Syringe tip cap

• US 5,624,402 A
• Filed: 12/12/1994
• Issued: 04/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Imbert, Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): ELGART, VANITHA M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alexander, V.
• Application Number:
  US08/355,447
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 604/111, 604/206, 604/240, 604/241, 604/242, 604/243, 604/256, 604/283, 604/192, 604/905, 215/248, 215/296, 215/318, 215/320
• US Class Current: 604/111
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3104 Caps for syringes without needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3134 characterised by constructional features of the distal end, i.e. end closest to the tip of the needle cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/344 using additional parts, e.g. clamping rings or collets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/50 having means for preventing re-use, or for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile retractable needles or needle protectors with means for preventing re-use A61M5/321
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile

Abstract

A tip cap is provided for positive sealing engagement with the tip of a syringe barrel. The tip cap includes an inner cap formed from an elastomeric material dimensioned for sealing engagement with the tip of the syringe barrel. The tip cap further includes an outer cap engaged with the inner cap to limit or prevent both axial movement and rotational movement therebetween. The outer cap includes an array of threads for threaded engagement with a luer collar. The luer collar may be a separate component mountable to a syringe barrel or an integral part of the syringe barrel.

Claims

1. A tip cap assembly for a glass syringe barrel having a distally projecting tip with a fluid passage extending therethrough, said tip cap assembly comprising:

a luer collar formed from a thermoplastic material and having means for securely locking said luer collar to said tip, said luer collar having an array of internal threads in spaced concentric relationship around said tip;

a resilient inner cap having opposed proximal and distal ends, said proximal end being configured for sealingly engaging said tip, said proximal end having at least one axially extending projection, portions of said inner cap intermediate said proximal and distal ends defining a locking surface;

a rigid outer cap disposed in generally surrounding relationship to said inner cap, said outer cap including at least one axially extending projection engaged with said rib of said inner cap for controlling relative rotation between said inner and outer caps, said outer cap further comprising at least one surface engaged with said locking surface of said inner cap for preventing relative axial movement therebetween, and said outer cap comprising an array of external threads threadedly engaging said threads of said luer collar, said threads being disposed for urging said inner cap into tight sealing engagement with said tip in response to tightening of said outer cap to said luer collar whereby threaded disengagement of said outer cap from said luer collar disengages said inner cap from said tip; and

vent means in said inner cap for minimizing vacuum during separation of said inner cap from said tip.

2. A tip cap assembly for a glass syringe barrel having a distally projecting tip with a fluid passage extending therethrough, said tip cap assembly comprising:

a luer collar formed from a thermoplastic material and having means for securely locking said luer collar to said tip, said luer collar having an array of internal threads in spaced concentric relationship around said tip;

a resilient inner cap having opposed proximal and distal ends, said proximal end being configured for sealingly engaging said tip, said proximal end having at least one axially extending projection, portions of said inner cap intermediate said proximal and distal ends defining a locking surface;

a rigid outer cap disposed in generally surrounding relationship to said inner cap, said outer cap including at least one axially extending projection engaged with said rib of said inner cap for controlling relative rotation between said inner and outer caps, said outer cap further comprising at least one surface engaged with said locking surface of said inner cap for preventing relative axial movement therebetween, and said outer cap comprising an array of external threads threadedly engaging said threads of said luer collar, said threads being disposed for urging said inner cap into tight sealing engagement with said tip in response to tightening of said outer cap to said luer collar whereby threaded disengagement of said outer cap from said luer collar disengages said inner cap from said tip;

a frangible tamper evident seal extending between and connecting said outer cap and said luer collar.