Abstract:
A resealable cap (110, 210) for a medicament vial (114, 214) has a base portion (112, 212) formed of vulcanized rubber or like material known for providing a stable environment for the medicament contained within the vial, and a resealable portion (126, 226) overlying the base portion. The resealable portion (126, 226) is made of low-density polyethylene or like material, and can be punctured by a needle or like injection member (140, 282) for dispensing medicament into the vial (114, 214). Prior to filling, the cap (110, 210) is assembled to the vial (114, 214) and the cap/vial assembly is sterilized. Then, a needle (140, 282) is inserted through the cap (110, 210) and medicament is introduced through the needle and into the vial. Upon withdrawal of the needle (140, 282), the penetrated region of the cap (248) is fused by laser (276) or direct heat sealing (264) to hermetically seal the needle hole (294) in the cap.
Abstract:
A dispenser for dispensing a substance, such as a pharmaceutical, ophthalmic, dermatological, cosmeceutical, cosmetic or other product, has a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the product. A dispensing portion of the dispenser is connected with the body and defines a bore coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the bore. A one-way valve of the dispenser 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 therebetween 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. The dispenser further comprises an actuator and piston assembly including a piston receivable within the bore, a manually-engageable actuator connected to the piston for moving the piston between first and second positions relative to the bore to dispense substance within the bore through the outlet aperture, and an integral, dome-shaped spring coupled to at least one of the piston and the actuator for biasing the piston in a direction from one of the first and second positions toward the other.
Abstract:
A syringe is provided for the delivery of controlled, metered amounts of any of numerous different substances to humans or animals, such as medicaments, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products, or to deliver materials which may react upon exposure to air, such as glue. The syringes include a body and a plunger. Means are provided in the syringe body and the plunger to effect controlled movement of the plunger into the syringe to permit delivery of a pre-determined amount of the substance contained in the syringe. A one-way valve is provided at the dispensing tip of the syringe to hermetically seal the portion of the syringe containing the substance to be dispensed.
Abstract:
A stopper and container body are molded in the same molding machine. An assembly device, such as a pick and place robot, transfers the stopper from one mold cavity into the opening in the container body located within another mold cavity, or vice versa, to assemble the stopper and container body. Then, the assembled container body and stopper are removed from the molding machine and transported to a needle filling and laser resealing station for filling and laser resealing. A laminar flow source directs a substantially laminar flow of air or sterile gas over the mold surfaces, stoppers and container bodies, and assembly device, to prevent contamination during assembly.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for needle filling and thermally resealing containers having stoppers that are needle penetrable for filling the containers with a substance, and are thermally resealable for thermally sealing a needle hole in the stopper upon withdrawal of a needle therefrom. A container support of the apparatus supports at least one container having a resealable stopper in a substantially fixed position during needle filling and thermally resealing a needle hole in the stopper upon withdrawal of a needle therefrom. A robotic arm of the apparatus is drivingly mounted adjacent to the container support and movable relative thereto. A manifold is drivingly mounted on the robotic arm and includes (1) a needle for penetrating the resealable stopper and introducing a substance through the needle and into the container; (2) a laser optic assembly for heating a needle penetrated region of the stopper and, in turn, sealing a needle hole in the stopper; and (3) a temperature sensor for sensing the temperate of a needle penetrated region of the stopper to determine whether a needle hole therein is sealed. The manifold is movable laterally relative to the container on the container support to position the manifold relative to a needle penetrable region of the stopper of the container.