Abstract:
A method for sterilizing a container is provided where a penetrable septum of a sealed empty device is penetrated with an injection member. A fluid sterilant is then injected through the injection member and into an interior chamber of the device. The fluid sterilant is allowed to reside within the chamber a sufficient amount of time to render the chamber either sterile or bactericidal. Product can then be introduced through the septum into the sterile or bactericidal chamber. The resulting penetration aperture is then resealed to hermetically seal the product within the 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 comprises a first portion including a first polymer, and a second portion that is relatively flexible in comparison to the first portion and includes a second polymer that is substantially not bondable to the first polymer. A chamber of the device is hermetically sealable with respect to ambient atmosphere and is defined by (i) an interior of the second portion, and/or (ii) a space formed between the first and second portions. A third portion of the device includes a third polymer that is bondable to the first and second polymers and fixedly secures the first and second portions to each other.
Abstract:
A device comprising a body including a first polymer and a closure including a second polymer that is substantially not bondable to the first polymer and has a relatively higher shrinkage rate than the first polymer, wherein at least a portion of the closure overlaps at least a portion of the body, forming a hermetic seal there between and defining a sealed, empty, sterile container.
Abstract:
A dispenser for dispensing a substance has a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the substance, and a dispensing portion connected with the body and defining a dosage chamber coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance there from, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the dosage chamber. A first valve includes an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam there between forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat. The flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser. A second valve is coupled in fluid communication between the dosage chamber and the storage chamber.
Abstract:
An apparatus for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid has a container defining a variable-volume storage chamber; a dispensing valve including a valve inlet coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber, and an elastic valve member in fluid communication with the valve inlet and defining a normally-closed valve opening; a manually engageable actuator; and a pump including a compressible member defining a compression chamber coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber. Multiple portions of the stored fluid are hermetically sealed in the variable-volume storage chamber. The actuator is manually engageable and movable between (i) a first position wherein the compression chamber defines a first volume, and (ii) a second position wherein the compression chamber defines a second volume less than the first volume. In the second position the fluid in the compression chamber exceeds a valve opening pressure and, in turn, moves the elastic valve member between (i) a normally closed position hermetically sealing the one-way valve and variable-volume storage chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere, and (ii) an open position permitting fluid flow through the valve opening.
Abstract:
A device and method are provided for storing medicaments and foods and/or beverages separately during shelf life, and for mixing the medicaments and foods and/or beverages when ready for use. A body of the device defines a plurality of first chambers for receiving a medicament, and a plurality of second chambers for receiving a food and/or beverage. A first sealing portion is located between the first and second chambers and is movable between a closed position preventing fluid communication between the chambers, and an open position permitting fluid communication between the first and second chambers for mixing the medicament and the food and/or beverage when ready for use. First and second penetrable and thermally resealable portions are in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, respectively, and are penetrable by an injection member to form an injection aperture therethrough and introduce the medicament or the food and/or beverage through the injection member and into the respective chamber, and are thermally resealable to seal the injection apertures and the medicament or food and/or beverage within the respective chamber by applying energy thereto.
Abstract:
The present invention consists of a container and closure assembly for a fat containing liquid product. The closure assembly further comprises a stopper, sealing member, and securing member. The container and closure assembly are made of materials which do not leach a significant amount of a leachable substance into the liquid product. Also disclosed is a method for filling the containers, comprising the steps of advancing a needle filling assembly through the closure assembly, filling the container, removing the needle assembly, and thermally sealing the needle aperture. These steps may also be preceded by the step of sterilizing the outside of the container with a liquid, then blowing away the liquid with a sterile gas before the container reaches the filling assembly.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for molding and filling a container. A barrier enclosure defines an aseptic chamber. A mold includes within the aseptic chamber plural mold cavities shaped to form the stopper and container body, An assembly device engageable with each of the container body and stopper is movable relative to the mold to engage and de-mold the substantially sterile stoppers and container bodies from the mold cavities. A source of sterile air is in fluid communication with the aseptic chamber and directs a flow of sterile air into the aseptic chamber and over the sterile surfaces of the mold for maintaining the sterility of the mold surfaces and stopper and container bodies during demolding. A needle filling and thermal resealing station is configured to receive the sealed, empty sterile containers, needle fill the interior chambers of the containers, and thermally reseal resulting needle holes in the stoppers.
Abstract:
A container and valve assembly for storing and dispensing substances including edible substances. The container is a tubular body that defines a storage chamber for storing the substance and a head portion for supports the valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve body and a valve seat surrounded by a flexible outer cover that includes a valve portion. A seem between the valve portion and valve seat form a one-way release valve wherein a portion of the seam remains closed when the substance is dispensed. To dispense the substance, pressure is applied to the body forcing the substance into the valve assembly, which in turn, controls the flow and release of the substance without exposing the remaining substance to the external atmosphere; thus, the sterility of the storage chamber and remaining substance is maintained, and the shelf life of the substance is increased.