CLOSURE MODULE FOR A CONTAINER

Abstract

A sealing module for sealing a container opening of a container by a lid, the lid has a lid flange and the container has a container flange in the region of the container opening. The sealing module has a supporting unit with a supporting surface and a pressing unit with a pressing surface for pressing the lid flange together with the container flange of the container opening. The supporting unit and the pressing unit are displaceable relative to one another in an axial direction in such a way, so that the lid flange and the container flange are capable of being pressed together between the supporting surface and the pressing surface by an axially acting force in the operating state.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/053764, filed Feb. 23, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a sealing module for sealing a container opening of a container by a lid. The invention further relates to a sealing device with a sealing module according to the invention, a method for sealing a container opening of a container by a lid, a lid for sealing a container opening of a container, a container for receiving a medium and a sealed vessel comprising a container with a lid.

Background Information

DE 749636 and DE 4234115 A1 describe a generic sealing module. The sealing module comprises a clamping device for receiving a container to be sealed. In the operating state, the container to be sealed is introduced into the clamping device and secured by it in the axial and the radial direction. Likewise, a lid is centrically inserted over the container opening of the container to be sealed. The container has a circumferential container flange in the region of the container opening and the lid has a circumferential lid flange. For sealing the container opening by the lid, the sealing module additionally comprises two folding rollers each pivoted about one axis, which press the container flange together with the lid flange by a substantially radially acting force, wherein the pressing procedure is made by a continuous rolling in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the container opening.

For an explanation of this sealing module, reference is made in the following to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, on the basis of which the previously described state of the art is described in more detail. For a distinction between the state of the art and the present invention, reference signs referring to features of known examples have an inverted comma, while reference signs referring to features of embodiments according to the invention have no inverted comma.

FIG. 1A shows a sectional view of a known sealing module 1′ with a container 2′ to be sealed and a lid 3′. FIG. 1B shows the sealing module 1′ from FIG. 1A during the sealing process, in which the container opening of the container 2′ is sealed by the lid 3′.

According to FIG. 1A, the known sealing module 1′ comprises a clamping device 4′ and two folding rollers 8′, 9′ each pivoted about one axis A1′, A2′ with a folding roller profile 8a′, 9a′. The container to be sealed 2′ is secured by the clamping device 4′ in the axial and the radial direction relative to an axis A3′ of the clamping device 4′. For this purpose, the clamping device 4′ has a first clamping element 4a′ for securing the container 2′ in the radial direction and a second clamping element 4b′ for securing the container 2′ in the axial direction. A lid 3′ is centrically arranged over the container opening 5′ of the container 2′ to be sealed. The container 2′ has a circumferential container flange 6′ in the region of the container opening 5′ and the lid 3′ has a circumferential lid flange 7′.

During the sealing process (FIG. 1B), the folding rollers 8′, 9′ are brought into contact with the container flange 6′ and the cover flange 7′ via the respective folding roller profiles 8a′, 9a′. In doing so, the container flange 6′ and the lid flange 7′ are pressed together by a substantially radially acting force F_R via the folding rollers 8′, 9′. The pressing procedure is made by a continuous rolling of the folding rollers 8′, 9′ in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the container opening 5′.

SUMMARY

A significant disadvantage of the known sealing module is that the structure of the sealing module is complex, since due to the radial forces acting on the container and the container opening during the sealing process, an additional support of the container in the radial direction is required.

Another disadvantage of the known sealing module is that a minimum stiffness of the lid and the container is required due to the radial forces. In practice, therefore, there is a need to achieve this minimum stiffness of the lid and the container by an appropriate choice of material and material thickness, and by an appropriate structure of the lid and the container. This results in relatively high material consumption, which results in high material costs.

Correspondingly large lid flange surfaces and container flange surfaces are also required in order to produce a sealing-safe folding bulge by the circumferential sealing method. This also results in relatively high material consumption with correspondingly high material costs.

Another significant disadvantage of the known sealing module is that correspondingly high sealing times arise due to the mode of the pressing procedure, namely by the continuous rolling in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the container opening. This has a negative effect on the throughput.

Furthermore, the known structure of the sealing module involves high set-up times during a tool change for the operation on a different container geometry or lid geometry, because the clamping device and/or the folding rollers must be adjusted and/or replaced.

In addition, the use of the known sealing module is limited to round container openings, i.e. an opening without corners.

In the operating state, the container opening must also be arranged in a horizontal plane when using the known sealing modules, i.e. for container openings, which are not arranged horizontally at the container, the construction of the sealing module is complex.

Finally, the mode of the pressing procedure, namely by the continuous rolling in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the container opening, limits the folding form to two-dimensional, i.e. plane circumferential lines. As a result, no three-dimensional folding forms can be produced.

Thus, the object of the invention is to propose an improved sealing module for sealing a container opening of a container with a lid, which sealing module has a simplified structure, in which sealing module the requirements for the material of the container and/or the lid are reduced regarding their stiffness, in which sealing module the minimum wall thickness of the container and/or the lid can be reduced, so that material savings and thus cost savings can be achieved with respect to the container and/or the lid, in which sealing module shorter sealing times and also shorter set-up times can be achieved, in which sealing module individual components are easily and quickly exchangeable, in which sealing module the containers are not limited to round geometries, in which sealing module the container opening does not have to be arranged in a horizontal plane in the operating state, in which sealing module three-dimensional folding forms can also be produced, so that the disadvantages known from the state of the art are largely avoided.

Another object of the invention is to propose an improved sealing device with a sealing module, which sealing device has a simplified structure, in which sealing device shorter sealing times and also shorter set-up times can be achieved, in which sealing device the sealing module and/or individual components are easily and quickly exchangeable, so that the disadvantages known from the state of the art are largely avoided.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved sealing method for sealing a container opening of a container with a lid, in which method the requirements for the material of the container and/or the lid are reduced regarding their stiffness, in which method the minimum wall thickness of the container and/or the lid can be reduced, so that material savings and thus cost savings can be achieved with respect to the container and/or the lid, in which method shorter sealing times and also shorter set-up times can be achieved, so that the disadvantages known from the state of the art are largely avoided.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved lid, an improved container and an improved sealed vessel.

The objects of the invention meeting this problem are characterized by the features described herein.

Thus, the invention relates to a sealing module for sealing a container opening of a container by a lid, wherein the lid has a lid flange and the container has a container flange in the region of the container opening. The sealing module comprises a supporting unit with a supporting surface and a pressing unit with a pressing surface. The supporting surface serves for the axial and radial positioning of the container and the pressing surface for pressing the lid flange together with the container flange of the container opening.

According to the invention, the supporting unit and the pressing unit of the sealing module are displaceable relative to one another in an axial direction in such a way that the lid flange and the container flange can be pressed together between the supporting surface and the pressing surface by an axially acting force in the operating state.

Within the framework of this invention, the container opening of the container is therefore sealed by the lid by pressing the lid flange together with the container flange in the axial direction by an axial force acting substantially on the two flanges. The sealing takes place along the entire circumference of the container opening, which means that in the operating state the supporting surface engages with the container flange over the entire circumference of the container opening and also the pressing surface engages with the lid flange over the entire circumference of the lid flange. This is in contrast to the state of the art, where the container flange and the cover flange are pressed together by a substantially radially acting force and the pressing is carried out by a continuous rolling in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the container opening.

A significant advantage of the sealing module according to the invention is that, in contrast to the state of the art, no radial forces act on the container due to the axial pressing of the container flange with the lid flange, as only axial forces have to be absorbed by the supporting surface of the supporting unit in the operating state. This simplifies the construction of the sealing module considerably.

In addition, the requirements for the stiffness of the lid and the container are considerably reduced, as no radial forces act on the container and the lid and the axial forces are absorbed by the container flange and the lid flange. This can significantly reduce the minimum stiffness of the lid and the container. This allows the use of materials for the container and the lid of lower stiffness, especially thinner material thickness, and also material differences between container flange and container and/or lid flange and lid.

Since a sealing-safe folding bulge can already be produced by the sealing module according to the invention by a reduced surface of the container flange and/or the lid flange, in contrast to the known sealing module, the material consumption for the container flange and/or the lid flange can be slightly reduced. This has a positive effect on material costs due to the large number of containers processed.

Due to the fact that the supporting surface of the sealing module according to the invention engages with the container flange over the entire circumference of the container opening and the pressing surface engages with the lid flange over the entire circumference of the lid flange during sealing in the operating state, sealing times can be considerably reduced, which has a positive effect on the throughput.

The simplified structure of the sealing module also means shorter set-up times when changing tools to a different container geometry or lid geometry, since the clamping device and/or the folding rollers do not have to be adjusted and/or replaced. Due to the modular structure of the sealing module, individual components of the sealing module can be replaced quickly and easily.

Another advantage of the invention is that the sealing of the container opening by the sealing module according to the invention is not limited to round container openings, since the pressing takes place simultaneously over the entire circumference of the container opening. This makes it possible to seal even square container openings. The position of the container opening to be closed at the container is also not limited to a horizontal plane, i.e. also diagonally extending container openings can be sealed easily by the sealing module according to the invention. Furthermore, the folding form resulting from the sealing module according to the invention is not limited to a two-dimensional folding form, i.e. three-dimensional sealing lines can also be produced in a simple way.

It has been shown to be particularly advantageous if the supporting unit and/or the pressing unit is formed of several segments, so that the supporting surface and/or the pressing surface are composed segment by segment in the operating state. Here it is advantageous if the segments of the supporting unit and/or the pressing unit are movable.

In a preferred embodiment, the supporting unit is fixedly arranged in the operating state and the pressing unit is movable in the axial direction relative to the supporting unit. Alternatively, however, it is also possible that the pressing unit is fixedly arranged in the operating state and the supporting unit is movable in the axial direction relative to the pressing unit.

In an embodiment that is very important in practice, the supporting unit is formed as a holding unit for supporting the container flange, so that the container can be fixed to the container flange relative to the axial direction of the holding unit.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the supporting surface has a supporting surface profile and the pressing surface has a corresponding pressing surface profile, so that the container flange and the lid flange can be pressed together in a form-locking way over the supporting surface profile and the pressing surface profile in the operating state.

It has also been shown to be advantageous if the sealing module additionally has a centering means or device for centering the container and/or the lid, so that the container can be positioned in a radial direction relative to the supporting unit and/or the cover can be positioned in a radial direction relative to the pressing unit.

Preferably, but not necessary, the sealing module can additionally comprise a movable radial pressing unit with a radial pressing surface, so that the lid flange and the container flange can be pressed together between the supporting surface and the radial pressing surface or the pressing surface and the radial pressing surface by a radially acting force in the operating state.

It has also been shown to be advantageous if the sealing module additionally has an ejection element for releasing the container in the sealing module. The ejection element can be fixedly arranged in the sealing module. Alternatively, however, the ejection element can be movably arranged in the sealing module.

The present invention further relates to a sealing device with a sealing module according to the invention, in particular with a plurality of sealing modules.

In an embodiment that is very important in practice, the sealing device has a longitudinal axis, in particular a rotation axis, and several sealing modules are arranged spaced apart in a circumferential direction extending about the rotation axis.

Alternatively, the sealing device can also have at least one vertical plane and several sealing modules are spaced apart in the at least one vertical plane.

The present invention also relates to a method for sealing a container opening of a container by a lid, wherein the lid has a lid flange and the container has a container flange in the region of the container opening, and the lid and the container are assigned to a sealing module. The method comprises the following steps:

Providing a sealing module, wherein the sealing module has a supporting unit with a supporting surface and a pressing unit with a pressing surface for pressing the lid flange together with the container flange of the container opening. According to the invention, the supporting unit and the pressing unit are displaceable relative to one another in an axial direction in such a way, so that the lid flange and the container flange can be pressed together between the supporting surface and the pressing surface by an axially acting force in the operating state, Introducing the container and the lid into the sealing module, Actuating the sealing module, wherein the supporting unit and the pressing unit are moved relative to one another in the axial direction in such a way, that the lid flange and the container flange are pressed together between the supporting surface and the pressing surface by an axially acting force.

In an embodiment that is very important in practice, the supporting unit and/or the pressing unit of the sealing module are rotated along a circumferential direction extending around a longitudinal axis in a further method step. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the supporting unit and/or the pressing unit of the sealing module are moved linearly.

In a further method step of the method according to the invention, the container with the lid can be released by an ejection element in the sealing module. The ejection element can be moved in the axial direction against the container and/or the container flange v the cover flange, so that the container is released by the ejection element in the sealing module. Alternatively, however, the container and/or the container flange and/or the lid flange can be moved in the axial direction against the ejection element, so that the container is released by the ejection element in the sealing module.

The present invention further relates to a lid for sealing a container opening of a container, wherein the lid has a cover element for covering the container opening and a lid flange surrounding the cover element for attaching the lid to the container.

According to the invention, the lid flange is provided with a lid flange profile.

In an embodiment that is very important in practice, the cover element is roundish or polygonal in shape.

It has been shown to be advantageous if the cover element and the lid flange are made of different materials.

In addition, it is advantageous if the lid is provided with a sealing element in the region of the lid flange profile. Alternatively, the lid can be provided with an adhesive film in the region of the lid flange profile.

Finally, it is advantageous if the lid flange is slit in an outer edge region of the lid flange.

The present invention also relates to a container for receiving a medium, wherein the container has a container opening and a container flange surrounding the container opening in the region of the container opening for attaching a lid to the container opening.

According to the invention, the container flange is provided with a container flange profile.

In an embodiment that is very important in practice, the container is cylindrical or prismatic or conical in shape.

It has been shown to be advantageous if the container opening is roundish or polygonal in shape.

It is also advantageous, if the container and the container flange are made of different materials.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the lid is provided with a sealing element in the region of the lid flange profile. Alternatively, the lid can also be provided with an adhesive film in the region of the lid flange profile.

Finally, it is advantageous if the container flange is slit in an outer edge region of the container flange.

The present invention further relates to a sealed vessel. The sealed vessel comprises a container with a lid, wherein the container is sealed by the lid by the sealing device with a sealing module and according to a method described herein.

It has been shown to be advantageous if the sealed vessel, a sealing region of the sealed vessel and the lid of the sealed vessel have corresponding structures, which are designed in such a way that a plurality of such sealed vessels can be stacked in a stable manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1A is a sealing module known from the state of the art before the sealing process,

FIG. 1B is the known sealing module according to FIG. 1A during the sealing process,

FIG. 2A is a cross-section through a first embodiment of a sealing module according to the invention before the sealing process,

FIG. 2B is the sealing module according to FIG. 2A during the sealing process,

FIG. 3A is a cross-section through a second embodiment of a sealing module according to the invention before the sealing process,

FIG. 3B is the sealing module according to FIG. 3A during the sealing process,

FIG. 4A is a cross-section through a third embodiment of a sealing module according to the invention before the sealing process,

FIG. 4B is the sealing module according to FIG. 4A during the sealing process,

FIG. 5A is a cross-section through a fourth embodiment of a sealing module according to the invention before the sealing process,

FIG. 5B is the sealing module according to FIG. 5A during the sealing process,

FIG. 6A is a first embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention with a plurality of sealing modules,

FIG. 6B is a second embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention with a plurality of sealing modules,

FIG. 7A is a first embodiment of a lid according to the invention,

FIG. 7B is a second embodiment of a lid according to the invention,

FIG. 7C is a third embodiment of a lid according to the invention,

FIG. 8A is a first embodiment of a container according to the invention,

FIG. 8B is a second embodiment of a container according to the invention,

FIG. 9A is a first embodiment of a sealed vessel according to the invention and

FIG. 9B is a second embodiment of a sealed vessel according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As already mentioned, FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show the state of the art and were already explained in detail at the beginning, so that a further discussion can be dispensed with here.

FIG. 2A shows a cross-section through a first embodiment of a sealing module according to the invention, which in the following is referred to as a whole with the reference sign 1. The reference signs used in FIG. 2A to FIG. 9B have no inverted comma, as these figures refer to embodiments of the present invention. As already mentioned above, only the reference signs of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B have an inverted comma, as these refer to the known state of the art.

According to FIG. 2A, the sealing module 1 comprises a supporting unit 8 with a supporting surface 8a and a pressing unit 9 with a pressing surface 9b. The supporting surface is designed as a supporting surface profile and the pressing surface is designed as a corresponding pressing surface profile. The supporting unit 8 is fixedly arranged in the sealing module 1 and the pressing unit 9 is movable in the axial direction relative to an axis A3 of the supporting unit 8. The supporting unit 8 is designed as a holding unit for supporting the container flange 6. The container 2 to be sealed is secured at the container flange 6 in the axial direction to the axis A3 by the holding unit 8. In addition, the container 2 is fixed in the radial direction to the axis A3 by the holding unit 8.

As FIG. 2B shows, the pressing unit 9 is moved in the axial direction to the support unit 8 during the sealing process. In doing so, the lid flange 7 and the container flange 6 are pressed together in a form-locking way between the supporting surface profile 8a and the pressing surface profile 9a by an axially acting force F_A.

A variant of the embodiment described is that the pressing unit 9 is fixedly arranged in the sealing device 1 and the supporting unit 8 can be displaced axial to the axis A3 and relative to the pressing unit 9.

The sealing module 1 additionally comprises an ejection element 12 for releasing the container. In the embodiment shown, the ejection element 12 is movably arranged in the sealing module 1. Alternatively, however, it is also possible that the ejection element 12 is fixedly arranged in the sealing module 1. After the sealing process has been completed, the sealed container can be released from the supporting unit 8 via the ejection element 12. For this purpose, the ejection element 12 is moved in the axial direction against the bottom of the container 2, e.g. by a motor not shown. In doing so, the ejection element exerts an axial force on the container, whereby the container is released from the supporting unit 8. A second embodiment of the sealing module according to the invention shows substantially the same structure as the sealing module according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B).

In contrast to the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the sealing module 1 additionally comprises a movable radial pressing unit 10 with a radial pressing surface 10a. Like the pressing unit 9, the radial pressing unit 10 is movable in the axial direction relative to the axis A3 of the supporting unit 8.

As FIG. 3B shows, both the pressing unit 9 and the radial pressing unit 10 are displaced in the axial direction to the supporting unit 8 during the sealing process. In doing so, as in the first embodiment, the lid flange 7 and the container flange 6 are pressed together in a form-locking way between the supporting surface profile 8a and the pressing surface profile 9a by an axially acting force F_A. In addition, the lid flange 7 and the container flange 6 are pressed together by the radial pressing unit 10 also by a radially acting force F_R.

A third embodiment of the sealing module according to the invention (FIG. 4A) substantially shows the same structure as the sealing module according to the second embodiment (FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B).

In contrast to the second embodiment, in this embodiment, the radial pressing unit 10 with the radial pressing surface 10a is not movable in the axial direction but in the radial direction relative to the axis A3 of the support unit 8.

As FIG. 4B shows, the pressing unit 9 is displaced in the axial direction to the support unit 8 and the radial pressing unit 10 is displaced in the radial direction to the support unit 8 during the sealing process. In doing so, as in the second embodiment, the lid flange 7 and the container flange 6 are pressed together in a form-locking way between the supporting surface profile 8b and the pressing surface profile 9b by an axially acting force FA. In addition, the lid flange 7 and the container flange 6 are pressed together by the radial pressing unit 10, also by a radially acting force F_R.

A fourth embodiment of the sealing module according to the invention (FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B) substantially shows the same structure as the sealing module 1 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B). The sealing module 1 comprises a supporting unit 8 with a supporting surface 8a and a pressing unit 9 with a pressing surface 9b. The supporting unit 1 is fixedly arranged in the sealing module 1 and the pressing unit 9 is movable in the axial direction relative to an axis A3 of the supporting unit 8.

In contrast to the first embodiment, in this embodiment the supporting surface 8a is designed as a ring, which serves to support the container flange 6. The container to be sealed is secured at the container flange 6 in the axial direction to the axis A3 by the supporting surface 8a. In addition, the container 2 is fixed in the radial direction to the axis A3 by the supporting surface 8a.

Furthermore, in contrast to the first embodiment, the pressing surface 9a and the pressing unit 9 are designed in such a way that the lid flange 7 and the container flange 6 are pressed together in a form-locking way during the sealing process (FIG. 5B) both by an axially acting force F_A and by a radially acting force F_R.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B schematically show a first and a second embodiment of a sealing device 13 according to the invention. The sealing device 13 comprises a plurality of sealing modules 1 in each case. According to the first embodiment (FIG. 6A), the sealing device 13 has a longitudinal axis A4, which is designed as a rotation axis. The individual sealing modules 1 are arranged spaced apart in a circumferential direction U extending about the longitudinal axis A4. According to the second embodiment (FIG. 6B), the sealing device 13 has a vertical plane VE in which the individual sealing modules 1 are arranged spaced apart from each other.

FIGS. 7A to FIG. 7C show cross-sections of three different embodiments of a lid 3 according to the invention for sealing a container opening of a container. In all embodiments, the lid 3 comprises a cover element 3a for covering a container opening and a lid flange 7 surrounding the cover element 3a for attaching the lid 3 to a container. The lid flange 7 is provided with a lid flange profile 7a.

The embodiments shown differ in the design of the lid flange profile 7a. The lid flange profile 7a is corrugated in the embodiment according to FIG. 7A. The lid flange profile 7a is designed as an eyelet in the embodiment according to FIG. 7B. The lid flange profile 7a is also designed as an eyelet in the embodiment according to FIG. 7C. However, in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 7B, a sealing element 14 is additionally arranged in the region of the lid flange profile 7a. The sealing element 14 is designed as a sealing ring. As an alternative to the sealing element 14, the lid 3 can also be provided with an adhesive film in the region of the lid flange profile 7a, which causes a sealing effect.

In all embodiments of FIG. 7A to 7C, the cover element 3a is roundish in shape. But it is also possible that the cover element 3a is polygonal in shape. In addition, it is possible that the lid flange 7 is slit in an outer edge region of the lid flange 7.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show cross-sections of two embodiments of a container 2 according to the invention for receiving a medium.

In both embodiments, the container 2 has a container flange 6 surrounding the container opening 5 in the region of the container opening 5 for attaching a lid 3 to the container opening. The container flange 6 is provided with a container flange profile 6a.

Both embodiments shown differ in the design of the container flange profile 6a. In the embodiment according to FIG. 8A, the container flange profile 6a is corrugated, whereas in the embodiment according to FIG. 8B the container flange profile 6a is designed as an eyelet.

In both embodiments of FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the container 2 is cylindrical in shape and the container opening 5 is roundish in shape. But it is also possible that the container 2 is prismatic or conical in shape and the container opening 5 is polygonal in shape. In addition, it is possible that the container flange 6 is slit in an outer edge region of the container flange 6.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show cross-sections of two embodiments of a sealed vessel 15 according to the invention. In both embodiments, the sealed vessel 15 comprises a container 2 with a lid 3, wherein the container 2 is sealed by the lid 3 by a sealing module 1 according to the invention.

Both embodiments shown differ in the design of their folding bulges 16. In the embodiment according to FIG. 9A, the folding bulge 16 is corrugated, so that the container flange 6 and the lid flange 7 are parallel to each other. In the embodiment according to FIG. 9B, the folding bulge 16 is designed as an eyelet, so that the container flange 6 and the lid flange 7 engage with each other.

Claims

1. A sealing module for sealing a container opening of a container by a lid, the lid having a lid flange and the container having a container flange in the region of the container opening, and the sealing module comprising:

a supporting unit with a supporting surface; and

a pressing unit with a pressing surface configured to press the lid flange together with the container flange of the container opening, the supporting unit and the pressing unit displaceable relative to one another in an axial direction, so that the lid flange and the container flange are capable of being pressed together between the supporting surface and the pressing surface by an axially acting force in an operating state.

2. The sealing module according to claim 1, wherein the supporting unit or the pressing unit is formed of several segments, so that the supporting surface or the pressing surface are composed segment by segment in the operating state.

3. The sealing module according to claim 2, wherein the segments of the supporting unit or of the pressing unit are movable.

4. The sealing module according to claim 1, wherein the supporting unit is fixedly arranged in the operating state and the pressing unit is movable in the axial direction relative to the supporting unit.

5. The sealing module according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit is fixedly arranged in the operating state and the supporting unit is movable in the axial direction relative to the pressing unit.

6. The sealing module according to claim 1, wherein the supporting unit is a holding unit configured to support the container flange, so that the container is capable of being fixed at the container flange relative to the axial direction of the holding unit.

7. The sealing module according to claim 1, wherein the supporting surface has a supporting surface profile and the pressing surface has a corresponding pressing surface profile, so that the container flange and the lid flange are capable of being pressed together in a form-locking way over the supporting surface profile and the pressing surface profile in the operating state.

8. The sealing module according to claim 1, wherein the sealing module has a centering device configured to center the container or the lid, so that the container is capable of being positioned in a radial direction relative to the supporting unit or the lid is capable of being positioned in a radial direction relative to the pressing unit.

9. The sealing module according to claim 1, wherein the sealing module comprises a movable radial pressing unit with a radial pressing surface, so that the lid flange and the container flange are capable of being pressed together between the supporting surface and the radial pressing surface or between the pressing surface and the radial pressing surface by a radially acting force in the operating state.

10. The sealing module according to claim 1, wherein the sealing module has an ejection element for to release the container in the sealing module.

11. The sealing module according to claim 10, wherein the ejection element is fixedly arranged in the sealing module.

12. The sealing module according to claim 10, wherein the ejection element is movably arranged in the sealing module.

13. A sealing device, comprising:

a sealing module according to claim 1.

14. The sealing device according to claim 13, wherein the sealing device has a longitudinal axis, and the sealing module is arranged in a circumferential direction extending around the longitudinal axis.

15. The sealing device according to claim 13, wherein the sealing device has at least one vertical plane and the sealing module is arranged in the at least one vertical plane.

16. A method for sealing a container opening of a container by a lid, the lid having a lid flange and the container having a container flange in the region of the container opening, and the lid and the container assigned to a sealing module, the method comprising:

providing a sealing module having a supporting unit with a supporting surface and a pressing unit with a pressing surface for pressing the lid flange together with the container flange of the container opening, the supporting unit and the pressing unit being displaceable relative to one another in an axial direction such that the lid flange and the container flange are capable of being pressed together between the supporting surface and the pressing surface by an axially acting force in an operating state.

introducing the container and the lid into the sealing module;

actuating the sealing module, such that the supporting unit and the pressing unit are moved relative to one another in the axial direction, so that the lid flange and the container flange are pressed together between the supporting surface and the pressing surface by an axially acting force.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the supporting unit or the pressing unit of the sealing module are rotated along a circumferential direction extending around a longitudinal axis.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the supporting unit or the pressing unit of the sealing module are moved linearly.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the container with the lid is released by an ejection element in the sealing module.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the ejection element is moved in the axial direction against the container or the container flange or the lid flange, so that the container is released by the ejection element in the sealing module.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the container or the container flange or the lid flange is moved in the axial direction against the ejection element, so that the container is released by the ejection element in the sealing module.

22. A lid for sealing a container opening of a container, the lid comprising:

a cover element to cover the container opening and a lid flange surrounding the cover element configured to attach the lid to the container, the lid flange including a lid flange profile.

23. The lid according to claim 22, wherein the cover element is roundish or polygonal in shape.

24. The lid according to claim 22, wherein the cover element and the lid flange are made of different materials.

25. The lid according to claim 22, wherein the lid includes a sealing element in a region of the lid flange profile.

26. The lid according to claim 22, wherein the lid includes an adhesive film in a region of the lid flange profile.

27. The lid according to claim 22, wherein the lid flange is slit in an outer edge region of the lid flange.

28. A container for receiving a medium, the container comprising:

a container opening; and

a container flange surrounding the container opening in a region of the container opening to attach a lid to the container opening, the container flange including a container flange profile.

29. The container according to claim 28, wherein the container is cylindrical or prismatic or conical in shape.

30. The container according to anyone of the claim 28 or claim 28, wherein the container opening is roundish or polygonal in shape.

31. The container according to claim 28, wherein the container and the container flange are made of different materials.

32. The container according to claim 28, wherein the container includes a sealing element in the region of the container flange profile.

33. The container according to claim 28, wherein the container includes an adhesive film in a region of the container flange profile.

34. The container according to claim 28, wherein the container flange is slit in an outer edge region of the container flange.

35. A sealed vessel comprising:

a container with a lid, the container being sealed by the lid by a sealing module according to claim 1.

36. The sealed vessel according to claim 35, wherein a sealing region and the lid of the sealed vessel have corresponding structures, such that a plurality of such sealed vessels can be stacked in a stable manner.