EA041168B1 - METHODS FOR FORMING A HARDER MATERIAL OVER A SOFTER MATERIAL AND ASSEMBLY MOISTURE-PROOF CONTAINERS PRODUCED BY THESE METHODS - Google Patents

Description

Prerequisites for the invention

1. The field of technology to which the invention relates.

The present invention relates to an improved liquid-tight container assembly, and more particularly to a liquid-tight container assembly comprising a soft seal. The present invention further relates to a method for forming a liquid-tight container assembly comprising a soft seal. The present invention also relates to a method for forming a soft seal.

2. Description of the prior art.

Containers of different sizes, designed to prevent moisture infiltration, are widely used in practical applications ranging from sporting goods to medical supplies. In general, the complexity and thus the cost of such containers increases as the ability of such containers to resist moisture infiltration increases. There is a need for such containers, which have a high resistance to moisture infiltration and at the same time are produced at an affordable price. In the field of packaging for diagnostic test strips, it is known that such strips are stored in containers that form moisture-tight seals between plastic (hard) surfaces. For example, the seal may be formed by an interlocking configuration between the skirt of the cap and the outer rim or shoulder of the container body. Such seals have proven to be generally effective and beneficial in providing good shelf life for test strips. However, the production of such containers may result in an undesirably large standard deviation in moisture resistance of the plurality of containers produced by the automated injection molding process. The Applicant has found that by introducing an elastomeric sealing element to provide a compression seal (soft seal) between the cap and the container body, the passage of water vapor into the container can be reduced and also the standard deviation mentioned above can be reduced. In addition, Applicant has unequivocally found that a hard seal design in series with a soft seal design can help maintain the compression seal formed by the soft seal design and improve the moisture-tightness of the container. However, incorporating such an elastomeric sealing element into a container design is not an easy undertaking. One difficulty is that the mating surfaces of the hard seal structure must be free from scratches and parting lines that would adversely affect the integrity of the hard seal structure. As a result of this requirement, removing the injection molding rod required to form the cap and reintroducing another rod required to form the elastomeric sealing member in the cap can scratch/scoring the sealing surface of the cap skirt, thus creating a point of impact. moisture.

To avoid such scratching/scoring on the hard surface of the cap, it would theoretically be preferable to first provide the elastomeric material in the mold cavity and then mold the stiffer polymer rubber material of the cap over the comparatively softer material. However, in such a process, it has not been possible up to now to use conventional injection molding techniques. It is known in the field of injection molding that a softer plastic with a lower melting point has to be cast over a harder plastic with a higher melting point. It was believed that the process should not be carried out in any other way, due to the fact that the harder material with a higher melting point will displace the softer material with a lower melting point if the softer material is cast first in the overmolding process. However, due to the above problems associated with injection molding a container and cap assembly containing an elastomeric sealing member, there is a need for an overmolding process that allows a harder material to be poured onto a softer material.

Brief description of the invention

Accordingly, Applicants have developed overmolding methods according to the present invention that allow a harder material to be poured onto a softer material.

In one aspect of the present invention, a method for overmolding materials is provided. The method includes feeding a first material into a groove in the first part of the mold such that only one surface of the first material is exposed to the free part of the mold;

supplying, by means of an injection molding process, a second material in liquid form to a mold free portion adjacent to and in contact with the first material; and allowing the second material to solidify and bond directly with the first material, thereby forming one component.

The second material has one or both of a higher set hardness than the first material and/or a higher melting point than the first material.

Feeding the first material into the groove may include feeding the first material into the groove.

- 1 041168 by another injection molding process. The second material may be supplied by an injection molding process so as to flow in a direction generally parallel to one surface of the first material that is exposed.

The method may further include removing the component from the mold. As another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a cap assembly for use with a container to form a container assembly. The cap assembly comprises a seal formed from a first material and a cap formed from a second material that has one or both of a higher solidification hardness than the first material and/or a higher melting point than the first material. The method includes feeding in a mold, containing a part that defines the shape of the cap, the first material into a groove in the first part of the mold so that only one surface of the first material is open to the free part of the mold;

supplying, by means of an injection molding process, a second material in liquid form to a mold free portion adjacent to and in contact with the first material; and allowing the second material to solidify and bond directly with the first material, thereby forming the cap assembly.

Feeding the first material into the groove may involve feeding the first material into the groove by another injection molding process. The second material may be supplied by an injection molding process so as to flow in a direction generally parallel to one surface of the first material that is exposed.

The method may further include removing the cap assembly from the mold.

The mold may further comprise a portion that defines the shape of the container; the method may further comprise, prior to supplying the second material to the mold part that defines the shape of the cap, supplying, by means of an injection molding process, the second material in liquid form to the part of the mold that defines the shape of the container; and allowing the second material to solidify and bond directly with the first material, thereby forming the cap assembly.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the second material solidifies and forms a container assembly, the container being integrally formed with the cap.

Optionally, in any embodiment, during the formation of the seal during the whole casting process, one surface of the material forming the seal is flush with the plane formed by the outer surface of the first mold part.

The method may further include removing the container assembly from the mold.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap formed in accordance with any of the methods mentioned above.

In another aspect of the present invention, a container assembly is provided, formed in accordance with any of the methods mentioned above.

These and other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the modes of operation and functions of the respective structural elements and combination of parts, as well as the savings in production, will become more apparent when considering the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form part of this description, in which the same reference designations designate like parts in different figures. However, it should be unequivocally understood that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended to define the limitations of the present invention.

Brief description of graphic materials

The present invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like elements, and in which FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an assembled container in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown with the cap in the open position;

in fig. 2 is a plan view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the cap in the open position;

in fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 and 2 shown with the cap in the closed position;

in fig. 4 is a schematic partial sectional view showing the molds and cores that are used in forming a container assembly such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, during the injection molding process;

in fig. 5 is a detailed view of the part of FIG. 4, indicated by the number 5;

in fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 3 illustrating the contact of the first and second successive seals to form a moisture seal; And

- 2 041168 in Fig. 7A and 7B are schematics showing the cap soft seal just prior to contact with the hard body sealing surface (FIG. 7A), followed by the soft cap sealing contact with the hard body sealing surface (FIG. 7B).

Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments

As used herein, the singular form includes references to the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Used in this document, the expression and/or means that any of two or both together of the elements defined by such expression is meant. For example, the phrase A and/or B would mean only A, only B, or both A and B.

Used in this document, the statement that two or more parts are connected, means that the parts are combined or function together directly or indirectly, i. through one or more intermediate parts or components as long as there is communication.

As used herein, the term directly connected means that two elements are in direct contact with each other. As used herein, the terms fixed or fixed means that two components are connected in such a way as to move simultaneously while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other.

As used in this document, the term around in phrases such as located around [element, point or axis] or pass around [element, point or axis] or [X] degrees around [element, point or axis] means to surround, pass around or measured around. When used in relation to measurement or similarly, the term about means approximately, i.e. in the approximate range in relation to the measurement, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art.

As used herein, the term generally means in general terms in relation to the term modified, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art.

As used herein, the word integral means that the component is manufactured as a single piece or block. Those. a component containing pieces that are manufactured separately and then joined together as a block is not a single component or housing.

Used in this document, the statement that two or more parts or components are in contact with each other, means that the parts affect one another either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components.

As used herein, the term quantity means one or an integer greater than one (eg, many).

As used herein, the phrases hermetic contact or hermetic contact refers to elements that are in contact with each other in such a way that a liquid-tight seal is generally formed between them.

As used herein, directional phrases such as and without limitation top, bottom, left, right, top, bottom, front, back, and derivatives thereof refer to the orientation of the elements shown in the graphics and are not limiting to the items. claims, unless it is expressly described in it.

In general terms, as used herein, the term water-resistant is defined as water penetration (after three days) of less than 1500 µg of water, in another embodiment less than 500 µg of water, in a further embodiment less than 300 µg of water, in yet another embodiment, less than 150 µg of water, as determined by the following test method:

(a) place 1 g plus or minus 0.25 g of molecular sieve in a container and record its weight;

(b) completely close the container;

(c) placing the closed container in a climate chamber at 80% relative humidity and 72°F;

(d) weighing the container containing the molecular sieve after one day;

(e) weighing the container containing the molecular sieve after four days; and (f) subtracting the value of the first day sample from the value of the fourth day sample to determine the moisture penetration into the container in units of micrograms of water.

A preferred moisture penetration rate for a moisture seal container made in accordance with an aspect of the disclosed concept is in the range of about 200-300 micrograms of water per day or less. Therefore, a liquid-tight seal is a sealing contact that, by itself or in combination with additional sealing contacts, contributes to the liquid-tightness of a container as defined above.

As used herein, the term resealable means that the lid of the container can be opened or reopened, or closed or reclosed.

- 3 041168 many times (for example, more than 10 times) and still keep its moisture-proof properties.

Further in FIG. 1 and 2 depict a resealable sealable container assembly 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The container assembly 10 includes a container 12 with a base 14, an inner cavity 16, an outer surface 18, a top 20, and a bottom 22. The container 12 further includes a rim 24 that protrudes radially outward at the top 20. The container 12 may also include a flange 26 located at a predetermined distance from the rim 24, which protrudes radially outward from the outer surface 18 of the container 12.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1 and 2, the container assembly 10 further comprises a cap assembly 29 comprising a cap 30 with a base 32 and a skirt 34 extending perpendicularly from the base 32 around the outer periphery of the base 32. The recess 36 is optionally formed in the inner wall 37 of the skirt 34 on the base 32 or near him. The cap 30 optionally further comprises a finger tab 38 to facilitate opening and closing of the container assembly 10. The cap 30 is connected to the container 12 by a hinge 40. The tab 38 and the hinge 40 are preferably located at opposite ends of the cap 30 and extend perpendicularly from the skirt 34. The hinge 40 can also be attached to flange 26 of container 12. Hinge 40 optionally includes a recess 42 that functions as a pivot point in opening and closing container assembly 10. Hinge 40 optionally includes two elements, 40A and 40B, respectively, formed on each side of recess 42. First element 40A may be attached to flange 26 of container 12 (or another part of container 12) and second element 40B attached to cap 30. As will be further discussed below, in an illustrative embodiment of the disclosed concept, elements of container 12 and cap assembly 29, considered so far are manufactured by means of an injection molding process. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 and 2, the container 12 and cap 30 are formed (by injection molding) of plastic material as parts of one integral component. However, it should be understood that such components may alternatively be formed separately without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

The container 12, cap 30, and hinge 40 may be made primarily from one or more thermoplastic materials suitable for injection molding, including, for example, a polyolefin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. In an optional embodiment, the container assembly 10 may be made from a mixture containing primarily a thermoplastic material and a very small portion of a thermoplastic elastomeric material (with the final cured product being substantially solid or incompressible). Optionally, the polymeric construction of the container assembly 10 (other than the seal 50 discussed below) may contain up to 2% TPE by weight.

To provide an improved moisture-tight seal between cap 30 and container 12, cap assembly 29 further includes a compressible seal 50 that is similar in shape to the top 20 of container 12 and cap 30 and is formed from a softer and/or lower melting material (e.g., , thermoplastic elastomer) than the material from which container 12 and cap 30 are formed. In this context, the terms elastomer or elastomeric material should be understood in a broad sense. A particularly preferred elastomer for seal 50 is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which optionally has a Shore A hardness of 20 to 50, preferably 20 to 40, more preferably 20 to 35. Alternatively, the terms elastomer or elastomeric material may include silicon rubbers. or other preferred soft and resilient injection moldable materials suitable for creating a compressive seal against a relatively harder (eg, thermoplastic) surface. The formation of seal 50 is discussed in detail below.

In FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the container assembly 10 in the closed position. In this closed position, the skirt 34 of the cap 30 covers the container 12 and rests on the flange 26 thereof. thermoplastic-thermoplastic contact). The additional sealing contact provides a seal 50 that compresses between the base 32 of the cap 30 and the top 20 of the container 12, thus forming a soft seal design. It should be understood that the container 12 can be sealed and/or resealed by applying downward pressure to the finger tab 38 or base 32 of the cap 30 in a single motion to form a liquid-tight seal. It should be understood that in such a closed position, two different sealing designs, i. the hard seal design and the soft seal design mentioned above provide an improved seal design over existing solutions. The hard seal design also provides a snap-to-close design that provides the closing force needed to make soft sealing contact and maintain the container assembly 10 in the closed position.

In order to provide such an improved moisture-tight seal, the interacting surfaces of the structure with a solid seal, i.e. the surfaces of the rim 24 of the container 12 and the recess 36 of the lid 30 must be free of scratches and split lines, otherwise moisture can easily move outside of such a solid seal. As a result of this requirement, seal 50 cannot be molded over base 32 of cap 30 because removal of the stem required to form cap 30 and reinsertion of another stem required to form seal 50 may scratch/scoring the surface of recess 36, thus creating an entry point for moisture. To avoid such scratching/scoring on the surface of the recess 36 of the cap 30, the cap 30 is instead uniquely molded over the seal 50; an example of this is described next in conjunction with FIG. 4 and 5.

Further in FIG. 4 and 5, an example of an injection molding process that forms a container assembly 10 will be considered. Initially, a seal 50 is provided in the groove 100 of the first core element 101, which is located in the mold assembly 102 (shown in oblique strokes in Fig. 4 and 5). The first shaft element 101 in the illustrated embodiment functions as the first part of the mold assembly 102, the first shaft element 101 comprising an outer surface 110 in which a groove 100 is formed. The seal 50 may be formed by injection molding or other suitable process and, as described above, is formed from a soft TPE material, optionally one having a Shore A hardness of 20 to 50, preferably 20 to 40, more preferably 20 to 35 (after hardening). The seal 50 is provided in the groove 100 in such a way that only one of its surfaces, ie. surface 50A remained open. Preferably, the entire surface 50A of the seal 50 is flush with the plane 52 defined by the outer surface 110 of the first stem element 101. Next, the supply of molten plastic, as shown generally by flow arrows F, is fed into the mold assembly 102 through an opening 103, optionally located near the portion of the mold assembly 102 that corresponds to the base 14 of the container 12. After filling the portion of the mold assembly 102, which corresponds to the container 12 (i.e., the spaces around the stem 104), the supply F of molten plastic passes through the part of the mold assembly 102 that corresponds to the hinge 40 and passes into the part that corresponds to the cap 30 and contains the seal 50, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 5. In filling the remainder of the mold assembly 102, the stock F of molten plastic flows generally parallel to the open surface 50A of the seal 50 and thus generally does not compromise the integrity of the pre-formed seal while molding over/bonding to it. . After filling the mold assembly 102, the molten plastic is allowed to cool/solidify, thus forming the cap assembly 29 (i.e. cap 30 with seal 50) and container 12, which is part of the finished container assembly 10. Then container assembly 10 removed from the mold 102. Optionally, in an alternative embodiment, the cap assembly is formed in a mold separate from the container and subsequently combined with it.

It should be understood that the common practice of injection molding is to mold a softer material onto a harder material, since otherwise the harder material will tend to force the softer material out of the mould. However, according to the unique concept disclosed, by effectively protecting the softer seal material 50 in groove 100 such that only its surface 50A is exposed to the free portion of the mold such that surface 50A is entirely flush with plane 52, and then initiating the passage of stock F of the harder plastic generally parallel to and adjacent to such a surface, the harder plastic material that forms the remainder of the container assembly 10 can be molded over the seal 50, thus creating the flawless surface of the previously discussed recess 36.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, cap 30, container 12, and seal 50 may be generally circular in shape. Alternatively, cap 30, container 12, and seal 50 may be non-circular, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Other suitable shapes include square, triangular, elliptical, rectangular, trapezoidal and many more. For example, elliptical tare units, such as those disclosed in US Pat. If the assembly has corners, they can be rectangular or rounded. It is contemplated that the injection molding techniques of the disclosed concept may be particularly useful in improving the sealing of non-circular containers that are more difficult to seal against moisture using more conventional hard seals alone (without a compressive hard-soft seal).

In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept, seal 50 has a vertical thickness of 0.25 to 1.25 mm.

The container assembly 10 may generally be of any desired size necessary to accommodate the desired contents. While cap 30 and container 12 are shown as being formed as a single unit, it should be understood that they can also be formed as separate units,

- 5 041168 and then put together, provided that the cap 30 and the seal 50 are otherwise formed, generally as described in this document.

The following is an optional feature of the disclosed concept. In FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the container assembly 10 shown in FIG. 3. Top 20 of container 12 terminates at top edge 211. Top edge 211 compresses seal 50 to provide sealing contact 264 when container assembly 10 is closed as discussed above. The compressible sealing surface 230 of the seal 50 is configured to be compressed by the relatively hard top surface 211 of the top 20 of the container 12 when the container assembly 10 is closed. The seal 50 in the illustrative embodiment is not necessarily in the form of a ring. As used herein, the term ring may refer to an annular circular element with a central hole. However, the ring is not necessarily limited to such a configuration and may include non-circular configurations as well as elastomeric elements that are at least partially filled in the center (ie, where the ring opening would otherwise be). Accordingly, the ring may include, for example, a disk-shaped elastomeric element.

In FIG. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing the seal 50 just prior to contact with the thermoplastic sealing surface of the body (FIG. 7A), after which sealing contact 264 of the seal 50 is made with the top surface 211 of the container 12 (FIG. 7B, which is actually an enlarged view of FIG. 6). The vertical compression of the seal 50 causes a portion of the seal 50 to resiliently and resiliently deform and expand radially into the void space 280 provided between the container 12 and the lid 30. This operation is described in detail below.

In FIG. 6 shows a partially enlarged cross section of a container assembly 10 with the lid 30 in the closed position. The sealing contact 264 in the form of a compression seal provided between the top surface 211 of the container 12 and the seal 50 results in the cross section of the seal 50 having a slightly stepped or concave appearance along the contact surface 230 of the seal 50. For illustrative purposes, this concave can be seen more clearly. and clearly in the enlarged view shown in FIG. 7B. In FIG. 7A shows a cross-section of the seal 50 just prior to its contact with the top surface 211 of the container 12 to form the seal contact 264. As shown in FIG. 7A, the seal 50, when not in contact with the top surface 211, does not have such a concavity. The concavity in the contact surface 230 of the seal 50 is the result of elastic deformation of the seal 50 resulting from the sealing contact 264 with the upper surface 211 of the rim.

Moreover, the seal 50 (for example, in the form of a ring) is not connected or fixed by any structure either on its immediate right side 50R or on the left side 50L. Thus, when the seal 50 is vertically compressed, a portion thereof resiliently expands or moves radially outward (leftward), inward (rightward), or both. A vacant space 280 is provided, for example, between the seal 50 and the skirt 34 of the lid 30 to provide a vacant space for the seal material to expand radially when it comes into contact. In FIG. 7B illustrates a radially expanded seal portion 50E (shown expanded in the E direction of FIG. 7B) occupying a portion of the void space 280. If such an expansion shown in the figures is exaggerated from the actual implementation, it is for illustrative purposes only. This radial expansion into the void provides at least two important functions.

First, it results in a softening of the vertical spring force between the elastomer and the rim. While it is desirable to provide a small spring force to reinforce or reinforce the sealing contact 264, excessive spring force can result in a reduction in opening force such that the container may unintentionally open. A balance must be struck between an optimally low opening force on one side (especially for older users and/or diabetics) and an opening force that is so low that it can lead to unintentional openings of containers, for example due to normal pressure changes that can occur inside the container during transportation. If the soft material (eg, elastomer) of the seal 50 can expand radially, the vertical spring force can thus be maintained at an acceptable level.

The second important function is that the contact surface area between the respective sealing surfaces of the sealing contact 264 is increased due to the radial expansion of the relatively soft seal material 50. This increase in the soft-hard sealing surface area (e.g., elastomer-thermoplastic) provides a stronger seal in sealing contact 264.

In the field of injection molding, methods according to optional aspects of the disclosed concept allow the seal 50 to be provided without it being bound, secured, or reinforced either on its immediate right side 50R or on its left side 50L, such as by a thermoplastic expansion on a cap 30 or other structure.

- 6 041168

Optionally, a container assembly according to any embodiment of the disclosed concept can be advantageously used to contain diagnostic test strips, drug delivery strips, biological compositions, supplements, drugs, or any other moisture sensitive product. Optionally, the container assembly according to any embodiment may contain a desiccant (eg, in the form of a desiccant-entrapped polymer, preferably a three-phase desiccant-entrapped polymer) to absorb moisture in the interior cavity. The term "three-phase polymer" refers to a polymer with an entrapped desiccant containing a base polymer, a desiccant and a channeling agent, for example, as described in US Pat. Nos. 5,911,937; 6,080,350; , each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Advantageously, in an optional aspect of the present invention, the soft-hard sealant in combination with the hard-hard sealant (in series) reliably reduces moisture penetration. This, in turn, reduces the use of such drying material, resulting in lower production costs. Optionally, the entrapped desiccant polymer insert may be attached to the container or formed with the container.

Examples

The present invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the following examples, however, it should be understood that the present invention is not considered to be limited thereto.

Example 1

Moisture penetration tests were carried out in 24 ml containers according to the container embodiment shown in FIG. 1-3 and manufactured according to the injection molding processes discussed in this document (Group A). The ambient conditions were set at 30° C. and 80% relative humidity. 48 such containers were used in the test. These moisture penetration results were compared with test results collected from testing a sample of 7553 packagings (Group B) that had the same material as the Group A packagings, but the Group B packagings contained only a hard seal (plastic-plastic) without an additional (soft) seal. ) seals (elastomer-plastic). The following table shows a visual comparison of the collected data.

Group Average level penetration (µg/day) Standard deviation (µg/day) Sample size A 399.8 22.61 48 IN 440.9 105.5 7553

The data show that the addition of the second seal resulted in a significant reduction in average penetration and an unexpectedly significant reduction in moisture penetration standard deviation. This significant reduction in standard deviation is remarkable and important from a production standpoint. In essence, a soft seal in combination with a hard seal provides greater control and predictability (ie, less variation) in moisture penetration so as to more closely match the moisture level in the container. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of desiccant required for the vessel and consequently reduce the operating costs associated with reducing the amount of desiccant.

Example 2

Moisture penetration tests were carried out in 17 ml containers according to the container embodiment shown in FIG. 1-3 made in accordance with the injection molding processes disclosed herein (Group A'). Ambient conditions were set at 30° C. and 70% relative humidity. 144 such containers were used in the test. These moisture penetration results were compared with test results collected from testing a sample of 2923 tare units (Group B') that had identical material to the tare units of Group A', but the tare units of Sample B' contained only a hard seal (plastic-plastic) without additional (soft) sealing (elastomer-plastic). The following table shows a visual comparison of the collected data.

- 7 041168

Sample Average penetration (mcg/day) RMS deviation (µg/day) Sample size A' 305.4 20.54 144 IN' 420.7 76.91 2923

As in Example 1, the data show that the addition of a soft seal to hard seal assemblies resulted in a significant reduction in average penetration and an unexpectedly significant reduction in moisture penetration standard deviation.

It should be noted that nominal volumetric measurements with reference to diagnostic test strip containers are approximate and generally understood in the industry. For example, a 17 ml vial may differ slightly from this accurate volumetric measurement in the same way as a 24 ml vial. These vessel volumes are well understood in the industry. To solve this problem, some embodiments provide a volumetric range, such as containers with an internal volume of 12 to 30 ml.

While the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such details are for that purpose only and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, rather, it is intended to cover modifications and equivalent constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

In the claims, any parenthetical references are not to be construed as limiting the claims. The word containing or comprising does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In an apparatus claim that lists multiple means, several of these means may be implemented with the same piece of equipment. Specifying a single number before an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In any claim relating to an apparatus that lists several means, several of these means may be implemented using the same piece of equipment. By itself, the fact that certain elements are described in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that these elements cannot be used in combination.

Claims (28)

1. The method of overmolding materials, and the method includes the use of the first part of the mold, and the specified first part of the mold has an outer surface in which a groove is formed; feeding a first material into the groove such that only one surface of said first material is exposed to a free mold part, wherein said one surface of said first material is all flush with a plane defined by an outer surface of said first mold part; feeding, by means of an injection molding process, a second material in liquid form into the free part of the mold adjacent to and in contact with said first material, and then solidifying said second material and directly combining it with said first material such that a single component is formed, wherein said second material has at least one of the following: greater hardness when solidified than said first material, or a higher melting point than said first material. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the first material to the groove comprises supplying said first material to the groove by another injection molding process. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second material is supplied by an injection molding process so as to flow in a direction generally parallel to said one surface of the first material that is exposed. 4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which comprises removing said component from the mold. - 8 041168 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first material is an elastomeric material which is introduced in liquid form into a groove in said first mold part. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said second material is a plastic material, such as a polyolefin, which, when cured, has a greater hardness than said first material. 7. A cap assembly for use with a container, the cap assembly being formed by the method of any of the preceding claims and comprising a seal formed from said first material and a cap formed from said second material. 8. A method of forming a cap assembly for use with a container to form a container assembly, wherein the cap assembly comprises a seal formed from a first material and a cap formed from a second material that has at least one of the following: greater hardness when solidified than the specified first material, or a higher melting point than the specified first material, and the method includes the use of a mold containing a part that defines the shape of the cap assembly, while the first part of the mold has an outer surface in which a groove is formed; feeding said first material into the groove such that only one surface of said first material is exposed to the free mold part, wherein said one surface of said first material is all flush with the plane defined by the outer surface of said first mold part; feeding by means of an injection molding process said second material in liquid form into the free part of the mold adjacent to and in contact with said first material, followed by solidification of said second material and its direct connection with said first material in such a way that a cap assembly is formed. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein supplying the first material to the groove comprises supplying said first material to the groove by another injection molding process. 10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said first material is an elastomeric material which is introduced in liquid form into a groove in said first mold portion. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said second material is a plastic material, such as a polyolefin, which, when solidified, has a greater hardness than said first material. 12. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein said second material is supplied by an injection molding process so as to flow in a direction generally parallel to said one surface of the first material that is exposed. 13. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 12 which comprises removing the cap assembly from the mold. 14. A cap assembly formed in accordance with the method of any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the cap assembly comprises a seal formed from said first material and a cap formed from said second material. 15. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the mold comprises a portion that defines the shape of the container, the method comprising, prior to supplying said second material to the portion of the mold that defines the shape of the cap, feeding through an injection molding process of said of the second material in liquid form into the portion of the mold that defines the shape of the container, whereby causing said second material to solidify and bond directly with said first material to thereby form a cap assembly includes causing said second material to solidify to form a container assembly, wherein In this case, the container is formed as one piece with the cap. 16. The method of claim 15 which includes removing the container assembly from the mold. 17. A container assembly comprising a container connected to a cap assembly formed in accordance with the method of claim 15 or 16, the cap assembly comprising a seal formed from said first material and a cap formed from said second material. 18. A resealable liquid-tight container assembly comprising a container connected to a cap assembly formed in accordance with the method of any one of claims 8-13, 15, or 16, wherein the cap assembly comprises a seal formed from said first material, and a cap formed from said second material. 19. The liquid-tight container assembly of claim 18, wherein the seal has a Shore A hardness of 20 to 50, such as 20 to 40, such as 20 to 35. 20. A liquid-tight container assembly as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the container comprises a top with an opening leading into an interior cavity, the top having a rim projecting radially outward. 21. The liquid-tight container assembly of claim 20, wherein the cap assembly comprises a base and a skirt extending perpendicularly from the base around an outer periphery of the base, wherein the cap - 9 041168 the bundle is connected to the container with a hinge. 22. A liquid-tight container assembly according to claim 21, which has a recess made in the inner wall of the skirt, wherein, when the container assembly is in the closed position, the skirt is located on top of the container, and the rim is in the recess of the inner wall of the skirt to provide closing with by snapping the structure between the cap assembly and the container. 23. The liquid-tight container assembly of claim 22, wherein the rim located in the recess of the inner wall of the skirt forms a solid seal structure between the cap assembly and the container. 24. A liquid-tight container assembly according to claim 22 or 23, wherein, when the container assembly is in the closed position, a soft seal structure is formed between the top of the container and the seal of the cap assembly. 25. A liquid-tight container assembly according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the seal is in the form of a ring, wherein, when the container assembly is in the closed position, the soft seal structure is formed by vertically compressing the ring, which causes the part to elastically expand. rings radially into the empty space formed between the container and the cap. 26. A liquid-tight container assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the seal is in the form of a ring, for example having a vertical thickness of 0.25 to 1.25 mm. 27. A moisture-proof container assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein the inner cavity has a volume of 12 to 30 ml. 28. The use of a moisture-proof container assembly with the possibility of resealing, made according to any one of claims 18-27, for storing diagnostic test strips.