Patents Assigned to The West Company
  • Patent number: 6032431
    Abstract: A device for forming a framework of a wooden building including a steel pipe, screw bar, joint, bolt and joint stick. The steel pipe is tightly inserted in a hole formed at the top edge and/or the bottom edge of a vertical post. The screw bar connects two vertical posts in series as an upper half thereof is screwed into a screw hole of a steel pipe inserted into the bottom edge of a vertical post, while a lower half thereof is screwed into a screw hole of a steel pipe inserted into the top edge of a vertical post positioned below the former vertical post. The joint comprises a base portion and a flange portion oriented at a right angle with respect to the from base portion. The bolt passes through a hole of the base portion of the joint and a hole of the vertical post and is screwed into a screw hole of the steel pipe to secure the joint to the vertical post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: West Company Limited
    Inventor: Kazuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5931828
    Abstract: A reclosable closure for a vial having a neck portion with a sealing flange surrounding an open end thereof is provided. The reclosable closure comprises a metal shell, having a top portion with an opening defined therethrough, and a depending side wall portion sized to engage the flange of the vial. A plastic top is provided having a top portion which overlies the top portion of the metal shell and surrounds the opening and which has an aperture defined therethrough aligned with the opening. The plastic top has an outer skirt which overlies the depending side wall portion of the metal shell, and an inner wall which depends from the top portion of the plastic top around the aperture. The inner wall has a first portion which extends through the opening, and a second portion which extends outwardly from the first portion to secure the plastic top to the metal shell. A reclosable cover is rotatably attached to the top by an integral hinge for rotation about a hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Durkee
  • Patent number: 5921049
    Abstract: A device for forming a framework of a wooden building includes a steel made square tube which is capable of tightly receiving a top portion of a post in a lower portion of the tube and a bottom portion of another post in an upper portion of the tube. The device also includes a joint which has a belt-shape base portion situated in the vertical direction and a flange portion projecting perpendicularly from the center of the base portion. The device further comprises a bolt and joint stick. The bolt attaches the base portion of the joint to the square tube. The joint stick passes through a hole of a transverse lumber and an opening of the flange portion of the joint, while the flange portion is inserted in a slit at the edge portion of the transverse lumber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: West Company Limited
    Inventor: Kazuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5896721
    Abstract: A main body, composed of a pair of L-shaped metal plates combined with each other in a back-to-back positional relation, is secured to a first wooden member with a U-shaped stopper by bolts and nuts. A second wooden member is secured with the first wooden member as a vertical slit made at the edge portion thereof receives the combined metal plates secured to the first wooden member, and joint bars are firmly inserted into holes and openings made through the second wooden member and the combined metals accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: West Company Limited
    Inventor: Kazuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5878887
    Abstract: A child-resistant blister package having a tray adapted to receive a blister card with at least one blister compartment is provided. The tray includes a first slide component. A cover having a top and a second slide component is provided. The second slide component is complementary to and slidingly engaged with the first slide component. The second slide component is connected to the top of the cover such that the cover can be slidably displaced relative to the tray between a first position, in which the top of the cover substantially overlies the tray and is adapted to prevent access to the blister card, and a second position, in which the cover is displaced at least partially from the tray such that the blister card is exposed. A tab is connected to the cover, and one of a locking projection and a slot is located on the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kathleen Alek Parker, Russel Haines, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5870886
    Abstract: A transfer system for transferring objects into a barrier isolator is provided. The barrier isolator includes a barrier wall to maintain a decontaminated environment in an isolated space. The transfer system includes a port opening located in the barrier wall. A first port barrier film is sealingly located over the port opening. A container is provided which includes an interior cavity which contains a second, replacement port barrier film and which is adapted to further receive and hold decontaminated objects to be delivered through the port opening and into the isolated space. A container barrier film is sealingly connected to the container to seal the second, replacement port barrier film and the decontaminated objects within the cavity in a decontaminated state. The container barrier film has a first, decontaminated side which faces the cavity, and a second exposed side, positionable adjacent to the port barrier film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul H. Norton
  • Patent number: 5794804
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing particle formation during manufacture of shell caps for containers such as pharmaceutical containers. The method entails providing a solid polymeric coating on substantially all surfaces of the shell caps to form coated shell caps before permitting the coated shell caps to contact each other or other objects. A pharmaceutical container which employs the shell caps also is provided. The container comprises a vial for storing medicinal compositions therein and a shell cap for sealing the vial. The shell cap includes a hollow metallic preform and a solid polymeric coating which substantially completely encapsulates the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Sloan, Charles Papciak, William A. Conard
  • Patent number: 5735609
    Abstract: A container for holding elements to be sterilized prior to introduction into an isolation system having an isolated inner region. The container includes a flexible bag having a first end defining a first opening for removing the elements from the flexible bag. A transfer port is attached to the flexible bag proximate the first end. The transfer port is engageable with the isolation system for transferring the sterilized elements into the isolation system. The transfer port has an exterior surface, and a bore extends through the transfer port and the exterior surface. The exterior surface has a clamp receiving area and a groove located in proximity to a first end of the bore. The first end of the flexible bag is located in the groove. A clamp is located around the flexible bag proximate to the first end. A portion of the flexible bag is located between the clamp and the clamp receiving area on the transfer port to clamp the flexible bag to the transfer port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: The West Company
    Inventor: Paul H. Norton
  • Patent number: 5715659
    Abstract: A transfer system for transferring objects into a barrier isolator is provided. The transfer system includes a port opening located in a barrier wall to provide access to an isolated space. A port barrier film is sealingly located over the port opening, with the port barrier film having a first, decontaminated side which faces the isolated space and a second side which is exposed. A container adapted to hold the objects to be delivered through the port opening and into the isolated space is provided. A container barrier film is sealingly engaged to the container opening such that decontaminated objects sealed within the cavity in the container remain decontaminated. The container barrier film has a first, decontaminated side which faces the cavity and a second exposed side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul H. Norton
  • Patent number: 5678718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cap (1, 1') for closing a bottle (2) or similar container having a projecting outer annular ridge (10) in the region of its container aperture. The cap (1, 1') has an inner cap section (3) with spring pins (7) which engage the annular ridge (10) of the bottle (2) from under in the closed position and can be secured in this engaged position by an outer cap section (4) in the form of a slide ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: The West Company Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Dave Morris, Fred Gill
  • Patent number: 5622745
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing particle formation during manufacture of shell caps for containers such as pharmaceutical containers. The method entails providing a solid polymeric coating on substantially all surfaces of the shell caps to form coated shell caps before permitting the coated shell caps to contact each other or other objects. A pharmaceutical container which employs the shell caps also is provided. The container comprises a vial for storing medicinal compositions therein and a shell cap for sealing the vial. The shell cap includes a hollow metallic preform and a solid polymeric coating which substantially completely encapsulates the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Sloan, Charles Papciak, William A. Conard
  • Patent number: 5579791
    Abstract: Apparatus for washing bottles, in which a transfer conveyor define an endless loop belt between an inlet end and outlet end. A plurality of cups are carried along the endless loop. An inlet elevator adjacent the inlet end supplies a quantity of bottles in an open end down orientation to the cups. Fluid injectors are movably mounted on the conveyor to position a nozzle into each open end down oriented bottle to supply fluid to inside of the bottles. An outlet elevator is adjacent outlet end for removing bottles from the apparatus in an open end up orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Frank Beswick, John T. Connor
  • Patent number: 5570632
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying and verifying a printed mark on the periphery of generally cylindrically-shaped objects as they travel on a path. The apparatus comprises at least a first conveyor mounted for movement on a first side of the path. The first conveyor is located to engage the objects to translate the objects at a known translational velocity along the path. A transport assembly is mounted for cyclic movement back and forth along a transport assembly path parallel to the path of the objects at least part of the cyclic movement being approximately at the known translational velocity of the objects. A mark applicator is mounted on the transport assembly and is located in a position to apply a mark on each object as the object is translated by the first conveyor. A sensor is mounted on the transport assembly. The sensor is located in a position to read the applied mark on each object as the object is translated by the belt. The sensor generates a signal representative of the mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Cumens, Charles Papciak, Eric E. Shoup, James W. Sloan, Edward F. Vander Bush
  • Patent number: 5567930
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus detects displacement of an object in a visually obscured environment. The sensor apparatus includes a tube having a first open end, a second open end and a hollow interior. The tube is in contact with the object. A pressurized gas port is located on the tube in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the tube. A photo-emitter is located adjacent to the first end of the tube, in an aligned position with the first and second ends of the tube. A photo-receiver is located adjacent to the second end of the tube, in an aligned position with the first and second tube ends and the photo-emitter. Movement of either sensor or the tube disrupts the beam between the emitter and receiver. The sensor apparatus has mounting brackets which permit it to be supplied separately as an improvement to a vial washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Roy B. Melton
  • Patent number: 5482176
    Abstract: A closure assembly for piercing a diaphragm over a discharge opening in a container comprising a cap of cup-like form having internal thread means and a generally tubular spout member mounted on the container surrounding the diaphragm and a piercing fitment disposed interiorly of the spout member having a series of depending teeth arranged in a circular array and cooperating interengaging means between the spout member and piercing fitment and cap whereby rotational movement of the cap in one direction effects downward displacement of the piercing fitment to pierce the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Maietta, Thomas A. Frazier
  • Patent number: 5477663
    Abstract: In a system for transferring groups of containers from one location to another, a loading station including a transfer mechanism for continuously delivering rows of containers from the transfer station to a tray loading station. A device at the tray loading station is included for cycling the tray in a predetermined controlled sequence to receive rows of containers delivered by the transfer mechanism and to position them in a compact array in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: The West Company
    Inventors: Bruce D. Smith, William J. Covert, Edward F. Vander Bush, Roy B. Melton, Paul W. Sirgenson, Frank C. Tammaro, Bernard F. Sykes, Eric Shoup, J. Donald Birtwell, Thomas A. Stalnaker
  • Patent number: 5447699
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination container for holding sterilized elements and a sterilizable transfer port for transferring the sterilized elements into an isolation system having a wall. The container includes a flexible bag defining a cavity containing a plurality of the sterilized elements. The container also includes a collar which has an interior surface defining a bore extending through the collar. The bag is secured to the collar with the opening in registry with the bore. A removable seal is movable between a first position where the seal initially extends across the bore to prevent elements from being removed from the cavity and to maintain the sterility of the elements and a second position where the seal is moved from the first position to access the cavity such that the elements are removable from the cavity through the opening and the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: The West Company
    Inventors: Charles Papciak, James Gerhart, John Paproski, Kathleen A. Parker, Paul Norton, Robert Nase, Bernard Lahendro
  • Patent number: 5433330
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stopper for use with containers to provide needleless access to the container with a cannula having a blunt penetrating tip. Also disclosed is a system comprising the stopper, container and cannula. The stopper includes a disc having an upper face and a lower face, and a plug extending from the disc into the container. Also included is a diaphragm, defined by a target region in the upper face and a cross channel in the disc for controlling the force needed to penetrate the stopper with the cannula. The plug includes a first inward surface for guiding the cannula and a second inward surface for engaging the cannula to minimize wetting of the outside of the cannula. In a preferred embodiment, the first surface extends down from the cross channel on the lower side of the disc, radially outwardly to a maximum diameter and the second inwardly facing surface extends down from the first surface radially inwardly to a minimum diameter to form the cannula seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Yatsko, Jerome D. Olivas, Edward F. Vander Bush, William A. Conard, Steven C. Jepson, Thomas E. Dudar
  • Patent number: 5377853
    Abstract: A system for pharmaceutical product identification, comprising a closure on a pharmaceutical container, including a cap seal having a dependent skirt and an upwardly facing top. The seal has a first identifying indicia and the removable overcap protecting the closure has a second identifying indicia thereon. The first and second indicia cooperatively conveying information to the user of said container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles Papciak
  • Patent number: 5343886
    Abstract: Apparatus for washing bottles, in which a transfer conveyor define an endless loop belt between an inlet end and outlet end. A plurality of cups are carried along the endless loop. An inlet elevator adjacent the inlet end supplies a quantity of bottles in an open end down orientation to the cups. Fluid injectors are movably mounted on the conveyor to position a nozzle into each open end down oriented bottle to supply fluid to inside of the bottles. An outlet elevator is adjacent outlet end for removing bottles from the apparatus in an open end up orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Frank Beswick