WO2022108448A1

WO2022108448A1 - Assembly comprising an adapter and a cap

Info

Publication number: WO2022108448A1
Application number: PCT/NL2021/050710
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tim DE WINTER
Original assignee: Winza Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2020-11-20
Filing date: 2021-11-17
Publication date: 2022-05-27
Also published as: NL2026935B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly of an adapter for connecting an FIBC to a container, the adapter comprising an inside and outside and a passage, and a cap configured to close the passage. The assembly further comprises a gas-permeable filter arranged in the passage, at least one sensor capable of sensing at least one gas property and a transmitter for transmitting a sensed value corresponding to the at least one gas property. The sensor is arranged further towards the second side than the filter. The invention also relates to such a cap, and to a method for monitoring at least one gas property inside a container.

Description

ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AN ADAPTER AND A CAP

The invention relates to an assembly of an adapter configured to be arranged on or in a wall of a container and configured to connect a vacuum and/or gas injection system to said container, the adapter comprising a first side configured to be directed towards an interior of the container and comprising an inlet, a second side, opposite the first side, and configured to be directed outward relative to the interior of the container and comprising an outlet; and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet; and a cap configured to connect to the adapter in order to seal the passage.

The herein disclosed invention is particularly suitable to be applied to a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC), colloquially also known as a “big bag”, “jumbo”, “super bag” or “super sack”. Such FIBCs are utilised for transporting and storing bulk materials and typically consist of a plurality of panels of a woven plastic material, which are stitched or fused together and optionally provided with a coating.

FIBCs may be utilised for storing and transporting a wide range of bulk materials and are dimensioned and configured accordingly for the bulk material they are intended to hold. These bulk materials may include perishable bulk materials, such as food items including rice, grain, flour, beans and the like. For holding such perishable bulk materials, the FIBC may comprise a closed top and be substantially air and waterproof to prevent ambient air and moisture from entering into an interior of the FIBC. The air and/or waterproof properties may be achieved by inserting a liner into the FIBC.

After filling a FIBC with perishable bulk material, it is generally desirable to remove at least some of the ambient air from an interior of the FIBC prior to long term storage or transport, because remaining air may hold moisture and/or oxygen that may spoil the perishable bulk material. Removing air from the interior of the FIBC is, however, a precarious matter when one considers the relatively large dimensions of the FIBC and the fine granular structure that many perishable food items comprise.

Moreover, even a minor leakage of the FIBC may have disastrous consequences for the perishable bulk material located therein when unnoticed and left unattended for too long. Because such leakages are often difficult to identify at first glance, FIBCs holding perishable bulk materials require labour intensive, regular inspections to identify leakages before they may negatively affect the perishable bulk material.

It is noted that it is principally possible to use FIBC’s to store contents under near vacuum conditions, in order to combat perishing. A leaking FIBC under vacuum is relatively easily identified visually, as the previously present vacuum would be gone in a leaking FIBC. As an alternative to applying vacuum, it is also possible to replace the ambient air in the FIBC, at least for a large part, with a gas that prevents perishing, such as nitrogen. This method is known as packaging under protective atmosphere. Protective atmosphere packaging has certain advantages over vacuum packaging, but presents the problem that leaking FIBC’s can not be identified as easily as leaking vacuum FIBC’s.

Accordingly, it is entirely possible a leak is not spotted, or not spotted for a relatively long time. As a result, moisture and/or oxygen may enter the FIBC through the leak and cause the contents to perish, oftentimes unnoticed at first.

In order to prevent perishing, a practice of repeatedly testing the atmosphere in FIBC’s has been developed. The testing takes place by inserting a needle in through the container wall, in order to access the gas therein. Using a self-adhering tape or label the hole left by the needle is sealed. Also, tapes or labels exist that allow passing a needle through said tape or label without leaving a hole afterwards. This testing method is relatively laborious.

It is therefore an object of the invention to prevent perishing, without the need for the laborious testing.

This object is achieved by using an assembly as described above, wherein the assembly further comprises a gas-permeable filter arranged in between the inlet and the outlet in order to filter gas flowing between the inlet and the outlet, at least one sensor capable of sensing at least one gas property; and a transmitter for transmitting a sensed value corresponding to the at least one gas property, wherein the sensor is arranged further towards the second side than the filter.

Using the sensor in combination with the transmitter allows to remotely assess the at least one gas property. Using the gas permeable filter, the contents of the bag can be separated from the sensor. As such, the sensor does not touch the contents. The gas property can still accurately be measured, since gas can pass through the permeable filter.

The transmitter may send the sensed value to a gateway. The transmitter may be a Uora, Bluetooth or wifi transmitter.

The sensor may be arranged in or on the cap. This makes it possible to provide customary FIBC’s with a smart cap, so that no changes to the FIBC are needed to make use of the smart cap technology.

Where this application reads ‘in the cap’ this may be understood as in a position that is connected to the inside of the container when the cap is connected to the adapter. In case the cap includes a closed end and a circumferential wall, said position may be near the closed end, surrounded by the circumferential wall.

The sensor may be configured for sensing an oxygen concentration of 3% or lower, preferably with an accuracy of 15% or better. The sensor may be an electrochemical oxygen sensor.

The filter may be arranged in the adapter. This allows to use the filter not only to separate the contents of the container from the sensor, but also aids in keeping the contents in the container when air is sucked out of the container, and/or may prevent pollutants from entering the container when fdling it with a protective atmosphere, such as by adding nitrogen.

The fdter may be fixedly arranged with respect to the adapter by co-moulding the filter with the adapter. By co-moulding the filter, a reliable connection may be made, thereby preventing leaking.

The filter may be substantially planar. The applicant has found that a planar filter aids in removing air from the container and in adding gas to the container, as opposed to filters that are curved out of plane.

The filter may be manufactured by sintering. The applicant has found that a sintered filter may provide a suitable structure for filtering contents of the container, whilst letting through gases.

In particular, the filter may have a characteristic pore dimension of 70 - 90 pm. The applicant has found a smaller diameter may reduce gas-permeability, whereas a larger pores may allow contents of the container to enter the pores thereby clogging the filter.

The filter may be substantially disk-shaped. From a manufacturing perspective, a square or rectangular filter would be preferred. However, the applicant has found that using a disk-shaped filter may perform better when emptying or filling the container.

Optionally, the filter has a diameter of 110 - 140 mm, preferably between 120 and 130 mm, more preferably around 125 - 126 mm, most preferably approximately 125,5 mm. Optionally, the filter has a thickness of between 2 and 4 mm, preferably between 3 and 3,5 mm, more preferably between 3,1 and 3,3 mm, most preferably of approximately 3,2 mm.

These dimensions have been found suitable for FIBC’s containing food products, and allowing a desired flow of gas through the filter.

The filter may comprise at least one of: HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE-HDPE,PE-UHMW or a combination, wherein preferably the filter comprises a combination of HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE- HDPE, PE-UHMW.

The applicant has found that these materials may be sintered to form a suitable filter usable for food-contact applications.

The at least one sensor may comprise at least one of: an electrochemical oxygen sensor, a relative humidity sensor, and a temperature sensor, wherein preferably the at least one sensor comprises: an electrochemical oxygen sensor, a relative humidity sensor, and a temperature sensor.

This allows sensing humidity and/or temperature and/or an oxygen concentration. Knowledge of these gas properties may aid in preventing perishing.

The assembly may further comprise a processor connected to the sensor for receiving the sensed value and to the transmitter to provide the sensed value, wherein optionally the processor is arranged in or on the cap.

The sensor may be used for providing smart functionalities, such as those described below. In particular, the processor may be configured to operate the sensor and the transmitter in predetermined intervals, wherein optionally the predetermined interval is programmable, such as selectable in firmware.

Operating in intervals may preserve battery, while checking sufficiently often to prevent perishing. Programming the interval allows choosing a suitable interval for contents that perish at different rates.

The predetermined interval may be several minutes, hours, days, weeks or months.

The assembly may further comprise a contactless switch connected to the processor, the processor being configured to operate the sensor and the transmitter upon receipt of a signal from the contactless switch, wherein optionally the contactless switch is arranged in or on the cap.

Using such a switch, operating the sensor may be triggered outside the normal interval. As such, the gas property can be measured at key moments, such as right before or after transport.

The contactless switch may comprise a magnetic sensor or a magnetometer. Accordingly, the switch may be triggered with a magnet, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic element. Accordingly, the magnet may be carried by personnel, allowing triggering the switch only by those having the magnet. The magnet can thus act as a key, allow triggering by some, but not all.

The assembly may further comprise a memory connected to the processor, the memory being configured to store sensed values, wherein optionally the memory is arranged in or on the cap.

Storing the sensed values may aid in showing historic data for the contents of the container. This is advantageous for instance to allow auditing processes.

Further, the processor may be configured to store a sensed value in the memory at least when transmitting the sensed value via the transmitter fails. Accordingly, the sensed value may be transmitted later, and therefore not lost.

The transmitter may for the purpose of transmitting establish a (two-way) connection to a receiver, such as a gateway, in particular a Lora, Bluetooth or wifi gateway. If such a connection can not be made, for instance in the absence of a gateway, the transmitting fails, and the sensed value may be stored. Such a situation may occurred e.g. during transport, when gateways are often not provided.

The processor may further be configured to further transmit previously stored sensed values via the transmitter. In particular, stored sensed values may be sent after a connection has been successfully established after establishing a connection was not possible. For instance, after transport, all stored values may be transmitted in order to complete the life-time measurements of the at least one gas property. The assembly may further comprise an audible and/or visible output, such as an LED, connected to the processor, wherein the processor is further configured to provide an output signal when at least one of the following occurs the processor is switched on, a measurement is performed by the sensor, and a value is measured exceeding a predefined threshold value, wherein optionally the output is arranged in or on the cap.

It may be advantageous to offer feedback via the output for when the processor is switching on or when a measurement is performed, to ensure operators that the assembly is functioning properly. Moreover, providing output when a threshold value is exceeded may make spotting a container that requires operator-interaction relatively easy.

The assembly may have an LED as output arranged in the cap, further comprising a light guide extending from the LED to an exterior of the cap. Using a light guide, the light emitted from the LED may be guided to outside the cap, so that it is visible, while the LED may be arranged in the cap, so that the cap itself acts as a housing.

The transmitter may be further configured to send a value identifying usable for identifying the assembly or the container. This may aid in making the container or its contents traceable. Moreover, it allows registering where, for instance a position in a warehouse or storage, the container is stored by referring to said identifying value. Said identifying value may be a (unique) ID.

The cap may further comprise a septum made of an elastic material. The septum may be configured to allow passing a needle therethrough, and to close after the needle has been taken it. This may be achieved is the septum is made from e.g. an elastic or rubber-like material.

Using a septum in combination with a sensor is particularly advantageous, as it easily allows verifying a value sensed by the sensor is accurate, or the septum may be used to manually calibrate the sensor.

The adapter and the assembly may comprise mutually cooperating locking elements for locking the cap with respect to the adapter, the assembly further comprising a button or knob arranged in or on the mutually cooperating locking elements of the adapter and/or of the cap, said button or knob being connected to the processor, the processor being further configured to operate the at least one sensor and the transmitter upon activation of the button or knob. The sensor may be configured to operate the sensor/transmitter only when the button or knob is activated.

By applying such a button or knob, measurement may be prevented when the cap is not yet arranged on an adapter for sealing a container.

The button or knob may be arranged at or close to a closed end of the cap. This may aid in ensuring measurement only starts when the cap is correctly fitted to the adapter. Moreover, as the processor may start up in response to activation of the button/knob, the button/knob may, possibly via the output, act as a confirmation that the cap has been fitted correctly on the adapter. The invention also relates to a container, such as a FIBC having the adapter arranged on or in a wall thereof. In particular, the adapter is arranged in an upper area, such as the top, of the container. This aids in prevent damage to the FIBC. When the FIBC comprises a liner and a further wall providing mechanical strength, the adapter may be arranged in the liner only, or in the liner and in the further wall.

The invention also relates to a cap as described above. The cap may have any of the abovedescribed features, alone or in any suitable combination.

The invention also relates to a method of monitoring at least one gas property inside a container having a passage into the container, the method comprising:

- arranging a fdter in or over the passage;

- arranging at least one sensor on the outside of the fdter;

- closing the passage with respect to the exterior, on the outside of the at least one sensor;

- wirelessly transmitting sensor data.

According to the invention, the method may aid in spotting or preventing perishing of the contents of the container.

The invention will be further elucidated below, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

Figures 1A and IB depict an FIBC and a vacuum system;

Figure 2A depicts a first perspective view of an adapter;

Figure 2B depicts a second perspective view of the adapter depicted in Figure 2A;

Figure 3 depicts a perspective view of the adapter of figures 2A - 2B, but now with a filter;

Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of a cap;

Figure 5 depicts an intermediate element is arranged in the cap of figure 4; and

Figure 6 depicts an assembly of the adapter of figures 2A - 3 sealed with the cap of figures 4 - 5.

Figures 1A and IB show a container 100, in this example an FIBC, containing granular matter or particulars 200. The container comprises an adapter 1 fluidly connecting container 100 to a vacuum system 300 with tubing for the extraction of air from the interior of container 100. The container 100 is preferably double-sided comprising an interior liner and exterior wall of approximately equal dimensions, wherein at least the former is substantially airtight having adapter 1 connected thereto as described below.

Figure 1A depicts a state of the container 100 prior to, or at least before the completion of, the extraction of air therefrom. In contrast, Figure IB depicts a state of container 100 wherein the extraction of air has been completed or has nearly been completed, resulting in a volume of container 100 in this state being decreased relative to the state of container 100 depicted in Figure 1 A. Of course, after extracting air the contents of the container be brought under a controlled atmosphere, by letting a gas, such as nitrogen, into the container. Schematically, this would resemble the container in figure 2A.

In Figure 2A and 2B, an adapter 1 comprises a first side 2 and an opposing second side 3. The adapter 1 is configured to be arranged on a wall of container 100 of Figure 1 and aligned with an appropriately dimensioned opening in the wall of container 100. The adapter 1 may be arranged at an interior or exterior side of the container, or alternatively arranged within the opening in the wall of said container, so that said wall is arranged partially within a groove between first side 2 and second side 3. Second side 3 is configured to be oriented away from the interior of a container so that it may be connected to vacuum system 300.

In the depicted embodiment adapter 1 moreover comprises a circular shape and comprises on its first side 2, which is configured to be oriented towards the interior of the container 100, an inlet 4 for an intake of an airflow. On the opposite second side 3, adapter 1 comprises an outlet 5. Inlet 4 and outlet 5 are mutually fluidly connected to thereby define a passage extending between inlet 4 and outlet 5 to allow for an air flow to flow there through from inlet 4 to outlet 5.

Inlet 4 is over dimensioned relative to outlet 5, so that inlet 4 comprises a cross sectional area that is larger than a cross sectional area of outlet 5. The passage extending between inlet 4 and outlet 5 may therefore be at least partially defined by this size difference between inlet 4 and outlet 5.

In certain non-depicted embodiments of adapter 1, a cross sectional dimension of the passage may gradually decrease in a flow direction from inlet 4 to outlet 5, to thereby define a narrowing in the passage. However, in the illustrated embodiments the adapter 1 comprises a narrowing 6 that is stepped and narrows the passage relatively abruptly.

During an extraction of air from an interior of container 100 to which adapter 1 is applied, a total airflow passing into inlet 4 and through the passage comprising narrowing 6 and outlet 5 is constant. However, due to the presence of narrowing 6 a flow velocity of this airflow at inlet 4 is decreased relative to a flow velocity at outlet 5. This advantageously decreases the likelihood of granular particulars 200 being sucked into inlet 4, where they may clog the passage or even eventually pass into the tubing or vacuum system 300, which would inhibit the extraction of air from container 100.

The adapter 1 moreover comprises a filter support 7. Filter support 7 comprises a plurality of first filter support elements 7’ and second filter support elements 7”. In the depicted embodiment, first filter support elements 7’ are embodied as a plurality of radially arranged first ribs extending from an outer perimeter of inlet 4 towards a central section of the cross sectional area of inlet 4, at which central section the first filter support elements 7’ are interconnected by of a centrally arranged ring. The adapter 1 further comprises a filter 8, arranged on the filter support 7. The filter 8 itself is not shown in figures 2A - 2B for the sake of clarity of other parts. The filter 8 is shown in figure 3. Referring now to figure 3, the adapter 1 comprises the filter 8, which is gas permeable, arranged at inlet 4. The gas permeable filter 8 comprises a circular shape substantially corresponding to the cross sectional area of inlet 4. The gas permeable filter 8 comprises a plurality pores. The pores have a size of 70 - 90 pm. The filter 8 is fixed to the adapter 1 since it was comoulded therewith. As such, the adapter 1 encloses the filter 8 at least partly, thereby locking it in place. As can be seen the filter 8 is planar, disk-shaped. The filter 8 is 125,5 mm in diameter, and 3,2 mm in thickness. The filter 8 has been sintered before moulding from a mix of HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE-HDPE and PE-UHMW.

The plurality of filter support elements 7’ may collectively function as a support that prevents the gas permeable filter 8 being dislodged by the air flow, and possibly being sucked into inlet 4.

Still referring to Figure 2A, filter support 7 moreover comprises second filter support elements 7” that, in the depicted embodiment, are embodied as a plurality of radially arranged second ribs. Each one of second filter support elements 7” likewise extends from an outer perimeter of inlet 4, over a frontal surface of stepped narrowing 6, towards the centre of the cross sectional area of inlet 4. Second filter support elements 7” moreover comprise a length which is shorter than the lengths of first filter support elements 7’, so that said second filter support elements 7” do not overlap with a most constricted section of the passage defined by narrowing 6 as do first filter support elements 7’.

Second filter support elements 7” are configured to support gas permeable filter 8 to ensure an uninhibited airflow in conjunction with first filter support elements 7’. In particular, second filter support elements 7” prevent gas permeable filter 8 being displaced and compressed - whether or not with granular matter - against the stepped surface of narrowing 6, which would cancel out the here above described advantageous effects of narrowing 6.

It is emphasised here that the illustrated embodiments of first filter support elements 7’ and second filter support elements 7” are merely exemplary in nature; and that the skilled person may conceive alternative designs for these components while retaining their function. Second filter support elements 7” may alternatively comprise other protruding shapes. Nevertheless, embodiments wherein first and second filter support elements 7’, 7” are embodied as ribs are considered to be more advantageous, because such ribs may additionally function as reinforcement ribs contributing to the overall rigidity and durability of adapter 1.

With reference to Figure 2B, second side 3 of adapter moreover comprises a connector 17 for connecting container 100 to the vacuum system 300 of Figure 1 and/or for sealing off adapter 1 by means of a sealing cap 12 according to the present disclosure, which will be elucidated below with reference to Figure 4 - 6. Connector 17 comprises a flange extending around an outer perimeter of outlet 5 and outward relative to adapter 1 with a screw thread on its exterior surface for establishing the actual connection.

Moreover, arranged adjacent to connector 17 there is disposed a locking element

11, which is embodied as an eye and configured to receive a locking counter-element 13 of a sealing cap 12 configured to seal off adapter 1. Said sealing cap 12 and the operation of locking element 11 will be elucidated further with reference to Figures 4 and 6.

Figure 4 shows an exterior of exemplary embodiment of a sealing cap 12 in accordance with the present invention. Sealing cap 12 comprises a concave circular body with an internal screw thread for connecting sealing cap 12 to adapter 1 to thereby seal off adapter 1.

Sealing cap 12 moreover comprises, at its outer perimeter, a locking counterelement 13. Locking counter-element 13 comprises an elongate shape that extends from a connection point to sealing cap 12 along an outer perimeter of sealing cap 12 in a rotary direction for tightening sealing cap 12.

At an extremity of opposite the connection point with sealing cap 12, locking counter-element 13 comprises an enlarged section 14 that is over dimensioned relative to locking element 11 at second side 3 of adapter 1, so that locking element 11 retains locking counterelement 13 when sealing cap 12 is removed from the first side 2 of adapter 1.

Locking counter-element 13 moreover comprises a recess 15 configured to receive at least part of locking element 11. In the depicted embodiment, recess 15 is arranged adjacent to the connection point of locking counter-element 13 to sealing cap 12.

Figure 6 depicts a state of adapter 1 wherein sealing cap 12, by means of its internal screw thread, is screwed onto the screw thread of connector 17. As is illustrated in this figure, elongate locking counter-element 13 is received in locking element 11 and a section of locking element is received by recess 15 of elongate locking counter-element 13.

Elongate locking counter-element 13 may exhibit flexibility so that locking counter-element 13 may be pulled in an outward direction away from sealing cap 12 and adapter 1, thereby facilitating easy removal of sealing cap 12 by a user.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, connector 17 and the (not depicted) internal screw thread of sealing cap 12 are configured such that sealing cap 12 may be removed from connector 17 by twisting sealing cap 12 approximately 90 degrees in a loosening rotary direction of sealing cap 12. In this embodiment, elongate locking counter-element 13 comprises a length extending around approximately a quarter of the outer perimeter of sealing cap 12, so that said length essentially corresponds to the 90 degree twist required for the removal of sealing cap

12. The skilled person will acknowledge that sealing cap 12 may alternatively be configured such that it can be removed from connector 17 by twisting sealing cap 12 by approximately 180 degrees, wherein the length of elongate locking counter-element comprises a corresponding length extending around approximately half of the outer perimeter of sealing cap 12. Yet further twist angles for loosening of sealing cap 12 and corresponding lengths of elongate counter-locking element 13 are likewise conceivable.

Figure 5 illustrates an intermediate element 9 arrangeable between connector outlet 5 and sealing cap 12, i.e. in the cap, in the operating state depicted in Figure 6. In the depicted embodiment, intermediate element 9 comprises a sealing section 19 dimensioned to fit in or onto outlet 5 to thereby close off outlet 5. The intermediate element 9 can be arranged fixedly with respect to the cap.

To ensure an airtight seal between outlet 5 and intermediate element 9, intermediate element 9 comprises a sealing ring 10 extending along an outer perimeter of intermediate element 9. Sealing ring 10 is configured to ensure an airtight seal between outlet 5 and intermediate element 9 and may moreover comprise a rubber-like material for this purpose. As such, intermediate element 9 prevents air from entering into container 100 even when sealing cap 12 is disconnected from connector 17.

Intermediate element 9 moreover comprises two through holes 18 for determining a presence of a leakage of container 100 to which adapter 1 is applied.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, a through hole 18 may comprise a self-resealing septum or diaphragm (not depicted) for collecting an air sample. Such a self-resealing septum may be configured to be penetrated by a hollow needle or similar object to collect a sample of air or gas present within container 100 to which adapter 1 is applied. Due to its self-resealing properties, this self-resealing septum will reseal itself after subsequent removal of the needle to thereby fully close off the through hole 18 in which it is arranged.

The here above described self-resealing septum of adapter 1 enables an efficient and relatively easy method for collecting a sample for subsequent analysis. Because such a method only involves access to through hole 18, wherein intermediate element 9 may remain in place on or within outlet 5 of adapter 1, the vacuum present within container 100 may be maintained.

This collected sample may subsequently be tested for the presence of gaseous matter indicative of a leak of container 100 using one of various analysis apparatuses known in the art. Preferably, this analysis may involve determining the presence of moisture or humidity that entered into an interior of container 100 as a result of a leak of container 100. Alternatively, the sample may be analysed to determine the presence of various other gaseous chemicals normally present in ambient air and therefore indicative of a leak, or even further gaseous chemicals that have been purposefully released into a space in which container 100 is present and will seep into any leaking container.

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, the self- resealing septum comprises a polymer material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer. Such a septum may be punctured and resealed as described above multiple times over the course of its lifespan

In addition or alternatively to the here above described self-resealing septum, a sensor 52 is arranged on the intermediate element 9, on an end thereof corresponding to the closed end of the cap 12. The sensor is capable of sensing an oxygen concentration. The sensor 52 is an electrochemical oxygen sensor. Additional sensors for humidity or temperature may be employed. The sensor 52 is connected to a processor 53, which in turn is connected to a transmitter. The transmitter herein takes the form of a curved antenna 53, which is fed by power from the processor via a wire connection 57. The transmitter 53 can send wireless signals to a Lora gateway. The processor 53 is further connected to an LED 54, and controls the light emitted by the LED 54. The LED 54 emits light into a light guide (not shown) connected to an aperture 55 in the cap 12. As such, light from the LED 54 is visible from the outside of the cap 12. The intermediate element 9 also includes a button 56 on its outside. The button 56 may be activated by contact with the adapter 1 once the cap 12 with the intermediate element 9 therein is screwed onto the adapter 1. Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate element could have a further button 51 in its bottom, for manual activation of the processor 53. It would also be possible to place the button 51 at the locking element or locking counter element of the cap/adapter.

When the cap 12 is screwed onto the adapter, the intermediate element, and thus the sensor 52, is on the outside of the fdter 8. As such, it is not in contact with the contents of the container 100, but can still sense at least one gas property by virtue of the fact that the filter 8 is gas permeable.

Although the invention has been described hereabove with reference to a number of specific examples and embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. Instead, the invention also covers the subject matter defined by the claims, which now follow.

Claims

1. Assembly of:

- an adapter configured to be arranged on or in a wall of a container and configured to connect a vacuum system to said container, the adapter comprising

- a first side configured to be directed towards an interior of the container and comprising an inlet;

- a second side, opposite the first side, and configured to be directed outward relative to the interior of the container and comprising an outlet; and

- a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet; and

- a cap configured to connect to the adapter in order to seal the passage, wherein the assembly further comprises:

- a gas-permeable filter arranged in between the inlet and the outlet in order to filter gas flowing between the inlet and the outlet;

- at least one sensor capable of sensing at least one gas property; and

- a transmitter for transmitting a sensed value corresponding to the at least one gas property, wherein the sensor is arranged further towards the second side than the filter.

2. Assembly according to the previous claim, wherein the sensor is arranged in or on the cap.

3. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the filter is arranged in the adapter.

4. Assembly according to the previous claim, wherein the filter is fixedly arranged with respect to the adapter by co-moulding the filter with the adapter.

5. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the filter is substantially planar.

6. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, the filter being manufactured by sintering.

7. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, the fdter having a characteristic pore dimension of 70 - 90 pm.

8. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, the fdter being substantially disk-shaped, wherein optionally:

- the filter has a diameter of 110 - 140 mm, preferably between 120 and 130 mm, more preferably around 125 - 126 mm, most preferably approximately 125,5 mm; and/or

- the filter has a thickness of between 2 and 4 mm, preferably between 3 and 3,5 mm, more preferably between 3,1 and 3,3 mm, most preferably of approximately 3,2 mm.

9. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the filter comprises at least one of: HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE-HDPE, PE-UHMW or a combination thereof, wherein preferably the filter comprises a combination of HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE-HDPE, PE-UHMW.

10. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of: an electrochemical oxygen sensor, a relative humidity sensor, and a temperature sensor, wherein preferably the at least one sensor comprises: an electrochemical oxygen sensor, a relative humidity sensor, and a temperature sensor.

11. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a processor connected to the sensor for receiving the sensed value and to the transmitter to provide the sensed value, wherein optionally the processor is arranged in or on the cap.

12. Assembly according to the previous claim, wherein the processor is configured to:

- operate the sensor and the transmitter in predetermined intervals, wherein optionally the predetermined interval is programmable, such as selectable in firmware.

13. Assembly according claim 11 or 12, further comprising a contactless switch connected to the processor, the processor being configured to:

- operate the sensor and the transmitter upon receipt of a signal from the contactless switch, wherein optionally the contactless switch is arranged in or on the cap.

14. Assembly according to claim 13, wherein the contactless switch comprises a magnetic sensor or a magnetometer.

15. Assembly according to any one or more of claims 11 - 14, further comprising a memory connected to the processor, the memory being configured to store sensed values, wherein optionally the memory is arranged in or on the cap. 14

16. Assembly according to the previous claim, wherein the processor is configured to store a sensed value in the memory at least when transmitting the sensed value via the transmitter fails.

17. Assembly according to the previous claim, wherein the processor is configured to further transmit previously stored sensed values via the transmitter.

18. Assembly according to any one or more of claims 11 - 17, further comprising an audible and/or visible output, such as an LED, connected to the processor, wherein the processor is further configured to provide an output signal when at least one of the following occurs:

- the processor is switched on;

- a measurement is performed by the sensor; and

- a value is measured exceeding a predefined threshold value, wherein optionally the output is arranged in or on the cap.

19. Assembly according to the previous claim, having an LED as output arranged in the cap, further comprising a light guide extending from the LED to an exterior of the cap.

20. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, the transmitter being further configured to send a value identifying usable for identifying the assembly or the container.

21. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, the cap further comprising a septum made of an elastic material.

22. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, the adapter and the assembly comprising mutually cooperating locking elements for locking the cap with respect to the adapter, the assembly further comprising a button or knob arranged in or on the mutually cooperating locking elements of the adapter and/or of the cap, said button or knob being connected to the processor, the processor being further configured to operate the at least one sensor and the transmitter upon activation of the button or knob.

23. Assembly according to the previous claim, wherein the button or knob is arranged at or close to a closed end of the cap.

24. Assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising the container having the adapter arranged on or in a wall thereof. 15

25. Cap configured to be part of an assembly according to any one or more of the preceding claims.

26. Method of monitoring at least one gas property inside a container having a passage into the container, the method comprising: - arranging a filter in or over the passage;

- arranging at least one sensor on the outside of the filter;

- wirelessly transmitting sensor data.