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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A closure device for use with a container having an open neck finish, including an inner cap having a skirt terminating in an open end which engages the outside diameter of the finish. The inner cap is sized to initially engage the finish. The skirt has circumferentially spaced slits extending, which may function as lyophilization ports, which permit the inner cap to expand upon an axial closing force and engage the bottom of the finish. A liner is positioned in the inner cap proximate the closed end and is compressed against the finish when the cap is moved to alignment with the bottom of the finish. An outer cap is locked on to the inner cap in pre-assembly which then encloses the inner cap after complete assembly to seal and compress the liner between the finish and the inside face of the inner cap.

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.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymer comprising olefin elastomeric mid block units and terminal polystyrene units having substitution in an amount sufficient to raise the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The substitution comprises cycloaliphatic or aromatic acylation and the acylation substitution is accomplished by reaction of an acylhalide with the copolymer in the presence of a catalytic amount of triflic acid.

Abstract: A molded thermoplastic elastomer having a compression set less than about forty percent, an oxygen transmission rate of less than 500 cc/m.sup.2 /day, a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than 2 gm/m.sup.2 /day, and a needle penetration force of less than 2000 grams.

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.

Abstract: A device for forming a closure, including first and second dies for cooperatively forming the closure. The dies come into mutual contact against both sides of an annular disc. The dies form a center hole and cooperatively operate to form a shoulder and skirt on the outer part of the closure. The annular center section and bridges are formed by action of a plurality of die stems which form a recessed dependent lip on the shoulder and which form frangible bridges connecting the lip to the central section.

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.