Enclosed living cell dispensing tube
First Claim
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1. A device for dispensing living cells of a probiotic microorganism into a liquid. comprising:
- (a) a liquid impermeable dispensing tube having an open bore being surrounded by an inner tube wall and extending from an open upper end of the tube to an open lower end of the tube;
(b) a coating material on a portion of the inner tube wall, said coating material selected from the group consisting of oils and waxes and holding a suspension of the living cells of the probiotic microorganism for long-term storage within the open bore adherent to the inner tube wall; and
(c) a flexible, essentially water vapor tight envelope enclosing the tube for long-term storage and to protect the living cells of the probiotic microorganism from moisture;
wherein the living cells of the probiotic microorganism may be removed from the inner tube wall and mixed with the liquid by placing the open lower end of the tube in the liquid and drawing the liquid through the bore.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing tube containing a selected material, such as bacterial cells or other additive, on the inside of the tube. The tube is wrapped and sealed in an outer watertight envelope until time for usage. At the time of usage the outer envelope is taken away and when the tubular device penetrates a solution container such as a beverage or an enteral solution, the selected material is added to the solution while the solution flows through the tube.
77 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A device for dispensing living cells of a probiotic microorganism into a liquid. comprising:
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(a) a liquid impermeable dispensing tube having an open bore being surrounded by an inner tube wall and extending from an open upper end of the tube to an open lower end of the tube;
(b) a coating material on a portion of the inner tube wall, said coating material selected from the group consisting of oils and waxes and holding a suspension of the living cells of the probiotic microorganism for long-term storage within the open bore adherent to the inner tube wall; and
(c) a flexible, essentially water vapor tight envelope enclosing the tube for long-term storage and to protect the living cells of the probiotic microorganism from moisture;
wherein the living cells of the probiotic microorganism may be removed from the inner tube wall and mixed with the liquid by placing the open lower end of the tube in the liquid and drawing the liquid through the bore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of making a device for dispensing living cells of a probiotic microorganism into a liquid, comprising:
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(a) providing a liquid impermeable dispensing tube having an open bore being surrounded by an inner tube wall and extending from an open upper end of the tube to an open lower end of the tube;
(b) coating a portion of the inner tube wall within the open bore with a coating material selected from the group consisting of oils and waxes and holding a suspension of the living cells of the probiotic microorganism for long-term storage so that the coating material containing the living cells adheres to the inner tube wall; and
(c) providing a flexible, essentially water vapor tight envelope enclosing the tube for long-term storage and to protect the living cells of the probiotic microorganism from moisture;
wherein the living cells of the probiotic microorganism may be removed from the inner tube wall and mixed with the liquid by placing the open lower end of the tube in the liquid and drawing the liquid through the bore. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification