US20240228125A9 - Device for sealing a fluid product vessel - Google Patents
Device for sealing a fluid product vessel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20240228125A9 US20240228125A9 US18/278,475 US202218278475A US2024228125A9 US 20240228125 A9 US20240228125 A9 US 20240228125A9 US 202218278475 A US202218278475 A US 202218278475A US 2024228125 A9 US2024228125 A9 US 2024228125A9
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- axial
- vessel
- sealing
- stopper
- radial
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 76
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims description 19
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000840 ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- QHSJIZLJUFMIFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethene Chemical group C=C.FC(F)=C(F)F QHSJIZLJUFMIFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- -1 for example Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002923 metal particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
- B65D41/58—Caps or cap-like covers combined with stoppers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D45/00—Clamping or other pressure-applying devices for securing or retaining closure members
- B65D45/02—Clamping or other pressure-applying devices for securing or retaining closure members for applying axial pressure to engage closure with sealing surface
- B65D45/30—Annular members, e.g. with snap-over action or screw-threaded
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/002—Closures to be pierced by an extracting-device for the contents and fixed on the container by separate retaining means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
- B65D55/06—Deformable or tearable wires, strings, or strips; Use of seals, e.g. destructible locking pins
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
- B65D55/06—Deformable or tearable wires, strings, or strips; Use of seals, e.g. destructible locking pins
- B65D55/08—Annular elements encircling container necks
- B65D55/0863—Plastic snap-on cap-like collars having frangible parts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
- B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
- B65D2251/009—Lower closure of the 51-type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
- B65D2401/25—Non-metallic tear-off strips
Definitions
- a metal capsule generally made of aluminium
- metal particles can generate metal particles during the crimping of the capsule on the collar of the vessel, which is potentially damaging for the fluid contained in the vessel.
- metal part is disadvantageous in terms of recycling and respecting the environment.
- the removable protective cover can generally be removed and put back in place easily, such that it is impossible to know if the product has already been sampled or not from the vessel. The integrity of the fluid contained in the vessel is not guaranteed, either.
- the present invention aims to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages.
- said first attachment means of said attachment ring are snap-fitting means, comprising at least one radial profile extending radially inwards.
- said first attachment means comprise one single radial profile which extends over the entire periphery of said cylindrical axial sleeve.
- the internal diameter of said axial envelope of said cover is identical or very slightly greater than the external diameter of said axial sleeve of said attachment ring, such that in the assembled state of the sealing device, said axial envelope is positioned around said axial sleeve with no or little clearance between them.
- said second attachment means of said cover comprise one or more projection(s) extending radially outwards.
- the annular projection 14 is peripheral and is, during the assembly of the sealing device on the collar 2 of the vessel 1 , flattened on the upper axial edge 3 of said collar 2 to seal with the vessel 1 .
- the sealing bead 13 is no longer compulsory, and could either be completely omitted, or replaced by several bead portions separated from one another and distributed over the periphery of the axial drum 12 , without a sealing function.
- the cover 30 comprises a radial disc 31 which, in the assembled state, is positioned on the upper surface of the radial flange 22 of the attachment ring 20 , as can be seen, in particular, in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the cover 30 also comprises a cylindrical axial envelope 32 extending axially downwards from said radial disc 31 , the internal diameter of said axial envelope 32 being identical to or very slightly greater than the external diameter of the axial sleeve 21 of the attachment ring 20 .
- said axial envelope 32 is positioned around the axial sleeve 21 with no or little clearance between them.
- the cover 30 comprises several separate projections 33 , for example two or three, distributed over the periphery, but only one projection 33 extending radially outwards over the entire periphery could also be considered.
- the blocking element 40 comprises one single profile 43 extending radially inwards over the entire periphery, but several separate profiles 43 distributed over the periphery could also be considered.
- the second attachment means 33 of the cover 30 and the complementary attachment means 43 of the blocking element 40 could be achieved differently, without necessarily forming a snap-fitting.
- the cover 30 and the blocking element 40 thus form a single subassembly.
- Other alternative attachments are also possible.
- the axial wall 41 comprises over one portion of its periphery, a tearable tab 42 defined between two grooves 44 , 45 which form bridges of thin material.
- This tab 42 comprises a gripping portion 46 that the user can hold to tear the tab over a portion of the periphery of the blocking element 40 .
- the tearable tab 42 ends on the side opposite the gripping portion 46 by a flared portion 42 ′, such that once torn, the axial wall 41 opens out all along its entire height, thus making it possible to remove the blocking element 40 from the sealing device.
- the stopper 10 seals with the collar 2 of the vessel 1 , the attachment ring 20 attaches and holds said stopper 10 in its sealed sealing position, the cover 30 protects the stopper 10 and prevents access to its tapping zone 15 , and the blocking element 40 prevents the removal of the cover 30 while being held in the blocking position, on the one hand, by snap-fitting with the cover 30 , and on the other hand, by the axial blocking achieved by the attachment ring 20 at the annular radial wall 49 .
- the sealing device therefore forms a non-dismountable subassembly.
- the attachment ring 20 is first assembled on the stopper 10 , with advantageously, a snap-fitting of one on the other at the central opening 23 . Then, in the example of FIG. 10 , the cover 30 is assembled on the attachment ring 20 from above, and then the blocking element 40 is snap-fitted from below on the cover 30 , according to the arrow F 1 .
- the stopper—attachment ring unit can first be disposed in the blocking element 40 , then the cover 30 snap-fitted from above.
- the assembly of the cover 30 and of the blocking element 40 around the stopper—attachment ring unit can be done in one single step, the stopper—attachment ring unit thus being sandwiched between the cover 30 and the blocking element 40 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Supply Devices, Intensifiers, Converters, And Telemotors (AREA)
Abstract
A device for sealing a vessel, having a stopper for closing the vessel, the stopper including a sealing mechanism for sealing with the vessel; an attachment ring for attaching the stopper to the vessel, the ring has a sleeve provided with a radial flange with a central opening, and first attachment mechanism to be attached to the vessel; a cover having a radial disc and second attachment mechanism; a blocking element having an axial wall and a complementary attachment mechanism engaging in the assembled state with the second attachment mechanism. The axial wall has on one portion of its periphery a tearable tab defined between two grooves forming bridges of thin material, the tab having, on one side, a gripping portion and ending, on the opposite side, with a flared portion such that, once torn, the axial wall opens out along the entire height allowing removal of the blocking element.
Description
- The present invention relates to a device for sealing a fluid product vessel, for example a vial containing a pharmaceutical fluid product. A favoured field of application of the present invention is that of stoppers being able to be pierced using a needle to sample all or some of the fluid product contained in the vessel.
- Generally, a sealing device of this type comprises a stopper made of relatively flexible material, such as an elastomer, which is inserted with force in the collar of the vessel. During assembly, the stopper is pushed into its closing position, wherein it sealingly seals the vessel, and a metal capsule is mounted, in particular crimped, around the stopper to attach it to the collar of the vessel.
- This known implementation involves several disadvantages.
- Thus, if the capsule is not pierced to enable the piercing of the stopper to sample the fluid contained in the vessel, this capsule must be completely removed before use, which can be difficult. This also involves a risk of accidental removal of the stopper, with, due to this, a risk of loss of the fluid contained in the vessel.
- On the other hand, if the capsule is pierced to enable a piercing of the stopper, this portion not covered by the capsule is not protected, in particular during transport and storage, consequently with a risk for the integrity of the fluid contained in the vessel. In this case, it is almost impossible to know if the stopper has already been pierced or not, consequently with an uncertainty about the content of the vessel.
- Moreover, the use of a metal capsule, generally made of aluminium, can generate metal particles during the crimping of the capsule on the collar of the vessel, which is potentially damaging for the fluid contained in the vessel. More generally, the use of metal part is disadvantageous in terms of recycling and respecting the environment.
- To overcome these disadvantages, it has been proposed to use a plastic attachment ring to attach and hold the stopper on the vessel, with a blocking element assembled around the ring to hold its attachment, and a cover removably disposed on the ring or on the blocking element, to protect the stopper until using the device. Document WO2017001459 describes a device of this type.
- Devices of this type also have disadvantages.
- Thus, the removable protective cover can generally be removed and put back in place easily, such that it is impossible to know if the product has already been sampled or not from the vessel. The integrity of the fluid contained in the vessel is not guaranteed, either.
- In addition, the complexity of this type of sealing device does not enable an assembly at high rates, by using, for example, a machine which could simultaneously assemble several tens of sealing devices.
- Document DE102017127313 describes another prior-art device.
- The present invention aims to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages.
- The present invention in particular aims to provide a sealing device which guarantees the integrity of the fluid contained in the vessel until its use.
- The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device which comprises a tamper-proof first use indicator.
- The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device which makes it possible to use a stopper provided with a coating on the face in contact with the fluid product.
- The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device which has no metal at all.
- The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device which can be assembled at high rates, in particular in an assembly machine which could assemble several tens, for example one hundred, devices simultaneously.
- The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and to assemble.
- The present invention therefore aims for a device for sealing a fluid product vessel comprising a collar provided with an upper axial edge, said sealing device comprising:
-
- a stopper comprising a radial plate and an axial drum, said axial drum penetrating inside said collar during assembly, said stopper comprising sealing means for sealing with said vessel,
- an attachment ring for attaching said stopper to said collar, said attachment ring comprising a cylindrical axial sleeve provided on the upper side with a radial flange extending radially inwards and comprising a central opening, said cylindrical axial sleeve comprising, on the lower side, first attachment means for being attached to said collar of said vessel,
- a cover comprising a radial disc and a cylindrical axial envelope extending axially downwards from said radial disc, said cover comprising second attachment means,
- a blocking element comprising a cylindrical axial wall and complementary attachment means engaging in the assembled state with said second attachment means of said cover,
- said axial wall comprising on one portion of its periphery, a tearable tab defined between two grooves forming bridges of thin material, said tab comprising, on one side, a gripping portion and ending on the opposite side with a flared portion, such that, once torn, said axial wall opens out all along its entire height, thus making it possible to remove said blocking element from said sealing device.
- Advantageously, said axial drum of said stopper comprises, on its outer surface, at least one sealing bead which engages with the inside of said collar of said vessel to guarantee the sealed sealing of said vessel.
- Advantageously, said radial plate of said stopper has an external diameter greater than the external diameter of said axial drum, and comprises at least one annular projection extending downwards which, in the sealing position, engages with said upper axial edge of said collar.
- Advantageously, said annular projection is peripheral and is, during the assembly of said sealing device on said collar of said vessel, flattened on said upper axial edge of said collar for sealing with said vessel.
- Advantageously, said radial plate comprises a central tapping zone defined inside an axial ring.
- Advantageously, the radially external edge of said axial ring is conic by flaring upwards.
- Advantageously, in the assembled state of said sealing device, said radial flange of said attachment ring is positioned on said radial plate of said stopper, said central opening receiving said axial ring and said tapping zone of said stopper.
- Advantageously, the radial edge of said central opening is snap-fitted on said radially external conic edge of said axial ring.
- Advantageously, said first attachment means of said attachment ring are snap-fitting means, comprising at least one radial profile extending radially inwards.
- Advantageously, said first attachment means comprise one single radial profile which extends over the entire periphery of said cylindrical axial sleeve.
- Advantageously, the internal diameter of said axial envelope of said cover is identical or very slightly greater than the external diameter of said axial sleeve of said attachment ring, such that in the assembled state of the sealing device, said axial envelope is positioned around said axial sleeve with no or little clearance between them.
- Advantageously, said second attachment means of said cover comprise one or more projection(s) extending radially outwards.
- Advantageously, said complementary attachment means of said blocking element comprise one or more profiles extending radially inwards, said profiles being snap-fitted on said one or more projection(s) forming said second attachment means of said cover.
- Advantageously, said axial wall of said blocking element comprises, on its lower axial edge, an annular radial wall extending radially inwards, the radially internal edge of said annular radial wall having a diameter less than the external diameter of said cylindrical axial sleeve of said attachment ring, and less than the external diameter of said vessel.
- Advantageously, said device has no metal.
- The present invention also aims for an assembly comprising a fluid product vessel comprising a collar and a sealing device such as described above, to attach and hold a stopper on said collar.
- These features and advantages and others of the present invention will appear more clearly during the following detailed description, made in reference to the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective, cross-sectional view of a sealing device attached to a vessel, according to an advantageous embodiment, -
FIG. 2 is a schematic, vertical cross-sectional view of the sealing device ofFIG. 1 , -
FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective, cross-sectional and exploded view of the sealing device ofFIG. 2 , -
FIG. 4 is a view similar to that ofFIG. 3 , in an exploded perspective, -
FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective, cross-sectional view of the attachment ring of the sealing device ofFIG. 2 , -
FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective, cross-sectional view of the stopper of the sealing device ofFIG. 2 , -
FIG. 7 is a schematic, perspective view of the blocking element of the sealing device ofFIG. 2 , -
FIG. 8 is a schematic, perspective, cross-sectional bottom view of the cover of the sealing device ofFIG. 2 , -
FIG. 9 is a schematic, perspective, exploded view of the sealing device ofFIG. 1 , after removal of the blocking element and of the cover, -
FIG. 10 is a schematic, vertical cross-sectional view of the sealing device ofFIG. 2 during assembly, according to an advantageous variant embodiment, and -
FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic, vertical cross-sectional views of the sealing device ofFIG. 2 , respectively before and after assembly on a vessel. - The terms “axial” and “radial” are relative to the longitudinal central axis of the device. The terms “top”, “bottom”, “upper” and “lower” refer to the upright position of the device represented in
FIGS. 11 and 12 . - A vessel 1, which can be made of plastic or of glass, is formed with a
collar 2 at its upper portion. The vessel 1 can, in particular, be presented in the form of a vial. The vessel 1 contains a fluid product, in particular, of the pharmaceutical type. - According to the invention, a sealing device is attached to the
collar 2 of the vessel 1. This sealing device comprises astopper 10, anattachment ring 20, acover 30 and ablocking element 40. - The
stopper 10 provided to sealingly seal the vessel 1 is preferably made of elastically deformable material, like for example, rubber or any other suitable elastomer material. - This
stopper 10 comprises aradial plate 11 and a roughly cylindricalaxial drum 12. In the sealing position, theaxial drum 12 penetrates inside saidcollar 2. - The
stopper 10 comprises sealing means for sealing with the vessel. - According to a first advantageous variant of the sealing means, the
axial drum 12 comprises on its outer surface, at least oneperipheral sealing bead 13 which engages with the inside of thecollar 2 of the vessel 1 to guarantee the sealed sealing of the vessel. - Advantageously, the
radial plate 11 has an external diameter greater than the external diameter of theaxial drum 12, and comprises at its radially outer edge, anannular projection 14 extending downwards. During the assembly of the sealing device on the vessel, thisannular projection 14 will be deformed and ensure a certain spring effect, as well as a dimensional compensation, to optimise the assembly and/or the sealing in the assembled state. - According to a second advantageous variant of the sealing means, the
annular projection 14 is peripheral and is, during the assembly of the sealing device on thecollar 2 of the vessel 1, flattened on the upper axial edge 3 of saidcollar 2 to seal with the vessel 1. In this variant, the sealingbead 13 is no longer compulsory, and could either be completely omitted, or replaced by several bead portions separated from one another and distributed over the periphery of theaxial drum 12, without a sealing function. - The
radial plate 11 comprises a tappingzone 15 intended to be pierced by a suitable device, such as a syringe, to sample all or some of the fluid product contained in the vessel 1. This tappingzone 15 is preferably central and defined inside theaxial ring 16, as can be seen, in particular, inFIG. 6 . Advantageously, the radially external edge of saidaxial ring 16 is slightly conic by flaring upwards. - Optionally, the internal surface of the
stopper 10 which comes into contact with the fluid product contained in the vessel 1 can be covered with a coating, in particular a thin ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) film, in order to limit the interactions between thestopper 10 and the fluid product. - The
attachment ring 20 is provided to attach and hold thestopper 10 on thecollar 2 of the vessel 1. - This
attachment ring 20 comprises a cylindricalaxial sleeve 21 provided on the upper side with aradial flange 22 extending radially inwards and comprising acentral opening 23. In the assembled position of the sealing device, which can be seen, in particular, inFIGS. 1 and 2 , saidradial flange 22 is positioned on theradial plate 11 of thestopper 10, with theopening 23 receiving theaxial ring 16 and the tappingzone 15 of thestopper 10. Advantageously, the radial edge of saidcentral opening 23 is snap-fitted on the radially external edge of saidaxial ring 16 when it is slightly conic. - On its lower side, the cylindrical
axial sleeve 21 comprises first attachment means 25, in particular by snap-fitting, to be attached to thecollar 2 of the vessel 1. These first attachment means 25 comprise a radial profile extending radially inwards. In the example represented, this radial profile is peripheral, but it could, in a variant, comprise several lugs distributed over the periphery. Other attachment means on thecollar 2 of the vessel 1 can also be considered. - The
cover 30 comprises aradial disc 31 which, in the assembled state, is positioned on the upper surface of theradial flange 22 of theattachment ring 20, as can be seen, in particular, inFIGS. 1 and 2 . - The
cover 30 also comprises a cylindricalaxial envelope 32 extending axially downwards from saidradial disc 31, the internal diameter of saidaxial envelope 32 being identical to or very slightly greater than the external diameter of theaxial sleeve 21 of theattachment ring 20. Thus, in the assembled state, saidaxial envelope 32 is positioned around theaxial sleeve 21 with no or little clearance between them. - Advantageously, as can be seen in the figures, the
axial envelope 32 only extends over a small portion of the height of theaxial sleeve 21. - The
axial envelope 32 comprises second attachment means 33, such as one or more projection(s) extending radially outwards, which will be described in more detail below. These second attachment means 33 are advantageously provided at the lower axial edge of theaxial envelope 32. - Advantageously, as can be seen in
FIG. 8 , the lower surface of theradial disc 31 comprises acentral recess 35 delimited by an annularaxial projection 36, saidcentral recess 35 being in the assembled state above the tappingzone 15 of thestopper 10. In the example represented inFIG. 8 , the annularaxial projection 36 is connected to theaxial envelope 32 by a plurality ofradial bridges 37 distributed around the periphery. In this implementation, these are therefore the annularaxial projection 36 and theradial bridges 37 which are, in the assembled state, in contact with the upper surface of theradial flange 22 of theattachment ring 20. - The blocking
element 40 comprises a cylindricalaxial wall 41, the internal diameter of which is greater than the external diameter of theaxial envelope 32 and that of the second attachment means 33 of thecover 30. - The
axial wall 41 comprises complementary attachment means 43, advantageously at its upper axial edge. In the example represented in the figures, these complementary attachment means comprise one ormore profiles 43 extending radially inwards, with the internal diameter of saidprofiles 43 which is identical to or slightly greater than the external diameter of theaxial envelope 32, but less than the external diameter of theprojections 33 of thecover 30. Thus, in the assembled state, theprofiles 43 of the blockingelement 40 are snap-fitted on the projection(s) 33 of thecover 30. To optimise this snap-fitting, the outer shape of theprofiles 43 andprojections 33 can be achieved conventionally, with inclined planes sliding over one another during the assembly phase, and radial surfaces forming snap-fitting abutments after assembly. - In the example represented in the figures, the
cover 30 comprises severalseparate projections 33, for example two or three, distributed over the periphery, but only oneprojection 33 extending radially outwards over the entire periphery could also be considered. Similarly, in the example represented in the figures, the blockingelement 40 comprises onesingle profile 43 extending radially inwards over the entire periphery, but severalseparate profiles 43 distributed over the periphery could also be considered. - In a variant, the second attachment means 33 of the
cover 30 and the complementary attachment means 43 of the blockingelement 40 could be achieved differently, without necessarily forming a snap-fitting. Thus, it is possible to attach thecover 30 to the blockingelement 40 non-removably, for example by laser or ultrasonic welding. In this variant, thecover 30 and the blockingelement 40 thus form a single subassembly. Other alternative attachments are also possible. - The
axial wall 41 comprises over one portion of its periphery, atearable tab 42 defined between twogrooves tab 42 comprises a grippingportion 46 that the user can hold to tear the tab over a portion of the periphery of the blockingelement 40. As can be seen inFIG. 9 , thetearable tab 42 ends on the side opposite the grippingportion 46 by a flaredportion 42′, such that once torn, theaxial wall 41 opens out all along its entire height, thus making it possible to remove the blockingelement 40 from the sealing device. - On its lower axial edge, said
axial wall 41 comprises an annularradial wall 49 extending radially inwards. The radially internal edge of said annularradial wall 49 has a diameter less than the external diameter of the cylindricalaxial sleeve 21 of theattachment ring 20. In the assembled state, this annularradial wall 49 is positioned axially under said cylindricalaxial sleeve 21, thus preventing a removal of the blockingelement 40 by axial traction upwards. The radially internal edge of the annularradial wall 49 also has a diameter less than the external diameter of the vessel 1. - In the assembled state of the sealing device, the
stopper 10 seals with thecollar 2 of the vessel 1, theattachment ring 20 attaches and holds saidstopper 10 in its sealed sealing position, thecover 30 protects thestopper 10 and prevents access to itstapping zone 15, and the blockingelement 40 prevents the removal of thecover 30 while being held in the blocking position, on the one hand, by snap-fitting with thecover 30, and on the other hand, by the axial blocking achieved by theattachment ring 20 at the annularradial wall 49. In the assembled state, the sealing device therefore forms a non-dismountable subassembly. - For the assembly of the sealing device, the
attachment ring 20 is first assembled on thestopper 10, with advantageously, a snap-fitting of one on the other at thecentral opening 23. Then, in the example ofFIG. 10 , thecover 30 is assembled on theattachment ring 20 from above, and then the blockingelement 40 is snap-fitted from below on thecover 30, according to the arrow F1. In a variant, the stopper—attachment ring unit can first be disposed in the blockingelement 40, then thecover 30 snap-fitted from above. Optionally, the assembly of thecover 30 and of the blockingelement 40 around the stopper—attachment ring unit can be done in one single step, the stopper—attachment ring unit thus being sandwiched between thecover 30 and the blockingelement 40. - The assembly of the sealing device on the
collar 2 of the vessel 1 is advantageously done by axial thrust downwards from the sealing device, according to the arrow F2 inFIG. 11 . This simultaneously generates the insertion of thestopper 10 in thecollar 2 of the vessel 1, and the attachment, in particular the snap-fitting, of theattachment ring 20 on saidcollar 2. The presence of thecentral recess 35 in thecover 30 guarantees that during assembly, all of the force F2 exerted on thecover 30 is transmitted to theattachment ring 20, without direct interaction between thecover 30 and thestopper 10. - The dimensions and shapes of said at least one sealing
bead 13 are chosen, such that the sealing is guaranteed in the assembled state, without generating forces which are too large during assembly. This makes it possible to use an assembly machine with baskets or nests being able to simultaneously assemble several tens of devices, for example, around one hundred. - After assembly of the sealing device on the vessel, the sealing device comprises a tamper-proof first use indicator. Indeed, as the
tearable tab 42 is not torn, and the blockingelement 40 removed, thecover 30 cannot be removed. The content of the vessel is therefore fully protected. After removal of the blockingelement 40, thecover 30 can also be removed. However, it is thus no longer possible to recover another blockingelement 40, as this assembly must necessarily be done before assembly on the vessel 1. Indeed, the internal diameter of the annularradial wall 49 being less than the external diameter of the vessel 1, it is not possible to assemble a blockingelement 40 above the vessel 1. Likewise, the internal diameter of the annularradial wall 49 being less than the external diameter of the cylindricalaxial sleeve 21 of theattachment ring 20, it is not possible to assemble a blockingelement 40 above theattachment ring 20. - Naturally, variants of embodiment can be considered, without deviating from the scope of the invention, such as defined by the accompanying claims.
Claims (16)
1. A device for sealing a fluid product vessel comprising a collar provided with an upper axial edge, said sealing device comprising:
a stopper comprising a radial plate and an axial drum, said axial drum penetrating inside said collar during assembly, said stopper comprising sealing means for sealing with said vessel,
an attachment ring for attaching said stopper on said collar, said attachment ring comprising a cylindrical axial sleeve provided on the upper side with a radial flange extending radially inwards and comprising a central opening, said cylindrical axial sleeve comprising, on the lower side, first attachment means to be attached to said collar of said vessel,
a cover comprising a radial disc and a cylindrical axial envelope extending axially downwards from said radial disc, said cover comprising second attachment means,
a blocking element comprising a cylindrical axial wall and complementary attachment means engaging in the assembled state with said second attachment means of said cover,
characterised in that said axial wall comprises, on one portion of its periphery, a tearable tab defined between two grooves forming bridges of thin material, said tab comprising, on one side, a gripping portion and ending on the opposite side by a flared portion, such that once torn, said axial wall opens out along the entire height thereof, thus making it possible to remove said blocking element from said sealing device.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said axial drum of said stopper comprises on its outer surface, at least one sealing bead which engages with the inside of said collar of said vessel to guarantee the sealed sealing of said vessel.
3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said radial plate of said stopper has an external diameter greater than the external diameter of said axial drum, and comprises at least one annular projection extending downwards which, in the sealing position, engages with said upper axial edge of said collar.
4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein said annular projection is peripheral and is, during the assembly of said sealing device on said collar of said vessel, flattened on said upper axial edge of said collar for sealing with said vessel.
5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said radial plate comprises a central tapping zone defined inside an axial ring.
6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the radially external edge of said axial ring is conic by flaring upwards.
7. The device according to claim 5 , wherein, in the assembled state of said sealing device, said radial flange of said attachment ring is positioned on said radial plate of said stopper said central opening receiving said axial ring and said tapping zone of said stopper.
8. The device according to claim 7 , wherein the radial edge of said central opening is snap-fitted on said radially external conic edge of said axial ring.
9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said first attachment means of said attachment ring are snap-fitting means, comprising at least one radial profile extending radially inwards.
10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein said first attachment means comprise one single radial profile which extends over the entire periphery of said cylindrical axial sleeve.
11. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the internal diameter of said axial envelope of said cover is identical to or very slightly greater than the external diameter of said axial sleeve of said attachment ring, such that in the assembled state of the sealing device, said axial envelope is positioned around said axial sleeve with no or little clearance between them.
12. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said second attachment means of said cover comprise one or more projection(s) extending radially outwards.
13. The device according to claim 12 , wherein said complementary attachment means of said blocking element comprise one or more profiles extending radially inwards, said profiles being snap-fitted on said one or more projection(s) forming said second attachment means of said cover.
14. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said axial wall of said blocking element comprises, on its lower axial edge, an annular radial wall extending radially inwards, the radially internal edge of said annular radial wall having a diameter less than the external diameter of said cylindrical axial sleeve of said attachment ring, and less than the external diameter of said vessel.
15. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said device has no metal.
16. An assembly comprising a fluid product vessel comprising a collar and a sealing device according to claim 1 , to attach and hold a stopper on said collar.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FRFR2101797 | 2021-02-24 | ||
FR2101797A FR3120059B1 (en) | 2021-02-24 | 2021-02-24 | Closing device for a fluid reservoir |
PCT/FR2022/050320 WO2022180337A1 (en) | 2021-02-24 | 2022-02-22 | Device for sealing a fluid product vessel |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20240132257A1 US20240132257A1 (en) | 2024-04-25 |
US20240228125A9 true US20240228125A9 (en) | 2024-07-11 |
Family
ID=75278257
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US18/278,475 Pending US20240228125A9 (en) | 2021-02-24 | 2022-02-22 | Device for sealing a fluid product vessel |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20240228125A9 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4298028A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2024510116A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20230150987A (en) |
CN (1) | CN117136161A (en) |
FR (1) | FR3120059B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2022180337A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10472132B2 (en) | 2015-06-29 | 2019-11-12 | Antonio Mutterle | Closing assembly for a bottle, associated bottle and assembly method |
DE102017127313A1 (en) * | 2017-11-20 | 2019-05-23 | Bericap Holding Gmbh | Plastic closure for containers |
-
2021
- 2021-02-24 FR FR2101797A patent/FR3120059B1/en active Active
-
2022
- 2022-02-22 KR KR1020237032640A patent/KR20230150987A/en unknown
- 2022-02-22 EP EP22710679.6A patent/EP4298028A1/en active Pending
- 2022-02-22 CN CN202280028404.4A patent/CN117136161A/en active Pending
- 2022-02-22 US US18/278,475 patent/US20240228125A9/en active Pending
- 2022-02-22 WO PCT/FR2022/050320 patent/WO2022180337A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-02-22 JP JP2023550217A patent/JP2024510116A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20230150987A (en) | 2023-10-31 |
FR3120059A1 (en) | 2022-08-26 |
EP4298028A1 (en) | 2024-01-03 |
JP2024510116A (en) | 2024-03-06 |
FR3120059B1 (en) | 2023-06-02 |
US20240132257A1 (en) | 2024-04-25 |
CN117136161A (en) | 2023-11-28 |
WO2022180337A1 (en) | 2022-09-01 |
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