Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a method wherein a penetrating instrument is caused to pierce a solid wall of an elastic sealing member and wherein said instrument causes a perforation in said wall, the improvement comprising the steps of: generating a first force of a first magnitude in said sealing member along a first axis of said member and generating a second force of a second magnitude in said sealing member along a second axis of said member, said second axis being angularly displaced from said first axis, said first and said second forces serving to generate in said sealing member a greater stress along said first axis than along said second axis for closing said perforation caused by said penetrating instrument when said instrument is withdrawn from said member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a method wherein a penetrating instrument is caused to pierce a solid wall of an elastic sealing member and wherein said instrument causes a perforation in said wall, the improvement comprising the steps of: generating a first force of a first magnitude in said sealing member along a first axis of said member and generating a second force of a second magnitude in said sealing member along a second axis of said member, said second axis being angularly displaced from said first axis, said first and said second forces serving to generate in said sealing member a greater stress along said first axis than along said second axis for closing said perforation caused by said penetrating instrument when said instrument is withdrawn from said member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the step of: generating said first and said second forces in a plane substantially normal to the axis of penetration of said sealing member by said penetrating instrument.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method according to claim 2 comprising the steps of: forming said sealing member with a first surface having a first geometrical surface configuration; and placing said first surface of said sealing member against a second surface in facing relationship of a second member, said second surface having a second geometrical surface configuration different from said first for generating said first and said second forces in said sealing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said first geometrical surface configuration is circular and said second geometrical surface configuration is non-circular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said first and said second forces are compressive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 3 wheRein said first and said second forces are tensile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said first and said second forces are compressive, said second member is a member having a passageway to be sealed and said second surface is a portion of an interior wall surface of said passageway in said second member, and wherein said second surface in cooperation with said first surface serves to generate said compressive forces in said sealing member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said second member is a sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said first and said second forces are tensile, said second member is a member having a passageway to be sealed and said second surface is a portion of an exterior wall surface about said passageway in said second member, and wherein said second surface in cooperation with said first surface serves to generate said tensile forces in said sealing member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said second member is a sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a resealable fluid delivery apparatus including a penetrable elastic sealing member having a wall surface of a first configuration, an instrument for penetrating a solid wall of said sealing member and wherein said instrument causes a perforation in said sealing member, the improvement comprising: a means for distorting said elastic sealing member until said wall surface assumes a second geometrical configuration for generating a first force along a first axis in said sealing member and a second force along a second axis in said sealing member for closing said perforation in said sealing member upon withdrawal of said penetrating instrument therefrom, said first and said second forces serving to generate in said sealing member a greater stress in a direction angularly displaced relative to said perforation in said sealing member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a resealable fluid delivery apparatus including a penetrable elastic sealing member having a wall surface of a first configuration, an instrument for penetrating a solid wall of said sealing member and wherein said instrument causes a perforation in said sealing member, the improvement comprising: a means for distorting said elastic sealing member until said wall surface assumes a second geometrical configuration for generating a first force along a first axis in said sealing member and a second force along a second axis in said sealing member for closing said perforation in said sealing member upon withdrawal of said penetrating instrument therefrom, said first and said second forces serving to generate in said sealing member a greater stress in a direction angularly displaced relative to said perforation in said sealing member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said first and said second forces are generated in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said perforation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said distorting means comprises: a passageway in said apparatus for receiving said sealing member, said passageway having a wall surface of said second geometrical configuration facing in sealing relationship said wall surface of said sealing member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said apparatus has a passageway and said distorting means comprises: a sleeve inserted between said passageway and said sealing member for receiving said sealing member, said sleeve having a wall surface of said second geometrical configuration in facing relationship with the wall surface said sealing member of said first geometrical configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said first and said second forces are compressive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said first and said second forces are tensile.