Snap-Fit Closure Cap for Medicament Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medicament containers for liquid medicaments are expensive and have brittle, glass barrels that are difficult to re-use for container closure integrity testing due to cumbersome and risky disassembly of crimped metal caps.
Innovation Solution
A closure cap system with a radially widened rim and elastomeric seal, featuring a snap fit connection that allows easy assembly and disassembly, reducing the risk of barrel damage and enabling multiple uses for leakage testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crimped metal cap is used to seal the outlet end of a glass barrel, then the seal is fixed securely, but the disassembly becomes cumbersome and increases the risk of damaging the barrel
Solution Approach 1:
The closure cap is divided into distinct functional portions: a retainer portion that interfaces with the elastomeric seal and a fastening portion with a snap feature that engages the radially widened rim. This segmentation allows the seal to be secured reliably while enabling easy disassembly by releasing the snap engagement without damaging the glass barrel.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from permanent crimping to a reversible snap-fit connection. The elastomeric seal's flange portion abuts against the outlet end while the snap feature provides removable mechanical engagement, transforming the seal fixation from an irreversible process to a reversible one that maintains security during use but allows easy removal for retesting.
2Reliability
If a conventional crimped metal cap is used, then the seal is securely fixed, but the barrel cannot be easily reused for multiple testing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The closure cap transitions from a static, permanent crimped connection to a dynamic, reversible snap-fit system. The elastomeric seal can be repeatedly attached and detached by engaging and disengaging the snap feature, allowing the same glass barrel to be reused for multiple container closure integrity tests without damage, thereby significantly improving barrel reusability while maintaining seal security during each test.
3Ease of operation
If a detachable closure cap with snap fit connection is used, then the barrel can be easily disassembled and reused, but the seal attachment must remain leak-proof
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two sealing mechanisms: the elastomeric seal's flange portion that abuts against the outlet end to provide the primary seal, and the snap feature that provides mechanical retention. This combination ensures that the ease of snap-fit assembly and disassembly does not compromise seal integrity, as the elastomeric material maintains continuous contact with the outlet end face throughout assembly and disassembly operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The closure cap system provides a durable, leak-proof, and cost-effective solution for medicament containers, enhancing the longevity of test barrels and simplifying the handling process while maintaining aseptic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The elastomeric seal comprises a flange portion. The flange portion is configured to abut in a longitudinal direction with the outlet end of the barrel
Implementation Method 2
The fastening portion comprises a resiliently and radially deformable fastener. The fastener comprises a snap feature that is configured to releasably engage with the radially widened rim of the outlet end
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a closure cap for sealing an outlet end of a barrel of a medicament container, the outlet end having a radially widened rim and the outlet end being sealable by an elastomeric seal, wherein the elastomeric seal comprises a flange portion configured to abut in a longitudinal direction with the outlet end, the closure cap comprising: a cap body comprising a retainer portion and a fastening portion, wherein the retainer portion is configured to engage with the elastomeric seal, wherein the fastening portion comprises a resiliently and radially deformable fastener comprising a snap feature configured to releasably engage with the radially widened rim of the outlet and, and wherein a longitudinal distance between the retainer portion and the snap feature is sized to receive the radially widened rim and the flange portion of the elastomeric seal between the retainer portion and the snap feature.