EP1889794B1 - Container for a hot liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (2) has an opening, a flexible packing protruding in an uncompressed condition from the opening of the container, and is fitted in the cross-sectional surface of the opening at the container cross section. The rigid cover (1) is fitted to the cross-section of the container opening such that a subarea (3) of the opening of the container is not gripped by the rigid cover. The part of the flexible packing (5) is operated partly by a subarea and rest partly on the rigid cover such that the container is locked. The flexible packing has a hot-liquid polymer firm at ambient temperature. An independent claim is also included for a method for filling a flexible packing in a container.

Description

The present invention relates to a container with a flexible package at least for storing, transporting or providing a hot-liquid room temperature solid polymer and a method of filling the flexible package in such a container with said polymer.

For storage, transportation and provision of a hot-liquid, room-temperature-solid polymer - such as commercially available "hotmelts" - typically flexible packages in the form of aluminum composite bags are used, which in turn are accommodated in a drum. Such bags are typically referred to as "inliners". Typical container sizes have a volume of several hundred liters. A very common container size includes 200 1. However, the problem here is the packaging of the liner in the container, which must be avoided that breakage of the liner or undercuts occur.

An inline system for paint cans will be in US Pat. No. 6,679,398 described.

The filling of such an inliner in a container, such as a barrel, takes place in hot-liquid state of the hotmelts. Here, the barrel is initially provided with the inliner, wherein the inliner dominates the barrel opening to avoid contamination of the barrel during filling. Even when the HotMelts are removed by melting, the inliner serves to protect the container and its protruding parts are slipped over the edge of the container before the HotMelt is removed.

Typically, such HotMelts are moisture-reactive, so that it must be avoided that moisture reaches the HotMelt. In this case, therefore, working under a protective gas atmosphere, and closed the inliner by welding. Typically this is done in two steps.

First, the inliner is partially closed and the non-HoltMelt filled volume of the liner filled with inert gas. Thereafter, the HotMelt is allowed to cool to room temperature, which may take up to one day, until finally it is in solid form.

After solidification of the hot melt, the inliner is opened again and vacuum-sealed or the protective gas is partially released, followed by sealing the inliner.

In order to avoid moisture ingress, which may be possible due to breakages in the inliner, desiccants are deposited between the inliner and the drum. A complete sealing is done by closing the container with a corresponding lid.

Since the inliner towers over the accommodating barrel, it is necessary to compress it so that the barrel can be closed with a lid. On the one hand, this poses the problem that due to improper compression, the said buckling fractures can occur in the inliner.

In addition, if the HotMelt is still liquid, it may be noted that if compressed too much, for example by pushing in, the inner surface of the top of the inliner may come into contact with the HotMelt, causing the inliner to stick to the HotMelt and after solidification of the hot melt by cooling to room temperature leads to a not easily detachable bond of inliner with HotMelt.

In particular, the problem arises here that after opening the inliner parts remain of this in the HotMelt, which can then cause damage to the devices for melting the HotMelt.

There is therefore a need for an alternative packaging of the liner in a barrel as well as an alternative packaging process, so that in particular buckling fractures and undercuts can be avoided when compressing the liner.

An object of the present invention is thus to provide such alternatives.

The object is achieved by a container at least for storing, transporting or providing a hot-liquid, solid at room temperature polymer having an opening, with a matched in its cross-sectional area to the container cross-section flexible packaging which in the uncompressed state from the Opening of the container protrudes, and a rigid cover on the flexible packaging in the container, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the rigid cover is adapted to the opening cross-section of the container such that at least a partial surface of the opening of the container is not detected by the rigid cover, said Part of the flexible packaging, which protrudes in an uncompressed state from the container opening, at least partially performed by the at least one partial surface and at least partially rests on the rigid cover such that the container is closable and wherein the flexible Packaging contains a hot-liquid, solid at room temperature polymer.

1. a) das Gaspolster zwischen Polymer und flexibler Verpackung räumlich stabilisiert und positioniert und
2. b) es ermöglicht, die über den Behälter herausragenden Teile der flexiblen Verpackung sauber und unter Minimierung von Knicklinien zu falten.

In fact, it has surprisingly been found that the container can still be closed even when the polymer is in a hot-liquid state without any undercuts or other impairment of the polymer, provided that a rigid cover is used which

1. a) the gas cushion between polymer and flexible packaging spatially stabilized and positioned and
2. b) makes it possible to fold the protruding over the container parts of the flexible packaging clean and to minimize folding lines.

In particular, it is avoided due to the rigid cover that when folding or folding over the protruding parts of the inliner other parts of the inliner can come into contact with the HotMelt. At least part of the protruding part of the inliner lies on the rigid cover. In addition, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of kink breaks and thus the ingress of moisture by laying down the protruding parts of the inliner on the rigid cover.

The container according to the invention is typically a container in cylindrical form. Here, both the bottom and the opening are typically circular. However, other forms are possible. Here, an oval shape or polygons, such as triangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, etc., conceivable. Preferably, however, the container is a circular cylinder.

The container of the present invention is typically designed to store, transport, and / or provide a major amount of the hot-liquid room temperature solid polymer.

This is typically achieved in that the container has a minimum height of 10 cm, preferably of at least 50 cm, more preferably at least 75 cm and in particular at least 100 cm.

Here, the above-mentioned volumes can be realized by appropriate design of the container diameter.

The container according to the invention has a flexible packaging, wherein the cross-sectional area of the packaging is adapted to the container cross-section. This is intended to ensure that the largest possible volume of the container is filled by the hot-liquid, solid at room temperature polymer.

Preferably, the diameter of the flexible package is 0.95 to 1.05 times the container diameter. More preferably, this is 0.98 to 1.02 times.

Unless the flexible packaging has been compressed, it projects out of the mouth of the container. This serves to prevent contamination of the container by the hot-liquid room temperature solid polymer when filling the flexible package and emptying it by everting the protruding part of the flexible package and melting the polymer. Preferably, the flexible package protrudes at least 10 cm out of the mouth of the container in an uncompressed state. Further preferably, at least 20 cm, more preferably at least 30 cm and in particular at least 40 cm out of the opening of the container.

Further preferably, 20% to 80% of the flexible package, more preferably 30% to 50%, will overhang.

Typically, the flexible package is made of a sheet material such as aluminum composite material. The skilled person is aware of other materials. For example, a material based on polyamide or silica can be used.

In order to avoid that the hot-liquid, solid at room temperature polymer comes into contact with atmospheric moisture, it is preferred that the flexible package is hermetically sealed upwards. It can be assumed that the flexible packaging has only one opening, which is provided for filling the package with the hot-liquid, solid at room temperature polymer, and that this opening is sealed airtight after filling.

As already mentioned above, the upper part of the flexible packaging to be closed and compressed is not intended to come into direct contact with the hot-liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature. Therefore, it is advantageous that the flexible packaging has a gas space which constitutes a suitable "buffer" between the inside of the packaging and the top of the polymer in order to avoid undercuts. Preferably, the gas space is filled with inert gas.

Due to the presence of gas space, the compression of the package causes an increase in the gas pressure in said gas space. This has the advantage that too much compression is avoided by the increasing pressure. However, this can be further enhanced by the gas space having a slight overpressure even in the uncompressed state of the packaging.

Another object of the present invention is therefore a flexible packaging with a gas space, which has a slight overpressure.

Furthermore, the container has the above-mentioned rigid cover. The cross-sectional shape of the rigid cover is adapted to the opening cross-section of the container such that at least a partial area of the opening of the container is not covered by the rigid cover. This serves to ensure that the part of the flexible packaging which projects out of the container opening in the non-compressed state is at least partially passed through the at least one partial surface and at least partially on the rigid cover can rest such that the container is closed. In this case, the parts of the flexible packaging which protrude out of the at least one partial surface after resting on the rigid cover are suitably compressed by folding over an outer edge of the rigid cover.

"Rigid" in the context of the present invention is to be understood in that the cover has an intrinsic strength sufficient to "self-support". This is achieved, for example, when the cover has punctiform storage in its center of gravity no bending due to its own weight.

Preferably, the rigid cover in a bending test according to DIN EN ISO 178 has a bending strain which is less than 0.025.

wobei
ε _f die Biegedehnung, s die Durchbiegung in mm, h die Dicke der starren Abdeckung in mm und L die Auflagedistanz in mm bedeutet.The bending strain results from the formula $${\mathrm{\epsilon }}_f=\frac{6s\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="H\; L"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">H\; </figure-callout>}}{L^{}}.$$

in which
ε _{f is} the bending strain, s the deflection in mm, h the thickness of the rigid cover in mm and L the contact distance in mm.

ist.Furthermore, the rigid cover has a bending stress that is greater $6\frac{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="N\; mm"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">N\; </figure-callout>}}{{\mathit{mm}}^{}}$

is.

wobeiThe bending stress results from the formula $$\mathrm{bending\; stress}=\frac{3\cdot F\cdot \mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="H"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">H</figure-callout>}}{2\cdot b\cdot {\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="H"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">H</figure-callout>}}^2}.$$

in which

F is the applied force in Newtons, L is the contact distance in mm, b is the width of the rigid cover in mm and h is the thickness of the rigid cover in mm.

The rigid cover may consist of optionally pre-dried cardboard, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or other plastics with sufficient temperature resistance. Preference is given to cardboard and polystyrene. Typical thicknesses are 2 mm to 10 mm. For foamed materials, thicknesses of 10 mm to 40 mm can also be used. The rigid cover has in the Substantially in its cross section on a shape corresponding to the cross section of the opening of the container. For example, if the opening of the container is configured in a circular shape, so is the rigid cover designed in a circular shape, wherein the diameter of the rigid cover is slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening of the container so that it can be inserted into the container. In addition, however, are excluded from the corresponding circle at least a partial area, such as a circle segment, so that at least partially the flexible packaging can protrude even after the application of the rigid cover. This part can be further compressed by simply bending on an edge of the rigid cover, that the container can be closed.

Preferably, however, not only a partial surface but two partial surfaces are present, which are opposite each other. Also more than two partial surfaces are possible.

In this case, the total area of the at least one partial area should be at least 10% of the cross-sectional area of the container opening. Preferably, the proportion is at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%.

To ensure that the rigid cover prevents inadvertent contact of the polymer with the inside of the flexible package or by occurrence of kinking, the total area of the at least one partial area should not exceed 50% of the cross-sectional area of the container opening. More preferably, the proportion is at most 40%, in particular at most 35%.

The container according to the invention serves to store, transport and / or provide a hot-liquid, solid at room temperature polymer. In this case, the container volume should contain at least 75% of the hot-liquid, solid at room temperature polymer in a hot-liquid state. Preferably, the container is at least 80%, in particular at least 85% filled with the polymer.

Such polymers are known in the art as such. They are often referred to as hot melt adhesives (also called "hot melts" or "hotmelts"). As the name suggests, such substances serve as adhesives and are suitable and known for example in the packaging industry for bonding paper or in the furniture and wood industry, for example as a laminate and bookbinding. Their adhesion often causes the presence of a porous material such as fabric, leather, wood, Paper and fabrics to develop their adhesive properties without further pretreatment steps.

Such hot melts are often based on polyamides, polyethylenes, amorphous poly-α-olefins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyesters, polyurethane or copolyamide elastomers.

A preferred polymer in the context of the present invention is one which is a polymer based on a moisture-crosslinking polyurethane.

In the context of the present invention, the term "hot-liquid" means that the polymer is in a liquid state at a higher temperature. In addition, the polymer should be solid at room temperature. The strength at room temperature is achieved on the one hand by cooling and can also be further promoted by chemical reaction with the environment in addition. For example, in the case of a polyurethane-based polymer, cooling with the reaction of isocyanate groups present in the polymer with ambient humidity can contribute to further crosslinking of the polymer and thus to solidification. Likewise, radiation curing - such as UV curing - can be carried out for corresponding systems.

The polymers used in the present invention typically have a melting point in the range of 50 to 200 ° C.

In the context of the present invention, "room temperature" is preferably understood as meaning a temperature which is in the range from 0 ° C to 45 ° C, preferably in the range from 5 ° C to 40 ° C and in particular in the range from 10 ° C to 35 ° C lies. An exemplary temperature of room temperature is 20 ° C or 25 ° C.

In a preferred embodiment, the container according to the invention is closed with a lid. The tight closure between the lid and container is typically ensured by a clamping ring.

1. (a) Bereitstellen eines Behälters, welcher eine Öffnung aufweist, mit einer in ihrer Querschnittsfläche an den Behälterquerschnitt angepassten nach oben offenen flexiblen Verpackung, welche aus der Öffnung des Behälters herausragt;
2. (b) Befüllen der flexiblen Verpackung mit einem flüssigen heiß-flüssigen, bei Raumtemperatur festen, Polymer;
3. (c) teilweises Verschließen der flexiblen Verpackung;
4. (d) Komprimierung der flexiblen Verpackung;
5. (e) vollständiges Verschließen der Verpackung;
6. (f) Bedecken der flexiblen Verpackung mit einer starren Abdeckung in dem Behälter, wobei die Querschnittsform der starren Abdeckung an den Öffnungsquerschnitt des Behälters derart angepasst ist, dass mindestens eine Teilfläche der Öffnung des Behälters nicht von der starren Abdeckung erfasst ist, so dass ein Teil der flexiblen Verpackung, der in nicht komprimiertem Zustand aus der Behälteröffnung herausragt, durch die mindestens eine Teilfläche ragt;
7. (g) Umlegen des durchgeführten Teils der flexiblen Verpackung, damit dieser zumindest teilweise auf der starren Abdeckung derart aufliegt, dass der Behälter verschließbar ist.

Another object of the present invention is a method for filling a flexible package in a container with a hot-liquid, solid at room temperature polymer containing the steps

1. (A) providing a container having an opening, with an upwardly open flexible packaging adapted in its cross-sectional area to the container cross-section, which protrudes from the opening of the container;
2. (b) filling the flexible package with a liquid, hot-liquid, room-temperature solid polymer;
3. (c) partially closing the flexible package;
4. (d) compressing the flexible package;
5. (e) completely closing the package;
6. (f) covering the flexible packaging with a rigid cover in the container, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the rigid cover is adapted to the opening cross-section of the container such that at least a partial area of the opening of the container is not covered by the rigid cover, so that a part the flexible packaging, which protrudes in an uncompressed state from the container opening, protrudes through the at least one partial surface;
7. (G) folding the performed part of the flexible packaging so that it at least partially rests on the rigid cover such that the container is closable.

Preferably, after complete closure in step (e), the flexible package has a gas space.

In this case, after the filling in step (b) and before the compression in step (d), the gas space can be filled with protective gas.

This makes it possible that, at least after compression in step (d), there is a slight overpressure in the gas space.

The compression of the flexible packaging is typically carried out by appropriate impressions of the packaging or by corresponding folds or both impressions and folds. This is typically done so that when covered by the rigid cover, corresponding parts of the flexible package protrude from the at least one subarea.

The partial closure in step (c) serves to allow the gas to escape from the gas space in a controlled manner during the compression of the flexible packaging.

In a preferred embodiment, steps (d) and (f) take place simultaneously followed by steps (e) and (g). This can be achieved by pressing down the flexible packaging with the aid of the rigid cover.

An advantage of the invention is that the sealing of the flexible package in step (c) and / or step (e) may occur at a time when the polymer is still liquid.

In a further preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises a further step (h), which relates to the closure of the container with a lid.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

Fig. 1

einen Behälter mit herausragender zugeschweißter flexiblen Verpackung nach dem Stand der Technik;

Fig. 2

eine geöffnete und teilweise umgestülpte flexible Verpackung in einem Behälter mit Schmelzvorrichtung;

Fig. 3

verschiedene Formen der starren Abdeckung;

Fig. 4

einen Behälter mit komprimierter flexibler Verpackung;

Fig. 5

einen Behälter mit einer starren Abdeckung sowie einer komprimierten flexiblen Verpackung;

Fig. 6

einen erfindungsgemäßen Behälter mit Abdeckung und teilweise umgelegter flexibler Verpackung und

Show it

Fig. 1

a container with outstanding welded closed flexible packaging according to the prior art;

Fig. 2

an open and partially everted flexible packaging in a container with a melting device;

Fig. 3

various forms of rigid cover;

Fig. 4

a container with compressed flexible packaging;

Fig. 5

a container having a rigid cover and a compressed flexible package;

Fig. 6

a container according to the invention with cover and partially folded flexible packaging and

Fig. 1 shows a flexible package 4 in a container 2, which has a sealed weld 8. Such an arrangement is used in the prior art, wherein the gas-filled flexible package 4 must remain closed and uncompressed until the therein (in Fig. 1 not shown) polymer is cooled.

Fig. 2 shows a flexible package 4 after opening the package and partially everting this over the edge 7 of the container 2. The therein solid polymer 6 can be melted by means of the melting device 9 in the form of a Heizstempels.

Fig. 3 shows various possible forms of rigid cover. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that nearly infinite forms are possible. This shows Fig. 3 the rigid cover 1, with its shape to the shape of the opening of the container 2, which in Fig. 3 only partially shown is adjusted.

Hereby points Fig. 3 two faces 3 on. On the presentation of the flexible packaging 4 was in Fig. 3 waived.

In Fig. 3a the subarea has an both circular and angular outline. In Fig. 3b results in a semi-circular partial surface. In a further embodiment is in Fig. 3c the partial surface 3 shown as circular.

In Fig. 4 a container 2 is shown, which has a flexible package 4 which has been compressed so that triangular parts 5 of the flexible packaging 4 are bent away upwards.

Fig. 5 shows the section of a container according to Fig. 4 , wherein a rigid cover 1 has been placed on the top of the flexible package 4 such that the triangular parts 5 of the flexible package 4 protrude from the resulting faces 3.

Fig. 6 shows a section of a container 2 according to the invention, in which the triangular parts 5 of the flexible package 4 are bent at the edge thereof and lie on the rigid cover 1, that the container 2 is closable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

rigid cover

2

container

3

subareas

4

flexible packaging

5

Parts of the flexible packaging

6

hot-liquid, solid at room temperature polymer

7

container edge

8th

Weld

9

melter

Claims (35)

1. Container (2) at least for storing, for transporting or for supplying a hot-liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature, and having an opening, the container comprising a flexible pack (4) which is adapted in its cross-sectional surface area to the container cross section and, in the non-compressed state, projects out of the opening of the container, and further comprising a rigid covering (1) on the flexible pack (4) in the container, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the rigid covering is adapted to the opening cross section of the container (2) such that at least one partial surface area of the opening of the container (2) is not covered by the rigid covering, wherein that part of the flexible pack (4) which, in the non-compressed state, projects out of the container opening at least in part is guided through the at least one partial surface area (3) and at least in part rests on the rigid covering (1) such that the container (2) can be closed, and wherein the flexible pack (4) contains a hot-liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature.
2. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is of cylindrical form and has a height of at least 10 cm.
3. Container according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a circular opening.
4. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flexible pack, in the non-compressed state, projects out of the opening of the container by at least 10 cm.
5. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least 20% to 80% of the flexible pack, in the non-compressed state, projects out of the container.
6. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flexible pack consists of aluminium composite material.
7. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flexible pack is closed in an air-tight manner in the upward direction.
8. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flexible pack has a gas space filled preferably with inert gas.
9. Container according to Claim 8, characterized in that a slight overpressure prevails in the gas space.
10. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rigid covering consists of board or polystyrene.
11. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized by the provision of two partial surface areas located opposite one another.
12. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the total surface area of the at least one partial surface area is at least 10% of the cross-sectional surface area of the container opening.
13. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the total surface area of the at least one partial surface area is not more than 50% of the cross-sectional surface area of the container opening.
14. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the volume of the hot-liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature corresponds, in the hot-liquid state, to at least 75% of the container volume.
15. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the hot-liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature is a polymer based on a moisture-crosslinking polyurethane.
16. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the container is closed with a lid.
17. Method of filling a flexible pack (4) in a container (2) with a hot-liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature, the method containing the following steps:

    (a) supplying a container (2) which has an opening and comprises an upwardly open flexible pack which is adapted in its cross-sectional surface area to the container cross section and projects out of the opening of the container;

    (b) filling the flexible pack (4) with a liquid hot-liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature;

    (c) partially closing the flexible pack (4);

    (d) compressing the flexible pack (4);

    (e) fully closing the flexible pack (4);

    (f) covering the flexible pack (4) with a rigid covering (1) in the container, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the rigid covering (1) is adapted to the opening cross section of the container such that at least one partial surface area of the opening of the container is not covered by the rigid covering (1), and therefore a part of the flexible pack which, in the non-compressed state, projects out of the container opening projects through the at least one partial surface area;

    (g) folding over that part of the flexible pack (4) which has been guided through the container opening in order that this part, at least in part, rests on the rigid covering such that the container can be closed.
18. Method according to Claim 17, characterized in that the container is of a cylindrical form and has a height of at least 10 cm.
19. Method according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the container has a circular opening.
20. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 19, characterized in that, in step (a), the flexible pack projects out of the opening of the container by at least 10 cm.
21. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that, in step (a), at least 20% to 80% of the flexible pack projects out of the container.
22. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the flexible pack consists of aluminium composite material.
23. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 22, characterized in that, in step (c), the flexible pack is closed in an air-tight manner in the upward direction.
24. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 23, characterized in that, following closure in step (c), the flexible pack has a gas space.
25. Method according to Claim 24, characterized in that, following filling in step (b) and prior to closure in step (c), the gas space is filled with inert gas.
26. Method according to Claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, at least following compression in step (d), a slight positive pressure prevails in the gas space.
27. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 26, characterized in that the rigid covering consists of board or polystyrene.
28. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 27, characterized by the provision of two partial surface areas located opposite one another.
29. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 28, characterized in that the total surface area of the at least one partial surface area is at least 10% of the cross-sectional surface area of the container opening.
30. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 29, characterized in that the total surface area of the at least one partial surface area is not more than 50% of the cross-sectional surface area of the container opening.
31. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 28, characterized in that, in step (b), filling takes place until the volume of the hot-liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature corresponds, in the hot-liquid state, to at least 75% of the container volume.
32. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 31, characterized in that the hot-liquid polymer which is solid at room temperature is a polymer based on a moisture-crosslinking polyurethane.
33. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 32, characterized in that closure of the flexible pack in step (c) and/or (e) takes place at a point in time at which the polymer is still liquid.
34. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 33, characterized in that the steps (d) and (f) take place simultaneously, followed by the steps (e) and (g).
35. Method according to one of Claims 17 to 34, characterized in that step (g) is followed by step (h):

    (h) closing the container with a lid.

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