DE102020101345A1 - Metallic container seal with sealing contact sections converging in an arc and a medical container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container seal (1) for sealing a container trough (2) from a container lid (4) of a medical container (18) placed thereon, the container seal (1) having two essentially parallel spaced apart, longitudinally extending and preferably exclusively of one Metal-made sealing walls (6, 8), which form a receiving gap (10) between them, which on one longitudinal side of the container seal (1) has an insertion slot (12) in which a respective section of a container wall (20, 22) of the container trough (2) or the container lid (4) can be inserted, the container seal (1) forming a fixing area (14) on its opposite longitudinal sides, to which it can be fixed in a sealing manner on the container lid (4) or the container trough (2), whereby the two sealing walls (6, 8) in the region of the receiving gap (10) starting from the insertion slot (12) in an arc shape with one another to form a sealing contact Approach section (16) in order to then move away from each other again starting from the sealing contact section (16) in the direction of the fixing area (14). The invention additionally relates to a medical container with a container seal according to the invention.

Description

The present invention relates to a container seal for sealing a container trough from a container lid of a medical container placed thereon.

It is known from the prior art to use appropriate seals between an upper container part and a lower container part of the sterile container to seal a sterile container in a germ-tight manner. According to the current state of the art, silicone seals are used in a wide variety of forms. For example, foamed silicone seals are known as endless profiles. Furthermore, full silicone seals or hollow-chamber profile seals are known as endless profiles, and silicone seals are also known as molded parts. Furthermore, separate seals made of plastic and, for example, seals between the tub and ceiling made as a pasteurian path are known; for this purpose, reference is made to the Polysteribox, for example, which is sufficiently known from the prior art.

Reference is made to the document known from the prior art DE 44 089 32 A1 which discloses a container assembly having a container and a lid which can be mated with and separated from the container. The lid has a downwardly directed inner flange and an outer flange, the flanges defining a seat therebetween at the upper portion of a downwardly open space capable of receiving a container rim. The lid further includes resilient fishing means integrally formed with the lid and disposed between the flanges, whereby the flanges can resiliently bend toward and away from each other, and first mechanical latch means carried by the lower end portion of the outer flange , and are capable of engaging the container. The container has second mechanical latch means which are carried by the top portion of the container and which are adapted to engage the first mechanical latch means when the lid is fully connected to the container. The mechanical latch means, when engaged, urge the top edge of the container into seated engagement in the seat formed between the inner and outer flanges of the lid.

However, the seals disclosed in the prior art basically have the disadvantage that they wear out in the course of processing (cleaning or sterilization) or use. In the case of silicone seals, the material becomes brittle or permanently compressed over time, which means that a sufficient sealing effect can no longer be provided. The seals known from the prior art are therefore a wear part, which is why the seals have to be replaced after a certain number of load cycles. The service life of the seal is generally classified as lower than the service life of the container system. In addition, the seals are very susceptible to mechanical damage, in particular from cuts or perforations. Furthermore, the seals known from the prior art are also susceptible to cleaning chemicals and / or steam. In addition, the tolerance compensation between the container tray and container lid is limited. This is particularly disadvantageous in the case of plastic deformation of the individual components.

It is therefore the object of the invention to avoid or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the seal should be subject to little wear and tear and ensure a particularly secure sealing of the two container components from one another.

This object is achieved in a generic container seal in that the container seal has two essentially parallel spaced, longitudinally extending sealing walls which are preferably made exclusively of metal and which form a receiving gap between them, which forms an insertion slot on one longitudinal side of the container seal. has, in which a respective section of a container wall of the container trough or of the container lid (clamping and / or sealing) can be inserted, the container seal on its opposite longitudinal side (facing away from the insertion slot) forming or having a fixing area on which it is attached to the container lid or the container trough can be fixed in a sealing manner, the two sealing walls in the region of the receiving gap approaching one another in an arc shape starting from the insertion slot (viewed in the width direction of the seal) to form a sealing contact section, and then starting from to remove the sealing contact section from one another again in the direction of the fixing region (viewed in the width direction of the seal).

In an advantageous manner, the container seal according to the invention provides a safe sterile barrier which is subject to no or only very little wear in daily use. Furthermore, with the container seal according to the invention, the boundary between the sterile interior of the container and the non-sterile environment is further removed from the sterile contents moved away than is the case in the prior art solutions.

The container seal according to the invention is subject to no or only very little wear, since it is not subject to any embrittlement or any plastic deformation of the sealing material. In addition, it is hardly susceptible to mechanical damage, in particular also to cuts or mechanical perforation. The seal according to the invention is easy to see and can be checked by the user. In an additionally advantageous manner, the seal is easy to clean and provides increased application security due to several contact points. The sterile barrier is moved further to the outside than in the solutions of the prior art and a tolerance compensation between tub and ceiling is effected, which is also given in an advantageous manner in the event of mechanical damage.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the fixing area is at least semicircular, the semicircle of the container seal has a radius R1 in an unloaded state of the container seal and the receiving gap has a gap width in this unloaded state S1 having. The semicircular configuration of the fixing area provides a particularly large contact area between the container wall of the container lid, as a result of which the container seal can be connected to the container lid in a particularly advantageous manner.

A further preferred embodiment is formed in that the ratio V1 of the radius R1 to the gap width S1 in a range between 2 and 20th is, preferably in a range between 5 and 10 lies and where the ratio V1 in particular has the value 7. Because of this advantageous relationship V1 of the radius R1 to the gap width S1 a particularly space-optimized container seal is provided, which is advantageously made very narrow, provides a sufficiently large fixing area and a sufficiently large sealing effect due to the structurally optimized gap width S1 provides.

The container seal is also advantageously made from an erosion-resistant and, in particular, a metal material. The known rustproof and acid-resistant materials are, for example, CrNi steels with an 18% share of chromium and an 8% share of nickel, or, for example, X10CrNi18-8 should be mentioned here.

In a further embodiment, the container seal is designed so that the two sealing walls in the area of the sealing contact section can be flexibly moved apart and resiliently deformed back to their original state, the rebound force being brought about in particular by the fixing area connecting the sealing walls. This advantageous configuration of the sealing walls with respect to one another provides, in particular, a reusable and particularly easy-to-clean container seal.

The container seal is also advantageously characterized in that the thickness D2 of the container wall and the thickness D1 of the sealing wall have a ratio V2 have each other, which is preferably in a range between 1 and 10 and more preferably a range between 2 and 6th and which is in particular in a range between 4th and 5 is formed. A particularly well-closing container seal is advantageously provided by these thickness ratios to one another.

In a further preferred embodiment, a medical container, preferably a sterile container, is provided with a container trough for receiving medical, surgical instruments and / or implants and a container lid for sealing the container trough, for which a container seal according to the invention is arranged between the container lid and the container trough . Medical products and / or implants can be transported sterile through the medical container according to the invention, the container being designed with regard to its biocompatibility or with regard to the release of toxic substances and its chemical compatibility with regard to the medical products. By using the seal according to the invention, it is particularly easy to clean in an advantageous manner and is subject to a particularly long service life.

In an additionally preferred embodiment, the medical container is characterized in that the container wall of the container lid (top side of the lid / lid plate) is designed to be undulating (S-shaped circumferential deformation) in the connection area with the container seal, the corrugation having a corrugated crown area, a corrugation inlet area and a corrugation outlet area, wherein the shaft entry area is approximately congruent with the preferably vertically extending container wall of the container trough. In other words, the container lid has the top side of the lid (cover plate) as well as a strip (web) running around the edge, the top side of the cover forming a circumferential S-shaped wave on the edge, which flows into the surrounding bar on the outside (i.e. towards the bar) and on the inside (i.e. towards the cover plate) merges smoothly into the top of the cover. This forms between the surrounding strip and the (flat) top side of the lid has a substantially semicircular, outward (ie upward) arching (corrugated crown area), which consequently forms an inwardly (ie downward) open receptacle (space) for the (semicircularly curved) fixing area of the container seal . This structural design provides a particularly high degree of dimensional stability. To accommodate the container seal or the metal seal, the container lid (top side of the lid / lid plate) does not necessarily have to be designed in this way. It is also possible to use a metal gasket. With this embodiment, the geometry of the container lid with respect to the receiving or fixing of the container seal can advantageously also be made much more flexible.

It is also advantageous that the inner radius R1 of the corrugated crown area of the container wall of the container lid is formed in a range between 1 mm and 10 mm, more preferably in a range between 2 mm and 5 mm and more preferably in a range between 3 mm and 4 mm and in particular has an inner radius R1 of 3.5 mm. Due to this advantageous configuration of the corrugated crown area, the container seal is received in a particularly sealing manner by the container lid, preferably when these are connected to one another by a press connection.

A further advantageous embodiment of the medical container is provided in that there is a gap between the outside of the vertically extending container wall of the container trough and the approximately congruent corrugated entry area (strip) of the container wall of the container lid S2 forms, the inner radius of the corrugated crown area and the gap S2 a relationship V3 have each other, which is preferably in a range between 1 and 8th , more preferably in a range between 1.2 and 6th and in particular lies in a range between 1.4 and 4.6. This geometric and structural configuration of the container lid in relation to the seal produces a particularly tight-fitting seal in relation to the container lid and the container trough, which causes a particularly tight fit of the container lid with the container trough.

It is further advantageous if the width B1 of the container and the inner radius of the corrugated crown area R1 of the container wall of the container lid have a ratio V4 to one another, which is preferably in a range between 20th and 200, more preferably in a range between 50 and 100 and which is in particular V4 = 80. This structural configuration of the container width with the inner radius of the corrugated crown area provides a medical container that is particularly space-optimized.

In an additionally preferred embodiment, the container seal is materially and / or positively connected to the respective container wall of the container lid and / or the container trough. This connection method provides a connection which can be carried out particularly easily and which can be controlled particularly well with regard to the quality requirements.

In a further advantageous manner, the material connection is an adhesive connection, a welded connection, a soldered connection and / or the form-fitting connection is a press connection, a plug connection and / or a latching connection. The use of these types of connection provides a particularly secure fit of the seal in the respective container wall.

In other words, a container lid is connected to a container wall, an insertion bevel being used as a centering aid for the lid when assembling the lid and tub. There is a sealing area between the tub wall and the metal seal and, in addition, a stop for the respective tub wall, the stop defining the maximum penetration depth.

• 1 eine Behälterdichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, die in einen Behälterdeckel eingesetzt ist;
• 2 eine weitere Behälterdichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, die in einen Behälterdeckel eingesetzt ist;
• 3 eine Behälterdichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, die mit einer Behälterwanne verbunden ist;
• 4 zeigt einen mit der erfindungsgemäßen Behälterdichtung gedichteten Container;
• 5 zeigt einen weiteren mit der erfindungsgemäßen Behälterdichtung gedichteten Container und
• 6 zeigt einen weiteren mit der erfindungsgemäßen Behälterdichtung gedichteten weiteren Container.

The invention is explained further below with the aid of the following figures. Show it:

• 1 a container seal according to the present invention inserted into a container lid;
• 2 another container seal according to the present invention inserted into a container lid;
• 3 a container seal according to the present invention connected to a container pan;
• 4th shows a container sealed with the container seal according to the invention;
• 5 shows a further container sealed with the container seal according to the invention and
• 6th shows another container sealed with the container seal according to the invention.

the 1 shows a container seal 1 those in a container lid 4th is fixed. The container seal 1 has a first sealing wall 6th and a second sealing wall 8th on. Between the two sealing sections 6th , 8th is a receiving gap 10 designed for receiving a container wall of a container trough. The container seal 1 shows an insertion slot 12th on, in which the respective container wall can be inserted. The intake gap 10 is through a gap S1 marked in its width. It can be clearly seen that the container lid 4th Is designed wave-shaped. The container seal 1 is with their fusing area 14th with the container lid 4th sealingly connected. It is also shown that the fixing area is designed in a semicircular shape and has a radius R = 3.5 mm. In its vertical direction, the container seal is 13.8 mm long. The intake gap 10 forms the sealing contact section 16 , in which the container wall of the container trough can be accommodated in a sealing manner. In the embodiment of 1 the container seal thus converges like an hourglass. The seal according to the invention also provides tolerance compensation between the container trough and the container lid

Another embodiment is in the 2 shown. The container seal 1 is in turn in the fixing area 14th inserted into the second container wall of the container lid. The container wall of the container lid consists of a shaft entry area 30th , a wave crest area 28 and a shaft exit area 32 . It is also shown that the container seal 1 has a length of 12 mm, has a thickness of 0.5 mm sheet metal thickness and is sunk in its sealing contact section by 0.5 mm in order to obtain a defined sealing contact surface. The fixing area is designed with a radius of 3.5 mm.

A third embodiment is shown in FIG 3 shown. This is the first container wall 20th Shown hatched and has a thickness D2, see the reference symbol in this regard 24 . The first sealing wall 6th and the second sealing wall 8th each have a thickness D1, see the reference symbol in this regard 26th which is 0.5 mm here. The sealing walls 6th , 8th of the invention are in an advantageous manner with the first container wall 20th connected with an adhesive connection, solder connection and / or weld connection.

the 4th shows a container 18th with a container tray 2 and a container lid 4th which are connected in a sealed manner by a container seal. The container pan 2 has a container wall 20th on and the container lid 4th has a container wall 22nd on. The container lid 4th comprises a width B1 of 280 mm and is drawn down at its outer ends to provide mechanical protection for the container seal 1 provide. Between the inside of the downwardly drawn container wall of the container lid 4th and the outside of the container pan 2 a gap is provided that has a gap width S1 having. In the example shown here, the gap width S1 = 2.5 mm and is thus made much smaller than the width of the container lid. It can be clearly seen that the container lid 4th a distance to the container seal 1 in its vertical direction to the container seal 1 to protect against mechanical force

Another embodiment is in the 5 shown, while the container 18th a container pan 2 and a container lid 4th on. There is a gap between the inside of the container lid and the outside of the container pan S1 provided, which in this embodiment has a width of 0.75 mm, the container lid being a total of 276.5 mm wide. The container seal advantageously forms 1 an end stop for the container wall of the container tray.

the 6th shows an additional embodiment with a container trough 2 a container 18th on which in turn a container lid 4th is put on. Between the container lid 4th and container tray 2 is again a gap S1 formed, which is 0.75 mm in this example, the width of the container lid is 276.5 mm.

List of reference symbols

1)

Container seal

2)

Container tray

4)

Container lid

6)

First sealing wall

8th)

Second sealing wall

10)

Receiving gap

12)

Insertion slot

14)

Fusing area

16)

Sealing contact section

18)

container

20)

First container wall

22)

Second container wall

24)

Thickness D2

26)

Thickness D1

28)

Wave crest area

30)

Shaft entry area

32)

Shaft exit area

S1)

Gap width

S2)

Gap width

V1)

relationship

V2)

relationship

V3)

relationship

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 4408932 A1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Container seal (1) for sealing a container trough (2) from a container lid (4) of a medical container (18) placed thereon, the container seal (1) having two essentially parallel spaced apart, longitudinally extending and preferably made exclusively of metal sealing walls ( 6, 8), which form a receiving gap (10) between them, which has an insertion slot (12) on a longitudinal side of the container seal (1), in which a respective section of a container wall (20, 22) of the container trough (2) or of the container lid (4) can be inserted, the container seal (1) forming a fixing area (14) on its opposite longitudinal sides, in which it can be fixed in a sealing manner on the container lid (4) or the container trough (2), the two sealing walls ( 6, 8) in the region of the receiving gap (10), starting from the insertion slot (12), approach one another in an arc to form a sealing contact section (16) then moving away from one another again starting from the sealing contact section (16) in the direction of the fixing region (14). Container seal (1) Claim 1 , characterized in that the fixing area (14) is at least semicircular, the semicircle of the container seal (1) has a radius R1 in an unloaded state of the container seal (1) and the receiving gap (10) has a gap width S1 in this unloaded state. Container seal (1) Claim 2 , characterized in that the ratio V1 of the radius R1 to the gap width S1 is in a range between 2 and 20, preferably in a range between 5 and 10 and the ratio V1 in particular has the value 7. Container seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of an erosion-resistant and in particular a metal material. Container seal (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that the two sealing walls (6, 8) in the area of the sealing contact section (16) can be flexibly moved apart and resiliently deformed back to their original state, the rebound force being caused in particular by the fixing area (14) connecting the sealing walls (6, 8) is. Container seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness D2 (24) of the container wall (20, 22) and the thickness D1 (26) of the sealing wall (6, 8) have a ratio V2 to one another, which is preferably in a range between 1 and 10 and more preferably a range between 2 and 6 and which is formed in particular in a range between 4 and 5. Medical container (18), preferably sterile container, with a container trough (2) for receiving medical, surgical instruments and / or implants and a container lid (4) for sealing the container walls (20, 22) from one another, for which purpose between the container lid (4 ) and the container trough (2) a container seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged. Medical container (18) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the container wall (22) of the container lid (4) in the connection area (25) with the container seal (1) is designed in a wave-shaped manner, the shaft (26) having a corrugated crown area (28), a shaft input area (30) and a shaft output area (32), the shaft input region (30) being approximately congruent with the preferably vertically extending container wall (20) of the container trough (2). Medical container (18) according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the inner radius R1 of the corrugated crown area (28) of the container wall (22) of the container lid (4) is in a range between 1 mm and 10 mm, more preferably in a range between 2 mm and 5 mm and more preferably in a range between 3 mm and 4mm and in particular has an inner radius R1 of 3.5mm. Medical container (18) according to one of the Claims 8 or 9 , characterized in that there is a gap S1 between the outside of the vertically extending container wall (20) of the container trough (2) and the approximately congruent shaft input area (30) of the container wall (22) of the container lid (4), the inner radius being of the corrugated crown area (28) and the gap S1 have a ratio V3 to one another which is preferably in a range between 1 and 8, more preferably in a range between 1.2 and 6 and in particular in a range between 1.4 and 4.6 . Medical container (18) according to one of the Claims 9 or 10 , characterized in that the width B1 of the container (18) and the inner radius of the corrugated crown area R1 of the container wall (22) of the container lid (4) have a ratio V4 to one another, which is preferably in a range between 20 and 200, more preferably in a range is between 50 and 100 and which is in particular V4 = 80. Medical container (18) according to one of the Claims 7 until 11 , characterized in that the container seal (1) is materially and / or positively connected to the respective container wall (20, 22) of the container lid (4) and / or the container trough (2). Medical container (18) according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the material connection is an adhesive connection, a welded connection, a soldered connection and / or that the positive connection is a press connection, a plug connection and / or a latching connection.

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