GB2328426A - A container having a filling opening - Google Patents

Abstract

A container, eg a cylindrical can, has a lid 3 formed with a filling opening 10 which is initially covered by a sealing element 11 so that the interior of the container may be maintained in a sterilised condition prior to filling. For filling, the sealing element 11 is pierced or otherwise opened, the container is filled and a closing element 12 in the form of a pull tab is heat sealed over the opening 10. The sealing element 11 may be formed by an outer layer of the lid 3 or a separate attached member which may extend through the opening 10 to cover its edge.

Description

1 A container comprisiDg a filling 0Rening 2328426 The present invention

relates to a container comprising a filling opening and a sealing element by means of which the filling opening is kept closed in a sterile state, which filling opening can be uncovered for filling and after filling can be closed by means of a closing element.

European patent application No. 741 087 discloses a container of the above mentioned type. Such containers are closed in an empty state and their interiors sterilized. For the purposes of filling, the pre- sterilized container is opened and closed again after it has been f illed. As the interior of the container does not have to be sterilised during filling, relatively simple filling machines can be used.

The known container of the above mentioned publication is designed as a plastic bag. Its walls are made up of a plurality of plastic layers, of which one can be metallised. In the area of the intended f illing opening, a tube is inserted into the container wall, which tube is closed by means of a stopper. The tube serves, together with the stopper, as a closing element for the filled container.

The tube, in the area of the intended filling opening, is guided through an opening of the outer plastic layer and is disposed comprising a flange, on an unbroken inner plastic layer of the container. The diameter of the opening in the outer plastic layer corresponds approximately to the diameter of the tube, so that the f lange is overlapped by the outer plastic layer. The tube is sealed hermetically in the area of the f lange, with the outer plastic layer and with the inner plastic layer. As the inner plastic layer is continuous in the area of the tube which is inserted into the wall, it serves as a sealing element f or the intended opening.

The container, provided with the closing element and hermetically sealed, can be sterilised either during 2 production or afterwards. The container, having a sterilised interior, can then be fed to a filling installation. In the filling installation, the inner plastic layer is pierced in the area of the intended f illing opening and the liquid product poured into the sterile interior of the container. Subsequently the f illing opening is closed in that the stopper is placed on the tube and seals it in a sterile condition.

It is an object of the present invention to simplify the design of the container of the above mentioned type.

According to the present invention there is provided a container comprising: a filling opening, a sealing element which closes the filling opening such that an interior of the container, when sterilised, is maintained in a substantially sterile condition prior to filling the container, said sealing element being adapted to expose the filling opening to facilitate filling of the container and a closing element for closing the filling opening after filling, wherein after filling the container the closing element is sealably affixed to a connecting layer to close said filling opening.

It is thus possible to manufacture the container in a simple way. The previously relatively complicated method whih required affixation of the closing element during manufacture of the container is now eliminated. The container can therefore be manufactured in a similar way to standard containers, which are not already hermetically sealed during manufacture. The connecting layer provided in the container according to the present invention permits the use of closing elements of very variable types and designs, which are only then af f ixed in the area of the f illing opening, in order to seal it, after the container has been filled.

The sealing element, the closing element and the 3 connecting layer required for affixing the closing element can be designed in various ways. As the closing element is af fixed in a sealed manner only after the container has been filled, the area of the filling opening is freely accessible. The sealing element can be connected releasably or non-releasably to the container. It is possible to use a material layer present, or a separate component for the sealing element. The same applies to the connecting layer. The scaling element is so designed that the filling opening can be exposed for the purposes of filling. The sealing element can be pierced or removed entirely. A flat component can be used for the closing element, but it is possible to choose a component having a different contour.

In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting layer is formed by means of a plastic layer capable of being heatsealed. This permits a simple and reliable sealing affixation of the closing element.

It is advantageous to apply the connecting layer to the outside of a container wall. This further simplified the application of a closing element.

In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting layer is arranged in proximity to the sealing element. This enables a reliable adherence of the closing element.

It is hereby advantageous when the sealing element comprises a break-off line, which extends in circumferential direction of the filling opening. The area of the sealing element disposed over the filling opening is pulled up when the closing element is removed. The edges of the filling opening retain a good appearance after the removal of the closing element. This is above all advantageous when the filling opening also serves as an emptying opening and the closing element is removed for the purpose of emptying the container.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sealing element also covers the cut edge'of the filling opening. The sealing element serves additionally as a simply applied protective edge for the cut edge.

4 In an advantageous embodiment, the closing element is designed in strip f orm, which is af f ixed to the container before filling. After filling, the closing element can be affixed in a sealed manner.

In an advantageous embodiment, the closing element and the sealing element are made in one single piece.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sealing element is designed as a strip which can be pulled off the container. The expose area can be completely or partly covered by the closing element.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cut through a container comprising a sleeve, a bottom and a lid, which lid comprises a filling opening having a first embodiment of a sealing element and a closing element, Figure 2 is an enlarged part view of the lid in Figure 1, whereby the sealing element is pierced, Figure 3 shows a second embodiment by means of an enlarged part view of a lid having a sealing element and a closing element similar to that shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 shows a third embodiment by means of an enlarged part view of a lid having a a sealing element and of a closing element similar to that shown in Figure 2, whereby the filling opening is closed before filling, Figure 4a is the lid of Figure 4, whereby the filling opening is exposed, Figure 4b is the lid of Figure 4, whereby the filling opening is closed after filling, Figure 5 is an enlarged part view of a bottom, which comprises a filling opening with a sealing element according to a fourth embodiment, Figure 5a is the bottom as shown in Figure 5, whereby the sealing element is removed, Figure 5b is the bottom of Figure 5, whereby the sealing element is removed and a closing element is af fixed. The container shown in Figure 1 takes the f orm of a can. It comprises a cylindrical sleeve 2, a lid 3 and a bottom 4, which form a connected container wall 5, which encloses a cylindrical interior 6.

The container wall 5 is composed of a plurality of layers. It comprises a carrier layer 7 having on its inside a heat sealable plastic layer 8 as well as further material layers if required, which layers protect the contents of the container 1 from spoilage. The different material layers. in particular the plastic layer 8, serve also to seal the interior 6 against bacteria.

The lid 3 is provided on its outer side with a heat sealable plastic layer 9, which extends over its entire outer surface. The lid 3 comprises further a filling opening 10, which also serves as an emptying opening. The filling opening 10 is covered by the plastic layer 9, so that only the carrier layer 7 and the inner plastic layer 8 and, if required, the other material layers present, are pierced by the filling opening 10. The plastic layer 9 thus forms in the area of the filling opening 10 a sealing element 11. which seals the interior 6 against bacteria.

The lid 13 possesses on its outer side a closing element 12, which seals closed the filling opening 10 after the container 1 has been filled. The closing element 12 has the form of a strip 13, which serves as a pull tab, which can be pulled off for the purpose of emptying the container 1. The strip 13 is provided on its side f acing the lid 3 with a heat-sealable plastic layer 14.

In the position as shown in Figure 1, the pull tab is connected with the plastic layer 9 at the point 15 of adhesion by means of heating sealing. The pull tab can be bought into a position in which the f illing opening 10 is covered (see also Figure 2). The pull tab can be sealingly af f ixed to the lid 3 in this position. Thus a continuous heat sealing connection is created in circumferential direction of the f illing opening 10 between the plastic 6 layer 14 and the plastic layer 9. The plastic layer 9 serves thus as a connecting layer 16 for the closing element 12.

In the position shown in Figure 1, the container 1 is completed but is not yet filled. The interior 6 is sealed closed and is substantially germ free, because the sealing element 11 seals the filling opening 10 thus maintaining it substantailly free of germs. The interior 6 is in a sterile.condition, which can be created during or after the assembly of the container 1, f or example by means of gamma rays. The container 1 can be stored in this state and when required fed to a filling machine.

Directly before the filling of the container 1, the filling opening 10 is exposed. This can occur, for example, in that the sealing element 11 is pierced. The liquid can then be poured through the filling opening 10 into the container 1. After filling, the pull tab is brought into the position shown in figure 2. The opening obtained by means of piercing the sealing element 11 is thus covered. The pull tab is adhered in a sealed way to the connecting layer 16 by means of heat sealing. A heat sealing seam 17, 18 is formed both in the area of filling opening 10 and in the area which immediately surrounds the filling opening 10. Both heat sealing seams 17 and 18 are continuous in circumferential direction, so that a sterile, sealed connection is created.

The connecting layer 16 comprises in the area of the filling opening 10, a break-off line 19, which is continuous in the circumferential direction of the filling opening 10 and which extends at a distance, preferably a short distance, from the circumferential edge of the filling opening 10. The break-off line 19 can be obtained by means of a reduced material thickness of the sealing element 11. When the consumer opens the container 1, the closing element 12 is raised from the filling opening 10 by being pulled. The sealing element 11 is thus also pulled off along the break-off line 19. This results in a clear cut edge at the 7 filling opening 10.

In the second embodiment as shown in Figure 3, a lid 21 is provided with a sealing element 22 for the filling opening 10. The sealing element 22 is not made from the plastic layer 9 of the lid 211, but rather forms a separate component. The sealing element 22 is extended through the filling opening 10, so that the cut edge 23 of the filling opening 10 is covered. The closing element 22 thus forms a rivet-like protective edge 24. The closing element 12, having continuous heat sealing seams in circumferential direction as shown in the embodiment in Figure 2, is accordingly affixed in a sealed and sterile way to the connecting layer 16 and the sealing element 22.

The sealing element 22 is provided with a break-off line 25. When the closing element 12 is pulled off by the consumer, the sealing element 22 is pulled off along the break-off line 25, whereby the protective edge 24 remains connected to the lid 21.

In another embodiment not shown, the sealing element and the protective edge are made from the outer plastic layer 9 and the inner plastic layer 8, whereby both the plastic layers 8,9 are connected to each other in the area of the filling opening 10.

In the case of the third embodiment shown in Figure 4, a lid 27 is provided on its outer side with a plastic strip 28 which covers only the area of the lid 27 adjacent to the filling opening 10. The plastic strip 28 cannot be released from the lid 27. The f illing opening 10 is covered by a sealing element 29 and a closing element 30, which are made in one piece. The plastic strip 28 serves as a connecting layer 31 f or the closing element 30 as well as f or the sealing element 29.

In the position shown in Figure 4, the sealing element 29 covers the filling opening 10 of the empty container 1. The sterile af f ixing thereof is achieved by means of a continuous heat sealing seam 32 in a circumferential direction of the filling opening 10. The heat sealing seam 8 32 is relatively weak, so that the sealing element 29 can be easily raised from the filling opening 10. Af ter it has been raised, the entire f illing opening 10, as shown in Figure 4a, is uncovered for filling.

After the container 1 has been f illed, the closing element 30 is disposed over the filling opening 10, so that the position shown in Figure 4b is taken up. A stable and sterile heat sealing seam 33 is created, by means of which the closing element 30 is connected with the connecting layer 31. The closing element 30 is in the form of a strip 34, which serves as a pull tab, which can be removed for emptying the container 1.

In the fourth embodiment as shown in Figure 5, a filling opening 36 is provided in a bottom 35, which filling opening 36 does not serve as am emptying opening. Before the container 1 is filled, the filling opening 36 is covered by sealing element 37, which takes the form of a removable strip 38. The strip 38 comprises on its side facing the bottom 35 a heatsealable plastic layer. The bottom 35 is provided on its outer side with a heat-sealable plastic layer 39.

The sealing element 37 is connected in a sterile way with the plastic layer 39 by means of a heating sealing seam 40 which extends continuously in circumferential direction of the filling opening 36. The heat sealing seam 40 is relatively weak, so that the sealing element 37 can be easily removed from the bottom 35.

After the sealing element 37 has been removed, the filling opening 36 is uncovered (see also Figure 5a), so that the container can be filled.

After the container has been filled, the filling opening 36 is covered by a closing element 41. As the filling opening 36 does not also serve as an emptying opening, the closing element 41 can be more simply designed that the closing elements 12 and 30 shown in Figures 1 to 4b.

The outer plastic layer 39 of the bottom 35 serves as 9 a connecting layer 42 f or the closing element 41. The sterile connecting is created by means of a relatively stable heat sealing seam 43 between the closing element 41 and the connecting layer 42.

Claims (10)

1. A container comprising: a filling opening, a sealing element which closes the filling opening such that an interior of the container, when sterilised, is maintained in a substantially sterile condition prior to filling the container, said sealing element being adapted to expose the filling opening to facilitate filling of the container and a closing element for closing the filling opening after filling, wherein after filling the container the closing element is sealably affixed to a connecting layer to close said filling opening.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connecting layer is f ormed by a heat-sealable plastic layer.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting layer is arranged on the outer side of a container wall.

4. A container according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting layer abuts to the sealing element.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the sealing element comprises a break-off line, which extends in circumferential direction of the filling opening.

6. A container according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing element covers a cut edge of the filling opening.

7. A container according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the closing element comprises a strip, which is affixed to the container before it is filled.

11

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the closing element and the sealing element are made in one piece.

9. A container according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing element is in the form of a strip which can be removed from the container.

10. A container having a sealing element, substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.