Patent Description:
The sealing device is of a type that is configured to seal a receptacle such as a spout of a spouted pouch container, a container as such, for instance a bottle, carton, cup or a can, or similar holder for keeping drinkable (carbonated or non-carbonated) liquids. The sealing device may be configured to open and close a discharge opening of the receptacle. More generally, the sealing device may comprise a base structured to be mounted to the receptacle, the base comprising a sleeve forming a discharge conduit, a valve including a valve housing arranged on the base, wherein when the base is mounted to the receptacle, the receptacle is located upstream of the valve and the discharge direction of the receptacle defines a downstream direction, opposite an upstream direction, wherein the valve further comprises a discharge pipe at least partially protruding in the sleeve of the base and being axially movable therein in the upstream and downstream direction between a storage position wherein the valve is closed and one more utility positions wherein the valve is closed or opened, and a protective cap to be placed on the base and/or valve for protecting the valve.

In <CIT> a sealing device is described that is structured to be able to arranged in different modes or positions: an open utility position, in which the valve of the sealing device is open, a closed utility position, in which the vale of the sealing device is closed in a normal manner (with the sealing device in use), and a closed storage position wherein the valve is more firmly closed than in the normal manner, in order to ensure that the likelihood of the valve remaining closed is increased. The known sealing device provides a gas-tight sealing in the (closed) storage position (whereas in the closed utility position the sealing needs to be liquid-tight only). The closed storage position is in the present disclosure also simply referred to as the storage position. The closed storage position is in the present disclosure also simply referred to as the storage position. For instance, the valve may be arranged in the closed storage position when the sealing device is stored or transported between the manufacturing site and the filling site. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing device may be kept in the storage position right after the sealing device has been connected to a receptacle and the receptacle has been filled with content, for instance during transportation thereof from the assembly site to the store, and before the sealing device has been opened for the first time by the end user.

<CIT> further discloses that the sealing device is structured so that in the storage mode/position, the sealing functions as a good seal in connection with filling, packing, transport and storage of a beverage in a (drinking) receptacle. In the closed utility mode/position, the sealing device is also structured to function as a good seal in connection with consumption of the beverage in the drinking receptacle, hereinafter termed a utility seal. Upon consumption, the valve is normally opened and closed repeatedly, and the sealing device is therefore structured to be able to function satisfactorily also in context of this type of application.

However, in the known sealing device the situation may occur that when the receptacle is to be filled with liquid and subsequently be transported, the valve should be in the storage position. Otherwise there is a small risk that the receptacle with sealing device is not completely liquid tight. For instance, in exceptional circumstances a small amount of liquid may leak from the sealing device during transport and storage of the filled receptacle.

It has been found by the inventors that the risk of leakage of the sealing device after the receptacle to which the sealing device is connected, has been filled with content can be reduced further if it is ensured that the valve is in the above-mentioned closed storage position and that transport and/or storage of the receptacle when the sealing device is not in the closed storage position (i.e. in the open utility position or closed utility position), should be avoided.

Furthermore, the valve, seat and cap may be manufactured remotely from the location where the sealing device is attached to the receptacle and/or from the location where the receptacle is filled. For instance, the valve and seat of the sealing device may be manufactured as one common sealing unit at a first geographical location, whereas the sealing device is assembled by placing the cap on the sealing unit only at a second geographical location. This requires transportation from the first to the second location. During transport (and possibly also storage) the valve in the sealing unit may be unintentionally become displaced so that it cannot be guaranteed that the sealing device is still in the storage position when it arrives at the second geographical location and remains in the storage position during further handling at the second location.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and device for handling a sealing device wherein the one or more of the above disadvantages have been reduced or even removed.

It may also be an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and device for handling a sealing device wherein the likelihood of leakage is reduced.

It may be an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and device for handling a sealing device that enable an efficient assembly of the sealing device.

It may be an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and device for positioning the valve of a sealing device in a reliable manner into a fully closed position.

At least one object may at least partially be achieved in a handling device for handling a sealing device for sealing a receptacle. The sealing device is of the type comprising:.

The handling device may be configured to apply a second force on the discharge pipe that is larger or smaller than the first force applied to the base and/or valve housing. Furthermore, the pushing device may be configured to apply the first force on the base independently from applying the second force on the discharge pipe. This causes displacement of the discharge pipe independently from the displacement of the base.

Urging by the second pushing force results in displacement of the discharge pipe in the downstream direction relative to the valve housing and the base in case the discharge pipe originally was not already in the storage position.

The pushing device is able to apply both a first pushing force on the base thereby pressing the base and valve (and on some embodiments also on a protective cap) together and position them at a predetermined fixed position against the support and apply a second pushing force on the movable discharge pipe of the valve in order to guarantee that the (discharge pipe of the) valve will be in the closed storage position.

In case the sealing device has no protective cap, the support is a valve support configured to support the valve. The valve support may for instance be configured to contact a clamping ring and/or a valve collar of the sealing device, as will be explained later. In case the sealing device does have a protective cap, the support is a cap support configured to support the protective cap, as will later be explained as well.

It is noted here that the pushing forces exerted on the sealing device may be accomplished by moving the (portions of the) pushing device towards the sealing device while keeping the support stationary. In other embodiments, however, the pushing forces exerted on the sealing device are accomplished by keeping portions of the pushing device stationary while the support is moved towards the sealing device. In still other embodiments both the (portions of the) pushing device and the support are moved towards each other.

Furthermore, since both the position of the valve housing pushed by the pushing device and the dimensions of the sealing device are a priori known, the right storage position of the discharge pipe is known as well, enabling the pushing device to push against the discharge pipe until exactly the right position has been reached. The handling device may provide such a high positioning accuracy of the discharge pipe relative to the base and the valve housing that there is no need for sensors and the like for determining the positions of the base and/or valve, before or after the pushing operation, in order to determine exactly the right storage position. The handling device may have a relatively simple and reliable construction and may enable a very high handling speed.

In embodiments of the present disclosure the protective cap remains unattached: applying the first force on the base is only performed to ensure that the base, valve and cap are aligned so to be able to more accurately bring the valve into the storage position. In other embodiments the first force is alternatively or additionally applied to automatically attach the protective cap to the valve and/or base, for instance if the protective cap comprise one or more snap fitting elements. The cap is attached/locked to the base/valve by sliding it over the base/valve assembly, the protective cap will have a feature that will fit to the valve collar. While pressing downwards the valve collar will be compressed and a snap detail in the protective cap will snap under the base collar. The interface between the protective cap and the valve top side, will then create a pretention on the snap and a seal between the cap-valve and base, as the valve is of a soft material.

Therefore the handling device may be configured to both attach the protective cap to the valve and/or base and position the valve into the storage position. Preferably the attaching and positioning is performed simultaneously. For instance, when the base and valve have already been connected to each other to form a common sealing unit in a previous manufacturing operation, the pushing device may be able to attach the protective cap to the sealing unit in a further manufacturing operation (which may be performed at a different geographical location than the previous manufacturing operation). At the same time it is ensured that the valve in the resulting sealing device (i.e. a sealing device having a base, valve and protective cap) is in the storage position. The sealing device is then in the right condition to be attached to a receptacle to be filled with content.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure the pushing device is configured to apply a second force on the discharge pipe that is larger than the first force applied to the base and/or valve housing. As will be explained hereafter, in embodiments wherein use is made of a resilient member such as a compression spring, the first force will primarily be determined by the spring constant of the compression spring, while the second force (which is applied essentially independently from the first force) will be determined by the drive driving the movement of the pushing device.

The sealing device may be of a type wherein the discharge pipe is configured to be axially movable between a storage position wherein the discharge pipe has been moved in downstream direction to contact a storage seal seat of the sleeve to close the discharge conduit, an open utility position wherein the discharge pipe has been moved in upstream direction to open the discharge conduit, and a closed utility position, arranged between the storage position and the open utility position, wherein the discharge pipe has been moved to contact a utility seal part of the sleeve to close the discharge conduit. When the sealing device is of this type, the handling device may be configured to move the discharge pipe from the open utility position to the storage position (via the closed utility position) or from the closed utility position to the storage position.

In embodiments of the present disclosure the valve and base are configured to allow movement of the discharge pipe between a closed storage position and a closed utility position in which the valve is closed in a more firm manner in the closed storage position than in the closed utility position. In the closed storage position the valve is closed in order to ensure that the likelihood of the valve remaining closed during handling, i.e. during transport and/or storage, is increased.

In case the discharge pipe of the sealing device comprises an upstream seal member, the handling device, for instance a first pushing element of the pushing device of the handling device, may be configured to contact the upstream seal member and to move the upstream seal member in downstream direction until the discharge pipe reaches its storage position. More generally, the pushing device may comprise:.

wherein the first and second pushing elements are configured to be displaced relative to each other in the axial direction.

The first pushing element may be configured to apply a pushing force only on the movable discharge pipe of the valve (i.e. directly or indirectly), while the second pushing element is configured to apply a force only on the stationary base and/or the stationary parts of the valve (i.e. on the housing of the valve).

As referred to above, the drive of the handling device is configured to both drive the movement of the first pushing element and drive the movement of the second pushing element. In principle the first pushing element can be displaced independently from the second pushing element. In certain embodiments the drive comprises a first drive unit for driving the movement of the first pushing element and a (separate) second drive unit for driving the movement of the second pushing element, independently from driving the first pushing element. Alternatively or additionally, the drive may comprise:.

In one of the embodiments of the present disclosure the drive is configured to:.

In embodiments of the present disclosure the first pushing element of the handling device comprises an elongated pushing rod and the second pushing element comprises a tube that is arranged concentrically around the pushing rod. The first and second pushing elements are configured to be axially movable relative to each other. In one of these embodiments the second pushing element is spring loaded on the first pushing element. The first and second pushing element can independently from each other exert a force on one or more particular portions of the base and the valve. The first pushing element may be formed by one piece of material. In other embodiments the first pushing element comprises a first pushing rod part and an exchangeable second pushing rod part. The second pushing rod part generally is aligned with the first pushing rod part and may be removably attached to the first pushing rod part. Furthermore, two or more exchangeable second pushing rod parts may be provided, each of the second pushing rod parts having a different contact surface adapted to the shape of a different discharge pipe, for instance adapted to the upstream seal member of the valve. The contact surface of the first pushing element can therefore be tailored for the specific type of sealing device.

The sealing device may be placed on the handling device in different manners. Means for positioning the sealing device on the handling device, i.e. between the pushing device and cap support, may be provided, for example an assembly-line, a conveyor, an automated system, a manual system or the like.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure an assembly of a handling device and at least one sealing device as defined herein is provided.

According to a still further aspect of the present disclosure a method of handling a sealing device in a handling device is provided, wherein the method comprises:.

The method may comprise attaching a protective cap to the valve and/or base and position the valve into the storage position.

The method may comprise applying a second force on the discharge pipe that is larger than the first force applied to the base and/or valve housing.

In embodiments wherein when the discharge pipe of the sealing device is configured to be axially movable between a storage position wherein the discharge pipe has been moved in downstream direction to contact a storage seal seat of the sleeve to close the discharge conduit, an open utility position wherein the discharge pipe has been moved in upstream direction to open the discharge conduit, and a closed utility position, arranged between the storage position and the open utility position, wherein the discharge pipe has been moved to contact a utility seal part of the sleeve to close the discharge conduit, the method may comprise moving the discharge pipe from the open utility position or the closed utility position to the storage position.

In embodiments wherein the discharge pipe comprises an upstream seal member, the method may comprise contacting the upstream seal member and moving the upstream seal member in downstream direction until the discharge pipe reaches its storage position.

In embodiments wherein the pushing device comprises a first pushing element comprising a first contact surface and a second pushing element comprising a second contact surface, the method may comprise moving the second pushing element towards the base of the sealing device and having the second contact surface of the second pushing element apply a pushing force against the base; and moving the first pushing element towards the discharge pipe of the sealing device and having the first contact surface of the first pushing element apply a pushing force against the discharge pipe.

The method may further comprise driving the movement of the first pushing element and the second pushing element using a drive connected to the pushing device and/or driving the movement of the first pushing element independently from driving the movement of the second pushing element. Furthermore, the method may comprise aligning the base and the valve housing by applying the first pushing force.

Further advantages, features and details of the present disclosure will be elucidated with reference to the description of some examples thereof. Reference is made in the description to the accompanying figures. The figures are schematic and may be somewhat distorted with respect to relative dimensions and position of components relative to one another. In general, similar or corresponding details of the figures will be given the same or similar reference numerals in the following.

In other instances, well-known structures and devices are not described in exhaustive detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic exploded view of an assembly of a receptacle <NUM> of a container (the container is not shown, but could be any container or holder able to carry a liquid or liquid-like medium, for instance a flexible spouted pouch container, a bottle, a can, a drinking carton, etc.) and a first embodiment of a sealing device <NUM> according to the present disclosure.

The sealing device <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> (to be) connected to the receptacle <NUM> and a valve <NUM> (to be) mounted to the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> comprises a stationary base housing <NUM> comprising at least a wall partition <NUM> and a tubular base wall <NUM>. In further embodiments, for instance the embodiment of <FIG>, the base housing <NUM> also comprises a tubular connection portion <NUM>, while the base housing <NUM> may also comprise a cylindrical flange <NUM>, as will be explained later. The base <NUM> also comprises a discharge conduit <NUM> in which a base passage (i.e. passage through the base <NUM>) is provided. To this end the base housing <NUM> may comprise a tubular body <NUM> (herein also referred as a sleeve <NUM>) as part of the discharge conduit <NUM>.

Similarly, the valve <NUM> comprises a stationary valve housing <NUM> to be attached the base housing <NUM>. The stationary valve housing <NUM> may comprise a tubular attachment wall <NUM> and a valve collar <NUM>. The valve <NUM> also comprises a number of parts that are configured to be movable with respect to the stationary valve housing <NUM>. For instance, the valve <NUM> comprises a discharge pipe <NUM> wherein a valve passage is provided. When the valve <NUM> is positioned on the base <NUM>, the base passage in the discharge conduit of the base <NUM> and the valve passage in the discharge pipe of the valve <NUM> together form a closable or sealable passage from the interior of the (container of a) receptacle <NUM> connected to the sealing device <NUM> and the exterior, allowing any contents of the container to be dispensed, as will be explained hereafter.

In the shown embodiments, the wall partition <NUM> extends at least partially radially with respect to the discharge conduit <NUM>. Connected to the wall partition <NUM> or integrally formed therewith are three concentric axial tubular walls: a tubular base wall <NUM> with a relatively large diameter, a cylindrical flange <NUM> having a small diameter, and a ring-shaped connection portion <NUM> having an intermediate diameter (i.e. a diameter larger than the diameter of the cylindrical flange <NUM> and smaller than the diameter of the tubular base wall <NUM>). The base <NUM> further comprises a base collar <NUM> formed by a generally ring-shaped radially protruding portion of the tubular base wall <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The base collar <NUM> is preferably arranged at the upstream free end of the tubular base wall <NUM>.

The valve <NUM> further comprises an outer tubular wall <NUM> connected via a top wall <NUM> to an inner tubular wall <NUM> of the discharge pipe <NUM>. The outer tubular wall <NUM> defines a tube with a larger diameter than the inner tubular wall <NUM> of the discharge pipe <NUM> to define a gap <NUM> between the inner and outer tubular walls <NUM> and <NUM>. Furthermore, the outer wall <NUM> is formed with a ring-shaped flexible (resilient) wall <NUM>, while the flexible wall36 in turn is formed with or connected to a tubular attachment wall <NUM>. The flexible wall <NUM> enables the downstream portion of the valve <NUM> to be moved in an axial upstream or axial downstream direction relative to the stationary base <NUM>. At the free end of the tubular attachment wall <NUM> valve collar <NUM> is formed. The valve collar <NUM> is configured as a generally ring-shaped radially protruding portion of the tubular attachment wall <NUM> of the valve <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment the receptacle <NUM> is a spout <NUM> comprising a tubular spout member <NUM> provided at the bottom end with a container attachment flange part <NUM> that can be attached (for instance welded) in any know manner to the walls of a flexible container, for instance a container formed by welding portions of flexible film material to each other. The tubular spout member <NUM> is also provided with a transversal flange <NUM> extending transversally of the axial direction of the spout, the flange being provided for more easy handling of the spouted container, for instance in a labelling machine and/or filling machine. The tubular spout member <NUM> further comprises a circumferential connection element <NUM>. In the shown embodiment, the circumferential connection element <NUM> comprises a flange like protrusion that radially protrudes from the tubular spout member <NUM>. Similarly, the base <NUM> may comprise a ring-shaped connection portion <NUM>. The ring-shaped connection portion <NUM> may have a flexible lower edge that is configured to engage on the circumferential connection portion <NUM> of the tubular spout member <NUM>. The ring-shaped connection portion <NUM> of the base <NUM> may have an inner diameter matching or slightly less than an outer diameter of the circumferential connection portion <NUM> of the tubular spout member <NUM> so as to firmly the base <NUM>, to the drinking receptacle <NUM>. More specifically, the base <NUM> may be slid over the discharge end of the receptacle <NUM> and the flexible connection portion <NUM> of the base <NUM> may be forcedly slid over the connection portion <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> so that the connection portion <NUM> clicks over the flange like protrusion of the connection portion <NUM> of the tubular spout member <NUM> to thereby fix the sealing device <NUM> on the receptacle <NUM>.

The outer surface of the tubular spout member <NUM> may (at an axial position between the connection portion <NUM> and the discharge end <NUM>) comprise a plurality of external axial ribs/grooves <NUM>. The external axial ribs/grooves are preferably evenly distributed over the circumference of the tubular spout member outer surface. The external axial ribs <NUM> are configured to engage corresponding ribs/grooves <NUM> provided inside the base <NUM> on the inner surface of a cylindrical flange <NUM> connected to or integrally formed with wall partition <NUM> (cf. <FIG>) in order to prevent rotational motion of the base <NUM> with respect to the receptacle <NUM>. This may reduce unintentional wear due to rotation of the base <NUM> relative to the receptacle <NUM> which may otherwise deteriorate the reliability of the connection of the sealing device <NUM> to the receptacle <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a second embodiments of a sealing device <NUM> according to the present disclosure. <FIG> show various side views (<FIG> and <FIG> being partially cut-away) of (details of) the second embodiment of the sealing device <NUM>. The second embodiment corresponds with the first embodiment except for the absence of the ring-shaped connection portion <NUM> and the cylindrical flange <NUM>. <FIG> are schematic cross-sections of a further embodiment and show a portion of a sealing device that is in common with the sealing devices of <FIG> and <FIG>.

While in the first embodiment depicted in <FIG> the receptacle <NUM> is shown to be a spout <NUM> forming part of a spouted container and the base <NUM> is attached to the spout <NUM> using the ring-shaped connection portion <NUM> arranged inside the base (more specifically inside the volume defined by the tubular base wall <NUM>), the receptacle may also be part of or form another type of container, such as a bottle, for instance a glass or plastic bottle. Also in this case the base <NUM> of the sealing device may be attached to the receptacle by means of the ring-shaped connection portion. However, the base <NUM> can also be attached in a different manner to a receptacle. For instance, referring to the second embodiment depicted in <FIG>, a sealing device <NUM> can be mounted in a different manner on a drinking receptacle, for instance on the discharge end of a bottle. To this end, the sealing device <NUM> may comprise a tubular connection portion <NUM> (for instance, formed by a free cylindrical end of the earlier-mentioned tubular base wall <NUM> of base <NUM>) having an outer diameter matching an inner diameter of a discharge end of the drinking receptacle, such that the sealing device <NUM> may be fitted in the discharge end of the receptacle. Alternatively, as will be discussed later, the tubular connection portion <NUM> may have an inner diameter matching an outer diameter of a discharge end of the drinking receptacle such that the sealing device <NUM> may be fitted over the discharge end of the drinking receptacle.

On top of the sealing device <NUM>, an over cap <NUM> (herein also referred to as the covering lid, dust cap or end cap, cf. <FIG>) may be placed to ensure the aseptic properties of the sealing device <NUM>, for instance during transport and/or storage. Additionally, the over cap <NUM> may prevent unwanted opening of the valve, for instance in the transport phase of the sealing device from the sealing device manufacturer to the filling site where the container is filled.

Usually the sealing device is manufactured at a first geographical location, made ready for storage and then transported to a second, remote geographical location. Only when the sealing device has arrived at the second location the sealing device is attached to a receptacle of a container. At the same location or at further geographical location the container is then filled with content and made ready of use. The above-mentioned storage mode or position of the sealing device corresponds to the position of the valve <NUM> right after manufacturing thereof. The sealing device <NUM> is then ready for storage so as to be transported from the manufacturing site to the assembling and/or filling site wherein the sealing device is connected to a receptacle and wherein the associated containers is (optionally) filled. Once the container is filled, the valve may be kept in the storage position, ready for first opening by the end user.

Referring to <FIG> the valve <NUM> of the sealing device <NUM> according to the second embodiment comprises an axially movable discharge pipe <NUM> comprising an inner tubular wall <NUM>. The inner tubular wall <NUM> of the discharge pipe <NUM> is seated inside the short, non-movable tubular body or sleeve <NUM> of the base <NUM>, the sleeve <NUM> being part of the discharge conduit <NUM>. The non-movable tubular body / sleeve <NUM> is herein also referred to as the stationary sleeve <NUM>. <FIG> shows that the stationary sleeve <NUM> is connected to or integrally formed with a surrounding support structure in the form of the wall partition <NUM>. As discussed earlier, the wall partition <NUM> may be connected to or integrally formed with the tubular connection portion <NUM> that is configured to allow the base <NUM> to be firmly connected to the receptacle <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the discharge pipe <NUM> is arranged coaxially in the sleeve <NUM> and is movable in axial direction (in the figures, upward and downward) relative to the stationary sleeve <NUM> between (at least) three different axial positions. The discharge pipe <NUM> is movable in axial direction and is configured for valve-activation. More specifically, the discharge pipe <NUM> constitutes a maneuver body in the form of a valve stem which may open or close the passage of liquid through the sealing device <NUM>. The discharge pipe <NUM> comprises at its upstream end an upstream seal member <NUM>. The upstream seal member may be formed by an end wall <NUM>. This end wall of the discharge pipe <NUM> is closed, but in the side surface of the discharge pipe <NUM> one or more radial openings <NUM> are present allowing liquid to flow from the container, through the base passage and the valve passage to the outside, when the valve is in the open utility position of <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the inner tubular wall <NUM> of the discharge pipe <NUM> is connected via a top wall <NUM> to an outer tubular wall <NUM>. The outer tubular wall <NUM> defines a tube with a larger diameter than the inner tubular wall <NUM> of the discharge pipe <NUM> to define a gap <NUM> between the inner and outer tubular walls <NUM> and <NUM>. Furthermore, the outer wall <NUM> is formed with a flexible (resilient) wall <NUM> (cf. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>), extending obliquely or transversally relative to the axial direction), while the flexible wall36 in turn is formed with or connected to a tubular attachment wall <NUM>. The tubular attachment wall <NUM> of the valve <NUM> can be mounted firmly to the stationary base <NUM>, as will be explained later. The flexible wall <NUM> enables to outer tubular wall <NUM> (and therefore also the discharge pipe <NUM>) to be movable upward or downward between the storage position, open utility position and closed utility position) relative to the non-movable (stationary) tubular attachment wall <NUM> of the valve <NUM> (and of course also relative to the non-movable (stationary) base <NUM> to which the valve <NUM> is connected).

For opening and closing of the discharge passage, the valve <NUM> comprises a sealing body <NUM>, preferably a sealing body formed by an elastic ring-shaped seal collar <NUM> extending outwardly towards the sleeve <NUM>. The sealing body <NUM> is located at the upstream seal member (upstream end wall <NUM>) of the discharge pipe <NUM>. The seal collar <NUM> may be formed from a suitable plastics material, which is elastic by nature. As mentioned above, the discharge pipe <NUM> is also provided with several pipe wall radial openings <NUM>. These radial opening <NUM> are located immediately downstream of the seal collar <NUM>. Thereby, discharge of a liquid will take place through the pipe wall openings <NUM> and the discharge pipe <NUM> when the valve is in the open utility mode. Along its inner periphery, the sleeve <NUM> is provided with a ring-shaped seal bulb <NUM> (cf. <FIG>, and, in more detail, <FIG>) extending into the sleeve <NUM>. The seal bulb <NUM> includes an upstream-directed storage seal seat <NUM> structured for sealing reception of said seal collar <NUM> when the valve <NUM> is in the storage mode, such as shown in <FIG>. This is possible because the seal collar <NUM> is located in a region upstream of the seal bulb <NUM>.

Furthermore, the sleeve <NUM> is provided with an upstream-directed, ring-shaped end seat <NUM> also located upstream of the seal bulb <NUM> and being one of several utility seal seats in the sleeve <NUM>. In this exemplifying embodiment, the end seat <NUM> is comprised of an upstream-directed bevel edge formed at an upstream end <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>. The end seat <NUM> is structured for sealing reception of the seal collar <NUM> when the valve <NUM> is in the closed utility mode, such as shown in <FIG>. Thus, the valve <NUM> is structured for opening of the discharge conduit <NUM> by virtue of upstream-directed movement of the seal collar <NUM> relative to the discharge direction of the valve, and away from the end seat <NUM>, in which position the valve <NUM> is in the open utility mode, such as shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the discharge direction is indicated with downstream-directed arrows, whereas the movement direction of the seal collar <NUM> during valve opening is indicated with an upstream-directed arrow.

The seal bulb <NUM> also includes a downstream-directed, ring-shaped stop seat <NUM>. This stop seat <NUM> is structured for motion-limiting contact with an external stop collar <NUM> formed around the discharge pipe <NUM> in a region located downstream of said pipe wall openings <NUM> and downstream of the seal bulb <NUM>. <FIG> shows the stop collar <NUM> in contact with the stop seat <NUM> subsequent to upstream-directed and valve opening axial movement of the discharge pipe <NUM>.

The sleeve <NUM> also includes an internal and cylindrically shaped seal portion <NUM> located in a longitudinal portion between said end seat <NUM> and the seal bulb <NUM>. In this example of an embodiment, the entire seal portion <NUM> is structured for slide-sealing against the seal collar <NUM>. When in its radially expanded position, this seal collar <NUM> is arranged to have a marginally larger diameter than the diameter of the internal, cylindrical seal portion <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>. The cylindrical seal portion <NUM> may thus function both as continuous storage seal seats and utility seal seats, and the seal collar <NUM> will be somewhat compressed radially when positioned in the seal portion <NUM>. Thus, all of the storage seal seats <NUM>, <NUM> and utility seal seats <NUM>, <NUM> are structured for sealing against the seal collar <NUM> during downstream-directed movement thereof.

The upper part of <FIG> illustrates a partly cut-away side view of the sealing device <NUM> of <FIG>, while the lower part of <FIG> illustrates a detailed cross-section of the bottom end of the base <NUM> of the sealing device <NUM>. The base <NUM> supports the valve <NUM> and is configured to allow the valve <NUM> to be positioned in the open utility mode, the closed utility mode and/or the storage mode. To this end, the base <NUM> comprises a tubular connection portion <NUM> configured to be mounted to the receptacle <NUM>. The tubular connection portion <NUM> is connected to or integrally formed with a tubular base wall <NUM> that is connected to or integrally formed with wall partition <NUM>. Also an upper portion of the wall partition <NUM> takes a tubular shape and constitutes the sleeve <NUM> relative to which the discharge pipe <NUM> may be displaced. The partition wall <NUM> also is provided with an annular axial rim <NUM> creating a gap between the outer side of the partition wall <NUM> of the base <NUM> and the inner side of the outer tubular wall <NUM> and flexible (resilient) wall <NUM> so as to provide sufficient space for the discharge pipe <NUM> to be moved in axial direction. If an axial force is exerted on the valve <NUM> in the direction of the upstream end wall <NUM>, for instance by a user pushing his lips onto the valve, the discharge pipe <NUM> of the valve <NUM> is moved from the storage mode or closed utility mode to the closed utility mode and/or the open utility mode. Due to resilient properties of wall part <NUM> of the valve <NUM> facing the partition <NUM>, the sleeve <NUM> of the valve <NUM>, after said exertion of force is relieved, may be moved relative to the base <NUM> from the open utility mode to the closed utility mode.

For example, in <FIG> and <FIG>, the sealing device <NUM> is illustrated in the storage mode, said exertion of force may force the upstream end wall <NUM> in the upstream direction to be moved into the closed utility mode (cf. <FIG>), further application of force in said direction may force the upstream end wall <NUM> to move further in said direction, thereby forcing the sealing device <NUM> in the open utility mode (cf. <FIG>), thereby allowing fluidic flow from a drinking receptacle arranged upstream of the sealing device <NUM>.

In principle, the valve <NUM> of the first or second embodiment could be placed on the base <NUM> in a non-fixed manner. For example, the valve <NUM> and base <NUM> could be jointly mounted in a cap, a cap-like cover or the like wherein the cap comprises a radially narrowed portion that acts as a seat for the valve collar <NUM> and/or the base collar <NUM> to mount the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM> in a cap, a cap-like cover or the like in a click-like manner. However, such a manner of mounting may be unreliable, wherein the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM> may come loose or lose their sealing properties. Therefore there is a need for fixedly connecting the valve <NUM> and the base <NUM> at least in a portion of and/or near the valve collar <NUM> and the base collar <NUM>.

To achieve a more reliable seal of the sealing device <NUM> as a whole, it is considered in the present disclosure to fix the valve <NUM> and the base <NUM> to each other. The fixed connection may be achieved according to embodiments of the present disclosure by placing a ring-shaped attachment element over both collars <NUM>, <NUM> and attaching the same to both the base collar <NUM> of the base <NUM> and the valve collar <NUM> of the valve <NUM>. In other embodiments the ring-shaped attachment element may be an integral part of either the base collar <NUM> or the valve collar <NUM>. In these embodiments the ring-shaped attachment element only needs to be attached to the other collar <NUM>,<NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the valve <NUM> and the base <NUM> may be connected to each other using a clamping ring <NUM>. The base wall <NUM> comprises a radially protruding circumferential base collar <NUM> of the base <NUM>, while the tubular attachment wall <NUM> of the valve <NUM> comprises a similar radially extending circumferential valve collar <NUM>. After having placed the valve collar <NUM> is positioned on the base collar <NUM>, the clamping ring <NUM> can be placed around the base so to contact both the valve collar <NUM> and base collar <NUM>. The clamping ring <NUM> may be connected to both the valve collar <NUM> and the base collar <NUM> by any attachment technique, such as gluing and/or welding (for instance heat welding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, pressure welding and/or impact welding or snap). Preferably, the clamping ring <NUM> is fixedly connected to the valve collar and/or base collar <NUM> by ultrasonic welding. The clamping ring <NUM> preferably comprises at least a portion covering a radially extending portion of the valve collar <NUM> of the valve <NUM> and at least a portion fixedly connected to the valve collar <NUM>. Thereby movement of the valve collar <NUM> with respect to the base collar <NUM> (both axial movement and rotational movement) is prevented.

The clamping ring may be a separate ring that is arranged around the collars <NUM>,<NUM> once they have been placed on top of each other. In other embodiments, the clamping ring <NUM> is an integrally formed part of either the base collar <NUM> or the valve collar <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> the clamping <NUM> is integrally formed with the base collar <NUM>. The clamping ring <NUM> only needs to be attached (glued and/or welded) to the other collar, again by gluing and/or welding.

Referring again to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the valve <NUM> and the base <NUM> are separate elements prior to joining thereof. The clamping ring <NUM> is integrally formed with the base collar <NUM> whereby a base collar gap <NUM> (cf. <FIG>) is formed in between a portion of the clamping ring <NUM> and a portion of the base collar <NUM>, the shape of said gap <NUM> being such that it substantially corresponds to the shape of the portion of the valve collar <NUM> to be fitted in the gap <NUM> and such that, when the valve collar <NUM> is fitted in said gap <NUM>, axial movement of the valve collar <NUM> with respect to the base collar <NUM> is prevented. To this end, when the valve collar <NUM> is applied in the gap <NUM>, the clamping ring <NUM> may be configured to have a portion of the clamping ring <NUM> snap over the valve collar <NUM>, thereby preventing axial movement of the collar <NUM> with respect to the base collar <NUM>. In addition, the clamping ring <NUM> may be further fixed to the base collar <NUM> and/or the valve collar <NUM>. As mentioned before, fixing the clamping ring <NUM> to the valve collar <NUM> may be performed by gluing, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, RF sealing, pressure sealing and/or impact sealing. Preferably, the clamping ring <NUM> is fixedly connected to the valve collar <NUM> by ultrasonic sealing.

Returning to <FIG>, alternatively or additionally, the base <NUM> may at the inner circumference of the base wall <NUM>, more specifically at the inner circumference of the tubular connection portion <NUM> of the base <NUM>, be attached to a spout seat <NUM> (corresponding to spout seat <NUM> in <FIG>). The spout seat <NUM> locally decreases the inner diameter of the tubular connection portion <NUM>. The tubular connection portion <NUM> may be configured to be placed over a receptacle formed by a spout wherein the spout has an outer shape corresponding to the inner shape of the tubular connection portion <NUM>. For example, the inner diameter of the tubular connection portion <NUM> may correspond to an outer diameter of the spout at which connection portion is to be mounted. The spout may for instance have a substantially cylindrical connection portion (not shown in the figures). Such connection portion preferably comprises a radially protruding portion forming a flange-like protrusion wherein said spout seat <NUM> is configured to cooperate with said flange to attach the sealing device <NUM> onto the spout. For instance when the sealing device <NUM> is mounted on the spout, the spout seat <NUM> may be snapped over the flange to prevent the sealing device <NUM> from moving with respect to the spout.

Alternatively or additionally, the tubular connection portion <NUM> may comprise an inner threading configured to be screwed onto an outer threading of a drinking receptacle. Further alternatively or additionally, as mentioned above, the outer surface of the tubular connection portion <NUM> may be configured to be fitted in the inner circumference of a connection portion of a receptacle.

<FIG> show partly cut-away perspective views of another embodiment of the sealing device. Like elements have been provided with like reference numbers and a separate detailed description thereof has been omitted. The difference between the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> and the embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG> mainly resides in the features relating to the tubular base wall <NUM> and/or connection portion <NUM> (cf. <FIG>) and connection portion <NUM>(cf. <FIG>, similar to the connection portion shown in <FIG>), <NUM>' and the corresponding spout seat <NUM>'. Similar to the embodiment of <FIG>, the embodiment of <FIG> has a connection portion <NUM> for snap-fitting on a connection portion <NUM> on the tubular spout member <NUM> of a spout type receptacle <NUM>.

Further, the embodiment of <FIG> comprises one or more base anti-rotation ribs and/or grooves <NUM>, also discussed in connection with <FIG>. The ribs/grooves <NUM> may also be applied in each of the other embodiments described herein.

The connection portion <NUM> of <FIG> is configured to receive a connection portion of a spout therein. The connection portion <NUM> has a reduced inner diameter with respect to the tubular base wall <NUM>. To this end, the connection portion <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM> by an axial tubular flange starting from the bottom surface of the partition wall <NUM> and extending downward. The outer end of this axial tubular flange is formed by the connection portion <NUM>. The connection portion <NUM> is configured to have an inner diameter matching an outer diameter of a connection portion of a receptacle, for instance - but not limited to - the receptacle of <FIG>, at which the sealing device <NUM> is to be mounted. The upstream portion of the connection portion <NUM> may comprise a spout seat <NUM>' with similar purpose as the spout seat <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The spout seat <NUM>' may be discontinuous along the upstream portion of the connection portion <NUM> in order to allow the connection portion <NUM> to temporarily deform in order to accommodate a snapping locking action of the spout seat <NUM>' over the flange-like protrusion <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>.

In <FIG> another construction for mounting the valve <NUM> to the base <NUM> is illustrated. The base <NUM> may comprise a radially protruding base collar <NUM> that has an increased outer diameter with respect to the outer diameter of the valve collar <NUM>. The base collar <NUM> may comprise one or more welding ridges <NUM>, i.e. a locally increased thickness of the base collar <NUM>, wherein the welding ridges <NUM> are configured to assist the welding operation. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, one continuous welding ridge <NUM> is illustrated; however the person skilled in the art will recognize that a plurality of welding lines may also be applied. The welding line <NUM> may be a continuous or a discontinuous welding line and may be positioned on a portion of the base collar <NUM> that is extending further in the radial direction than the radially outermost portion of the valve collar <NUM>. The clamping ring <NUM>, illustrated as a separate element, may be provided on the valve <NUM> and the base <NUM>. The clamping ring <NUM> will be in contact with the base <NUM> via the base collar <NUM> at the position of the welding line <NUM>. The clamping ring <NUM> is connected to the base collar <NUM> via gluing, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, pressure welding and/or impact welding, preferably ultrasonic welding. The clamping ring <NUM> comprises a portion that is covering at least a portion of the valve collar <NUM> in the axial direction of the sealing device <NUM>. Thereby axial and rotational movement of the valve collar <NUM> with respect to the base collar <NUM> is prevented.

In <FIG> a plurality of optional cap connectors <NUM> are illustrated on the clamping ring <NUM>. The cap connectors <NUM> may be integrally formed with the clamping ring <NUM> or may be separate elements configured to allow connection of a cap to the valve <NUM> and/or base. Alternatively or additionally the cap connectors <NUM> are integrally formed with both the cap and the clamping ring <NUM> so that they form one interconnected unit. For instance, the cap connectors <NUM> can be configured to connect with the dust cap <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. This figure is a perspective view of the sealing device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. In <FIG> the sealing device <NUM> is provided with a cap <NUM> that may prevent dust, solids, fluids, bacteria or other unwanted substances from coming into contact with the valve <NUM> of the sealing device <NUM>. Additionally, the cap <NUM> may, for example, prevent the valve <NUM> of the sealing device <NUM> to be unintentionally pushed into the open utility mode or, when the sealing device <NUM> is in the storage mode, prevent that the sealing device <NUM> is unintentionally pushed into the closed utility mode. The cap <NUM> may be mounted on the clamping ring <NUM> in a removable manner, for instance via the cap connectors <NUM>. To this end the cap connectors <NUM> may be connected to the cap <NUM> in a manner that a pull action on the cap <NUM> may break the connections of the cap connectors <NUM> to the cap <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the dust cap may be mounted in a flipable manner on the clamping ring <NUM> or the dust cap comprise two dust cap parts: a first part permanently or removably connected to the clamping ring, and a second part hingedly connected to the first cap part allowing the second part to be moved between a closed and open position.

<FIG> - 6CC illustrate further embodiments of the sealing device, wherein different manners of attaching a valve to a base are elucidated.

In <FIG>, a plurality of welding elements <NUM> are illustrated. The welding elements <NUM> are integrally formed with the base <NUM> prior to connection thereof to the valve <NUM>. During connection of the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM>, the welding elements <NUM> may be connected to an upstream side of the valve <NUM>, these welding elements <NUM> may be connected to the upstream side of the valve <NUM> by gluing, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, pressure welding and/or impact welding, preferably ultrasonic welding. Due to such connections movement of the valve collar <NUM> with respect to the base collar <NUM> is prevented.

In addition, in some embodiments, the upstream side of the valve <NUM> may comprise a plurality of holes (not shown) at positions corresponding to the position of the welding elements <NUM> to allow at least a welding tip <NUM> of the welding element <NUM> to protrude through said hole such that a welding element <NUM> may also be connected to the base <NUM> at a portion thereof facing said welding tip <NUM>.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that the welding elements <NUM> may alternatively be positioned on the valve <NUM>, for example, the welding elements may be arranged in the upstream side of the valve <NUM> in replacement of the valve collar.

In <FIG>, a plurality of connection elements <NUM> are illustrated. The connection elements <NUM> are integrally formed with the base <NUM> prior to connection thereof to the valve <NUM>. During connection of the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM>, the connection elements <NUM> may be connected to an upstream side of the valve <NUM>, these connection elements <NUM> may be connected to the upstream side of the valve <NUM> by forcing an arrow shape-like end of an connection element <NUM> through a corresponding connection hole <NUM> in the upstream side of the valve <NUM>. Preferably, the arrow shape-like head of the connection element <NUM> has a similar but slight preferably larger maximum diameter than the diameter of the hole such that, after the connection element <NUM> is forced through the connection hole <NUM> reversal thereof is difficult to achieve. Due to such connections movement of the valve collar <NUM> with respect to the base collar <NUM> is prevented. In addition, in some embodiments, the connection elements <NUM> may be welded to the valve <NUM>.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that the connection elements <NUM> may alternatively be positioned on the base collar <NUM> facing the valve collar <NUM> and/or the valve <NUM>, for example, on the valve collar <NUM> facing the base collar <NUM>. In such embodiments the connection holes would be positioned at corresponding positions in the valve collar <NUM> and/or base collar <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a plurality of clamping elements <NUM> are illustrated. The clamping elements <NUM> are integrally formed with the base <NUM> prior to connection thereof to the valve <NUM>. During connection of the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM>, the clamping elements <NUM> may be connected to an upstream side of the valve <NUM>, these clamping elements <NUM> may be connected to the upstream side of the valve <NUM> by forcing the valve collar <NUM> past an inwardly pointed protrusion of the clamping elements <NUM>. As a consequence thereof, the valve collar <NUM> is clamped to the base <NUM> via the clamping elements <NUM>. Thereby movement of the valve collar <NUM> with respect to the base collar <NUM> is prevented. In addition, in some embodiments, the clamping elements <NUM> may be welded to the valve <NUM>. The person skilled in the art will recognize that clamping elements <NUM> may alternatively be positioned on the valve collar <NUM> facing the base collar <NUM>.

Preferably, the sealing device and the valve are structured for releasable connection to the drinking receptacle, for example via a suitable enclosure. Opening and closing of the valve may be carried out manually, but valve activating auxiliary mechanisms known per se may also be used for this purpose.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an embodiment of a handling device <NUM> according to the present disclosure. In the figures the handling device <NUM> is shown handling the sealing device according to the embodiments of <FIG>|-2C. A similar handling device may be used of course to handle any of the other embodiments described herein.

The handling device <NUM> is configured for positioning the upstream seal member <NUM> of a sealing device <NUM> in a closed storage position (i.e. the storage position). The sealing device <NUM> comprising a base <NUM> and the valve <NUM> may be pre-produced at a first location (for instance a factory) and connected to each other forming a sealing unit, for instance as explained earlier. The sealing unit may then be stored and/or transported to a second location (for instance an assembly site) wherein a protective cap <NUM> is connected to the sealing unit. At the same time the protective cap <NUM> is connected to the sealing unit, the valve <NUM> may be forced to be positioned in the storage position. Then the sealing device (comprising the sealing unit and the protective cap connected thereto) is connected to a receptacle <NUM>. At the same location (or a further location, remote from the second location) the receptacle <NUM> may have been of may be filled with content.

In the exemplary situation wherein the base and valve have been premanufactured and already have been connected to each other at a first location (remote from a second location wherein the sealing device is attached to a receptacle and/or the receptacle is filled with content), there is a risk that during transportation of the sealing device from the first to the second location, the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM> may become slightly displaced relative to each other or even become detached from each other. This may be the result of the sealing device <NUM> having undergone significant shaking or the like during transportation or the result of the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM> not having been properly joined to each other, for instance when the clamping ring <NUM> has not been used or not been used properly. The fact that this situation may occur means that after transportation of de sealing device, at the stage wherein the sealing device is attached to the receptacle and/or the receptacle is filled with content (for instance a liquid), it is not fully certain whether the (discharge pipe of the) valve is in the proper position or mode (e.g. the storage position) for the receptacle to be filled and the filled receptacle to be handled further. Therefore it should be ascertained that the discharge pipe of the valve is brought into the right position.

Also in the exemplary situation wherein the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM> forming part of the sealing device <NUM> have been produced at different locations and the sealing device is only assembled shortly prior to attaching the sealing device <NUM> on the receptacle and/or filling the receptacle with content, it is not certain whether the (discharge pipe of the) valve is in the proper position or mode (e.g. the storage position) for the receptacle to be filled and the filled receptacle to be handled further. The same applies to exemplary situations wherein the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM> may be have been integrally connected or formed at the first location and have been transported thereafter to the second location (for instance at the location of a filling station). In these situations it may occur that the discharge pipe <NUM> of the valve <NUM> is not in the proper position or mode (e.g. the storage position) for the receptacle to be filled and the filled receptacle to be handled further.

In all of these exemplary situations, it may be necessary to assure that the sealing device <NUM> is in the storage mode prior to the connection thereto of a protective cover and/or prior to assembly thereof on the drinking receptacle <NUM>. In fact, during any of the aforementioned methods of joining the base <NUM> and the valve <NUM>, it may be required to perform an additional step of urging the upstream seal member <NUM> into the storage position, irrespective of how the base <NUM>, valve <NUM> and/or cap <NUM> are joined or are to be joined and how the base, valve and cap are delivered at the second location.

In order to both provide for a proper connection of the protective cap <NUM> to the sealing unit, to guarantee that the valve is in the storage position and to ensure that the base <NUM> and valve <NUM> are properly aligned relative to each other (especially if the base <NUM> and valve <NUM> are allowed to get misaligned, for instance to get slightly displaced relative to each other, for instance during transport and/or storage), a handling device <NUM> as defined herein may be provided. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a handling device <NUM> is shown for handling a sealing device <NUM>. The handling device <NUM> comprises a sealing unit and a protective cap <NUM> loosely placed on top of the sealing unit. In the shown embodiment the handling device <NUM> comprises a stationary cap support <NUM> arranged at the downstream side of the protective cap <NUM> and configured to support the protective cap <NUM>. The cap support <NUM> has a contact surface <NUM> having a shape adapted to the shape of protective cap <NUM> so that the cap <NUM> can be stably received in the cap support <NUM>.

The handling device <NUM> further comprises a pushing device <NUM> arranged at the upstream side of the base <NUM>. The pushing device <NUM> is configured to locally apply a first pushing force in axial downstream direction (Pd) on the base <NUM>, for instance on the partition wall <NUM> of the base <NUM>, in order to urge the base <NUM>, the valve <NUM> connected to the base <NUM>, and the protective cap <NUM> placed on the valve <NUM>, against the cap support <NUM>. The pushing device <NUM> is also configured to locally apply a second pushing force in the same axial downstream direction (Pd) on the discharge pipe <NUM> of the valve <NUM> in order to urge the discharge pipe <NUM> to move (or to stay) in its storage position.

In the embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG> the pushing device <NUM> comprises a first pushing element <NUM> and a second pushing element <NUM>, wherein the both the first and second pushing elements can be moved in axial direction relative to each other. The first pushing element <NUM> comprises a central elongated pushing rod and the second pushing element <NUM> comprises a tube that is arranged concentrically around the pushing rod. The pushing rod and tube are arranged to be axially movable relative to each other.

Referring to <FIG>, the second pushing element <NUM> in the shape of a tube may comprise an annular contact surface <NUM> to be placed against the base <NUM>. Similarly, the central pushing rod may comprise a contact surface <NUM> adapted to the shape of the discharge pipe <NUM>, preferably to the upstream seal member <NUM> thereof. In the specific embodiment shown in <FIG>, the pushing rod is comprised of a first pushing rod part <NUM> and an exchangeable second pushing rod part <NUM>. The exchangeable second pushing rod part <NUM> can be replaced by another pushing rod part with a differently shaped contact surface, depending on the specific type of sealing device that is to be handled by the present handling device <NUM>.

The first pushing element <NUM> is configured to apply a pushing force only on the movable discharge pipe of the valve <NUM> (i.e. directly or indirectly), while the second pushing element is configured to apply a force only on the stationary base and/or the stationary parts of the valve <NUM> (i.e. the housing of the valve). To this end the handling device <NUM> further comprises a drive <NUM>. The drive <NUM> is configured to drive the movement of the first pushing element <NUM> and drive the movement of the second pushing element <NUM>. The drive <NUM> (only schematically shown in the figures) could comprise one or more linear actuators, for instance an actuator of the rack and pinion type. In embodiments of the present disclosure (not shown) the drive <NUM> comprises a linear actuator for driving the movement of the first pushing element <NUM> and a separate linear actuator for independently driving the movement of the second pushing element <NUM>. However, in the embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the drive <NUM> comprises a first drive unit (for instance a linear actuator) for applying an axial force <NUM> in upstream and/or downstream direction to cause a reciprocating axial movement of the first pushing element <NUM>, while the second drive unit comprises at least one resilient member <NUM> connected between the first and second pushing elements <NUM>,<NUM> and configured to move the second pushing <NUM> element along with the movement of the first pushing element <NUM>. The resilient member <NUM> may be a compression spring or similar device.

In operation, the sealing device <NUM> is placed in the handling device <NUM>. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the protective cap <NUM> may have been placed loosely on top of the sealing unit comprises of the base <NUM> and valve <NUM> that have been connected to each other at an earlier stage. In other embodiments the base <NUM> and valve <NUM> have already been attached to the protective cap.

Then, in a first stage, the drive <NUM> applies a force <NUM> on the first pushing element <NUM> so that the first pushing element <NUM> moves in the direction of the sealing device <NUM>. Because of the presence of the resilient member <NUM> between the first and second pushing elements <NUM>,<NUM>, the second pushing element <NUM> is caused to co-move with the axial movement in downstream direction of the first pushing element <NUM> until the contact surface <NUM> of the second pushing element <NUM> abuts the base, as is shown in <FIG>.

In a second stage the drive <NUM> continues apply a force onto the first pushing element <NUM> in downstream direction. Because of the spring action of the resilient element <NUM> the second pushing element <NUM> is now pushes with a first force against the base <NUM> causing the base <NUM>, valve <NUM> and cap <NUM> to be pressed on each other and urge the protective cap <NUM> against the cap support <NUM>.

In a third stage the force exerted by the drive on the first element <NUM> is increased. This causes the first pushing element <NUM> to move towards the sealing device, against the counterforce provided by the resilient member <NUM>, until the contact surface <NUM> of the first pushing element <NUM> reaches the end wall <NUM> of the discharge pipe <NUM> of the valve <NUM> and starts pushing against the discharge pipe <NUM>. Depending on the current position of the valve, the discharge pipe <NUM> is moved towards the storage position (if the valve is not yet in the storage position) or is maintained in the storage position (of the valve is already in the storage position). In this manner it is ensured that the valve is arranged in the storage position.

As mentioned before, the cap support <NUM> and pushing device <NUM> can be used at the same time to actually attach a protective cover <NUM> that has been loosely placed on top of the sealing unit (i.e. the interconnected base <NUM> and valve <NUM>) to at least one of the base <NUM> and valve <NUM>. In embodiments of the present disclosure the base <NUM> and/or the cap <NUM> comprises clamping means (for instance including a couple of snap fit elements) to thereby attach the cap <NUM> on the sealing device <NUM>, for instance in a click-like manner.

Further, in some embodiments, the handling device100 may be used simultaneously with other devices that are configured for gluing, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, pressure welding and/or impact welding of the valve <NUM> and the base <NUM> as described above. For instance it may be preferable to place the valve <NUM> and base <NUM> into the handling device <NUM> and to join the valve <NUM> and the base <NUM> by ultrasonic welding while the base and valve are held in the handling device <NUM> while the upstream member <NUM> of the discharge pipe <NUM> of the valve <NUM> is substantially simultaneously brought into the storage mode.

The contact surface <NUM> of the first element <NUM> may have a shape, at least at the outermost portion thereof in the upward direction thereof, that is configured to exert a force in the upward direction (Pd) on the upstream seal member <NUM> only near the peripheral edge of the upstream seal member <NUM>. For example, the part <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> may have an outer end (in the upward direction) having a generally hollow cylindrical shape. Thereby, since the upstream seal member <NUM> has an circularly symmetric shape, substantially no force is exerted (directly) on the center of the upstream seal member. As such, the force in the upward direction is exerted on the upstream seal member in such a manner that the upstream seal member is forced to move over the seal bulb of the base <NUM> of the sealing device <NUM>. This may result in an even more reliable storage seal. On the other hand, if the force in the upward direction was exerted in the center of the upstream seal member, the shape of the seal member might deform in such a manner that the peripheral edge thereof is not forced over the seal bulb of the seal member but, for example, may deform in the center portion of the upward seal member <NUM> while not forcing the peripheral edge thereof beyond the seal bulb.

<FIG> illustrates a further embodiment of a handling device according to the present disclosure. In this embodiment the handling device is particularly suited for handling sealing devices that have not been provided with a protective cover. The earlier described embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> relate to a handling device particularly suited for handling sealing devices that have a removable protective cap placed on top of the base / valve.

In the further embodiment the handling device comprises a stationary valve support <NUM> arranged at the downstream side of the valve and configured to support the valve <NUM>. To this end the valve support <NUM> is shaped so as to have a circumferential flange <NUM> having a bottom circumferential edge <NUM> that is shaped to contact the clamping ring <NUM> and/or the valve collar <NUM> of the valve <NUM> so that the sealing device can be stably received in and supported by the cap support <NUM>. <FIG> shows the handling device in the second position corresponding to the second position shown in <FIG>. The handling device can also be placed in the first position, similar to the first position shown in <FIG>.

As expressed above the terms "downward" and "upward" are only used for the sake of explanation due to the orientation of the <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> and are not limiting. For example, the handling device <NUM> may be arranged above the sealing device <NUM>. In such a case the upward direction may be in the same direction as gravity while the downward direction is opposed to the direction of gravity. A person skilled in the art will recognize that any orientation with respect to the direction of gravity falls under the disclosure above, e.g. horizontal, vertical, oblique, any combination and/or any inversion thereof.

In embodiments of the present disclosure a camera system is provided, for instance positioned at the end of the assembly line, in order to check that the storage seal is in place. More particularly, camera is arranged to view the handling device from the upper side. The camera is directed to the molding inlet point and compares this circular point against the outer rim of the valve, also a circular rim. If these two circular details are concentric, then it is determined that the valve is in storage mode. If they are not concentric, it is determined that the valve is not in storage mode.

Claim 1:
Handling device (<NUM>) for handling a sealing device (<NUM>) for sealing a receptacle, the sealing device (<NUM>) comprising:
- a base (<NUM>) structured to be mounted to the receptacle, the base comprising a sleeve (<NUM>) forming a discharge conduit (<NUM>);
- a valve (<NUM>) including a valve housing (<NUM>) arranged on the base (<NUM>), wherein when the base (<NUM>) is mounted to the receptacle, the receptacle is located upstream of the valve (<NUM>) and the discharge direction of the receptacle defines a downstream direction, opposite an upstream direction, wherein the valve (<NUM>) further comprises a discharge pipe (<NUM>) at least partially protruding in the sleeve (<NUM>) of the base (<NUM>) and being axially movable therein in the upstream and downstream direction between a storage position wherein the valve is closed and one more utility positions wherein the valve is closed or opened;
wherein the handling device (<NUM>) is configured to position the discharge pipe (<NUM>) of the valve (<NUM>) of the sealing device (<NUM>) into a storage position, the handling device comprising:
- a support (<NUM>,<NUM>) to be arranged at the downstream side of the base (<NUM>) and configured to support handling device;
- a pushing device (<NUM>) to be arranged at the upstream side of the base (<NUM>) and configured to apply a first pushing force on the base (<NUM>) and/or on the valve housing (<NUM>) so to urge at least the base (<NUM>) and the valve (<NUM>) against the support (<NUM>,<NUM>) and to apply a second pushing force on the discharge pipe (<NUM>) of the valve (<NUM>) to urge the discharge pipe (<NUM>) to its storage position,
wherein the pushing device (<NUM>) is configured to apply the first pushingforce on the base (<NUM>) independently from applying the second pushing force on the discharge pipe (<NUM>) to displace the discharge pipe (<NUM>) independently from the displacement of the base (<NUM>) to the storage position.