Abstract:
A stopper device including a stopper, cap and ring provided with tabs for locking onto a container neck and a body for handling the ring. The body includes a first mechanism for transmitting a thrust force to the ring and a second mechanism for activating the tabs. The ring and the handling body are respectively provided with first and second retainers that hold the handling body in a waiting position. The handling body is mobile parallel to the thrust force direction and in relation to the ring, between a first position activating the tabs of the ring and is mobile in translation only in the thrust force direction, and a second position that also activates the tabs and is immobilized in relation to the ring in axial translation. The tabs extend from a continuous edge of the ring and are each arranged in an opening with a closed contour.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Section 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2011/070815, filed Nov. 23, 2011, which was published in the French language on May 31, 2012, under International Publication No. WO 2012/069538 A1 and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a stopping device for a container equipped with a neck, as well as to a container provided with such a device. The invention also relates to a method for closing a batch of containers provided with a stopping device. 
     In the field of containers for medication, it is common to use a glass vial to preserve an active medicament in the form of lyophilizate, power or liquid solution. Such a vial must be closed in a dry manner in order to maintain its content in a satisfactory preserving state, until the date it is used. In order to hermetically seal a vial, it is common to use a stopping device that consists of a elastomer stopper and plastic cap intended to be fixedly attachable around the stopper to isolate the exterior. 
     WO-A-2007/063218 offers a stopping device, the cap of which consists of a ring and a body that allows maneuvering the locking means of the ring on the neck of a container. Moreover, WO-A-2008/129144 is known to integrate a deformable transmission element with thrust force into a stopping device which is intended to fade when a thrust force has been sufficiently transmitted to bring a body into a position where it activates the locking means of a cap on the neck of a container. FR-A-2-927-316 discloses the use of a connecting web which connects a peripheral press rim to a central stud and which has a different stiffness over different deformation ranges. FR-A-2 908 396 offers a stopping device in which a ring has a curbed extremity towards the exterior and cooperates with an internal peripheral groove of a ring to maintain locking means in an fixed position of the stopping device. These known devices offer overall satisfaction, particularly when they are used on vials, of which the neck has a diameter of 20 mm. 
     When these stopping devices are used to seal vials that belong to a batch of vials installed within a freeze-drier, by exercising a thrust force divided over the different stopping devices to bring them into a closed configuration, the thrust force exercised by means of a common body called “pressure plate” is divided over the different stopping devices. When containers with a relatively small diameter, particularly containers with a neck of a diameter of 13 mm, are used it is economically desirable to install a batch of containers previously equipped with stopping devices in a freeze-drier with the largest number of containers possible. In this case, the combined thrust force that is exercised by the pressure plate on each stopping device has a relatively weak intensity, equal to 25 Newtons for a classic freeze-drier. Under these conditions, it is important to minimize the necessary force to bring each stopping device into its usable configuration where it efficiently closes the neck of a container. 
     The present invention is directed to this problem by offering a stopping device in which the necessary force to bring the device into a usable configuration is minimized. 
     In this regard, the invention relates to a stopping device of a container provided with a neck, whereby this device contains a stopper and plastic cap, suitable for covering both the neck and the stopper in place on the neck, whereby this cap consists of a ring, suitable for surrounding the stopper and the neck in mounted configuration and provided with locking means on the neck, as well as a handling body of the ring, suitable to be mounted on the ring and provided with a thrust transmitting means for transmission to the ring a thrust force and a locking activation means for activating the locking means of the ring, while the ring and handling body, respectively, are provided with ring retainers and a holding position retaining means that cooperate together to maintain the handling body in a holding position in relation to the ring, where the handling body does not activate the locking means of the ring. In conformity with the invention, in a first position relative to the ring, the handling body is mobile in translation only in the direction of the thrust force, and a second position where the handling body activates the locking means of the ring and where the handling body is immobilized in relation to the ring in axial translation, according to a direction that is parallel to the thrust force, while the handling body comprises a first cylindrical surface with a constant radius or in the shape of an outwardly-inclined, radially inwardly-facing surface arranged facing the ring retainers of the ring, on the course of travel of the handling body between its first and second positions, and a second cylindrical surface with a constant radius or in the shape of an outwardly-inclined, radially inwardly-facing surface arranged facing the locking means of the ring, on the course of travel of the handling body between its first and second positions. Additionally, the locking means of the ring comprise locking tabs that extend from a first continuous edge of this ring, in the direction of the second edge of the ring opposite its first edge, while the diameter of a circle that circumscribes the external radial parts of the locking tabs has a greater value than the external diameter of the first edge and that each tab is arranged in an opening with closed contour which crosses the ring according to a radial direction in relation to a longitudinal and central axis of this ring. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The handling body can be brought from its holding position to its first position where it ensures, through its action with the locking means, the attachment of the device on the container. Then, the two cylindrical surfaces with a constant radius or in the shape of an outwardly-inclined, radially inwardly-facing surface allow for the frictions to be limited between the handling body and the ring during the movement of the handling body between its first and its second position. This results in the fact that the necessary force to bring the handling body from its first to the second position is of limited intensity, and allows for a large number of stopping devices to be acted on simultaneously or to run a control operation based on a calibrated force allowing the handling body to pass from the first to the second position. In addition, the positioning of the locking tabs in the openings with closed contour and the fact that the edge of the ring is continuous gives a certain flexibility to the tabs that is sufficient to fulfill their function, while the ring is resistant, mechanically speaking. 
     According to the advantageous but non-obligatory aspects of the invention, such a device can incorporate one or several of the following characteristics taken in any combination that is technically acceptable: 
     The handling body comprises a buttress that prevents the handling body from traveling in relation to the ring, from the first position and extending to the second position, by cooperating with the ring retainers provided on the ring. 
     The handling body comprises an annular skirt and the first and second surfaces, as well as possibly the buttress mentioned above, are arranged on an internal surface of this skirt. 
     The locking means, on the one hand, and the handling body, on the other hand, are respectively provided with first and second immobilizing means that cooperate together in order to immobilize the handling body in translation in relation to the ring in the second position. In this case, the first immobilizing means preferably comprises at least a protrusion arranged on an external radial side of a tab, while the second immobilizing means comprises at least a groove receiving and retaining the protrusion when the handling body is in its second position. 
     The ring retainers are arranged on deformable bands that extend, according to a direction that is parallel to the thrust force, between an annular part of the ring intended to support on an exposed side of the stopper and annular edge of the ring from which the locking means extend. 
     A lid is connected with the ring and it isolates a central opening of the ring from the exterior that gives access to an exposed surface of the stopper, while the handling body consists of an annular skirt that surrounds the stopper, except at the level of a notch arranged in a higher edge of the skirt opposite the container in a mounted configuration of the device and when a radial clearance is arranged between the lid and the higher edge of the skirt, at least adjacent to a zone of the skirt diametrically opposite the notch. 
     The handling body consists of an annular skirt with a circular section that radially surrounds the ring when the handling body is in the holding position and in the first and second positions, while the exterior diameter of the skirt is less than 16.5 mm, and preferably between 15.8 mm and 16.2 mm. 
     The invention also relates to a container equipped with a stopping device as mentioned above. 
     To conclude, the invention relates to a method for closing a batch of containers as mentioned above, whereby this method consists of the following phases: 
     a) pre-assembling each stopping device with its stopper and its cap in a holding position, 
     b) pre-mounting the devices on the necks of containers by inserting their stoppers in these necks, 
     c) applying, by means of a pressure body, a common thrust force on all of the devices, in such a way as to completely insert the stoppers in the necks and to bring the handling body of each stopping device in its first position, in its second position or in an intermediary position between these first and second positions, 
     d) individually applying on each handling body of the stopping devices, a thrust force calibrated in a direction of travel of the handling body from its first position towards its second position, 
     e) determining if the handling body has reached its second position at the end of phase d), and 
     f) if the result of the phase e) is negative, identifying the stopping device as incorrectly mounted on the corresponding container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and other advantages of this invention will appear more clearly in the light of the description that will follow an embodiment of a stopping device, of a container and of a method in conformity with its principle, given uniquely by way of example and done with reference to the annexed drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1 to 5  represent schematically, in an axial view and in perspective, several phases of packaging a product in the containers in conformity with the invention, 
         FIG. 6  is a view at a much larger scale of detail VI in  FIG. 3 , 
         FIG. 7  is an axial view, in perspective and at a much larger scale, of the cap of stopping devices of containers of  FIGS. 1 to 5 , 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view, at a much smaller scale and an exterior view, of the cap represented in a cross-section view in  FIG. 6 , 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are exploded perspective views, according to two different angles, of the cap of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , 
         FIG. 11  is a view at a much larger scale of detail XI in  FIG. 4 , whereby the pressure plate is omitted for the sake of clarity of the drawing, and 
         FIGS. 12 to 15  are views analog to  FIG. 11  during the later phases of a closing method in conformity with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 to 5  represent different phases of packaging of a product P in glass vials  1  that constitute the containers. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a vial  1  is in the process of being filled with a product P, for instance a medicine. A pipette  2  is introduced in a vial  1  through an opening  11  which is defined by a neck  12  that presents an external ring  13 . X1 is marked as the symmetry axis of vial  1 . 
     When a predetermined amount of the product P has been introduced in the vial  1 , the pipette  2  is removed and a stopping device  50  is placed on neck  12 . 
     A device  50  comprising an elastomer stopper  51  in adapted form to be partially introduced in the opening  11 , by resting completely on a side  131  of the neck ring  13  opposite the bottom  14  of the vial  1 . Once it is in place in the neck  12 , the stopper  51  separates the content of the vial  1  from the exterior. 
     The device  50  also comprising a cap  52  intended to cover and isolate the stopper  51  and the neck  12  in a closed configuration of the stopping device  50 . 
     As it is evident from  FIGS. 7 to 10  in particular, the cap  52  has a plastic ring  53 , which has an interior circular section with an internal diameter sufficient to allow it to surround neck ring  13 . 
     The cap  52  also has a plastic crown (or handling body)  54  which is intended to form the external peripheral cover of the cap  52 . Additionally, the cap  52  also has a lid  56  that is also made out of plastic. This lid  56  is completely in rotational symmetry about a central axis X56. 
     The lower edge  541  of the crown  54  is oriented towards vial  1  in an installed configuration of the cap  52  on the vial. The edge  541  can be described as being “lower” to the extent that it is oriented towards the bottom in the configuration of  FIGS. 2 to 5 . In this description, the spatial orientation of the different elements mentioned is considered in the case where the device  50  is mounted on a vial  1  that rests on a flat surface by its bottom  14 . A part is said to be “lower” when it is oriented towards the bottom in this configuration and is said to be “higher” when it is oriented towards the top. 
     Top edge  542  of crown  54 , which is opposite the lower edge  541 , is provided with a notch  543 . With the exception of this notch, crown  54  is in rotational symmetry about an axis X54. 
     The ring  53  is centered on an axis X53 which is aligned with the axes X54 and X56 in the assembled configuration of cap  52 , whereby this axis is concentric with a central axis X52 of cap  52 . 
     The ring  53  consists of an annular part  531  that defines a central opening  532  through which it is possible to access the top surface  511  of the stopper  51  if need be. 
     The internal surface  561  of the lid  56  faces the stopper  51  in the mounted configuration of the device  50  on vial  1 . The lid  56  is provided with a skirt  562  centered on the axis X56 and which extends parallel to this axis from the surface  561 . 
     During the manufacturing of the cap  52 , the lid  56  is placed on the ring  53  by bringing the internal surface  561  of the lid  56  adjacent the annular part  531  of the ring  53 , by introducing the skirt  562  of the lid  56  in the opening  532  in the annular part  531  and by attaching the lid  56  to the annular part  531  by fusing thereto the four platforms  563  arranged, for that purpose, on the surface  561  and equally distributed around the skirt  562 . 
     When the lid  56  has been fixed on the ring  53 , the crown  54  is engaged around elements  53  and  56  in such a way that it demarcates the maximum radial girth of the cap  52  in relation to axis X52. 
     In practice, the geometry of the pieces  53 ,  54  and  56  is chosen in such a way that the maximum external diameter D54 of crown  54  has a value lower than 16.5 mm, preferably between 15.8 and 16.2 mm, yet more preferably equal to 16 mm. 
     Under these conditions, when a vial  1  having a body  16  with a diameter that is equal to 16 mm is used, which is common for certain medications, the cap  52  mounted on the vial  1  does not pass or only passes the body of the vial  1  a little bit, in a radial direction in relation to axis X1. This allows for vials  1 , which are previously equipped with a stopping device  50 , to be placed on a shelf of a freeze-drier with high density, resulting from the relatively small diameter of the bodies of these vials without the risk that the vials are destabilized by the stopping devices they support. 
     The ring  53  comprises five bands  533  that extend from the annular part  531  until a lower edge of the ring  53  which is formed by a continuous ring  534  around the axis X53. The external radial edge  5311  of the annular part  531  defines a second edge or top edge of ring  53  and the bands  533  extend between the edges  534  and  5311 . 
     Each band  533  is provided with an external rib  535  that juts out radially towards the exterior in relation to the axis X53 in relation to this band. A window  536 , i.e. a open zone with closed contour that puts the interior volume of ring  53  and the exterior in contact, is defined between each pair of two adjacent bands  533 . 
     A locking tab  537  extends from the continuous ring  534  in each window  536 . Taking into account the intrinsic flexibility of the material that makes up the ring  53 , each tab  537  can pivot around its base in relation to the edge of the continuous ring  534 . In other words, each tab  537  can be more or less displaced towards the interior of the ring  53  in response to an applied force. 
     The tab  537  has a free edge  5371 . A top external peripheral surface  5372  adjoins the free edge  5371  and extends at an angle relative to the axis X53 radially outwardly terminating in a protrusion  5374  having a generally arcuate shape with a terminus forming a shoulder  5375 . A lower external peripheral surface  5373  extends from the shoulder  5375  at an angle relative to the axis X53 radially inwardly terminating at the edge of the continuous ring  534 . 
     The edge of the continuous ring  534  has an exterior diameter D534. An imaginary circle C537 having a diameter D537 is centered on axis X53 and passes by the radially outwardly extending protrusion  5374 . In a non-tight position of locking tabs  537 , the value of the diameter D537 is larger than that of the diameter D534, by at least 1.5 mm. Even when the crown  54  surrounds the locking tabs  537 , as envisioned above, the diameter D537 has a value that is larger than diameter D534, whereby the difference between these values is less than when the locking tabs  537  are in the non-tight position. 
     The ring  53  on the interior of the junction zone between the band  533  and the annular part  531  is provided with ribs  562  intended to superficially penetrate in the stopper  51  in order to immobilize this stopper in the ring  53  and in the cap  52 . 
     Essentially, the crown  54  consists of a skirt  544  that extends between the edges  541  and  542 , and is a circular cylindrical having an external radial surface  545  and an internal radial surface  546 . 
     The internal radial surface  546  is provided with a rib  5461  that extends in the direction of the axis X54 and which is demarcated by a top surface  5462  perpendicular to the axis X54 and an lower surface  5463  converging in the direction of the edge  541 . 
     The surface  546  is also provided with a peripheral groove  5464 , the height H1 of which is measured parallel to the axis X54 is sufficient to receive the ribs  535  of the bands  533  in a configuration where the crown  54  is in a holding position in relation to the ring  53 . This configuration is represented in  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  7 . 
     The surface  546  also consists of a first cylindrical surface  5465  having a constant radius that extends between the rib  5461  and the edge  542  and a second surface  5466  in the shape of an outwardly-inclined, radially-inwardly facing surface, splitting in the direction of the edge  541  and which extends between the groove  5464  and the edge  541 . The surfaces  5465  and  5466  are centered on the axis X53. 
     The angle of the surface  5466  relative to the axis X53 is less than 10°, preferably equal to 7°. 
     When the lid  56  has been fused on the ring  53 , as explained above, the crown  54  is engaged around the elements  53  and  56  due to a pre-assembly axial force E1, i.e. parallel to axes X52, X53, X54 and X56 which are then coincident. This results in the fact that the skirt  544  is brought around the bands  533 . This movement continues until the ribs  535  move into the groove  5464  and are locked therein. The sliding of the crown  54  in relation to ring  53  takes place due to the elasticity of the bands  533  that can elastically deform when their respective ribs  535  slid along the surface  5466  of the crown  54 , prior to moving into the groove  5464 . In other words, the geometry of the ring  53  gives the bands  533  a sufficient flexibility so that the placement of the crown  54  around the elements  53  and  56  is easy. In practice, the circumferential width of the bands  533  extend each, in relation to the axis X53 on an angular sector at an angle at the top less than 30°, preferably 25°. 
     When the cap  52  has been pre-assembled, it is possible to put the stopper  51  in it by introducing it on the inside of the ring  53  until the ribs  562  superficially penetrate in the stopper  51 , which assures that the stopper remains in the ring. Alternatively, the stopper  51  can be placed on the neck  12  of the vial  1 , as presented in  FIG. 3  before the cap  52  is placed on the stopper. In all cases, we achieve the configuration of  FIG. 3  in which the stopper  51  does not completely cover the opening  11  in the neck  12  since this stopper is provided with a lateral cut  512  that arranges an interstice  200  at the level of part of the top side  131  of the neck ring  13 . 
     Equipped vial  1  of device  50  can thus be introduced in a freeze-drier  300  within a batch of vials  1 . In  FIGS. 3 to 5 , three vials represent a batch that can consist of several hundred, in fact several thousand vials placed in freeze-drier  300 . Additionally, the vials can be placed in this freeze-drier on several platforms placed on top. In this freeze-drier, the water molecules that are present in each vial  1  are evacuated towards the exterior, as presented by arrow F1 in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , through the interstices that remain between the cap  52  and the neck ring  13 . 
     On the inside of a freeze-drier, as presented in  FIG. 4 , it is then possible to apply a thrust force E2 on the devices  50  parallel to the longitudinal axis X1 of the vials  1  and the neck rings  11 , the axis with which the axes X52 of different caps  52  are coincident. This axial force E2 is applied by a mobile plate  301  on the inside of the freeze-drier and commanded by an actuator  302 . At the same time, the plate  301  sensibly applies the same joint force E′2 on the cap  52  of each vial  1  of a row of vials placed at the same level, on the same platform  303  in the freeze-drier. 
     The sum of forces E′2 is equal to the force E2. 
     In the configuration of  FIGS. 4 and 11 , the crown  54  is in a holding configuration to the extent that it does no longer interact with locking tabs  537 . 
     The application of force E2 results in the progression of the crown  54  of each cap  52  in the direction of the bottom  14  of each of vials  1 , as presented by the passage from the configuration of  FIGS. 3 and 6  to that of  FIGS. 4 and 11 . Force E′2 is transmitted from the crown  54  to the ring  53  by means of the groove  5464  and the ribs  535  that cooperate. Thus, the force E′2 applied on each device  50  results in bringing the tabs  537  of its ring  53  between the neck ring  13  and the body  16  of the vial, around the part of the neck  12  not provided with the neck ring  13 . 
     The outwardly-inclined, radially inwardly facing surface  5466  progressively deflects the locking tabs  537  from the position of  FIG. 13  to that of  FIG. 15 . 
     The annular part  531  comes thus in contact with the top surface  511  of the stopper  31  which stops the progression of the ring  53  in the direction of the bottom  14 . The continuation of the application of force E′2 on the crown  54  of each device  50  results in displacing the rib  535  of each band  533  on the exterior of groove  5464  by elastic deformation of the bands  533 , which allows the crown  54  to attain the positions of  FIGS. 12 to 14  successively. This allows, in an initial instance, the edge  541  of the crown  54  to come in contact with the surfaces  5372  of the different tabs  537 , as presented in  FIG. 12 . The continuation of this movement results in sliding the surfaces  5372  against the edge  541 , which moves back the tabs  537  radially towards the axis X1, by bringing their free edges  5371  against the lower peripheral surface  132  of the neck ring  13 , as presented in  FIG. 13 . This movement also results in the fact that the ribs  535  come in contact with the rib  5461 . The top surfaces  5351  of the ribs  535 , which are oriented towards the annular part  531 , are in the shape of an outwardly-inclined radially-outwardly facing surface and converge towards the axis X53 by approaching the annular part  531 . Thus, when the ribs  535  and  5461  come in contact by their surfaces  5351  and  5463 , as presented in  FIG. 13 , these surfaces are in sliding contact. This allows deformation of the bands  533  elastically and progressively at the point where the ribs  535  radially move back towards the interior, i.e. in the direction of the axis X53 to pass the rib  5461  by approaching the edge  542 . 
     This movement continues until the configuration of  FIG. 14  is attained where the ribs  535  have slid against the lower surface  5463  of the rib  5461  and have come to be locked on top of the latter, by being in support against the surface  5462  of this rib. In this respect, the lower surface  5352  of each rib  535 , which is turned towards the edge  534 , is perpendicular to the axis X53. Thus, in the configuration of  FIG. 14 , which forms a first remarkable position for the constituent elements of the cap  52 , the surfaces  5352  and  5462  offer surface support and are perpendicular to the axis X1, in such a way that they efficiently oppose any travel of the ring  54  opposite the bottom  14 , i.e. in a direction opposite that of the joint force E′2 applied on the crown  54 . In this configuration, i.e. when the crown  54  is in its first position in relation to the ring  53 , the ring  53  is efficiently retained in position in relation to a wrenching movement that has the tendency of separating from the bottom  14 , due to the cooperation of the ribs  535  and  5461 . 
     When ring  53  is in its first position of  FIG. 14 , device  50  is in an intermediary or non-finalized configuration in which a relative axial movement between elements  53  and  54  remains possible within the limits set by the buttress formed by the rib  5461 . The continuation of the application of the individual thrust force E′2 on the edge  542  of the crown  540  results in passing this from the position of  FIG. 14  to the position of  FIG. 15  by sliding the radially outwardly extending protrusions  5374  of the locking tabs  537  against the surface  5466  of the skirt  544  until these radially outwardly extending protrusion  5374  move into the groove  5464 , as presented in  FIG. 15 . In this configuration, the crown  54  is axially immobilized along the axes X52, X53, X54 and X56 which are coincident, in relation to the ring  53  due to the cooperation of the radially outwardly extending protrusions  5374  and the groove  5464 . 
     Ideally, in terms of the action of the actuator  302 , i.e. in the configuration of  FIG. 5 , all devices  50  should be in the configuration of  FIG. 15 . Nevertheless, due to a possible planar defect of the platform  303  or of the plate  301  and the manufacturing tolerances of vials  1  and devices  50 , the necessary course to bring the crown  54  in the position of  FIG. 15  can vary from vial  1  to another. Thus, as presented in  FIG. 5 , the two vials on the left on this figure can have their device  50  in the configuration of  FIG. 14  while the vial on the right side has its device  50  in the configuration of  FIG. 15 . In other words, the course of the plate  301  is regulated so that all devices  50  that equip the different vials  1  mounted on a platform  303  reach at least the configuration of  FIG. 14 , starting from the configuration of  FIG. 11  whereby certain ones of these can arrive at the position of  FIG. 15  or in an intermediary position between those of  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
     As the radially outwardly extending protrusion  5374  of the tabs  537  slide on the surface  5466  during the travel from the cap  54  of the position of  FIG. 14  to that of  FIG. 15 , while the ribs  535  travel parallel to the surface  5465  without coming in contact with it, the resistant force that is endured by the crown  54  is less when the crown  54  travels from its first position to its second position in relation to the ring  53 . 
     In the configuration of  FIG. 14 , the crown  54  is in its first position in which the skirt  544  ensures, through the bracing it exerts on the tabs  537 , that these tabs are maintained in a configuration engaged with the surface  132  of the neck ring  13 . In other words, the crown  54  forms a handling body of the ring  53 , which actives the locking means formed by the tabs  537 . In this position, the crown  54  can travel in the direction of the bottom  14  but cannot separate from this bottom since it is blocked by the cooperation of the ribs  535  and  5461 . 
     In terms of lowering movement of the plate  301 , it is possible to extract vials  1  of the freeze-drier  300  and to submit each in turn to a calibrated individual force E3, the magnitude of which is for instance equal to 20 Newtons. The application of this force E3 allows to slide the crown  54  in the direction of the bottom  14 , i.e. approach its edge  541  of the body  16  of the vial  1 , by sliding around the elements  53  and  56 . This sliding movement is hardly slowed down since the single point of contact between the crown  54  and ring  53  is the support zone of the radially outwardly extending protrusion  5374  on the surface  5466 , which induces a weak friction force. 
     Taking into account this weak friction force between the pieces  53  and  56 , the force E3, which has a relatively weak magnitude, is sufficient to normally bring the ring  54  of each device  50  in the configuration of  FIG. 15  or in an intermediary configuration between those of  FIGS. 14 and 15  into its second position in which the radially outwardly extending protrusions (or first immobilizing means)  5374  are moved in the groove (or second immobilizing means)  5464  in such a way that the crown  54  is immobilized in translation parallel to the axis X1 in the two directions, i.e. in the same direction as the force E3 and in the inverse direction. In this position presented in  FIG. 15 , the crown  54  immobilizes the tabs  537  in a configuration engaged with the surface  132  of the neck ring  13 . 
     As the force E3, which is necessary to bring the crown  54  from its position of  FIG. 13  to its position of  FIG. 15 , is of weak intensity, it can be used to verify the proper assembly of the device  50  on the neck  12  of the vial  1 . In fact, from the freeze-drier  300  it is possible to subject each vial  1  to a force E3 that is calibrated, i.e. the value of which is predetermined, and then to verify the position of the crown  54  along axis X1, after application of this force. To do so, an optical device  400  illuminates the top edge  542  of the crown  54  in the direction of the arrow F2 in  FIG. 15 , which makes it possible to determine the position of this crown along the axis X1. This position must be comprised in a predetermined slot that corresponds to the reception of the radially outwardly extending protrusions  5374  in the groove  5464 . The slot in the direction of the arrow F2 allows to determine if the crown  54  has efficiently reached its second position. 
     If such is not the case, the vial  1  is identified as presenting a defect in the measure where the stopping device  50  is not correctly mounted on vial  1 . This vial  1  is thus eliminated from the chain of production. In other words, the force E3 has a double function: it allows to bring all devices  50 , which equip vials  1  from the freeze-drier  300  in the configuration of  FIG. 15  or the crown  54  is immobilized axially in relation to the vial  1  and maintains the tabs  537  in locking configuration; this force also allows to verify the proper assembly and proper mounting of the device  50 . In fact, in case of a bad assembly, this force is not sufficient to bring the cap  54  in the configuration of  FIG. 15 , which is detected by the device  400 . 
     In the configuration of  FIG. 15 , the external edge  564  of the lid  56  is accessible laterally, in the direction of the arrow F3, through the notch  543  of the crown  54 . 
     This allows to exercise a wrenching force E4 of the lid  56  in relation to the ring  53 , to access the opening  532  and, through the latter, to the top surface  511  of the stopper  51 . 
     A radial clearance J is defined between the edge  564  of the lid  56  and the part of surface  5465  of the skirt  544  which is located in proximity to this edge in this configuration. This clearance J allows the force E4 to effectively detach the stopper  56  from the ring  53  by breaking up the fused points that results in the merger of the platforms  563  and by extracting the skirt  562  from the opening  532 . Clearance J is arranged on the main part of the periphery of the lid  56 , between this lid and the edge  542 . Alternatively, it can only be arranged in the vicinity of the zone of the skirt  544  opposite the notch  543  since it is in the vicinity of this zone that the lid  56  must move forward laterally towards the left side in  FIG. 15 . 
     We notice in  FIGS. 8 to 10  that, to the extent where the tabs  537  extend from the edge  534  and in the direction of the annular part  531  within the windows  536 , they do not risk getting tangled with the tabs of the pre-assembled cap  52 , i.e. mounted in the configuration of  FIG. 8  which forms progress in relation to the case where the tabs extend towards the bottom starting from the edge of a ring. 
     The invention has been described in the case where the surface  5465  is cylindrical while the surface  5466  is in the shape of an outwardly-inclined radially-inwardly facing surface. Alternatively, the surface  5466  can be cylindrical with a circular base. According to another variable, the surface  5466  can also be slightly in the shape of an outwardly-inclined radially-inwardly facing surface with a clearance angle of a few degrees, less than 4° that aims at facilitating the release of the crown  54 . 
     The constituent elements of cap  52  can be molded in polyoxymethylene (POM) or in an equivalent type of material. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.