Assembly defining a chamber for an active material and method for manufacturing such an assembly

Abstract

This assembly includes a tubular body and a breathable insert configured to be attached inside the tubular body to define a chamber for an active material. The tubular body includes a transverse wall and a lateral wall, and the breathable insert includes a base wall and a side wall having an open end on an opposite side from the base wall. The chamber is delimited by a bottom part of the tubular body and is closed by the breathable insert having its open end turned toward the transverse wall. The side wall of the breathable insert includes a mechanical holding portion configured to cooperate by surface interference with a corresponding mechanical holding portion of the tubular body. In an anchored configuration, a continuous peripheral seal is formed between the breathable insert and the tubular body.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising a tubular body and a breathable insert configured to be attached inside the tubular body to define a chamber for an active material in an internal volume of the tubular body, the tubular body comprising a transverse wall and a lateral wall the breathable insert comprising a base wall and a side wall having an open end on the opposite side from the base wall, wherein the chamber is delimited by a bottom part of the tubular body including the transverse wall and is closed by the breathable insert having its open end turned toward the transverse wall, wherein the side wall of the breathable insert comprises a mechanical holding portion configured to cooperate by surface interference with a corresponding mechanical holding portion of the lateral wall of the tubular body, wherein the breathable insert is anchored relative to the tubular body by surface interference resulting from mutual engagement of the mechanical holding portions, wherein, in an anchored configuration, the side wall of the breathable insert and the lateral wall of the tubular body cooperate by cylinder-in-cylinder friction without undercut, and a continuous peripheral seal is formed between the breathable insert and the tubular body.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical holding portion of the side wall of the breathable insert is formed by a smooth cylindrical surface configured to cooperate by surface interference with a complementary smooth surface forming the mechanical holding portion of the lateral wall of the tubular body.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical holding portion of the side wall of the breathable insert is formed by a longitudinally striated surface configured to cooperate by surface interference with a complementary longitudinally striated surface forming the mechanical holding portion provided on the lateral wall of the tubular body substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof (X.sub.2).

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the mechanical holding portion of the side wall the breathable insert comprises a plurality of longitudinal features in relief configured to cooperate by mutual engagement with complementary longitudinal features in relief provided on the mechanical holding portion of the peripheral wall of the tubular body substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (X.sub.2) thereof.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein at least one longitudinal feature in relief of one among the breathable insert and the tubular body has two flanks inclined with respect to a radial direction of the breathable insert or tubular body passing through the feature in relief, wherein, in the anchored configuration, both inclined flanks of the at least one longitudinal feature in relief of the one among the breathable insert and the tubular body are in contact with a complementary longitudinal feature in relief of the other one among the breathable insert and the tubular body.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, in the anchored configuration, the open end of the breathable insert is closed by the continuous peripheral seal formed between the breathable insert and the tubular body without any other closing member.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a water vapor absorption rate of the breathable insert is higher than or equal to 80 mg/day at 25 C., 40% RH.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base wall of the breathable insert comprises a gas-permeable portion configured to prevent passage of the active material from the chamber to an outside of the chamber.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, in the anchored configuration, the continuous peripheral seal is formed between an end surface of the breathable insert and the transverse wall of the tubular body.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, in the anchored configuration, the continuous peripheral seal is formed between the side wall of the breathable insert and the lateral wall of the tubular body.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the side wall of the breathable insert further comprises a smooth surface portion configured to slide in contact with an inner surface of the lateral wall of the tubular body upon insertion of the breathable insert in the tubular body, the smooth surface portion being positioned, on the breathable insert, at the front of the mechanical holding portion in a direction of insertion of the breathable insert in the tubular body.

12. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, upon insertion of the breathable insert in the tubular body, with the open end of the breathable insert turned toward the transverse wall of the tubular body, the side wall of the breathable insert and the lateral wall of the tubular body have draft angles (Y, Y) in reverse angular directions.

13. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, upon insertion of the breathable insert in the tubular body, deformations of the breathable insert and the tubular body are kept within an elastic deformation range.

14. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the side wall of the breathable insert is reduced in a distal region in a vicinity of the smooth surface portion.

15. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the breathable insert comprises an inner tubular wall defining, in an internal volume of the breathable insert delimited by the base wall and the side wall, a sub-compartment of adjusted volume.

16. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a body of the breathable insert is made of a polymer-based material including an active material.

17. A method for manufacturing an assembly comprising a tubular body and a breathable insert configured to be attached inside the tubular body so as to define a chamber for an active material in an internal volume of the tubular body, the tubular body comprising a transverse wall and a lateral wall, the breathable insert comprising a base wall and a side wall having an open end on an opposite side from the base wall, the chamber being delimited by a bottom part of the tubular body including the transverse wall and being closed by the breathable insert having its open end turned toward the transverse wall, the side wall of the breathable insert comprising a mechanical holding portion configured to cooperate by surface interference with a corresponding mechanical holding portion of the lateral wall of the tubular body, wherein the method comprises steps of: filling at least part of an internal volume of the breathable insert with an active material; inserting the filled breathable insert in the tubular body, with its open end turned toward the transverse wall of the tubular body, until the breathable insert is anchored relative to the tubular body by surface interference resulting from mutual engagement of the mechanical holding portions, wherein, in an anchored configuration, the sidewall of the breathable insert and lateral wall of the tubular body cooperate by cylinder-in-cylinder friction without undercut, and a continuous peripheral seal is formed between the breathable insert and the tubular body.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the mechanical holding portion of the side wall of the breathable insert comprises a plurality of longitudinal features in relief configured to cooperate by mutual engagement with complementary longitudinal features in relief provided on the mechanical holding portion of the lateral wall of the tubular body substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (X.sub.2) thereof.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the open end of the breathable insert remains open after the breathable insert has been filled with the active material and the filled breathable insert is inserted in the tubular body with its open end still open, wherein, upon insertion of the filled breathable insert in the tubular body, the breathable insert is positioned with its open end facing upward while the tubular body is positioned with its open end facing downward.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein, upon insertion of the filled breathable insert in the tubular body, the breathable insert is held stationary while the tubular body is displaced over the breathable insert.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the filled breathable insert is inserted in the tubular body until it abuts against the transverse wall of the tubular body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments of an assembly and a method according to the invention, this description being given merely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, being a vial for the storage of products such as diagnostic test strips, which comprises a container including a tubular body inside which a breathable insert delimits two compartments located on both sides of the breathable insert, i.e. the chamber for an active material on one side and a fillable tank on the other side;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross section similar to FIG. 1, in a configuration where the breathable insert is being inserted in the tubular body, the initial state of the breathable insert before its insertion in the tubular body being shown in dotted lines to show the deformation upon insertion and the respective initial draft angles of the breathable insert and the tubular body;

(4) FIG. 3 is a view at larger scale of the detail III of FIG. 1, the chamber being filled with an active material;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the breathable insert of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a is an elevation view of the breathable insert of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a view according to the arrow VII of FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 is a cross section at larger scale along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 3;

(10) FIG. 9 is a view at larger scale of the detail IX of FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing successive steps S1, S2, S3 of a manufacturing method of the vial of FIG. 3;

(12) FIG. 11 is a cross section similar to FIG. 6, just rotated by 180, of a variant of a breathable insert which may be used in an assembly according to the invention; and

(13) FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention, being a stopper which comprises a tubular body and a breathable insert delimiting a chamber for an active material.

ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(14) In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the assembly 1 according to the invention is a vial for the storage of moisture sensitive products, such as diagnostic test strips, or nutraceutical or pharmaceutical products e.g. in the form of pills, lozenges or tablets, notably effervescent tablets. The assembly 1 comprises a moisture-proof container, including a tubular body 2 and a lid 3 for hermetically closing the tubular body 2. The tubular body 2 and the lid 3 are connected to each other via a hinge, such as a film hinge. The assembly 1 also comprises a breathable insert 4, attached inside the tubular body 2, which delimits two compartments located on both sides of the breathable insert 4, including a chamber 6 for an active material on one side and a fillable tank 7 for sensitive products on the other side.

(15) By way of a non-limiting example, the sensitive products received in the tank 7 may be diagnostic test strips 10, or nutraceutical or pharmaceutical products e.g. in the form of pills, lozenges or tablets, whereas the active material 5 received in the chamber 6 may be a dehydrating agent (or desiccant) in a powder or granular form, e.g. selected from molecular sieves, silica gels and/or dehydrating clays. The tubular body 2 has a circular cross section, and comprises a transverse wall 20, a lateral wall 22 and an open end 23 on the opposite side from the transverse wall 20, which is configured to be closed by the lid 3. The breathable insert 4 also has a tubular shape with a circular cross section, and comprises a base wall 40, a side wall 42, and an open end 43 on the opposite side from the base wall 40.

(16) The chamber 6 for the active material 5 is delimited by a bottom part 24 of the tubular body 2 including the transverse wall 20, and it is closed by the breathable insert 4. As clearly visible in FIGS. 1 to 3, the breathable insert 4 is positioned in the tubular body 2 such that its open end 43 is turned toward the transverse wall 20. The base wall 40 of the breathable insert 4 comprises a central hole 41, which is covered with a gas-permeable membrane 411 to avoid escape of the active material 5 out of the chamber 6 through the hole. The breathable insert 4 is advantageously obtained by injection molding, through injection of a thermoplastic material in a mold in which the membrane 411 has previously been positioned, so as to form the body of the breathable insert 4 and simultaneously bond the membrane 411 to the edge of the hole 41 under the effect of the heat and/or the pressure generated during injection molding.

(17) As best seen in FIGS. 4 to 10, for the attachment of the breathable insert 4 relative to the tubular body 2, the side wall 42 of the breathable insert 4 comprises on its outer surface a plurality of longitudinal ribs 47 configured to cooperate by mutual engagement with complementary longitudinal grooves 27 provided on the inner surface of the lateral wall 22 of the tubular body 2, in the vicinity of the bottom part 24. The longitudinal grooves 27 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X.sub.2 of the tubular body 2. In the assembled configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the longitudinal ribs 47 of the breathable insert 4, which are engaged with the longitudinal grooves 27 of the tubular body 2, are also substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X.sub.2.

(18) The longitudinal ribs 47 and the longitudinal grooves 27 are configured in such a way that, when the longitudinal ribs 47 of the breathable insert 4 are engaged with the longitudinal grooves 27 of the tubular body 2, the breathable insert 4 is anchored relative to the tubular body 2 by surface interference. More precisely, as shown in the cross section of FIGS. 8 and 9, each longitudinal rib 47 of the breathable insert 4 has a V-shaped cross section comprising an apex 470 and two flanks 471, where each flank 471 extends from the apex 470 and is inclined with respect to a radial direction of the breathable insert 4 passing through the apex 470. In a similar way, each longitudinal groove 27 of the tubular body 2 has a V-shaped cross section comprising a bottom 270 and two flanks 271, where each flank 271 extends from the bottom 270 and is inclined with respect to a radial direction of the tubular body 2 passing through the bottom 270. In this embodiment, the angle at the apex of each longitudinal rib 47 is substantially the same as the angle at the bottom of each longitudinal groove 27, denoted 8 in the figures.

(19) Preferably, as shown in the figures, the two flanks 471 of each longitudinal rib 47 are inclined at a same angle on both sides of the radial direction passing through the apex 470, i.e. the radial direction passing through the apex 470 is the bisector of the angle at the apex of each longitudinal rib 47, and it is the same for the two flanks 271 of each longitudinal groove 27. By way of a non-limiting example, in the illustrated embodiment, the angle at the apex of each longitudinal rib 47, respectively at the bottom of each longitudinal groove 27, is of the order of 80. In the assembled configuration of the breathable insert 4 in the tubular body 2, for each pair of complementary longitudinal rib 47 and groove 27 in mutual engagement, this corresponds to an inclination angle of each flank 471 or 271 of the order of 40 relative to a radial direction passing through the apex 470 and the bottom 270.

(20) For each pair of complementary longitudinal rib 47 and groove 27 in mutual engagement, the inclination of the cooperating flanks 471 and 271 relative to the radial direction of the assembly ensures a tightening over a larger surface of the complementary features in relief 47 and 27 compared to, e.g., ribs and grooves of rectangular cross section with side walls parallel to the radial direction. For each pair of complementary longitudinal rib 47 and groove 27, the arrangement of the inclined flanks 471 and 271 in contact with each other by pairs provides not only a tightening in the radial direction of the assembly 1, but also a transversal tightening on the inclined flanks, which is substantially circumferential, as shown by the arrows F.sub.2 and F.sub.4 of FIG. 9 corresponding to the forces resulting from the contact between the inclined flanks. Thanks to the circumferential distribution of the longitudinal ribs 47 and grooves 27 having inclined flanks, the resulting transversal tightening on the inclined flanks is distributed over the periphery of the assembly 1. This results in a stronger anchoring of the breathable insert 4 relative to the tubular body 2 by surface interference over the entire periphery of the assembly 1. In addition, as visible in the view at larger scale of FIG. 9, the bottom 270 of each longitudinal groove 27 of the tubular body 2 has a pointed shape, whereas the apex 470 of each longitudinal rib 47 of the breathable insert 4 has a rounded shape. Thus, for each pair of complementary longitudinal rib 47 and groove 27 in mutual engagement, a gap is present between the apex 470 of the rib 47 and the bottom 270 of the groove 27. This empty space, combined with the elasticity of the constitutive polymer materials of the breathable insert 4 and the tubular body 2, allows a deformation of both the longitudinal ribs 47 of the breathable insert and the longitudinal grooves 27 of the tubular body so that the contact surface, and thus the tightening, is maximized between the breathable insert 4 and the tubular body 2. In addition, the curvature at the apex of each longitudinal rib 47 of the breathable insert 4 also improves contact between the inclined flanks 471 and 271, by avoiding a contact at a pointed end of the ribs 47 which would lead to a radial tightening force which would be less effective.

(21) In this embodiment, the longitudinal ribs 47 on the breathable insert 4 are contiguous to one another, and the longitudinal grooves 27 on the tubular body 2 are also contiguous to one another, so that a bottom is formed between each pair of adjacent ribs 47 of the breathable insert and an apex is formed between each pair of adjacent grooves 27 of the tubular body. As shown in FIG. 9, the same configuration with a pointed shape of each bottom of the breathable insert 4 and a rounded shape of each apex of the tubular body 2 is also implemented, so that a gap is present between each pair of apex and bottom. The dimensions of the gaps between each pair of apex and bottom of the assembly may advantageously be minimized to avoid passage of dust or particles of active material from the chamber 6 toward the fillable tank 7 intended to receive the sensitive products.

(22) As visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, the longitudinal ribs 47 of the breathable insert 4 are contiguous to one another and form a striated surface 45 all around the outer periphery of the breathable insert. In the same way, as visible in FIGS. 2 and 10, the longitudinal grooves 27 of the tubular body 2 are contiguous to one another and form a striated surface 25 all around the inner periphery of the tubular body. The striated surfaces 25, 45 are the complementary mechanical holding portions ensuring the attachment of the breathable insert to the tubular body by surface interference. The arrangement of the longitudinal ribs 47 and the longitudinal grooves 27 all around the periphery, together with the circular cross sections of the breathable insert 4 and the tubular body 2, ensures that the relative engagement of the ribs and grooves is easily initiated, with a self-centering effect.

(23) As shown in FIG. 7, the successive longitudinal ribs 47 of the breathable insert 4 are distributed in the circumferential direction of the side wall 42 with an angular pitch between two successive ribs of the order of 2. Such a small pitch value facilitates the engagement of the longitudinal ribs 47 of the breathable insert 4 with the longitudinal grooves 27 of the tubular body 2, without having to precisely pre-align the patterns angularly. FIG. 7 also shows the two flanks 471 of each longitudinal rib 47, which are inclined relative to each other at an angle of the order of 80 and connected at the apex 470, with a peak-to-valley height of the order of 0.30 mm. Of course, due to their complementary shape, the longitudinal grooves 27 of the tubular body 2 also have similar values of their angular pitch, top angle and peak-to-valley height. Such geometric characteristics of the ribs 47 and grooves 27 ensure that the breathable insert 4 is properly anchored relative to the tubular body 2 by surface interference.

(24) Additionally, to ensure a strong attachment of the breathable insert 4 relative to the tubular body 2, which may even be unremovable, the length L over which the longitudinal ribs 47 of the breathable insert 4 cooperate with the longitudinal grooves 27 of the tubular body 2 in the anchored configuration is chosen to be higher than 1/10 of the diameter of the tubular body, preferably higher than of the diameter of the tubular body.

(25) Each one of the tubular body 2 and the breathable insert 4 is advantageously obtained by injection molding of a thermoplastic material. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene are particularly suitable materials, because they provide a certain degree of rigidity to the parts, which may promote the establishment of a tightening interaction between the complementary surfaces of the ribs 47 and the grooves 27. A thermoplastic material formulated with an active material in its composition may also be used to make the tubular body 2 and/or the breathable insert 4. By way of a non-limiting example, the tubular body 2 may be made from a polypropylene thermoplastic resin; the body of the breathable insert 4 may be made from a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) thermoplastic resin; and the membrane 411 may be made from TYVEK HBD 1059B manufactured by DUPONT, a non-woven fabric comprising polyethylene fibers. The breathable insert 4 may be obtained by injection molding the body of the breathable insert 4 over the membrane 411.

(26) The water vapor absorption rate of the breathable insert 4 was evaluated, by filling the breathable insert 4 with 3 g of a desiccant (4 molecular sieve), then assembling the breathable insert 4 within a tubular body. In this example, the base wall 40 of the breathable insert comprises a hole 41 having a diameter of 12.1 mm. A TYVEK membrane is sealed to the base wall 40 all around the hole 41, allowing for moisture exchange with the desiccant located in the chamber. The water vapor absorption rate was evaluated from the weight difference after 0.9 days of storage in a climatic chamber at 25 C., 40% RH. The results are given in Table 1 below.

(27) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Water vapor absorption rate (mg at 25 C., 40% RH): Sample Water vapor absorption rate (mg) 1 202.50 2 199.70 3 183.20

(28) Thus, the water vapor absorption rate of the breathable insert 4 at 25 C., 40% RH is higher than 80 mg/day.

(29) As shown in FIG. 2, upon insertion of the breathable insert 4 in the tubular body 2 with the open end 43 turned toward the transverse wall 20, the side wall 42 of the breathable insert and the lateral wall 22 of the tubular body have draft angles , which are in reverse angular directions. More precisely, the side wall 42 of the breathable insert initially has a draft angle in a direction of widening away from the base wall 40, whereas the lateral wall 22 of the tubular body initially has a draft angle in a direction of widening away from the transverse wall 20. Then, upon insertion of the breathable insert in the tubular body, since the open end 43 of the breathable insert is turned toward the transverse wall 20 of the tubular body, the side wall 42 of the breathable insert is at an angle with respect to the lateral wall 22 of the tubular body. As a result, the tightening of the two parts 2, 4 takes place stronger and earlier during the insertion, compared to a case where the side wall of the breathable insert and the lateral wall of the tubular body are parallel to each other. The reverse draft angles , of the breathable insert 4 and the tubular body 2 result in faster tightening with deformation of the breathable insert and the tubular body which conform to each other. By way of example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the draft angles , are chosen to be substantially equal to 0.5.

(30) In accordance with the invention, in the anchored configuration, a continuous peripheral seal is formed between the breathable insert 4 and the tubular body 2. As clearly visible in FIG. 3, the continuous peripheral seal is established between the end surface 421 of the breathable insert and the transverse wall 20 of the tubular body, which prevents any leakage of active material 5 out of the chamber 6. In the anchored configuration, is the tubular body 2 itself which closes the open end 43 of the breathable insert, along the continuous peripheral seal, without the need for any other closing member. In the vicinity of the end surface 421 delimiting the open end 43 of the breathable insert, the side wall of the breathable insert further comprises a smooth surface portion 46 which is configured to slide in contact with the inner surface of the lateral wall 22 of the tubular body, upon insertion of the breathable insert in the tubular body. The smooth surface portion 46 is positioned, on the breathable insert, at the front of the mechanical holding portion 45 in a direction of insertion of the breathable insert in the tubular body. Thanks to its position at the front of the mechanical holding portion 45, the smooth surface portion 46 can be used as a scraper blade to push the active material or particles attached to the lateral wall of the tubular body toward the bottom part 24 of the tubular body and away from the mechanical holding portions 25, 45 of the breathable insert and the tubular body, when inserting the breathable insert in the tubular body. In this way, the smooth surface portion 46 prevents any pollution of the products 10 stored in the tank 7 in which the atmosphere is regulated.

(31) FIG. 11 shows a variant of a breathable insert 4 making it possible to adjust the volume of the chamber 6 for the active material 5. In this variant, the breathable insert 4 comprises an inner tubular wall 44 which defines, in the internal volume of the breathable insert delimited by the base wall 40 and the side wall 42, a sub-compartment of adjusted volume. With the breathable insert 4 of FIG. 11, it is possible to adjust the volume of the sub-compartment so that it corresponds to a desired quantity of active material 5 in the chamber 6 for a given application. In practice, the sub-compartment of adjusted volume is fully filled with the active material 5 before the breathable insert 4 is inserted in the tubular body 2. Then, in the anchored configuration, the active material 5 is closely surrounded by the walls 40, 44 of the sub-compartment and the transverse wall 20 of the tubular body and cannot move in the chamber 6, thus preventing noise from being generated which may otherwise be generated in the event of a loose distribution of the particles of the active material in the chamber. In this embodiment, the continuous peripheral seal is advantageously formed between the distal end surface of the inner tubular wall 44 and the transverse wall 20 of the tubular body, to prevent any leakage of active material out of the chamber.

(32) With reference to FIG. 10, a method for manufacturing the vial 1 comprises steps as described below.

(33) In a first step S1, the breathable insert 4, which has the shape of an open cup, is filled with an active material 5. To this end, a filling nozzle 15 may be used, to inject the particles of active material through the open end 43 into the volume of the breathable insert 4.

(34) Then, in a step S2, the filled breathable insert 4 is inserted in the tubular body 2, with its open end 43 turned toward the transverse wall 20 of the tubular body. In practice, since the breathable insert 4 is filled with the active material 5 and the open end 43 remains open, it is the tubular body which is displaced, either by being pushed or pulled, over the breathable insert, as shown by the arrow F in step S2 of FIG. 10, while the breathable insert is preferably held stationary during its insertion in the tubular body.

(35) As clearly visible in FIG. 10, upon insertion of the filled breathable insert 4 in the tubular body 2, the breathable insert 4 is positioned with its open end 43 facing upward, whereas the tubular body 2 is positioned with its open end 23 facing downward. Very advantageously, upon insertion of the breathable insert 4 in the tubular body 2, the smooth surface portion 46 of the breathable insert is used as a scraper blade, to push the active material 5 toward the bottom part 24 of the tubular body and away from the striated mechanical holding portions 25, 45. This ensures an optimal quality of the mechanical attachment by surface interference between the striated mechanical holding portions 25, 45.

(36) The tubular body 2 is displaced over the breathable insert 4 until the end surface 421 of the breathable insert 4 abuts against the transverse wall 20 of the tubular body. At this stage, the anchored configuration is reached, and the striated mechanical holding portion 45 of the breathable insert is fully engaged with the corresponding striated mechanical holding portion 25 of the tubular body. In the anchored configuration as shown in step S3 of FIG. 10, a continuous seal is formed between the end surface 421 of the breathable insert and the transverse wall 20 of the tubular body, thus preventing any leakage of active material 5 out of the chamber 6.

(37) Advantageously, this manufacturing method can be totally automated. In particular, the step S1 of filling of the breathable insert 4 with the active material using the filling nozzle 15 can be implemented automatically by a machine, and it is the same for the step S2 of displacement of the tubular body 2 along its longitudinal axis X.sub.2, so that it slides around the filled breathable insert 4, which can be implemented by means of an actuator, such as a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator, either pushing or pulling the tubular body. Advantageously, the tubular body 2 is directly displaced over the filled breathable insert 4, without the need for closing the open end 43 beforehand, thus allowing high production rates.

(38) Preferably, as shown schematically in FIG. 10, the filled breathable insert 4 is held stationary during all the steps of the manufacturing method, until the anchored configuration is reached, thus limiting the risk of active material 5 falling out of the breathable insert and of wasting the active material.

(39) In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12, elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment have the same references. The assembly of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is a stopper 1 comprising the association of a tubular body 2 and a breathable insert 4 which delimit a chamber 6 for an active material 5 within the stopper 1. The stopper 1 is configured to seal a container 9 in which sensitive products are stored, and additionally regulate the atmosphere inside the container 9. Since the other features of the second embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment, reference is made to the description of the first embodiment above for other features of the invention.

(40) The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown. In particular, as already mentioned, the mechanical holding portions of the breathable insert and the tubular body may be smooth cylindrical surfaces, instead of longitudinally striated surfaces. In addition, several striated surfaces distinct from one another and distributed around the periphery may be provided, instead of a striated surface formed all around the periphery. In the above examples, the continuous peripheral seal, formed between the breathable insert and the tubular body in the anchored configuration, is established between an end surface of the breathable insert and the transverse wall 20 of the tubular body. However, the continuous peripheral seal may also, additionally or as a variant, be established between a portion of the side wall of the breathable insert and a portion of the lateral wall of the tubular body. In addition, the continuous peripheral seal is not necessarily established between smooth facing surfaces of the breathable insert and the tubular body. The continuous peripheral seal may for example result from the interlocking of complementary features in relief provided on the breathable insert and the tubular body, especially those of the mechanical holding portions, as long as there is a continuous contact over the entire periphery of the breathable insert and the tubular body in the anchored configuration. Of course, many other variants can be considered, falling within the scope of the appended claims.