US3730376A - Tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly - Google Patents

Tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3730376A
US3730376A US00120439A US3730376DA US3730376A US 3730376 A US3730376 A US 3730376A US 00120439 A US00120439 A US 00120439A US 3730376D A US3730376D A US 3730376DA US 3730376 A US3730376 A US 3730376A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
closure device
tubular neck
neck element
closure
overcap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00120439A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Wood
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Baxter International Inc
Original Assignee
Baxter Laboratories Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Baxter Laboratories Inc filed Critical Baxter Laboratories Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3730376A publication Critical patent/US3730376A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/58—Caps or cap-like covers combined with stoppers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
    • Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
    • Y02W30/80—Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging

Definitions

  • a tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly for a container including a tubular neck element which is attached to the container and a closure device having overcap and stopper portions which are adapted to be telescopically associated relative to the tubular neck element.
  • the overcap portion of the closure device is initially frangibly connected to the tubular neck element in surrounding relationship to the stopper portion of the closure device.
  • the stopper portion of the closure device is capable of being positioned within the tubular neck element in slidable and sealed relationship therewith.
  • a sterile closure assembly which is both tamperproof and reusable. Prior to use of the solution bag by medical personnel, there must be an assurance that the bag has been unopened. There is also a requirement that the sterilized solution within the solution bag remains sterilized during subsequent uses of predetermined quantities of the solution at spaced intervals.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide sanitary gripping means for a closure device which ena bles a user, with one hand, to grip and remove the closure device from the container with which it is associated and for holding the closure device thereafter in a manner to avoid contact with the user's hands.
  • closure device which is: simple in construction, easy to operate, economical, mechanically safe, adapted to mass manufacturing techniques, and is otherwise well adapted for the purposes intended.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solution bag which includes a tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly which is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is also an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly after frangible disconnection has occurred and the closure sections are subsequently telescopically associated relative to one another,
  • FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view depicting the preferred manner of separating or frangibly disconnecting the closure device from the remainder of the closure assembly.
  • FIG. 7 is also a fragmentary perspective view which illustrates the manner in which the closure device may be held, after separation from the closure assembly, to
  • FIG. 1 of the drawing there is shown a flexible bag-like container, preferably made from plastic material, and commonly referred to as a solution bag.
  • the solution bag 10 is manufactured and filled with a sterilized solution by techniques known in the art.
  • an inte gral dispensing spout which may include flattened side sections 14 at opposite sides of the spout 12 to aid in the manual flattening of the spout 12 by a user in regulating the amount of solution that is metered or dispensed from the solution bag.
  • a tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly which is adapted to be mounted within the flexible dispensing spout 12 of the solution bag 10 in snug fitting relationship therewith.
  • the amount of liquid that is dispensed from the solution bag 10 is thus regulated and controlled by the tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly 16.
  • FIGS. 2-3 of the drawing The structural configuration of the closure assembly 16 and the manner in which it is associated relative to the flexible dispensing spout 12 can be best understood by a reference to FIGS. 2-3 of the drawing.
  • the closure assembly 16 is shown as including upper and lower parts 18,20 both preferably injection molded from suitable plastic material.
  • the upper part 18 of the closure assembly 16 has a tubular neck element 22 including a reduced-insize tubular section 24 which is adapted to be snugly received within the flexible dispensing spout l2, and a tubular neck section 26 which has an outer dimension such that when the flexible dispensing spout 12 is mounted over the tubular neck section 24, the appearance that is given is that shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing where the tubular section 26 and the tubular section 24 with the flexible dispensing spout 12 mounted thereon appear to have the same outer diameter.
  • the tubular neck section 26 is attached, by the frangible section 28 shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 of the drawing, to a cylindrical section 30 which forms the overcap portion of the closure device as will be described in detail hereinafter.
  • the upper part 18 of the closure assembly 16 also includes a connecting strap 32 and ring section 34 which are attached to the cylindrical section 30 as well as the sanitary gripping means 36 which is also attached to the cylindrical section 30.
  • the connecting strap 32 is designed to be bent in order to position the ring section 34 over the reduced-in-size tubular neck section 24 prior to the assembly of the tubular section 24 within the flexible dispensing spout 12. This enables the closure device, to be discussed hereafter, to be held relative to the solution bag 10.
  • the sanitary gripping means 36 will be described in conjunction with the sanitary gripping means associated with the lower part 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawing.
  • the lower part 20 in FIG. 3 of the drawing includes the closure device for the solution bag with the exception of the cylindrical section or overcap portion 30 of the closure device which is presently frangibly connected to the tubular neck element 22 as above described.
  • the lower part is molded with a central disc-shaped element 38 which is formed with an annular step 40, the radial width of which is generally equal to the thickness of the cylindrical section or overcap portion 30 in order to permit the overcap portion 30 to be mounted upon the annular step 40 and secured to the disc-shaped section 38.
  • a solvent adhesive may be utilized to secure these parts together in a manner illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawing. When thus secured together, the overcap portion or cylindrical section 30 forms an integral attached part of the closure device 20 as can be readily appreciated.
  • the lower part or closure device 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawing further includes a stopper portion 42 having a plurality of sealing rings 44 integrally formed thereon, and a sanitary gripping means 46.
  • the stopper portion 42 and the gripping means 46 are integrally attached to opposite sides of the disc-shaped ring 38 as can be seen in FIG. 3 of the drawing.
  • the stopper portion 42 is arranged to be mounted in the tubular neck element 22 in a manner to be presently described.
  • the upper and lower parts 18,20 are molded from suitable plastic material into a configuration such as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing, it is desirable to first attach or secure the upper and lower parts 18,20 together to form the closure assembly 16, and then insert the thus formed closure assembly into the flexible dispensing spout 12.
  • the attachment of the upper and lower parts 18,20 is accomplished by depositing a solvent adhesive, for example, on the annular step 40 of the disc-shaped section 38 to permit the attachment of the lower end of the overcap portion or cylindrical section 30 of the upper part 18.
  • the closure assembly 16 of the present invention provides both tamperproof and reusable features in maintaining the sterility of the solution that may be contained within the solution bag 10.
  • the tamperproof feature is achieved by assuring a user that the closure assembly has been unopened.
  • the frangible connection 28 between the tubular neck element 22 and the overcap portion 30 of the closure device 20 gives the assurance that is desired.
  • the frangible connection 28 may be easily broken to permit the closure device 20 to be removed from the tubular neck element 22 for egress of the containers contents.
  • the stopper portion 42 of the closure device 20 is maintained in a sterile condition within the overcap portion 30 and/or tubular neck section 26 of the tubular neck element 22.
  • the stopper portion 42 of the closure device 20 is configured and arranged to permit the engagement of one of the sealing rings 42 on the inner wall 48 of the tubular neck element 22.
  • the stopper portion 42 not only centers the closure device 20 relative to the tubular neck element 22,but also serves to make sealing contact with the inner wall 48.
  • the stopper portion 42 because it is completely surrounded by the overcap portion 30 prior to the frangible disconnection thereof from the tubular neck section 24, is maintained in a sealed and sterile environment.
  • the frangible section 28 may be broken and the closure device pivoted out of the way of the opening defined by the inner wall 48 of the tubular neck element 22.
  • the closure device is then capable of being remounted in sterile and sealed relationship relative to the tubular neck element 22.
  • the sterile stopper portion 42 itself protected by the overcap portion 30 during separation of the closure device 20 from the tubular neck section 24, is configured and arranged relative to the inner wall 48 of the tubular neck element to make slidable and sealed contact therewith during the reassembly or reapplication of the closure device 20.
  • the overcap portion 30 is also preferably configured and arranged to make slidable and sealed contact with the outer wall 50 of the tubular neck section 24. This as achievable by the use of an integral inwardly directed foot element 52 at the free extremity of the overcap portion 30 which remains integral with the overcap portion 30 when the closure device 20 is frangibly disconnected from the tubular neck section 24. It will be understood that it is immaterial whether or not the outer wall 50 of the tubular neck section 26 has been exposed to a nonsterile environment since the overcap portion 30 and the outer wall 50 are not used for thepurpose of sealing the solution bag 10. As has been previously indicated, subsequent resealing of the solution bag is achieved through the sealing contact of the rings 44 or other appropriate structure formed on the stopper 42 in contact with the inner wall 48 of the tubular neck element 22.
  • an integral gasket element 54 on the end wall portion of the tubular neck element 22, for sealing contact with an inner end surface 56 between the overcap and stopper portions 30,42 respectively of the closure device 20. This is best depicted in FIG. 5 of the drawing where the sealing gasket 54 is illustrated as being in contact with the inner end surface 56 of the closure device between the overcap and stopper portions 30,42 respectively of the closure device 20.
  • each finger engaging tab is generally rectangular in shape with spaced semi-cylindrical segments 62 on opposite faces of each of the finger engaging tabs 36,46 to facilitate gripping thereof. It will be noted that the finger engaging tabs 36,46 are generally perpendicularly offset from one another with the finger engaging tab 36 being attached to the outerend wall surface of the closure device 20 in an area adjacent the frangible connection 28.
  • Finger engaging tab 36 is also substantially normally directed relative to the axis of the closure assembly 16 as can best be seen in FIG. 2 of the drawing. With this construction, the finger engaging tab 36 provides good leverage for the user in removing the closure device 20 from the remainder of the closure assembly 16 by breaking or tearing the frangible connection 28. The manner of removing the closure device 20 will be best understood by reference to FIG. 6 of the drawing.
  • the present invention also contemplates holding the closure device 20 by the finger engaging tab 46.
  • the finger engaging tab 36 is designed to be gripped by the thumb and forefinger of a user in frangibly disconnecting the closure device 20.
  • the finger engaging tabs 36 and 46 are arranged relative to one another such that by slight pivoting movement of the closure device 20 following gripping of the finger engaging tab 36, the forefinger and middle finger of a users hand can be brought into gripping contact with the finger engaging tab 46 as is illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawing.
  • finger engaging tabs 36 and 46 Removal and reapplication as well as holding of the closure device 20 is thus facilitated by the use of means such as the finger engaging tabs 36 and 46. While the herein illustrated finger engaging tabs 36 and 46 are preferably employed, it will be apparent that other types of removing and holding structures may be utilized. For example, it is conceivable that the finger engaging tabs 36 and 46 may be joined to one another by a connecting strap which can be used to both frangibly disconnect and hold the closure device. Further, in lieu of the finger engaging tab 46, a knob means may be formed in the closure device 20 while the finger engaging tab 36 may be replaced by finger engaging depressions formed in the closure device 20. Other similar examples, whether of unitary construction or separated as in the preferred embodiment, will be readily apparent.
  • the present invention contemplates a novel and unique tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly for protecting the sterility of the contents of a container with which the closure assembly is associated.
  • a tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly for containers comprising a tubular neck element having inner and outer walls and being attached to a container for egress of the contents thereof through the opening defined by the inner wall of the tubular neck element, and a closure device for protecting the sterile condition of the container's contents during subsequent opening and closing of the container, said closure device including stopper and overcap portions for telescopic association relative to the inner and outer walls of the tubular neck element, said overcap portion completely surrounding the stopper portion and being initially frangibly connected to said tubular neck element throughout its circumferential extent, said closure device when frangibly disconnected from said tubular neck element enabling telescopic association of said closure device relative to said tubular neck element, means for frangibly disconnecting said closure device from said tubular neck element and subsequently both for holding and telescopically associating said closure device relative to said tubular neck ele-' ment, said means including separate finger engaging tabs connected to an outer end and outer side wall sur faces of said closure device and said stopper portion

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
US00120439A 1971-03-03 1971-03-03 Tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly Expired - Lifetime US3730376A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12043971A 1971-03-03 1971-03-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3730376A true US3730376A (en) 1973-05-01

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00120439A Expired - Lifetime US3730376A (en) 1971-03-03 1971-03-03 Tamperproof and reusable sterile closure assembly

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US3730376A (fr)
BE (1) BE778962A (fr)
CA (1) CA965044A (fr)
CH (1) CH539554A (fr)
DE (1) DE2208704A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR2128508A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB1370062A (fr)
IL (1) IL38622A (fr)
IT (1) IT951785B (fr)
ZA (1) ZA72496B (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2848499A1 (de) * 1977-11-17 1979-05-23 Haustrup Plastic As Behaelter mit deckel
US4397879A (en) * 1982-07-14 1983-08-09 Warren Wilson Apparatus for and method of making funnel cakes
USD292232S (en) 1984-10-12 1987-10-06 Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc. Protective closure for a medical container
US4757911A (en) * 1985-12-09 1988-07-19 Abbott Laboratories Container and closure construction
USD432304S (en) * 1999-09-20 2000-10-24 Black & Decker Inc. Kit box

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE458986B (sv) * 1985-03-29 1989-05-29 Draco Ab Dosfoerpackning

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2690861A (en) * 1950-05-08 1954-10-05 Earl S Tupper Dispensing closure
US2884151A (en) * 1956-11-01 1959-04-28 Joseph B Biederman Bottle cap
US3083858A (en) * 1960-07-05 1963-04-02 R C Can Co Tear type container closure
US3135441A (en) * 1961-03-23 1964-06-02 Drackett Co Spout type container closure
US3235147A (en) * 1963-07-30 1966-02-15 Standard Oil Co Dual-outlet container closure
US3235117A (en) * 1964-05-07 1966-02-15 Hunt Foods And Ind Inc Plastic closure for containers
US3368560A (en) * 1965-10-07 1968-02-13 Theodore H. Gewecke Outlet fitting for plastic parenteral solution container
US3516452A (en) * 1965-02-05 1970-06-23 Scholle Container Corp Dispensing container

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2690861A (en) * 1950-05-08 1954-10-05 Earl S Tupper Dispensing closure
US2884151A (en) * 1956-11-01 1959-04-28 Joseph B Biederman Bottle cap
US3083858A (en) * 1960-07-05 1963-04-02 R C Can Co Tear type container closure
US3135441A (en) * 1961-03-23 1964-06-02 Drackett Co Spout type container closure
US3235147A (en) * 1963-07-30 1966-02-15 Standard Oil Co Dual-outlet container closure
US3235117A (en) * 1964-05-07 1966-02-15 Hunt Foods And Ind Inc Plastic closure for containers
US3516452A (en) * 1965-02-05 1970-06-23 Scholle Container Corp Dispensing container
US3368560A (en) * 1965-10-07 1968-02-13 Theodore H. Gewecke Outlet fitting for plastic parenteral solution container

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2848499A1 (de) * 1977-11-17 1979-05-23 Haustrup Plastic As Behaelter mit deckel
US4397879A (en) * 1982-07-14 1983-08-09 Warren Wilson Apparatus for and method of making funnel cakes
USD292232S (en) 1984-10-12 1987-10-06 Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc. Protective closure for a medical container
US4757911A (en) * 1985-12-09 1988-07-19 Abbott Laboratories Container and closure construction
USD432304S (en) * 1999-09-20 2000-10-24 Black & Decker Inc. Kit box

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA72496B (en) 1972-09-27
DE2208704A1 (de) 1972-09-14
CH539554A (de) 1973-07-31
IT951785B (it) 1973-07-10
FR2128508A1 (fr) 1972-10-20
GB1370062A (en) 1974-10-09
IL38622A0 (en) 1972-03-28
CA965044A (en) 1975-03-25
IL38622A (en) 1974-09-10
BE778962A (fr) 1972-05-30

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