Container for delivery of flowable material

• US 5,836,922 A
• Filed: 06/21/1996
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bernd Hansen
• Original Assignee: Bernd Hansen
• Inventors: Leu, Willy, Hansen, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): STRIGHT, RONALD K
• Application Number:
  US08/670,187
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 604/68, 604/72, 604/181, 604/185, 604/186, 604/187, 604/192, 604/197, 604/199, 604/200, 604/207-211, 604/212, 604/216, 604/214, 604/217, 604/218, 604/227, 604/289 , 604/294, 604/295, 604/298, 604/299, 604/302, 222/92-94, 222/95, 222/107, 222/157, 222/210, 222/214, 222/215, 222/206, 222/325, 222/326, 222/572, 222/541.2
• US Class Current: 604/214
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3118 via the distal end of a syringe, i.e. syringe end for mounting a needle cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/312 comprising sealing means, e.g. severable caps, to be removed prior to injection by, e.g. tearing or twisting
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/282 by compression of deformable ampoule or carpule wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31566 Means improving security or handling thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3202 Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps A61M5/50 takes precedence; for infusion spikes A61M5/1626; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile

Abstract

A container for delivery of flowable material has a plastic, deformable container body which can be compressed in its longitudinal direction and a neck of smaller diameter attached to one body end with formation of a projection. The delivery through the neck projection corresponds to the volume diminution obtained by the length reduction of the body, for quantitative regulation of the material delivered through the neck. A cup-shaped bushing has its floor engaged on a shoulder projection of the body. The bushing floor has a passage opening for the neck. A piston is slidable in the bushing until it contacts the bushing floor. An indicator arrangement makes a visible indication of the movement path of the piston in the bushing.

Claims

1. A container for delivery of flowable material, comprising:

a deformable, one piece, unitary plastic body compressible in a longitudinal direction thereof, and having a first transverse diameter and a shoulder projection, said body defining an interior volume and having an axial length;

a neck unitarily formed with said body at one axial end of said body, said neck having a second transverse diameter smaller than said first transverse diameter, said neck having a small projection through which flowable material is delivered;

a cup-shaped, one piece bushing formed of a small unitary piece of plastic receiving said body and having a bushing floor and a passage opening in said floor receiving said neck, said floor engaging said shoulder projection of said body;

a piston formed of a single, unitary piece of plastic, slidably mounted in said bushing and movable to positions in said bushing relative to said bushing floor; and

indicators on said piston and said bushing indicating movement of said piston in said bushing, said indicators including cooperating checking means on said bushing and said piston for force-locking said bushing and said piston in relative positions along a path of movement of said piston;

whereby, movement of said piston in said bushing toward said bushing floor reduces said volume of said body by reducing said axial length for regulating quantitative discharge of flowable material through said neck.

2. The container according to claim 1 wherein

a gripper projects laterally from an outside surface of said bushing.

3. The container according to claim 2 wherein

said gripper comprises a flange formed directly on said bushing.

4. The container according to claim 2 wherein

said gripper comprises two diametrically opposite arms.

5. The container according to claim 1 wherein

a head is formed directly on said neck with a break-off closing.

6. The container according to claim 5 wherein

said body, said neck and said head are formed unitarily of one integral piece.

7. The container according to claim 1 wherein

said indicators comprise a graduation fixed on one of said piston and said bushing and a marking cooperating with said graduation fixed on the other of said piston and said bushing.

8. The container according to claim 1 wherein

one end of said piston engages on said body and has a material part projecting axially.

9. The container according to claim 1 wherein

said piston has an axial length at least equal to an axial length of said bushing.

10. The container according to claim 1 wherein

said body comprises a bellows.

11. The container according to claim 1 wherein

said shoulder projection extends radially from said neck at a juncture of said neck and said body;

and

said bushing floor has an inner surface extending radially from said passage opening and engaging said shoulder projection.

12. A container for delivery of flowable material, comprising:

a deformable bellows body compressible in a longitudinal direction thereof, formed of a single and unitary piece of plastic and having a first transverse diameter and a shoulder projection, said body defining an interior volume and having an axial length;

a neck unitarily formed with said body at one axial end of said body, said neck having a second transverse diameter smaller than said first transverse diameter, said neck having a small projection through which flowable material is delivered;

a head is unitarily formed with said neck and said body with a frangible connection between said head and said neck;

a cup-shaped bushing, formed of a single and unitary piece of plastic, receiving said body and having a bushing floor and a passage opening in said floor receiving said neck, said floor engaging said shoulder projection of said body;

a gripper unitarily formed with said bushing and projecting laterally from an outside surface of said bushing;

a piston, formed of a single and unitary piece of plastic slidably mounted in said bushing and movable to positions in said bushing relative to said bushing floor, said piston having an axial length at least equal to an axial length of said bushing; and

indicators on said piston and said bushing indicating movement of said piston in said bushing;

whereby, movement of said piston in said bushing toward said bushing floor reduces said volume of said body by reducing said axial length for regulating quantitative discharge of flowable material through said neck.

13. A container for delivery of flowable material, comprising:

a deformable, one piece, unitary plastic body compressible in a longitudinal direction thereof, and having a first transverse diameter and a shoulder projection, said body defining an interior volume and having an axial length;

a neck unitarily formed with said body at one axial end of said body, said neck having a second transverse diameter smaller than said first transverse diameter, said neck having a small projection through which flowable material is delivered;

a head formed directly on said neck with a break-off closing;

a cup-shaped, one piece, unitary bushing receiving said body and having a bushing floor and a passage opening in said floor receiving said neck, said floor engaging said shoulder projection of said body;

a piston slidably mounted in said bushing and movable to positions in said bushing relative to said bushing floor; and

indicators on said piston and said bushing indicating movement of said piston in said bushing;

whereby, movement of said piston in said bushing toward said bushing floor reduces said volume of said body by reducing said axial length for regulating quantitative discharge of flowable material through said neck.

14. A container for delivery of flowable material, comprising:

a deformable, one piece, unitary plastic body compressible in a longitudinal direction thereof, and having a first transverse diameter and a shoulder projection, said body defining an interior volume and having an axial length;

a neck unitarily formed with said body at one axial end of said body, said neck having a second transverse diameter smaller than said first transverse diameter, said neck having a small projection through which flowable material is delivered, said neck receiving an insert body, said insert body including an injection needle for use as a disposable needle;

a cup-shaped, one piece, unitary bushing receiving said body and having a bushing floor and a passage opening in said floor receiving said neck, said floor engaging said shoulder projection of said body;

a piston slidably mounted in said bushing and movable to positions in said bushing relative to said bushing floor; and

indicators on said piston and said bushing indicating movement of said piston in said bushing;

whereby, movement of said piston in said bushing toward said bushing floor reduces said volume of said body by reducing said axial length for regulating quantitative discharge of flowable material through said neck.

15. A container for delivery of flowable material, comprising:

a deformable, one piece, unitary plastic body compressible in a longitudinal direction thereof, and having a first transverse diameter and a shoulder projection, said body defining an interior volume and having an axial length;

a neck unitarily formed with said body at one axial end of said body, said neck having a second transverse diameter smaller than said first transverse diameter, said neck having a small projection through which flowable material is delivered;

a head formed directly on said neck with a break-off closing;

a cup-shaped, one piece bushing formed of a small unitary piece of plastic receiving said body and having a bushing floor and a passage opening in said floor receiving said neck, said floor engaging said shoulder projection of said body;

a piston formed of a single, unitary piece of plastic, slidably mounted in said bushing and movable to positions in said bushing relative to said bushing floor; and

indicators on said piston and said bushing indicating movement of said piston in said bushing;

whereby, movement of said piston in said bushing toward said bushing floor reduces said volume of said body by reducing said axial length for regulating quantitative discharge of flowable material through said neck.

16. The container according to claim 15 wherein

said body, said neck and said head are formed unitarily of one integral piece.

17. A container for delivery of flowable material, comprising:

a deformable, one piece, unitary plastic body compressible in a longitudinal direction thereof, and having a first transverse diameter and a shoulder projection, said body defining an interior volume and having an axial length;

a neck unitarily formed with said body at one axial end of said body, said neck having a second transverse diameter smaller than said first transverse diameter, said neck having a small projection through which flowable material is delivered and having an insert body therein of an injection needle for use as a disposable needle;

a cup-shaped, one piece bushing formed of a small unitary piece of plastic receiving said body and having a bushing floor and a passage opening in said floor receiving said neck, said floor engaging said shoulder projection of said body;

a piston formed of a single, unitary piece of plastic, slidably mounted in said bushing and movable to positions in said bushing relative to said bushing floor; and

indicators on said piston and said bushing indicating movement of said piston in said bushing;

whereby, movement of said piston in said bushing toward said bushing floor reduces said volume of said body by reducing said axial length for regulating quantitative discharge of flowable material through said neck.

18. The container according to claim 17 wherein

said neck receives an insert body including an injection needle for use as a disposable needle.