Laboratory supplies, medications, aromatherapy ingredients, and dry spices and rubs may be packed in a bottle or canister that requires the use of a rubber stopper. A rubber stopper should be able to provide a snug fit and be resistant to chemicals and temperature fluctuations.
Design Variables
- order turnaround
- shape, color, and texture
- sizing needs
- accessories
A Supplier
A supplier of rubber products may feature a warehouse, development and testing areas, and a shipping department. An industrial supplier of rubber stopper products may cater to a particular industry or may create rubber products that are shipped nationwide, to various wholesalers and retailers.
It is common for a large manufacturing plant to seek a third party to design custom products that are not produced 'in-house'. A manufacturer may not have the manpower or equipment necessary to produce specific accessories that are needed to mass produce a distinct product. A stopper supplier may advertise the core products they sell, plus offer customization services that will allow a manufacturer to choose a distinct shape, color, and texture for the rubber products needed.
A supplier will furnish a timeframe in which products will be shipped out to a customer. This timeframe will likely be dependent upon the demand for a rubber product and the complexity of a stopper's design.
Additional Requirements
A rubber stopper can be used to seal a flask, a glass container, a plastic container, or any other storage aid that contains a small opening. Some rubber stopper products may be designed to fit inside a ring. A ring cap may contain threading that will screw onto a flask or another narrow container. If a custom stopper will need to be sized to fit inside of a ring or a similar accessory, the diameter of the accessory should be furnished with an order for stoppers.
A stopper should fit snugly inside of the piece that it will be secured inside, but it should not be difficult to insert into an opening. Due to the flexibility of rubber, an end user can pinch the sides of a stopper. This will slightly compress the rubber, allowing an end user to push a stopper firmly into the opening that needs to be sealed.
Removing a stopper will require an end user to twist the stopper or squeeze it and gently pull it upward. Many stopper products contain a lip. This protrusion will rest along the bottom of a stopper and aid with sealing the contents within a flask or another container.
For more information on rubber stoppers, contact a professional near you.
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