Disposable single-use container with indicia bearing portion

• US 7,028,862 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2005
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Woodstock Sterile Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RP Scherer Technologies Incorporated (Catalent, Inc.)
• Inventors: Poynter, Richard Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Derakshani, Philippe
• Application Number:
  US11/031,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20050145648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 222/23, 222/209, 222/215, 222/541.6
• US Class Current: 222/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/00 Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes capsules or the like for oral use A61J3/07; specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments A61B50/30; containers for radioactive substances G21F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/067 Flexible ampoules, the contents of which are expelled by squeezing
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/40 by shape or form, e.g. by using shape recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/09 Ampoules specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/00 Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators see also B65D5/4212, B65D33/004
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/205 Means for the attachment of labels, cards, coupons or the like; cards or coupons for the other types of rigid or semi-rigid containers B65D25/36 takes precedence

Abstract

A container and storage apparatus with an attached, but functionally separate, labeling portion is provided. The apparatus has a primary chamber containing a predetermined agent separated from the labeling portion. An optional contamination barrier region may increase the separation. A preferred embodiment may be formed by a blow-fill-seal method from thermoplastic, allowing one piece molding of the apparatus. A removable cap allows a dispensing point to be opened into the primary chamber for removal of the agent. Indicia may be formed in or on the labeling portion, which may be smaller, larger, or the same in size and shape as the primary chamber. Inks, adhesives or other substances incidental to the indicia will be less likely to migrate across the apparatus wall and into the primary chamber due to the functional separation provided between the primary chamber and labeling portion.

Claims

1. A disposable single-use container and storage apparatus made by a blow-fill-seal method, containing a predetermined agent, wherein the apparatus has a proximal end and a distal end, said container comprising:

a primary chamber, having at least one interior surface in contact with said agent and at least one exterior surface in contact with a surrounding environment;

a removable cap, molded to the primary chamber with a frangible break line, such that a dispensing point is formed when said cap is removed from the apparatus;

a labeling portion, attached to the apparatus; and

a containment barrier region formed between the labeling portion and the primary chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said labeling portion is substantially cylindrical in shape.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one indicia located on the labeling portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said indicia machine readable code.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said indicia comprises a shrink-wrap sleeve that is attached to said labeling portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is formed of a color associated with said predetermined agent.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is formed from a thermo-plastic.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyester, polystyrene, polypropylene, polysulfone, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and ethylene-vinyl-acetate.