Abstract:
A container including a nozzle and body depending therefrom. The body is preferably tubular and defines an interior which retains a product to be dispensed. A cap engages the nozzle to prevent inadvertent release of the product. In order to dispense the product, the cap is removed and pressure is applied to the body and the nozzle allows release of the product. The nozzle releases the product without exposing the remaining product to the external atmosphere, thus the sterility of the interior of the body is maintained and the shelf life of the product is increased. The nozzle includes an inner body, coupled to the tubular body, surrounded by a flexible outer cover. A seam between the inner body and flexible outer cover forms a one-way release valve wherein a portion of the seam remains closed during dispensing the product.
Abstract:
A device defining a chamber for receiving a substance and a thermoplastic portion in fluid communication with the chamber is provided along with a method of filling and sealing the substance within the chamber. The thermoplastic portion defines a penetrable region that is penetrable by a filling member and is heat resealable to hermetically seal an aperture therein by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power. The thermoplastic portion comprises a thermoplastic body defining a predetermined wall thickness and includes a styrene block copolymer, an olefin and a predetermined amount of pigment allowing the body to absorb laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength, substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness, and hermetically seal the aperture in the penetrable region in a predetermined time period. The body includes a predetermined amount of lubricant that reduces friction forces at an interface of the filling member and body during penetration thereof.
Abstract:
A device and related method are provided for lyophilizing a substance within the device and storing therein the lyophilized substance. The device is penetrable by a needle for filling the device with the substance to be lyophilized, and a resulting needle hole in the device is laser resealable by transmitting thereon laser radiation from a laser source. The device defines a chamber for receiving therein the substance to be lyophilized. A needle penetrable and laser resealable portion of the device is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough to fill the chamber with the substance to be lyophilized through the needle, and is laser resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture by applying laser radiation thereto. A filter is connectable in fluid communication between an interior and exterior of the chamber for permitting fluid to flow therethrough in a direction from the interior to the exterior of the chamber, and for substantially preventing contaminants from flowing therethrough in a direction from the exterior to the interior of the chamber.
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 variable-volume storage chamber, through the flow aperture, and through the valve opening to dispense the portions of fluid through the valve assembly.
Abstract:
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.