BOTTLE AND CAP DEVICE
A cap and bottle device is provided that includes a cap, a septum, and a container that individually and collectively improves the capacity of the assembly to securely contain substances. The cap includes internal threads that mate external threads of the container containing the substance. The cap further includes flexible teeth for engaging rigid lugs that are molded into the finish on the neck of the container. The septum sealably fits between the cap and within an opening of the container to provide barrier between the contained substance and the surrounding environment.
Latest SIGMA ALDRICH COMPANY Patents:
The invention relates to a cap and bottle device for providing secure containment of substances. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved cap and bottle device for preventing exposure of contained substances to the surrounding environment.
BACKGROUNDCap and bottle devices are used in various industries for storing substances such liquids and/or gases that require isolation from the environment. For example, cap and bottle devices are used in the medical industry to provide a sterile environment for storing medications and/or biological samples. As another example, cap and bottle devices are used in the chemical industry to provide a secure means for storing and transporting liquids or gases, including hazardous compositions.
In general, cap and bottle devices include a cap, a septum, and a bottle. The cap may be, for example, a threaded cap adapted to mate with threads on the bottle such that the cap can be mechanically attached to the bottle. The bottle can be a vial, a beaker, or any other vessel that can store liquids or fluids or gases and that can be attached to a cap. The septum fits between the cap and the bottle. The purpose of the septum is to prevent leakage of the substance stored in the bottle and to maintain a barrier between the substance and the surrounding environment.
In order to access the substances stored in a cap and bottle device with minimal exposure to the surrounding environment, an access port incorporated into the closure component is removed and a cannula or syringe needle can be used to pierce the septum such that substances can be injected into or extracted out of the bottle. However, when a substance in a bottle has been accessed by a cannula or when the cap has been removed from the bottle for extended periods, the septum can become permeable, which can lead to inadvertent exposure of the contained substance to the surrounding environment. As a result of the exposure to the environment, the contained substance can evaporate, degrade, leak into the environment, become contaminated, or some combination thereof. Furthermore, exposure of the contained substance to atmospheric air can cause unsightly rusting or discoloration of the cap and bottle device. In particular, exposure can cause degradation of chemical components.
Moreover, even when the closure component has not been removed from the containment component, changes in the surrounding environment such as, for example, temperature, atmospheric pressure, vibration during transportation, or a combination thereof, can lead to premature loosening or degradation of the threaded connection between the cap and containment component. This premature loosening, or cap back-off, of the closure component from the containment component can also lead to inadvertent exposure of the contained substance to the surrounding environment.
As such, there is a need for cap and bottle device that addresses these problems and other problems associated with conventional containment assemblies.
SUMMARYIn an embodiment, a cap and bottle device is specified for containing a substance. The device includes a bottle having a neck and a base. The neck comprises external threads along an outer surface and a plurality of protrusions spaced circumferentially around the outer surfaces below the external threads. The device includes a cap comprising a circular top and a cylindrical wall depending from the circular top. The cylindrical wall has internal threads along an inner surface of the cylindrical wall that are designed and dimensioned to match the external thread. The cylindrical wall includes a plurality of indentations that are spaced circumferentially along the inner wall and that are designed and dimensioned to align with the plurality of protrusions. The device includes a septum having a flange portion designed and dimensioned to fit above the neck and a protruding cylindrical plug portion designed and dimensioned to sealably engage an inner surface of the neck.
In another embodiment, a cap and bottle device is specified for sealably storing a substance. The device includes a container having a neck and a base. The neck comprises a first mechanical connection and a second mechanical connection along an outer surface of the neck. The device also includes a cap adapted for mating with the first mechanical connection and adapted for engaging the second mechanical connection. The device further includes a septum having a substantially flat top surface and having a protruding bottom surface. The top surface is designed to fit within cap and the bottom surface is designed to sealably engage an inner surface of the neck.
In another embodiment, a cap and bottle device is specified for containing a substance. The neck comprises external threads along an outer surface and a plurality of protrusions spaced circumferentially around the outer surfaces below the external threads. The device also includes a cap comprising a body member and a lid member. The body member comprises a circular top and a cylindrical wall depending from the circular top. The cylindrical wall includes a plurality of indentations that are spaced circumferentially along the inner wall and that are designed and dimensioned to align with the plurality of protrusions. The device includes a septum having a flange portion designed and dimensioned to fit above the neck and a protruding cylindrical plug portion designed and dimensioned to sealably engage an inner surface of the neck.
In another embodiment, a cap and bottle device is provided for containing a substance. The device includes a bottle comprising a neck and a base, the neck comprising external threads along an outer surface and a plurality of protrusions spaced circumferentially around the outer surfaces below the external threads. The device also includes a cap comprising a circular top and a cylindrical wall depending from the circular top. The cylindrical wall comprises internal threads along an inner surface of the cylindrical wall that are designed and dimensioned to match the external threads and comprises a plurality of indentations spaced circumferentially along the inner wall that are designed and dimensioned to align with the plurality of protrusions. The device also includes a septum designed to fit within cap and to seal an open end of the bottle.
Additional objectives, advantages and novel features will be set forth in the description which follows or will become apparent to those skilled in the art, upon examination of the drawings and detailed description which follows.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the several views. The headings used in the figures should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAs described above, containment assemblies are used in various industries for storing substances such as liquids, fluids, or gases that require isolation from the environment. According to the present invention, a cap and bottle device is provided that includes a cap, liner, and bottle that individually and collectively contribute to an improved cap and bottle device for preventing exposure of contained substances to the surrounding environment and for allowing the contained substance to be accessed via a cannula or syringe needle while maintaining a sealed barrier between the substance and surrounding environment. For example, in addition to the cap and bottle being adapted to connect to each other, the cap and bottle are further adapted to prevent premature loosening of the connection, or cap back-off, which can occur as a result of material relaxation or environmental conditions. Moreover, as will be explained in greater detail below, the septum (i.e., liner) includes a plug-style design that provides several advantages over conventional septa.
Referring now to
The bottle 106 can be vial, beaker, or any other vessel that can store liquids, fluids, or gases or a combination. The bottle 106 can be made from glass, plastic, polymer, or any other suitable material appropriate for storing chemical substances. According to one aspect, the bottle 106 comprises a cylindrical neck 108 and a cylindrically shaped base 110 that depends from the neck 108. The base 110 provides the primary containment area for the substance and provides support for the bottle 106. The base can be of a variety of shapes and sizes including rectangular, triangular, etc. so long as materials are adequately held. Threads 112 are formed on an outer surface of the neck 108 to enable the bottle 106 to be threaded into and out of the cap 102. The inner surface 114 of the neck 108 defines an opening or mouth of the bottle 106. The surface can be continuously smooth wall. Although the shape of the neck 108 and base 110 of the bottle 106 are depicted and described as being substantially cylindrical, it is contemplated that the neck 108 and base 110 can have other suitable shapes.
A plurality of protrusions 116 are molded into the finish of the bottle 106 circumferentially along the outer surface of the neck 108 below the threads 112 and above the base 110. As described in more detail below, the plurality of protrusions provide a means for opposing an unintentional upward rotation (e.g., loosening) of the threaded connection between the cap 102 and bottle 106 that may result from environmental changes or material relaxation. The protrusions 116 can be cylindrical and are made from the same material as the bottle or cap, alternatively the protrusions 116 can be a single annulus.
According to one aspect, the cap 102 is a structure having a substantially cylindrical shape comprising a circular top 118, and having a substantially cylindrically outer shaped wall 120 depending from the periphery of the top 118. The cap 102 can be made from any suitable material such as plastic. This plastic material may be polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polysulphone, a polycarbonate, phenolic plastic, fluoropolymer, or any other suitable plastic material. The cap 102 can be mechanically connected to the bottle 106 via a suitable joining means. For example, as explained in more detail in reference to
According to another aspect, the cap 102 can be lockingly engaged with the bottle 106 to prevent premature loosening, or cap back-off, of a threaded connection between the cap 102 and the bottle 106. As explained in more detail below in reference to
According to one aspect, the septum 104 is formed from a resilient elastomeric material that can be pierced, for example, by a liquid injection or extraction device, such as a syringe needle. This allows for the injection of liquids into the bottle 106 or the extraction of liquids out of the bottle 106. Because the septum 104 is elastomeric, after being pierced by the needle, the septum 104 is disposed in a sealed engagement circumferentially around the needle. This engagement prevents leakage of the substance from the container and prevents leakage of the atmosphere into the container.
The septum comprises an upper flange portion 122 and a lower cylindrical plug portion 124. The combined thickness of the flange portion 122 and cylindrical portion 124 provides a septum 104 that does not collapse during piercing by the syringe needle. The cylindrical portion is designed and dimensioned to be received by the inner wall of the neck 108. Furthermore, after the needle is removed from the septum, the extended thickness allows for more effective resealing of the elastomeric material.
Prior to connecting the cap 102 to the bottle 106, the lower cylindrical portion 124 of the septum 104 is designed and dimensioned to sealably engage the inner surface 114 of the neck 108 of the bottle 106. As such, this will be a permanent placement into the neck cavity.
During installation of the cap 102 onto the bottle 106, the cap 102 is rotated, clockwise for example, to allow the threads of the cap 102 to engage the threads 112 on the neck 116 of the bottle 106. After the cap 102 has been sufficiently rotated downward, the locking members (see
Referring now to
A plurality of indentations 206 are spaced along the circumference of the inner surface 202 between a bottom edge 208 of the cap 102 and the threads 204. The plurality of indentations 206 are designed and dimensioned to engage the plurality of protrusions 116 incorporated within the surface finish of the bottle 106 to prevent unintentional loosening of the threaded connection between the cap 102 and bottle 106.
According to one aspect, the plurality of indentations 206 are incorporated into a tamper-evident portion 210 of the cap 102. The tamper-evident portion 210 corresponds to a lower portion of the cap that is attached to an upper portion of the cap 102 via a plurality of frangible connections (not shown) extending around at least a portion of the circumference of the tamper-evident portion 208.
Referring now to
The frangible connections are formed, for example, by thin wall segments, which have sufficient shear resistance to withstand the rotational forces, imposed when the cap 102 is being threaded onto the bottle 106, or imposed as a result of unintentional upward rotation (e.g., loosening) of the threaded connection between the cap 102 and bottle 106 that result from environmental changes and/or material relaxation. However, when the cap 102 is manually rotated upward with sufficient rotational torque, the plurality of indentations 206 engage the plurality of protrusions 116 and the frangible connections break such that the tamper-evident portions 210 breaks away from the cap 102 to provide evidence that the cap 102 was removed or that there was an attempt to remove the cap 102.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The septum 104 includes an upper flange portion 406 adapted to fit atop the opening 312 of the bottle 106 and a protruding cylindrical plug portion 408, designed and aligned to compressively within the opening 312 of the bottle 106.
A top surface 410 of the upper flange portion 406 is substantially flat and configured to fit within the cap 102 and flush with an inner top surface 412 of the cap 102 such as shown in
Referring now to
A lid 504 is connected to the top 506 via a hinge/tether 510 and can be lifted away from the top 506 to reveal an access port 512 as shown in
According to one embodiment, an annular opening 514 within the top 506 of the cap 102 defines the access port 512. The lid 504 includes a plug 516 that can be pushed downward with an axial downward force to engage an inner wall 518 of the annular opening 514 to seal the lid 504 in a locked position as shown in
According to one aspect, the locking members 524 are incorporated into a tamper-evident band 526 of the flip-cap 502. When the cap 502 is manually rotated upward, the locking members 206 engage the plurality of protrusions 314, of the bottle 116. This engagement causes the tamper-evident band 526 to break away from the flip cap 502, and, thus, provides evidence that the flip-cap 502 was removed, or that there was an attempt to remove the cap 502. The tamper-evident band 526 can be configured such as described above in connection with
According to another aspect, a flip cap 502 can also be used to show evidence of tampering. For example, the lid 502 includes a tamper tab 528 that is configured to engage a recessed portion of the top 506 when the lid 504 is in a closed position (see
When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above designs, constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A cap and bottle device for containing a substance, the device comprising:
- a bottle comprising a neck and a base, the neck comprising external threads along an outer surface and a plurality of protrusions spaced circumferentially around the outer surfaces below the external threads;
- a cap comprising a circular top and a cylindrical wall depending from the circular top, the cylindrical wall comprising internal threads along an inner surface of the cylindrical wall, designed and dimensioned to match the external threads, and comprising a plurality of indentations spaced circumferentially along the inner wall that are designed and dimensioned to align with the plurality of protrusions; and
- a septum comprising a flange portion designed and dimensioned to fit above the neck and a protruding cylindrical plug portion designed and dimensioned to sealably engage an inner surface of the neck.
2. The cap and bottle device of claim 1 wherein plurality of the indentations are configured to engage the plurality of protrusions to prevent unintentional loosening of a threading connection between the cap and bottle.
3. The cap and bottle device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of the indentations are designed to slip over the plurality of protrusions when the cap is rotated downward and are designed to engage the plurality of protrusions when the cap is rotated upward.
4. The cap and bottle device of claim 1 wherein substance is a liquid or a gas.
5. The cap and bottle device of claim 1 wherein the bottle is selected from a vial or a beaker.
6. The cap and bottle device of claim 1 wherein the septum comprises an inner core and an outer liner, the inner core being formed from a chemically resistant molded elastomer and the outer liner being formed from a chemically inert formed polymer.
7. The cap and bottle device of claim 6 wherein the chemically resistant polymer is selected from at least one of the following polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), or perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin (PFA).
8. The cap and bottle device of claim 6 wherein the chemically inert molded elastomer is selected from at least one of the following fluorinated elastomers (FKM), perfluoro elastomers (FFKM), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
9. A cap and bottle device for sealably storing a substance, the device having:
- a container having a neck and a base, the neck comprising a first mechanical connection and a second mechanical connection along an outer surface of the neck;
- a cap adapted for mating with the first mechanical connection and adapted for engaging the second mechanical connection; and
- a septum having a substantially flat top surface and having a protruding bottom surface, wherein the top surface is designed to fit within cap, and wherein the bottom surface is designed to sealably engage an inner surface of the neck.
10. The cap and bottle device of claim 9 wherein:
- the first mechanical connection comprises external threads and the second mechanical connection comprises a plurality of protrusions spaced circumferentially around the outer surface of the neck below the external threads; and
- the cap comprises a circular top and a cylindrical wall depending from the circular top, the cylindrical wall comprising internal threads along an inner surface of the cylindrical wall, designed and dimensioned to mate with the external threads and comprising a plurality of indentations spaced circumferentially along the inner wall that are designed and dimensioned to align with the plurality of protrusions to prevent unintentional loosening of a threaded connection between the cap and container.
11. The cap and bottle device of claim 10 wherein the plurality of the indentations are designed to slip over the plurality of protrusions when the cap is rotated downward and are designed to engage the plurality of protrusions when the cap is rotated upward.
12. The cap and bottle device of claim 9 wherein substance is a liquid or a gas.
13. The cap and bottle device of claim 9 wherein the container is selected from a bottle; a vial; or a beaker.
14. The cap and bottle device of claim 9 wherein the septum comprises an inner core and an outer liner, the inner core being formed from a chemically resistant molded elastomer and the outer liner being formed from a chemically inert formed polymer.
15. The cap and bottle device of claim 14 wherein the chemically resistant polymer is selected from at least one of the following polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), or perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin (PFA).
16. The cap and bottle device of claim 14 wherein the chemically inert molded elastomer is selected from at least one of the following fluorinated elastomers (FKM), perfluoro elastomers (FFKM), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
17. A cap and bottle device for containing a substance, the device comprising:
- a container comprising a neck and a base, the neck comprising external threads along an outer surface of the neck and a plurality of protrusions spaced circumferentially around the outer surfaces below the external threads;
- a cap comprising a body member and a lid member, the body member comprising a circular top and a cylindrical wall depending from the circular top, the cylindrical wall comprising internal threads along an inner surface of the cylindrical wall designed and dimensioned to match the external threads and comprising a plurality of indentations spaced circumferentially along the inner wall that are designed and dimensioned to align with the plurality of protrusions; and
- a septum comprising a flange portion designed and dimensioned to fit above the neck and a protruding cylindrical plug portion designed and dimensioned to sealably engage an inner wall of the neck.
18. The cap and bottle device of claim 17 further comprising a flexible tether integrally connected to the body member and the lid member, wherein the circular top comprises an access port to provide access to the septum, and wherein the lid member is designed to lift away from the body member to reveal the access port.
19. The cap and bottle device of claim 17 wherein plurality of the indentations are configured to engage the plurality of protrusions to prevent unintentional loosening of a threading connection between the cap and container.
20. The cap and bottle device of claim 17 wherein the plurality of the indentations are designed to slip over the plurality of protrusions when the cap is rotated downward and are designed to engage the plurality of protrusions when the cap is rotated upward.
21. The cap and bottle device of claim 17 wherein the container is selected from a bottle; a vial; or a beaker.
22. The cap and bottle device of claim 17 wherein the septum comprises an inner core and an outer liner, the inner core being formed from a chemically resistant molded elastomer and the outer liner being formed from a chemically inert formed polymer.
23. The cap and bottle device of claim 22 wherein the chemically resistant polymer is selected from at least one of the following polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), or perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin (PFA).
24. The cap and bottle device of claim 22 wherein the chemically inert molded elastomer is selected from at least one of the following fluorinated elastomers (FKM), perfluoro elastomers (FFKM), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
25. A cap and bottle device for containing a substance, the device comprising:
- a bottle comprising a neck and a base, the neck comprising external threads along an outer surface and a plurality of protrusions spaced circumferentially around the outer surfaces below the external threads;
- a cap comprising a circular top and a cylindrical wall depending from the circular top, the cylindrical wall comprising internal threads along an inner surface of the cylindrical wall, designed and dimensioned to match the external threads and comprising a plurality of indentations spaced circumferentially along the inner wall that are designed and dimensioned to align with the plurality of protrusions; and
- a septum designed to fit within the cap and to seal an open end of the bottle.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 24, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 30, 2009
Applicant: SIGMA ALDRICH COMPANY (St. Louis, MO)
Inventors: Larry Brand (Milwaukee, WI), Erik Lomas (Milwaukee, WI), Robert S. Ricci (Milwaukee, WI)
Application Number: 11/877,924
International Classification: B65D 41/00 (20060101);