Contoured tubing closure

• US 20040122414A9
• Filed: 03/12/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Adamkiewicz, Brian, Herren, Janelle, Eckert, Hermann F., Smith, Sidney T., Hurst, William S.
• Application Number:
  US10/097,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20030176847A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/415
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/067 Flexible ampoules, the contents of which are expelled by squeezing
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1406 Septums, pierceable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2027 having frangible parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2082 for gas filtration
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2093 Containers having several compartments for products to be mixed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/04 having pierceable self-sealing members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/14 for connecting tubes having sealed ends needle sets A61M5/162; having valves closing automatically on disconnection of line A61M39/26
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/08 flexible, e.g. films
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/09 Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/185 comprising six or more components, i.e. each component being counted once for each time it is present, e.g. in a layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/32 for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture containers with removable or destructible partitions B65D25/08 ; closures combined with auxiliary containers B65D51/28; in aerosol containers B65D83/682; amalgam capsules A61C5/66; containers for pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/20, A61M5/19; medical syringes A61M3/005, resin cartridges for grouting anchoring-bolts in mines E21D20/026
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1379 Contains vapor or gas barrier, polymer derived from vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, or polymer containing a vinyl alcohol unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for delivering fluid. In one embodiment, the system and method include a container to hold the fluid, and a closed-end tube having a first end in communication with the container and a closed second end. The closed second end is contoured in a pattern to form a zone of weakness. The zone of weakness facilitates reduced force necessary for an access spike to puncture the closed second end.

Claims

1. A method for delivering fluid comprising the steps of:

providing a container to hold the fluid;

providing a closed-end tube having a first end and a second end, the first end in communication with the container, and the second end being closed, the closed second end further having an inner surface and an outer surface; and

contouring the closed second end in a pattern to form a zone of weakness.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of contouring comprises treating the outer surface of the closed second end.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of contouring comprises treating the inner surface of the closed second end.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending radially from a point substantially central to the closed second end.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the pattern is substantially circular and is generally centrally disposed on the closed second end.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending spirally from a point substantially central to the closed second end.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of contouring comprises the step of treating the closed second end ultrasonically.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of contouring comprises the step of treating the closed second end by radio frequency heating.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of contouring comprises the step of treating the closed second end by coining.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line substantially intersecting the center point of the closed second end.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the pattern comprises at least one generally curved line substantially intersecting the center point of the closed second end.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the pattern comprises at least one curved line.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the pattern comprises at least one substantially straight line.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the pattern comprises at least one circular line.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the zone of weakness is centrally disposed on the closed second end.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the zone of weakness is larger than the pattern.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the zone of weakness is smaller than the pattern.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the pattern defines a hinged flap connected to the closed second end.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the zone of weakness defines a hinged flap connected to the closed second end.

20. A fluid delivery system comprising

a container to hold the fluid;

a closed-end tube having a first end and a second end, the first end in communication with the container, and the second end being closed, the closed second end further having an inner surface and an outer surface; and

wherein the closed second end is contoured in a pattern to form a zone of weakness.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern is located on the outer surface of the closed second end.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern is located on the inner surface of the closed second end.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending radially from a point substantially central to the closed second end.

24. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern is substantially circular and is generally centrally disposed on the closed second end.

25. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending spirally from a point substantially central to the closed second end.

26. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern is applied to the closed second end ultrasonically.

27. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern is applied to the closed second end by radio frequency heating.

28. The system of claim 20 wherein pattern is applied to the closed second end by coining.

29. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line substantially intersecting the center point of the closed second end.

30. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern comprises at least one generally curved line substantially intersecting the center point of the closed second end.

31. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern comprises at least one curved line.

32. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern comprises at least one substantially straight line.

33. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern comprises at least one circular line.

34. The system of claim 20 wherein the zone of weakness is centrally disposed on the closed second end.

35. The system of claim 20 wherein the zone of weakness is larger than the pattern.

36. The system of claim 20 wherein the z one of weakness is smaller than the pattern.

37. The system of claim 20 wherein the pattern defines a hinged flap connected to the closed second end.

38. The system of claim 20 wherein the zone of weakness defines a hinged flap connected to the closed second end.

39. A method for delivering fluid comprising the steps of:

providing a container for holding the fluid;

providing a passageway in communication with the container;

disposing a membrane across the passageway to seal the passageway, the membrane having a inner surface and an outer surface; and

contouring the membrane in a pattern to define a zone of weakness.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the passageway has a first end in communication with the container and a second free end, and wherein the membrane is located at the second free end of the passageway.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein the passageway has a first end in communication with the container and a second free end, and wherein the membrane is located between the first and second ends of the passageway.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of contouring comprises treating the outer surface of the closed second end.

43. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of contouring comprises treating the inner surface of the closed second end.

44. The method of claim 39 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending radially from a point substantially central to the closed second end.

45. The method of claim 39 wherein the pattern is substantially circular and is generally centrally disposed on the closed second end.

46. The method of claim 39 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending spirally from a point substantially central to the closed second end.

47. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of contouring comprises the step of treating the closed second end ultrasonically.

48. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of contouring comprises the step of treating the closed second end by radio frequency heating.

49. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of contouring comprises the step of treating the closed second end by coining.

50. The method of claim 39 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line substantially intersecting the center point of the closed second end.

51. The method of claim 39 wherein the pattern comprises at least one generally curved line substantially intersecting the center point of the closed second end.

52. The method of claim 39 wherein the pattern comprises at least one curved line.

53. The method of claim 39 wherein the pattern comprises at least one substantially straight line.

54. The method of claim 39 wherein the pattern comprises at least one circular line.

55. The method of claim 39 wherein the zone of weakness is centrally disposed on the closed second end.

56. The method of claim 39 wherein the zone of weakness is larger than the pattern.

57. The method of claim 39 wherein the zone of weakness is smaller than the pattern.

58. The method of claim 39 wherein the pattern defines a hinged flap connected to the closed second end.

59. The method of claim 39 wherein the zone of weakness defines a hinged flap connected to the closed second end.

60. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a container for holding the fluid;

a passageway in communication with the container;

a membrane disposed across the passageway to seal the passageway, the membrane having a inner surface and an outer surface; and

the membrane contoured in a pattern to define a zone of weakness.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein the passageway has a first end in communication with the container and a second free end, and wherein the membrane is located at the second free end of the passageway.

62. The system of claim 60 wherein the passageway has a first end in communication with the container and a second free end, and wherein the membrane is located between the first and second ends of the passageway.

63. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern is located on the outer surface of the closed second end.

64. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern is located on the inner surface of the closed second end.

65. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending radially from a point substantially central to the closed second end.

66. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern is substantially circular and is generally centrally disposed on the closed second end.

67. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending spirally from a point substantially central to the closed second end.

68. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern is applied to the closed second end ultrasonically.

69. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern is applied to the closed second end by radio frequency heating.

70. The system of claim 60 wherein pattern is applied to the closed second end by coining.

71. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line substantially intersecting the center point of the closed second end.

72. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern comprises at least one generally curved line substantially intersecting the center point of the closed second end.

73. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern comprises at least one curved line.

74. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern comprises at least one substantially straight line.

75. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern comprises at least one circular line.

76. The system of claim 60 wherein the zone of weakness is centrally disposed on the closed second end.

77. The system of claim 60 wherein the zone of weakness is larger than the pattern.

78. The system of claim 60 wherein the zone of weakness is smaller than the pattern.

79. The system of claim 60 wherein the pattern defines a hinged flap connected to the closed second end.

80. The system of claim 60 wherein the zone of weakness defines a hinged flap connected to the closed second end.

81. A method for delivering fluid comprising the steps of:

providing a container for holding the fluids;

providing a tube having a first end and a second end and defining a passageway in communication with the container, the tube having a membrane disposed across the passageway between the first and second ends;

contouring the membrane in a pattern to define a zone of weakness;

placing an interface in the tube between the membrane and the second end of the tube;

inserting a connector into the second end of the tube, the connector adapted to engage the interface; and

the interface puncturing the membrane thereby delivering the fluid through the passageway.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein the step of contouring comprises treating the outer surface of the membrane.

83. The method of claim 81 wherein the step of contouring comprises treating the inner surface of the membrane.

84. The method of claim 81 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending radially from a point substantially central to the membrane.

85. The method of claim 81 wherein the pattern is substantially circular and is generally centrally disposed on the membrane.

86. The method of claim 81 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending spirally from a point substantially central to the membrane.

87. The method of claim 81 wherein the step of contouring comprises the step of treating the membrane ultrasonically.

88. The method of claim 81 wherein the step of contouring comprises the step of treating the membrane by radio frequency heating.

89. The method of claim 81 wherein the step of contouring comprises the step of treating the membrane by coining.

90. The method of claim 81 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line substantially intersecting the center point of the membrane.

91. The method of claim 81 wherein the pattern comprises at least one generally curved line substantially intersecting the center point of the membrane.

92. The method of claim 81 wherein the pattern comprises at least one curved line.

93. The method of claim 81 wherein the pattern comprises at least one substantially straight line.

94. The method of claim 81 wherein the pattern comprises at least one circular line.

95. The method of claim 81 wherein the zone of weakness is centrally disposed on the membrane.

96. The method of claim 81 wherein the zone of weakness is larger than the pattern.

97. The method of claim 81 wherein the zone of weakness is smaller than the pattern.

98. The method of claim 81 wherein the pattern defines a hinged flap connected to the membrane.

99. The method of claim 81 wherein the zone of weakness defines a hinged flap connected to the membrane.

100. A system for delivering fluid comprising:

a container for holding the fluid;

a tube having first and second ends and defining a passageway in communication with the container, the tube having a membrane disposed across the passageway between the first and second ends, the membrane contoured in a pattern to define a zone of weakness;

an interface in the tube between the membrane and the second end of the tube;

a connector adapted to be inserted into the second end of the tube, the connector also adapted to engage the interface, and to cause the interface to puncture the membrane thereby delivering the fluid through the passageway.

101. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern is located on the outer surface of the membrane.

102. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern is located on the inner surface of the membrane.

103. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending radially from a point substantially central to the membrane.

104. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern is substantially circular and is generally centrally disposed on the membrane.

105. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line extending spirally from a point substantially central to the membrane.

106. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern is applied to the membrane ultrasonically.

107. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern is applied to the membrane by radio frequency heating.

108. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern is applied to the membrane by coining.

109. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern comprises at least one line substantially intersecting the center point of the membrane.

110. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern comprises at least one generally curved line substantially intersecting the center point of the membrane.

111. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern comprises at least one curved line.

112. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern comprises at least one substantially straight line.

113. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern comprises at least one circular line.

114. The system of claim 100 wherein the zone of weakness is centrally disposed on the membrane.

115. The system of claim 100 wherein the zone of weakness is larger than the pattern.

116. The system of claim 100 wherein the zone of weakness is smaller than the pattern.

117. The system of claim 100 wherein the pattern defines a hinged flap connected to the membrane.

118. The system of claim 100 wherein the zone of weakness defines a hinged flap connected to the membrane.

119. A capsule comprising:

a body;

the body having a first end and a second end, and at least one of the first end or second end contoured to define a zone of weakness.

120. A fluid mixing system comprising:

a capsule;

the capsule having a first end and a second end, and at least one of the first end or second end contoured to define a zone of weakness;

the capsule contained within a container, the capsule containing a first material, and the container containing a second material.