EP3438014A1 - Container closure system for a container for use in freeze-drying, and method for closing a container for a freeze-drying method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container closure system (1) for a container (2) for use in freeze-drying, also referred to as lyophilization. The container closure system (1) has a stopper (3) insertable into the container (2) and a screw cap (4) which can be screwed onto the container (2), the stopper (3) being locatable in the screw cap (4) (3) an insertion portion (10, 11) and a cover portion (6), wherein the cover portion (6) opposite the insertion portion (10, 11) protrudes radially outward, the screw cap (4) has a circumferential cap skirt (7) and radially inside a cap cover (8) connected to the cap casing (7), the cap casing (7) having a thread for screwing the screw cap (4) onto the container (2) and the cap lid (8) having a passage opening (9), wherein a radial dimension of the passage opening (9) is smaller than a radial dimension of the cover portion (6) and an insertion of the insertion portion (10, 11) in the passage opening (9) is possible.

Description

The invention relates to a container closure system for a container for use in freeze-drying, also referred to as lyophilization, and to a method for closing a container for a freeze-drying method.

In a process for producing a freeze-dried product, as is often used in the field of medical diagnostics, chemical analysis, food and / or pharmaceutical industry, for example, to produce diagnostics and / or drugs, a solution with appropriate ingredients is first prepared and this solution then dried in a freeze dryer. Typically, the solution is an aqueous solution. Most of the time the solution is first filled in a container, for example a glass cuvette or glass bottle. In order to prevent contamination of the solution or of the container interior during the process of freeze-drying and / or following freeze-drying, a plug is usually inserted into the container in order to completely close it for freeze-drying or after freeze-drying.

The stopper is designed and / or introduced into the container such that a gas exchange between the container interior and the environment is possible during the freeze-drying process. This can for example be achieved in that the plug is only partially inserted into the container during the process of freeze-drying, and thus the container is not sealed yet. In this way, during the freeze-drying process, the solvent may be removed from the solution to dry the ingredients of the solution. Following the freeze-drying process, the plug is typically treated by means of a device formed in the lyophilizer so that the plug sealingly seals the container. In general, the closure of the container takes place in that the plug is pushed further into the container following the freeze-drying process, wherein a sealing portion of the plug comes into contact with a mouth portion of the container and sealingly closes this mouth portion.

Often, following the closure of the container with the plug to secure the plug, a fuse closure is attached to the container. This securing closure can be, for example, a crimp cap or a screw cap, in particular a screw cap.

From the US 4 230 231 A a container closure system for a container for use in freeze-drying is known, having the features of the preamble of claim 1. The container closure system has a plug which can be introduced into the container and a screw cap which can be screwed onto the container. The plug can be arranged in the screw cap and has an insertion section and a cover section. The cover section projects radially outward with respect to the insertion section. The screw cap has a circumferential cap casing and radially inside a cap cover connected to the cap shell, wherein the cap casing has a thread for screwing the screw cap on the container.

In a container closure system of the aforementioned type, the closure of the container takes place in such a way that first the material to be freeze-dried is filled into the container becomes. Then, the plug is introduced into the container so that gas exchange between a container interior and a container environment is possible. Subsequently, the freeze-drying is carried out. After freeze-drying, the plug is treated so that the plug seals the container. Typically, in order to facilitate gas exchange between the container interior and the container environment, the plug is only partially inserted into the container during the lyophilization process and then completely inserted into the container following the lyophilization process to seal the container.

Following the closure of the container, the screw cap is screwed onto the container, wherein the cap lid of the screw cap on the side facing away from the container of the cover comes to rest on the cover portion and thus covers the cover portion and thus the plug on the side facing away from the container.

In order to remove the freeze-dried product, it is necessary, in a container closure system of the aforementioned type, first to remove the screw cap from the container. After unscrewing the cap, the plug must be removed from the container, in this case pulled out. As a result, two operations are necessary to make the container interior accessible to the user since the plug and screw cap form unconnected separate components.

In particular, the removal of the plug from the container is cumbersome for the user, since a tensile force must be applied to the plug to pull it out of a container opening. In general, however, the plug provides only a small amount of user contact surface so that it is difficult for the user to apply a directed pulling force to the plug for removal of the plug from the container.

In the US 4 230 231 A this disadvantage of the container closure system is remedied by the fact that when screwing the screw cap on the container a connection between the plug and the screw cap, for example an adhesive connection, and thus a single integral unit of plug and screw cap is formed, so that when unscrewing the screw cap from the container, the plug is removed together with the screw cap from the container. However, a production of such a connection between the plug and the screw cap is complicated and expensive. Furthermore, an adhesive and thus an additional, different material for the preparation of the compound, as well as a further process step in closing the container, namely the application of the adhesive needed. In particular, adhesives also have the risk that the adhesive properties change over time and / or the materials of the plug or the screw cap are attacked by the adhesive. In addition, a separate disposal of the plug and the screw cap, which typically consist of different materials, not possible or only with considerable effort.

The object of the present invention is to develop a container closure system having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 in such a way that the container closure system can be closed with a low manufacturing outlay and low installation costs, in particular with only slight modification of the typical procedure for closing a container for a freeze-drying process Opening the container is particularly easy for the user to handle. It is another object of the invention to provide a method for closing a container for a freeze-drying process, the method with only a small modification of the typical procedure allows a particularly simple handling of the container closure system for the purpose of opening the container.

To achieve the above objects, the invention proposes a container closure system, which is formed according to the features of claim 1, and a method for closing a container for a freeze-drying method, which is designed according to the features of claim 11.

The container closure system for a container for use in freeze-drying has a plug which can be introduced into the container and a screw cap which can be screwed onto the container. The plug can be arranged in the screw cap. The plug has an insertion portion and a cover portion connected to the insertion portion, the cover portion protruding radially outward from the insertion portion. The screw cap has a circumferential cap jacket and radially inside a cap lid connected to the cap jacket. Furthermore, the cap skirt has a thread for screwing the screw cap on the container. The cap cover has a passage opening, wherein a radial dimension of the passage opening is smaller than a radial dimension of the cover section and insertion of the insertion section into the passage opening is possible.

The container closure system according to the invention thus makes it possible first to screw the screw cap onto the container and, after screwing on the screw cap, to insert the stopper from the side of the cap lid facing away from the container into the container, wherein the insertion of the stopper into the container can take place in such a way that that the plug passes through the passage opening of the cap lid. Due to the radial dimension of the passage opening, which is smaller than the radial dimension of the cover, a partial region of the plug is formed by the cover, which engages behind the cap lid on a side facing away from the container of the cap lid. Because of this engaging portion of the plug when unscrewing the screw cap is pulled out of the container from the container, as when unscrewing the screw cap of the cap on the cover portion of the plug comes to rest and the cap lid a directed in an axial direction force on the cover and thus the Plugs transfers. In this way, when unscrewing the screw cap, the plug is removed together with the screw cap from the container, so that a separate removal of the plug after removing the screw cap from the container is omitted, whereby the handling of the container closure system for opening the container is simplified.

In order to enable the insertion of the insertion in the passage opening, it is particularly provided that the radial dimension of the passage opening larger is as a radial dimension of the insertion section. In such a design of the container closure system, the insertion of the insertion is possible in the passage opening virtually without effort, since there is only a loose fit between the cap lid and the stopper. This has the advantage that, after unscrewing the screw cap from the container, the plug and the screw cap can be separated from each other with little effort, for example, to dispose of these two components separately, especially if the plug and the screw cap made of different materials ,

But it is also conceivable that the radial dimension of the passage opening and the radial dimension of the insertion are formed such that a transition fit or interference fit is formed. This embodiment has the advantage that the stopper and the screw cap are captively connected to one another when the insertion section is inserted into the passage opening, in particular after the screw cap has been unscrewed from the container, the stopper remains in the screw cap. This has the advantage that, when the screw cap is screwed onto the container again, the stopper comes into contact with the container opening and closes it completely or at least partially, so that the penetration of foreign substances into the container interior is prevented or at least made more difficult.

It is also quite conceivable to introduce the plug before screwing already in the screw cap, due to the interference fit or interference fit and the concomitant frictional connection between the plug and screw cap of the plug already on connection of the screw cap with the container to the container comes to rest and this at least partially closes.

It is also quite possible to form the press fit such that the connection between the plug and the screw cap is made stronger than the force required to insert the plug into the container, so that when screwing the screw cap, in which the plug is mounted the plug is at least partially inserted into the container.

Preferably, the plug is configured such that the cover portion is adjacent to the insertion portion in the axial direction.

It is considered to be particularly advantageous if the plug and the screw cap form separate components.

But it is also quite conceivable that the plug and the screw cap are already connected to each other in such a way that the insertion section passes through the passage opening and the plug relative to the screw cap is slidably mounted in the passage opening. In particular, the stopper and the screw cap can have a captive securing device, so that a separation of stopper and screw cap is not possible or at least made more difficult. The captive can be configured such that the insertion has on a side facing away from the cover portion of the cap cover has a projection formed in the radial direction.

Preferably, the screw cap is made of a material that is harder than a material from which the insertion section and / or the plug is formed. Preferably, the insertion of an elastic material and / or the screw cap made of a rigid material. For example, the insertion section is made of rubber. Preferably, the screw cap made of polypropylene or a metal.

It is considered to be particularly advantageous if the cover section has a cover plate on a side of the cover section facing away from the insertion section, wherein the cover plate covers the remaining cover section in the axial direction and consists of a harder material than the remaining cover section.

However, it is also conceivable that the cover section as such consists of a harder material than the insertion section.

Due to the harder cover portion or due to the harder cover plate of the cover or the insertion are particularly good against from the outside protected acting forces, so that damage to the sealing serving insertion portion and the cover is prevented or at least difficult.

In particular, it is provided that the cover plate or the cover section made of polypropylene and the rest of the plug made of polyethylene.

Preferably, the plug and the screw cap are designed such that when inserting the plug into the container, the plug with the screw cap locked. In this way it is ensured that when unscrewing the screw cap from the container and the concomitant removal of the plug from the container, the plug remains in the screw cap and also a separate removal of the plug from the container without removing the screw cap is prevented.

In a preferred development of the container closure system, it is provided that the cover section has a circumferential groove, wherein the groove is suitable for receiving the cap cover in a region of the cap cover enclosing the passage opening. This development of the container closure system makes it possible to connect the stopper in a latching manner with the screw cap. In this way it is ensured that when unscrewing the screw cap from the container and the concomitant removal of the plug from the container, the plug remains in the screw cap and also a separate removal of the plug from the container without removing the screw cap is prevented. Nevertheless, the plug can be relatively easily removed from the screw cap, for example, by a force acting in the direction of the cap lid force is applied in the unscrewed state on the insertion portion to push the plug out of the screw cap. It is alternatively or additionally also conceivable that the cap lid has a portion which engages behind the plug on a side facing away from the insertion, thus, upon insertion of the plug into the passage opening, a detent engagement of the plug with the cap lid occurs.

It is regarded as particularly advantageous when the cap lid adjacent to the passage opening a recess for receiving the cover and / or having the cover plate. It is particularly provided that the cover and / or the cover plate is flush in the axial direction with the cap lid. As a result, the cover portion or the cover plate is particularly well protected from external forces. In addition, it is avoided that the plug is removed without removing the screw cap from the container from the container.

The latching connection between the cap lid and the stopper or the mounting of the cover section or the cover plate in a recess of the cap lid is particularly advantageous in terms of tamper evidence of the container closure system, which indicates whether the container closure has already been opened. Thus, the tamper-evident at the screw cap, for example, as a tamper-evident ring, be formed, since in the aforementioned embodiments opening the container is possible only by unscrewing the screw cap.

Preferably, the plug is designed such that the cover portion protrudes radially outward relative to the insertion section.

It is considered to be particularly advantageous if the insertion section has a contact section and a sealing section formed between the contact section and the cover section, wherein the sealing section forms a closed circular cylindrical or circular conical lateral surface and the contact section extends from a lateral surface into a bottom surface of the insertion section opposite the cover section Having passage opening. In order to allow the gas exchange between the container interior and the container environment in carrying out the freeze-drying method, in the aforementioned embodiment of the invention, the plug is partially inserted into the container, wherein the abutment portion on or in the container comes to rest such that a portion of the Lateral surface, which has the passage opening, is arranged outside of the container. The contact section of the insertion section is designed such that the plug is held in the position in which the gas exchange between the container interior and the container environment is possible. The contact section may, for example, have an outer contour which, during partial insertion of the Insertion section into the container at a muzzle inside of the container frictionally comes to rest and thus holds the plug in the appropriate position. But it is also conceivable that the abutment portion in the radial direction has a projection which comes to rest on an outer side of the container, so that the plug is held in the corresponding position.

Following the freeze-drying process, the stopper is introduced further into the container, such that the stopper closes the container in a sealing manner, namely, the closed lateral surface of the sealing section sealingly abuts against the mouth inside of the container.

With regard to the passage opening, it is considered to be particularly advantageous if the passage opening is formed by one or more recesses.

In particular, it is provided that a circular cylindrical outer contour is formed by the contact portion, whose diameter is identical to the diameter of the circular cylindrical sealing portion.

1. a) Bereitstellen des Behälters, eines Stopfens und einer auf den Behälter aufschraubbaren Schraubkappe, wobei die Schraubkappe einen umlaufenden Kappenmantel und radial innen einen mit dem Kappenmantel verbundenen Kappendeckel aufweist, wobei der Kappenmantel ein Gewinde zum Aufschrauben der Schraubkappe auf den Behälter aufweist und der Kappendeckel eine Durchtrittsöffnung aufweist,
2. b) Aufschrauben der Schraubkappe auf den Behälter,
3. c) Einbringen des zu trocknenden Guts in den Behälter (2), wobei der Verfahrensschritt c) auch vor dem Verfahrensschritt b) erfolgen kann,
4. d) Einführen des Stopfens in den Behälter, derart, dass der Stopfen die Durchtrittsöffnung durchsetzt, wobei ein Teilbereich des Stopfens den Kappendeckel auf einer dem Behälter abgewandten Seite des Kappendeckels hintergreift und ein Gasaustausch zwischen einem Behälterinnenraum und einer Behälterumgebung möglich ist,
5. e) Durchführen des Gefriertrocknungsverfahrens,
6. f) Behandlung des Stopfens derart, dass der Stopfen den Behälter dichtend verschließt.

The method according to the invention for closing a container for a freeze-drying method comprises the following method steps:

1. a) providing the container, a stopper and a screw-on to the container screw cap, wherein the screw cap has a circumferential cap skirt and radially inside a connected to the cap skirt cap cover, wherein the cap skirt has a thread for screwing the screw cap on the container and the cap lid a Has passage opening,
2. b) screwing the screw cap onto the container,
3. c) introducing the material to be dried into the container (2), wherein the method step c) can also take place before the method step b),
4. d) inserting the plug into the container, such that the plug passes through the passage opening, wherein a portion of the plug, the cap lid on a the Container side facing away from the cap lid engages behind and gas exchange between a container interior and a container environment is possible,
5. e) performing the freeze-drying process,
6. f) treatment of the plug such that the plug seals the container.

It is quite conceivable that the process step c) before the process step b) is performed, the introduction of the material to be dried in the container thus takes place before screwing the screw cap on the container.

It is also quite conceivable that the insertion of the plug into the container takes place together with the screwing of the screw cap on the container, thus the plug is already introduced before screwing the screw cap in the passage opening.

Sealing closure may be accomplished, for example, by exposure to heat, further insertion of the plug into the container, application of a film, or sealing of the plug.

1. a) Bereitstellen des Behälters und des Behälterverschlusssystems,
2. b) Aufschrauben der Schraubkappe auf den Behälter,
3. c) Einbringen des zu trocknenden Guts in den Behälter, wobei der Verfahrensschritt c) auch vor dem Verfahrensschritt b) erfolgen kann,
4. d) Partielles Einführen des Stopfens in den Behälter, derart, dass der Einführabschnitt die Durchtrittsöffnung durchsetzt und ein Gasaustausch zwischen einem Behälterinnenraum und einer Behälterumgebung möglich ist,
5. e) Durchführen des Gefriertrocknungsverfahrens,
6. f) Weiteres Einführen des Stopfens in den Behälter, derart, dass der Stopfen den Behälter dichtend verschließt.

In an advantageous development of the method for closing the container for a freeze-drying method, it is provided that the method is carried out with a container closure system according to one of claims 1 to 10, the method having the following method steps:

1. a) providing the container and the container closure system,
2. b) screwing the screw cap onto the container,
3. c) introducing the material to be dried into the container, wherein the method step c) can also take place before the method step b),
4. d) partially inserting the plug into the container, such that the insertion section passes through the passage opening and a gas exchange between a container interior and a container environment is possible,
5. e) performing the freeze-drying process,
6. f) further inserting the plug into the container, such that the plug seals the container.

It is again conceivable that process step c) takes place before process step b). Furthermore, it is again conceivable that the plug is already introduced before screwing the screw cap in the passage opening.

It is considered to be particularly advantageous if the further insertion of the plug into the container takes place in such a way that the cover section comes into contact with the cap lid on a side of the cap lid facing away from the container.

In order to prevent a separate removal of the plug from the screw cap, it is considered advantageous if the plug is locked to the screw cap during further insertion of the plug into the container.

Preferably, the cover portion or the cover plate close after insertion further axially flush with the cap lid.

The method steps according to claim 11 and its developments are preferably carried out in the order specified in the respective claim. But they can be done in a modified order, as far as this is technically reasonable.

Further features of the invention are set forth in the subclaims, the description of the figures and the figures themselves, wherein it is noted that all individual features and all combinations of individual features are essential to the invention.

In the figures, the invention is illustrated by means of an embodiment without being limited thereto.

Fig. 1

ein mit einem Behälter verbundenes Behälterverschlusssystem für einen Behälter zur Verwendung bei Gefriertrocknung in einem Zustand, in dem ein Gasaustausch zwischen einem Behälterinnenraum und einer Behälterumgebung möglicht ist, in einer teilweise geschnittenen Darstellung,

Fig. 2

die Anordnung einer Schraubkappe und eines Stopfens des Behälterverschlusssystems gemäß Fig. 1 in einem voneinander getrennten Zustand, in einer teilweise geschnittenen Darstellung,

Fig. 3

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 2 in einem Zustand, in dem der Stopfen in die Schraubkappe eingeführt ist, in einer teilweise geschnittenen Darstellung gemäß der Linie III-III in Fig. 4,

Fig. 4

die Anordnung in einer Ansicht gemäß dem Pfeil IV in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

der Stopfen gemäß Fig. 2 in einer Ansicht gemäß dem Pfeil V in Fig. 6,

Fig. 6

der Stopfen in einer Ansicht gemäß dem Pfeil VI in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

die Schraubkappe gemäß Fig. 2 in einer Ansicht gemäß dem Pfeil VII in Fig. 9,

Fig. 8

die Schraubkappe in einer Ansicht gemäß der Linie VIII-VIII in Fig. 9.

Fig. 9

die Schraubkappe in einer Ansicht gemäß dem Pfeil IX in Fig. 7,

Fig. 10

das Behälterverschlusssystem und der Behälter gemäß Fig. 1 in einer ersten Anordnung,

Fig. 11

das Behälterverschlusssystem und der Behälter gemäß Fig. 1 in einer zweiten Anordnung,

Fig. 12

das Behälterverschlusssystem und der Behälter gemäß Fig. 1 in einer dritten Anordnung,

Fig. 13

das Behälterverschlusssystem und der Behälter gemäß Fig. 1 in einer vierten Anordnung,

Fig. 14

das Behälterverschlusssystem und der Behälter gemäß Fig. 1 in einer fünften Anordnung,

Fig. 15

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 10 in einer teilweise geschnittenen Darstellung,

Fig. 16

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 11 in einer teilweise geschnittenen Darstellung,

Fig. 17

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 12 in einer teilweise geschnittenen Darstellung,

Fig. 18

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 13 in einer teilweise geschnittenen Darstellung,

Fig. 19

die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 14 in einer teilweise geschnittenen Darstellung.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a container closure system for a container for use in freeze-drying in a state in which a gas exchange between a container interior and a container environment is possible, in a partially sectioned view,

Fig. 2

the arrangement of a screw cap and a plug of the container closure system according to Fig. 1 in a separate state, in a partially sectioned view,

Fig. 3

the arrangement according to Fig. 2 in a state in which the plug is inserted into the screw cap, in a partially sectioned view along the line III-III in Fig. 4 .

Fig. 4

the arrangement in a view according to the arrow IV in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 5

the plug according to Fig. 2 in a view according to the arrow V in Fig. 6 .

Fig. 6

the plug in a view according to the arrow VI in Fig. 5 .

Fig. 7

the screw cap according to Fig. 2 in a view according to the arrow VII in Fig. 9 .

Fig. 8

the screw cap in a view according to the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 9 ,

Fig. 9

the screw cap in a view according to the arrow IX in Fig. 7 .

Fig. 10

the container closure system and the container according to Fig. 1 in a first arrangement,

Fig. 11

the container closure system and the container according to Fig. 1 in a second arrangement,

Fig. 12

the container closure system and the container according to Fig. 1 in a third arrangement,

Fig. 13

the container closure system and the container according to Fig. 1 in a fourth arrangement,

Fig. 14

the container closure system and the container according to Fig. 1 in a fifth arrangement,

Fig. 15

the arrangement according to Fig. 10 in a partially sectioned illustration,

Fig. 16

the arrangement according to Fig. 11 in a partially sectioned illustration,

Fig. 17

the arrangement according to Fig. 12 in a partially sectioned illustration,

Fig. 18

the arrangement according to Fig. 13 in a partially sectioned illustration,

Fig. 19

the arrangement according to Fig. 14 in a partially cut representation.

The Fig. 1 to 19 show a container closure system 1 for a container 2 for use in freeze-drying, wherein the container closure system 1 has a plug 3 insertable into the container 2 and a screw cap 4 which can be screwed onto the container 2.

In the partially sectioned views, the plug 3 is shown uncut.

As in particular the FIGS. 2 and 3 can be seen, form the plug 3 and the screw cap 4 initially separate components, the plug 3 in the screw cap 4 can be arranged. The screw cap 4 and the plug 3 are each formed in one piece.

The plug 3 has an insertion section 10, 11, the insertion section 10, 11 being formed by a contact section 11 and a sealing section 10 formed between the contact section 11 and a cover section 6 of the plug 3, the sealing section 10 being connected to the cover section 6 , The sealing portion 10 has a closed, circular cylindrical lateral surface and the abutment portion 11 has four passage openings 13 extending from a lateral surface into a bottom surface of the insertion section 10, 11 opposite the cover section 6. The passage openings 13 are formed by recesses.

The contact portion 11 has a circular cylindrical outer contour, wherein the diameter of this outer contour is identical to the diameter of the sealing portion 10th

The cover section 6 protrudes radially outward with respect to the insertion section 10, 11.

The plug 3 is furthermore fourfold radially symmetrical to an axis of the plug 3 extending in the axial direction Z.

The screw cap 4 has a circumferential cap skirt 7 and radially inside a cap cover 8 connected to the cap skirt 7, wherein the cap skirt 7 has a thread 15 for screwing the screw cap 4 on a container neck 5 in the region of the thread 16.

Furthermore, the cap lid 8 has a central, circular passage opening 9.

The screw cap 4 and the stopper 3 are designed such that a radial dimension D1 of the passage opening 9 is smaller than a radial dimension D2 of the cover section and the radial dimension D1 of the passage opening 9 is greater than a radial dimension D3 of the insertion section 10, 11 an introduction of the Insertion section 10, 11 in the passage opening 9 from the container 2 facing away from the side of the cap lid 8 is possible.

Such a container closure system 1 makes it possible to close the container 2 in a simple manner and to open. For the method steps described below of closing the container 2 and the opening of the container 2, the corresponding arrangements of container 2, plug 3 and screw cap 4 are partially in the 10 to 14 or 15 to 19 shown.

First, the container 2 and the container closure system 1 are provided, wherein the screw cap 4 and the plug 3 of the container closure system 1 form separate, separate components. This state show the Fig. 10 and 15 ,

Subsequently, the screw cap 4 is screwed onto the container 2. This state show the Fig. 11 and 16 ,

Subsequently, the material to be dried is introduced into the container 2, wherein the introduction of the material to be dried in the container 2 can certainly be done before screwing the screw cap 4 on the container 2.

Thereafter, the plug 3 is partially introduced from the container 2 side facing away from the cap lid 8 from the container 2, such that the insertion section 10, 11 passes through the passage opening 9 and a gas exchange between a container interior and a container environment is possible. In this case, the contact portion 11 comes with its circular cylindrical outer contour on a circular cylindrical muzzle inner side of the container 2 frictionally to the plant. In this case, the contact portion 11 is inserted into the container 2, that the four recesses forming the passage openings 13 are partially disposed outside the container 2 and open into the container interior, whereby a gas exchange between the container interior and the container environment take place during the process of freeze-drying can. This state show the Fig. 12 and 17 , It is in the Fig. 17 shown arrangement substantially identical to that in the Fig. 1 shown Arrangement, wherein in the Fig. 17 the plug 3 at 45 ° about the axis of the plug 3 with respect to in the Fig. 1 shown stopper 3 is rotated.

Subsequently, the freeze-drying process is carried out.

Following the freeze-drying process, the plug 3 is further inserted into the container 2, such that the plug 3 seals the container 2. In the present case, this takes place in that the closed, circular-cylindrical lateral surface of the sealing section 10 abuts the circular-cylindrical inner side of the mouth section of the container 2. As in particular the Fig. 3 . 13 and 18 can be seen, the cover section 6 comes on a side facing away from the container 2 of the cap cover 8 on the cap cover 8 to the plant.

Furthermore, the cap cover 8 adjacent to the passage opening 9 has a recess 12 for receiving the cover section 6. In the fully inserted into the container 2 state of the plug 3, the cover 6 closes in the axial direction Z flush with the cap cover 8 from.

Furthermore, the stopper 3 locks on further insertion of the plug 3 into the container 2 with the screw cap 4. The latching is realized in that the cover section 6 has a circumferential groove 14, wherein the groove 14 is suitable, the cap lid 8 in a the Passage opening 9 enclosing area of the cap cover 8 record.

The flush closing of the plug 3 with the cap lid 8 and the locking of the plug 3 in the screw cap 4 prevents the plug 3 can be removed independently of the screw 4 of the container 2. Consequently, the plug 3 can only be removed together with the screw cap 4 from the container 2.

Due to the fact that a formed by the cover portion 6 portion of the plug 3, the cap lid 8 engages behind on a side facing away from the container 2 of the cap lid 8, when loosening the screw cap 4 of the container 2 exerted an axial force on the cover 6 and thus the plug 3, so that the plug 3 when unscrewing the screw cap 4 is pulled out of the container 2 out of the container 2 in the axial direction Z and remains in the screw cap 4. This is in the Fig. 14 and 19 shown.

In contrast to the usual container closure systems used for freeze drying thus eliminating a separate removal of the plug 3 from the container 2 for the purpose of using the located in the container 2 freeze-dried Guts. In the case of the container closure system 1 according to the invention or in the method according to the invention for closing a container 2 for a freeze-drying method, the removal of the stopper 3 from the container 2 takes place together with the unscrewing of the screw cap 4 from the container 2. The stopper 3 thus becomes when the screw cap is unscrewed 4 pulled out of the container 2 by the screw cap 4 in the axial direction Z out.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Container closure system

2

container

3

Plug

4

screw cap

5

container neck

6

cover

7

cap casing

8th

cap lid

9

Through opening

10

sealing portion

11

contact section

12

return

13

Port

14

groove

15

thread

16

thread

D1

radial dimension

D2

radial dimension

D3

radial dimension

Z

axial direction

Claims (15)

Container closure system (1) for a container (2) for use in freeze drying, wherein the container closure system (1) has a stopper (3) insertable into the container (2) and a screw cap (4) which can be screwed onto the container (2) Plug (3) in the screw cap (4) can be arranged, the plug (3) an insertion section (10, 11) and a with the insertion section (10, 11) connected to the cover portion (6), wherein the cover portion (6) relative to the Insertion section (10, 11) protrudes radially outwardly, the screw cap (4) has a circumferential cap skirt (7) and radially inside a cap with the jacket (7) connected cap cover (8), wherein the cap skirt (7) has a thread for screwing the Screw cap (4) on the container (2), characterized in that the cap cover (8) has a passage opening (9), wherein a radial dimension (D1) of the passage opening (9) is smaller than a radial Abmessun g (D2) of the cover section (6) and an insertion of the insertion section (10, 11) in the passage opening (9) is possible. Container closure system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug (3) and the screw cap (4) form separate components. Container closure system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the cover section (6) on a the insertion section (10, 11) facing away from the cover portion (6) has a cover plate, wherein the cover plate the remaining cover portion (6) in the axial direction (Z) and made of a harder material than the remaining cover portion (6). Container closure system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover section (6) consists of a harder material than the insertion section (10, 11). Container closure system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the radial dimension (D1) of the passage opening (9) and a radial dimension (D3) of the insertion section (10, 11) are formed such that a transition fit or press fit is formed. Container closure system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cover section (6) has a circumferential groove (14), wherein the groove (14) is adapted, the cap cover (8) in a passage opening (9) enclosing area of the cap lid (8) and / or the cap lid (8) has a partial area, wherein the portion is adapted to engage the cover portion (6) on a side facing away from the container (2) of the cover portion (6). Container closure system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cap lid (8) adjacent to the passage opening (9) has a recess (12) for receiving the cover portion (6) and / or the cover plate. A container closure system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover section (6) protrudes radially outward relative to the insertion section (10, 11). Container closure system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the insertion section (10, 11) has a contact portion (11) and between the abutment portion (11) and the cover portion (6) formed sealing portion (10), wherein the sealing portion (10) has a closed, circular cylindrical or circular cone-shaped lateral surface, and the abutment portion (11) has a passage opening (13) extending from a lateral surface into a bottom surface of the insertion portion (10, 11) opposite the cover portion (6). Container closure system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the passage opening (13) is formed by a recess. Method for closing a container (2) for a freeze-drying method, the method comprising the following method steps: a) providing the container (2), a stopper (3) and a screwed onto the container (2) screw cap (4), wherein the screw cap (4) has a circumferential cap skirt (7) and radially inside a with the cap skirt (7) having connected cap lid (8), wherein the cap casing (7) has a thread for screwing the screw cap (4) on the container (2) and the cap lid (8) has a passage opening (9), b) screwing the screw cap (4) onto the container (2), c) introducing the material to be dried into the container (2), wherein the method step c) can also take place before the method step b), d) inserting the plug (3) into the container (2), such that the plug (3) passes through the passage opening (9), wherein a portion of the plug (3) the cap lid (8) on a container (2) engages behind the end cap of the cap (8) and a gas exchange between a container interior and a container environment is possible, e) performing the freeze-drying process, f) treating the plug (3) such that the plug (3) seals the container (2). A method of sealing a container (2) for a freeze-drying process according to claim 11, comprising a container closure system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing the container (2) and the container closure system (1), b) screwing the screw cap (4) onto the container (2), c) introducing the material to be dried into the container (2), wherein the method step c) can also take place before the method step b), d) partially inserting the plug (3) into the container (2) such that the insertion section (10, 11) passes through the passage opening (9) and gas exchange between a container interior and a container environment is possible, e) performing the freeze-drying process, f) further insertion of the plug (3) in the container (2), such that the plug (3) sealingly closes the container (2). The method of claim 12, wherein the further insertion of the plug (3) into the container (2) takes place such that the cover section (6) on a side facing away from the container (2) of the cap lid (8) on the cap lid (8) Plant comes. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the further insertion of the plug (3) of the plug (3) with the screw cap (4) locked. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the cover section (6) or the cover plate terminates axially flush with the cap lid (8) after further insertion.

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