초록 ▼

A device and method for docking a vial with a container is disclosed. A cap may be used to establish fluid communication between the vial and a container. The cap may be positioned within a first aperture in the device which is positioned below a second aperture which is sized to accept the vial. Th

A device and method for docking a vial with a container is disclosed. A cap may be used to establish fluid communication between the vial and a container. The cap may be positioned within a first aperture in the device which is positioned below a second aperture which is sized to accept the vial. The second aperture may contain a taper so that the vial may automatically center above the piercing aperture of the cap. A notch may be placed adjacent to the first aperture so that the vial and cap may be removed horizontally from the device. A cavity may be positioned below the first aperture to accept at least a portion of a container which may be in fluid communication with the cap.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for docking a vial with a cap comprising: a vertical support having front and top surfaces;a horizontal base extending forwardly from the front surface of the vertical support;a plate positioned above and substantially parallel to the base;a first aperture in the plate sized to accept th

1. A device for docking a vial with a cap comprising: a vertical support having front and top surfaces;a horizontal base extending forwardly from the front surface of the vertical support;a plate positioned above and substantially parallel to the base;a first aperture in the plate sized to accept the cap;a head support extending forwardly from the front surface of vertical support above the base and plate;a lever arm hingedly fastened to the top surface of the vertical support;a plunger adapted to slide within the head support and attached to the lever arm such that rotation of the lever arm causes the plunger to travel vertically; anda second aperture in the plunger for accepting the vial. 2. The docking device of claim 1 further comprising: a tapered profile in the second aperture. 3. The docking device of claim 2 wherein: a centerline of the first aperture is substantially aligned with a centerline of the second aperture. 4. The docking device of claim 1 further comprising: a collar attached to the plunger which limits the upward vertical movement of the plunger. 5. The docking device of claim 1 further comprising: a notch in the plate. 6. The docking device of claim 5 wherein: the notch is positioned opposite the vertical support. 7. The docking device of claim 1 further comprising: a first base member extending between the base and the plate; anda second base member extending between the base and the plate and positioned opposite the first base member. 8. The docking device of claim 7 further comprising: a cavity defined by the space between the base, plate, vertical support, first base member, and second base member. 9. The docking device of claim 1 wherein: the base, plate, and head support are substantially horizontal. 10. The docking device of claim 9 wherein: the vertical support is substantially perpendicular to the base. 11. The docking device of claim 5 wherein: the notch is sized to permit the cap to travel horizontally when removed from the device. 12. The docking device of claim 1 wherein: the plate is adapted to provide an upward force on the cap while being docked with the vial. 13. A device for docking a vial with a cap having a ledge, piercing aperture, and an attachment means in fluid communication with a container, the device comprising: a horizontal base having a back edge;a vertical support having front and top surfaces;a horizontal base extending forwardly from the front surface of the vertical support;a plate positioned above the base and substantially parallel to the base;a first aperture in the plate sized to accept the cap while allowing the ledge to rest atop the plate;a head support extending horizontally from the front surface of the vertical support above the base and plate;a lever arm hingedly fastened to the top surface the vertical support;a plunger adapted to slide within the head support and attached to the lever arm such that rotation of the lever arm causes the plunger to travel vertically;a tapered aperture in the plunger adapted to accept the vial; anda notch within the plate and sized to permit the cap to travel horizontally away from the device after docking. 14. The docking device of claim 13 further comprising: a first base member extending between the base and the plate; anda second base member extending between the base and the plate and positioned opposite the first base member. 15. The docking device of claim 14 further comprising: a cavity defined by the space between the base, plate, vertical support, first base member, and second base member. 16. The docking device of claim 15 wherein: the cavity is sized to accept at least a portion of the container. 17. A method for docking a vial with a cap having a ledge and a piercing aperture, the method comprising the steps of: presenting the device of claim 1;positioning the cap within the first aperture such that the ledge rests atop the plate;positioning the vial above the cap;rotating the lever arm downward until the vial is captured between the second aperture and the cap;rotating the lever arm downward until the piercing aperture has adequately pierced the vial;rotating the lever arm upward until the vial is clear of the second aperture; andremoving the cap and vial from the device. 18. The docking method of claim 17 wherein: the step of removing the cap and vial from the device is performed by sliding the cap and vial horizontally out of the device.