Ready to drink container with nipple and penetrable and resealable portion, and related method
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B65B-003/04
A61J-009/00
출원번호
US-0861354
(2010-08-23)
등록번호
US-8376003
(2013-02-19)
발명자
/ 주소
Py, Daniel
Adamo, Benoit
Guthy, John
Houle, Nathaniel
Tulley, Brian
Willey, Jeffrey
출원인 / 주소
Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
10인용 특허 :
39
초록▼
A container is provided for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and includes a body defining a chamber for receiving the product; and a container closure including a sealing portion for sealing the product within the chamber. The container closure includes a member forming a
A container is provided for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and includes a body defining a chamber for receiving the product; and a container closure including a sealing portion for sealing the product within the chamber. The container closure includes a member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body; a nipple in fluid communication with the chamber that seals the chamber with respect to the ambient atmosphere during storage of the product in the chamber and that can be opened to dispense product from the chamber therethrough; and a needle penetrable and laser resealable portion that is penetrable by the needle for aseptically filling the chamber with the product, and that is thermally resealable by the application of laser radiation thereto to seal the product within the chamber.
대표청구항▼
1. An apparatus comprising: a container including a body defining a chamber for receiving a product;a container closure including a sealing portion forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body, and a nipple, wherein the container closure seals the chamber with
1. An apparatus comprising: a container including a body defining a chamber for receiving a product;a container closure including a sealing portion forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body, and a nipple, wherein the container closure seals the chamber with respect to the ambient atmosphere during storage of the product in the chamber and can be opened to dispense product from the chamber through the nipple; anda penetrable and resealable portion that is penetrable by an injection member for aseptically filling the chamber with the product through the injection member, and a resulting penetration hole is resealable to seal the product within the chamber. 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the nipple includes a sealing member that is movable between a first position sealing the nipple, and a second position opening the nipple and allowing product in the chamber to be dispensed therethrough. 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the sealing member is frangibly connected to the nipple such that in the first position the sealing member is connected to the nipple, and in the second position the sealing member is disconnected from the nipple to form at least one opening in the nipple to allow product to be dispensed therethrough. 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the nipple is defined by a first material portion forming an internal surface in fluid communication with the chamber and defining at least most of the surface area of the container closure that can contact any product within the chamber, and the penetrable and resealable portion is defined by a second material portion that at least one of (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the chamber, and (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area of the container closure that can contact any product within the chamber in comparison to the first material portion. 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the product is a fat containing liquid product; the body does not leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the fat containing liquid product and does not undesirably alter a taste profile of the fat containing liquid product; the first material portion does not leach more than the predetermined amount of leachables into the fat containing liquid product or undesirably alter a taste profile of the fat containing liquid product, and the predetermined amount of leachables is less than about 100 PPM. 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, further comprising an injection member contacting member that contacts the injection member during withdrawal from the penetrable and resealable portion to substantially remove product thereon. 7. An apparatus container as defined in claim 6, wherein the injection member contacting member extends about a peripheral portion of the injection member and is in contact therewith. 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the injection member contacting member is located at an underside of the penetrable and resealable portion. 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the injection member contacting surface member is defined by at least one of the first and second material portions. 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the first material portion is selected from the group including (i) a low mineral oil or mineral oil free thermoplastic; (ii) a low mineral oil or mineral oil free thermoplastic defining a durometer within the range of about 20 Shore A to about 50 Shore A; (iii) a liquid injection moldable silicone; and (iv) a silicone. 11. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the first material portion defines a penetration aperture, the second material portion overlies the penetration aperture, and the penetration aperture constitutes less than about 10% of the surface area of the first material portion exposed to the chamber. 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the first material portion is interposed entirely between the second material portion and any product stored within the chamber to thereby prevent contact between the second material portion and product during storage thereof in the container. 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the first material portion is co-molded with the second material portion. 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the second material portion is compressed inwardly in at least a penetration region thereof to facilitate resealing a penetration hole formed therethrough. 15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the second material portion is approximately dome-shaped. 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sealing portion is engageable with the body prior to aseptically filling the chamber with the product and forms a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body. 17. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the container closure further includes a securing portion connectable to the body for securing the container closure to the body. 18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the securing portion is at least one of threadedly connected to and snap fit to the body. 19. An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the securing portion is relatively rigid in comparison to the nipple and the penetrable and resealable portion, and is interposed therebetween. 20. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the container closure defines a central region and the nipple is laterally spaced relative to the central region. 21. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the container defines a sealed, empty, sterile chamber ready to receive therein the product. 22. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising an overcap coupled to at least one of the body and the container closure and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, wherein the overcap seals at least the nipple with respect to the ambient atmosphere and forms a barrier substantially preventing oxygen and vapor transmission therethrough. 23. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the container closure further includes a first relatively rigid container closure member mounted on the body forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the first relatively rigid container closure member and the body, and a second relatively rigid container closure member mounted on the first relatively rigid container closure member, and wherein at least a portion of at least one of the nipple and the penetrable and resealable portion is secured between the first and second relatively rigid container closure members. 24. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the nipple defines a base portion extending about a periphery of the nipple and seated between the first and second relatively rigid container closure members, and the penetrable and resealable portion defines a base portion seated between the first and second relatively rigid container closure members. 25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein each base portion is compressed between the first and second relatively rigid container closure members. 26. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the container closure includes one of: (i) the penetrable and resealable portion, (ii) the nipple, and (iii) the penetrable and resealable portion and the nipple. 27. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a filling apparatus comprising a manifold including a plurality of injection members spaced relative to each other and movable relative to a container support for penetrating a plurality of containers mounted on the support within the filling apparatus, filling the containers through the injection members, and withdrawing the injection members from the filled containers. 28. An apparatus as recited in claim 27, further comprising: a housing defining an inlet end, an outlet end, and a sterile zone between the inlet and outlet ends;a conveyor located at least partially within the sterile zone and defining a plurality of container positions thereon for supporting and moving containers in a direction from the inlet end toward the outlet end through the sterile zone;a fluid sterilant station located within the sterile zone and coupled in fluid communication with a source of fluid sterilant for transmitting fluid sterilant onto the container closure of a respective container supported on the conveyor within the fluid sterilant station and sterilizing an exposed penetrable and resealable portion of the respective container closure; andat least one sterilant removing station located within the sterile zone between the fluid sterilant station and the outlet end of the housing, and coupled in fluid communication with a source of gas for transmitting the gas onto a container supported on the conveyor within the at least one sterilant removing station to flush away fluid sterilant on the container;wherein the manifold is located within the sterile zone between the at least one sterilant removing station and the outlet end of the housing for receiving sterilized containers therefrom. 29. An apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein the fluid sterilant is hydrogen peroxide. 30. An apparatus as defined in claim 28, further comprising a source of sterile gas coupled in fluid communication with the sterile zone for creating an over pressure of sterile gas within the sterile zone, and means for directing a flow of sterile gas substantially in a direction from the outlet end toward the inlet end of the housing to thereby prevent fluid sterilant from flowing onto containers located adjacent to the manifold. 31. An apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein the conveyor includes a plurality of pivotally mounted container supports that engage opposing sides of a respective container supported thereon relative to each other, and substantially isolate a sterile portion of the container located above the container supports relative to a portion of the container located below the container supports to thereby prevent contamination on the lower portion of the container from contaminating the sterile upper portion of the container. 32. An apparatus as defined in claim 28, further comprising a plurality of assemblies, wherein each assembly is connectable to a source of radiation or energy for applying said radiation or energy to the penetrable and resealable portion of a respective container closure for resealing a respective penetration aperture therein. 33. An apparatus as defined in claim 32, wherein the assemblies are located within the sterile zone between the at least one sterilant removing station and the outlet end of the housing for receiving sterilized containers therefrom. 34. An apparatus as defined in claim 32, wherein the plurality of assemblies comprises a plurality of laser optic assemblies, wherein each laser optic assembly is connectable to a source of laser radiation, and is focused substantially on a penetration spot on the penetrable and resealable portion of a respective container closure for applying laser radiation thereto and resealing a respective penetration aperture therein. 35. An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein the penetrable and resealable portion is thermally resealable. 36. An apparatus as defined in claim 27, further comprising a plurality of assemblies, wherein each assembly is connectable to a source of radiation or energy for applying said radiation or energy to the penetrable and resealable portion of a respective container closure for resealing a respective penetration aperture therein. 37. An apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein the plurality of assemblies comprises a plurality of laser optic assemblies, wherein each laser optic assembly is connectable to a source of laser radiation, and is focused substantially on a penetration spot on the penetrable and resealable portion of a respective container closure for applying laser radiation thereto and resealing a respective penetration aperture therein. 38. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the penetrable and resealable portion is resealable by the application of radiation or energy thereto. 39. An apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein the radiation or energy comprises laser radiation. 40. A method comprising: filling a container including a container body defining a chamber for receiving a product, a container closure sealing the chamber with respect to the ambient atmosphere forming a sealed, aseptic, empty chamber therein, a first portion that is penetrable by an injection member and is resealable after removal of the injection member therefrom, and a second portion forming a nipple connectible in fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient atmosphere to dispense product from the chamber therethrough; andaseptically storing the product in the sealed chamber;wherein the filling step comprises:inserting the injection member through the penetrable and resealable first portion of the container and aseptically introducing product through the injection member and into the chamber;withdrawing the injection member from the first portion of the container; andresealing a resulting penetration aperture in the first portion of the container and, in turn, sealing the chamber and product contained therein with respect to the ambient atmosphere. 41. A method as defined in claim 40, further comprising connecting the nipple in fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient atmosphere, inserting the nipple into a user's mouth, and dispensing the product through the nipple and into the user's mouth. 42. A method as defined in claim 40, further comprising the step of aseptically storing the product within the sealed chamber for a period of at least five days. 43. A method as defined in claim 39, wherein the first portion is thermally resealable and the resealing step comprises thermally resealing the penetration aperture. 44. A method as defined in claim 43, further comprising the following steps: mounting the sealed, empty container on a conveyor, and moving the conveyor through a sterile zone;transmitting within the sterile zone a fluid sterilant onto at least an exposed portion of the first portion of the container and, in turn, sterilizing with the fluid sterilant at least the exposed portion;transmitting within the sterile zone a gas onto the portion of the container exposed to the fluid sterilant, flushing away with the gas the fluid sterilant from at least the exposed portion of the first portion of the container and, in turn, forming at least a penetration region of the first portion substantially free of fluid sterilant;wherein the injection member comprises a filling needle coupled in fluid communication with a source of the product for penetrating the penetration region of the first portion and introducing the product through the needle and into the chamber; andthe resealing step comprises applying radiation or energy to the resulting penetration aperture in the first portion formed by the injection member, thereby resealing the first portion and hermetically sealing the product within the chamber. 45. A method as defined in claim 44, further comprising moving the filled container outside of the sterile zone, and applying outside of the sterile zone a cap to the container that overlies at least the exposed portion of the first portion and an exposed portion of the second portion and seals them with respect to the ambient atmosphere. 46. A method as defined in claim 44, further comprising directing an overpressure of sterile gas within the sterile zone, and directing at least a portion of the sterile gas in a flow direction generally from an outlet end of the sterile zone toward an inlet end of the sterile zone to, in turn, prevent fluid sterilant from contacting a container during the filling thereof. 47. A method as defined in claim 44, wherein the resealing step comprises applying laser radiation to the resulting penetration aperture, thereby thermally resealing the penetrable and resealable portion and hermetically sealing the product within the chamber. 48. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the product is a fat containing liquid product, the container body does not leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the fat containing liquid product and does not undesirably alter a taste profile of the fat containing liquid product; the container closure second portion defines an internal surface in fluid communication with the chamber forming at least most of the surface area of the container closure that can contact any fat containing liquid product received within the chamber and does not leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the fat containing liquid product or undesirably alter a taste profile of the fat containing liquid product, wherein the predetermined amount of leachables is about 100 PPM, and the first portion at least one of (i) overlies the second portion and cannot contact any fat containing liquid product received within the chamber, and (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area of the container closure that can contact any fat containing liquid product received within the chamber in comparison to the second portion. 49. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the container closure includes one of: (i) the first portion, (ii) the second portion, and (iii) the first portion and the second portion.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (39)
William K. Szieff ; Richard C. G. Dark, Angled cap and vent for use with a baby bottle.
Demeter Robert J. (Mooresville IN) Badylak Stephen F. (West Lafayette IN) Foster Kirk S. (West Lafayette IN) Geddes Leslie A. (West Lafayette IN), Device for oral administration of liquids.
Brooks William R. (260 Arlington Elmhurst IL 60126) Heinzel Irving C. (45 Brookdale La. Palatine IL 60067), Mechanical delivery system for a catalyst or the like.
Py, Daniel; Adamo, Benoit; Guthy, John; Houle, Nathaniel; Tulley, Brian; Willey, Jeffrey, Ready to drink container with nipple and needle penetrable and laser resealable portion, and related method.
Holley ; Jr. James W. (25236 217th Pl. SE. Maple Valley WA 98038) Kajita Kirk B. (7323 Bowlyn Pl. So. Seattle WA 98118), Substance containment apparatus.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.