Vacuum device for an expandable container

• US 3,965,946 A
• Filed: 03/06/1975
• Issued: 06/29/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: D'Alo, Herbert Fred
• Primary Examiner(s): Aegerter, Richard E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Application Number:
  US05/555,763
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 141/51, 141/59, 141/7, 141/8, 141/10, 141/39, 141/65, 141/114, 141/314, 141/315, 141/316, 141/330, 141/369, 141/379, 128/DIG. 12, 128/DIG. 14, 128/214 D, 128/214 F, 128/272, 128/276
• US Class Current: 141/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/20 Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/14 pneumatically

Abstract

A device which forms a closed compartment for an expandable container to permit a vacuum to be created around the flexible container so as to reduce the pressure inside the container and thereby permit the transfer of fluid materials into the expandable container. The vacuum device is simple in its construction in that it comprises a cover and base member forming a compartment which houses the expandable container and through which a vacuum line is interconnected. In a preferred manner, the cover has a pocket which supports the expandable container and positions it in a slanted manner such that a sealable inlet port is in a raised position as it extends through the cover. The cover member also has means to release the vacuum in the compartment. As a further embodiment, an electrical inlet and outlet are provided in the base which by means of a switch can operate a vacuum pump in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover.

Claims

1. A device for introducing a flowable material into an expandable container having a sealable inlet port comprising:

a base member constructed and arranged to accommodate said container therein;

a cover member;

pivoting means securing said cover member to said base member to define a closed compartment;

sealing means disposed between said base and cover members, said base member adapted to be secured to a support in a stationary position and to remain in said position throughout usage of said device;

an opening in said cover member to permit access to said sealable inlet port in said container;

a vacuum passage communicating from inside said compartment to the outside;

a pocket member carried by said cover to position said sealable inlet port in said opening in said cover and to fully support said container when in a substantially vertical position, said pocket member partially supporting said container when in a substantially horizontal position;

and means carried by said cover member or said base to release a vacuum in said compartment.

2. The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a single substantially Y-shaped strip of pliable material.

3. The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to release the vacuum in said chamber is carried by said cover and is a valve member which when depressed effects communication between the outside atmosphere and the compartment.

4. The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 further including an electrical inlet and an outlet plug carried by said base member and a switch disposed between said inlet and outlet plug, said switch constructed and arranged to be contacted by said cover.

5. The vacuum device as defined in claim 4 wherein said cover member and said base have shorter side portions and said cover member is pivotally attached to said base member by means of a hinge disposed along one of the shorter side portions of said cover and said base members.

6. The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said pocket, cover and base members are constructed and arranged to position said expandable container in an inclined position with the portion of said container having said inlet port positioned at the higher dimension.

7. The vacuum device as defined in claim 6 wherein said base member has a front and backwall portion constructed and arranged with a higher frontwall than the backwall and said opening in the closed compartment is defined in said cover and disposed adjacent the higher frontwall of said base member when said cover is positioned in a closed position on said base.

8. The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover member is composed of a flat, rigid, transparent material and said base member is formed from two separate wall portions.

9. The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover is constructed and arranged to extend beyond at least a portion of the sidewall of said base member.

10. The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said base member is defined by a wall member constructed and arranged with an upper beam portion.

11. A vacuum device for introducing a sterile, flowable material into a sterile, closed, expandable container having a sealable additive port comprising:

a base member having means to secure the base member in a stationary position on a supporting surface and to remain in said position throughout usage of said device, said base member having an end portion and constructed and arranged to receive said expandable container therein;

a vacuum passage and electrical connection means housed in said base member in the same end portion with said vacuum passage having an inlet into the inside of base member;

a cover member having an opening for accommodating said sealable additive port of said expandable container;

means to temporarily seal said cover and base members together;

hinging means connecting said cover and base members together adjacent said end portion of said base member;

a pocket member carried by said cover adjacent the portion of said cover hinged to said base member;

to fully support said container when in a substantially vertical position and at least partially support said container when in a substantially horizontal position;

an electrical switch interconnecting said electrical connection means and disposed adjacent said hinging means whereby movement of said cover member actuates said switch.

12. The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 wherein said pocket has an endwall to retain said expandable container away from the vacuum inlet.

13. The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 wherein said opening in said cover for receiving said additive port is straight walled and said additive port is tapered.

14. The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 further including a vacuum release means disposed in said cover and opposite said pivotal means, said cover constructed to extend beyond the confines of the sidewall of said base with said extending portion and said vacuum release means disposed within the grasp of a human hand.

15. The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 wherein said cover is substantially flat and said base has an endwall of higher dimension than the wall portion housing said vacuum passage and said electrical connection means.

16. The vacuum device as defined in claim 15 wherein said cover is composed of a transparent plastic material and said base is composed of an opaque plastic material.

17. The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 wherein said sealing means is carried only by said base member and said cover member is substantially flat.