Sealing lip for use with a viewing window

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9481498-B2
Application number	US-201414763272-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 22, 2014
Priority date	Feb 12, 2013
Publication date	Nov 1, 2016
Grant date	Nov 1, 2016

Abstract

An apparatus for permitting inspection of container processing includes a one-piece elastic peripheral lip seal that seals a transition between a window and a mounting frame. In its un-deformed state, the lip-seal, which has first and second strip-shaped lip-sections, has an at least partially sickle-shaped cross-section in its un-deformed state. Both lip sections extend outward toward respective first and second edges, the second edge being a sealing edge. A thickness of the second lip-section decreases towards the sealing edge. The lip sections curve around an axis oriented along a longitudinal direction of the lip seal. The first lip-section defines a concave curve along a first surface of the lip seal, and the second lip-section defines a convex curve along the first surface.

First claim

Having described the invention, and a preferred embodiment thereof, what is claimed as new and secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for permitting inspection of container processing, said apparatus comprising a lip seal, a first structure, a second structure, and a transition between said first structure and said second structure, wherein said lip seal seals said transition, wherein said lip seal is produced in one piece, wherein said lip seal is made from an elastic material, wherein, in an un-deformed state thereof, said lip-seal has an at least partially sickle-shaped cross-section, wherein said lip seal comprises a strip-shaped first lip-section, wherein said first lip-section extends outward to a first edge, wherein said lip seal has a strip-shaped second lip-section, wherein said second lip-section extends outward to a second edge, wherein said second edge is a sealing edge, wherein a thickness of said second lip-section decreases towards said sealing edge, wherein, in said undeformed state, said first lip-section and said second lip-section are curved around an axis oriented along a longitudinal direction of said lip seal, wherein said lip seal comprises a first surface, wherein said first lip-section defines a concave curve along said first surface, wherein said second lip-section defines a convex curve along said first surface, wherein said first structure is selected from the group consisting of an aperture frame and a mounting frame, wherein said second structure is selected from the group consisting of an aperture closure and a viewing window, and a viewing window of a clean chamber for treatment of a container, wherein treatment of a container is selected from the group consisting of sterile treatment of said container and aseptic treatment of said container, and wherein said elastic material is selected from the group consisting of a rubber-elastic material, permanently elastic material, a rubber-elastic, permanently elastic plastic, and silicone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing arrangement, wherein said sealing arrangement comprises a first clamping surface, a second clamping surface, and an installation gap between said first clamping surface and said second clamping surface, wherein said first lip-section is disposed in said installation gap, wherein said first lip-section is clamped between said first clamping surface and said second clamping surface, wherein, as a result of being clamped, said first lip-section sustains elastic deformation, wherein said second lip-section protrudes from said clamping surfaces, and wherein said sealing edge bears against said second structure, and wherein said concave surface faces said second structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said first structure comprises a mounting frame, wherein said second structure comprises a viewing window, wherein said mounting frame defines a mounting-frame aperture, wherein said viewing window comprises a pane that closes said mounting-frame aperture, wherein said seal is a peripheral lip-seal that seals a transition between said pane and said mounting frame, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for retaining said pane on said mounting frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said lip seal is arranged with a convex side thereof facing said clean chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first structure comprises first and second frame-parts that define an installation gap therebetween.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first structure forms an inner side facing towards said clean chamber and an outer side facing towards surroundings thereof, wherein an inner side of said second structure faces an outer side of said first structure, and wherein said inner side of said second structure is spaced apart from said outer side of said first structure.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first structure comprises first and second frame-parts, and wherein said first lip-section is elastically deformed to 70%-80% of its original thickness as a result of being clamped between said first and second frame-parts.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said sealing edge bears against an inner side of said second structure at a distance from a peripheral edge of said second structure, and wherein said sealing edge is disposed at a distance from an inner edge of said second structure.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said second structure and said lip seal define an angle that opens into said clean chamber, and wherein said angle is obtuse.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein as a result of a shape of said lip seal and elastic deformation thereof, said first lip-section presses against a clamping surface in said clean chamber.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of clamping screws, and a plurality of female thread pieces, wherein said first structure comprises first and second frame-parts, wherein said clamping screws are disposed for clamping said first lip-section between first and second frame-parts of said first structure, and wherein each clamping screw cooperates with a corresponding one of said female thread pieces.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said second structure comprises a periphery, wherein said second structure comprises an outer side, wherein said apparatus further comprises catches, and supporting elements, wherein said catches bear against said outer side of said second structure, wherein said supporting elements are provided on said first structure, and wherein said periphery of said second structure bears against said supporting elements.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure for defining said clean chamber and separating said clean chamber from surroundings thereof, wherein containers are aseptically treated within said enclosure, wherein said enclosure comprises a wall, and wherein said wall comprises said second structure.

Assignees

• Khs Gmbh

Inventors

• Vorwerk Jürgen
• Niehr Thomas
• Scheufen Marcel

Classifications

• A61L2202/121

  Sealings, e.g. doors, covers, valves, sluices · CPC title

• A61L2/26 Primary

  Accessories · CPC title

• B65D25/54

  Inspection openings or windows · CPC title

• E06B7/23

  Plastic, sponge rubber, or like strips or tubes · CPC title

• E06B7/231

  with a solid sealing part · CPC title