Abstract
A closure (1) for a container comprising a connecting element (2) for connection of the closure to a container, a sealing device (3) for sealing the access to a container content and an interface (4) to an adapter having a coupling receptacle (5). The closure (1) has a delivery position and a use position. In the use position, the sealing device (3) is open. In the delivery position, the sealing device (3) is sealed in a gas and liquid tight manner.
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A closure for a container for fluids in the laboratory, the closure comprising: a connection element for connecting the closure to a container, and an interface to an adapter having a coupling receptacle, wherein the closure is designed for multiple use, and the closure comprises a filter element, through which external air can be conveyed from outside, through the closure, into a container.
20. The closure according to claim 19, wherein a cover element for opening and closing the closure is formed on the closure.
21. The closure according to claim 19, wherein the closure comprises a data carrier configured as an RFID chip.
22. The closure according to claim 19, wherein purified air can be conveyed through the closure through the filter element.
23. The closure according to in claim 19, wherein the filter element comprises a filter path allowing a chemical reaction of the filter material with the air flowing through the filter material.
24. The closure according to claim 19, wherein the filter element is equipped with a material which is suitable for filtering components from ambient air which can cause a change in respective container contents.
25. The closure according to in claim 19, wherein the closure comprises channels for feeding and discharging air through the filter element.
26. The closure according to claim 19, wherein the closure comprises at least two seals.
27. The closure according to claim 19, wherein the coupling receptacle comprises engagement grooves which exclusively have a guiding function for a coupling element of an adapter.
28. A container which is connected to a closure according to claim 19.
29. An adapter for a closure, the adapter comprising: a connection point to an apparatus, and an interface to a closure, wherein the interface comprises a coupling element, which can be brought into engagement with a coupling receptacle of a closure, such that a fluid flow through the adapter can be generated without direct contact of external air and fluid, and the coupling element can be moved relative to the adapter along the axis in an insertion direction of the adapter into a closure.
30. The adapter according to claim 29, wherein the coupling element comprises engagement elements, which can be inserted into engagement grooves of a coupling receptacle of a closure.
31. The adapter according to claim 29, wherein the adapter comprises a readout element for data.
32. The adapter according to claim 29, wherein the adapter has a display element.
33. The closure according to claim 19, wherein said fluids are liquids.
34. The closure according to claim 25, wherein the channels are formed, at least on a connection side to the filter element, as female Luer fittings or may be provided with a thread.
35. The closure according to claim 27, wherein the engagement grooves have no retaining function for fixing an adapter in a coupled state of closure and adapter.
36. The adapter according to claim 30, wherein the engagement grooves are arranged on a region of the coupling receptacle tapering conically in a direction of a container. 7/7/20 -4 17 pm
Description
[0096] The invention will be explained in greater detail hereinafter in exemplary embodiments on the basis of FIGS., in which:
[0097] FIG. 1 shows a section through a closure according to the invention in a delivery position
[0098] FIG. 2 shows a section through a closure according to the invention in a use position
[0099] FIG. 3 shows a section through an adapter, according to the invention in a coupled position (closure not shown)
[0100] FIG. 4 shows a section through the adapter from FIG. 3 in a decoupled position (closure not shown)
[0101] FIG. 5 shows a section through a sealing device according to the invention
[0102] FIG. 6 shows a section through the sealing device from FIG. 5 with opened sealing flaps
[0103] FIG. 7 shows a section through a sealing device according to FIG. 5 with a penetration element in a delivery position
[0104] FIG. 8 shows a section through a sealing device according to FIG. 7 in a use position
[0105] FIG. 9 shows a view of a display element
[0106] FIG. 10 shows a sectional illustration through a closure with a container in use position and a decoupled adapter
[0107] FIG. 11 shows a sectional illustration through a closure with a container in use position and coupled adapter
[0108] FIG. 12 shows a sectional illustration through the middle of a closure according to FIG. 2 with designation of the air feed
[0109] FIG. 13 shows a sectional illustration through a closure according to FIG. 12 through a second interface (see FIG. 14)
[0110] FIG. 14 shows a horizontal sectional illustration of a closure according to FIG. 2 with illustration of the plane of section from FIG. 13.
[0111] FIG. 1 shows a section through a closure 1 according to the invention in a delivery position. The closure 1 comprises a connection element 2 to a container. The connection element 2 is formed by a thread which can engage with a matching mating thread of a container. Furthermore, the closure 1 comprises a sealing device 3, which seals the access to the interior of the container prior to first-time use. The closure 1 also comprises an interface 4, which can be connected to an adapter. The interface 4 comprises a coupling receptacle 5, with which a coupling element of an adapter can engage. The coupling receptacle 5 at the same time constitutes a breakthrough element for breaking through the seal of the sealing device 3. The coupling receptacle 5 is displaceable along a longitudinal axis 11 in the direction of the container and thus pierces the sealing device 3 and breaks open the seal. At the same time, the sealing device 3 may comprise a further predetermined breaking point (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The coupling receptacle 5 also comprises eight engagement grooves 12, with which a matching coupling element having eight or fewer engagement elements can engage. A connection of this type enables an accurately fitting and accurately oriented connection, with reduced play, between an adapter and a closure 1. The interface 4 also comprises fixing elements 13 for an adapter. A seal element 35 is arranged below the sealing device 3, in a contact region between container upper edge and sealing device 3, and is formed by a PTFE film ring. The interface 4 also comprises perforation aids 36, which are aligned with predetermined breaking points of the sealing device 3. The closure 1 additionally comprises a cover element 6, which is fastened in a hinged manner on the closure. The closure 1 also comprises a rupture element 7, which indicates first-time opening of the cover. Furthermore, the cover element 6 is removable. By means of a cover element 6 of this type, the closure 1 can also be re-closed once the sealing device 3 has been opened. The closure 1 also comprises a fixing element 10 for the cover element, which fixes the interface 4 prior to use. Following the removal of the fixing element 10, which is removed by being torn off from the closure, the coupling receptacle 5 can be moved along the longitudinal axis 11, and the sealing device 3 can thus be broken open. Besides the sealing of the sealing device 3, which is broken open by the perforation aids 36 of the coupling receptacle 5, the sealing device 3 comprises a further predetermined breaking point 27, which is arranged on the circumference of the sealing device 3. By breaking open this predetermined breaking point 27, a first part of the sealing device 3 is displaced in the direction of the container along the longitudinal axis 11. Channels 9 are opened as a result of this displacement, through which channels air can be fed into the container. The air that can be guided through channels 9 into the container is purified beforehand by a filter element 8. There is thus no direct contact between the content of the container and the external air.
[0112] FIG. 2 shows the closure 1 from FIG. 1 in a use position. In the use position the coupling receptacle b is lowered. The seal of the sealing device 3 is broken open, and access to the interior of a container is made possible, such that fluid can be conveyed through the closure. The channel 9 is likewise accessible, such that air that has been guided through the filter element 8 can infiltrate the container. The closure 1 also has snappers 37, which fix the closure once screwed onto a container. The closure thus can be removed from the container only with difficulty or even cannot be removed at all. The closure 1 also has an interface 4, with a coupling receptacle 5, into which coupling elements of an adapter can be inserted. The fixing element 10 (see FIG. 1) is removed in the use position, and the closure 1 thus has a shorter height extent than in the delivery position. The coupling receptacle 5 has a region converging internally at least partially comically, such that a coupling element of an adapter can be easily inserted and centered. Furthermore, five snap elements 38 are formed on the coupling receptacle and fix the coupling receptacle 5 in the use position; a different number of snap elements 38 is of course possible.
[0113] FIG. 3 shows a section through an adapter 14 in the coupled state. The adapter 14 comprises an interface 16 to a closure and also a connection point 15 to an apparatus, such as an evaluation unit. The interface 16 to a closure (see FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises a coupling element 17, which has engagement elements 18 along its circumference. The engagement elements 18 can be inserted into insertion grooves 12 (see FIG. 1) of a closure. The interface 16 is displaceable within the adapter 14 in the insertion direction 19. The coupling element 17 at its tip in the insertion direction 19 has a sealing face 39, which allows a removal of a fluid from a container via a closure 1 without leaks, losses or external contaminations. Furthermore, seal elements 40 are formed on the coupling element 17 and enable a hermetic air seal when the adapter 14 is connected to a closure. The extent of the movement of the coupling element 17 relative to the adapter 14 is delimited and controlled by lever elements 20. The interface 16 to a closure also has fastening elements 21, which connect the adapter 14 detachably to a closure 1 (see FIG. 1 or 2). The adapter 14 also has a readout element 22 for data of a closure 1 (see FIG. 1 or 2). The readout element may preferably read out RFID data. Data of a closure can thus be forwarded directly via the adapter 14 to an apparatus. The adapter 14 also has a display element 23 (see also FIG. 9), which indicates the connection of the adapter 14 to a closure. The display element 23 is therefore illuminated in the event or a successful connection. In the knowledge of the invention, it is clear that further states can also be indicated (for example error messages; no RFID found; incorrect RFID found; crosstalk of a number of RFIDs; expiring shelf life in the coupled state; etc.).
[0114] FIG. 4 shows a section through an adapter 14 as in FIG. 3, but in the decoupled state. The adapter 14 is formed similarly to the description of FIG. 3. In the decoupled state, however, the interface 16 to a closure is lowered in the direction of the insertion direction 19. The interface 16 comprises a coupling element 17, which in the interior has a tubular cavity 41 for conveying fluid. This cavity 41 extends as far as the connection point 15, such that the fluid can then be conveyed into an apparatus. The interface 16 also has a detent element 42. By actuation of the detent element 42 against the insertion direction 19, the fastening elements are splayed and the adapter 14 can be detached from the closure. The detent element is forced in the insertion direction 19 as the adapter 14 is detached from the closure. The adapter with the detent element is thus in the decoupled state again following the detachment.
[0115] FIG. 5 shows a section through a sealing device according to the invention in a sealed state. The sealing device 3 has a rupture element 24 and a fluid connection element 25. The rupture element 24 has sealing flaps 28, which can be broken through by means of a penetration element in a penetration direction 26. The sealing device 3 is also provided with a predetermined breaking point 27 arranged on the circumference. The predetermined breaking point 27 divides the rupture element 24 into a first part 43 and a second part 44. A predetermined breaking point of this type may be provided, but is not absolutely necessary.
[0116] FIG. 6 shows the sealing device 3 from FIG. 5 with broken-open sealing flaps 28. The sealing flaps 23 are triangular and remain fixed to the sealing device 3 along the circumference of the opening. The predetermined breaking point 27 is not yet broken open at this stage. In order to achieve the complete use position, the predetermined breaking point 27 is also broken open along the circumference of the sealing device 3, and the first part 43 of the sealing device 3 is inserted partially into the second part 44 of the sealing device 3.
[0117] FIG. 7 shows a section through a sealing device 3 according to FIG. 5 with a penetration element in a delivery position. The penetration element is formed by the coupling receptacle 5 (see FIG. 1 or 2) and penetrates the sealing flaps 28 in the penetration direction 26. For this purpose, the coupling receptacle 5 has, at its front tip, perforation aids 36, which each fit accurately between two sealing flaps and thus break open the sealing flaps. In addition to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the fluid connection element 25 has a removal tube 45, which preferably reaches to the bottom of the container, in which the closure with the sealing device is arranged.
[0118] FIG. 8 shows the sealing device 3 with the coupling device 5 from FIG. 7 in a use position. The coupling receptacle 5 is displaced in the direction of the penetration direction 26 and has broken open the sealing flaps 28. The sealing flaps 28 remain fastened to the sealing device 3, but rest laterally against the coupling receptacle. The coupling receptacle 5 also has snap elements 38, which engage with undercuts in the sealing device 3, such that the coupling receptacle 5 remains fixed in its position.
[0119] FIG. 9 shows a display element 23, which displays the coupling state of an adapter 14 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and a closure 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The display element 23 has a display body 29 and a light-coupling device 30. The light coupled in, for example LED light, is directed by the light-coupling device 30 onto light-deflecting elements 31 and is distributed by the light-deflecting elements 31 in the display body 29. The light-deflecting elements 31 are cutouts in the display body 29 consisting of transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Boundary surfaces are thus formed by the light-deflecting elements 31, and the light coupled in is reflected. The shapes of the light-deflecting elements 31 are such that the light is distributed as uniformly as possible in the display body 29. The light is thus deflected substantially by 90, wherein the deflection surfaces are not straight, but are slightly curved. A broader scattering of the light within the display body 29 is thus achieved. The display body 29 has an upper side 32 and an underside 33. The underside 33 is inclined at an angle 34 to the upper side 32. The angle 34 is 12. The display body 29 has a round shape and also a flange-like bulge on the upper side 32 in order to optimize visibility.
[0120] FIG. 10 shows a section through a closure with a container 4 6 in a use position and an adapter in the decoupled state. The adapter system consists of a closure 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and an adapter 14 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0121] FIG. 11 shows a section through an adapter system on a container 46 in a use position.
[0122] FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show the closure from FIG. 2 in sectional illustrations with illustration of the air feed through the closure 1. External air is in each case diverted such that no external air can pass directly through the closure. FIG. 12 shows the external air 43, which can infiltrate the closure only as far as a seal element 47. From there, the external air 48 is conveyed through the filter element 3, which in particular represents an absorber element, such that only purified air 49 can infiltrate the container 46.
[0123] FIG. 13 shows a second interface (see FIG. 14 with regard to the position), by which the flow of air can be illustrated more accurately. The external air 48 is conveyed through seal elements 47 into a lateral channel 3 and from there into the filter element 8, which is arranged at least partially on the circumference of the closure 1. The air is filtered through the filter element and introduced into the channel 9b, through which the air is conveyed into the interior of the closure 1 into the container 46.
[0124] FIG. 14 shows a horizontal section through the closure 1 from FIG. 13. The air circuit passes through the channel 9a into the filter element 8 at the circumference of the closure 1, and through the channel 9b into the container 46 (see FIG. 13).
