Sealed containers and methods of making and filling same
First Claim
1. A vial assembly for storing a substance, comprising:
- a body defining an opening, a chamber in fluid communication with the opening for receiving therein the substance, a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base, wherein each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion; and
a stopper received within the opening and penetrable by a needle or like member for at least one of introducing the substance into, and withdrawing the substance from, the chamber.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a uniquely configured medicament vial assembly which includes a storage vial, a stopper member and a securing ring. The vial assembly is configured to improve healthcare worker safety by providing a shielded gripping location to aid in the reduction of accidental needle sticks. The storage vial has a body portion which defines an interior chamber for storing a predetermined medicament and a neck portion through which medicament is received into and withdrawn from the interior chamber. The stopper member is inserted into the mouth of the vial and establishes a first seal. The securing ring is engaged with the mouth of the vial and adapted and configured for retaining the stopper member within the vial mouth and effectuating a second seal. The securing ring is formed from a thermoplastic and/or elastic material. Preferably, the securing ring is formed by molding the thermoplastic and/or elastic material over a portion of the storage vial and stopper member when engaged within the vial mouth.
128 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A vial assembly for storing a substance, comprising:
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a body defining an opening, a chamber in fluid communication with the opening for receiving therein the substance, a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base, wherein each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion; and
a stopper received within the opening and penetrable by a needle or like member for at least one of introducing the substance into, and withdrawing the substance from, the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A vial assembly for storing a substance, comprising:
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a body defining an opening, a chamber in fluid communication with the opening for receiving therein the substance, a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base, wherein each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion; and
first means received within the opening for sealing the opening and being penetrable by a needle for at least one of introducing the substance into, and withdrawing the substance from, the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method comprising the following steps:
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providing a vial including a body defining an opening, a chamber in fluid communication with the opening for receiving therein a predetermined substance, a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base, wherein each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion, and a heat-resealable stopper fusible in response to the application of thermal energy thereto;
prior to filling the vial with substance, assembling the stopper and vial and forming a substantially gas-tight seal between the stopper and vial;
sterilizing the empty assembled stopper and vial;
supporting the a vial with a vial support including mounting surface in engagement with the mid-portion of the vial, an upper surface located on one side of the mounting surface, and a lower surface located on another side of the mounting surface;
penetrating the stopper with a needle coupled in fluid communication with a source of predetermined substance;
introducing the predetermined substance through the needle and into the interior of the vial;
withdrawing the needle from the stopper; and
applying sufficient thermal energy to the penetrated region of the stopper to fuse the penetrated region and form a substantially gas-tight seal between the penetrated region and the interior of the vial. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification