Sanitary cap and system

Abstract

A sanitary cap for a sanitary end is provided. The sanitary cap includes a base which defines a central axis and has a peripheral edge. A flange extends from the peripheral edge along the central axis and a lip spaced from the base extends from the flange inwardly toward the central axis. The sanitary cap may include a crosslinked polyethylene foam or a breathable insert. A system including a sanitary hose and the sanitary cap is also provided. The sanitary hose includes a sanitary end. The sanitary cap is removably disposed on the sanitary end. The crosslinked polyethylene foam of the sanitary cap of the system is formed in the presence of nitrogen as a physical blowing agent, has a density of from 1 to 20 lb/ft 3 when tested in accordance with BS ISO 7214 1998 Skin/Skin, and is a Class VI foam as defined by the United States Pharmacopeia.

1 . A sanitary cap for a sanitary end, wherein said sanitary cap comprises:
 a base defining a central axis and having a peripheral edge;   a flange extending from said peripheral edge along said central axis; and   a lip spaced from said base and extending from said flange inwardly toward said central axis;   wherein said cap comprises a crosslinked polyethylene foam.   
     
     
         2 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said peripheral edge defines a circular configuration about said central axis. 
     
     
         3 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said flange has a distal end spaced from said base and said lip extends from said distal end toward said central axis. 
     
     
         4 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said flange is spaced from and extends continuously about said central axis along said peripheral edge and said lip extends continuously about said central axis along said distal end of said flange for compressably engaging the sanitary end. 
     
     
         5 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said lip extends to a contact surface spaced from said flange toward said central axis and tapers in thickness at said contact surface for compressably engaging the sanitary end. 
     
     
         6 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said base further defines at least one hole extending through said base. 
     
     
         7 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said sanitary cap further includes a breathable insert abutting said base and extending over said at least one hole. 
     
     
         8 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said breathable insert is gas permeable. 
     
     
         9 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said sanitary cap further includes a ledge extending from said flange around and towards said central axis and spaced from said base wherein said breathable insert is positioned between said ledge and said base. 
     
     
         10 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sanitary cap further comprises a retention device for retaining said sanitary cap on the sanitary end. 
     
     
         11 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said retention device comprises at least two arms extending radially from said flange and away from said central axis. 
     
     
         12 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said retention device comprises a bridge coupled to said flange and a retention ring coupled to said bridge wherein said retention ring defines a void for receiving the sanitary end. 
     
     
         13 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said crosslinked polyethylene foam is non-particulating. 
     
     
         14 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said crosslinked polyethylene foam is formed in the presence of a physical blowing agent. 
     
     
         15 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said physical blowing agent is nitrogen. 
     
     
         16 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said crosslinked polyethylene foam is further defined as a Class VI foam as defined by the United States Pharmacopeia. 
     
     
         17 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said crosslinked polyethylene has a shore OO hardness of from about 50 to about 70, when tested in accordance with ISO 868 1985 with a 10 mm cell/cell thickness. 
     
     
         18 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said crosslinked polyethylene has a density from 1 to 20 lb/ft 3 , when tested in accordance with BS ISO 7214 1998 Skin/Skin. 
     
     
         19 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said crosslinked polyethylene has an elongation at break of 200% or less. 
     
     
         20 . A system including a sanitary cap of  claim 1  wherein said system further comprises a sanitary hose having said sanitary end and said sanitary cap is removably disposed on said sanitary end. 
     
     
         21 . A sanitary cap for a sanitary end, wherein said sanitary cap comprises:
 a base defining a central axis and having a peripheral edge;   a flange spaced from said base, extending from said peripheral edge continuously about said central axis, and having a distal end spaced from said base;   a lip which is tapered, spaced from said base, and extends continuously about and inwardly toward said central axis along said distal end of said flange for compressably engaging the sanitary end; and   wherein said cap comprises a crosslinked polyethylene foam formed in the presence of nitrogen as a physical blowing agent and is a Class VI foam according to the United States Pharmacopeia, is non-particulating, has a density of from 1 to 20 lb/ft 3  when tested in accordance with BS ISO 7214 1998 Skin/Skin, has a shore OO hardness of from 50 to 70 when tested in accordance with ISO 868 1985 with a 10 mm cell/cell thickness, and has an elongation at break of 200% or less.   
     
     
         22 . A system comprising:
 a sanitary hose defining a channel path and having a sanitary end that defines an aperture;   a sanitary cap removably disposed on said sanitary end and comprising a crosslinked polyethylene foam; and   wherein said crosslinked polyethylene foam is formed in the presence of nitrogen as a physical blowing agent, has a density of from 1 to 20 lb/ft 3  when tested in accordance with BS ISO 7214 1998 Skin/Skin, and is a Class VI foam as defined by the United States Pharmacopeia.   
     
     
         23 . A system as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said sanitary cap further comprises:
 a base defining a central axis and having a peripheral edge defining a circular configuration about said central axis;   a flange extending from said peripheral edge to a distal end spaced from said base and along said central axis; and   a lip spaced from said base and extending from said distal end inwardly toward said central axis.   
     
     
         24 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said flange is spaced from and extends continuously about said central axis along said peripheral edge and said lip extends continuously about said central axis along said distal end of said flange for compressably engaging the sanitary end. 
     
     
         25 . A system as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said lip extends to a contact surface spaced from said flange toward said central axis and tapers in thickness at said contact surface for compressably engaging said sanitary end. 
     
     
         26 . A system as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said lip compressably engages said sanitary end and said contact surface hermetically seals to said sanitary end. 
     
     
         27 . A sanitary cap for a sanitary end, wherein said sanitary cap comprises:
 a base defining at least one hole extending through said base, defining a central axis, and having a peripheral edge;   a flange extending from said peripheral edge along said central axis;   a ledge extending from said flange towards said central axis and spaced from said base;   a breathable insert positioned between said ledge and said base, abutting said base and extending over said at least one hole; and   a lip spaced from said base and extending from said flange inwardly toward said central axis; and   wherein said breathable insert is gas permeable.   
     
     
         28 . A sanitary cap as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said sanitary cap comprises a crosslinked polyethylene foam.