Container assembly

Abstract

A container assembly for retaining a moisture-sensitive material has a selectively resealable outer container defining a chamber, where a bond portion of an inner surface of the outer container is formed of ultrasonically weldable material. The container assembly also has an inner container having a humidity-control substance, where the inner container is disposed within the chamber. The humidity-control substance is in humidity transferable communication with the chamber. A bond portion of an outer surface of the inner container is formed of ultrasonically weldable material. The bond portions of the outer and inner containers are ultrasonically welded to each other to fix the position of the inner container within the chamber of the outer container.

1 . A container assembly for retaining a moisture-sensitive material therein, the container assembly comprising: 
 a selectively resealable outer container defining a chamber therein, wherein a bond portion of an inner surface of the outer container is formed of ultrasonically weldable material; and    an inner container comprising a humidity-control substance, wherein the inner container is disposed within the chamber of the outer container and has the humidity-control substance in humidity transferable communication with the chamber, wherein a bond portion of an outer surface of the inner container is formed of ultrasonically weldable material, and wherein the bond portions of the outer and inner containers are ultrasonically welded to each other to fix the position of the inner container within the chamber of the outer container.    
   
   
       2 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the bond portion of the inner surface of the outer container is disposed on a bottom wall of the outer container.  
   
   
       3 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the bond portion of the inner surface of the outer container is disposed on a side wall of the outer container.  
   
   
       4 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the inner container is shaped to minimize interference with the transfer of moisture-sensitive material into or out of the chamber.  
   
   
       5 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the outer container has a single opening for access to the chamber therein, and wherein the outer container has a cap for resealably covering the opening.  
   
   
       6 . The container assembly of  claim 5  wherein the cap is flexibly attached to the outer container.  
   
   
       7 . The container assembly of  claim 5  wherein the cap is shaped to sealably cover the opening by an interference friction fit with portions of outer container adjacent the opening.  
   
   
       8 . The container assembly of  claim 1  wherein the ultrasonically weldable materials of the outer and inner containers comprise polymers.  
   
   
       9 . A method of forming a container assembly for retaining a moisture-sensitive material therein, the method comprising: 
 providing a selectively resealable outer container which has a chamber therein, wherein a bond portion of an inner surface of the outer container is formed of ultrasonically weldable material;    providing an inner container comprising a humidity-control substance, wherein a bond portion of an outer surface of the inner container is formed of ultrasonically weldable material;    disposing the inner container within the chamber of the outer container, wherein the humidity-control substance is in humidity-transferable communication with the chamber; and    ultrasonically welding the bond portions of the outer and inner containers to each other to fix the position of the inner container within the chamber of the outer container.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , and further comprising: 
 selecting a desired moisture equilibrium level for the humidity-control substance, as a function of the moisture-sensitive material to be stored in the chamber of the outer container; and    placing the humidity-control substance at the desired moisture equilibrium level.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , and further comprising: 
 introducing the moisture-sensitive material into the chamber of the outer container while the humidity-control substance is at the desired moisture equilibrium level; and    sealing the outer container to retain the moisture-sensitive material therein.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the moisture-sensitive material comprises a plurality of capsules containing dental material compositions.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the moisture-sensitive material comprises a dental material composition in powdered form.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the ultrasonically welding step further comprises: 
 aligning the inner container on a fixture to expose the bond portion thereof;    placing the bond portion of the outer container into contact with the exposed bond portion of the inner container; and    exposing the aligned and contacting bond portions of the inner and outer containers to ultrasonic emissions from an ultrasonic horn.