Stopper for closing a dispensing opening of a container

A stopper for closing a dispensing opening of a container which includes a body element having a top face and a bottom face, the bottom face being directed towards the inside of the container; a moving element which is situated at the top face of the body element, wherein the moving element is movable from an initial position in which the moving element does not extend beyond the top face in the plane of the top face, to an opening position in which the moving element is moved to extend at least partly beyond the outer extension of the top face, wherein the moving element provides, a gripping surface for a user to remove the body element from the dispensing opening. The moving element substantially covers the entire top face of the body element in the initial position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to a stopper for closing a dispensing opening of a container, the stopper having childproof characteristics.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Stoppers for closing the dispensing openings of containers are generally known. For containers which are intended to contain powders, granulates, pills, tablets, dragées or any other products in the pharmaceutical or chemical domain, it might be crucial that their respective stoppers cannot be opened or removed by children. This is in particular the case for containers which contain medicine or other substances that can be dangerous when taken in an uncontrolled manner.

Furthermore, it is often desirable to determine whether the container has already been opened or whether it is in its originally distributed state. In particular, when it comes to the distribution of medicine, it is relevant for the end-user to know whether the container, which contains the medicine, has been tampered with and whether the user can be sure that the medicine contained in the container is original and untouched.

In order to accommodate for these needs, stoppers are provided which include a tamper-evident member which has to be removed or fractured from the stopper and/or the container before the dispensing opening of the container can be opened for the first time. These tamper-evident members are typically provided in the form of a tear-off ring, a tear-off strip or in the form of foils.

In order to make sure that the stopper cannot be opened by small children, different techniques and concepts have already been suggested in the prior art. Some of these concepts require that the stopper be opened according to a procedure which requires at least two consecutive complex movements. For example, the user has to push the container in order to gain access to an edge of a stopper which then has to be pushed in a direction perpendicular to the initial pushing direction in order to remove the stopper from the container.

A different concept is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,702 which relates to a stopper for a receptacle. According to this concept, a slide is provided in an upper portion of a stopper, wherein the upper portion of the stopper includes two head sections which project beyond the container and between which the slide is arranged.

In order to open the stopper according to this concept, the slide has to be pushed on its outer circumferential edge in order to provide, at the other side thereof, an edge to lift the stopper and remove it from the dispensing opening.

SUMMARY

Starting from the prior art mentioned above, it is an object to provide a stopper for closing a dispensing opening of a container with improved childproof characteristics and, at the same time, improved handling and design characteristics.

Accordingly, the stopper has a body element for closing the dispensing opening, the body element having a top face and a bottom face, wherein the bottom face is directed towards the inside of the container. A moving element is provided which is situated at the top face of the body element, wherein the moving element is movable relative to the body element from an initial position in which the moving element does not extend beyond the outer extension of the top face in the plane of the top face of the body element, to an opening position in which the moving element is slid relative to the body element to extend at least partly beyond the outer extension of the top face of the body element in the plane of the body element. The moving element provides, in the opening position, a gripping surface for a user to remove the body element from the dispensing opening. The moving element substantially covers the entire top face of the body element in the initial position.

By the provision of a moving element in the form as stated above, namely that the moving element is situated on the top face of the body element and substantially covers the entire top face of the body element in the initial position, there are several advantages over the known solutions, from a handling perspective, from a childproof perspective as well as from a design perspective. In particular, when viewing the stopper from the top, only the moving element is visible. In particular if the moving element is symmetric it is not obvious that there is a moving element and in which direction it has to be operated.

From a handling perspective, the user is now free to choose the location where to push the moving element in order to move it from its initial position to the opening position, because the user can touch the moving element in any position on the top surface of the moving element. In the stoppers of the prior art, the user was required to push the slide at a specific position at the edge of the slide, which could be cumbersome to find or to reach, in particular when trying to push it the right position for people with large hands.

The moving element according to the present disclosure has the advantage that the user has an extended surface, to which he can connect, preferably frictionally, with his fingers in order to move the moving element from the initial position to the opening position. This greatly improves the handling in terms of user friendliness.

With respect to the childproof aspects of the moving element according to the present disclosure, it becomes immediately apparent that it is less obvious for a child that the moving element, which represents substantially the entire top face of the stopper, is movable at all. To the young child, the moving element appears to be solitary with the remainder of the container and not movable at all. Furthermore, a specific direction into which the moving element can be moved beyond the outer extension of the body element is not immediately apparent because a defined direction cannot be gathered from the appearance of the top surface of the stopper alone, in particular as the moving element substantially covers the entire top surface. Accordingly, it becomes more difficult for a small child to figure out whether the moving element can be moved at all, and into which direction the moving element can be moved after the child has eventually figured out that the moving element is movable at all.

The movement of the movable element for moving it between the initial position and the opening position can either be a linear movement, which may preferably be in the form of a sliding movement, or a rotating movement. Naturally, sliding and rotating movements can be combined. In case a sliding movement is chosen, the movable element can also be regarded a sliding element.

With respect to the design aspects, it will become apparent that the moving element and the body element as described above can be manufactured more easily, in particular by injection moulding, than the stoppers of the prior art. In addition, the stoppers are easier to assemble than the stoppers of the prior art. Accordingly, from a design perspective, the stopper has the advantage that it is easier to produce, manufacture and assemble.

Preferably, the body element may include a desiccant chamber at its bottom face, in particular directed towards the inside of the container. The provision of a desiccant chamber enables the provision of a desiccant to be filled into the stopper and/or to be inserted into the body element of the stopper in order to desiccate the contents of the container. The body element of the stopper may include a bottom face defining a hollow space into which an active substance can be filled which is intended to regulate the gaseous atmosphere inside of the volume of the container.

The body element can also be made at least partly from a desiccant material, and/or an oxygen absorber and/or a gas absorber, in particular from a resin including a desiccant, and/or an oxygen absorber and/or a gas absorber. The advantage of this embodiment is that the contents of the container can be desiccated or protected from gases by means of the body element of the stopper.

The stopper may include means to regulate the gaseous atmosphere within the container. The means may include active substances in the form of the desiccant material, oxygen absorbers or gas absorbers mentioned above, but may also include any sort of absorbers, scavengers, active carbons, means for moisture control, means for oxygen control and the like.

It is apparent that the stopper defined above is particularly well suited for packaging drugs, in particular drugs which need a controlled gaseous atmosphere in the container in which they are intended to be packaged.

The top face of the body element may have dimensions smaller than, or equal to, the outer dimensions of the container in a plane of the top face of the body element. Furthermore, the moving element may have dimensions smaller than or equal to the dimensions of the top face of the body element in the plane of the top face of the body element and/or to the container at a position in which the body element is connected to the container. This has the advantage that in the initial position of the moving element, no edges are present which could be used to lift off the stopper from the dispensing opening. Accordingly, it is impossible to remove the stopper from the dispensing opening such that the childproof feature is even improved.

In other words, the moving element, the top face of the body element and the outer dimensions of the container in the plane of the top face provide a smooth transition between the respective parts, making it impossible to grip the moving element or the body element to open the dispensing opening. The outer dimensions of the top face and, subsequently, the outer dimensions of the moving element in the plane of the top face can also be smaller than the outer dimensions of the container in the plane of the top face. In case the outer dimensions of the moving element are smaller than the outer dimensions of the container, it is even more assured that a user cannot open the stopper without moving the moving element from the initial position into the opening position. It is important, however, that the outer dimensions of the moving element do not extend beyond the outer extensions of the top face of the body element and/or the outer extension of the container at the section at which the stopper connects to the container, in the plane of the top face of the body element.

The moving element may be mounted to the top face of the body element by means of a positive locking rail element, in particular by means of a dovetail positive lock, to allow for the movement of the moving element from the initial position to the opening position. In this respect, the moving element may be mounted to the body element by mounting means situated at the bottom face of the moving element only. By means of the provision of a positive locking fit between the moving element and the body element, it can be made sure that the moving element and the body element are securely fastened to one another, despite being movable. In particular, it becomes possible transferring a force from the moving element in its opening position onto the body element, in order to be in a position to remove the body element from the container.

The body element may be shaped such that it does not extend beyond the plane defined by the moving element in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the moving element. In other words, at the end face of the stopper only the moving element is present. This improves the childproof function even more because it camouflages the fact that the moving element is actually movable.

The moving element may be spring-biased with respect to the body element towards the initial position such that the moving element always returns to the initial position even after having been displaced into the opening position.

The moving element may include a spring element which is integrally moulded with the moving element. The spring element might be moulded in the same plane as the moving element and be hinged to the moving element by means of a foil hinge. By the provision of the spring element integrally moulded to the moving element, a very reliable connection between the spring element and the moving element can be achieved. When the moving element and the spring element are moulded in the same plane, the moulding process as such can be very simple and effective because the mould as such can be made as a relatively simple one-layered mould.

The spring element may be integrated with the moving element by means of a foil hinge such that it can be folded into the working position by pivoting the spring element from its manufactured position into its active position by tilting it by 180°, such as to be adjacent to the bottom face of the moving element.

In an alternative embodiment, the spring element may be provided separate from the moving element and the spring element is associated with the moving element, preferably it may be situated in a recess of the moving element. Preferably, the spring element may be made from a material different than that of the moving element. This has the advantage that the spring element can be made from a material which is suitable for the spring action of the spring element and the moving element can be manufactured from a more economical material. Furthermore, the provision of the separate spring element obviates the need for the step of folding the spring element below the moving element such that one relatively complex process step can be avoided.

To movably connect the moving element with the body element, the moving element may include a recessed portion including a positive locking element. This recess may be dimensioned to receive the spring element in order to provide for a compact arrangement.

To further improve the manufacturing characteristics, a clip element may be provided in the recess which is intended to maintain the spring element in its active position.

A clip element may be provided which is intended to block the movement of the moving element in one direction such as to make sure that the moving element does not fall off the body element, once assembled.

A skirt may be present which is to be inserted into the container to define the dispensing opening, the body element being insertable into the skirt in order to close the dispensing opening. This skirt may include a flow reducer to reduce the flow of products to be dispensed through the dispensing opening. The skirt and/or the flow reducer may be made from a material including a desiccant, and/or an oxygen absorber and/or a gas absorber, in particular a resin including a desiccant, and/or an oxygen absorber, and/or a gas absorber.

In order to provide for tamper-evidence, a tamper-evident member may be provided to prohibit the movement of the moving element from the initial position to the opening position, wherein the tamper-evident member is removable by a user. The tamper-evident member may extend above the top face of the body element and is integrally moulded with the body element.

The body element may be hinged to the container by means of a foil hinge, preferably hinged to the skirt. The body element may be attached to the container or the skirt by means of a positive locking, a press-fit or any other suitable locking mechanism.

Preferably, the top surface of the moving element may be provided with a hot-die print, a hot stamp print, a serigraphy, a tampo print and/or an in-mould print. By means of the provision of the print on the top surface of the moving element, the moving element may be designed such as to allow a decoration which may be intended to provide information about the use of the container, in particular instructions for opening the container, and/or information with respect to the drug contained in the container, for example its brand name.

Designing a moving element in the form as claimed allows a maximum of the surface of the moving element to be available as the decoration/printing surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, the disclosure will be explained in more detail by reference to the drawings of the Figures. In the Figures, same reference numerals are used to indicate like elements or like functional entities and repeated description thereof may be omitted in order to reduce redundancies. The claims are not intended to be limited by the language of the specification. Rather, the inventors intend the claims to be given their full scope.

FIG. 1shows a stopper1in a first embodiment in a schematic cross-section. The stopper1includes a body element2which is intended to close a dispensing opening in a container, the body element2having a top face20and a bottom face22, wherein the bottom face22is directed towards the inside of the container.

Typically, the body element2is designed such that it fully closes and/or seals the respective dispensing opening of a container. In other words, if the body element2is present in the dispensing opening, it closes the container fully. In particular, it seals the dispensing opening in a moisture tight manner such that the contents inside of the container stay dry when the body element2is present.

A moving element3is situated on the top face20of the body element2. The moving element3can be moved from the initial position, which is shown inFIG. 1, to an opening position in which the moving element extends beyond the outer dimensions defined by the top face20of the body element2. In the embodiments shown herein, the moving element3is moved from the initial position to the opening position in a linear fashion. Accordingly, the moving element3performs a sliding movement from the initial position to the opening position, and vice versa. Accordingly, the moving element can be regarded a sliding element3.

The moving element3is intended, in the opening position in which it extends beyond at least the outer extension of the top face of the body element, to provide a gripping means for a user to be in a position to remove the body element2from the container, such that the product can be dispensed from the container. This will be further exemplified by the description ofFIGS. 8 to 10below.

The moving element3substantially covers the entire top face20of the body element2in the initial position. Even though it may be appreciated that a small section on the left-hand side of the top face20of the body element2appears not to be covered by the moving element, the moving element3is still considered to cover substantially the entire top face of the body element. The small section which is not covered by the moving element3is attributed to a flattened portion300of the moving element3which serves, as can be derived fromFIGS. 4 and 5, to provide a support for a spring element4which is, in this embodiment, integrally moulded with the moving element3.

In particular, the dimensions D3of the moving element3in the plane of the top face20do not extend beyond the dimensions D2of the body element2. In case the moving element3is provided substantially in the form of a disk, this implies that the diameter of the disk, which corresponds to the outer dimensions D3of the disk, is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the body element2, which corresponds to the outer dimension D2.

InFIG. 1, the spring element4is shown to be situated below the moving element3and above the top face20of the body element2. The spring element4spring-biases the moving element3into the initial position, in which it does not extend beyond the outer dimensions of the body element2in the plane of the top face20.

If the moving element3is moved from its initial position, as shown inFIG. 1, to its opening position, i.e. such that it extends beyond the outer dimension of the top face20of the body element2in the plane of the top face20, the spring element4pushes the moving element3back into its initial position, if released.

The moving element3can be moved into direction X from its initial position, as shown inFIG. 1, to the opening position. At the top face20of the bottom element, a nose24is present against which the spring element4abuts. The nose24serves as a counter-mount to the spring element4such that the spring element4can push against the nose24in order to move the moving element3back into its initial position.

InFIG. 1, a tamper-evident member5in the form of a tear-off strip is shown which keeps the moving element3in its initial position, while being present. In other words, the moving element3cannot be moved from the initial position to the opening position while the tamper-evident member5is present.

The tamper-evident member5extends above the top face20of the body element2in order to restrict any movement of the moving element3. An overlap between the tear-off strip5, or any other tamper-evident member, with the container which might be present below the top face20of the body element, is, however, not present. In particular, the tamper-evident member5of the present embodiment does not have any overlap with a container at all. The spring element4is attached to the moving element3at the flattened portion300by means of a foil hinge40.

Body element2also includes a desiccant chamber6which is situated at the bottom face22of the body element2and is directed towards the inside of a container. The desiccant chamber6is defined by means of a cylindrical wall26which also includes a fastening element28which is intended to keep the body element2in the closed position in the container. Fastening element28can be, for example, a so called olive which is intended to be in form fit with the inner surface of the container or any other means which provide for a reliable sealing and fitting of the body element2in the container.

Desiccant chamber6is closed, at the face pointing towards the inside of the container, with a moisture-permeable membrane60such that a desiccant material, and/or an oxygen absorber, and/or a gas absorber, which may be present in the desiccant chamber6, can act to desiccate the volume defined by the container, and/or protect the volume from certain gases, in particular oxygen.

As an alternative or as a supplement to the desiccant chamber6, the entire body element2can be made from a desiccant material, an oxygen absorber or a gas absorber, or from a polymer which includes a desiccant material, an oxygen absorber or a gas absorber in order to complement and/or support the desiccating and/or gas absorbing function.

FIG. 2is a schematic perspective side view of the body element2shown inFIG. 1. Body element2has fastening element28provided in the form of the olive around the wall26, wherein the olive28is intended to keep the body element securely and tightly fastened in the dispensing opening of the container.

Tamper-evident member5is provided at an edge of the top face20of the body element2. FromFIG. 2, it becomes apparent that the tamper-evident member5does not extend below the planed defined by the bottom face22of the body element2.

FIG. 3shows the body element2and, in particular, the top face20of the body element2in a schematic top view. Nose24is present, which is used as a counter element for the spring element shown inFIG. 1. Rail elements200, which are lifted above the flat surface20of the body element2, are provided. The rail elements200are integrally moulded with the remainder of the body element2. The rail elements200are intended to provide for a moving connection between the moving element3and the body element2in the form as schematically shown inFIG. 1.

Rail elements200define a space210between them, the space being intended to receive the spring element4of the moving element3as shown inFIG. 1. The rail elements200have, at their side edges202, undercuts, preferably in the form to establish a dovetail lock, which are intended to receive respective counter-parts of the moving element3.

FIG. 4shows the moving element3in a bottom view in the arrangement in which it is manufactured. Moving element3is an injection moulded part which includes the spring element4. Moving element3and spring element4are moulded integrally and are connected to one another by means of foil hinge40at the flattened portion300of the moving element3.

The moving element3includes a recessed section310which is recessed with respect to the flat surface30of the lower face of the moving element3. The recessed section310is intended to receive the spring element4and provides, at the same time, at its outer edges302undercut portions which are complementary to the undercut portions202of the body element2. In other words, the moving element3can be moved from the side into the rail portions200of the body element2, such that the moving element3can be moved back and forth along the rail elements200, but cannot be lifted up in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction.

With respect to the actual manufacturing process of the moving element3, the moving element3is injection moulded together with the spring element4, substantially as a flat element. Spring element4is then folded back into the recessed section310of the moving element3about the foil hinge40. Spring element4is then clicked into a clip304which extends above the recess section310such as to keep the spring element4in its active position, as shown inFIG. 5.

The moving element3in this position, namely with the readily-folded spring element4, is then moved onto the respective rail portions200of the body element2from the direction opposite to the position of the tamper-evident member5(seeFIG. 3). The moving element3can then be moved onto the rail portion200until the clip304of the moving element3clicks behind nose24such as to maintain the moving element3in its initial position and avoid that the moving element is pushed out of connection again by the spring element4.

In other words, the clip304of the moving element3serves two functions, namely, on the one hand, to keep the spring element4in its folded, active position during the process step of moving the moving element3along the rail portions200, and then, after the moving element3has been placed onto the top face20of the body element2and inserted into the respective rail portions200, the clip304prohibits the moving element3to move backwards out of its initial position in a direction opposite to the direction towards the tamper-evident element5.

To this end, the clip304preferably has a shape as indicated inFIG. 1, namely a shape which is smooth and preferably has an inclination such as to support the moving element3when being moved over nose24in the direction towards the tamper-evident element5. Clip304has on the surface opposite to the direction pointing towards the tamper-evident member5, a sharp and preferably perpendicular surface in order to ensure that the moving element3cannot be moved, from its initial position shown inFIG. 1, in a direction opposite to direction X, i.e. out of connection with nose24.

FIG. 6shows a schematic cross-section through a container8in which the stopper1is inserted. It becomes apparent that into the container8a skirt7is inserted, into which the stopper1is inserted. Skirt7represents, at its upper end70, the dispensing opening for the products that might be included in the volume80of the container.

Skirt7is attached to the container8by means of a connecting ring72which may be glued or pressed into the container8, or by means of any other suitable mounting technique.

Skirt7includes a flow reducer74, which is intended to reduce the number of products that can be dispensed through the dispensing opening70as soon as the stopper1is removed from the dispensing opening70.

To provide an efficient desiccation of the volume80of the container8, the skirt7can be made from a desiccant material or from a material which includes a desiccant, and/or an oxygen absorber and/or a gas absorber. Furthermore, in the desiccant chamber6of the body element2of the stopper1, a desiccant material can be likewise present.

In the embodiments described herein, the stopper may include means to regulate the gaseous atmosphere within the volume80of the container. The means may include active substances in the form of the desiccant material, oxygen absorbers or gas absorbers mentioned above, but may also include any sort of absorbers, scavengers, active carbons, means for moisture control, means for oxygen control and the like. These substances may be situated in a hollow space which is defined in the body element2and which may be sealed off by a gas permeable membrane.

In order to attach the body element2to the skirt7, fastening elements28in the form of the olive are provided at the body element2, which can be received in respective counter-part78of the skirt7. Accordingly, a positive lock/form lock of the body element2in the skirt7can be achieved, such that the dispensing opening70of the skirt7can be reliably and moisture-tightly sealed.

FIG. 7shows the container8in a schematic perspective outer view such that container8and stopper1can be seen from the outside. As to the stopper1, the body element2is only shown in the form of a ring which sits on top of the upper edge82of the container8but which does not at all extend beyond the outer contours of the container8in the plane of the top face20of the body element2.

The presence of the unstructured surface350of the moving element3offers the possibility of easily printing indicia or instructions onto the top surface by different methods, for example by hot-die printing, hot stamping, serigraphy, tampo printing or by using in-mould labelling or engraving in the mould techniques.

FromFIG. 7it also becomes apparent that the outer dimensions D3of the moving element3in the plane of the top face20are equal to or smaller than the outer dimensions D2of the body element2and/or than the outer dimensions D8of the container8. For a cylindrical container8, the outer dimensions D2, D3and D8substantially correspond to diameters of the respective parts.

It has to be observed that the outer dimensions D2of the body element2are also equal to, or smaller than the outer dimensions D8of the container. This is even more so the case at position82where the container8connects to the body element2. This specific configuration has the effect that it is impossible, without the aid of the gripping portion provided by the moving element3in the opening position, to grip the body element2and open the dispensing opening of the container.

Moving element3is placed on top of the top face20of the body element2, wherein the moving element3does likewise not extend beyond the outer dimensions of the body element2, nor of the container8in the plane of the top face20of the body element2.

As can be easily appreciated fromFIG. 7, moving element3substantially covers the entire top face20of the body element2. In particular, no section of the body element2extends beyond the moving element3in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the top face20of the body element2. This implies that the moving element3is the only element which is present at the top face of the stopper.

In order to open the dispensing opening of the container8, first of all the tamper-evident member5needs to be removed and then the moving element3be moved from its initial position, as shown inFIG. 4, towards its opening position in which it provides for a gripping means to remove the body element from the dispensing opening.

The process for opening the container is shown, schematically, inFIGS. 8 to 10.

InFIG. 8, the container8and the body element2are shown in the closed position. The moving element3is in its initial position and arrow A1indicates that the tamper-evident member5is to be removed in order to start the opening process of the container8, as the first action.

InFIG. 9, the tamper-evident member is already removed and arrow A2indicates that the moving element3is to be moved into the direction in which the tamper-evident element5used to be present, in order to move the moving element3from its initial position into its opening position, as the second action.

FIG. 10shows schematically the moving element3in its opening position, i.e. in a position in which the moving element3extends beyond the dimensions defined by the top face20of the body element2. A gripping surface32is provided by means of a section of the lower face of the moving element3which can be used by a user to apply a force in the direction of arrow A3in order to remove the body element2from the dispensing opening of the container8, as the third action.

Accordingly, in order to open the dispensing opening of the container8for the first time, actions A1, A2and A3are to be carried out, consecutively. After the container8has been opened for the first time, actions A2and A3have to be carried out, consecutively. The rather complex movements required for opening the container provide for improved childproof characteristics.

FIGS. 11 to 14show a stopper1in a different embodiment, having a different arrangement of the spring element4. Spring element4has a semi-circular shape, as can be readily appreciated fromFIG. 11which shows a bottom view of the moving element3. The spring element4is, substantially as in the previous embodiment, hinged to the moving element3via a foil hinge40at the flattened end300of the moving element3.

A clip304, guide rails302and a recessed portion310for receiving the spring element4are present as in the embodiment discussed with respect toFIGS. 4 and 5.

The spring element4ofFIG. 11is integrally moulded with the remainder of the moving element3and is folded about the foil hinge40towards the recess310of the moving element3such that it is situated in the form as shown inFIG. 11.

FIG. 12shows a schematic cross-section through the stopper1, including the body element2, the moving element3and the skirt7. In this Figure, the moving element3is in its initial position such that it substantially covers the entire top surface of the stopper. The spring element4abuts against a counter-surface240which is present at the top surface20of the body element2.

InFIG. 13, the stopper1ofFIG. 12is shown with the moving element3moved into the opening position such that a gripping surface32becomes available in order to apply a force to the stopper for opening it. In particular, by applying a force to the gripping surface32the body element2together with the moving element3can be removed from the skirt7.

FIG. 14shows an exploded view of the arrangement of the moving element3, the body element2and the skirt7.

FIGS. 15 to 18show yet another embodiment of a stopper. The layout of moving element3, body element2and skirt7is substantially the same as that in the previous embodiment such that repeated description thereof will be omitted.

The spring element4is, however, in the present embodiment made as a part separate from the moving element3. The spring element4may be provided in the form of the elastic ring shown inFIG. 15and may be situated in a specifically shaped portion of the recess310. By the provision of the recess310in the form as shown inFIG. 15, namely such that it provides support for the ring-shaped spring element4, the end of the moving element3at which the spring element4is situated can be fully closed. This has the advantage that the flattened portion shown at reference numeral300inFIG. 11can be avoided. In other words, the covering of the body element2by means of the moving element3is further improved.

The ring-shaped spring element4can be made from a different material than the moving element3.

FIG. 16shows that the moving element3covers, in its initial position, the body element2even better than in the previous embodiments. In particular, at the left hand side in which in the previous embodiments the flattened portion300was present, is no such portion anymore.

FIG. 17shows the moving element3in the opening position, providing a gripping surface32, andFIG. 17shows an exploded view of the parts.

In this embodiment, a tamper evidence member5is provided which has to be removed in order to allow for the initial moving movement from the initial position towards the opening position of the moving element3.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 19 to 22, a spring element4in the form of the ring-shaped spring element4of the previous embodiment is shown. This ring-shaped spring element4is situated in a portion of the recess310of the moving element3.

The difference between the previous embodiment and the present embodiment is that no tamper evidence member is provided.

FIG. 23shows a cross section through a stopper in a plane perpendicular to the plane ofFIGS. 1, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20 and 21and is intended to clearly but schematically show the rail connection between the moving element3and the body element2. In particular, the rail elements202and302of the body element2and the moving element3, respectively, are shown to be provided in an interlocking form. The undercuts of the rail elements202of the body element2are in connection with the protuberances of the rail elements302of the moving element3such that the moving element can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the cross-section.

FIG. 24is a schematic perspective view on a container8with a stopper1according to the present disclosure. It becomes apparent that the outer contours of the container with the stopper in its initial position are considerably smooth. In particular, there is no dedicated gripping surface which would enable removing the stopper to open the container8.

FIG. 25shows the container8ofFIG. 24with the moving element3moved into the opening position. Accordingly, a gripping surface32is provided below which the user can grip and lift the stopper in order to access the contents of the container8.

FIGS. 26-30show a second embodiment of a stopper1′ with a moving element3′, a body element2′ and a desiccant chamber6′. Corresponding reference signs are used for elements which have already been explained in conjunction with the previous embodiments.

In particular,FIG. 26shows the stopper1′ which includes the body element2′ which is intended to close a dispensing opening of a container8, the body element2′ having a top face20′ and a bottom face22′, wherein the bottom face22′ is directed towards the inside of the container8. The body element2′ further comprises a side surface23′, which has according to the present embodiment a bevelled shape.

When the body element2′ is inserted in the dispensing opening of the container8, the body element2′ fully closes the container8. The dispensing opening is in this state sealed in a moisture tight manner such that the content inside of the container8stays dry when the body element2′ is present.

The body element2′ of the third embodiment includes a desiccant chamber6′ which is situated at the bottom face22′ of the body element2′.

The desiccant chamber6′ is defined by a peripheral wall62and a permeable membrane60. The moisture-permeable membrane60closes the desiccant chamber6′ at a portion facing the inside of the container8such that a desiccant material and/or an oxygen absorber and/or a gas absorber, which may be present in the desiccant chamber6′, can act to desiccate the volume80defined by the container and/or protect the volume80from certain gases, in particular oxygen and water vapor. The moisture permeable membrane60may be attached to the peripheral wall62via an obstacle64, which is according to the present embodiment a lower part of the peripheral wall62deformed, e.g. under heat (or crimped) so as to press the permeable membrane60against an edge portion of the peripheral wall62.

A further peripheral wall26′ of the body element2′ extends on a circumferential side of the peripheral wall62, thereby surrounding the peripheral wall62of the desiccant chamber6′ with a gap formed between the further peripheral wall26′ and the peripheral wall62of the desiccant chamber6′. A fastening element28′ is provided on a distal part of the peripheral wall26′ of the body element2′. The fastening element28′ protrudes from the peripheral wall26′ to a circumferential side so that the body element2′ can be securely attached to the inner peripheral surface of the container8. The fastening element28′ thereby provides an airtight seal for protecting the content of the container from the outside of the container.

The body element2′ may further comprise a rail element201(or guide element) provided on the top face20′ of the body element2′. The rail element201comprises an undercut202, which may engage with an undercut302of a rail element301of the moving element3′ described in further detail below. Further, the rail element201has a curved shape for guiding the moving element3′ in a rotational direction relatively to the body element2′. More particularly, the moving element3′ is movable rotationally around a pivot axis9that is perpendicular to the top face20′. In other words, the moving element rotates in the plan of the moving element.

The body element2′ of the present embodiment may preferably be provided with a pivot device290, which extends in an axial direction from the top face20′ of the body element2′ and provides a rotation axis9of the moving element3′. The pivot device290may either be a protrusion or a recess interacting with a corresponding a pivot receiving device390, which may be a recess or protrusion provided on the moving element3′.

Preferably, a spring element4′ may be provided on the top face20′ of the body element2′ between the pivot device290and the curve-shaped rail element201. The spring element4′ has a portion, which is integrally formed with the top face20′ (or attached thereto), and further a deformable portion acting as a spring.

In another embodiment, the spring element can be provided by a separate piece and/or have a different arrangement. For example it can have a semi-circular shape as shown inFIG. 11or can be provided in the form of a separate elastic ring situated in a specifically shaped portion of a recess310as shown inFIG. 15.

The moving element3′ of the third embodiment comprises a bottom flat surface30′ on the lower face of the moving element3′ facing the body element2′ and a top face35′ opposite to the bottom flat surface30′. The moving element3′ is further provided with side surfaces33′, which may preferably be bevelled shape.

The rail element301of the moving element3′ extends from the bottom flat surface30′ of the moving element3′, the rail element301comprising an undercut302, which corresponds the undercut202provided on the rail element201of the body element2′. Thereby, the moving element3′ is secured to the body element2′ in an axial direction, and can be moved in a sliding movement along the top face20′ of the body element2′. The movement of the moving element3′ relatively to the body element2′ is guided by the rail elements201,301, while the pivot device290inserted into a pivot receiving device390of the moving element3′ provides the axis of rotation9.

The moving element3′ is further provided with at least one protrusion34′ extending from the bottom flat surface30′ of the moving element3′. The at least one protrusion34′ is formed on a portion of the moving element3′, which is located between the pivot receiving device390and rail element301.

In the present embodiment, two cylindrically-shaped protrusions34′ are provided with a gap being formed therebetween, wherein the spring element4′ is inserted in the gap when the moving element3′ is attached to the body element2′.

When the moving element3′ is moved in a rotational movement relatively to the body element2′, one of the protrusions34′ engages with the spring element4′ so that a resilient force acts on the moving element3′ in the opened state of the moving element3′, the resilient force urging the moving element3′ back to a closed state.

The moving element3′ further comprises two push sections31′ on opposite sides of the top face35′ of the moving element3′. As indicated in theFIG. 26, forces may be applied to the push sections31in the directions A2, which initiates the opening operation described in further detail below. Hereafter, the moving element3′ may be moved relatively to the body element2′ either in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction (see arrows X).

Although the present embodiment refers to a moving element3′ having two push sections31′, it is not limited to this configuration. According to a further modification, the moving element may only comprise one push section and only one protrusion interacting with a spring element of the body element.

The dimensions D3of the moving element3′ in the plane of the top face20′ do not extend beyond the dimensions D2of the body element2in a closed state of the moving element3′. In case the moving element3′ is provided substantially in the form of a disk, as shown in the present figure, the diameter of the disk, which corresponds to the outer dimensions D3of the disk, is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the body element2′, which corresponds to the outer dimension D2.

The outer dimensions D3of the moving element3′ in the plane of the top face20′ are equal to or smaller than the outer dimensions D2of the body element2′ and/or than the outer dimensions D8of the container8. For the cylindrical container8as shown in the present embodiment, the outer dimensions D2, D3and D8substantially correspond to diameters of the respective parts.

The outer dimensions D2of the body element2′ are also equal to, or smaller than the outer dimensions D8of the container8, in particular at position82where the container8connects to the body element2′. This specific configuration has the effect that it is impossible, without the aid of the gripping portion32′ provided by the moving element3′ in the opening state to open the dispensing opening of the container8.

In the present embodiment, the inclined side surface33′ of the moving element3′ provides together with the inclined side surface23′ of the body element2′ a common inclined plane, when the moving element3′ is in the closed state.

FIGS. 31-37refer to a third embodiment.

The stopper1″ is similar to the stopper1′ of the second embodiment, and corresponding reference signs are used for elements which have already been explained in conjunction with the previous embodiment. In particular, the stopper1″ comprises a body element2″ and a moving element3″.

The body element2″ has a top face20″, a bottom face22″ and a side surface23″, and comprises a pivot device290, which extends in an axial direction from a top face20″ of the body element2″ and provides a rotation axis9of the moving element3″. A spring element4″ may be preferably provided on the top face20″ of the body element2″ between the pivot device290and the curve-shaped rail element201.

The moving element3′ has comprises two push sections31′ on opposite sides of the top face35′ of the moving element3′, and two protrusions34″ extending from a bottom face30″.

A desiccant chamber6′ is defined by a peripheral wall62and a permeable membrane60. The peripheral wall62extends from the bottom face22″ of the body element2″. A further peripheral wall26″ of the body element2″ extends on a circumferential side of the peripheral wall62, thereby surrounding the peripheral wall62of the desiccant chamber6″ with a gap formed between the further peripheral wall26″ and the peripheral wall62of the desiccant chamber6′. A fastening element28″ is provided on a distal part of the peripheral wall26″ of the body element2″.

In addition to the second embodiment, stopper1″ of the third embodiment further comprises tamper-evident members5a,5bextending from opposite sides of the body element2″. The tamper-evident members5a,5bcan be molded integrally with the body element2″ or, in a further modification of the present embodiment, with the moving element3″. In use, the tamper-evident members5a,5bwill be removed from the body element2″ so that the push sections31can be operated by a user.

In a further modification of the third embodiment, only one tamper-evident member is provided, if the moving element3″ is moveable in one direction only.

According to yet another modification, only one tamper-evident member is provided, even in the case where the moving element3″ is moveable in two directions (clockwise or counter-clockwise). For example, a single tamper-evident member that is opposite to the rotation axis9can be implemented.

In a preferred embodiment a single tamper-evident member may have a greater length than a periphery of a quarter of the stopper1″. The single tamper-evident member may also be provided on the peripheral of a middle circle of the stopper1″ or all around the periphery of the stopper1″.

InFIG. 35, the container8and the body element2″ are shown in the closed state. The moving element3″ is in its initial position and arrow A1indicates that the tamper-evident members5a,5bare removed so as to initiate the opening process of the container8as a first action.

InFIG. 36, the tamper-evident members5a,5bhave already been removed from the moving element3″, and arrow A2indicates that the moving element3″ is moved in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction in order to move the moving element3″ from its initial position to its opening position as a second action.

FIG. 37shows the moving element3″ in its open position, i.e. in a position in which the moving element3″ extends beyond the dimension defined by the top face20″ of the body element2″. A gripping surface32″ is provided by means of a section of the lower face of the moving element3″ which can be used by a user to apply a force into the direction of arrow A3in order to remove the body element2″ from the dispensing opening from the container8as a third action.

The actions A1, A2, A3as indicated inFIG. 35-37are carried out consecutively. After the container8has been opened for the first time, actions A2and A3may be carried out so as to provide access to the volume80of the container. The rather complex movements indicated inFIGS. 35-37improve the child-proof characteristics of a container8.

FIGS. 38-39show a fourth embodiment of the stopper1′″, wherein a fastening element (seal)28′″ is directly provided on the wall of the desiccant chamber6′″. Corresponding reference signs are used for elements which have already been explained in conjunction with the previous embodiments. The body element2′″ according to the present embodiment comprises a top face20′″, bottom face22″, side faces23′″, a rail element201, a spring element4′″ and a pivot device290. A moving element3′″ attached to the body element2′″ has a top face35′″, a bottom face30′″, side surface33″, gripping faces32′″, a rail element301, a pivot receiving device390and two protrusions34′″.

The moving element3′″ is attached to the body element2′″ so that the moving element3′″ may be moved in a rotational movement along the top face20′″ of the body element2′″, and the peripheral wall26′″ of the body element2′″ having a fastening element28′″ already provides the cylindrical wall of the desiccant chamber6′″.

According toFIG. 39, the stopper1′″ is removable attached to a skirt or insert7′″, wherein the insert7′″ has a similar configuration as the skirt7′″ shown, e.g. inFIG. 6.

FIG. 40is a perspective view of a mould for manufacturing the body element according to the embodiments described above by injections moulding. The mould comprises a lower die101and an upper die102, which form, in a closed state, a hollow portion corresponding to the dimensions of the body element.

The stoppers described in the various embodiments above are particularly well suited for packaging drugs, in particular drugs which need a controlled gaseous atmosphere in the container in which they are intended to be packaged.

While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, various modifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited to the specific form or arrangements of parts described herein. Further, it will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations.

Further, any dimensions mentioned in connection with the preferred embodiments or shown in the figures do not limit the scope of the invention.