally symmetric. The term "essentially rotationally symmetric" thereby refers to a design that is approximately rotationally symmetric in the literal sense, especially on the outside. It may also include, especially inside the body part, parts that are not strictly rotationally symmetric, which may be embodied in auxiliary structures in connection with the manufacture of the body part. However, the outer surface of the body part is advantageously rotationally symmetric. This allows convenient handling of the adapter regardless of its orientation. In such an embodiment, the longitudinal axis may be the axis of rotation around which the body part is essentially symmetric.

[0020] The sealing lamellae may be disposed about the entire periphery of the exterior surface of the body portion, and furthermore, they may be essentially ring-shaped.

[0021] The thickness of the root end of each sealing lamina may be the diameter at the root end of the respective lamina. In other words, the thickness may be the internal extension of the root end in the axial direction. When placed in an upright position, the thickness may be the essentially vertical diameter or internal extension of the sealing lamina.

[0022] The body portion is configured such that the exterior surface and the sealing web are advanced into the passageway of the container to close the container, such that the sealing web is stretched between the exterior surface of the body portion and the wall of the passageway and is arranged to bend or deform as it is advanced into the passageway so as to tightly contact the passageway wall, thereby sealing the passageway and securely retaining the adapter within the passageway.

[0023] The container end of the body portion is the end of the body portion along the longitudinal axis that is the first portion of the body portion that is located in the container when the adapter is advanced into the passageway of the container. The container end may also be referred to as the distal end of the body portion.

[0024] The term "distal" in reference to an adapter refers to the side or direction of the body portion that faces the container when the adapter is attached to the container. After attachment, the distal end can be inside the container. The distal end is typically the first portion that reaches the container when the adapter is attached to the container.

[0025] In contrast, the dispenser end of the body portion may be referred to as the proximal end. As used herein, the term "proximal" is the opposite of distal, i.e., relates to the side or direction of the body portion that faces away from the container when the adapter is attached to the container. Typically, the proximal end of the body portion is located outside the container when the adapter is fully attached to the container.

[0026] The dispenser or proximal end of the body portion may include an orifice. The orifice may be configured to receive the dispenser or a portion of the dispenser, such as a dispenser tip, such that the dispenser can be pushed or rotated to access the substance inside the container. In particular, receipt of the dispenser may be achieved by simply manually pushing the dispenser into the adapter, thereby forcing the dispenser tip through the orifice.

[0027] Alternatively, for the same purpose, the dispenser can be connected to the adapter by a standard fitting, such as, for example, a fitting according to the standard DIN EN ISO 80369. More specifically, the dispenser end can be designed to comply with a fitting for enteral connection according to the ISO standard 80369-3 (ENFit). In such an embodiment, the adapter can be equipped with the respective male or female part of such a fitting. When the dispenser is removed, the orifice can be automatically closed and resealed. Repeated access is thus possible.

[0028] By providing the sealing lamellae of the adapter with root ends of different thicknesses, the behavior of the insertion force can be specifically adapted and defined depending on the given situation. In particular, it has been found that the thickness of the lamellae at the root end decisively determines the resistance offered by the respective lamellae when inserting the adapter. Depending on the form and geometry of the passage of the neck of the container concerned, the thickness of the sealing lamellae at the root end can thus effectively predetermine the behavior of the insertion force of the adapter. In this way, the adapter can be specifically designed so that it is fully advanced into the neck of the container and is held firmly and tightly thereon. For example, it can be aimed for the insertion force to be uniform throughout the entire insertion.

[0029] The adapter according to the invention therefore allows convenient handling, in particular ensuring sufficient tightness and avoiding touching or contacting the dispenser end when using the adapter.

[0030] Preferably, the sealing lamina closest to the container end of the body portion has the thickest root end, and thus the sealing lamina with the thickest root end is in particular the most distal sealing lamina or the sealing lamina closest to the container end.

[0031] Designing the sealing lamella in this manner ensures that the greatest portion of the insertion force is caused by the first sealing lamella advanced into the neck of the container. This results in a larger or greatest portion of the insertion force being applied at the beginning of pushing the adapter into the container. Because a user typically pushes the adapter more or less evenly, such an embodiment may ensure that the adapter is fully advanced into the passageway of the neck of the container. More specifically, because a user must apply a relatively large force at the beginning of the pushing procedure, and an equally large insertion force is typically applied throughout the pushing procedure, it ensures that the adapter is properly and completely inserted into the neck of the container.

[0032] Preferably, the sealing lamina closest to the dispenser end of the body portion has the thinnest root end, such that the last sealing lamina inserted into the neck will experience the least insertion force, thus ensuring that it is also properly and completely inserted.

[0033] Thus, the thickness of the sealing laths at their root ends preferably decreases from the sealing lath closest to the container end to the sealing lath closest to the dispenser end. In this way, a gradual decrease in insertion force or a constant level can be achieved when pushing the adapter into the neck of the container. This allows for a very convenient and reliable full insertion of the adapter.

[0034] Preferably, each of the sealing lamellae of the body portion has a tip end opposite a root end, in particular the tip end being opposite the root end in the outer side or direction of the sealing lamellae.

[0035] Thereby, the leading edge of each lamina is preferably thinner than its root end, such thinner leading edge enabling an efficient seal to be achieved between the sealing lamina and the passageway in the neck of the container.

[0036] Each lamella is preferably tapered from the root end to the tip end, in other words, the sealing lamella is tapered in the outward or radial direction, such a design of the sealing lamella allows a very beneficial bending behavior to be achieved so that a proper seal can be established.

[0037] Each of the sealing lamellae preferably has a length extending between a root end and a tip end, with at least two adjacent sealing lamellae having different lengths. The length of a sealing lamella may also be referred to as the diameter or radius of the lamellae.

[0038] The length of the sealing lamella establishes an important feature regarding the tightness provided by the sealing lamella. By providing the sealing lamella with different lengths, the sealing behavior of the adapter can be predefined. In particular, since the passages in the neck of many containers are typically not uniformly cylindrical, lamellas of different lengths may achieve a suitable seal for the particular container involved. For example, when manufacturing glass bottles, the passages typically have slightly varying diameters along the neck due to manufacturing tolerances and glass properties. Such variations can be taken into account when designing the sealing lamella of the adapter, for example by varying the length accordingly. Thus, a very precise tightness can be achieved.

[0039] Thus, the length of the sealing lamella closest to the container end is preferably less than the length of the next adjacent sealing lamella, which may be the second most distal sealing lamella.

[0040] Preferably, the body portion comprises 2 to 8 sealing lamellae or 2 to 5 sealing lamellae, in particular 3 sealing lamellae, such a number of lamellae allows for sufficient flexibility in design and provides sufficient tightness for many applications.

[0041] Preferably, the sealing lamina extends from the outer surface essentially radially relative to the central axis.

[0042] Preferably, each of the sealing lamellae of the body portion has a proximal surface perpendicular to the outer surface of the body portion, whereby the proximal surface may be essentially flat, such a configuration allowing for efficient provision of radial sealing lamellae.

[0043] Preferably, each of the sealing lamellae of the body portion has a distal surface that is inclined relative to the outer surface of the body portion, the inclined surface may be flat or curved, which allows for smooth insertion of the adapter, and in particular allows the sealing lamellae to flex in a proximal direction when inserting the adapter.

[0044] Preferably, the distance between different adjacent sealing lamellae is different. Thus, the sealing lamellae may be unevenly spaced from each other. This allows for proper tightness in containers having uneven passages in the neck. It also allows for sufficient or proper bending of the sealing lamellae when the body portion is advanced into the passage in the neck of the container.

[0045] As a result, the distance between the sealing thin plate closest to the container end and the adjacent sealing thin plate is advantageously smaller than the distance between the sealing thin plate closest to the dispenser end and the adjacent sealing thin plate.

[0046] Preferably, the adapter comprises a flange portion at the dispenser end. Such a flange portion may provide an end of the adapter, whereby the flange portion is preferably more rigid than the sealing web. The flange portion forms a stop preventing further advancement of the body portion into the neck of the container.

[0047] Preferably, the adapter comprises a gasket arranged on the flange portion. The gasket may in particular be made of a relatively compressible or flexible, typically resilient, material such as an elastomeric material. Conveniently, the gasket is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Such a gasket allows for further sealing of the neck of the container to the adapter.

[0048] Thus, the flange portion preferably has a distal surface and the gasket is preferably attached to the distal surface of the flange portion After advancing the body portion into the passageway of the container, the flange portion may abut the edge of the neck of the container and the gasket is compressed between the edge and the flange portion, providing additional tightness.

[0049] The adapter may comprise a dose chamber located adjacent the orifice such that it is accessible by the dispenser through the orifice. Such a dose chamber may precisely define the dose that the dispenser can remove from the container. It is therefore possible to ensure that a predetermined dose is removed from the container. The dose chamber may, for example, be arranged so that it is filled when the container is inverted but not filled when in an upright position.

[0050] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0051] The adapter according to the invention is described in further detail herein below by way of an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a perspective top view of one embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 shows a perspective bottom view of the adapter of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the adapter of FIG. 1; [Figure 4]4 shows a cross-sectional view of the adapter along plane AA of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 5 shows detail B of the adapter of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] Description of the embodiments In the following description, certain terms are used for convenience and are not intended to limit the invention. The terms "right", "left", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "under" and "above" refer to directions in the figures. The use of terms includes the terms explicitly mentioned, as well as their derivatives and terms with similar meanings. Spatially relative terms such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", "proximal", "distal", and the like may also be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature shown in the figures to another element or feature. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass various positions and orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the positions and orientations shown in the figures. For example, if a device in a figure is inverted, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features would be considered to be "above" or "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both above and below positions and orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly. Similarly, descriptions of movement along and about various axes include various particular device positions and orientations.

[0053] In order to avoid repetition in the figures and descriptions of various aspects and exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that many features are common to many aspects and embodiments. If an aspect is omitted from a description or figure, it does not mean that the aspect is missing from an embodiment incorporating the aspect. Rather, the aspect may be omitted for the purpose of clarity and to avoid redundant description. In this context, the following applies to the remainder of the specification: for clarity of the drawings, if a figure includes a reference sign that is not described in the directly relevant part of the specification, reference is made to the preceding or subsequent part of the specification. Furthermore, for clarity, if not all features of a part are labeled in a drawing, reference is made to other drawings showing the same part. Similar numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements.

[0054] Figure 1 shows an adapter 1 for connecting a dispenser to a bottle as a container. The adapter 1 is configured to be pushed into the internal passage of the neck of the bottle. The adapter 1 can be called a Push-In Bottle Adapter (PIBA).

[0055] The adapter 1 has a body portion 2 with a central longitudinal axis 21, a cylindrical outer surface 22, a flange portion 23, and a sealing web 24. The flange portion 23 has a flat open upper surface and forms part of the dispenser or proximal end of the body portion 2.

[0056] The sealing lamellae 24 extend outwardly from the outer surface 22 in a radial direction relative to the axis 21. They are embodied as rings extending completely around the outer surface 22 and are spaced apart from one another along the axis 21. The sealing lamellae 24 consist of a distal sealing lamella 241, a middle sealing lamella 242, and a proximal sealing lamella 243. The proximal sealing lamella 243 is the sealing lamella of the sealing lamellae 24 closest to the flange portion 243, i.e., closest to the dispenser end.

[0057] The dispenser end of the body portion 2 comprises a nozzle 25 with an orifice and a dispenser recess 26. The nozzle 25 and the dispenser recess 26 are designed as fittings according to ISO standard 80369-3 (ENFit). In this way, the adapter can be reversibly connected to a dispenser having a corresponding fitting.

[0058] In Figure 2 the adapter is shown from below, whereby it can be seen that the body portion 2 comprises a hollow or hollow interior 29. The lower end of the body portion 2 defines a distal or container end 27 opposite the dispenser end. The stem 21 extends between the dispenser end and the container end 27.

[0059] A gate structure 28 is disposed on a sidewall of the interior 29 of the body portion. The gate structure 28 is embodied in the context of efficient injection molding when manufacturing the body portion 2.

[0060] Figure 3 shows the adapter 1 from the side. As can be seen, the nozzle 25 projects axially distally past the flange portion 23. With the exception of the gate structure 28, the adapter 1 is rotationally symmetrical about the axis 21, and in particular the body portion 2 is essentially rotationally symmetrical.

[0061] Optionally, the adapter may comprise a gasket 3. Such a gasket may be essentially O-ring shaped and may be attached to the flange portion 23. In particular, the gasket 3 may be glued to the distal face of the flange portion 23.

[0062] In Fig. 4, the adapter 1 is shown in a cross-sectional view. The gate structure 28 extends in the axial direction. The sealing lamellae 24 are arranged at different distances relative to each other. In particular, a first distance 2417 between the distal sealing lamellae 241 and the middle sealing lamellae 242 is smaller than a second distance 2427 between the middle sealing lamellae 242 and the proximal sealing lamellae 243, which is smaller than a third distance 2437 between the proximal sealing lamellae 243 and the flange portion 23.

[0063] 5 shows sealing lamina 24 in further detail. Distal sealing lamina 241 has a first root end 2411, a first tip 2412, a first proximal face 2413, and a first distal face 2414. First root end 2411 is adjacent outer surface 22 and has a first thickness 2415. First proximal face 2413 comprises a flat surface extending perpendicular to outer surface 22. First distal face 2414 is angled relative to outer surface 22 and axis 21.

[0064] The distal seal lath 241 extends radially and tapers from a first root end 2411 to a first tip 2412 such that the first tip 2412 is thinner than the first root end 2411. Thus, the distal seal lath 241 has a first length 2416 that extends outwardly from the first root end 2411 to the first tip 2412. The first tip 2412 is rounded.

[0065] The mid-sealing lamina 242 is embodied similarly to the distal sealing lamina 241. In particular, it has a second root end 2421, a second tip 2422, a second proximal face 2423, and a second distal face 2424. The second root end 2421 is adjacent to the outer surface 22 and has a second thickness 2425. The second proximal face 2423 comprises a flat surface extending perpendicularly to the outer surface 22. The second distal face 2424 is inclined with respect to the outer surface 22 and the axis 21. The mid-sealing lamina 242 extends radially and tapers from the second root end 2421 to the second tip 2422 such that the second tip 2422 is thinner than the second root end 2421. The mid-sealing leaf 242 has a second length 2426 that extends outwardly from the second root end 2421 to a second tip 2422. The second tip 2422 is rounded.

[0066] The proximal sealing lamella 243 is embodied similarly to the distal sealing lamella 241 and the intermediate sealing lamella 242. In particular, it has a third root end 2431, a third tip 2432, a third proximal surface 2433, and a third distal surface 2434. The third root end 2431 is adjacent to the outer surface 22 and has a third thickness 2435. The third proximal surface 2433 comprises a flat surface extending perpendicularly to the outer surface 22. The third distal surface 2434 is inclined relative to the outer surface 22 and the axis 21. The proximal sealing lamella 243 extends radially and tapers from the third root end 2431 to the third tip 2432 such that the third tip 2432 is thinner than the third root end 2431. Thus, the proximal sealing leaf 243 has a third length 2436 that extends outwardly from the third root end 2431 to a third tip 2432. The third tip 2432 is rounded.

[0067] The sealing slats 24 are designed and dimensioned to bend proximally when the body portion 2 is forced into the passage of the neck of the bottle. To allow easier introduction into the passage, the sealing slats 24 are provided with inclined distal faces 2414, 2424, 2434. The flange portion 23 is embodied to be more rigid than the sealing slats 24 to prevent bending proximally. In this way, the flange portion 23 stops the advancement of the body portion 2 into the passage and remains outside the bottle against the edge of the neck.

[0068] Of the three sealing lamellae 24, the distal sealing lamella 241, i.e., the sealing lamella 241 closest to the container end 27, has the thickest root end 2415, and the proximal sealing lamella 243, i.e., the sealing lamella 243 closest to the dispenser end 23, has the thinnest root end 2435. More specifically, the first thickness 2415 is greater than the second thickness 2425, which is greater than the third thickness 2435. Thus, the thicknesses of the root ends 2415, 2425, 2435 of the sealing lamellae 24 decrease in order from the distal sealing lamella 241 to the proximal sealing lamella 243. For example, the second thickness 2425 may be within a range of about 85% to 95% of the first thickness 2415, or about 90%. The third thickness 2435 may be in the range of about 75% to 85%, or about 80% of the first thickness 2415.

[0069] By providing the distal sealing lamella 241 with its thickest root end 2411, a relatively high insertion force is achieved at the level of the distal sealing lamella 241 when advancing the adapter 1 into the passage of the neck of the bottle. In particular, the relatively thick distal sealing lamella 241 offers a relatively high resistance to the proximal bending of the distal sealing lamella 241, which is necessary to allow the adapter 1 to be inserted into the passage. Thus, an increased insertion after the distal sealing lamella 241 is prevented. This makes it possible to achieve a complete insertion of the adapter 1 into the passage of the bottle by applying a constant force, e.g. a pushing force.

[0070] With respect to the length of the sealing lamina 24, the first length 2416 of the distal sealing lamina 241 is less than the second length 2426 of the middle sealing lamina 242. The third length 2436 of the proximal sealing lamina 243 is slightly less than the second length 2426 of the middle sealing lamina 242. By having different lengths, the sealing lamina 24 is tailored to be particularly suited to the passage of the neck of the bottle. For example, the first length 2416 may be within a range of about 75%-85% of the second length 2426. The third length 2436 may be within a range of about 85%-95% of the second length 2426.

[0071] The present specification and the accompanying drawings, which describe aspects and embodiments of the present invention, should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims that define the protected invention. In other words, although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the above description, such illustration and description should be considered as illustrative or exemplary, rather than limiting. Various mechanical, compositional, structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present specification and claims. In some cases, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. Thus, it will be understood that those skilled in the art may make changes and modifications within the scope and spirit of the following claims. In particular, the present invention encompasses further embodiments having any combination of features from the different embodiments described above and below.

[0072] Moreover, the present disclosure encompasses all additional features that may not be described in the above or following description, but are individually illustrated in the figures. Also, each alternative of the embodiments and each alternative of the features described in the drawings and specification may be abandoned from the subject matter of the present invention or the disclosed subject matter. The present disclosure includes subject matter consisting of the features defined in the claims or exemplary embodiments, as well as subject matter comprising those features.

[0073] Moreover, in the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. A single unit or step may fulfill the functions of several features recited in the claims. Even if certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims, this does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be advantageously used. The terms "essentially", "about", "approximately", and the like, in connection with an attribute or value, in particular define that very attribute or exactly that value as well. The term "about" in the context of a given numerical value or range refers, for example, to a value or range that is within 20%, within 10%, within 5%, or within 2% of the given value or range. Components described as being coupled or connected may be directly coupled, electrically or mechanically, or indirectly coupled via one or more intermediate components. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. An adapter (1) for connecting a dispenser to a container having a neck with an internal passage, comprising: a body portion (2) having a container end (27) and a dispenser end (23, 25) opposite said container end (27); Equipped with The body portion (2) has a longitudinal axis (21) extending through its center between the dispenser end (23, 25) and the container end (27) and an essentially cylindrical outer surface (22); The body portion (2) includes a sealing lamella (24) extending outwardly from the outer surface (22); The sealing lamellae (24) of the body portion (2) are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis (21), each of the sealing webs (24) of the body portion (2) has a root end (2411, 2421, 2431) adjacent the outer surface (22) of the body portion (2); the root ends (2411, 2421, 2431) of at least two adjacent sealing laths (24) have different thicknesses (2415, 2425, 2435); An adapter (1).

2. 2. The adapter (1) of claim 1, wherein the sealing web (241) closest to the container end (27) of the body portion (2) has the thickest root end (2411).

3. 3. The adapter (1) of claim 2, wherein the sealing web (243) closest to the dispenser end (23, 25) of the body portion (2) has the thinnest root end (2431).

4. 4. The adapter (1) of claim 3, wherein the thicknesses (2415, 2425, 2435) of the root ends (2411, 2421, 2431) of the sealing laths (24) decrease in sequence from the sealing lath (241) closest to the container end (27) to the sealing lath (243) closest to the dispenser end (23, 25).

5. The adapter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the sealing laths (24) of the body portion (2) has a tip (2412, 2422, 2432) opposite the root end (2411, 2421, 2431).

6. 6. The adapter (1) of claim 5, wherein the tip (2412, 2422, 2432) of each sealing sheet (24) is thinner than the respective root end (2411, 2421, 2431).

7. 7. The adapter (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the sealing laths (24) is tapered from the root end (2411, 2421, 2431) to the tip end (2412, 2422, 2432).

8. An adapter (1) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein each of the sealing lamellae (24) has a length (2416, 2426, 2436) extending between the root end (2411, 2421, 2431) and the tip end (2412, 2422, 2432), and at least two adjacent sealing lamellae (24) have different lengths (2416, 2426, 2436), and the length (2416, 2426, 2436) of the sealing lamella (241) closest to the container side end (27) is preferably smaller than the length (2416, 2426, 2436) of the next adjacent sealing lamella (242).

9. The adapter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body portion (2) comprises 2 to 8 sealing lamellae (24) or 2 to 5 sealing lamellae (24), in particular 3 sealing lamellae (24).

10. The adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing web (24) extends from the outer surface (22) essentially radially with respect to the central axis (21).

11. The adapter (1) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each of the sealing lamellas (24) of the body portion (2) has a proximal surface (2413, 2423, 2433) perpendicular to the outer surface (22) of the body portion (2).

12. The adapter (1) of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the sealing lamellas (24) of the body portion (2) has a distal surface (2414, 2424, 2434) inclined relative to the outer surface (22) of the body portion (2).

13. An adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distances (2417, 2427, 2437) between different adjacent sealing laths (24) are different.

14. An adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a flange portion (23) at the dispenser end (23, 25), said flange portion (23) preferably being stiffer than said sealing web (24).

15. 15. The adapter (1) of claim 14, further comprising a gasket (3) disposed on the flange portion (23), the flange portion (23) preferably having a distal surface (2414, 2424, 2434), the gasket (3) preferably being attached to the distal surface (2414, 2424, 2434) of the flange portion (23).

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