Multi-level flange sealing

Abstract

An interchangeable die is disclosed for attachment to a platen of a heat-sealing apparatus for applying seals to containers having an inner sealing surface configured to receive a first lid and an outer sealing surface configured to receive a second lid. The interchangeable die includes a first side defined by a planar first side surface configured to interface with a planar first sealing surface of the platen, a second side disposed opposite the first side and separated from the first side by a first thickness, and a projection extending outward from the second side and having a planar second sealing surface extending parallel to the first side surface and the first sealing surface. The second sealing surface is configured to apply heat and pressure to the inner sealing surface of the container.

1 . An interchangeable die for attachment to a platen of a heat-sealing apparatus for applying seals to containers, the interchangeable die comprising:
 a retention block comprising:
 a first side defined by a planar first side surface configured to interface with a planar first sealing surface of a platen, the planar first sealing surface sized to apply heat and pressure to an outer sealing surface of a container; 
 a second side disposed opposite the first side and separated from the first side by a first thickness, the second side defined by a second side surface; and 
   a projection extending outward from the second side of the retention block, the projection having a planar second sealing surface extending parallel to the first side surface, the second sealing surface sized to apply heat and pressure to an inner sealing surface of the container, the inner sealing surface disposed in a plane parallel to and separated from a plane of the outer sealing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The interchangeable die of  claim 1 , wherein the second side surface surrounds a perimeter of the projection and wherein the projection has a thickness defined between the second sealing surface and the retention block, the thickness greater than a height of a wall separating the inner sealing surface and outer sealing surface of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The interchangeable die of  claim 2 , wherein a shape of the second sealing surface is circular. 
     
     
         4 . The interchangeable die of  claim 2 , wherein a shape of the second sealing surface is rectangular. 
     
     
         5 . The interchangeable die of  claim 1  and further comprising a plurality of retention features configured to removably attach the interchangeable die to the platen. 
     
     
         6 . The interchangeable die of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of retention features comprises protruding members extending outward from the first side of the retention block, the protruding members sized to be slidingly received in corresponding slots in the platen. 
     
     
         7 . The interchangeable die of  claim 6 , wherein the protruding members are hooks disposed at opposite ends of the retention block. 
     
     
         8 . The interchangeable die of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of retention features comprises slots disposed in opposite sidewalls between the first and second side surfaces of the retention block, the slots sized to receive retention features of the platen. 
     
     
         9 . The interchangeable die of  claim 5 , wherein the second side of the retention block comprises a plurality of slots and wherein the projection comprises a plurality of protruding members sized to be slidingly received in the plurality of slots to removably attach the projection to the retention block. 
     
     
         10 . The interchangeable die of  claim 1  and further comprising internally disposed electric heating elements and an electrical connection configured to receive a power source connector. 
     
     
         11 . A heat-sealing assembly for applying a first lid to an inner sealing surface of a container and a second lid to an outer sealing surface of the container, the heat-sealing assembly comprising:
 a platen having a first sealing surface configured to apply heat and pressure to the outer sealing surface of the container; and   an interchangeable die removably attached to the platen, the interchangeable die having a second sealing surface configured to apply heat and pressure to the inner sealing surface of the container.   
     
     
         12 . The heat-sealing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the interchangeable die comprises:
 a retention block comprising:
 a first side defined by a first surface, the first surface configured to contact the first sealing surface of the platen when the interchangeable die is attached to the platen; and 
 a second side opposite the first side, the second side having a second surface; and 
   a projection extending outward from the second surface of the retention block, the projection having the second sealing surface.   
     
     
         13 . The heat-sealing assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the retention block comprises a first rail and a second rail, the first and second rails disposed adjacent to opposite ends of the retention block and extending outward from the first surface, and wherein the platen comprises a first slot sized to slidingly receive the first rail and a second slot sized to slidingly receive the second rail. 
     
     
         14 . The heat-sealing assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the retention block comprises a first hook and a second hook, the first and second hooks disposed at opposite ends of the retention block and extending outward from the first surface, and wherein the platen comprises a first slot and a second slot, the first and second slots disposed in opposite ends of the platen and sized to slidingly receive the first and second hooks, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . The heat-sealing assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the platen comprises a first hook and a second hook, the first and second hooks disposed on opposite ends of the platen, and wherein the retention block comprises a first slot and a second slot, the first and second slots disposed in opposite ends of the retention block and sized to slidingly receive the first and second hooks, respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The heat-sealing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the interchangeable die comprises internally disposed electric heating elements and an electrical connection configured to receive a power source connector. 
     
     
         17 . A container for packaging a medical device, the container comprising:
 an inner lid sealed to an inner sealing surface; and   an outer lid sealed to an outer sealing surface, wherein the outer sealing surface and inner sealing surface are disposed in separate and parallel planes.   
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the outer sealing surface surrounds a perimeter of the inner sealing surface. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the inner lid is permeable to a sterilization gas. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the outer lid is a moisture barrier.