Sealed containers and methods of filling and resealing same
First Claim
1. A method comprising the following steps:
- filling a container including a container body and a penetrable and hermetically resealable portion, wherein the body defines an empty chamber sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere and in fluid communication with the penetrable and resealable portion for receiving therein a substance, and a generally diabolo shape defining 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;
the filling step further comprising;
penetrating the penetrable and resealable portion with a filling or injection member coupled in fluid communication with a source of substance; and
introducing the substance through the filling or injection member and into the chamber of the container;
withdrawing the filling or injection member from the penetrable and resealable portion;
substantially preventing upward movement of the body with the filling or injection member during the step of withdrawing the filling or injection member; and
hermetically resealing the penetrable and resealable portion and forming a substantially gas-tight seal between the ambient atmosphere and the chamber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A container and method for filling same. The container includes a penetrable and resealable portion that is resealable, and a container body having a sealed empty chamber in fluid communication with the penetrable and 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 penetrable and 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 upward movement of the body, and applying energy to the penetrable and resealable portion to form a gas-tight seal.
178 Citations
41 Claims
-
1. A method comprising the following steps:
-
filling a container including a container body and a penetrable and hermetically resealable portion, wherein the body defines an empty chamber sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere and in fluid communication with the penetrable and resealable portion for receiving therein a substance, and a generally diabolo shape defining 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; the filling step further comprising; penetrating the penetrable and resealable portion with a filling or injection member coupled in fluid communication with a source of substance; and introducing the substance through the filling or injection member and into the chamber of the container; withdrawing the filling or injection member from the penetrable and resealable portion; substantially preventing upward movement of the body with the filling or injection member during the step of withdrawing the filling or injection member; and hermetically resealing the penetrable and resealable portion and forming a substantially gas-tight seal between the ambient atmosphere and the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method comprising the following steps:
-
forming a sealed empty container within a mold, wherein the container includes a body defining a sealed empty chamber, and a penetrable portion in fluid communication with the chamber that is penetrable by a filling or injection member and is resealable; penetrating the penetrable portion with a filling or injection member such that the filling or injection member is in fluid communication with the sealed empty chamber; introducing a substance through the filling or injection member and into the chamber; withdrawing the filling or injection member from the penetrable portion; and transmitting energy or radiation to the penetrable portion, and hermetically sealing an aperture formed in the penetrable portion by the filling or injection member and the substance within the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
- 31. A container comprising a body and a penetrable and hermetically resealable portion, wherein the body defines an empty chamber sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere and in fluid communication with the penetrable and hermetically resealable portion for receiving therein a substance, wherein the penetrable and hermetically resealable portion is penetrable by a filling or injection member to form a penetration aperture therethrough for at least one of introducing a substance into and withdrawing a substance out of the chamber, and the body further defines a generally diabolo shape defining 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, and the mid-portion defines an axial extent that is greater than an axial extent of the base.
-
38. A container comprising:
-
a body defining a generally diabolo shape defining 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, and the mid-portion defines an axial extent that is greater than an axial extent of the base, and further defining a chamber for receiving therein a substance; a substance within the chamber; and a resealable portion having a penetration aperture formed therethrough by a filling or injection member, the resealable portion comprising a base portion comprising a first material compatible with the substance and defining a substance-exposed surface in fluid communication with the chamber and a resealing portion overlying the base portion comprising a second material that upon the transmitting of energy or radiation thereto at least one of (i) hermetically seals the aperture and the substance within the chamber, and (ii) forms a gas-tight seal between the ambient atmosphere and the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
-
Specification