Patent US4784657A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4784657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Syringe-vial material transfer interconnector
Assignee: Ceramed Corp
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Filing: 1986-12-09
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Granted: 1988-11-15
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Expires: 2006-12-09
Abstract
Abstract An interconnect connects a vial to a syringe for the transfer of material to the syringe or back to the vial. The interconnect includes a vial connecting mechanism and a tapered sleeve to receive the syringe. A metering port allows control of the material transfer rate and prevents partial transfers which could cause material spillage.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence A. Shimp
- 👤 L. Brian Starling
- 👤 Frank L. Cordova
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J1/00; A61J1/14; A61J1/20; A61J1/2096; A61J1/2003; A61J1/2048; A61J1/2065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for the regulated gravity transfer of solid granule material between a vial and a syringe, comprising the steps of attaching the syringe to the vial with an interconnector having a generally tubular conduit with an annular surface on the upper opening to receive the syringe and a lower opening in communication with the vial interior, said tubular conduit having an annular flow-impeding port in said lower opening with a constant cross-section aperture and a granular flow-impeding annular shoulder on its lower side to impede the flow of granules from the vial to the syringe; partially inverting the assembled syringe, interconnector and vial so that said vial is at a higher level than said syringe, and striking said assembly to disturb the equilibrium of the granules, to allow the gravity transfer of granules from the vial past the flow-impeding port and through said tubular conduit and into the syringe; returning the assembled syringe, interconnector and vial to a partially upright position to prevent the gravity transfer of granules past the flow-impeding port; and detaching the syringe from the interconnector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for the regulated gravity transfer of solid granule material between a vial and a syringe, comprising the steps of attaching the syringe to the vial with an interconnector having a generally tubular conduit with an annular surface on the upper opening to receive the syringe and a lower opening in communication with the vial interior, said tubular conduit having an annular flow-impeding port in said lower opening with a constant cross-section aperture and a granular flow-impeding annular shoulder on its lower side to impede the flow of granules from the vial to the syringe; partially inverting the assembled syringe, interconnector and vial so that said vial is at a higher level than said syringe, and striking said assembly to disturb the equilibrium of the granules, to allow the gravity transfer of granules from the vial past the flow-impeding port and through said tubular conduit and into the syringe; returning the assembled syringe, interconnector and vial to a partially upright position to prevent the gravity transfer of granules past the flow-impeding port; and detaching the syringe from the interconnector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of said flow-impeding port aperture, and the angle between the longitudinal axis of said tubular conduit and the surface of said flow-impeding port shoulder, are predetermined whereby the lowest inversion angle required for granules to flow through said flow-impeding port is higher than the highest inversion angle at which significant amounts of granules will rest in the tubular conduit or adjacent the syringe opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said predetermined angle between the longitudinal axis of the tubular conduit and the surface of the flow-regulating port shoulder is a bevel on the exterior circumference of said port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said predetermined angle between the longitudinal axis of the tubular conduit and the surface of the flow-regulating port shoulder is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubular conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said interconnector has a vial connecting annular ridge contoured to mate with a vial flange on said vial, and wherein said annular surface to receive the syringe is a syringe sealing sleeve tapering from a bottom interior diameter less than the exterior diameter of said syringe to a top interior diameter greater than the exterior diameter of said syringe at an angle between 0° and 12° from the longitudinal axis of said tubular conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said interconnector includes a stopper with a shaft, the shaft distortably inserted into said sleeve and having an upper diameter approximately equal to the top interior sleeve diameter and a tapered portion below the upper portion, the tapered portion having a taper greater than the taper of said sleeve and the bottom of the tapered portion being in contact with the interior of the sleeve when the shaft is inserted into the sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said interconnector includes an interconnector flange around the outer top of the interconnector, a metal crimper around the outer top of the stopper for crimping onto the interconnector flange and a flexible gasket ring compressed between the vial flange and the interconnector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the interior of said sleeve tapers to match the exterior of a tapered sleeve on the syringe, and wherein said interconnector includes a stopper with a shaft, the shaft distortably inserted into the sleeve and having a diameter approximately equal to the top interior sleeve diameter, an interconnector flange around the outer top of the interconnector, and a metal crimper around the outer top of the stopper for crimping onto the interconnector flange.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-15 | 1992-05-16 | 1992-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-15 | 1996-05-16 | 1996-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-15 | 2000-05-16 | 2000-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |