A sealing device for sealing containers, and a system and method for sealing containers in parallel using a sealing device.

Abstract

A sealing device for sealing a container, and a system and method for sealing a container in parallel using the sealing device are disclosed. The sealing device includes a stopper and a cap. The cap includes a ring, a crown, and a lid. The stopper and cap can be positioned in a preloaded position where the stopper is partially inserted into the opening of the container, and in a sealed position where the stopper seals the opening of the container and the lock of the ring locks the cap to the container. A spring provides tolerance to compression exceeding the amount necessary to seal the container by preventing the lid from engaging with the surface of the crown when the sealing force moves the stopper and cap between the preloaded position and the sealed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 525,243, filed on July 6, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (Field of the Invention) The present disclosure generally relates to the field of closure devices, and more specifically to a closure device having a cap with a spring that provides a tolerance for the parallel closure of multiple containers.

Background Art

[0003] Containers can be used to store products such as pharmaceuticals in lyophilized form, powder form, or liquid solution. Such containers can be sealed to maintain the product in the container in good storage condition. A closure device can be used to seal such a container. The closure device can include a stopper for sealing the opening of the container against the entry or exit of gas or liquid. The closure device can also include a sealing structure such as a crimped aluminum seal or a plastic cap for maintaining the container in a sealed position. The sealing structure can be held in place around the stopper and can isolate the stopper from the outside and resist the removal of the stopper.

[0004] [[ID=2,4]]In some applications, the container can be filled with a certain amount of product (e.g., pharmaceuticals) for lyophilization. Then, each stopper can be placed over or within the opening of the container in a manner that fixes it to the opening of the container while also maintaining fluid communication between the external environment and the interior of the container. Next, the filled and pre - loaded containers can be placed in batches on the shelves of a lyophilizer to dehydrate the substance. Vacuum cooling drying can be performed to help ensure that moisture is extracted from the substance by sublimation and evaporation during the lyophilization of the contents of the container.

[0005] Once the material has been dehydrated in the freeze-dryer, pressure can be applied to all the stoppers on the container to help ensure that the container is sealed by each stopper. Such sealing in batches is generally done with elastic stoppers alone, i.e., the stoppers are not accompanied by a preloaded sealing structure. After the containers are removed from the freeze-dryer, additional processing is typically performed to position the sealing structure in place on each container. [Overview of the project]

[0006] The inventors have recognized that it is advantageous to freeze-dry the contents of the container with both the stopper and the sealing structure pre-loaded before freeze-drying. This can reduce the complexity of the process by allowing, for example, simultaneous pressing of the stopper and fixing of the sealing structure.

[0007] The inventors also recognized that it is advantageous to incorporate a height tolerance mechanism into the sealing structure to accommodate variations in the height of the combined container-sealing structure apparatus. Such a tolerance mechanism can ensure that a single pressing procedure caps a number of different containers in parallel while ensuring that all containers are sealed and that larger containers are not damaged due to overcompression while closing multiple containers in parallel. The inventors also recognized that incorporating such a height tolerance mechanism into the sealing structure may be advantageous for containers intended for use with freeze-drying procedures or for containers intended for use with liquid contents that do not involve freeze-drying.

[0008] These needs are met to a considerable extent by container sealing devices and related methods according to aspects of the present invention. One general embodiment includes a sealing device for sealing a container. The sealing device includes a stopper configured to seal the opening of the container. The sealing device also includes a cap, which may include a ring configured to hold the stopper on the container. The ring may include a lock. The cap may include a crown configured to mount on the ring, and a lid mounted on the crown. The lid may include a spring that biases the lid to a first position where the edge of the lid is separated from the surface of the crown by a certain distance. The lid is axially movable relative to the crown between the first position and a second position where the edge of the lid engages with the surface of the crown. The stopper and cap are configured to be positioned in a preloaded position, in which the stopper is partially inserted into the opening of the container, the ring holds the stopper, the crown is mounted on the ring, and the lid is in the first position. With the stopper and cap in the preloaded position, when a sealing force is applied to the cap, the stopper and cap are configured to move axially to the sealing position, where the stopper seals the opening of the container and the ring lock locks the cap to the container. The spring force of the spring prevents the lid from reaching a second position when the sealing force moves the stopper and cap between the preloaded position and the sealing position.

[0009] The implementation may include one or more of the following features: When a sealing force is applied to the cap after the stopper and cap are positioned in the sealing position, the sealing force is configured to overcome the spring force and move the lid to a second position. When a sealing force is applied to the cap after the stopper and cap have first reached the sealing position from the preloaded position, the lid moves axially from a first position to an intermediate position between the first and second positions. The intermediate position is 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm axially away from the second position. The first position is at least 0.5 mm axially away from the second position. The spring force is 18 N to 22 N. The spring force is at least 20 N. The spring is a disc spring. The disc spring has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 7 mm. The stopper may include a vent hole. In the preloaded position, the stopper is configured to allow fluid communication between the inside of the container and the environment outside the container via the vent hole. In the sealed position, the stopper is configured to prevent fluid communication between the inside of the container and the environment. The ring lock may include an elastic tab, which in the sealed position engages the tab with the flange of the container to lock the cap onto the container.

[0010] Another common embodiment includes a method for closing multiple containers in parallel. This method includes inserting a first closing device into the opening of a first container among the multiple containers at a first preloading position, where the stopper of the first closing device is partially inserted into the opening, the ring of the cap of the first closing device holds the stopper, the crown of the cap is mounted on the ring, and the lid of the cap is in a first position where the edge of the lid is separated from the surface of the crown by a first distance. This method also includes inserting a second closing device into the opening of a second container among the multiple containers at a second preloading position, where the stopper of the second closing device is partially inserted into the opening of the second container, the ring of the cap of the second closing device holds the stopper, the crown of the cap is mounted on the ring, and the lid of the cap is in a second position where the edge of the lid is separated from the surface of the crown by a second distance. At a first preloaded position, the first height of the first closure device inserted into the first container is greater than the second height of the second closure device inserted into the second container at a second preloaded position. The method also includes applying sealing forces in parallel to each of the first and second closure devices to move each of the first and second closure devices axially to the sealing position together with the first and second containers, respectively. A spring in the lid of the first closure device biases the lid to a first position, providing a tolerance between the first and third positions, where the edge of the lid engages with the surface of the crown after the first closure device has reached the sealing position.

[0011] The implementation configuration may include one or more of the following features: The first height is 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm higher than the second height. Applying sealing forces in parallel may include simultaneously pressing the first and second closure devices with a plate. Applying sealing forces in parallel may include axially moving the second closure device together with the second container to the sealing position without the lid of the first closure device reaching the third position.

[0012] Another common embodiment includes a system for closing multiple containers in parallel. This system includes a first container which may include an opening, and a second container which may also include an opening. The system includes a first closing device and a second closing device. Each of the first and second closing devices may include a stopper configured to seal the opening of the container, and a cap. The cap may include a ring configured to hold the stopper in place on the container. The ring may include a lock. The cap may include a crown configured to mount on the ring, and a lid mounted on the crown. The lid may include a spring that biases the lid to a first position where the edge of the lid is separated from the surface of the crown by a certain distance. The lid is axially movable relative to the crown between the first position and a second position where the edge of the lid engages with the surface of the crown. The system also includes a press configured to close multiple containers in parallel. The stoppers and caps of the first and second closure devices are configured to be positioned in a preloaded position, where the stoppers are partially inserted into the openings of the first and second containers, the rings hold the stoppers, the crowns are mounted on the rings, and the lids are in a first position. The first height of the first closure device when inserted into the first container in the preloaded position of the first closure device is greater than the second height of the second closure device when inserted into the second container in the preloaded position of the second closure device. With the stoppers and caps positioned in the preloaded positions of the first and second closure devices, when a sealing force is applied to the caps of the first and second closure devices by pressing in parallel, the stoppers and caps of the first and second closure devices are configured to move axially to their respective sealing positions, where the stoppers seal the openings of the first and second containers, and the ring locks the caps to the first and second containers, respectively. The spring of the lid of the first closing device biases the lid to a first position, providing a tolerance between the first position and a third position, in which the edge of the lid engages with the surface of the crown after the first closing device has reached the sealing position.

[0013] The implementation configuration may include one or more of the following features: The first height is 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm higher than the second height. With the stopper and cap positioned in the preloaded positions of the first and second closure devices, respectively, when a sealing force is applied simultaneously and in parallel to the caps of the first and second closure devices by pressing, the second closure device moves axially to the sealing position together with the second container without the lid of the first closure device reaching the third position.

[0014] Various additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by examining the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] The following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. For illustrative purposes, the drawings show embodiments; however, the subject matter is not limited to the specific elements and means disclosed. The drawings are as follows: [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of a container filled with the product. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional exploded view of the container and its closing device. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ring of the closing device. [Figure 4] This is the first cross-sectional view of the ring in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a second cross-sectional view of the ring in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the crown of the closing device. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the crown. [Figure 8] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lid of the closing device. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lid. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of a system for sealing multiple containers in parallel by closing the sealing device while it is positioned in a pre-loaded position. [Figure 11]It is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 10, showing a first closing device at a sealing position on a first container and a second closing device that has not reached the sealing position on a second container. [Figure 12] It is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 10, where each of the first closing device and the second closing device is at a sealing position on its respective first container and second container. [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view of a closing device at a preloading position on a container. [Figure 14] It is a cross-sectional view of a closing device at a sealing position on a container. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view of a closing device at a sealing position on a container that has been pressed beyond an amount sufficient to reach the sealing position.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container 1 during filling with a product P such as a pharmaceutical. FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the container 1 and the closing device 50 according to an aspect of the present invention. The container 1 can be made of, among other possibilities, glass, ceramic, polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), high density polyethylene (PEHD), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COP), or combinations thereof. The pipette 2 is introduced into the container 1 through an opening 11 that can be defined by a neck 12. The neck 12 can include a flange 13. In an embodiment, the container 1 can be symmetric about an axis X1.

[0017] When the product P is introduced into the container 1, the pipette 2 can be withdrawn and the closing device 50 can be arranged on the container 1 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The closing device 50 can include a stopper 51, and the stopper 51 can be adapted to be introduced into the opening 11 while maintaining a state of being separated from the distal surface 131 of the flange 13 on the opposite side of the base 14 of the container 1 at the preloading position. As used herein, the term "proximal" can refer to the direction towards the base 14 or the region near the base 14, while the term "distal" can refer to the direction away from the base 14 or the region separated in the direction along or parallel to the axis X1 from the base 14. The closing device 50 can include a cap 52.

[0018] The cap 52 can include a ring 53 that can hold the stopper 51 to the container 1. The ring 53 can include a lock that can lock the cap 52 to the container 1. The lock can be formed by a tab 534, as will be further described later, but other structures for locking the cap 52 to the container 1 are possible. The cap 52 can include a crown 54. The crown 54 can be attached on the ring 53 and can engage the lock with the container 1, as will be further described later. The cap 52 can include a lid 56. The lid 56 can be attached to the crown 54. The lid 56 can include an elastic part such as a spring 567 that can bias the lid 56 in the first position. In the first position, the edge 566 of the lid 56 can be separated from the surface 546 of the crown 54 by a certain distance. The lid 56 can be axially movable with respect to the crown 54 between the first position and the second position where the edge 566 of the lid 56 engages the surface 546 of the crown 54. This can be advantageous for providing an acceptable range of heights while closing a plurality of caps 52 in parallel on a plurality of containers 1, as will be further described later.

[0019] In the preloaded position, the stopper 51 and the cap 52 can be positioned together. In the preloaded position, the stopper 51 can only be partially inserted into the opening 11 of the container 1. In the preloaded position, the ring 53 can hold the stopper 51 to the cap 52, the crown 54 can be mounted on the ring 53, and the lid 56 can be biased to the first position. The stopper 51 may include a vent hole 512, which can provide a path for fluid communication between the inside of the container 1 and the environment outside the container when the stopper 51 is in the preloaded position. This can be advantageous for freeze-drying the product in the container 1, such as a pharmaceutical, while the cap 52 is in the preloaded position.

[0020] With the stopper 51 and cap 52 positioned in the preloaded position, when a sealing force is applied to the cap 52, the stopper 51 and cap 52 can move axially to the sealing position. In the sealing position, the stopper 51 seals the opening 11 of the container 1, and the lock of the ring 53 locks the cap 52 to the container 1. In the sealing position, the stopper 51 can prevent fluid communication between the inside of the container 1 and the external environment.

[0021] When a sealing force is applied to the cap 52, moving the stopper 51 and cap 52 from the preloaded position to the sealed position, the spring force of the lid 56 spring 567 can prevent the lid from reaching the second position. This can be advantageous because the spring 567 can provide a tolerance for the application of further force exceeding the force sufficient to move the stopper 51 and cap 52 to the sealed position. By having multiple containers 1 equipped with closing devices 50, the tolerance provided by the spring 567 of each closing device 50 can compensate for height differences between the combined containers 1 and closing devices 50, thereby enabling the multiple closing devices 50 to be closed in parallel (e.g., simultaneously by the same device), and ensuring that the shortest container 1 and closing device 50 are moved to the sealed position without damaging the tallest container 1 and closing device 50 that are closed together in parallel.

[0022] Figures 3 to 9 illustrate an embodiment of a cap 52, including a ring 53, a crown 54, and a lid 56, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cap 52, more specifically, any or each of the ring 53, crown 54, and lid 56, can be made from a plastic material such as a thermoplastic material, including but not limited to PE, PET, PETG, PEHD, polypropylene (PP), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The cap 52, more specifically, any or each of the ring 53, crown 54, and lid 56, can be made from pharmaceutical-grade polypropylene material, and more specifically, from pharmaceutical-grade polypropylene material that is free from contaminants or important substances (e.g., bisphenol A or formaldehyde).

[0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ring 53, and Figures 4 and 5 show a first and second cross-sectional view of the ring 53, respectively. The ring 53 may include an upper section having a centrally located opening 530 and a skirt 532 extending downward from the upper section. The ring 53 may include a circular inner section that (partially or completely) surrounds the flange 13 of the container 1 and defines an inner diameter at least sufficient to fit around the flange 13. The upper section may include a collar 531 that can catch the ledge 543 of the crown 54 when the closure device 50 is in the sealing position. The ring 53 may include a bottom 533 on the opposite side of the upper section. The bottom 533 may include a tab 534. The tab 534 may be elastic and extend axially. The tab 534 may flex around the flange 13 of the container 1 when the cap 52 is moved axially toward the sealing position. In the sealed position, the crown 54 can lock the cap 52 to the container 1 by engaging the tabs 534 with the flange 13. The proximal end of the tabs 534 can be hinged to the bottom 533. Each of the tabs 534 can be located within the respective windows 535 of the circumferential wall of the skirt 532. In embodiments, the ring 53 may include two pairs of tabs 534a and 534b. The tabs 534a can be arranged facing each other around the periphery of the skirt 532, and the tabs 534b can be arranged facing each other around the periphery of the skirt 532. The tabs 534a may have an axial height X and a circumferential width A, and the tabs 534b may have an axial height Y and a circumferential width B. The axial height X may be less than the axial height Y, and the circumferential width A may be less than the circumferential width B.

[0024] The circumferential wall of the skirt 532 may also include a rib 538 and a plurality of openings 536 located at the axial height between the collar 531 and the tab 534. The circumferential rib 538 can be fitted into an inner circumferential groove 545 of the crown 54, as will be described further later, to assemble the ring 53 to the crown 54. The ring 53 may include an arm 537 for each of the openings 536. The arm 537 may extend radially inward and may also be attached to the proximal edge of the circumferential wall defining the openings 536. As the stopper 51 slides from the bottom 533 into the ring 53, the arm 537 may bend radially inward to allow the stopper 51 to pass through and then return to an inwardly biased position to hold the stopper 51 within the ring 53.

[0025] In embodiments, the ring 53 may include projections on its upper bottom surface around the centrally located opening 530. When the closing device 50 is in the sealed position, the projections can evenly distribute the force applied to the upper surface of the stopper 51. The projections may be continuous circles, but other shapes are also possible. In embodiments, the ring 53 may include multiple projections. The projections may be of equal size and can be evenly spaced to evenly distribute the sealing force when the closing device 50 is in the sealed position.

[0026] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a crown 54 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the crown 54 of Figure 6. The crown 54 may include an upper section having a centrally located opening 541. The crown 54 may include a skirt 542 that can extend downward from the upper section. The skirt 542 may form the outer circumferential envelope of the closure device 50 when the closure device 50 is assembled. The circumferential wall of the skirt 542 may include a ledge 543 that can project radially inward and may be arc-shaped. The ledge 543 may provide a surface that can be captured by the ring 53 at the sealing position. The crown 54 may include an opening 544 above each of the ledges 543. The ledges 543 and the openings 544 may be equidistant around a common circumference of the skirt 542. The crown 54 may include an inner circumferential groove 545 that can engage with the ribs 538 of the ring 53, as will be further described below. The crown 54 may include a surface 546 (or edge), as will be discussed later, and the surface 546 may engage with the edge 566 (or surface) of the lid 56 when the closing device 50 is pressed beyond the amount necessary to seal the container 1.

[0027] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a lid 56 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lid 56 of Figure 8. The lid 56 may include a top. In an embodiment, the top may include a notch 561 around the upper surface of the top. The notch 561 can facilitate centering and force application by the manufacturing line for mounting the lid 56 to the crown 54. The lid 56 may include a lid skirt 562 that can extend downward from the top of the lid 56. The lid 56 may include a slit 563 that can extend axially. The slit 563 can help the lid 56 deform and separate from the crown 54 to provide access to the stopper 51. The lid 56 may include a tab 564. The tab 564 may be deformable and may also extend axially from the underside of the top of the lid 56 for mounting the lid 56 to the crown 54. For example, the tab 564 can be inserted through the opening 541 of the crown 54, and the tab 564 can be deformed to form a lip 565 that can capture the upper underside of the crown 54.

[0028] The lid 56 may include a spring 567 or other elastic structure that can connect the lid 56 to the crown 54 together with the tab 564. The spring 567 may be a disc spring, but other springs or elastic structures are possible. The spring 567 may have a thickness of 0.25 mm to 7 mm or 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm, including, for example, 0.5 mm. Other thicknesses are possible for the spring 567. The spring 567 can bias the lid 56 toward a first position with a spring force of 18 N to 22 N, for example, 20 N. Other spring forces are possible. The lid 56 may include a rim 566 (or surface), as will be discussed later, which can engage with the surface 546 (or rim) of the crown 54 in a second position when the closing device 50 is pressed beyond the amount required to seal the container 1.

[0029] Figures 10 to 12 illustrate an embodiment of the process for closing multiple containers in parallel according to an aspect of the present invention. This process can be carried out using a system for closing multiple containers in parallel. The multiple containers may include a first container 1a and a second container 1b, and these containers may include any or all of the features, structures, and relationships described earlier with respect to container 1. Although two containers are described, the process can be carried out with any number of containers.

[0030] The process may include inserting the first closure device 50a into the first container 1a at a first preloading position. The process may also include inserting the second closure device 50b into the second container 1b at a second preloading position. The first closure device 50a and the second closure device 50b may include any of the features, structures, and relationships previously described with respect to the closure device 50. For example, the first and second preloading positions may correspond to the preloading positions previously described with respect to the closure device 50 and the container 1. Furthermore, the first sealing position and the second sealing position may correspond to the sealing positions previously described with respect to the closure device 50 and the container 1.

[0031] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of a system in a freeze dryer 300 that includes a first closure device 50a attached to the first container 1a at a first preloading position, and a second closure device 50b attached to the second container 1b at a second preloading position. As previously described, fluid communication is possible at the first and second preloading positions through the vents of the stoppers of the first closure device 50a and the second closure device 50b, respectively. The process may include freeze-drying the product in the first container 1a and the second container 1b, respectively, with the first closure device 50a and the second closure device 50b positioned at the first and second preloading positions, respectively. For example, the internal temperature and pressure inside the freeze dryer 300 can be reduced until the water present in each of the first container 1a and the second container 1b evaporates and exits the containers through the respective vents 512 in the stopper 51 and the gap between the cap 52 and the flange 13, as shown by arrow F1 in Figure 13, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 10, the first height H1 of the first closure device 50a inserted into the first container 1a at the first preload position may be higher than the second height H2 of the second closure device 50b inserted into the second container 1b at the second preload position.

[0032] The process may include applying sealing forces in parallel to each of the first and second closure devices 50a and 50b, thereby moving each of them, along with the first and second containers 1a and 2b, axially to the sealed position. In embodiments, the sealing forces may be 10N to 40N, for example, 25N. Other sealing forces outside this range are also possible. Figures 11 and 12 show an embodiment in which sealing forces are applied in parallel (i.e., simultaneously) by a press 301 powered by a mechanical jack 302, but other devices for applying forces in parallel are possible. For example, after a predetermined amount of water has been released to the extent that the product P is sufficiently dry, the press 301 can apply sealing forces on all the closure devices inside the freeze dryer 300 (e.g., the first and second closure devices 50b). The sealing force exerted by the press 301 inside the freeze dryer 300 can be controlled by pneumatic pressure or by a mechanical jack 302, among several possibilities. The sealing force applied by the press 301 can cause the closure devices 50a and 50b to be displaced axially toward their respective containers 1a and 1b. As a result, each stopper 51 can first be inserted to the depth of the opening 11 of each container 1a and 1b, thereby so that the vent 512 is no longer exposed and the contents P of container 1 are isolated from the outside of containers 1a and 1b. Secondly, further pressing of the closure devices 50a and 50b by the press 301 causes the cap 52 to capture the respective necks 12 of each container 1a and 1b, thereby compressing and sealing the stopper 51 against the distal surface 131 of the neck 12 of each container 1a and 1b.

[0033] As shown in Figure 11, the combined height H1 of the first sealing device 50a and the first container 1a is higher than the combined height H2 of the second sealing device 50b and the second container 1b. Therefore, the sealing force applied by, for example, the press 301 is first applied to the first sealing device 50a. Furthermore, due to the difference between heights H1 and H2, the first sealing device 50a reaches the sealing position together with the first container 1a before the second sealing device 50b reaches the sealing position together with the second container 1b.

[0034] As shown in Figure 12, as a result of the lid spring of the first closure device 50a, the first closure device 50a can be pressed by an amount greater than sufficient to reach the sealing position together with the first container 1a. This can advantageously provide a tolerance that can help the shorter second closure device 50b and the second container 1b reach the sealing position without damaging the first closure device 50a or the first container 1a by being compressed beyond the amount required to reach the sealing position. This tolerance can be between a first position of the lid and a third position where the edge of the lid engages with the surface of the crown after the first closure device 50a has reached the sealing position.

[0035] Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the first closure device 50a at the preloaded position on the first container 1a. Any of the features, structures, or relationships described relating to the first closure device 50a and the preloaded position of the first container 1a can correspond to the features, structures, or relationships relating to the preloaded positions of the closure device 50 and container 1 and / or the second closure device 50b and the second container 1b, respectively.

[0036] In the preloaded position, the crown 54 may be in a retaining configuration in which the ribs 538 of the ring 53 are inserted into the periphery groove 545 of the crown 54. In this configuration, the crown 54 does not interact with the tabs 534 of the ring 53, and the first closure device 50a is not fixed to the first container 1a by the tabs 534.

[0037] Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the first closure device 50a in a sealing position on the first container 1a, where the lid 56 is in a first position that provides tolerance for further compression. Any of the features, structures, and relationships described relating to the sealing position of the first closure device 50a and the first container 1a can correspond to the respective features, structures, and sealing position relationships of the closure device 50 and container 1 and / or the second closure device 50b and the second container 1b.

[0038] When a sealing force is applied to the first closure device 50a, the crown 54 can move proximal toward the container 1a. The sealing force can be transmitted from the crown 54 to the ring 53 due to the interlocking fit between the cooperating peripheral groove 545 and the external rib 538. The sealing force applied to the first closure device 50a can cause the tab 534 of the ring 53 to slide along the outer surface of the flange 13 and ultimately beneath the flange 13. The retaining arm 537 can collide with and slide along the outer surface of the flange 13, thereby bending the retaining arm 537 radially outward and into their respective openings 536, so that the retaining arm 537 no longer contacts or interferes with the bottom surface of the flange of the stopper 51, allowing the stopper to be inserted into the opening 11 of the container 1 and completely seal the opening 11.

[0039] When a sealing force is applied to the first closure device 50a, the upper section of the ring 53 can contact the upper surface 511 of the stopper 51. Continuous application of the sealing force to the first closure device 50a can drive the outer rib 538 of the ring 53 out of the peripheral groove 545 of the crown 54 by elastic deformation of the bottom 533, thereby enabling the crown 54 to achieve the sealed position shown in Figure 14. This allows the crown 54 to contact the tab 534, moving the tab 534 radially inward relative to the proximal surface 132 of the flange 13. Thus, the crown 54 can move the tab 534 in an active configuration, and the tab 534 locks the cap 52 onto the first container 1a. The sealing force can also cause the ledge below the ledge 543 of the crown 54 to catch the annular collar 531 of the ring 53, engaging the ring 53 with the crown 54, and subsequently preventing displacement of the crown 54 in the vertical axis direction relative to the ring 53.

[0040] Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the first closure device 50a at the sealing position on container 1a, which has been pressed beyond a sufficient amount to reach the sealing position. Any of the features, structures, or relationships described with respect to the sealing position of the first closure device 50a and the first container 1a can correspond to the features, structures, and sealing position relationships of the closure device 50 and container 1 and / or the second closure device 50b and the second container 1b, respectively.

[0041] As shown in Figure 15, if the first closure device 50a is pressed beyond an amount sufficient to allow the first closure device 50a to reach the sealed position together with the first container 1a, the lid 56 can provide tolerance for further compression without damaging the first closure device 50a and / or the first container 1a. Once the stopper 51 and cap 52 are positioned in the sealed position and a sealing force is applied to the cap 52, the sealing force can overcome the spring force exerted by the spring 567 and move the lid 56 to the second position, at which point the edge 566 of the lid 56 engages with the surface 546 of the crown 54. To provide tolerance, the spring 567 of the lid 56 may be strong enough to resist the lid 56 moving completely to the second position shown in Figure 15 until the first closure device 50a achieves the sealed position together with the first container 1a shown in Figure 14. For example, if a sealing force is applied to the cap 52 after the stopper 51 and cap 52 have first reached the sealing position from the preloaded position, the sealing force may overcome the spring force of the spring 567, causing the lid to move axially between the first and second positions, thereby providing a tolerance for further compression. The intermediate position may be a space of 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm axially from the second position. The first position may be at least 0.5 mm away from the second position. In other words, a system with multiple closure devices 50 and container 1 can accommodate a height tolerance between the combined closure devices 50 and container 1 of 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm, or more than 0.5 mm, among many possibilities. In this embodiment, when sealing forces are applied simultaneously and in parallel to the first closure device 50a and the second closure device 50b by pressing at the preloaded position, the second closure device 50b can be moved axially to the sealing position together with the second container 1b without the edge 566 of the lid 56 of the first closure device 50a coming into contact with the surface 546 of the crown 54. That is, the tolerance provided by the spring 567 may be greater than the tolerance required to seal the shorter second closure device 50b in parallel to the second container 1b.

[0042] It will be understood that the foregoing description provides embodiments of the present invention. However, it is conceivable that other implementations of the present invention may differ in detail from the embodiments described above. All references to the present invention or its embodiments are intended to refer to the specific embodiment discussed at that time and are not intended to imply any limitation on the more general scope of the present invention. All language indicating distinctions and disregard for particular features is intended to indicate a lack of priority over those features, but is not intended to completely exclude such features from the scope of the present invention unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. A sealing device for sealing a container, A stopper configured to seal the opening of the container, It's a cap, A ring configured to hold the stopper in the container, the ring having a lock, A crown configured to be attached on top of the aforementioned ring, A cap comprising a lid attached to the crown, wherein the lid is provided with a spring that biases the lid to a first position where the edge of the lid is separated from the surface of the crown by a certain distance, and the lid is movable axially relative to the crown between the first position and a second position where the edge of the lid engages with the surface of the crown, The stopper and the cap are configured to be positioned in a preloaded position, in which the stopper is partially inserted into the opening of the container, the ring holds the stopper, the crown is mounted on the ring, and the lid is in the first position. With the stopper and the cap positioned in the preloaded position, when a sealing force is applied to the cap, the stopper and the cap are configured to move axially to the sealing position, in which case the stopper seals the opening of the container and the lock of the ring locks the cap to the container. The spring force of the spring prevents the lid from reaching the second position when the sealing force moves the stopper and the cap between the preloaded position and the sealed position in the closing device.

2. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein when the sealing force is applied to the cap after the stopper and the cap are positioned in the sealing position, the sealing force overcomes the spring force, causing the lid to move to the second position.

3. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein when the sealing force is applied to the cap after the stopper and the cap have first reached the sealing position from the preloaded position, the lid moves axially from the first position to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

4. The closing device according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate position is 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm away in the axial direction from the second position.

5. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the first position is separated from the second position by at least 0.5 mm in the axial direction.

6. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the spring force is 18N to 22N.

7. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the spring force is at least 20 N.

8. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the spring is a disc spring.

9. The closing device according to claim 8, wherein the disc spring has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 7 mm.

10. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is provided with a ventilation hole.

11. The closing device according to claim 10, wherein at the preloaded position, the stopper is configured to allow fluid communication between the inside of the container and the environment outside the container through the vent hole.

12. The sealing device according to claim 11, wherein at the sealing position, the stopper is configured to prevent fluid communication between the inside of the container and the environment.

13. The lock of the ring is provided with an elastic tab, The closing device according to claim 1, wherein, in the sealing position, the crown engages the tab with the flange of the container to lock the cap onto the container.

14. A method for closing multiple containers in parallel, Inserting the first closing device into the opening of the first container among the plurality of containers at a first preloaded position, wherein at the first preloaded position, the stopper of the first closing device is partially inserted into the opening, the ring of the cap of the first closing device holds the stopper, the crown of the cap is mounted on the ring, and the lid of the cap is in a first position where the edge of the lid is separated from the surface of the crown by a first distance, The second preloading position involves inserting the second closing device into the opening of the second container among the plurality of containers, wherein at the second preloading position, the stopper of the second closing device is partially inserted into the opening of the second container, the ring of the cap of the second closing device holds the stopper, the crown of the cap is mounted on the ring, and the lid of the cap is in a second position where the edge of the lid is separated from the surface of the crown by a second distance, and the first height of the first closing device inserted into the first container at the first preloading position is higher than the second height of the second closing device inserted into the second container at the second preloading position. A method comprising applying a sealing force in parallel to each of the first and second closing devices to move each of the first and second closing devices axially to a sealing position together with the first and second containers, the spring of the lid of the first closing device biases the lid to a first position, providing a tolerance between the first position and a third position, and moving the lid such that, after the first closing device has reached the sealing position, the edge of the lid engages with the surface of the crown.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first height is 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm higher than the second height.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the application of the sealing force in parallel includes simultaneously pressing the first closing device and the second closing device with a plate.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein applying the sealing force in parallel includes moving the second closing device axially to the sealing position together with the second container without the lid of the first closing device reaching the third position.

18. A system for closing multiple containers in parallel, A first container having an opening, A second container having an opening, A first closing device and a second closing device, wherein each of the first closing device and the second closing device is A stopper configured to seal the opening of the container, It's a cap, A ring configured to hold the stopper in the container, the ring having a lock, A crown configured to be attached on top of the aforementioned ring, A first closing device and a second closing device each comprising a cap and a lid, the lid having a spring that biases the lid to a first position where the edge of the lid is separated from the surface of the crown by a certain distance, and the lid being axially movable relative to the crown between the first position and a second position where the edge of the lid engages with the surface of the crown, The system includes a press configured to close the plurality of containers in parallel, The stopper and cap of the first closing device and the second closing device are configured to be positioned in a preloaded position, in which case the stopper is partially inserted into the opening of the first container and the second container, the ring holds the stopper, the crown is mounted on the ring, and the lid is in the first position. The first height of the first closing device inserted into the first container at the preloaded position of the first closing device is higher than the second height of the second closing device inserted into the second container at the preloaded position of the second closing device. With the stopper and the cap positioned at the preloaded position of the first and second closing devices, respectively, when a sealing force is applied in parallel to the caps of the first and second closing devices by the press, the stopper and the cap of the first and second closing devices are configured to move axially to their respective sealing positions, in which case the stopper seals the openings of the first and second containers, respectively, and the lock of the ring locks the caps to the first and second containers, respectively. A system in which the spring of the lid of the first closing device biases the lid to a first position, providing a tolerance between the first position and a third position, and in the third position, after the first closing device has reached the sealing position, the edge of the lid engages with the surface of the crown.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the first height is 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm higher than the second height.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein, with the stopper and the cap positioned at the preloaded positions of the first and second closing devices, the sealing force is applied simultaneously and in parallel to the caps of the first and second closing devices by the press, and the lid of the first closing device moves axially to the sealing position together with the second container without the lid of the first closing device reaching the third position.

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