U.S. patent application number 10/970335 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for sealing devices.
Invention is credited to W. Dale Snyder.
Application Number | 20060081554 10/970335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34937508 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060081554 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snyder; W. Dale |
April 20, 2006 |
Sealing devices
Abstract
Devices and methods are provided. Embodiments include devices
for sealing an opening of a container, where such container sealing
devices may include a flexible sealing element dimensioned to cover
the opening of a container, a compliant channel in the flexible
sealing element, and a compression member for maintaining the
compliant channel in a sealed configuration, regardless of whether
a fluid transfer member is present in the compliant channel. Also
provided are containers sealed by the subject sealing devices, and
methods of using the same.
Inventors: |
Snyder; W. Dale; (West
Chester, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION, LEGAL
DEPT.
P.O. BOX 7599
M/S DL429
LOVELAND
CO
80537-0599
US
|
Family ID: |
34937508 |
Appl. No.: |
10/970335 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/364 ;
215/276; 220/801 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/002 20130101;
B01L 3/50825 20130101; B01L 2400/0611 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/364 ;
215/276; 220/801 |
International
Class: |
B65D 39/00 20060101
B65D039/00; B65D 45/30 20060101 B65D045/30 |
Claims
1. A container sealing device comprising: (a) a flexible sealing
element dimensioned to cover an opening of a container and having a
compliant channel passing therethrough; and (b) a compression
member that applies a compressive force to said compliant channel
such that said compliant channel remains in a sealed configuration,
regardless of whether a fluid transfer member is present in said
compliant channel.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said compliant channel has a
first end having a first outer diameter and a second end having a
second outer diameter, wherein said first outer diameter is larger
than said second outer diameter.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said flexible sealing element is
a one-piece structure.
4. The device of claim 4, wherein said first and second ends of
said compliant channel are annular.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said compression member is
cylindrical structure.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said compression member is a
spring.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said spring is an
elastomeric band.
8. The device of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of said
flexible sealing element at said second end is barrel-shaped and
said compression member is positioned about said barrel-shaped
portion.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein said flexible sealing element
comprises a coating.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein said coating is a hydrophobic
coating.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein said coating is a
polytetrafluoroethylene coating.
12. A sealed container comprising a container sealing device
according to claim 1.
13. The sealed container of claim 11, further comprising a fluid
sealed inside said container.
14. The sealed container of claim 13, wherein said flexible sealing
element is a one-piece structure.
15. The sealed container of claim 12, wherein said sealed
configuration provides a liquid seal.
16. The sealed container of claim 12, wherein said first and second
ends of said compliant channel are annular.
17. The sealed container of claim 12, wherein said compression
member is cylindrical.
18. The sealed container of claim 12, wherein said compression
member is a spring.
19. The sealed container of claim 12, wherein said spring is an
elastomeric band.
20. The sealed container of claim 12, wherein said container
further includes a gas.
21. The sealed container of claim 20, wherein said gas is an inert
gas.
22. A method of sealing a container, said method comprising:
positioning a container sealing device over an opening of said
container, wherein said sealing device comprises: (i) a flexible
sealing element dimensioned to cover an opening of a container and
having a compliant channel passing therethrough; and (ii) a
compression member that applies a compressive force to said
compliant channel such that said compliant channel remains in a
sealed configuration, regardless of whether a fluid transfer member
is present in said compliant channel; to seal said container.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said compliant
channel has a first end having a first outer diameter and a second
end having a second outer diameter, wherein said first outer
diameter is larger than said second outer diameter.
24. The method according to claim 22, wherein said method further
comprises introducing a fluid into said container.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said fluid is
introduced into said container prior to sealing said container.
26. A method comprising: (a) positioning a first end of a fluid
transfer member into a fluid present in a sealed container
according to claim 12, wherein said positioning comprises
introducing said fluid transfer member into said container through
said compliant channel; and (b) removing a volume of fluid from a
sealed container through said positioned fluid transfer member.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said removing step (b)
comprises removing said fluid transfer member from said channel,
wherein said fluid transfer member contains said volume of
fluid.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein said sealed container further
comprises a gas and said removing step (b) comprises removing said
volume of fluid without leakage of said gas from said sealed
container.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein said method comprises repeating
steps (a)-(b) at least once to remove additional fluid from said
sealed container.
30. A kit comprising: (a) a container; and (b) a container sealing
device according to claim 1, wherein said sealing device is
configured to seal an opening of said container.
31. The kit according to claim 30, wherein said container is sealed
by said sealing device.
32. The kit according to claim 31, wherein said container further
comprises a liquid.
33. The kit according to claim 31, wherein said container further
comprises a gas.
34. The kit according to claim 31, wherein said container further
comprises a liquid and a gas.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A variety of different devices have been developed for
sealing a container opening, for example to seal a sample inside a
container. Many of these seals are designed so that a sample may be
sealed inside a container and subsequently removed through the seal
for use.
[0002] For example, a commonly used container seal includes a disc
or cylindrically shaped seal made of an elastomeric material, such
as a rubber or the like. To remove sample from the container
without removing the seal from the container, the seal may be
pierced with a syringe needle or the like and the contents of the
container may be contacted with, and withdrawn into, the needle.
The needle and contents therein may then be removed back through
the seal to remove the needle with the container contents from the
container.
[0003] However, current container seals suffer from a number of
disadvantages. For example, once pierced by a syringe needle, the
integrity of the seal is broken and the container contents are
exposed to the atmosphere. This exposure may result in evaporation
of the contents and/or oxidation of the contents due to exposure to
atmospheric oxygen. Evaporation may change the concentration of the
contents and oxidation can change the identity of the contents
either of which may adversely effect the results of an experiment
using the thus-exposed contents. In many cases, a container seal is
designed to be pierced multiple times, which multiple piercing
results in the acceleration of evaporation and/or oxidation of the
container contents.
[0004] Another disadvantage of current container seals is that a
syringe needle may abrade a seal's material during penetration of
the seal producing loose particles of seal material. These abraded
particles can clog the syringe needle and/or fall into the
container contents. Over time, the container contents contacted
with these abraded particles may leach components from, or
otherwise become contaminated by, the abraded particles and may
adversely effect experimental results.
[0005] In view of the continued need to seal containers, there
continues to be an interest in the development of new device and
methods for sealing container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Devices and methods are provided. Embodiments include
devices for sealing an opening of a container, where such container
sealing devices may include a flexible sealing element dimensioned
to cover the opening of a container, a compliant channel in the
flexible sealing element, and a compression member for maintaining
the compliant channel in a sealed configuration, regardless of
whether a fluid transfer member is present in the compliant
channel. Also provided are containers sealed by the subject sealing
devices, and methods of using the same.
[0007] Embodiments also include methods of sealing a container,
where methods may include introducing a fluid into a container and
sealing the fluid within the container with a subject container
sealing device. Also provided are methods of removing fluid from
within a container sealed with a subject container sealing device,
where embodiments include introducing a fluid transfer member
through the channel of the container sealing device, urging the
walls of the channel against the introduced fluid transfer member
with the compression member of the sealing device, and removing a
volume of fluid from the sealed container with the fluid transfer
member.
[0008] The subject invention also provides kits for use in sealing
a container, where embodiments of the subject kits may include a
subject container sealing device and other components such as a
container for sealing a fluid inside the container using the
container sealing device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a container that may be sealed
with a container sealing device of the subject invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a flexible sealing element of
the subject invention having a substantially constant outer
diameter.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a flexible sealing element of
the subject invention having barrel shape.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a flexible sealing element of
the subject invention having a container-contacting lip.
[0013] FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a container sealing device of
the subject invention which includes the flexible sealing element
of FIG. 4 and a compression member and FIG. 5B shows the device of
FIG. 5A positioned in the opening of the container of FIG. 1 to
seal the opening.
[0014] FIG. 6A shows the container sealing device of FIG. 5A having
a fluid transfer member present in the channel of the device
wherein the walls of the channel are sealingly contacted with the
walls of the fluid transfer member providing a fluid tight seal
therebetween; FIG. 6B shows the device of FIG. 6A positioned in the
opening of the container of FIG. 1 to seal the opening and the
fluid transfer member present within the channel and partially
within the container; and FIG. 6C shows the fluid transfer member
contacting the contents of the container.
DEFINITIONS
[0015] The term "container" is used in its ordinary sense to refer
to any object that can be used to hold one or more items, such as a
volume of a fluid, e.g., liquid or gas.
[0016] The phrase "flexible sealing element" refers to any
structure that can cover an opening of a container in a manner such
that the contents of the container are sealed from the outside
environment of the container.
[0017] The term "channel" refers to any type of fluid conduit, such
as a tubular passageway.
[0018] By "compression member" is meant a structure that can apply
a compressive force to another structure.
[0019] By "fluid transfer member" is meant a device that serves to
transfer a volume of fluid from a first to a second location.
[0020] By liquid seal is meant a "closure" that is substantially,
if not completely, impermeable to liquids.
[0021] By "spring" is meant an elastic device, such as a coil of
wire or an elastomeric band, that regains its original shape after
being compressed or extended.
[0022] By "transparent" is referenced permitting light to pass
therethrough without substantial attenuation or distortion.
[0023] By "without substantial attenuation" may include, for
example, without a loss of more than about 40% of light, e.g.,
without a loss of more than about 30%, without a loss of more than
about 20%, without a loss of more than about 10%, without a loss of
more than about 5% or less.
[0024] "Opaque" is meant broadly to refer to the absorbance of rays
of a particular wavelength/Opaque with respect to a shield of the
subject invention (or other element as indicated) is referenced
that it may permit less than about 20%, e.g., less than about 10%,
e.g., less than about 5%, e.g., less than about 2%, e.g., less than
about 1% or less of ambient light from reaching enclosed
microvolume space.
[0025] "Light returning" is meant broadly to refer to the change in
direction which occurs when an electromagnetic wave strikes a
surface and is thrown back. A light returning may reflect about 2%
or more of light incident thereon, e.g., about 5% or more, e.g.,
about 10% or more in certain embodiments.
[0026] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently
described circumstance may or may not occur, so that the
description includes instances where the circumstance occurs and
instances where it does not.
[0027] A "plastic" is any synthetic organic polymer of high
molecular weight (for example at least 1,000 grams/mole, or even at
least 10,000 or 100,000 grams/mole.
[0028] "Flexible" with references that the flexible item can be
bent 180 degrees around a roller of less than 1.25 cm in radius.
The item can be so bent and straightened repeatedly in either
direction at least 100 times without failure (for example,
cracking) or plastic deformation. This bending must be within the
elastic limits of the material. The foregoing test for flexibility
is performed at a temperature of 20.degree. C.
[0029] "Rigid" with refers to an item which is not flexible, and is
constructed such that a segment about 2.5 by 7.5 cm retains its
shape and cannot be bent along any direction more than 60 degrees
(and often not more than 40, 20, 10, or 5 degrees) without
breaking.
[0030] "Fluid tight" is used herein to describe the spatial
relationship between two solid surfaces in physical contact, such
that fluid (liquid and/or gas) is prevented from flowing into the
interface between the surfaces.
[0031] The terms "Compliant" and "Deformable" are employed
interchangeably and refers to a material that is able to be
compressed e.g., to conform to a contacted surface.
[0032] "Chromatographic" processes generally include preferential
separations of components, and include reverse-phase, hydrophobic
interaction, ion exchange, molecular sieve chromatography, affinity
chromatography and like methods.
[0033] The term "surface treatment" is used to refer to preparation
or modification of the surface of a substrate such as a container
surface. Accordingly, "surface treatment" as used herein includes:
physical surface adsorptions; covalent bonding of selected moieties
to functional groups on the surface of treated substrates (such as
to amine, hydroxyl or carboxylic acid groups on condensation
polymers); methods of coating surfaces, including dynamic
deactivation of treated surfaces (such as by adding surfactants to
media), polymer grafting to the surface of treated substrates (such
as polystyrene or divinyl-benzene) and thin-film deposition of
materials such as diamond or sapphire to treated substrates.
[0034] One item is considered to be "larger" than a second item
with respect a given measurement parameter if the first item is at
last about 1% greater, such as at least about 5% greater, including
at least about 10% greater than the second item with respect to the
given measurement parameter.
[0035] "Remote location," means a location other than the location
at which the array is present and hybridization occurs. For
example, a remote location could be another location (e.g., office,
lab, etc.) in the same city, another location in a different city,
another location in a different state, another location in a
different country, etc. As such, when one item is indicated as
being "remote" from another, what is meant is that the two items
are at least in different rooms or different buildings, and may be
at least one mile, ten miles, or at least one hundred miles
apart.
[0036] The term "assessing" and "evaluating" are used
interchangeably to refer to any form of measurement, and includes
determining if an element is present or not. The terms
"determining," "measuring," "assessing," and "assaying" are used
interchangeably and include both quantitative and qualitative
determinations. Assessing may be relative or absolute. "Assessing
the presence of" includes determining the amount of something
present, as well as determining whether it is present or
absent.
[0037] "Communicating" information references transmitting the data
representing that information as signals (e.g., electrical, radio,
optical, etc) over a suitable communication channel (e.g., a
private or public network).
[0038] "Forwarding" an item refers to any means of getting that
item from one location to the next, whether by physically
transporting that item or otherwise (where that is possible) and
includes, at least in the case of data, physically transporting a
medium carrying the data or communicating the data.
[0039] By "remote location" it is meant a location other than the
location at which the optical measurement have been made. For
example, a remote location could be another location (e.g. office,
lab, etc.) in the same city, another location in a different city,
another location in a different state, another location in a
different country, etc. As such, when one item is indicated as
being "remote" from another, what is meant is that the two items
are at least in different buildings, and may be at least one mile,
ten miles, or at least one hundred miles apart.
[0040] A "computer", "processor" or "processing unit" are used
interchangeably and each references any hardware or
hardware/software combination which can control components as
required to execute recited steps. For example a computer,
processor, or processor unit includes a general purpose digital
microprocessor suitably programmed to perform all of the steps
required of it, or any hardware or hardware/software combination
which will perform those or equivalent steps. Programming may be
accomplished, for example, from a computer readable medium carrying
necessary program code (such as a portable storage medium) or by
communication from a remote location (such as through a
communication channel).
[0041] A "memory" or "memory unit" refers to any device which can
store information for retrieval as signals by a processor, and may
include magnetic or optical devices (such as a hard disk, floppy
disk, CD, or DVD), or solid state memory devices (such as volatile
or non-volatile RAM). A memory or memory unit may have more than
one physical memory device of the same or different types (for
example, a memory may have multiple memory devices such as multiple
hard drives or multiple solid state memory devices or some
combination of hard drives and solid state memory devices).
[0042] To "record" data, programming or other information on a
computer readable medium refers to a process for storing
information, using any such methods as known in the art. Any
convenient data storage structure may be chosen, based on the means
used to access the stored information. A variety of data processor
programs and formats can be used for storage, e.g. word processing
text file, database format, etc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Devices and methods are provided. Embodiments include
devices for sealing an opening of a container, where such container
sealing devices may include a flexible sealing element dimensioned
to cover the opening of a container, a compliant channel in the
flexible sealing element, and a compression member for maintaining
the compliant channel in a sealed configuration, regardless of
whether a fluid transfer member is present in the compliant
channel. Also provided are containers sealed by the subject sealing
devices, and methods of using the same.
[0044] Embodiments also include methods of sealing a container,
where methods may include introducing a fluid into a container and
sealing the fluid within the container with a subject container
sealing device. Also provided are methods of transferring fluid
from within a container sealed with a subject container sealing
device, where embodiments include introducing a fluid transfer
member through the channel of the container sealing device, urging
the walls of the channel against the introduced fluid transfer
member with the compression member of the sealing device, and
removing a volume of fluid from the sealed container with the fluid
transfer member.
[0045] The subject invention also provides kits for use in sealing
a container, where embodiments of the subject kits may include a
subject container sealing device and other components such as a
container for sealing a fluid inside the container using the
container sealing device.
[0046] Before the present invention is described in greater detail,
it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to
particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It
is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for
the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not
intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention
will be limited only by the appended claims.
[0047] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that
each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper
and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening
value in that stated range is encompassed within the invention. The
upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be
included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the
invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated
range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits,
ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also
included in the invention.
[0048] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, the preferred methods and materials are now
described.
[0049] All patents and publications mentioned herein are
incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the
methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications
are cited. The citation of any patent or publication is for its
disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as
an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate
such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates
of publication provided may be different from the actual
publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.
[0050] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended
claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural
referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is
further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any
optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as
antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as "solely,"
"only" and the like in connection with the recitation of claim
elements, or use of a "negative" limitation.
[0051] As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon
reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments
described and illustrated herein has discrete components and
features which may be readily separated from or combined with the
features of any of the other several embodiments without departing
from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
[0052] The figures shown herein are not necessarily drawn to scale,
with some components and features being exaggerated for
clarity.
Devices
[0053] As summarized above, the subject invention provides
container sealing devices having compliant channels for receiving
fluid transfer members and which devices are configured to maintain
a seal prior to introduction of a fluid transfer member into the
compliant channel, while a fluid transfer member occupies the
compliant channel of the device, and following removal of the fluid
transfer member from the compliant channel of the device. In this
regard, embodiments of the subject sealing devices may be
characterized as fluid leak-free, self-sealing devices.
[0054] As will be described in greater detail below, the container
sealing devices of the subject invention include a compression
member positioned about at least a portion of the compliant channel
so as to provide a compression force to the walls of the channel in
a manner suitable to produce a closed channel, i.e., a channel that
does not allow passage of a fluid (e.g., gas or liquid)
therethrough. When a fluid transfer member is present in the
channel, the compression member urges the channel walls against the
walls of the fluid transfer member in a fluid tight arrangement to
prevent exposure of the container contents to the atmosphere
outside of the container even when a fluid transfer member is
present in the channel. In this regard, the subject invention
minimizes evaporation of container contents and exposure to
atmospheric factors. As such, the subject container sealing devices
have a single sealing mechanism, as opposed to two or more sealing
mechanisms as in the case of some conventional seals which can
increase manufacturing costs and increasing the number of possible
failure modes.
[0055] The subject container sealing devices may be employed to
seal a wide variety of containers and are not intended to be
limited to any particular type or size of container as it will be
apparent that the subject devices may be used to seal any container
having a periphery that defines an opening, for example an opening
into any chamber such as that of a vessel or conduit. In certain
embodiments, the subject devices may be used to seal containers
used in gas or liquid chromatography applications. For example, a
container sealed with a subject device may include a gas or liquid
chromatography sample, a gas or liquid chromatography control or
standard or the like to be evaluated by gas or liquid
chromatography, a gas or liquid solvent, etc. In certain
embodiments, the sealing devices may be adapted to seal an opening
of a fluid pathway, e.g., an opening to a chromatograph column.
[0056] As noted above, in certain embodiments a subject sealing
device may be used in a gas chromatography application. In certain
embodiments, a sealing device may be adapted to isolate the carrier
gas of gas chromatography apparatus from the atmosphere and through
which samples may be injected into the gas chromatography system by
traversing the channel of the sealing device with a fluid transfer
member such as a syringe needle or the like. That is, aspects
include sealing devices configured for use for an injection port of
a gas chromatograph or the like.
[0057] A cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
container 100 that may be used with the subject sealing devices is
shown in FIG. 1 and includes opening 102 and interior space or
cavity 105. In this particular embodiment, the neck of the
container includes threads 104 for threadable engagement of an
overcap cap (see, e.g., FIG. 6B) which may be positioned over a
sealing device, e.g., bonded or otherwise affixed thereto and/or to
the container.
[0058] Container 100 may be of any suitable size, where in certain
applications cavity 105 of container 100 may have a volume that
ranges from about 100 .mu.l to about 20 liters or more, e.g., from
about 100 .mu.l to about 125 ml. The dimension of opening 102 will
of course vary, where in certain embodiments opening 102 may have
an area that ranges from about 0.75 cm.sup.2 to about 80 cm.sup.2
or more e.g., from about 0.75 cm.sup.2 to about 5 cm.sup.2.
[0059] A container sealable with a subject sealing device may be
made of any suitable material and in certain embodiments in which
the container is used to contain light-sensitive contents, the
container may be opaque or made of light returning material. A
container may be made of, e.g., a plastic, glass, ceramic, metal,
etc. In certain embodiments, a container may be made of
polypropylene or USP Type 1 Borosilicate Glass, or the like. For
example, for containing fluid that may stick to glass or chemically
react with glass, a polypropylene container may be used.
[0060] The subject sealing devices include a flexible sealing
element 4 having at least one deformable bore or channel 6 therein,
as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment
of flexible sealing element 4 having compliant channel 6
therethrough. In this particular embodiment, the outer diameter
(OD) of the flexible sealing element is substantially constant
along its entire length L such that the exterior of the flexible
sealing element is substantially straight along its length
dimension.
[0061] Compliant channel 6 extends from a first end 4a of the
flexible sealing element or layer all the way through the flexible
sealing element to a second end 4b so that a fluid transfer member
may be inserted through the flexible sealing element via the
channel to access the contents of a container sealed by device 4.
First end 4a may include a tapered lead-in or depression (see,
e.g., FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B) for guiding a fluid transfer
member into the channel. The lead-in may be formed in the shape of
the flexible sealing element or may be produced when a compression
member compresses the flexible sealing element as described in
greater detail below. The lead-in assists in guiding a fluid
transfer member to the same point of the sealing device each time
so that the fluid transfer member enters the channel in precisely
the same manner each time, further reducing the possibility of
abrading the flexible sealing element even in those instances in
which a sharp tipped fluid transfer member is used. In certain
embodiments, first and second ends are annular ends. Compliant
channel 6 may be defined by channel walls 7. The inner diameter of
channel 6 is substantially constant along its entire length in
certain embodiments, i.e., the channel walls are substantially
straight.
[0062] FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment in which the OD of
flexible sealing element 4 varies and thus flexible sealing element
4 is barrel-shaped. Flexible sealing element 4 has a smaller outer
diameter dimension near ends 4a and 4b relative to the area of the
flexible sealing element between the ends, however the diameter of
the compliant channel is substantially constant along its length.
For example, embodiments include flexible sealing elements having
variable or rather a plurality of different wall thicknesses WT,
where the wall thickness is defined as the dimension from a channel
wall to an exterior surface of the flexible sealing element, such
that the thickness of the wall may vary along its length and may be
thicker about the mid section of the flexible sealing element than
nearer the ends of the flexible sealing element.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 4, certain embodiments may include a lip 8
at an end of the flexible sealing element. Lip 8 may be configured
to contact a surface of a container that defines an opening to be
sealed by a subject device. For example, lip 8 may extend over and
engages the top edge 103 of a container in a fluid-tight manner. It
will be appreciated that the fluid-tight attachment of the lip to a
container may be made by any one of a variety of suitable methods,
such as any suitable chemical and/or mechanical method, e.g.,
welding, bonding, adhesive, overcap, etc. While lip 8 is shown with
the barrel shaped flexible sealing element embodiment of FIG. 3,
the lip may be used with any shaped flexible sealing element.
[0064] In constructing the flexible sealing element/channel
component, flexible sealing element 4 may be made of any suitable
flexible material. For example, flexible sealing element 4 may be
made of a resilient polymer such as natural and synthetic polymers,
for example butadiene polymers and coplymers, neoprene, chloroprene
and the like. For example, a flexible sealing element may be made
from rubber (natural/butyl); PTFE/natural or butyl rubber;
silicone/silicone rubber; PTFE/silicone, PTFE/Silicone/PTFE,
VITON.RTM..
[0065] The material of flexible sealing element 4 may be selected
to be compatible with any chemicals and conditions to which the
flexible sealing element may be exposed in the intended use,
however this need not be case if, for example, the flexible sealing
element is surrounded by a barrier (e.g., coating or the like)
which prevents direct contact of any chemicals with the flexible
sealing element. In certain embodiments, a septum may be made of a
martial that is capable of withstanding high temperatures, e.g.,
temperatures as great as about 150.degree. C. or more, e.g., about
200.degree. C. or more, e.g., about 300.degree. C. or more, e.g.,
about 400.degree. C. or more.
[0066] For example, in certain embodiments a flexible sealing
element material of rubber (natural/butyl) may be chosen for
compatibility with ACN, acetone, DMF, alcohols, diethylamine, DMSO
and phenols; in certain embodiments a flexible sealing element of
material of Silicone/Silicone rubber may be chosen for
compatibility with alcohol, acetone, ether, DMF and DMSO; in
certain embodiments a flexible sealing element of material of VITON
may be chosen for compatibility with chlorinated solvents, benzene,
toluene, alcohols, hexane, and heptane.
[0067] Materials that may be used are usually gas-impermeable, or
hardly have permeability to water, which makes the container
contents isolated from the outside air or any other reactive gas
source, thereby providing a long shelf life.
[0068] Flexible sealing element may be fabricated from a
"composite," i.e., a composition made up of different or unlike
materials. The composite may be a block composite, e.g., an A-B-A
block composite, an A-B-C block composite, or the like.
Alternatively, the composite may be a heterogeneous combination of
materials, i.e., in which the materials are distinct or are in
separate phases, or a homogeneous combination of unlike materials.
As used herein, the term "composite" is used to include a
"laminate" composite. A "laminate" refers to a composite material
formed from several different bonded layers of the same or
different materials.
[0069] In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the flexible
sealing element may be hydrophobic, where it may be inherently
hydrophobic or may be made to be hydrophobic, e.g., by a
hydrophobic agent, chemical manipulation, etc. By "hydrophobic" it
is meant that at least a portion of a flexible sealing element is
substantially if not completely unwettable and substantially if not
completely liquid repellant for the sample contacted thereto, even
if the sample is not an aqueous solution. For example, in the case
of an oily-based sample, it should therefore correspondingly be a
lipophobic surface. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of a
flexible sealing element may be hydrophilic, where the material of
the flexible sealing element may be inherently hydrophilic or be
made hydrophilic, e.g., by a hydrophilic agent, chemical
manipulation, etc. By "hydrophilic" it is meant that at least a
portion of a flexible sealing element is easily wettable for the
type of sample contacted thereto, even if the sample is not an
aqueous solution. For example, in the case of an oily-based sample,
it should therefore correspondingly be a lipophilic surface. In
certain embodiments, a flexible sealing element may have one or
more areas that are hydrophobic and one or more areas that are
hydrophilic. For example, in certain embodiments flexible sealing
element 4 may include a surface modification or treatment such as a
surface coating which may render the flexible sealing element
hydrophilic, hydrophobic, lipophilic, lipophobic, etc. The coating
may cover the some or all of surface area of the exterior of the
flexible sealing element and/or some or all of the surface area of
the walls of compliant channel 6. A variety of surface coatings may
be used and include, but are not limited to,
polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Teflon.RTM.) coatings, and the
like.
[0070] Flexible sealing element 4 is dimensioned to cover an
opening of a container and thus the particular dimensions of the
flexible sealing element will of course depend at least on the
dimension of the opening it is designed to cover. For example, for
a container having dimensions that fall within the ranges described
above, in certain embodiments the flexible sealing element may have
a length that ranges from about 5 mm to about 25 mm, e.g., from
about 5 mm to about 10 mm and a width that may range from about 2
mm to about 15 mm, e.g., from about 5 mm to about 8 mm and a
channel having an inner diameter that may range from about 0.5 mm
to about 5 mm, e.g., from about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm. The wall
thickness may range from about 0.75 mm to about 5 mm, where in
certain embodiments a given flexible sealing element may have a
constant wall thickness or the wall thickness may vary along the
length dimension of a given flexible sealing element, e.g., the
wall thickness may change, e.g., gradually change or otherwise.
[0071] The dimensions of the compliant channel will depend at least
in part on the dimensions of the flexible sealing element and in
certain embodiments on the dimensions or range of dimensions of a
fluid transfer member the channel is designed to accommodate
therein. In certain embodiments, the inner diameter of a compliant
channel, when not compressed by a compression member, may range
from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, e.g., from about 0.5 mm to about 1
mm. For example, in certain application a needle such as 26 gauge
needle may be used to access contents of a container sealed by a
subject device. In such embodiments, the inner diameter of a
compliant channel may be dimensioned to receive such a needle and
may have an inner diameter that ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 1
mm in certain embodiments.
[0072] The container sealing device may be adapted to be inserted
into openings of existing containers acting as a direct replacement
sealing device of the original or currently installed equipment.
Embodiments include sealing devices adapted for replacing seals
currently integrated with an analytical system such as a septum of
a GC inlet system, e.g., a septum or septum nut on a capillary
inlet system. In this manner, existing equipment may be easily
retrofitted to incorporate the sealing devices of the present
invention.
[0073] The subject container sealing devices include a compression
member positioned at least about the walls of the compliant
channel, and in certain embodiments about the OD of the flexible
sealing element, to maintain the compliant channel in a sealed
configuration by urging the walls of the channel inward (e.g.,
towards each other), e.g., by applying a radial compression force
to the channel walls. In this manner, when a fluid transfer member
is positioned within the compliant channel, the compression member
urges the walls of the channel against the surface of the fluid
transfer member so that the channel walls conform to the surface of
the fluid transfer member in a fluid tight arrangement, thereby
protecting the contents of the container from the atmosphere by
preventing contact of the container contents with the
atmosphere.
[0074] FIG. 5A shows an exemplary embodiment of a subject sealing
device 2 that includes flexible sealing element 4 having compliant
channel 6 therethrough and FIG. 5B shows the device of FIG. 5A as
it may be positioned in an opening of a container 100 to seal the
opening and the contents 200 therein. The device includes
compression member 20 which, as shown, urges the walls of the
channel together so as to close-off the channel in those instances
when a fluid transfer member is not present within the channel and
urges the walls against a fluid transfer member in those instances
when a fluid transfer member is present within the channel.
Accordingly, compression member 20 seals the container contents
from the atmosphere when there is no fluid transfer member in the
channel and also seals the container contents from the atmosphere
when a fluid transfer member is in the channel by urging the walls
of the channel against the walls of the fluid transfer member in a
sealing arrangement.
[0075] When the channel is squeezed shut by the compression member,
such squeezing may produce a tapered lead-in as described above
assist in guiding a fluid transfer member into the channel. Due to
the configuration of the compliant channel, a variety of fluid
transfer members may be employed including tapered and blunt tipped
fluid transfer members. For example, sharp or blunt tipped needles
(e.g., stainless steel needles) may be used, tubing such as rubber
tubing may be used, etc.
[0076] While compression member 20 seals the channel by applying a
force to the channel walls, the device is configured to permit a
fluid transfer member through the channel, past the closure in the
channel, and into the container sealed by the device. However, even
with the fluid transfer member in the channel, the compression
member is configured to continue to provide an urging force to the
walls of channel to urge them against the exterior surface of the
fluid transfer member in a conforming and fluid tight relationship.
In this manner, the container contents remain sealed from the
environment, a shown in FIG. 6A which shows a fluid transfer member
50 present in channel 6 of device 2 and FIG. 6B shows the device of
FIG. 6A as it may be positioned in an opening of a container 100 to
seal the opening and the contents 200 therein. More specifically,
as a fluid transfer member is inserted into the channel, the
sealing device is configured to allow the fluid transfer member to
force the compliant channel open causing the channel to expand
slightly, but just enough to accommodate the member as the member
slides past the closure made by the compression member. The
compression member causes the channel walls to sealingly contact
the member to provide a leak-free seal. As the member is withdrawn
from the channel, the compression member causes the channel to
close up. At all times, the container contents are sealed from the
atmosphere.
[0077] The compression member may be in any suitable form, so long
as it is able to apply enough force to the channel walls to produce
a closed channel and to permit a fluid transfer member through the
closure in the channel and urge the channel walls sealingly against
the member to provide a fluid tight sealed configuration. For
example, the compression member may be a band or ring (metal,
plastic, rubber or the like), a spring, clamp, clip, etc. In
certain embodiments, the compression member is a metal, rubber or
plastic band or tube.
[0078] The compression member may apply force to the compliant
channel in any number of ways. In certain embodiments, the
dimensions of a compression member may at least in part provide the
requisite compression to the compliant channel. For example, the
inner diameter of the compression member may be slightly smaller
than the area it is positioned (or may be adapted to be caused to
be slightly smaller such as for example by tightening or otherwise
reducing the inner diameter of a compression member from a first
diameter to a second, smaller diameter), e.g., the outer diameter
of the channel or the outer diameter of the flexible sealing
element, such that once operatively positioned, the channel walls
are urged closed due to the dimensional fit of the compression
member. In addition or instead of a dimensional fit, a compression
member may be crimped or otherwise tightened or cinched about the
channel (or the exterior of the flexible sealing element) to apply
a force to the channel walls to close the channel.
[0079] Aspects may include an overcap 125 positionable over a
sealing device of a container (see for example FIG. 5B). An overcap
may be maintained in a fixed position by any suitable chemical
and/or mechanical methods, e.g., welding, bonding, adhesive,
threads, snap fit, press fit, friction fit, crimping, etc., to the
sealing device and/or the container. For example, a sealing device
may be bonded to an overcap. The overcap may be in a variety of
forms, e.g., may be in the form of a screw cap, crimp cap, snap
cap, or the like. An overcap may be a solid piece such that it may
cover the entry to the compliant channel and thus may require
removal (or penetration) prior to introducing a fluid transfer
member into the channel or may include an opening at least about
the opening to the channel so that it need not be removed prior to
removal prior to introducing a fluid transfer member into the
channel. An overcap may also serve to prevent the inadvertent
movement such as inadvertent removal of the sealing device from the
container.
[0080] A sealing device may be fabricated in any convenient manner.
In one aspect, fabrications may be generally described as follows.
A septum may be formed in a suitable shape from, e.g., an
elastomer, that includes a preformed cylindrical channel. The
sealing device may be formed using any suitable process, e.g.,
injection molding or the like. Methods for fabricating a septum and
which may be adapted for use in fabricating a flexible sealing
element are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,853. Once a
flexible sealing element is formed, a compression member may be
applied at least about a portion of the flexible sealing element
that includes at least a portion of the channel. The compression
member is caused (dimensionally, crimped, etc.) to urge the walls
of the channel closed. When the channel is urged closed by the
compression member, a fluid transfer member lead-in (e.g., a
tapered lead-in) may be provided.
[0081] Embodiments include sealing devices that may be re-used. In
certain other embodiments, sealing devices may be single-use.
Methods
[0082] The subject invention also provides methods of sealing a
container, including sealing a fluid inside a container, with a
subject container sealing device. Embodiments also include removing
at least a portion of the fluid from the sealed container without
removing the sealing device from the container or otherwise
compromising the seal.
[0083] Aspects include introducing fluid into a container, where
any suitable container may be used, e.g., a container as described
above, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1. A container may be in the form of
a rigid, impermeable sample container such as a glass vial or the
like having an open neck. The neck may open into a cavity which
receives the sample. In certain embodiments, the container may be a
container used in gas chromatography (GC), GC/mass spectrometry
(MS), or liquid chromatography (LC) applications. For example, a
container may be a housing attached to an injection port or inlet
system of a gas chromatograph or the like. Aspects may include a
sealed container having a sample for gas or liquid chromatography
analysis sealed therein.
[0084] Embodiments include introducing fluid into the container,
where any suitable fluid may be introduced, including liquids and
gases. As noted above, in certain embodiments the fluid may be a
sample such as a liquid sample or the like for evaluation using gas
or liquid chromatography. In certain embodiments, both a liquid and
a gas, e.g., an inert gas, may be introduced into the same
container and sealed therein. Fluids include, but are not limited
to, solvents (e.g., for use in gas chromatography), test controls
or standards, test samples such as biological samples or the like
which may be solubilized in a suitable solvent, etc. For example, a
container may be filled with a gas chromatography solvent or sample
which may then be overlayed with a layer of inert gas to preserve
the gas chromatography solvent or sample.
[0085] In certain other embodiments, fluid is introduced subsequent
to sealing the container opening with a sealing device and thus may
be introduced through the compliant channel of the sealing device.
In such instances, a fluid transfer member may be inserted through
the compliant channel and fluids may be either injected into or
removed from the container through the channel. In certain other
embodiments, fluid may be introduced into the container prior to
sealing the container opening with a sealing device. In such
instances, once the fluid of interest is introduced into the cavity
of the container, the container may then be sealed with a sealing
device. The fluid may be introduced into the container using any
suitable means, which include manual and automated means such as
manually actuated pipettors and automated auto samplers or
pipettors associated with a robotic arm, all under the control of a
processor. For example, an automated filling machine may fill a
container with a predetermined amount of fluid.
[0086] Regardless of when a container is sealed (prior or
subsequent to introducing fluid into the container), a subject
sealing device is positioned about the opening of the container,
the compliant channel of the sealing device being compressed to
produce a sealed, but penetrable channel and thus a sealed
container. A subject sealing device extends over the opening of the
container to enclose the interior space of the container in a
fluid-tight seal.
[0087] Once fluid is within the container and the container sealed
with a subject sealing device, an overcap may be positioned over
the sealing device and maintained in a fixed position by chemical
and/or mechanical methods, e.g., welding, bonding, adhesive,
threads, snap fit, pres fit, friction fit, crimping, etc., to the
sealing device and/or the container. The overcap may be a solid
piece such that it may cover the entry to the compliant channel and
thus may require removal (or piercing) prior to introducing a fluid
transfer member into the channel or may include an opening at least
about the opening to the channel so that it need not be removed
prior to removal prior to introducing a fluid transfer member into
the channel. An overcap may also serve to prevent the inadvertent
removal of the sealing device from the container.
[0088] To withdraw some or the entire sample from the container
without removing the sealing device from the opening of the
container, a fluid transfer member is introduced through the
sealing device by parting the compliant channel instead of coring
the device (see for example FIGS. 6A and 6B). As described above,
when a fluid transfer member is present within the compliant
channel, the container contents remained fluidly sealed from the
atmosphere due to the sealing contact of the channel walls against
the fluid transfer member surface.
[0089] For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, a fluid transfer member
50, which may be in the form of a hollow needle 50 or the like, may
be positioned so as to enter the compliant channel, e.g., via a
lead-in portion. An automated motion enabler may support the fluid
transfer member 50 such that reciprocal longitudinal motion of the
needle may be enabled, e.g., automatically by an automated system
under the control of a suitably programmed processor. Fluid
transfer member 50 has a fluid contacting end or needle tip 52, a
longitudinal tubular passage 54, and a circular cylindrical wall
defining the passage. End 52 may be a blunt tip or a pointed tip.
The fluid transfer member may be a fixed needle syringe or a
removable needle syringe. For example, a fluid transfer member may
be about a 23 gauge fixed or removable needle syringe having a
volume of about 511 to about 10 .mu.l.
[0090] Fluid transfer member 50 may be aligned perpendicular to the
sealing device so that a longitudinal motion of the needle towards
the sealing device allows the needle tip to enter the compliant
channel and part the channel a sufficient distance to allow passage
of the needle through the channel and into the container. While the
fluid transfer member is present within the channel, the channel
walls (i.e., the material of the sealing device that forms the
channel walls) surround tightly outside of the fluid transfer
member wall for sealing, thereby producing a fluid tight seal about
the fluid transfer member. Part of the length of the needle is
inserted through the compliant channel to contact the contents of
the container as shown in FIG. 6C. An amount of the contents of the
container may then be withdrawn into the fluid transfer member,
where the remainder of the contents may be removed at a later time
in an analogous manner.
[0091] By a longitudinal reverse motion of the inserted fluid
transfer member, the fluid transfer member may be removed. During
removal of the fluid transfer member, the channel is urged closed
by the compression force applied to the channel walls by the
compression member so that the container contents remain sealed
from the environment. As the fluid transfer member is removed from
the channel, the outwardly displaced material of the channel walls
closes the channel, eliminating fluid passage and maintaining a
fluid-tight seal between the atmosphere and the interior of the
container. In this manner, the passage through the seal is
self-sealed, re-forming a fluid-tight seal.
[0092] The fluid transfer member may be repeatedly re-inserted
through the sealing device and removed from the sealing device
again, where this may be repeated a number of times, e.g., 20 or
more times, e.g., 5 or more times, e.g., 10 or more times, e.g., 20
or more times, e.g., 30 or more times, e.g., 40 or more times,
e.g., 50 or more times, e.g., hundreds or even thousands of time of
times, while maintaining a seal of the container contents from the
atmosphere. Accordingly, the subject methods provide a leak-free
manner of removing fluid from a sealed container, regardless of the
number of fluid transfer member entries/removals. The container
contents are isolated from the outside environmental factors so
that the contents may have a long shelf life when in the container,
e.g., during storage and are not otherwise contaminated. This may
be particularly important when the container contents are internal
standards or controls in which volumes of such may be repeatedly
accessed and removed from the sealed container, e.g., in automated
systems in which large numbers of samples are analyzed.
[0093] As noted above, certain containers may include a liquid such
as a sample liquid for analysis which may or may not be dissolved
in a suitable solvent or may just include a liquid solvent. A gas
such as an inert gas (e.g., N, Ar, and the like) may be introduced
into the container to blanket the contained liquid to help preserve
the integrity of the liquid prior to use. A problem encountered in
certain conventional seals is that unintentional leakage of the gas
may occur when a volume of the liquid is removed from the container
using a fluid transfer member due to leakage of the seal. If a
fluid transfer member is introduced into and removed from a seal
multiple times, the amount of the gas unintentionally leaked from
the container due to the compromised seal may be significant enough
to compromise the integrity of the liquid. The subject sealing
devices, which provide a seal even when a fluid transfer member is
present in the channel of the device, enables a volume of sample to
be removed from the container without unintentional leakage of gas
from the container. As such, the gas may be retained in the
container even after repeated introductions and removals of sample
from the container
[0094] As noted above, in certain embodiments a subject sealing
device may be used in gas and liquid chromatography applications,
e.g., to retain a sample in a container for analysis (e.g.,
dissolved in a solvent), to retain a control or standard in a
container, to retain a solvent in a container and the like, in a
fluid tight sealed manner so that the sample, control, standard,
etc., is not exposed to the atmosphere. Aspects include sealing
devices adapted to fit in the injection port of a chromatographic
device (not shown) such that samples may be injected by inserting a
fluid transfer member such as a syringe needle or the like through
the channel of the sealing device. For example, a sealing device
may be associated with a sample injector for an analytical
instrument such as a gas chromatograph or the like. Embodiments
include replacing a septum of a GC inlet system such as a septum or
septum nut on a capillary inlet system.
[0095] In such injection port applications, a subject sealing
device seals the entrance port of an injector block. A quantity of
a sample to be analyzed is introduced through the sealing device
using a fluids transfer element and into a flowing stream of gas by
injecting it from a fluid transfer member, e.g., a hypodermic
syringe or the like, in a manner analogous to that described above
for introducing a fluid transfer member through a channel of a
sealing device. As noted above, the sample is introduced by
introducing the fluid transfer member into the channel of the
sealing device, the sealing device sealing around the fluid
transfer member when present therein and sealing itself when the
fluid transfer member is withdrawn. That is, when the fluid
transfer member is present in the channel of the sealing device,
the walls of the channel are urged against the fluid transfer
member in a fluid-tight sealing relationship to provide for a
sealed configuration. Once the sample is introduced into the gas,
the gas carrying the injected sample then passes through the
chromatographic separation column and the effluent gas is passed to
a detector all in a manner well known in the art.
Kits
[0096] Finally, kits are also provided. The subject kits may
include one or more container sealing devices. Kits may also
include one or more containers sealable with the sealing devices.
The containers may be provided in the kit sealed with a sealing
device, e.g., may be provided having fluid sealed therein. In
instances in which a fluid is sealed in the container, the fluid
may be any suitable fluid as described above, e.g., a fluid for use
in a gas or liquid chromatography protocol. Kits may also include a
fluid transfer member, e.g., a syringe or the like.
[0097] The subject kits may also include written instructions for
using the sealing devices to seal a container and to introduce
and/or remove fluid from a sealed container without removing the
sealing device. Instructions of a kit may be printed on a
substrate, such as paper or plastic, etc. As such, the instructions
may be present in the kits as a package insert, in the labeling of
the container of the kit or components thereof (i.e., associated
with the packaging or sub-packaging) etc. In other embodiments, the
instructions are present as an electronic storage data file present
on a suitable computer readable storage medium, e.g., CD-ROM,
diskette, etc. In yet other embodiments, the actual instructions
are not present in the kit, but means for obtaining the
instructions from a remote source, e.g. via the Internet, are
provided. An example of this embodiment is a kit that includes a
web address where the instructions can be viewed and/or from which
the instructions can be downloaded. As with the instructions, this
means for obtaining the instructions is recorded on a suitable
substrate.
[0098] In many embodiments of the subject kits, the components of
the kit are packaged in a kit containment element to make a single,
easily handled unit, where the kit containment element, e.g., box
or analogous structure, may or may not be an airtight container,
e.g., to further preserve the one or more chemical arrays and
reagents, if present, until use.
[0099] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation,
material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to
the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such
modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims
appended hereto.
* * * * *