Self-sealing, Piercable-type Closure Patents (Class 215/247)
  • Patent number: 6186997
    Abstract: Multiple use universal connector designed for use in various containers having a fluid port for accessing to the content of the container or for transferring fluid into the container. The multiple use universal connector incorporates a diaphragm capable of being penetrated repeatedly by an access means such as a luer connector or a syringe having a sharp or blunt cannula for fluid communication between the content of the container and the access means. The multiple use universal connector re-seals itself after being penetrated and the access means removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Bracco Research USA
    Inventors: Mark E. Gabbard, John J. Niedospial, Jr., Timothy J. Gabbard
  • Patent number: 6179823
    Abstract: Multiple use universal connector designed for use in various containers having a fluid port for accessing to the content of the container or for transferring fluid into the container. The multiple use universal connector incorporates a diaphragm capable of being penetrated repeatedly by an access means such as a luer connector or a syringe having a sharp or blunt cannula for fluid communication between the content of the container and the access means. The multiple use universal connector re-seals itself after being penetrated and the access means removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Bracco Research USA
    Inventor: John J. Niedospial, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6179822
    Abstract: Single use universal connector, flexible medical container assembly for the containment and delivery of medical fluid having three access means: a single use universal connector access means for luer connection, needle or spike piercing; a needle access means and a spike access means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Bracco Research USA
    Inventor: John J. Niedospial, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6173852
    Abstract: A container, particularly for medical preparations, comprises a container body (2) with an integral closure portion (16) and a cap (6) provided over the closure portion. The container body is provided with a frangible portion for removal of the integral closure. The cap is provided with an internal spike (28) which penetrates the closure portion (16) when the cap (6) is screwed towards the container body (2). A Luer connector (26) is provided on the cap (6) and accesses the container contents via a passage through the spike (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Nycomed Imaging A/S
    Inventor: Martin Monteagle Browne
  • Patent number: 6095355
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tamper evident seal for container orifices of the connector type, comprising a closure part. In accordance with the invention, on its bottom side, the closure part has an annular section, whose lower rim area is sealably retained in an annular gap formed in the opening area of the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Jessen, Franz Kugelmann, Martin Lauer, Ismael Rahimy
  • Patent number: 6068150
    Abstract: An elastic stopper and an enclosure cap incorporating the stopper for sealing a vial while allowing piercing of the stopper. The stopper includes a disk-shaped upper portion and a cylindrical-shaped lower portion defining an interior hollow space. The lower portion is divided into a plurality of longitudinal segments by a plurality of slots. A plurality of longitudinal grooves are provided on the inside surface of the lower portion to break the surface tension between the stopper and the liquid contents of the vial that flow into the hollow space of the cap. The enclosure cap allows multiple piercing without leakage of the vial contents and prevents the vial contents from aspirating out when the stopper is pierced with a single lumen needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Coulter International Corp.
    Inventors: John Allen Mitchell, Kimberlee Elizabeth Guitar, David Borenstein
  • Patent number: 6056135
    Abstract: A liquid transfer device for use in combination with a container and a syringe to facilitate removal of liquid from a container by the syringe includes an obstruction member positioned in an outlet of the container. The obstruction member has a concave inner surface facing the container interior to direct liquid to a passageway in the obstruction member when the container is inverted. A seal is formed between the obstruction member and the syringe spout and the spout is positioned by the obstruction member with the distal end of the spout located either in the passageway or projecting from the passageway toward the container interior and disposed closely adjacent to the inner surface of the obstruction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Michael L. Widman
  • Patent number: 6039718
    Abstract: Multiple use universal connector designed for use in various containers having a fluid port for accessing to the content of the container or for transferring fluid into the container. The multiple use universal connector incorporates a diaphragm capable of being penetrated repeatedly by an access means such as a luer connector or a syringe having a sharp or blunt cannula for fluid communication between the content of the container and the access means. The multiple use universal connector re-seals itself after being penetrated and the access means removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Bracco Research USA
    Inventor: John J. Niedospial, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6030582
    Abstract: A self-resealing container cap configured to make a closing engagement with a container and a septum of elastomeric material supported in an opening defined by the cap periphery. The septum is puncturable by a blunt tip of an instrument such as a disposable plastic pipetter tip or a single use plastic laboratory transfer pipette having a tip width substantially greater than the thickness of a central portion of the septum. The septum is further configured to be substantially self-resealing against significant leakage of specimen liquid through the septum following withdrawal of the blunt tip from the punctured septum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Abner Levy
  • Patent number: 6024235
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container seal with a sealing body which can be punctured for supplying or removing liquids to or from a container (3) by means of a blunt hollow needle (10), this sealing body consisting at least partially of a highly elastic material in which a cut is made at the puncture point (23) through at least 75% of its thickness. The seal can in this case be designed independently in the form of a stopper or as a small insert plate for a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Dade Behring Marburg GmbH
    Inventor: Jurgen Schwab
  • Patent number: 6019751
    Abstract: Universal connector designed for use in various containers having a fluid port for access to the content of the container or for transferring fluid into the container. The universal connector incorporates an elastomeric membrane capable of being ruptured by an access means such as a luer connector or a syringe having a sharp or blunt cannula for fluid communication between the content of the container and the access means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Bracco Research USA
    Inventors: Mark E. Gabbard, John J. Niedospial, Jr., Timothy J. Gabbard
  • Patent number: 6017317
    Abstract: An assembly for collecting blood or other body fluids is provided. The assembly includes an elongate tube having an open end and a closed end. The open end includes threads. An internally threaded plastic cap is mounted to the open end of the tube. The cap includes an axial passage and a resealable member aligned with the axial passage. A gas-impermeable member is bonded to the resealable member and the open end of the tube. Both the resealable member and gas-impermeable member are pierceable by a needle. The cap is removable with the resealable member and the gas-impermeable member as a unit due to the fact that the bond between the gas-impermeable member and the tube is weaker than that between the gas-impermeable member and the resealable member. The cap includes a deflectable portion near its top end to engage the walls of a tube holder, and to function as a shock absorber if the tube is dropped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: C. Mark Newby, Henry F. Miller, Keith E. Schleiffer
  • Patent number: 6006931
    Abstract: A cap for a blood-sampling tube has a collar adapted to fit on the tube and a tubular extension extending from the cap, defining an axis and having an outer end remote from the cap. An annular wall is formed inside the cap spaced from the outer end and an annular lip projects axially backward from the outer end and has an outer surface spaced radially inward of an inner surface of the extension and an axially directed inner end. A pierceable flat membrane in the extension on the annular wall snugly engages the inner surface of the extension and has an outer face spaced axially from the inner end of the lip. The lip has an inner surface defining a cylindrical passage of a predetermined diameter and the wall has an inner edge defining a similarly dimensioned coaxial annular passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Sarstedt AG & Co.
    Inventor: Walter Sarstedt
  • Patent number: 5992660
    Abstract: An improvement in a unit closure for a vial container, which helps ensure the smooth depression of the unit closure with a relatively small force from the air-expelling posture to the hermetically sealing posture and eliminate a fear of destroying the unit closure and container in depressing the protector whereby hermetic sealing and tamperproof are achieved. To this end, the locking means is of flexible locking tongues arranged such that they are inclined diametrally inwardly of the skirt and upwardly towards the ceiling of the protector, whereby, upon depressing the unit closure to its hermetically sealing posture, the locking tongues deflect radially outward of the skirt and, on completion of the depression of the unit closure, the locking tongues snap resiliently into place underneath a flange of the mouth of the container to hold firmly the unit closure in the hermetically sealing posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Taisei Kako Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hideo Miura, Kenji Araki, Ikuo Araki
  • Patent number: 5975313
    Abstract: A blood-tube cap has a generally tubular collar having a front end adapted to fit with a needle holder and a rear end adapted to fit with a blood tube and forming an axially extending passage between its ends, a pierceable membrane in the passage adjacent the front end, a flow-calming body in the passage rearward of the membrane, and a coating of a blood-reacting substance on the body. The passage is generally cylindrical and centered on an axis and the body is wedged in the passage. Furthermore the body is of cruciform cross section so as to leave spaces around itself through which the blood can flow, while effectively contacting the coating substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sarstewdt AG & Co.
    Inventor: Walter Sarstedt
  • Patent number: 5975322
    Abstract: A wine closure replaces the traditional cork and foil and includes a gasket/stopper which engages into the neck of the bottle. Encasing the finish and upper neck of the bottle is a plastic outer closure cap, generally cylindrical, with a top center disc which is adhered to the top of the stopper. A circle of frangible elements at the periphery of the disc provide for breakage of the disc away from the sleeve, causing it to remain with the stopper when the plastic cap is opened. Coarse, shortlength threads are formed on the outside of the container neck, spaced appreciably below the finish, to be engaged by internal thread lugs of the plastic cap. On initial unscrewing of the cap, the disc breaks away from the remainder of the cap. A small vertical clearance is provided in the engagement between the internal cap structure and the gasket/stopper, so that the cap does not begin to lift the gasket/stopper until static friction against the elastomeric gasket/stopper has been overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Innovative Molding
    Inventor: Grahame W. Reid
  • Patent number: 5971181
    Abstract: Universal closure assembly designed for use in various containers having a fluid port for access to the content of the container. The universal closure assembly incorporates an elastomeric membrane capable of being ruptured by an access means such as a luer connector or a syringe having a sharp or blunt cannula or a sharp or blunt spike for fluid communication between the content of the container and the access means. The elastomeric membrane reseals itself after being ruptured by an access means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Brocco Research USA Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Niedospial, Jr., Mark E. Gabbard, Timothy J. Gabbard
  • Patent number: 5972297
    Abstract: A closure for sealing an open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a socket mountable on an open end of the collection container for enclosing an interior region of the collection container. The closure further includes a generally spherical-shaped ball mounted within the socket which includes an environment-contacting surface, an opposed specimen-contacting surface and a passageway extending therethrough. The passageway is aligned with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in an open position. The environment-contacting surface is exposed to the external environment and the specimen-contacting surface is exposed to the interior region of the collection container when the ball is in a closed position. The ball further includes a piercable septum. The closure is capable of maintaining negative air pressure within collection container, with the piercable septum capable of being repeatedly pierced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Company
    Inventors: Volker Niermann, Don Carano, Steve Savitz, Robert Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 5947274
    Abstract: The present invention is to a container, particularly for moisture sensitive materials, having a container body of a substantially atmospheric moisture-impermeable material and incorporating a solid element which is made at least in part of a desiccating polymer and which is in contact with the atmosphere inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham p.l.c.
    Inventors: Charles Bernard Taskis, Simon Joseph Holland, Paul John Whatmore
  • 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: 5924584
    Abstract: A closure is provided for mounting across the mouth of a container and through which liquid can be withdrawn with a fluid transfer device having a male member. The closure includes a body for being disposed on the container across the container mouth. The body defines a passage with an exterior opening for matingly receiving the male member of the fluid transfer device. A frangible seal initially extends across the passage in the body to occlude the passage. The seal is broken when it is engaged by the male member of the fluid transfer device, thereby establishing fluid communication between the fluid transfer device and the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Steven P. Hellstrom, Peter J. Karas, John K. Moore, John S. Norman, John C. Tanner, II, Donald Verlee
  • Patent number: 5921419
    Abstract: Universal closure assembly designed for use in various containers having a fluid port for access to the content of the container. The universal closure assembly incorporates an elastomeric membrane capable of being ruptured by an access means such as a luer connector or a syringe having a sharp or blunt cannula or a sharp or blunt spike for fluid cormunication between the content of the container and the access means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Bracco Research USA
    Inventors: John J. Niedospial, Jr., Mark E. Gabbard, Timothy J. Gabbard
  • Patent number: 5921418
    Abstract: A valve device that is incorporated into the cap used on plastic bottles, which allow the bottles to receive the injection of gaseous pressure so that the walls of the plastic bottles become firm and rigid, which maximizes the bottles floatation potential. This allow the bottles to be handled and stored easily. These bottles have uses for many types of floatation needs, such as buoys, rafts, etc. The bottles are particularly useful as floatation devices in the sport of fishing, with the addition of fishing lines and hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Gary L. Pugh
  • Patent number: 5904677
    Abstract: A sterile specimen cup with a self-sealing membrane in the top that allows fluids to be injected into or with drawn from the cup with a syringe. This allows the specimen cup to be fully operated with one hand without removing the cover, thus increasing user safety, and sterility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas Hartnett Drummey, Patricia Maureen Drummey
  • Patent number: 5902298
    Abstract: A closure assembly/container combination for delivering media fluid to a patient by needleless access means. The closure assembly comprises an elastomeric stopper for sealing the container at its open end and a spike access means equipped with a luer connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Bracco Research USA
    Inventors: John J. Niedospial, Jr., Mark E. Gabbard
  • Patent number: 5894949
    Abstract: A container having a closure comprising a closure wall having a puncturable region in communication with the interior of the vessel, and having on an inwardly facing region of the closure wall a desiccant material separated from the interior of the vessel by a semi-permeable membrane which permits transmission of water vapor therethrough but is substantially impermeable to liquid water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham p.l.c.
    Inventors: Charles Bernard Taskis, Paul John Whatmore
  • Patent number: 5891129
    Abstract: A penetrator for penetrating a stopper sealing an opening in a container. The penetrator includes a stamped piece of sheet material formed to define a shank having a length. A groove extends along the length of the shank. The shank has a pointed distal. The stamped piece of sheet material further includes a bearing plate extending from the shank at a proximal end opposite the distal end of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Richard F. Daubert, Steven P. Hellstrom, Peter J. Karas, John K. Moore, John S. Norman, John C. Tanner, II, Donald Verlee
  • Patent number: 5878900
    Abstract: A plastic bottle includes a bottle body, a neck constructed on the bottle body and a head constructed on the neck. A separation area is provided between the head and the neck. On the neck and/or between the neck and the bottle body at least one additional separation area is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Bernd Hansen
  • Patent number: 5874048
    Abstract: A spotting tip includes a tip body which is fitted on the end of a nozzle for sucking liquid contained in a container and inserted into the liquid in the container through a mouth of the container, and a lid member which is brought into contact with the mouth of the container and closes the space between the tip and the edge of the mouth when the tip is inserted into the container to a predetermined depth. At least one fine communicating passage is formed in at least one of the lid member and the tip body to communicate the inside and outside spaces of the container on opposite sides of the lid member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Seto, Kenichiro Yazawa, Osamu Seshimoto
  • Patent number: 5853094
    Abstract: To provide a rubber stopper enhancing a tightening force applied on a piercing needle and a closing force of a hole caused by piercing the needle, a stopper assembly for a container for aqueous infusion attached to an opening of a main body of a container for aqueous infusion made of synthetic resin in which a rubber stopper is in a tight contact state with a rubber stopper outer supporter made of synthetic resin by receiving a compressive stress therefrom at all the side face of a barrel portion of the rubber stopper, a diameter of at least one of a top face and a bottom face of the rubber stopper is contracted by 1 through 10% and the top face or the bottom face is expanded, is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Showa Denko K. K.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Tanaka, Toshio Norimoto, Katushi Shirakawa, Isao Otake
  • Patent number: 5845797
    Abstract: A rubber plug for a drug vessel has at least one convexity formed on a surface of the rubber plug so that the rubber plug is prevented from sticking together, joining together under compression or joining together under suction with another rubber plug of a similar type. The convexity may preferably be a grain pattern formed on at least a part of the surface of the rubber plug by transferring same from a mold. A rubber plug for a drug vessel may also be composed of a leg portion and a head portion formed integrally with the leg portion and may have at least one convexity on at least one of the leg portion and the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Daikyo Seiko, Ltd.
    Inventors: Morihiro Sudo, Masaru Shirai, Kohichi Asai
  • Patent number: 5817082
    Abstract: A disposable closure assembly/container combination for delivering medial fluid to a patient by needleless access means. The closure assembly comprises an elastomeric stopper for sealing the container at its open end and a spike access means equipped with a luer lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Niedospial, Jr., Roger F. Hornick, James M. Beck, Ricky Joel Law, Sr., John Sekowski
  • Patent number: 5803284
    Abstract: A sterile closure assembly for a container or vial includes an elastomeric closure for sealing the open top of a medicament container. The elastomeric closure features a plug for sealing the open top of the container and a top surface facing away from the open top of the container. A washer is secured in surface contact with the top surface of the closure. The washer defines an opening that delimits an access area on the top surface of the closure for access by a fluid delivery device such as a syringe. A membrane is removably secured over the washer and hermetically encloses the access area of the elastomeric closure. The sterile closure assembly can be provided pre-assembled in a sterile state to assure the sterility of the top surface of the closure, obviating the need to sterilize the top surface of the closure, such as with an alcohol solution, prior to use of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Grimard
  • Patent number: 5779074
    Abstract: A body fluid collection assembly includes a tube having an outside surface, an open end and a closed end forming a chamber having an inside wall for holding a body fluid, the tube has a raised annulus at the open end. The assembly includes a closure with a shield having a top, an opening therethrough and a cavity for receiving the open end of the tube. The cavity has an inside surface having at least one protuberance projecting inwardly from the inside surface so that when the open end of the tube is in the cavity, the protuberance engages said annulus retaining said shield on the tube. The assembly includes a sealing element having a top surface and a lower flange and a gas barrier member bonded to the lower flange to form a primary seal with the inside wall of the tube and a secondary seal at the open end of the tube. The assembly further includes a plug housing having a passage and a resilient plug mounted in the passage, and elements for releasably mounting the plug housing on the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5772652
    Abstract: A stab cap for a vial wherein an open-ended sleeve functions not only as a closure for sealing against a seal disc on the open end of a vial but also as a support for a tubular member having a depending tubular portion terminating in a sharp end portion for puncturing the seal disc to facilitate the transfer of fluid from the vial to a syringe. A flexural connection is provided between the sleeve and tubular member, the connection being integral with the tubular member and formed of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Comar, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter M. Zielinski
  • Patent number: 5738233
    Abstract: A combination stopper and shield closure for sealing the open end of an evacuated body fluid collection tube to retain the vacuum therein. The stopper is retained within a central aperture in the shield by means of an upper and lower flange, the upper flange having a convex surface for directing residue body fluid away from the center of the flange to reduce contamination. The closure also includes a gas-barrier bonded to the stopper and/or shield to increase the vacuum seal and cam followers extending from the bottom of the shield to interact with cams on the outer surface of the tube to facilitate closure twist-off. In addition, the closure includes flexible tabs around the bottom of the shield to prevent the tube/closure assembly from being pushed out of a needle holder during body fluid collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5725507
    Abstract: Small compression type injection site in the form of a self-sealing septum-like member that is self-sealing for hypodermic needle punctures and the like and a method of manufacture. Compressive stresses are introduced into a stretched elastomeric rod, whereby the decreased diameter cross section is maintained by placing a wrapping around and about the stretched rod and adhesively sealing it thereto. Sliced cross-sectional pieces of the rod then provide injection sites to be incorporated into the wall of an implantable prosthesis as by bonding or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Mentor Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy B. Petrick
  • Patent number: 5711306
    Abstract: An apparatus to directly take a sample of expired air from a subject which utilizes a stopper (3) with two distinct position. When the stopper (3) is in the upper position, it allows air blown in via the cannula (6) to scavenge the interior space of the tube (1) until the control (11,12, or 13) has indicated a sufficient volume. The cannula (6) is then pulled by the operator so that a blind stop (7) obturates the opening of an evacuation pipe (10) connected to the control. The stopper is then moved to a lower position to seal the sample of air in the tube (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: INBIOMED International
    Inventor: Roger Guilluy
  • Patent number: 5707589
    Abstract: A funnel-shaped monolithic low-density polyethylene sample-vial septum comprises a flange, a capture wall, a diffusion-barrier wall, and a membrane. The capture wall is conical, extending from its truncated apex at the diffusion barrier wall to its mouth about which the flange is disposed. The membrane is disposed at the end of the diffusion-barrier wall away from the capture wall. This structure defines a septum aperture, including a conical capture section, defined by the capture wall, and a cylindrical diffusion-barrier section, defined by the diffusion-barrier wall. The 7.0 mm length of the diffusion-barrier section is 12/mm times the square of its diameter 0.76 mm. The diameter of the diffusion-barrier section which is selected to be 0.05 mm greater than the diameter of the largest needle to be used with the septum, i.e., a 22 gauge needle typically used for liquid chromatography. The minimum thickness of the membrane is 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Merlin Instrument Company
    Inventor: James Steven Fullemann, deceased
  • Patent number: 5699923
    Abstract: A combination stopper and shield closure for sealing the open end of an evacuated body fluid collection tube to retain the vacuum therein. The stopper is retained within a central aperture in the shield by an upper and lower flange, the upper flange having a convex surface for directing residue body fluid away from the center of the flange to reduce contamination. The closure also includes a gas-barrier bonded to the stopper and/or shield to increase the vacuum seal and cam followers extending from the bottom of the shield to interact with cams on the outer surface of the tube to facilitate closure twist-off. In addition, the closure includes flexible tabs around the bottom of the shield to prevent the tube/closure assembly from being pushed out of a needle holder during body fluid collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5662233
    Abstract: A wine closure replaces the traditional cork and foil and includes a gasket/stopper which engages into the neck of the bottle. Encasing the finish and upper neck of the bottle is a plastic outer closure cap, generally cylindrical, with a top center disc which is adhered to the top of the stopper. A circle of frangible elements at the periphery of the disc provide for breakage of the disc away from the sleeve, causing it to remain with the stopper when the plastic cap is opened. Coarse, short-length threads are formed on the outside of the container neck, spaced appreciably below the finish, to be engaged by internal thread lugs of the plastic cap. On initial unscrewing of the cap, the disc breaks away from the remainder of the cap. A small vertical clearance is provided in the engagement between the internal cap structure and the gasket/stopper, so that the cap does not begin to lift the gasket/stopper until static friction against the elastomeric gasket/stopper has been overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Innovative Molding, Inc.
    Inventor: Grahame W. Reid
  • Patent number: 5632396
    Abstract: A body fluid collection assembly includes a tube having an outside surface, an open end and a closed end forming a chamber having an inside wall for holding a body fluid, the tube has a raised annulus at the open end. The assembly includes a closure with a shield having a top, an opening therethrough and a cavity for receiving the open end of the tube. The cavity has an inside surface having at least one protuberance projecting inwardly from the inside surface so that when the open end of the tube is in the cavity, the protuberance engages said annulus retaining said shield on the tube. The assembly includes a sealing element having a top surface and a lower flange and a gas barrier member bonded to the lower flange to form a primary seal with the inside wall of the tube and a secondary seal at the open end of the tube. The assembly further includes a plug housing having a passage and a resilient plug mounted in the passage, and elements for releasably mounting the plug housing on the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5611792
    Abstract: A valve device to enable aseptic injection and withdrawal of medical fluids into/from an infusion container. The valve device comprises a valve body with self-sealing passage portion (2), a surrounding portion (3) and a peripheral portion (4), and has an adhesive application surface (5). Located at the underside of the passage portion is a pressure relief zone (6), and at the upper side an insert zone (7). The surrounding portion (3) has a pronounced upright edge. The valve device is manufactured in one piece of the same material and can be simply applied and handled on the occasion of use while retaining aseptic conditions even by persons of impaired sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Dicamed AB
    Inventor: Sven Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 5598938
    Abstract: A capsule of plastic material for infusion bottles comprises a capsule body adapted to be fitted on a neck of a bottle for retaining a pierceable plug in place, and a capsule cap to be fitted on the capsule body, the capsule body having a top wall provided with a hole and a downwardly extending annular ridge formed around the hole at a distance from the latter, the capsule cap having a plug formed so as to fit into the hole of the capsule body and provided with an annular rim on its periphery so as to be folded outwardly and to fit into a space defined by the pierceable plug, the top wall of the capsule body and the annular ridge of the capsule body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Capsulit S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vanna P. Rizzardi
  • Patent number: 5595314
    Abstract: An improved closure insert is provided for throat region of a blow-molded container. This closure insert is provided with a scabrous perimeter and is permanently molded into the container throat region during container formation from a parison. The resulting seal resists loosening or disturbance when off-axis force or torque force is applied to the closure insert during container opening. The closure insert can be a subassembly constituted by removable parts that provide a variety of access options to the container contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Automatic Liquid Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerhard H. Weiler
  • Patent number: 5588547
    Abstract: A covering (A) which is developed as closure for infusion bottles (3) or the like, having a cap (1) adapted to be flanged at its lower edge (11) onto the neck (2) of the bottle, the cap having a hole (9) in its top (8) for the formation of a puncture region, and in order to obtain a structural shape which is of simpler manufacture and more favorable for disposal, the hole (9) is closed by the foil section (16) of a supplementary cap (17) which, as a result of that fact that it extends to the lower edge (11) of the cap (1), can be flanged with the latter and is attached by adherence to the cap (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Klaus Derksen
  • Patent number: 5562591
    Abstract: A receptacle (59) is provided which includes a flask (22) surrounded by a casing (23) able to slide into a pipe by pneumatic means. A composite element (33, 40) formed of all of one piece is used to close both the openings of the flask and casing by means of screwing. These improvements and others render the receptacle extremely suitable for a large number of measurements carried out in shielded analysis boxes for dangerous samples, especially radioactive ones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Robert Marchand, Michel Herbreteau, Joseph Besnier
  • Patent number: 5540674
    Abstract: A parenteral solution container having a dual use access port used for both the administration of fluids to a patient as well as for the addition of fluids to the container, includes a generally cylindrical wall with an axial passage therethrough. A fluid-tight sealing means, having a reseal member that includes a slit therein to enable the reseal member to be pierced with a blunt, metal cannula, or sharp needle is removably attached to the dual use access port. When the dual use access port is used in its fluid addition capacity, the reseal member is attached to the wall and a blunt cannula is passed through the reseal member. Once the blunt cannula has been completely inserted, fluids may be added to the container. To use the dual use access port in its administration capacity, the sealing means is completely removed from the wall. A piercing pin is inserted into the wall creating a fluid-tight seal so that fluids may be administered to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Peter J. Karas, Timothy J. Oswald
  • Patent number: 5531810
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a gas chromatography injection port includes a two-piece septum. The two-piece septum includes a syringe seal for sealing an injection needle and a duckbill seal for sealing the injection port when the needle is not inserted. The syringe seal includes three annular ribs in its aperture. At the aperture base is a sealing rib that provides the main sealing function for the syringe seal. Just above the sealing rib is a stress-relief rib. At the top of the aperture is a wiping rib. The wiping rib wipes dust on the needle exterior so that it does not enter the aperture. Dust entering the aperture can be retained in the relatively large dust pocket between the wiping rib and the strain-relief rib. The septum is held in place by a septum nut that has a recess above the wiping rib for holding dust removed from the needle by the wiping rib. A washer in the recess prevents the syringe seal from deforming into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Merlin Instrument Company
    Inventor: James S. Fullemann
  • Patent number: 5527580
    Abstract: A rubber stopper for a vial comprising a body member 1 and a sheet of polyethylene 3 having an average molecular weight of 1,300,000 to 8,000,000, a surface being contacted with an inner surface of a mouth and a liquid medicine, or a top surface 1b of which is covered. The molecular chains of polyethylene are partially ramified by heat to be branched and partially crosslinked with a rubber of the body. Therefore, adhesion of them is high and a smoothness of the surface of the sheet portion is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Nissho Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Ikeda, Masaru Matsuzaki, Yoshihide Aoki