Supporting Member for Supporting a Sealing of a Container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support member for supporting a sealing of a container, to a support system for supporting a sealing of a container, to respective containers and to a method for sealing a container. The support member 100 comprises an injection moulded support structure 110, including a first connecting means 112a; 112b adapted for connecting the support member 100 to a corresponding container 200, a first sealing face 114, and an opening 116 for accessing the sealed container 200 when the support member 100 is connected to the container 200. The support member 100 further comprises a first elastic member 120, wherein the first elastic member 120 at least partially covers the first sealing face 114, and wherein the first sealing face 114 is oriented so that the first elastic member 120 is sandwiched and deformed between the first sealing face 114 and the container 200, when the support member 100 is connected to the container 200.

Claims

1. A support member for supporting a sealing of a container, wherein the support member comprises an injection moulded support structure, which comprises: a first connecting means adapted for connecting the support member to a corresponding container, a first sealing face, and an opening for accessing the sealed container when the support member is connected to the container; the support member further comprising a first elastic member, wherein the first elastic member at least partially covers the first sealing face, and wherein the first sealing face is oriented so that the first elastic member is sandwiched and deformed between the first sealing face and the container, when the support member is connected to the container.

2. The support member according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a second connecting means associated with the opening and being adapted for connecting the support member to a cover member for covering the opening and/or an accessing member that is adapted for providing access to the sealed container through the opening.

3. The support member according to claim 2, wherein the support structure comprises a second sealing face, and wherein the support member further comprises a second elastic member, wherein the second elastic member at least partially covers the second sealing face, and wherein the second sealing face is oriented so that the second elastic member provides a seal between the support structure and the cover member and/or between the support structure and the accessing member, when the support member is connected to the cover member and/or the accessing member.

4. The support member according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing face includes a protruding pattern.

5. The support member according to claim 1, wherein the support member is formed by a multi-K injection moulding process, wherein the support structure, is formed from a first material, wherein the first elastic member is formed from a second material being different than the first material.

6. The support member according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a receptacle for receiving a sealing member, and wherein the receptacle is arranged so that a received sealing member covers the opening and is sandwiched between the first elastic member and the container, when the support member is connected to the container, thereby sealing the container, or wherein the sealing member is integrally formed with the first elastic member.

7. The support member according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting means is a threaded connecting means, a snap-lock connecting means or a bayonet-lock connecting means.

8. The support member according to claim 1, which further comprises: a first rotation lock element, wherein said first rotation lock element is adapted to engage with a corresponding rotation lock element of the container, thereby preventing the support member from rotating relative to the container, when being connected to the container, and/or a second rotation lock element wherein said second rotation lock element is adapted to engage with a corresponding second rotation lock element of a cover member and/or an accessing member, thereby preventing the support member from rotating relative to the cover member and/or the accessing member, when being connected to the cover member and/or the accessing member.

9. The support member of claim 1, wherein the support member is adapted to provide an inseparable connection between the support member and the container, and/or between the support member and a cover member and/or an accessing member.

10. The support member according to claim 1, further comprising a piercing member, wherein the piercing member is movably supported by the support structure so as to be movable from an initial location to a piercing location, wherein piercing member pierces a seal of a sealed container and/or a sealing member of the support member, when being moved into the piercing location.

11. A support system for supporting a sealing of a liquid filled container, the system comprising a support member according to claim 1 and a seal, wherein the seal is adapted to be sealingly attached to an outlet of a container, and wherein the support member is adapted to be connected to the container by means of the first connecting means so that the seal is urged by means of the first elastic member towards the container.

12. The support system according to claim 11, further comprising a cover member for covering the opening of the support structure of the support member and/or an accessing member that is adapted for providing access to the sealed container through the opening of the support structure of the support member.

13. The support system according to claim 11, further comprising a container, wherein the container is adapted to be connected to the support member and wherein the container is optionally selected from a glass container, a ceramic container, a glass-ceramic container, and a container of amorphous plastic and/or glass like plastic.

14. A container adapted to be part of a system according to claim 11, wherein the container comprises a connecting means adapted for being connected to the first connecting means of the support member, and a sealing face arranged opposite to the first sealing face of the support structure of the support member, when the support member is connected to the container, and wherein the sealing face of the container is optionally pretreated with an adhesion promoter for improving adhesion between a seal and/or a sealing member of the support member.

15. The container according to claim 14, further comprising a corresponding rotation lock element, that is adapted to engage with a rotation lock element of the support structure of the support member, thereby preventing a connected support member from rotating relative to the container.

16. The container according to claim 14, wherein the container is a glass container, a ceramic container, a glass-ceramic container, and a container of amorphous plastic and/or glass like plastic.

17. A sealed container, comprising a container and a support system according to claim 11, wherein the container is connected to the support member and wherein a sealing member of the support member and/or a seal of the support system, is urged by means of the first elastic member towards the container.

18. A method for sealing a container wherein the method comprises the steps of optionally pre-treating a sealing face of the container with an adhesion promoter, filling the container with a liquid medium, optionally sealing the container with a seal, connecting the container with a support member by means of first connecting means, so that the first elastic member is sandwiched and deformed between the first sealing face and the container, thereby sealing the container; optionally post processing the filled and sealed container, and further optionally, connecting the support member with a cover member and/or an accessing member by means of a second connecting means of the support structure of the support member.

19. The support member according to claim 3, wherein the support member is formed by a multi-K injection moulding process, wherein the support structure, is formed from a first material, wherein the first and/or second elastic member is formed from a second material being different than the first material, and wherein the first and second elastic member is optionally integrally formed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

[0069] In the following, the accompanying figures are briefly described, wherein

[0070] FIG. 1 is a schematic cut view of a sealed container;

[0071] FIG. 2 is a schematic detailed view cut view of a support member being connected to a container;

[0072] FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective top view of a support member;

[0073] FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective top view of a further support member;

[0074] FIG. 3C is a schematic perspective bottom view of the support member shown in FIG. 3B;

[0075] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a container,

[0076] FIG. 5 is a further schematic cut view of a sealed container, and

[0077] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for sealing a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0078] FIG. 1 is a schematic cut view of a sealed container 200, such as a glass container, a ceramic container, a glass-ceramic container, a container of an amorphous plastics and/or glass like plastics, such as a COC container and/or a COP container. This container may be filled with any goods, such as solids, liquids and/or gasses (not shown). The sealed container 200 comprising a container 200 and a support system 10, comprising a support member 100 and a foil seal 400. The foil seal 400 is sealingly attached to an outlet 216 of the container 200, particularly to a sealing face 214 of the container. Thereby providing a first sealing. The sealing face 214 of the container may optionally be pretreated with an adhesion promoter for improving adhesion between the seal 40o and/or a sealing member (not shown) of the support member 100. The outlet, as well as the foil seal 400 may have a circular shape, or any other suitable shape.

[0079] The support member 100 is connected to the container 200 by means of a first connecting means 112a so that the seal 400, which may be a foil seal, is urged by means of a first elastic member 120 towards the container 200.

[0080] The support member 100 supports the sealing of the container 200 and comprises an injection moulded support structure 110. The support structure 110 includes the first connecting means 112a which connects the support member 100 to the container 200. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first connecting means 112a is a snap-lock connecting means. Said snap lock connecting means 112a comprises at least one inwardly facing latching protrusion that engages with a corresponding outwardly facing latching protrusion of the container. In other words, the container 200 comprises a corresponding connecting means 212a, adapted for being connected to the first connecting means 112a of a support member 100.

[0081] The support structure 110 may have a single latching protrusion formed as a latching collar. Alternatively, the support structure 110 may have multiple latching protrusions, each provided on a respective latching arm, wherein the latching arms may be circumferentially distributed around the support structure. Typically, the corresponding connecting means 212a is formed as a latching collar, that surrounds a neck portion or outlet 216 of the container 200.

[0082] Further, the support structure 110 comprises a first sealing face 114 and an opening 116 for accessing the sealed container 200 when the support member 100 is connected to the container 200. The support member 100 further comprises the first elastic member 120. The first elastic member 120 at least partially covers the first sealing face 114. The first sealing face 114 is oriented so that the first elastic member 120 is sandwiched and deformed between the first sealing face 114 and the container 200. Due to this deformation, the foil seal 400 is urged towards the container 200. Thus, the sealing is supported.

[0083] Further, the support member 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a second connecting means 118 associated with the opening 116 and being adapted for connecting the support member 100 to a cover member for covering the opening 116 and/or an accessing member 300 that is adapted for providing access to the sealed container 200 through the opening 116. This is shown in FIG. 2. The second connecting means 118 is formed as a latching collar provided on an outer circumferential portion of the support structure. In an alternative embodiment, the second connecting means may include a threaded connecting means or a bayonet-lock connecting means.

[0084] Further, the support structure 110 comprises a second sealing face 119. A second elastic member 122 of the support member 100 at least partially covers the second sealing face 119 and is adapted to provide a sealing between the support member 100 and a further unit, such as a cover member and/or an accessing member 300.

[0085] FIG. 2 is a schematic detailed view cut view of a support member 100 and the container as shown in FIG. 1. The support member 100 is adapted to be connected to the container 200 and to a further unit, such as an accessing member 300. Thus, the support member 100 serves as an adaptor between the container 200 and the further unit 300. Particularly, the support member 100 provides a tightly sealed connection between the container 200 and the further unit 300.

[0086] The support member 100 comprises a second connecting means 118 associated with the opening 116 of the support structure 110. In FIG. 2, the second connecting means 118 connects the support member 100 to a further unit, such as a cover member or an accessing member 300 that is adapted for providing access to the sealed container 200 through the opening 116. Here, the second connecting means 118 is formed as a latching collar provided on an outer circumferential portion of the support structure 110. The accessing member 300 comprises a corresponding connecting means 318, which is also formed as a latching collar and adapted to engage with the latching collar of the second connecting means 118. The second sealing face 119 of the support structure 110 is oriented so that the second elastic member 122 provides a seal between the support structure 110 and the further unit, particularly a sealing face 319 of the further unit 300. Due to the snap-lock connection, the second elastic member 122 is deformed and provides for a tight sealing between the support member 100 and the further unit 300.

[0087] FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective top view of a further support member 100′. The support member 100′ comprises first connecting means (s. FIG. 3C) being a threaded connecting means and a second connecting means 118, being a snap lock connecting means. Thus, the support member 100′ can serve as an adaptor for providing a tightly sealed connection between a container 200 and a further unit, such as a cover member and/or an accessing member 300.

[0088] The support member 100′ comprises a first elastic element 120 and a second elastic element 122, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The support member 100′ is formed by a multi-K injection moulding process, wherein the support structure 110, is formed from a first material, and wherein the first and second elastic members 120, 122 are formed from a second material, being different than the first material. The first and second elastic members 120, 122 are integrally formed and have a common sprue point 124.

[0089] Further, the support structure 110 may have enforcement ribs 140. Those enforcement ribs allow to reduce the overall wall thickness of the support structure 110 and thus, shrinking marks can be effectively reduced or even avoided.

[0090] FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective top view of a further support member 100″ and FIG. 3C is a schematic perspective bottom view of said support member shown 100″. As the support member shown in FIG. 3A, the support member 100″ comprises first connecting means 112a being a threaded connecting means and a second connecting means 118, being a snap lock connecting means. Thus, the support member 100″ can serve as an adaptor for providing a tightly sealed connection between a container 200 and a further unit, such as a cover member and/or an accessing member 300. Further, the support member 100″ may also be formed by a multi-K injection moulding process, wherein first and second elastic members 120, 122 are integrally formed and have a common sprue point 124.

[0091] The support member 100′ and 100″ further comprises a first rotation lock element 150, wherein said rotation lock element 150 is adapted to engage with a corresponding rotation lock element 250 of the container 200 (cf. FIG. 4). Thereby the support member 100′, 100″ is prevented from rotating relative to the container 200, when being properly connected to the container 200. Here, the rotation lock element 150 is provided in a wedge shape at the end of the threaded connecting means 112b. When being completely screwed onto the corresponding threaded connecting means 212b, the wedge-shaped rotation lock element 150 slides past the corresponding rotation lock element 250 and the support member 100′, 100″ is prevented from rotating relative to the container 200. Thus, a desired angular orientation of the support member 100 on the container 200 can be ensured. Further, the support member is secured on the container to prevent an unintended opening or use. Still further, the first rotation lock element 150 prevents an overwinding of the support member 100 on the container 200 and thus a weakening of the seal and/or connection can be prevented. Further, there can be a tactile and/or acoustic feedback, when the wedge-shaped rotation lock element 150 slides past the corresponding rotation lock element 250. Thus, a proper connection between the support member 100 on the container 200 can be ensured.

[0092] Optionally, the support member 100″ may comprise a second rotation lock element 160 wherein said second rotation lock element 160 is adapted to engage with a corresponding second rotation lock element of a cover member and/or an accessing member. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the second rotation lock element 160 comprises a rip-structure and the corresponding second rotation lock element (not shown) is provided as a counter-shaped rip-structure at the related further unit (closure member, accessing member, . . . ). Here, the second rotation lock element is provided visibly. In case, the second rotation lock element shall be invisible, it can be provided within the latching collar and thus would be entirely covered, after the support member is connected to the respective further unit.

[0093] Due to the second rotation lock element 160, the support member 100″ can be prevented from rotating relative to the further unit (cover member and/or accessing member 300), when being connected to the respective further unit. Thus, a desired angular orientation of the support member relative to the respective further unit can be ensured.

[0094] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a container 200 to be used in a system 10. The container comprises a connecting means 212b adapted for being connected to the first connecting means 212b of a support member 100′, 100″ (cf. FIG. 3A to 3C). Further, the container 200 comprises a sealing face 214 arranged opposite to the first sealing face 114 of the support structure 110 of the support member 100, 100′, 100″, when the support member is connected to the container 200. The sealing face 214 of the container may be pretreated with an adhesion promoter for improving adhesion between a seal 400 (cf. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

[0095] Further the container comprises a corresponding rotation lock element 250, that is adapted to engage with a rotation lock element 150 of the support structure 110 of the support member 100′, 100″. Here the rotation lock element 250 is provided in a wedge shape at the end of the threaded connecting means 212b. When the support member 100″ is completely screwed onto the corresponding threaded connecting means 212b, the wedge-shaped rotation lock element 150 slides past the wedge-shaped corresponding rotation lock element 250 and the support member 100′, 100″ is prevented from rotating relative to the container 200.

[0096] FIG. 5 is a further schematic cut view of a sealed container 200′. The container 200′ is connected to a support member 100′, as shown in FIG. 3A. Said support member 100′ comprises a receptacle for receiving a sealing member 130. Here, the sealing member 130 that is received within the receptacle covers the opening 116 of the support structure 110. The sealing member 130 is integrally formed with the first elastic member 120.

[0097] The support member 100′ is connected to the container 200′ by means of a connecting means 112b that threadedly engages with a corresponding second connecting means 212b of the container 200′, so that the sealing member 130 which is integrally formed with the first elastic member 120 is urged towards the container 200′. Thus, the sealing member 130 is sealingly attached to an outlet 216 of the container 200′, particularly to a sealing face 214 of the container 200′, thereby providing a first sealing. Here, pretreating the sealing face 214 of the container 200′ with an adhesion promoter can be omitted, as the sealing member 130 provides for a sufficient sealing.

[0098] As shown in the A-A cut view of FIG. 5, the support member 100′ includes a first wedge-shaped rotation lock element 150. This first rotation lock element 150 engages with a corresponding wedge-shaped rotation lock element 250 of the container 200′. Each of the wedge-shaped rotation lock element 150 and the corresponding wedge-shaped rotation lock element 250 provide for a stop face 151, 251, that come into contact with each other. This contact prevents the support member 100′ from being rotated relative to the container 200′ in direction opposite to the screwing direction and provides an inseparable connection between the support member 100′ and the container 200′.

[0099] Thus, it can be ensured that the support member 100′ is not unscrewed and remains connected to the container 200′.

[0100] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method 500 for sealing a container. The method 500 comprises the steps of [0101] optionally pre-treating 510 a sealing face 214 of the container 200 with an adhesion promoter, [0102] filling 520 the container 200 with a liquid medium, [0103] optionally sealing 530 the container with a seal 400, such as a foil seal, [0104] connecting 540 the container 200 with a support member 100 by means of first connecting means 112a; 112b, so that the first elastic member 120 is sandwiched and deformed between the first sealing face 114 and the container 200, thereby sealing the container 200; [0105] optionally post processing 550 the filled and sealed container 200, and [0106] further optionally, connecting 560 the support member 100 with a cover member and/or an accessing member 300 by means of a second connecting means of the support structure 110 of the support member 100.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0107] 10 system [0108] 100 support member [0109] 100′ support member [0110] 100″ support member [0111] 110 support structure [0112] 112a first connecting means [0113] 112b first connecting means [0114] 114 first sealing face [0115] 116 opening [0116] 118 second connecting means [0117] 119 second sealing face [0118] 120 first elastic member [0119] 122 second elastic member [0120] 124 sprue point [0121] 130 sealing member [0122] 140 enforcement rib [0123] 150 first rotation lock element [0124] 151 stop face [0125] 160 second rotation lock elements [0126] 200 container [0127] 200′ container [0128] 212a corresponding connecting means [0129] 212b corresponding connecting means [0130] 214 sealing face [0131] 216 outlet [0132] 250 rotation lock element [0133] 251 stop face [0134] 300 accessing member [0135] 318 corresponding connecting means [0136] 319 corresponding sealing face [0137] 400 seal [0138] 500 method [0139] 510 pre-treating [0140] 520 filling [0141] 530 sealing [0142] 540 connecting [0143] 550 post processing [0144] 560 connecting