Abstract:
A one-way valve is connectable in fluid communication with a fluid-receiving chamber, such as a dilution chamber or a mixing chamber for diluting or mixing a perishable food product, such as a milk product or chocolate product, and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The valve comprises a relatively rigid valve seat, and a relatively flexible valve member overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-elongated, normally-closed valve opening therebetween defining an inlet at one end of the valve seat, an outlet at an opposite end of the valve seat, and an axially-extending seal therebetween that forms a fluid-tight seal between the inlet and outlet of the normally-closed valve opening. An axially-extending valve body is radially spaced relative to the valve member and forms a space therebetween allowing fluid-flow therethrough for cleaning the valve and the fluid-receiving chamber.
Abstract:
A container including a body defining an outflow opening and at least one chamber adapted for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and a container closure including a primary seal for hermetically sealing the product within the chamber during storage. The container closure includes a sealing member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body, and a dispensing member in fluid communication with the chamber. The container closure and body move relative to each other between a first position where the primary seal is seated about the outflow port to hermetically seal the product in the chamber during storage, and a second position where the primary seal is displaced from the outflow port to allow product to pass from the chamber through the outflow port and into dispensing member to dispense the product.
Abstract:
A device for storing and dispensing a substance includes a container having a body defining therein a storage chamber for receiving and storing the substance. The container includes a first passageway that is in fluid communication with the storage chamber of the body and defines a flow path therebetween. The container also includes a pierceable wall located on an opposite side of the first passageway relative to the storage chamber, and a first threaded connecting portion located at one end of the body for connecting another component thereto. The device also includes a one-way valve assembly that includes a valve body including a body base defining a second passageway and a piercing portion mounted within the valve body and engageable with the pierceable wall of the container. At least one of the piercing portion and the pierceable wall is movable relative to the other between a first position wherein the pierceable portion is not piercing the pierceable wall, and a second position wherein the pierceable portion is piercing the pierceable wall and the first passageway of the container is in fluid communication with the second passageway of the valve body for allowing the flow of substance from the storage chamber therethrough. The valve assembly includes a second threaded connecting portion that is threadedly connectable to the first threaded connecting portion of the container for fixedly securing the valve assembly to the container when the valve assembly and container are located in the second position. A manually-engageable and removable member is disposed intermediate the valve body and the container that prevents movement of at least one of the piercing portion and pierceable wall to the second position until the removable member is removed. The valve assembly includes a valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through the valve body adjacent to the valve seat and in fluid communication with the second passageway for receiving the substance from the storage chamber there through.
Abstract:
An apparatus has a valve body defining a first passageway, a valve seat, and a flow aperture extending through the valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the first passageway. A valve cover of the apparatus is formed of an elastic material and includes a cover base mounted on the valve body and fixedly secured against movement relative thereto, and a valve portion overlying the valve seat. The valve portion defines a predetermined radial thickness and forms an interference fit with the valve seat. The valve portion and the valve seat define a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening therebetween. The valve portion is movable between a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and an open position with at least a segment of the valve portion spaced away from the valve seat to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the flow aperture to thereby allow the passage of fluid from the flow aperture through the valve opening. A hermetically sealed variable-volume storage chamber stores therein multiple portions of the fluid and is connectible in fluid communication with the one-way valve assembly. A pump is coupled between the variable-volume storage chamber and the one-way valve assembly, and is configured to pump discrete portions of fluid from the variablevolume storage chamber, through the flow aperture, and through the valve opening to dispense the portions of fluid through the valve assembly.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for applying and removing contact lenses. The apparatus has an actuator and two tissue-engaging surfaces drivingly coupled to the actuator for engaging tissue adjacent to the eye in connection with actuating the actuator and to facilitate retaining the eye open during removal of the contact lens therefrom. A support surface supports the apparatus adjacent to the eye, and a lens removing member is drivingly coupled to the actuator for movement between an extended position and a retracted position for removing the contact lens from the eye. The actuator actuates the tissue-engaging surface to facilitate retaining the eye open during removal of the contact lens therefrom, and substantially simultaneously actuates the lens removing member to remove the contact lens from the open eye.
Abstract:
A stopper (22) and container body (18) are molded in the same molding machine (28). An assembly device(24), such as a pick and place robot, transfers the stopper from one mold cavity (20) into the opening in the container body located within another mold cavity, or vice versa, to assemble the stopper (22) and the container body (18). Then, the assembled container body and stopper are removed from the molding machine(28) and transported to a needle filling and laser resealing station (36) for filling and laser resealing. A laminar flow source (33) directs a substantially laminar flow of air (35) or sterile gas over the mold surfaces, stoppers and container bodies, and assembly device, to prevent contamination during assembly.
Abstract:
An assembly includes a support and drive assembly, a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is in operable communication with and supported by the support and drive assembly. The first structure includes at least one needle assembly and is adjustable to receive a plurality of needle assemblies. The second structure is supported by the support and drive assembly. The second structure includes at least one seal assembly and is adjustable to receive a plurality of seal assemblies. A method includes determining a number of vials that are to be filled concurrently and adjusting an assembly to include at least one needle assembly and at least one seal assembly. A number of the needle assemblies and the seal assemblies equals the number of vials.
Abstract:
A dispenser for holding multiple doses of fluids or other substances, and for dispensing the substances, has a vial, a flexible bladder received within the vial, and a variable volume storage chamber formed between the bladder and vial. A filling valve is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position hermetically sealing the storage chamber from the ambient atmosphere, and (2) an open position allowing the passage of fluid through the valve both to evacuate the storage chamber and to introduce fluid through the valve to fill the storage chamber. A pump is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for pumping fluids out of the storage chamber. A dispensing valve is coupled in fluid communication with the pump and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position preventing the passage of fluid out of the dispenser, and (2) an open position for dispensing pumped fluid therethrough. The sealed, empty dispenser is sterilized, such as by applying gamma radiation thereto. Then, the sterilized, sealed, empty dispenser is filled with fluid by engaging the filling valve with an evacuating/dispensing member to evacuate the storage chamber, and by introducing fluid from the filling member through the open filling valve and into the storage chamber. The filling member is withdrawn from the valve, and a spring moves the valve to a closed position to hermetically seal the fluid within the dispenser.
Abstract:
An intradermal delivery device for injecting a substance into the skin has a housing including a base defining a radially-extending mounting surface for releasably engaging the skin, and a needle aperture formed therethrough and defining a substantially planar needle penetration region on the skin. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is superimposed over the mounting surface for releasably securing the mounting surface to the skin and preventing relative movement of the needle penetration region of the skin and the mounting surface. A syringe body is reciprocally mounted within the housing and a plunger is reciprocally mounted within the syringe body. A needle is mounted to the syringe body and is movable through the needle aperture to penetrate the needle penetration region of the skin. A needle cap is mounted over the needle and forms an approximately airtight seal therebetween, and is penetrable by the needle upon passage through the needle aperture and into the skin.
Abstract:
The subject intradermal delivery device provides for penetration to a fixed depth without requiring special expertise by the user. The device consists of a syringe nested inside an inner shell and an outer shell. An elongated annular channel is formed between the inner shell and the outer shell. A housing receives the syringe and concentric shells in a sliding engagement. A first seal on the distal end of the housing forms a variable length channel in communication with the elongated annular channel via a port formed in the outer shell. When the device is applied to the skin, the housing and syringe are slid towards the skin, and the variable length channel generates a vacuum which forces the skin to bulge into the elongated annular channel. As a result, the skin is tensioned across the inner shell to form a substantially planar, taut target area of skin. The taut target area of skin in combination with a stop on the housing determines the insertion depth of the syringe.