Single use vial

• US 4,502,616 A
• Filed: 01/04/1982
• Issued: 03/05/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Norma Jean Potts
• Original Assignee: Health Care Concepts, Inc. (CVS Health Corporation)
• Inventors: Meierhoefer, Eugene J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Application Number:
  US06/337,080
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 206/484.2, 206/484, 604/200, 604/244, 604/403, 222/94, 222/107, 222/129, 222/143, 222/206, 222/215, 222/541
• US Class Current: 222/215
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/067 Flexible ampoules, the contents of which are expelled by squeezing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/095 made of flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/82 Separable, striplike plural articles

Abstract

A single use vial is provided in clusters of five or two times five separably joined vials. The vials are molded and filled with a medicated or non-medicated solution and each vial is provided with a converging, planar front wall. The vials include an integral dispensing nozzle, having a conduit which can be exposed by removing a twist off closure. A common separation strip joins the facing side of adjacent vials in the cluster but not the twist off closures. The angle of convergence of the front wall is designed to elevate the conduit above the solution level when the front wall is placed upon a horizontal surface to prevent unwanted dripping prior to use.

Claims

1. In a single use, non-reclosable vial having a squeezable closed body, an intermediate neck and an initially closed dispensing nozzle, said vial containing a medicated or non-medicated solution to be administered to a patient for respiratory therapy;

the improvement which comprises;

(a) said nozzle having a circular cross-section and a diameter sized to fit snugly in the medication port of a Bird nebulizer and into the inner solution-receiving port of standard tracheal and endotracheal devices;

(b) said neck including a cylindrical flange having a diameter larger than the medication port of a Bird nebulizer;

(c) said cylindrical flange being connected to the lower substantially cylindrical portion of said neck adjacent the body of said vial by an intermediate transition channel of reduced diameter; and

(d) said lower substantially cylindrical portion of the neck having a circular cross-section and a diameter larger than said reduced diameter and such that it fits snugly within the internal diameter of standard tracheal and endotracheal devices.

2. In a single use, non-reclosable vial having a squeezable closed body, an intermediate neck and an initially closed dispensing nozzle, said vial containing a medicated or non-medicated solution to be administered to a patient for respiratory therapy;

the improvement which comprises;

(a) said nozzle having a circular cross-section and an outer diameter such that it fits directly and snugly within the medication port of a Bird nebulizer to ensure positive introduction of the solution thereto and into the inner solution-receiving port of standard tracheal and endotracheal devices;

(b) said neck including a cylindrical flange which abuts the outside of the medication port of said Bird nebulizer to prevent over-insertion of the nozzle of said vial into said port;

(c) said cylindrical flange being connected to the lower substantially cylindrical portion of the neck adjacent the body of said vial by an intermediate transition channel of reduced diameter;

(d) said lower substantially cylindrical portion of the neck having a circular cross-section and a diameter such that it snugly interfits the internal diameter of standard tracheal and endotrocheal devices to properly align the dispensing nozzle for positive dispensing of said solution therein

whereby said flange completely closes and seals the medication port of a Bird nebulizer when inserted therein in positive locking engagement; and

whereby said lower portion of the neck serves to ensure that the dispensing nozzle is properly positioned in a standard tracheal or endotracheal device when inserted therein, and prevents over or under insertion therein or damage to said nozzle or the device in which it is inserted.