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A bulk feed adapter cap for a collection container comprises: (a) a housing defining both at least one fluid-communication opening and one or more air-release openings and (b) a membrane defining an annular, self-sealing fluid-valve for sealing said fluid-communication opening, where the fluid-valve

A bulk feed adapter cap for a collection container comprises: (a) a housing defining both at least one fluid-communication opening and one or more air-release openings and (b) a membrane defining an annular, self-sealing fluid-valve for sealing said fluid-communication opening, where the fluid-valve defines at least one aperture. The bulk feed adapter cap may further comprise at least one fluid-communication cap.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A cap for a container comprising: a cap housing defining a fluid-communication opening therein through which material in a container to which said cap housing is attached may be accessed;a membrane mounted to said cap housing sealing said fluid-communication opening in a first position, said memb

1. A cap for a container comprising: a cap housing defining a fluid-communication opening therein through which material in a container to which said cap housing is attached may be accessed;a membrane mounted to said cap housing sealing said fluid-communication opening in a first position, said membrane being movable away from said fluid-communication opening in a second position, said membrane defines a solid plug which is received within and closes said fluid-communication opening in said first position and which is displaced from and opens said fluid communication opening in said second position, said membrane defines a plurality of apertures arranged about a perimeter of said plug. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said membrane snap-fits into said cap housing. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said plug has at least one raised member thereon in the form of a rib. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said plug is surrounded by an annular channel formed in said membrane, said annular channel providing flexibility for movement of said plug toward and away from said fluid-communication opening. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said membrane further defines a self-sealing one-way air-valve for airflow into the container through an airflow opening defined in said cap housing. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said fluid-communication opening is substantially centered in said cap housing, and wherein said air-valve is off-center in said cap housing. 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said air-flow opening is sealed via an umbrella valve seal. 8. The device of claim 1, further including an airflow opening in said cap housing, said airflow opening communicating with a tube that has a length that terminates between the midpoint and bottom of said container. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid-communication opening protrudes from said cap housing. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said fluid-communication opening is in part funnel-shaped. 11. The device of claim 9, wherein said fluid-communication opening is adapted to receive an oral syringe. 12. The device of claim 9, wherein said fluid-communication opening is adapted to receive a luer syringe. 13. A method using the cap of claim 1, comprising: mounting a bulk feed adapter cap on a collection container;inserting a needleless syringe into a fluid-communication opening, displacing a fluid-valve;inverting the collection container;drawing on a plunger of the needleless syringe;equalizing the internal pressure of the collection container;returning the collection container to an upright position; andin response, the fluid-valve resealing the fluid-communication opening. 14. An adapter cap for removal of fluid from a container comprising: a housing defining at least one fluid-communication opening;a member defines a biasing element in the form of a flexible annulus, said member movably mounted within said housing to close said fluid-communication opening in a first position under force from said biasing element and movable away from said fluid communication opening under influence of a force applied against said member and against a bias of said biasing element; anda fluid channel formed in one or both of said housing and said member, said fluid channel communicating between said fluid-communication opening and an interior of the container and being opened to fluid flow in a second position; andone or more air-release openings in said housing for allowing airflow into the container when fluid is withdrawn therefrom and wherein said one or more air-release openings are sealed via a valve. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein said one or more air-release openings are spaced from said fluid-communication opening so as to substantially prevent air becoming entrained in fluid being removed. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the valve comprises an umbrella valve at a recessed end of said one or more air-release openings. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said one or more air-release openings are surrounded by a tube that has a length that terminates between the midpoint and bottom of said container. 18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising said container, wherein said container is a collection container, wherein a base of said collection container contains said one or more air-release openings that are sealed via an umbrella valve seal. 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one fluid-communication opening protrudes from said housing. 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one fluid-communication opening is substantially funnel-shaped. 21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one fluid-communication opening is adapted to receive an oral syringe. 22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one fluid-communication opening is adapted to receive a luer syringe. 23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing defines a plurality of fluid communication openings. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein at least one of the plurality of fluid-communication openings is adapted to receive an oral syringe, and wherein at least one of the plurality of fluid-communication openings is adapted to receive a luer syringe. 25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one fluid-communication cap is tethered to said housing. 26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one fluid-communication cap is attached to said housing via a living hinge. 27. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a sizing cap tethered to said housing. 28. A method using the adapter cap of claim 14, comprising: mounting a bulk feed adapter cap on a collection container;removing a fluid-communication cap;inserting a needleless syringe into a fluid-communication opening;inverting the collection container;drawing on a plunger of the needleless syringe;equalizing the internal pressure of the collection container; andreplacing the fluid-communication cap on the fluid-communication opening. 29. A cap for a container, comprising: a fluid communication opening defined in a cap housing, said fluid communication opening communicating with a container interior; anda membrane, wherein said membrane seals said fluid communication opening, said membrane having a plug portion which is surrounded by an annulus, wherein said annulus has a convex shape relative to a bottom surface of said cap housing, said annulus providing a spring-like region permitting movement of said plug portion away from said fluid communication opening under influence of a force applied against said plug portion and back toward said fluid communication opening when said force is removed, said plug portion closing said fluid communication opening in a first position and opening said fluid communication opening in a second position to permit fluid in said container interior to egress through said fluid communication opening. 30. The device of claim 29, further comprising: an airflow opening defined in said cap housing, said airflow opening communicating with said container interior. 31. The device of claim 30, wherein said membrane seals said airflow opening. 32. The device of claim 31, wherein said membrane has a second plug portion which is surrounded by a second annulus, said second annulus providing a spring-like region permitting movement of said second plug portion away from said airflow opening under influence of a pressure change in said container interior and back toward said airflow opening when said pressure has equalized, said plug portion closing said airflow opening in a first position and opening said airflow opening in a second position to permit air to enter or leave said container interior. 33. The device of claim 29, wherein said membrane snap-fits into said cap housing. 34. The device of claim 29, wherein said plug has at least one raised member thereon in the form of a rib. 35. A cover for a container, comprising: a material communication opening defined in a cover, said material communication opening communicating with a container interior; anda membrane, wherein said membrane seals said material communication opening, said membrane having a plug portion which is surrounded by an annulus, wherein said annulus has a convex shape relative to a bottom surface of said cover, said annulus providing a spring-like region permitting movement of said plug portion away from said material communication opening under influence of a force applied against said plug portion and back toward said material communication opening when said force is removed, said plug portion closing said material communication opening in a first position and opening said material communication opening in a second position to permit material in said container interior to egress through said material communication opening. 36. The device of claim 35, further comprising: an airflow opening defined in said cover, said airflow opening communicating with said container interior. 37. The device of claim 36, wherein said membrane seals said airflow opening. 38. The device of claim 37, wherein said membrane has a second plug portion which is surrounded by a second annulus, said second annulus providing a spring-like region permitting movement of said second plug portion away from said airflow opening under influence of a pressure change in said container interior and back toward said airflow opening when said pressure has equalized, said plug portion closing said airflow opening in a first position and opening said airflow opening in a second position to permit air to enter or leave said container interior. 39. The device of claim 35, wherein said membrane snap-fits into said cover. 40. The device of claim 35, wherein said plug has at least one raised member thereon in the form of a rib. 41. A closure for a container, comprising: a fluid communication opening defined in a closure, said fluid communication opening communicating with a container interior; anda flexible member, wherein said flexible member seals said fluid communication opening, said flexible member comprising a plug portion coupled to an annular collapsible member, wherein said annular collapsible member has a convex shape relative to a bottom surface of said closure, said collapsible member having a spring-like region permitting movement of said plug portion away from said fluid communication opening under influence of a force applied against said plug portion and back toward said fluid communication opening when said force is removed, said plug portion closing said fluid communication opening in a first position and opening said fluid communication opening in a second position to permit fluid in said container interior to egress through said fluid communication opening. 42. The device of claim 41, further comprising: an airflow opening defined in said closure, said airflow opening communicating with said container interior. 43. The device of claim 42, wherein said flexible member seals said airflow opening. 44. The device of claim 43, wherein said flexible member has a second plug portion which is surrounded by a second annulus, said second annulus providing a spring-like region permitting movement of said second plug portion away from said airflow opening under influence of a pressure change in said container interior and back toward said airflow opening when said pressure has equalized, said plug portion closing said airflow opening in a first position and opening said airflow opening in a second position to permit air to enter or leave said container interior. 45. The device of claim 41, wherein said plug has at least one raised member thereon in the form of a rib. 46. A cap for a container, comprising: a fluid communication opening defined in a cap housing having a top surface and a collar, said fluid communication opening configured to communicate with a container interior, said fluid communication opening protrudes from said top surface of said cap housing in a direction away from said collar and is adapted to receive a tip of a needleless syringe, wherein the top surface of the cap housing defines a recessed portion having a tubular sidewall that extends into and terminates in a region surrounded by said collar; andan airflow opening defined in a bottom surface of said recessed portion of said cap housing such that said airflow opening is recessed away from said top surface of said cap housing and into said container interior, wherein said fluid communication opening and said recessed airflow opening are each arranged off-center with respect to said top surface of said cap housing. 47. The device of claim 46, wherein said airflow opening is sealed by an umbrella valve. 48. The device of claim 46, wherein said fluid communication opening is spaced apart from said airflow opening along said top surface of said cap housing. 49. The device of claim 46, wherein said airflow opening is spaced from said fluid-communication opening so as to substantially prevent air becoming entrained in fluid being removed. 50. The device of claim 46, further comprising a valve in communication with said airflow opening, wherein said valve has a first position that seals said airflow opening and has a second position that opens said airflow opening permitting air to enter said container interior during removal of a fluid from said container interior. 51. A method using the cap of claim 46, comprising: mounting an adapter cap on a collection container, wherein said adapter cap comprises a bulk feed adapter cap;inserting a feeding syringe into a fluid-communication opening;inverting said collection container;drawing on a plunger of said feeding syringe; andequalizing an internal pressure of said collection container.