EP4298028A1

EP4298028A1 - Device for sealing a fluid product vessel

Info

Publication number: EP4298028A1
Application number: EP22710679.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Fabien
Original assignee: Aptar France SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2021-02-24
Filing date: 2022-02-22
Publication date: 2024-01-03
Also published as: US20240132257A1; JP2024510116A; WO2022180337A1; US20240228125A9; FR3120059A1; FR3120059B1; CN117136161A; KR20230150987A

Abstract

Device for sealing a vessel (1), comprising: - a stopper (10) for sealing the vessel (1), the stopper (10) comprising sealing means (13; 14) for sealing the vessel (1), - an attachment ring (20) for attaching the stopper (10) to the vessel; (1), the ring (20) comprising a sleeve (21) provided with a radial flange (22) comprising a central opening (23), and first attachment means (25) to be attached to the vessel (1), - a cover (30) comprising a radial disc (31) and second attachment means (33), - a blocking element (40) comprising an axial wall (41) and complementary attachment means (43) engaging in the assembled state with the second means (33) for attaching the cover (30), the axial wall (41) comprising, on one portion of its periphery, a tearable tab (42) defined between two grooves (44, 45) forming bridges of thin material, the tab (42) comprising, on one side, a gripping portion (46) and ending, on the opposite side, with a flared portion (42') such that, once torn, the axial wall (41) opens out along the entire height thereof, thus making it possible to remove the blocking element (40) from the sealing device.

Description

Closing device for a fluid reservoir

The present invention relates to a device for closing a fluid reservoir, for example a bottle containing a pharmaceutical fluid product. A preferred field of application of the present invention is that of stoppers that can be pierced using a needle to remove all or part of the fluid contained in the reservoir.

In general, a closure device of this type comprises a cap made of relatively flexible material, such as an elastomer, which is inserted by force into the neck of the reservoir. During assembly, the cap is pushed into its closed position, in which it closes off the reservoir in a leaktight manner, and a metal cap is mounted, in particular crimped, around the cap to fix it to the neck of the reservoir.

This known implementation involves several drawbacks.

Thus, if the capsule is not perforated to allow the drilling of the stopper to withdraw the fluid contained in the reservoir, this capsule must be completely removed before use, which can be difficult. This also involves a risk of accidental removal of the cap, with thereby a risk of loss of the fluid contained in the reservoir.

On the other hand, if the capsule is perforated to allow drilling of the cap, this part not covered by the capsule is not protected, in particular during transport and storage, with consequently a risk for the integrity of the fluid. contained in the tank. In this case, it is almost impossible to know whether the cap has already been pierced or not, with consequently uncertainty about the contents of the tank.

Furthermore, the use of a cap made of metal, generally aluminum, is likely to generate metal particles during the crimping of the cap on the neck of the reservoir, potentially harmful for the fluid contained in the reservoir. More generally, the use of room metal is disadvantageous in terms of recycling and respect for the environment.

To overcome these drawbacks, it has been proposed to use a plastic fixing ring to fix and hold the cap on the tank, with a blocking element assembled around the ring to hold its fixing, and a cover arranged in a removable manner. on the ring or on the blocking element, to protect the cap until the device is used. The document WO2017001459 describes a device of this type.

Devices of this type also have drawbacks.

Thus, the removable protective cover can generally be removed and put back in place easily, so that it is impossible to know whether or not product has already been taken from the reservoir. The integrity of the fluid contained in the reservoir is also not guaranteed.

In addition, the complexity of this type of closure device does not allow assembly at high speeds, using for example a machine that can simultaneously assemble several tens of closure devices.

Document DE102017127313 describes another prior art device.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

The object of the present invention is in particular to provide a closure device which guarantees the integrity of the fluid contained in the reservoir until it is used.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a closure device which includes a tamper-proof first-use indicator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a closure device which makes it possible to use a stopper provided with a coating on the face in contact with the fluid product.

The present invention also aims to provide a closure device which is completely free of metal. Another object of the present invention is to provide a closure device which can be assembled at high speeds, in particular in an assembly machine which can assemble several tens, for example one hundred, devices simultaneously.

The present invention also aims to provide a closure device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

The present invention therefore relates to a closure device for a fluid reservoir comprising a neck provided with an upper axial edge, said closure device comprising:

- a plug comprising a radial plate and an axial barrel, said axial barrel penetrating inside said neck during assembly, said plug comprising sealing means for sealing with said reservoir,

- a fixing ring for fixing said stopper to said neck, said fixing ring comprising a cylindrical axial sleeve provided on the upper side with a radial flange extending radially inwards and comprising a central opening, said cylindrical axial sleeve comprising on the lower side of the first attachment means for attachment to said neck of said tank,

- a cover comprising a radial disc and a cylindrical axial casing extending axially downwards from said radial disc, said cover comprising second fixing means,

- a locking element comprising a cylindrical axial wall and complementary fixing means cooperating in the assembled state with said second fixing means of said lid, said axial wall comprising on part of its periphery a tearable tab defined between two grooves forming bridges of thin material, said tongue comprising on one side a gripping part and ending on the opposite side with a flared part, so that at the end of tearing, said axial wall opens over its entire height, thus allowing to remove said blocking element from said obturation device. Advantageously, said axial shaft of said plug has on its outer surface at least one sealing bead which cooperates with the inside of said neck of said tank to guarantee the tight sealing of said tank.

Advantageously, said radial plate of said stopper has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of said axial shaft, and comprises at least one annular projection extending downwards which, in the closed position, cooperates with said upper axial edge of said neck.

Advantageously, said annular projection is peripheral and is, when assembling said closure device on said neck of said reservoir, crushed on said upper axial edge of said neck to achieve sealing with said reservoir.

Advantageously, said radial plate includes a central stitching zone defined inside an axial ring.

Advantageously, the radially outer edge of said axial ring is conical, widening upwards.

Advantageously, in the assembled state of said closure device, said radial flange of said fixing ring is positioned on said radial plate of said plug, said central opening receiving said axial ring and said tapping zone of said plug.

Advantageously, the radial edge of said central opening snaps onto said conical radially outer edge of said axial ring.

Advantageously, said first means for fixing said fixing ring are snap-fastening means, comprising at least one radial profile extending radially inwards.

Advantageously, said first fixing means comprise a single radial profile which extends over the entire periphery of said cylindrical axial sleeve.

Advantageously, the internal diameter of said axial casing of said cover is identical to or very slightly greater than the external diameter of said axial sleeve of said fixing ring, so that in the assembled state of the closure device, said axial casing is positioned around said axial sleeve with little or no clearance between them. Advantageously, said second means for fixing said cover comprise one or more projection(s) extending radially outwards.

Advantageously, said complementary fastening means of said locking element comprise one or more profiles extending radially inwards, said profiles snapping onto said one or more projection(s) forming said second fastening means of said cover.

Advantageously, said axial wall of said locking element comprises, on its lower axial edge, an annular radial wall extending radially inwards, the radially internal edge of said annular radial wall having a diameter smaller than the external diameter of said cylindrical axial sleeve of said fixing ring, and less than the outer diameter of said tank.

Advantageously, said device is devoid of metal.

The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a fluid reservoir comprising a neck and a closure device as described above, for fixing and holding a stopper on said neck.

These characteristics and advantages and others of the present invention will appear more clearly during the following detailed description, made with reference to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic cut-out perspective view of a closure device fixed to a tank, according to an advantageous embodiment,

Figure 2 is a schematic view in vertical section of the closure device of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a schematic cut-out and exploded perspective view of the closure device of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, in exploded perspective,

Figure 5 is a schematic cut-out perspective view of the fastening ring of the closure device of Figure 2, Figure 6 is a schematic cut-out perspective view of the cap of the closure device of Figure 2,

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the blocking element of the closure device of Figure 2,

FIG. 8 is a schematic cut-out perspective view from below of the cover of the closure device of FIG. 2,

Figure 9 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the closure device of Figure 1, after removal of the locking element and the cover,

FIG. 10 is a schematic view in vertical section of the closure device of FIG. 2 during assembly, according to an advantageous variant embodiment, and

Figures 11 and 12 are schematic views in vertical section of the closure device of Figure 2, respectively before and after assembly on a tank.

The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the central longitudinal axis of the device. The terms "up", "down", "upper" and "lower" refer to the upright position of the device shown in Figures 11 and 12.

A tank 1, which can be plastic or glass, is formed with a neck 2 at its upper part. Reservoir 1 may in particular be in the form of a bottle. Reservoir 1 contains a fluid product, in particular of the pharmaceutical type.

According to the invention, a closure device is fixed to the neck 2 of the tank 1. This closure device comprises a plug 10, a fixing ring 20, a lid 30 and a blocking element 40.

The stopper 10 provided to seal off the reservoir 1 is preferably made of an elastically deformable material, such as for example rubber or any other suitable elastomeric material.

This stopper 10 comprises a radial plate 11 and an axial shaft 12 which is approximately cylindrical. In the closed position, the axial shaft 12 penetrates inside said neck 2. The cap 10 includes sealing means to achieve sealing with the reservoir.

According to a first advantageous variant of the sealing means, the axial barrel 12 comprises on its outer surface at least one peripheral sealing bead 13 which cooperates with the inside of the neck 2 of the tank 1 to guarantee the sealed closure of the tank.

Advantageously, the radial plate 11 has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the axial shaft 12, and comprises at its radially outer edge an annular projection 14 extending downwards. When assembling the closure device on the tank, this annular projection 14 will deform and ensure a certain spring effect as well as dimensional compensation, to optimize assembly and/or sealing in the assembled state. .

According to a second advantageous variant of the sealing means, the annular projection 14 is peripheral and is, during assembly of the closure device on the neck 2 of the reservoir 1, crushed on the upper axial edge 3 of the said neck 2 to produce sealing with tank 1 . In this variant, the sealing bead 13 is no longer mandatory, and could either be completely omitted, or replaced by several parts of beads separated from each other and distributed over the periphery of the axial shaft 12, without sealing function

The radial plate 11 includes a tapping zone 15 intended to be pierced by a suitable device, such as a syringe, to withdraw all or part of the fluid contained in the reservoir 1 . This stitching zone 15 is preferably central and defined inside an axial ring 16, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 6. Advantageously, the radially outer edge of said axial ring 16 is slightly conical, flaring upwards .

Optionally, the internal surface of plug 10 which comes into contact with the fluid contained in reservoir 1 may be covered with a coating, in particular a thin film of ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), in order to limit interactions between plug 10 and the fluid product. The fixing ring 20 is provided to fix and hold the stopper 10 on the neck 2 of the reservoir 1 .

This fixing ring 20 comprises a cylindrical axial sleeve 21 provided on the upper side with a radial flange 22 extending radially inwards and comprising a central opening 23. In the assembled position of the closure device, visible in particular in the figures 1 and 2, said radial flange 22 is positioned on radial plate 11 of plug 10, with opening 23 receiving axial ring 16 and stitching zone 15 of plug 10. Advantageously, the radial edge of said central opening 23 snaps onto the radially outer edge of said axial ring 16 when the latter is slightly conical.

On its lower side, the cylindrical axial sleeve 21 comprises first fixing means 25, in particular by snap-fastening, to be fixed on the neck 2 of the reservoir 1 . These first fixing means 25 comprise a radial profile extending radially inwards. In the example shown, this radial profile is peripheral, but it could as a variant comprise several lugs distributed over the periphery. Other fastening means on the neck 2 of the reservoir 1 can also be envisaged.

The cover 30 comprises a radial disc 31 which, in the assembled state, is positioned on the upper surface of the radial flange 22 of the fixing ring 20, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The cover 30 also comprises a cylindrical axial casing 32 extending axially downwards from said radial disc 31, the internal diameter of said axial casing 32 being identical to or very slightly greater than the external diameter of the axial sleeve 21 of the fixing ring. 20. Thus, in the assembled state, said axial casing 32 is positioned around the axial sleeve 21 with little or no clearance between them.

Advantageously, as can be seen in the figures, the axial casing 32 only extends over a small part of the height of the axial sleeve 21 .

The axial casing 32 comprises second fixing means 33, such as one or more projection(s) extending radially outwards, which will be described in more detail below. These second fixing means 33 are advantageously provided at the lower axial edge of the axial casing 32.

Advantageously, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the lower surface of the radial disc 31 comprises a central recess 35 delimited by an annular axial projection 36, said central recess 35 being found in the assembled state above the stitching zone 15 of the plug 10. In the example shown in Figure 8, the annular axial projection 36 is connected to the axial casing 32 by a plurality of radial bridges 37 distributed around the periphery. In this implementation, it is therefore the annular axial projection 36 and the radial bridges 37 which are, in the assembled state, in contact with the upper surface of the radial flange 22 of the fixing ring 20.

The locking element 40 comprises a cylindrical axial wall 41 whose internal diameter is greater than the external diameter of the axial casing 32 and that of the second fixing means 33 of the cover 30.

The axial wall 41 comprises complementary fixing means 43, advantageously at its upper axial edge. In the example shown in the figures, these complementary fixing means comprise one or more profiles 43 extending radially inwards, with the internal diameter of said profiles 43 which is identical to or slightly greater than the external diameter of the axial casing. 32 but less than the outer diameter of the projections 33 of the cover 30. Thus, in the assembled state, the profiles 43 of the locking element 40 snap onto the projection(s) 33 of the cover 30. To optimize this snap-fastening, the outer shape of the profiles 43 and projections 33 can be produced in the conventional manner, with inclined planes sliding one over the other during the assembly phase, and radial surfaces forming snap-fastening stops after assembly.

In the example shown in the figures, the cover 30 comprises several separate projections 33, for example two or three, distributed over the periphery, but a single projection 33 extending radially outwards over the entire periphery could also be envisaged. Similarly, in the example shown in the figures, the blocking element 40 comprises a single profile 43 extending radially inwards over the entire periphery, but several separate profiles 43 distributed over the periphery could also be envisaged.

As a variant, the second fixing means 33 of the cover 30 and the complementary fixing means 43 of the blocking element 40 could be made differently, without necessarily forming a snap. Thus, it is possible to fix the cover 30 to the blocking element 40 in a non-removable manner, for example by laser or ultrasonic welding. In this variant, the cover 30 and the blocking element 40 then form a unitary sub-assembly. Other alternative fixings are also possible.

The axial wall 41 comprises on part of its periphery a tearable tab 42 defined between two grooves 44, 45 which form bridges of thin material. This tab 42 has a gripping part 46 that the user can grasp to tear the tab over part of the periphery of the blocking element 40. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the tearable tab 42 ends on the side opposite to the gripping part 46 by a flared part 42', so that at the end of tearing, the axial wall 41 opens over its entire height, thus making it possible to remove the blocking element 40 from the closure device.

On its lower axial edge, said axial wall 41 comprises an annular radial wall 49 extending radially inwards. The radially inner edge of said annular radial wall 49 has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of cylindrical axial sleeve 21 of fixing ring 20. In the assembled state, this annular radial wall 49 is positioned axially under said cylindrical axial sleeve 21 , thus preventing withdrawal of the locking element 40 by upward axial traction. The radially internal edge of the annular radial wall 49 also has a diameter smaller than the external diameter of the reservoir 1 .

In the assembled state of the closure device, the cap 10 makes the seal with the neck 2 of the tank 1, the fixing ring 20 fixes and maintains said cap 10 in its sealing position, the cover 30 protects the cap 10 and prevents access to its tapping zone 15, and the element of It blocking 40 prevents the removal of the cover 30 while being maintained in the blocking position on the one hand by the snap-fastening with the cover 30 and on the other hand by the axial blocking carried out by the fixing ring 20 at the level of the wall. annular radial 49. In the assembled state, the closure device therefore forms an unremovable sub-assembly.

For the assembly of the closure device, the fixing ring 20 is first assembled on the stopper 10, advantageously with a snap-fastening of one on the other at the level of the central opening 23. Then, in In the example of FIG. 10, the cover 30 is assembled on the fastening ring 20 from above, and then the locking element 40 snaps onto the cover 30 from below, according to the arrow F1. As a variant, the stopper/fixing ring unit can first be placed in the blocking element 40, then the cover 30 can be snapped on from above. Optionally, the assembly of the cover 30 and of the blocking element 40 around the plug-fixing ring unit can be done in a single step, the plug-fixing ring unit then being sandwiched between the cover 30 and the blocking element 40.

The assembly of the closure device on the neck 2 of the reservoir 1 is advantageously done by axial thrust downwards of the closure device, according to the arrow F2 in FIG. This simultaneously causes the insertion of the stopper 10 into the neck 2 of the tank 1, and the fixing, in particular the snap-fastening, of the fixing ring 20 on said neck 2. The presence of the central recess 35 in the lid 30 guarantees that during assembly, all of the force F2 exerted on the lid 30 is transmitted to the fixing ring 20, without direct interaction between the lid 30 and the cap 10.

The dimensions and shapes of said at least one sealing bead 13 are chosen so that sealing is guaranteed in the assembled state, without generating excessive forces during assembly. This makes it possible to use an assembly machine with baskets or nests that can simultaneously assemble several tens of devices, for example a hundred. After assembly of the closure device on the tank, the closure device includes a tamper-proof first use indicator. Indeed, as long as the tear-off tab 42 is not torn, and the blocking element 40 removed, the cover 30 cannot be removed. The contents of the tank are therefore perfectly protected. After removal of the blocking element 40, the cover 30 can also be removed. On the other hand, it is then no longer possible to replace another locking element 40, because this assembly must necessarily be done before assembly on the tank 1. Indeed, the internal diameter of the annular radial wall 49 being smaller than the external diameter of the reservoir 1, it is not possible to assemble a blocking element 40 over the reservoir 1. Similarly, the internal diameter of the annular radial wall 49 being smaller than the external diameter of the cylindrical axial sleeve 21 of the ring 20, it is not possible to assemble a locking element 40 over the fixing ring 20. Of course, variant embodiments are possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Closing device for a fluid reservoir (1) comprising a neck (2) provided with an upper axial edge (3), said closing device comprising:

- a plug (10) comprising a radial plate (11) and an axial shank (12), said axial shank (12) penetrating inside said neck (2) during assembly, said plug (10) comprising sealing means (13; 14) for sealing with said reservoir (1),

- a fixing ring (20) for fixing said cap (10) on said neck (2), said fixing ring (20) comprising a cylindrical axial sleeve (21) provided on the upper side with a radial flange (22) s extending radially inwards and comprising a central opening (23), said cylindrical axial sleeve (21) comprising on the lower side first fixing means (25) for fixing to said neck (2) of said tank (1),

- a cover (30) comprising a radial disc (31) and a cylindrical axial envelope (32) extending axially downwards from said radial disc (31), said cover (30) comprising second fixing means (33 ),

- a locking element (40) comprising a cylindrical axial wall (41) and complementary fixing means (43) cooperating in the assembled state with said second fixing means (33) of said cover (30), characterized in that said axial wall (41) comprises on part of its periphery a tearable tongue (42) defined between two grooves (44, 45) forming bridges of thin material, said tongue (42) comprising on one side a gripping part (46) and ending on the opposite side with a flared part (42'), so that at the end of tearing, said axial wall (41) opens over its entire height, thus making it possible to remove said blocking element ( 40) of said shutter device.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said axial shaft (12) of said plug (10) has on its outer surface at least one sealing bead (13) which cooperates with the inside of said neck (2) of said reservoir

(I) to ensure the sealing of said reservoir.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said radial plate

(I I) said plug (10) has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of said axial shaft (12), and comprises at least one annular projection (14) extending downwards which, in the closed position, cooperates with said upper axial edge (3) of said neck (2).

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said annular projection (14) is peripheral and is, when assembling said closure device on said neck (2) of said reservoir (1), crushed on said upper axial edge ( 3) said neck (2) to seal with said tank (1) ·

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said radial plate (11) comprises a central tapping zone (15) defined inside an axial ring (16).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the radially outer edge of said axial ring (16) is conical, widening upwards.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, in the assembled state of said closure device, said radial flange (22) of said fixing ring (20) is positioned on said radial plate (11) of said plug ( 10), said central opening (23) receiving said axial ring (16) and said stitching area (15) of said plug (10).

8. Device according to claim 7, in which the radial edge of the said central opening (23) snaps onto the said tapered radially outer edge of the said axial ring (16).

9. Device according to any one of the claims, in which the said first fixing means (25) of the said fixing ring (20) are snap-fastening means, comprising at least one radial profile extending radially inwards. .

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein said first fixing means (25) comprise a single radial profile which extends over the entire periphery of said cylindrical axial sleeve (21).

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the internal diameter of the said axial casing (32) of the said cover (30) is identical to or very slightly greater than the external diameter of the said axial sleeve (21) of the said fixing ring ( 20), so that in the assembled state of the closure device, said axial casing (32) is positioned around said axial sleeve (21) with little or no clearance between them.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said second fixing means (33) of said cover (30) comprise one or more projection(s) extending radially outwards.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein said complementary fixing means (43) of said locking element (40) comprise one or more profiles extending radially inwards, said profiles snapping onto said one or more projections. (S) forming said second fixing means (33) of said cover (30).

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said axial wall (41) of the said locking element (40) comprises, on its lower axial edge, an annular radial wall (49) extending radially inwards , the radially inner edge of said annular radial wall (49) having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of said cylindrical axial sleeve (21) of said fixing ring (20), and smaller than the outer diameter of said tank (1).

15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said device is metal free.

16. Assembly comprising a fluid reservoir (1) comprising a neck (2) and a closure device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, for fixing and holding a cap (10) on said neck (2 ).