Sealed containers and methods of filling and resealing same
First Claim
1. A method comprising the following steps:
- providing a container including a container body, a resealable portion sealable in response to the application of energy thereto, wherein the body defines an empty chamber sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere, and in fluid communication with the resealable portion for receiving therein a predetermined substance, a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base, wherein each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion;
penetrating the resealable portion with an injection member coupled in fluid communication with a source of predetermined substance;
introducing the predetermined substance through the injection member and into the chamber of the container;
withdrawing the injection member from the resealable portion;
engaging the base of the body with a support during the step of withdrawing the injection member and substantially preventing axial movement of the body relative thereto; and
applying sufficient energy to the resealable portion to seal the penetrated region and form a substantially gas-tight seal between the penetrated region and the chamber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a container and method for filling same. The container includes a thermally resealable portion that is fusible in response to thermal energy, and a container body having a sealed empty chamber in fluid communication with the resealable portion for receiving therein a substance. The container also includes a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base. Each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion. The method of filling the container includes penetrating the resealable portion with an injection member and introducing a substance into the chamber, withdrawing the injection member while engaging the base of the body to substantially prevent axial movement of the body, and applying thermal energy to the resealable portion to thermally fuse the penetrated region thereof.
181 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising the following steps:
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providing a container including a container body, a resealable portion sealable in response to the application of energy thereto, wherein the body defines an empty chamber sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere, and in fluid communication with the resealable portion for receiving therein a predetermined substance, a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base, wherein each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion; penetrating the resealable portion with an injection member coupled in fluid communication with a source of predetermined substance; introducing the predetermined substance through the injection member and into the chamber of the container; withdrawing the injection member from the resealable portion; engaging the base of the body with a support during the step of withdrawing the injection member and substantially preventing axial movement of the body relative thereto; and applying sufficient energy to the resealable portion to seal the penetrated region and form a substantially gas-tight seal between the penetrated region and the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising the following steps:
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forming a sealed empty container within a mold, wherein the container includes a body defining a sealed empty chamber, and a thermoplastic portion in fluid communication with the body and defining a penetrable region that is penetrable by a filling member and is resealable to hermetically seal an aperture therein by applying energy at a predetermined wavelength and power thereto; penetrating the penetrable region of the thermoplastic portion with a filling member such that the filling member is in fluid communication with the sealed empty chamber; introducing the substance through the filling member and into the chamber; withdrawing the filling member from the thermoplastic portion; and transmitting energy at the predetermined wavelength and power onto an aperture formed in the penetrable region of the thermoplastic portion, and hermetically sealing the aperture and the substance within the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification