CONTAINER SEALING SYSTEM

Abstract

A cap for a container (e.g., container fitment) includes a neck portion and a lip portion that extends laterally outward from the neck portion. A gasket is provided between the cap and a rim of a container fitment. The neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape, and an interior surface of a container port or fitment may be correspondingly tapered, to guide the cap into concentric alignment with the gasket and rim during insertion of the neck portion of the cap into the fitment. Such alignment promotes positive sealing engagement between the cap, gasket, and fitment. In one embodiment, the cap defines an externally accessible recess that optionally includes a handle, such as at least one segmenting wall, for grasping by a user to facilitate manipulation of the cap. The cap may be affixed to a fitment of a flexible liner.

Description

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/318,871 filed on Mar. 30, 2010, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers (including flexible bags and liners) for mixing of various solids, liquids, and gases and combinations thereof, and systems and methods for sealing such containers.

BACKGROUND

Various fields require use of containers for holding and processing substances. Mixing of components, such as different types of solids, liquids and/or gases, has numerous applications in different industries. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, different types of drugs are mixed together. In the medical field, body fluids (such as blood) and/or drug components may be mixed. In the semiconductor field, wet solutions are combined with abrasives to make slurries and other processing fluids. The food industry also incorporates mixing operations into a number of applications, including mixing of water with dehydrated food for rehydration thereof.

Traditionally, mixing devices for industrial use have utilized glass tanks for processing small volumes of components, and a stainless steel tanks for larger volumes. Screws or impellers may be used to agitate and maintain powders within suspension, and to homogenize multiphase solutions. Prior to use, traditional mixing tanks must be washed and sterilized—such as employing an autoclave to wash and sterilize a small volume tank, or a water- and steam-based operation to wash and sterilize a larger volume tank. These wash, sterilize, and process operations, which are essential to the specified technologies, are typically time-consuming and expensive, and require highly qualified individuals for their performance. Further, periodic maintenance of mixing devices associated with the various technologies must be performed to ensure proper operation. In certain cases, washing/sterilizing operations as well as the maintenance of these mixing devices may represent more than a third of the total cost of operating and maintaining such mixing devices, which may be prohibitively expensive for given applications.

More recently, disposable containers (such as processing bags) have been developed to enable processing of substances without need for washing and sterilizing steps. For example, in biological processing, there is an ever-increasing need for disposable products, such as storage bags, which can range in size from ten to more than 3,000 liters. Current uses include storage of products or components awaiting further processing steps such as purification. Often, however, stored products or components (e.g., emulsions and suspensions) may undesirably separate into phases or components.

Various methods have been developed to maintain contents of disposable containers (e.g., processing bags) in mixed condition. For small volumes and/or low viscosity fluids, a magnetic stir bar or magnetically actuated stirring element may be used. For larger volumes and/or higher viscosity fluids, a mixing element may be operatively coupled with a mechanical driver and arranged to travel within an interior of the container.

Examples of disposable fluid processing containers and portions thereof are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0323466 entitled “SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR MIXING SUBSTANCES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME” (and commonly assigned to the same assignee as the present application), and still further examples are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D.

Referring to FIG. 1, a fluid processing (e.g., mixing) container 10 that is cylindrical in shape may include a side wall 10, a bottom wall 12, and a top wall 14. Such walls may be formed of flexible polymeric film material. A sleeve 20 may be fabricated from two flexible sheets 16A, 16B of polymeric film materials, and sealed along edges thereof (e.g., by ultrasonic welding along edges including a bottom edge 17) around a mixing paddle 25 and associated shaft 24, with an interior 18 of the sleeve 20 being isolated from the interior volume of the container 10 by the sealed sheets 16A, 16B. The two sheets 16A, 16B are affixed to the top wall 14 of the mixing container 10 proximate to a coupling guide 15. The coupling guide 15, which is typically more rigid than the mixing container 10, enables coupling of the shaft 24 to a mechanism (not shown) external to the container 10 for causing the shaft 24 and paddle 25 to move within the interior volume of the container 10. Preferably, the shaft 24 is moved within the container 10 in a closed path parallel to the bottom wall 12, but without continuous rotation of the shaft 24 about its own axis, in order to prevent twisting and potential failure of the sleeve 20. Further disposed along the top wall 14 of the container 10 is a fitment 30 with an associated removable cover 45, and a secondary port 8, such as may be useful for material addition, extraction, or testing. The fitment 30 is typically more rigid than the walls 10, 12, 14 of the disposable (e.g., flexible) container, to provide suitable sealing capability.

Another disposable processing container is shown in FIG. 2A. The rectangular shaped container 50 includes side walls 51, a bottom wall 52, and a top wall 54. A coupling guide 55 affixed to the top wall 54 provides an external interface for a mixing element within the container 10. Ports 48, 49 are disposed along the top wall 54 and a side wall 51, respectively. A fitment 80 is arranged along the top wall 54, with a gasket 90 disposed along a top surface of the fitment 80 to promote sealing with a removable cover (i.e., cover 95 as illustrated in FIG. 2C). The cover 95 is used to container material within the container 50 and prevent ingress of unwanted particulates. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the fitment 80 and gasket 90. The fitment 80 includes a laterally-extending flange portion 81, a cylindrical section 84, and a rim 82 defining a depression or groove 83 for receiving a downwardly protruding portion 91 along a lower surface of the gasket 90. The gasket 90 also includes an upwardly protruding portion 92 for mating with a corresponding depression or groove 96 defined in a lower surface of the cover 95, as shown in FIG. 2C. To maintain compressive engagement between the cover 95, the gasket 90, and the fitment 80, a closure retention element (e.g., clamping assembly) 99 is typically fitted around the cover 95, gasket 90, and fitment 80.

Other conventional systems utilized to seal the openings in containers include snap-fitted caps (optionally in combination with gaskets), and screw caps (optionally including flexible seals).

Conventional sealing approaches are limited in their capability to promote ease of handling in combination with reliable sealing. Inadequate sealing of container openings can result from caps that are misaligned, screw caps with threads that become stripped or misconnected, and misalignment of caps with clamps and/or gaskets to containers. Such problems are exacerbated with flexible containers (e.g., bags or liners) that provide little or no support to counteract the forces incident to application of a cap to a container or clamping of the cap a container or fitment thereof.

A fitment is typically located at the top of a flexible container, and such container may be partially filled with material, thus leaving the fitment and mating parts unsupported and not horizontally level (since a partially filled non-rigid liner or bag will conform to an underlying surface). With a conventional sealing apparatus, a user may need to support a fitment with one hand while attempting to apply the sealing apparatus with one other hand. A user may need to align a gasket and cover while attaching and tightening a clamp. Another factor than can influence alignment of the parts and integrity of a resulting seal is differing dimensional tolerances of the part feature and related manufacturing variations. Although a flexible gasket will adopt subtle deformations, protrusions of the gasket may not always properly align to corresponding depressions or grooves in the fitment and cover, such that the gasket may be forced into an improper position whereby the desired seal is not created. Referring to FIG. 2D, misalignment between a gasket 90A and a fitment 80A can lead to formation of a gap G that inhibits establishment of a proper seal. Such alignment mismatch, together with the inherent difficulty of supporting and manipulating multiple parts to accomplish the desired seal, can cause significant user frustration. The sealing process is even more burdensome in a cleanroom environment, since it is common practice for users in such environment to wear multiple layers of elastic gloves. Additionally, since the cap and/or the fitment may be formed of rigid polymers having a different rigidity than the soft (e.g., elastomeric) gasket, it may not always be apparent when the gasket is misaligned.

In many of the aforementioned applications, liquid-based compositions and process liquids may be exceedingly expensive or difficult to produce, and loss or contamination of fluid may require shutdown of a manufacturing process or manufacturing delays. There is a corresponding need in the art to provide containers adapted to retain a fluid-containing substance with caps or enclosure mechanisms that minimize contamination and loss of substances subject to storage in containers, including disposable containers such as bags and liners.

In particular, there is a need in the art to resolve cap and gasket misalignment when securing a cap to the opening or to a fitment of a container. Additionally, there is a need in the art for a sealing system that is easy to apply and remove, especially with a focus on non-rigid liners and bags where it is often difficult to apply a clamp (e.g., optionally including a tightening toggle) around a cap and fitment due to the lack of support conferred by a liner.

Moreover, a conventional flat cap arranged to close one end of a container fitment leaves a void or empty space within the interior of the fitment. When the container is filled with liquid contents up to the base of the fitment, the remaining void or empty space within the fitment provides a stagnant or dead volume proximate to the liquid contents. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates a container 750 having a side wall 751, bottom wall 752, and top wall 754 including a fitment 760 with a fitment wall 784 and a rim 782. A flat cap 795 and a gasket 790 are arranged over the rim 782. The container 750 contains liquid 758 therein. A void 761 is provided within the interior of the fitment 760 below the cap 795. It would be desirable to minimize such stagnant or dead volumes in many contexts, so as to minimize pockets of trapped gas and to eliminate sloshing zones susceptible to receiving splashes of liquid as the liquid contents undergo processing operations and/or the container is transported.

In consequence, the art continues to seek improvements in the sealing apparatuses for container openings to avoid contamination and leakage. It would also be a significant advance in the art, in applications in which high purity fluid-containing substances are consumed, to promote reliable and easy-to-use sealing mechanisms

SUMMARY

The present invention relates in various aspects to caps for securing one or more openings in a container adapted to retain a fluid-containing substance, and containers and sealing apparatuses incorporating same.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a cap adapted to secure a gasket along an opening in a container (e.g., a container fitment), wherein at least part of a neck portion of the cap is of a conical or frustoconical shape to guide the cap into the opening, and the cap includes a gasket engaging member that cooperates with a corresponding engagement member of a gasket for secure placement of the gasket between the cap and the container opening.

In another aspect, the invention relates to container comprising: a flexible material bounding an interior volume; a fitment affixed to the flexible material and defining a passage bounded by a fitment wall extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening, the fitment comprising a rim adjacent to the proximal opening; a cap arranged for insertion into the tapered portion of the fitment wall, the cap comprising a neck portion and a lip portion that extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion, wherein at least part of the neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape; and a gasket arranged for placement between the lip portion and the rim.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a container sealing apparatus arranged for sealing a container fitment including a proximal opening and a rim adjacent to the proximal opening, the container sealing apparatus comprising: a cap including a neck portion and a lip portion, wherein the neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape and is adapted for insertion into the proximal opening of the container fitment, wherein the lip portion extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion; a gasket arranged for placement between the lip portion and the rim; and a closure retention element arranged to contact the lip portion of the cap and the rim of the container fitment with the gasket sealingly engaged therebetween.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a container sealing apparatus comprising: a cap including a neck portion, a lip portion, and at least one gasket securing feature, wherein the neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape and is adapted for positioning within a threadless opening of a container, wherein the lip portion extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion and is adapted to inhibit the cap from traversing the opening of the container, and a gasket arranged for securement by the at least one gasket securing feature to seal the opening of said container.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for delivery of a fluid-containing substance, the apparatus comprising: a flexible liner disposed within an overpack container defining an interstitial space between the liner and overpack container; and a fitment affixed to the liner, wherein the fitment defines a passage bounded by a wall extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening, wherein the fitment further comprises a rim adjacent to the proximal opening, and wherein said wall is tapered inward in a direction from the proximal opening toward the distal opening.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a container comprising: a fitment secured to a liner and arranged to receive a cap, wherein the fitment defines a passage bounded by an internally threadless fitment wall extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening, the fitment further comprising a rim adjacent to the proximal opening, wherein at least a portion of the fitment wall is tapered inward near the proximal opening; a cap adapted to be guided by the tapered wall of the fitment for positioning the cap to be received by the fitment, wherein the cap comprises a threadless neck portion and a lip portion that extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion, wherein at least part of the neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape; and a gasket arranged for placement in between the lip portion and the rim.

In a still further aspect, any features of the foregoing aspects may be combined for additional advantage.

Other aspects, features and embodiments of the invention will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention may be best understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings, which illustrate such embodiments. In general within the drawings, like numbers are intended to refer to like elements or structures. Reference numbers are the same for those elements that are the same across different Figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical fluid processing container including a top-mounted coupling guide for a mixing paddle arranged in a sealed sleeve, and including a top-mounted fitment with a removable cover.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a rectangular fluid processing container including a top-mounted coupling guide for a mixing element, and including a top-mounted fitment with a gasket.

FIG. 2B is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of the fitment and gasket of the fluid processing container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the fitment and gasket of FIG. 2B, with the gasket sandwiched between the fitment and a cover, and with a clamping assembly fitted around the fitment, gasket, and cover.

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional elevation view of a fitment and gasket, with the gasket not properly seated against a rim portion of the fitment.

FIG. 3A is a perspective assembly view of a sealing assembly including a fitment, a gasket, and a cap according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of the sealing assembly of FIG. 3A with the gasket sandwiched between the cap and the fitment, and with illustration of a user's fingers arranged to grasp a portion of the cap.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cap illustrated in the assembly of FIGS. 3A-3B.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cap of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cap of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cap of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective assembly view of a cap, gasket, and fitment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a side cross-sectional assembly view of a cap, gasket, and fitment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a rectangular fluid processing container including a top-mounted fitment with a gasket and a conventional cap.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a rectangular fluid processing container including a top-mounted fitment with a gasket and a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosures of the following patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties: U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,494 entitled “FLEXIBLE MIXING BAG FOR MIXING SOLIDS, LIQUIDS, AND GASES;” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0015696 entitled “DISPOSABLE BIOREACTOR;” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0323466 entitled “SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR MIXING SUBSTANCES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME;” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0004608 entitled “LIQUID HANDLING SYSTEM WITH ELECTRONIC INFORMATION STORAGE;” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/294,928 entitled “SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID COLLAPSIBLE LINER AND GUSSETED OR NON-GUSSETED WELD LINER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME.”

The present invention relates in various aspects to caps, sealing mechanisms and containers adapted to retain liquids and liquid-containing substance, and systems incorporating same. Tapered (e.g., frustoconical) shapes may be utilized for fitment and/or cap portions to guide insertion of a cap into a fitment, in order to prevent misalignment of gasket alignment or sealing features.

Various embodiments of the present invention involve use of disposable and collapsible containers for retaining fluids and fluid-containing substances within an internal volume, such as a flexible fluid processing bag or liner.

A collapsible container may comprise a flexible or semi-flexible liner or bag, such as a thin film material. A collapsible container may be formed by techniques such as blow-molding or peripheral attachment of thin films. The term “collapsible” refers to a material that may be folded or compressed into a more compact shape. The term “flexible” refers to a material that is sufficiently supple or pliable to be repeatedly bent or flexed without breaking. A collapsible or flexible material may be elastic in character, with the term “elastic” referring to the property of a material where upon removal of an extending force, the material is capable of substantially recovering its original size and shape and/or exhibits a significant retractive force. A rigid or semi-rigid overpack or housing arranged to contain a collapsible liner may for example be formed of a high-density polyethylene or other polymer or metal, and the liner may be provided as a pre-cleaned, sterile collapsible bag of a single layer or multi-layer laminated film materials, including polymeric materials such as polyolefins, fluorinated polymers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), low-density polyethylene, PTFE-based multilaminates, polyamide, polyester, polyurethane, or the like, selected to be inert to the contained liquid or liquid-based material to be contained in the liner. While polymeric films are preferred materials for certain embodiments, exemplary materials of construction of a liner further include: metallized films, foils, polymers/copolymers, laminates, extrusions, co-extrusions, and blown and cast films. A liner or bag may comprise multiple materials that are laminated along faces thereof or joined along edges thereof, by conventional techniques such as thermal bonding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, and the like. Rigid collapsible liners, and gusseted or non-gusseted weld liners, such as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/294,928 filed on Jan. 14, 2010 (which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein), which have recently been developed and are known to Applicant, may also be used.

In certain embodiments, a fluid processing bag or liner may be constructed and arranged to cooperate with a support frame, wherein one or more hooks are utilized to support the liner. A bag or liner may be supported by a support frame with one or more hooks or support members (gussets, rings, and the like) being provided to secure the bag or liner.

Collapsible containers such as fluid processing bags and liner may also clear or substantially optically transparent to permit viewing of contents therein. In addition, both containers and liners may be adapted to accommodate sterilization procedures to eliminate or neutralize contaminants.

In certain embodiments, a sealable volume between a fluid processing bag or liner, and a housing or overpack, may be pressurized to discharge the contents of the processing bag or liner to a desired point of use. Such point of use may include a process tool and/or any of various flow directing elements.

A collapsible container such as a fluid processing bag or liner according to one embodiment may define a compressible volume therein and is preferably adapted for selective material discharge therefrom. Such volume may be bounded or defined by at least one of a bag, a bladder, a bellows, a collapsible liner, a flexible container wall, and a movable container wall to permit compression or full collapse of the compressible volume. A container may include a collapsible liner or other substantially non-rigid element defining the compressible volume and disposed within a housing or overpack that may be generally rigid, or at least substantially more rigid than the liner.

In one embodiment, a liner may be semi-rigid and collapsible in character, but at least partially self-supporting.

In one embodiment, a liner may be arranged for use with a mixing element, such as a mixing paddle, agitator, impeller, magnetic stirbar, or the like. In one embodiment, a liner may include a sealed sleeve arranged to receive a mixing paddle arranged to travel within the interior volume of the liner to mix the contents therein, with the sleeve serving as a barrier between the mixing paddle and the contents of the interior volume of the liner.

Embodiments as disclosed can be utilized in various applications, for storage and transport of any liquids, fluid-containing substances, chemicals, or compositions within a container (e.g., a collapsible container such as a processing bag or liner).

In one embodiment, a cap for a container includes a neck portion, of which at least a part is conical or frustoconical in shape to help align the cap during insertion into an opening of a container to seal the opening. The term “container” in this context includes a processing bag or a liner. In one embodiment, a fitment (or other container access port) includes an inner wall of which at least a portion is tapered inward, from a larger dimension near a proximal opening (i.e., arranged closer to an outer edge of a fitment) to a smaller dimension near a distal opening (i.e., arranged farther from an outer edge of a fitment, and closer to the interior of a liner or container to which the fitment is mounted) to guide the cap during insertion of the neck portion thereof into the fitment or other container access port. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the inner wall of the fitment near the proximal opening is tapered inward at a similar or substantially equal angle as that of the conical or frustoconical shaped neck portion of a cap adapted to be received by the fitment. The cap may include a lip portion that extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion, and have an associated gasket arranged for compression against the lip portion (and against a rim of the fitment) when the cap is received by the fitment. At least a portion of the lip of the cap is greater in width (e.g., diameter), than a proximal opening of the fitment opening defined by the inner edge of the rim of the container or fitment.

A cap as described herein is preferably more rigid than an associated gasket. A cap may be manufactured from polymeric, fiber-reinforced, and/or composite materials by conventional techniques such as molding.

In one embodiment, a cap having a lip is arranged to secure a gasket between the lip and a rim of the fitment, wherein at least one of the lip and the rim includes at least one engaging member (or securing feature) for securing the gasket. The conical or frustoconical form of at least part of the neck of the cap helps to align a gasket during insertion of the cap into a fitment or other container port. The conical or frustoconical neck portion of the cap also helps continue this alignment while the user is securing the cap to the fitment or container port. With the neck of the cap closely matching a tapered shape of the inner wall of the fitment, the cap, gasket and fitment are prevented from moving out of a concentric alignment when being secured together. This permits a user to support a fitment with one hand, and utilize the other hand to depress the cap against the gasket and into the fitment, while concentric alignment between the fitment, gasket, and cap are maintained.

In one embodiment, the gasket does not extend beyond the outer diameter of the lip of the cap or beyond the outer diameter of the rim of the fitment or container when the gasket is sandwiched between the lip and the rim. In one embodiment, the gasket does not extend inside an inner diameter of the lip of the cap into the space occupied by the neck of the cap, or inside an inner diameter of the rim of the fitment (or container port) into the proximal opening of the fitment or port.

In certain embodiments, a cap defines a recess arranged to facilitate manipulation of the cap by a user, and the recess is externally accessible when the cap is mated with the container (i.e., at a fitment or container port). The recess may extend from a top surface of the cap, and into the neck portion thereof, with the container neck material maintaining a barrier between the recess and contents of the container when the cap is inserted into a container fitment. Such a recess permits one or more fingers of a user to be inserted into the recess for securement or removal of the cap. Such a recess may additionally or alternatively afford room for one or more walls or handles to be added to provide a gripping surface. One or more segmenting walls or handles may be used as a means for easily managing a cap when inserting or removing same from a container or fitment assembly. In one embodiment, a portion of a handle or segmenting wall may extend upward from the cap opposite the neck. One or more segmenting walls may be arranged to divide the recess into a plurality of segments. Such segmenting wall(s) may extend inward from lateral walls of the cap bounding the recess, and/or may extend upward from a bottom wall of the recess. In one embodiment, one or more segmenting walls may separate the recess into two, three, four, or more recess segments each arranged to receive at least one finger or a user. In one embodiment, a recess defined in a cap may be devoid of any handle or segmenting wall, to allow a user to insert one or more fingers into the recess for manipulation of a cap by contact with the bottom and/or side walls of the recess.

In one embodiment, a container cap includes a neck portion that is conical or frustoconical in shape, a lip portion of the cap and a rim of the fitment are devoid of gasket retaining features, and an annular gasket having flat top and bottom surfaces is disposed between the lip and the rim. The neck portion of the cap is inserted through an aperture defined by the gasket and into a proximal opening of the fitment. The outer diameter of the upper end of the neck portion (i.e., below the lip portion) is preferably close in dimension to the inner diameter of the proximal opening of the fitment, to promote axial alignment between the cap, the gasket, and the fitment as the neck portion of the cap is inserted into the fitment.

In one embodiment, the height of the cap from a distal end to the bottom of the lip is similar to the height of a fitment, and is preferably substantially equal to the combined height of the fitment and associated gasket, so that upon insertion of the neck portion cap into the fitment, the inserted portion of the cap occupies the majority of the internal volume of the fitment. In various embodiments, the portion of the internal volume of the fitment that is occupied by the portion of the cap inserted into the fitment is at least about 50%, more preferably at least about 65%, more preferably at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 90%, and more preferably at least about 95%.

In one embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 3A-3B and FIG. 4, a cap 113 is adapted to close an opening in a container, such as the opening defined by the fitment 106. The cap 113 includes a neck portion 114 and a lip portion 117, with the lip portion 117 extending laterally outward relative to the neck portion 114. At least part of the neck portion 114 is conical or frustoconical in shape, and tapered inward in a direction toward a bottom (or lower) edge 118 thereof. The neck portion 114 of the cap 113 is arranged for insertion into a fitment 106 (or container port), through a proximal opening thereof. The conical or frustoconical shaped neck portion 114 is guided into the opening of a fitment 106 or container port to ensure that the cap 113 to promote alignment between the cap 113 and the opening, and with a gasket 121 arrangeable between the cap 113 and a rim 108 of the fitment 106 (or container port). A recess 116 is defined in a top surface of the cap 113 and extends into the neck portion 114. At least a portion of a handle or segmenting wall 115 is arranged within the recess 116. The segmenting wall 115 serves to separate the recess into multiple segments to permit a user to insert fingers and pinch the segmenting wall 115 therewith for manipulation of the cap 113, such as to permit insertion or removal of the cap 113 relative to a container.

FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the exploded assembly shown in FIG. 3A, with illustration of fingers of a user to manually grasp the segmenting wall or handle 115, of which a substantial portion is present within the recess 116. As illustrated, the lip 117 of the cap 113 defines a depression 120 that serves as an engaging member (i.e., a lip engaging member) to receive at least a portion of a corresponding protrusion of a gasket 121. The rim 108 of the container or fitment 106 includes a depression 119 that serves as an engaging member (i.e., a rim engaging member) to receive at least a portion of another corresponding protrusion of the gasket 121. The conical or frustoconical shaped neck 114 of the cap 113 is in substantial alignment with the interior tapered wall 122 of the fitment 106, wherein the interior wall 122 guides the neck portion 114 of the cap 113 when inserted into the fitment 106 to ensure proper alignment of the gasket 121 and cap 113. Presence of engaging members in the lip and rim to secure the gasket promotes positive sealing between the gasket, rim, and lip. In a preferred embodiment, the use of clamps or other mechanical structure to retain the cap, gasket, and fitment in engaged position is not necessary. Preferably, neither the neck portion 114 of the cap 113 nor the interior wall 122 of the fitment are threaded. As illustrated, both the neck portion 114 of the cap 113 and the interior wall 122 of the fitment 106 are aligned and threadless, to promote smooth insertion. Exterior portions of any of the lip 117 and the fitment 106 may optionally be provided with threads for mating with a crown-type fitting and/or dispense connector. The cap 113, gasket 121, and fitment 106 may optionally be further secured with a clamp or other mechanical retaining structure.

Although the assembly shown in FIG. 3B includes a gasket 121 having protrusions arranged for mating with corresponding recesses 119, 120 defined in the rim 108 and lip 117, respectively, it is to be understood that the gasket 121 may additionally or alternatively include one or more recesses (not shown) arranged for mating with corresponding protrusions (not shown) of the rim 108 and lip 117, respectively. Combinations of corresponding protrusions and recesses as mentioned herein represent examples of engaging members or gasket securing features, as may cooperate with one another to secure a gasket in position between a rim and lip to promote positive sealing.

Various caps are described hereinafter. It is to be understood that such caps may be utilized in conjunction with a gasket and a fitment (or other container opening) similar to those illustrated and described in connection with FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cap 213 according to another embodiment, wherein a handle consists of three segmenting walls 215 that meet in the middle of the recess 216 to defined three segments of the recess 216 that permit a user to grasp the walls 215 with multiple fingers. The cap 213 further includes a laterally protruding lip 213 along an upper portion of the cap 213, which may define a depression (not shown) along a lower edge thereof for securing gasket (not shown). In one embodiment, the cap 213 or portions thereof may also be made of flexible material.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a cap 313 according to another embodiment. The cap 313 includes a conical or frustoconical threadless neck portion 314 adapted for guiding insertion of the cap into a fitment or other opening of a container. Preferably, the neck portion 314 is tapered with a similar or substantially the same angle as at least a portion of an inner wall surface of a fitment. As shown in FIG. 6A, the conical or frustoconical shaped neck portion 314 of the cap 313 tapers inward in a direction toward a bottom edge 318 of the cap 313, wherein the opposite (upper) end of the cap 313 forms a laterally extending lip 317. The upper end of the cap 313 further defines a recess 316 in the cap 313. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the cap 313 showing the recess 316, lip 317, and a depression or engagement member 320 defined on the underside of the lip 317 to accommodate a corresponding protrusion of a gasket to securely hold the gasket in place. The neck 314 of the cap 313 is easily inserted into the external or proximate opening of a fitment and guided into concentric alignment with the fitment via the conical or frustoconical neck portion 314 and/or a tapered inner wall portion of a fitment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a cap 413 according to another embodiment. The cap 413 has a laterally extending lip 417 and a frustoconical threadless neck portion 414 adapted for guiding insertion of the cap into a fitment or other opening of a container. The cap 413 further includes a bottom surface 418. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the cap 413 showing a depression or engagement member 420 defined on the underside of the lip 417 to accommodate a corresponding protrusion of a gasket to securely hold the gasket in place. The neck 414 of the cap 413 is easily inserted into the external or proximate opening of a fitment and guided into concentric alignment with the fitment via the conical or frustoconical neck portion 414 and/or a tapered inner wall portion of a fitment. As compared with the preceding embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the primary distinction of the cap 413 is the lack of a recess (such as the recess 316 shown in FIGS. 6A-6B).

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a cap 513 according to another embodiment. The cap 513 includes a conical or frustoconical threadless neck portion 514 adapted for guiding insertion of the cap into a fitment or other opening of a container. Preferably, the neck portion 514 is tapered with a similar or substantially the same angle as at least a portion of an inner wall surface of a fitment. As shown in FIG. 8A, the conical or frustoconical shaped neck portion 514 of the cap 513 tapers inward in a direction toward a bottom edge 518 of the cap 513, wherein the opposite (upper) end of the cap 513 forms a laterally extending lip 517. The upper end of the cap 513 further defines a recess 516 in the cap 513. A handle 515 extends upward from a floor of the recess 516 and terminates at a widened portion 515A at the upper terminus thereof to facilitate grasping by a user without slipping. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the cap 513 showing the recess 516, handle 515, lip 517, and a depression or engagement member 520 defined on the underside of the lip 517 to accommodate a corresponding protrusion of a gasket to securely hold the gasket in place. The neck 514 of the cap 513 is easily inserted into the external or proximate opening of a fitment and guided into concentric alignment with the fitment via the conical or frustoconical neck portion 514 and/or a tapered inner wall portion of a fitment.

Although various assemblies shown herein depict gaskets having protrusions arranged for mating with corresponding recesses defined in a rim of a fitment and a lip of a cap, respectively, it is to be understood that such a gasket may additionally or alternatively include one or more recesses (not shown) arranged for mating with corresponding protrusions (not shown) of the rim and lip, respectively. Multiple protrusions and/or depressions may be provided on a single surface if desired. Combinations of corresponding protrusions and recesses as mentioned herein represent examples of engaging members or gasket securing features, as may cooperate with one another to secure a gasket in position between a rim and lip to promote positive sealing.

In further embodiments, gaskets with flat upper and/or lower surfaces may be utilized, without presence of any gasket retaining features associated with a cap and/or fitment.

FIG. 9A illustrates a cap 613, a gasket 690, and a fitment 680 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cap 613 includes a tapered neck portion 614 and a laterally extending lip 617. The fitment 680 includes a laterally-extending flange portion 681, a cylindrical section 684, and a rim 682 adjacent to a proximal opening of the flange 680 and protruding laterally outward relative to the cylindrical section 684. The lip portion 617 of the cap 613 and the rim 682 of the fitment 680 are devoid of gasket retaining features, and the gasket 682 includes flat upper and lower surfaces. The neck portion 614 of the cap 613 may be inserted through an aperture 694 defined by the gasket 690 and into a proximal opening of the fitment 680. The outer diameter of the upper end of the neck portion 614 (i.e., below the lip portion 617) is preferably close in dimension to the inner diameter of the proximal opening of the fitment 680, to promote axial alignment between the cap 613, the gasket 690, and the fitment 6880 as the neck portion 614 of the cap 613 is inserted into the fitment 680. In one embodiment, a closure retention element (such as the clamping apparatus 99 illustrated in FIG. 2C) may be arranged to contact the lip portion 617 of the cap 613 and the rim 682 of the fitment 680 with the gasket 690 sealing engaged between the lip portion 617 and the rim 682.

FIG. 9B illustrates a cap 613′, a gasket 690′, and a fitment 680′ according to one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9A except for presence of a compound neck having a tapered frustoconical portion 614A′ in conjunction with a cylindrical portion 614B′. It is to be understood that the neck portion of a cap may include various tapered and/or cylindrical segments thereof, optionally augmented by protruding surface features (not shown), which may be continuous or discontinuous in nature. Referring to FIG. 9B, the cap 613′ includes a lip portion 617′ that extends laterally outward relative to the neck portions 614A′, 614B′. The cap 613′ terminates at a lower end 618′. The fitment 680′ includes a laterally-extending flange portion 681′, a cylindrical section 684′, and a rim 682′ adjacent to a proximal opening of the flange 680′ and protruding laterally outward relative to the cylindrical section 684′. A flat annular gasket 690′ defining an aperture 694′ may be placed between the rim 682′ and the lip 617′ of the cap 617′.

Various dimensional arrows are provided in FIG. 9B for illustrative purposes. Referring to the cap 613′, the outer diameter of the upper portion of the neck portion 614A′ (immediately below the lip portion 617′) is labeled as OD_C1. The outer diameter of the distal end of the cap 613′ is labeled as OD_C2 Since at least a portion 614A′ of the cap 613 is tapered, OD_C1>OD_C2 The inner diameter of the proximal opening of the fitment 680′ is labeled as ID_F1, and the inner diameter of the distal opening of the fitment 680′ is labeled as ID_F2 In preferred embodiments, ID_F1 preferably substantially equal to or just slightly larger than (e.g., ≧90% or ≧95% of) OD_C1. In certain embodiments, the neck portion 684′ has a constant inner diameter from the proximal opening to the distal opening, such that ID_F1=ID_F2. In other embodiments, the fitment is tapered inward in a direction from the proximal opening toward the distal opening, such that ID_F1>ID_F2. In such an instance, OD_C1 is preferably slightly smaller than or substantially equal to ID_F1, and OD_C2 is preferably slightly smaller than or substantially equal to (e.g., ≦90% or ≦95% of) ID_F2. The height of the neck portion of the cap 613′ (from the lower edge of the lip 617′ to the distal end 618′) is labeled as H_C. The height of the fitment 680′ is labeled as H_F, and the combined height of the fitment 680′ and the gasket 690′ is labeled as H_F+G. In preferred embodiments, H_C is slightly smaller than (e.g., within 80% of) H_F, and H_C is substantially equal to (e.g., within at least 90% of, more preferably at least 95% of, more preferably 100% of) H_F+G. When HC is substantially equal to HF+G, the neck portion may fill substantially the entire interior volume of the fitment 680′, and thereby dramatically reduce or eliminate the presence of a stagnant or dead volume within the fitment 680′ when joined to a container.

FIG. 11 illustrates a container 850 having a side wall 851, bottom wall 852, and top wall 854 including a fitment 860 with a fitment wall 884 and a rim 882. A gasket 890 is arranged over the rim 882, with a cap 813 including a lip portion 817 and a tapered (e.g., frustoconical) neck portion 814 inserted through an aperture in the gasket 890 into the interior of the cylindrical portion 884 of the fitment 860. The container 850 contains liquid 858 therein. Preferably, the distal end 818 of the cap 813 is substantially flush with a flange portion or base of the fitment 860. The distal end 818 of the cap 813 may be flat in character, or may be formed in any desirable shape. With the neck portion 814 of the cap 813 inserted into the fitment 860, the neck portion occupies the vast majority of the volume within the fitment 860, such that the remaining void 861 is very small in comparison to use of a flat cap (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 10). Reduction of such void minimized potential for pockets of trapped gas and exposed volume that may be susceptible to receiving splashes of liquid upon processing of liquid 858 within the container 850 and/or transport of the container 850.

While the invention has been has been described herein in reference to specific aspects, features and illustrative embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that the utility of the invention is not thus limited, but rather extends to and encompasses numerous other variations, modifications and alternative embodiments, as will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the field of the present invention, based on the disclosure herein. Any of various elements or features recited herein is contemplated for use with other features or elements disclosed herein, unless specified to the contrary. Correspondingly, the invention as hereinafter claimed is intended to be broadly construed and interpreted, as including all such variations, modifications and alternative embodiments, within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1-32. (canceled)

33. A container sealing apparatus comprising:

a cap including a neck portion, a lip portion, and at least one gasket securing feature, wherein the neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape and is adapted for positioning within a threadless opening of a container, wherein the lip portion extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion and is adapted to inhibit the cap from traversing the opening of the container, and

a gasket arranged for securement by the at least one gasket securing feature to seal the threadless opening of said container.

34. The container sealing apparatus of claim 33, wherein the at least one gasket securing feature comprises a depression adapted to receive at least a portion of a corresponding protrusion of the gasket.

35. The container sealing apparatus of claim 33, wherein the at least one gasket securing feature comprises a protrusion arranged for insertion into a corresponding depression of the gasket.

36. The container sealing apparatus of claim 33, wherein the cap comprises a handle adapted for manual grasping by a user.

37. The container sealing apparatus of claim 36, wherein at least a portion of the handle is disposed within a recess that is externally accessible when the cap is mated with the container, and wherein a portion of the handle protrudes upward from the recess and extends above an upper boundary of the lip portion.

38. The container sealing apparatus of claim 33, wherein the cap defines a recess arranged to facilitate manipulation of the cap by a user, and the recess is externally accessible when the cap is mated with the container.

39. The container sealing apparatus of claim 33, arranged for sealing a container comprising a fitment defining the threadless opening of the container and including a rim adjacent to the threadless opening, wherein the gasket is arranged for placement between the lip portion and the rim, the container sealing apparatus further comprising:

a closure retention element arranged to contact the lip portion of the cap and the rim of the container fitment with the gasket sealingly engaged between the lip portion and the rim.

40. A container comprising:

a flexible material bounding an interior volume;

a fitment affixed to the flexible material and defining a passage comprising the threadless opening of the container, the passage being bounded by a fitment wall extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening, the fitment comprising a rim adjacent to the proximal opening; and

the container sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cap is arranged for insertion into the passage, the gasket is arranged for placement between the lip portion and the rim.

41. The container of claim 40, wherein at least a portion of the fitment wall adjacent to the proximal opening is tapered inward toward the distal opening.

42. The container of claim 41, wherein the conical or frustoconical shaped neck portion is tapered at an angle that is substantially equal to an angle of the at least a portion of the fitment wall that is tapered inward toward the distal opening.

43. The container of claim 40, wherein upon insertion of the cap into the passage, a distal end of the cap is substantially flush with a flange portion of the fitment.

44. The container of claim 40, wherein the collapsible material comprises at least one flexible polymeric film layer.

45. An apparatus for delivery of a fluid-containing substance, the apparatus comprising:

the container of claim 44 wherein the flexible wall bounding the interior volume comprises a flexible liner, wherein the flexible liner is disposed within an overpack container defining an interstitial space between the liner and the overpack container.

46. The apparatus for delivery of a fluid containing substance according to claim 45, wherein the interstitial space is arranged to be pressurized to discharge contents of the flexible liner to a process tool.

47. A method of sealing a container utilizing the container sealing apparatus of claim 33, the method comprising inserting the cap into the threadless opening of the container and compressing the gasket between the lip portion of the cap and a rim portion of a fitment of the container.

48. An apparatus for delivery of a fluid-containing substance, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible liner disposed within an overpack container defining an interstitial space between the liner and overpack container; and

a fitment affixed to the liner, wherein the fitment defines a passage bounded by a wall extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening, wherein the fitment further comprises a rim adjacent to the proximal opening, and wherein said wall is tapered inward in a direction from the proximal opening toward the distal opening.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising a cap adapted to be received by the fitment, wherein the cap comprises a neck portion and a lip portion that extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion, wherein at least part of the neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising a gasket arranged for placement in between the lip portion and the rim.

51. A container sealing apparatus arranged for sealing a container fitment including a proximal opening and a rim adjacent to the proximal opening, the container sealing apparatus comprising:

a cap including a neck portion and a lip portion, wherein the neck portion is conical or frustoconical in shape and is adapted for insertion into the proximal opening of the container fitment, wherein the lip portion extends laterally outward relative to the neck portion, wherein the cap defines a recess that is externally accessible when the cap is mated with the container, and wherein the cap comprises a manually graspable handle protruding upward from the recess and extending above an upper boundary of the lip portion; and

a gasket arranged for placement between the lip portion and the rim.

52. A container sealing apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the cap comprises at least one gasket securing feature, and the gasket is arranged for securement against the cap using the at least one gasket securing feature.