U.S. patent application number 11/854203 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for container top and a method of protecting a container top septum.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTEGRATED LINER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Invention is credited to JAMES CROUCH, MICHAEL FAULKNER, KEVIN FRAKE, PAUL M. PETROSINO.
Application Number | 20090065466 11/854203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40010637 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090065466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PETROSINO; PAUL M. ; et
al. |
March 12, 2009 |
CONTAINER TOP AND A METHOD OF PROTECTING A CONTAINER TOP SEPTUM
Abstract
A container top having an integral cover, for example, an
integral dust cover, is provided. The container top includes a cap
having a cylindrical skirt with a top, a bottom, a first outside
diameter at the top of the skirt, a second outside diameter at the
bottom of the skirt, and an inside surface adapted to engage a
container; and a ring mounted to the top of the cylindrical skirt,
the ring having an opening; and a cover removably mounted to the
cap and occluding the opening in the ring. The container top may
include a septum positioned in the opening, for example, a septum
that can be pierced with a syringe. The container cap may be used
in a wide range of industries, for example, the medical,
pharmaceutical, the general scientific community, or in any
industry where liquid or gaseous samples are handled.
Inventors: |
PETROSINO; PAUL M.;
(SCHOHARIE, NY) ; CROUCH; JAMES; (E. GREENBUSH,
NY) ; FRAKE; KEVIN; (BRISTOL, PA) ; FAULKNER;
MICHAEL; (GARDNER, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI PC
5 COLUMBIA CIRCLE
ALBANY
NY
12203
US
|
Assignee: |
INTEGRATED LINER TECHNOLOGIES,
INC
ALBANY
NY
|
Family ID: |
40010637 |
Appl. No.: |
11/854203 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/316 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/1406 20130101;
B65D 51/002 20130101; A61M 2207/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/316 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/00 20060101
B65D041/00 |
Claims
1. A container top comprising: a cap comprising: a cylindrical
skirt having a top, a bottom, a first outside diameter at the top
of the skirt, a second outside diameter at the bottom of the skirt,
and an inside surface adapted to engage a container; and a ring
mounted to the top of the cylindrical skirt, the ring having an
opening; and a cover removably mounted to the cap and occluding the
opening in the ring, the cover having substantially no structure
extending beyond the first outside diameter of the skirt.
2. The container top as recited in claim 1, wherein the container
top further comprises a septum positioned in the cap to occlude the
opening in the ring.
3. The container top as recited in claim 1, wherein the ring
comprises a first annular retaining structure and the cover
comprises a second annular retaining structure adapted to engage
the first annular retaining structure to retain the cover on the
cap.
4. The container top as recited in claim 3, wherein the first
annular retaining structure on the ring comprises an annular recess
and the second annular retaining structure on the cover comprises
an annular projection adapted to engage the annular recess.
5. The container top as recited in claim 4, wherein the ring
comprises an inside diameter and an outside diameter, and wherein
the annular recess on the ring is positioned on one of the insider
diameter and the outside diameter of the ring.
6. The container top as recited in claim 5, wherein the annular
recess is positioned on the outside diameter of the ring.
7. The container top as recited in claim 3, wherein the first
annular retaining structure on the ring comprises an annular
projection and the second annular retaining structure on the cover
comprises an annular recess adapted to engage the annular
projection on the ring.
8. The container top as recited in claim 7, wherein the ring
comprises an inside diameter and an outside diameter, and wherein
the annular projection on the ring is positioned on one of the
insider diameter and the outside diameter of the ring.
9. The container top as recited in claim 8, wherein the annular
projection is positioned on the outside diameter of the ring.
10. The container top as recited in claim 1, wherein the second
outside diameter of the skirt is greater than the first outside
diameter of the skirt.
11. The container top as recited in claim 1, wherein the first
annular retaining structure and the second annular retaining
structure comprise the only means of engagement between the cap and
the cover.
12. A method of protecting a cap septum comprising: providing a cap
comprising: a cylindrical skirt having top, a bottom, a first
outside diameter at the top of the skirt, and a second outside
diameter at the bottom of the skirt; and a ring mounted to the top
of the cylindrical skirt, the ring having an opening; inserting a
septum into the cap wherein the septum occludes the opening;
mounting the cap with the septum on a container wherein at least
some of the septum is exposed through the opening in the ring; and
mounting a removable cover on the cap to protect the septum while
providing no structure extending beyond the first outside diameter
of the skirt.
13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the cap further
comprises a first annular retaining structure and the cover
comprises a second annular retaining structure, and wherein
mounting the removable cover on the cap comprise engaging the first
annular retaining structure with the second annular retaining
structure.
14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the first annular
retaining structure on the cap comprises a annular recess and the
second annular retaining structure on the cover comprises an
annular projection, and wherein engaging the first annular
retaining structure with the second annular retaining structure
comprises engaging the annular recess and the annular
projection.
15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the first annular
retaining structure on the cap comprises an annular projection and
the second annular retaining structure on the cover comprises an
annular recess, and wherein engaging the first annular retaining
structure with the second annular retaining structure comprises
engaging the annular projection and annular recess.
16. A container top comprising: a cap having: a cylindrical skirt
having a top, a bottom, a first outside diameter at the top of the
skirt, a second outside diameter at the bottom of the skirt, and an
inside surface adapted to engage a container; and a ring mounted to
the top of the cylindrical skirt, the ring having an opening and a
first annular retaining structure; and a cover removably mounted to
the cap and occluding the opening in the ring, the cover having a
second annular retaining structure adapted to engage the first
annular retaining structure of the ring to retain the cover on the
cap.
17. The container top as recited in claim 16, wherein the container
top further comprises a septum positioned in the cap to occlude the
opening in the ring.
18. The container top as recited in claim 17, wherein the first
annular retaining structure comprises one of an annular recess and
an annular projection.
19. The container top as recited in claim 17, wherein the first
annular retaining structure on the ring comprises an annular recess
and the second annular retaining structure on the cover comprises
an annular projection.
20. The container top as recited in claim 16, wherein the cover
comprises substantially no structure extending beyond the first
outside diameter of the skirt.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a perforated cap having an
integral cover. More particularly, the present invention relates to
a perforated cap having a flexible septum and a removable
protective cover protecting the flexible septum during handling and
storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Container caps having apertures in their tops and flexible
sealing elements mounted across the apertures are common in the
medical, pharmaceutical, and general scientific community for
storing samples, sera, and other liquid or gaseous contents. The
flexible sealing element, or septum, typically provides a
fluid-tight seal between the apertured cap and the container, for
example, a vial, to which the cap is mounted while permitting
access to the inside of the container by piercing the septum with,
for example, a syringe, to introduce a fluid or withdraw a
fluid.
[0003] Due to the nature of the contents of these vials or
containers in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, among others,
it is typically imperative that such caps and septa be protected
from pollutants and contaminants during use, transfer, storage, and
other handling. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has established standards under 40 C.F.R. .sctn. 136 entitled
"Guidelines for Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of
Pollutants" and 40 C.F.R. .sctn. 141 entitled "National Interim
Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Control of Trihalomethanes in
Drinking Water," among others, which describe acceptable testing
procedures for the handling of samples during water analysis. These
EPA standards specify a vial/cap/septum construction as well as
detailed cleaning and sampling procedure that are designed to
ensure that the sample is not contaminated or lost prior to
analysis. These EPA regulations specify an open top cap and a
septum comprised of silicone rubber laminated with
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example, Dupont's Teflon PTFE,
where the face of the PTFE lamination is exposed to the sample in
the vial.
[0004] Among other things, these EPA procedures specify that the
exposed elastomeric septum in the cap be protected from
contamination during shipping, storage, and other handling.
According to conventional practice, the caps and septa are
typically protected by a removal cap or "dust cover," for example,
as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 below. These
removable, typically, plastic, caps are typically manually mounted
to the cap and septum while the cap and septum are mounted on the
vial prior to transport or storage. Subsequently, the caps are
removed to permit access to the cap and septum.
[0005] However, these removable dust covers and caps to which the
dust covers are mounted are typically provided by separate
suppliers and, prior to assembly by the end user, must each be
cleaned. In accordance with conventional practice, the end user
typically washes both the dust cover and the cap prior to assembly.
This washing and handling by the end user is not only labor
intensive, but also introduces the potential of introducing
undesirable contaminants, including moisture, between the dust
cover and the cap during the washing and handling process.
Therefore, there exists a need for a cap having an integrated dust
cover that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Aspects of
the present invention address this need while having other
advantages compared to the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Aspects of the present invention eliminate the need of a
separate dust cover and its consequent handling and washing. One
aspect of the invention is a container top comprising a cap with a
cylindrical skirt having a top, a bottom, a first outside diameter
at the top of the skirt, a second outside diameter at the bottom of
he skirt, and an inside surface adapted to engage a container; and
a ring mounted to the top of the cylindrical skirt, the ring having
an opening; and a cover removably mounted to the cap and occluding
the opening in the ring, the cover having substantially no
structure extending beyond the first outside diameter of the skirt.
In one aspect, the container top further includes a septum
positioned in the cap to occlude the opening in the ring. In
another aspect, the ring includes a first annular retaining
structure, such as, an annular recess or an annular projection, and
the cover includes a complementary second annular retaining
structure adapted to engage the first annular retaining structure
to retain the cover on the ca. In another aspect, the first annular
retaining structure and the second annular retaining structure
comprise the only means of engagement between the cap and the
cover.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention is a method of protecting a
cap septum including providing a cap comprising a cylindrical skirt
having top, a bottom, a first outside diameter at the top of the
skirt, and a second outside diameter at the bottom of the skirt;
and a ring mounted to the top of the cylindrical skirt, the ring
having an opening; inserting a septum into the cap wherein the
septum occludes the opening; mounting the cap with the septum on a
container wherein at least some of the septum is exposed through
the opening in the ring; and mounting a removable cover on the cap
to protect the septum while providing no structure extending beyond
the first outside diameter of the skirt. In one aspect, the cap
further comprises a first annular retaining structure and the cover
comprises a second annular retaining structure, and wherein
mounting the removable cover on the cap comprise engaging the first
annular retaining structure with the second annular retaining
structure.
[0008] A further aspect of the invention is a container top having
a cap including a cylindrical skirt having a top, a bottom, a first
outside diameter at the top of the skirt, a second outside diameter
at the bottom of the skirt, and an inside surface adapted to engage
a container; and a ring mounted to the top of the cylindrical
skirt, the ring having an opening and a first annular retaining
structure; and a cover removably mounted to the cap and occluding
the opening in the ring, the cover having a second annular
retaining structure adapted to engage the first annular retaining
structure of the ring to retain the cover on the cap. In one
aspect, the container top further comprises a septum positioned in
the cap to occlude the opening in the ring. In another aspect, the
first annular retaining structure comprises one of an annular
recess and an annular projection. In one aspect, the cover
comprises substantially no structure extending beyond the first
outside diameter of the skirt.
[0009] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of this
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the various aspects of the invention taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily
understood from the following detailed description of aspects of
the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical prior art cap
assembly with a dust cover mounted to a bottle.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the prior art cap
assembly with a dust cover mounted to a bottle shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is perspective view of an integral cap and dust cover
assembly according to one aspect of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the integral cap
and dust cover assembly shown in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the dust cover shown in
FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the cap shown in FIG.
4.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the assembled dust cover
and cap shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another cap and cover
according to another aspect of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cap and cover shown in
FIG. 8 with the cover opened.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the cap and cover shown
in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical prior art cap
assembly 10 having a dust cover 12 mounted to a bottle or vial 14
(only the top portion of which is shown). FIG. 2 is an exploded
perspective view of the prior art cap assembly 10 having dust cover
12 mounted to bottle 14 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, prior art cap
assembly 10 may typically include a cap 16 having a hole 18 in its
top and a septum 20 mounted in cap 16 to obstruct hole 18, for
example, mounted by means of the methods disclosed in
commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,647,939 and 6,234,335--the
disclosures of which is included by reference herein. Septum 20 may
typically be an inert elastomeric material as disclosed in the
above referenced patents, for example, a PTFE-laminated silicone
rubber, or its equivalent. As is known in the art, septum 20
provides a peircible medium through which, for example, a syringe
may be passed to access the contents of bottle 14 while minimizing
or preventing leakage of the contents through the hole created by
the syringe. According to prior art practice, dust cover 12 is
provided for cap assembly 10 to minimize or prevent the
contamination of cap 16 and septum 20 during handling, transport,
and storage. According to the prior art, dust cover 12 typically
comprises a molded plastic cover sized to fit snugly about cap 16
and protect hole 18 and septum 20 from contamination. Typically,
dust cover 12 is manually mounted to cap 16 and manually removed
from cap 16 by a technician, for example, by prying dust cover 12
from cap 16 by grasping annular lip 22 on dust cover 12.
[0022] However, the presence, handling, and manipulation of dust
cover 12 can be problematic. For example, dust cover 12 may be made
from a material that can contaminate cap assembly 10, specifically
contaminate septum 20. For example, when dust cover 12 is
fabricated from an inadequate thermoplastic, the dust cover 12 can
react or otherwise contaminate the material from which septum 20 is
made, for example, a silicone rubber. Also, the presence of dust
cover 12 upon arrival at a facility requires that dust cover 12 be
removed from cap assembly 10, discarded, or washed with cap
assembly 12 prior to use or re-use. For these and other
disadvantages of the prior art shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present
invention in its various aspects was conceived and developed.
[0023] FIG. 3 is perspective view of an integral cap and dust cover
assembly, or container top, 30 according to one aspect of the
invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the integral
cap and dust cover assembly 30 shown in FIG. 3. According to
aspects of the present invention, container top 30 includes a cap
32 and a cover, or dust cover, 33. In one aspect of the invention,
cap 32 may include a septum 35, for example, an elastomeric septum
similar to septum 20 discussed above. FIG. 5 is a cross sectional
view of cover 33 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view
of cap 32 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the
assembled cover 33 and cap 32 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 container top 30 may include an outside surface 31
that is typically textured or knurled to facilitate handling of top
30, for example, when threading or unthreading container top 30
from bottle 14. As also shown, container top 30 may include a
recess 37 in surface 31 to facilitate access to cap 32, for
example, for removing cap 32.
[0024] As shown most clearly in FIG. 6, cap 32 includes a
cylindrical skirt 34 having a top or first end 36 and a bottom or
second end 38, and a ring 40 mounted to the top 36. Ring 40
includes an opening 42 which exposes septum 35 (shown in phantom in
FIG. 6) mounted within cap 32, for example, by means of the methods
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,647,939 and 6,234,335. Septum 35 may
include markings to facilitate positioning a syringe for insertion
through septum 35, for example, one or more circles or "cross
hairs." The markings may be recessed into the surface of septum 35
or protrude above the surface of septum 35.
[0025] According to an aspect of the invention, skirt 34 includes a
first outside diameter 46 at the top 36 of skirt 34, a second
outside diameter 48 at the bottom 38 of skirt 34, a height 49, and
an inside surface 50 adapted to engage a container (not shown), for
example, a bottle similar to bottle 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The
inside diameter 50 may include one or more helical threads 51
adapted to engage a threaded bottleneck. In one aspect, first
outside diameter 46 may be substantially equal to second outside
diameter 48; however, first outside diameter 46 may be smaller than
second outsider diameter 48, for instance, to facilitate removal of
cap 32 from a mold when cap 32 is fabricated by molding. Outside
diameter 46 may also be greater than outside diameter 48.
[0026] As also shown in FIG. 6, cap 32 may include an annular
retaining structure 52, for example, a first annular retaining
structure, adapted to engage an annular retaining structure, for
example, a second annular retaining structure, in cover 33, for
example, annular retaining structure 58 discussed below. In one
aspect, the annular retaining structure 52 of cap 32 may be
associated with ring 40, for example, annular retaining structure
52 may be mounted on the inside diameter (for example, on the
insider diameter of hole 42) or on the outside diameter of ring 40.
In one aspect of the invention, annular retaining structure 52 may
comprise one or more annular recesses or one or more annular
protections, for example, one substantially continuous annular
recess or projection. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6, annular
retaining structure 52 may comprise an annular recess 53 adapted to
engage one or more annular projections on cover 33. Annular recess
53 may have one or more internal corners or be radiused as shown in
FIG. 5. In one aspect, the engagement of annular retaining
structure 52 with its complementary structure on cover 33 may be
substantially fluid tight, that is, be so structured to minimize or
prevent the passage of a fluid, for example, a liquid or a gas. In
another aspect of the invention, for example, where fluid isolation
is not paramount, the engagement between annular retaining
structure 52 and its complementary structure may not be fluid
tight. For example, in one aspect, annular retaining structure 52
may comprise a plurality of spaced recesses or projections, for
instance, a plurality of spaced recesses or projections adapted to
engage a plurality of complementary spaced recesses or projections
in cover 33.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, cover 33 is shown in larger scale to
illustrate details of the invention. Cover 33 includes a thin
membrane portion 54 and an annular or ring portion 56. According to
one aspect of the invention, annular portion 56 provides means for
mounting cover 33 to cap 32 and membrane portion 54 provides the
protective barrier for hole 40 (and septum 35) in cap 32. Cover 33
also includes an outside diameter 60.
[0028] In a fashion similar to annular retaining structure 52 of
cap 32, cover 33 includes an annular retaining structure 58, for
example, a second annular retaining structure, adapted to engage an
annular retaining structure, for example, a second annular
retaining structure, in cap 32, for example, annular retaining
structure 52 discussed above. In one aspect, the annular retaining
structure 58 of cover 33 may be associated with annular or ring
portion 56, for example, annular retaining structure 58 may be
mounted on the inside diameter or the outside diameter of annular
portion 58. In one aspect of the invention, annular retaining
structure 58 may comprise one or more annular recesses or one or
more annular projections, for example, one substantially continuous
annular recess or projection. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5,
annular retaining structure 58 may comprise an annular projection
59 adapted to engage one or more annular recesses 53 in cap 32. In
one aspect, as discussed above with respect to cap 32, the
engagement of annular retaining structure 58 with its complementary
structure on cap 32 may be substantially fluid tight or non-fluid
tight. In another aspect of the invention, annular retaining
structure 58 in cover 33 may comprise a plurality of spaced
recesses or projections, for instance, a plurality of spaced
recesses or projections adapted to engage a plurality of
complementary spaced recesses or projections in cap 32. In one
aspect, the first annular retaining structure 52 in cap 32 and
second annular retaining structure 58 in cover 33 may comprise the
only means of engagement between cap 32 and cover 33.
[0029] According to an aspect of the present invention, cover 33 is
removably mounted to cap 32 and occludes opening 42 in ring 40 of
cap 32. Moreover, cover 33 may include substantially no structure
extending beyond the first or upper outside diameter 46 of skirt
34. For example, cover 33 may be so mounted to cap 32 that the
outside diameter 60 of cover 33 is substantially no greater than
the first outside diameter 46 of skirt 34. By providing cover 33
within the dimensions of cap 32, several advantages are provided,
including limiting the modification of the molding tooling required
to fabricate cap 32 and ensuring compatibility with existing cap
and bottle handling equipment, for example, automated handling
equipment, among other advantages. It is to be understood that,
though in one aspect of the invention, outside diameter 60 of cover
30 may be substantially no greater than the first outside diameter
46 of skirt 34, practical considerations of manufacturing
tolerances, material flexibility, and other material deviations,
among other things, may create an outside diameter 60 somewhat
greater than first outside diameter 46. Since such minor deviations
may still effect one aspect of the desired invention, that is,
compatibility with existing tooling and handling equipment, it will
be understood by those of skill in the art that such deviations are
within the scope of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 8 is perspective view of container top 100 according to
another aspect of the invention. According to this aspect of the
present invention, container top 100 includes a cap 62 and a cover
63. In one aspect, cover 63 may engage cap 62 in a fashion similar
to the way cover 33 engages cap 32 above, that is, by means of
complementary annular retaining structures 52 and 58. However,
contrary to the aspect shown in FIGS. 3-7, container top 100 may
include a hinge assembly 61 (shown in phantom) adapted to retain
cover 63 when cover 63 is disengaged from cap 62. FIG. 9 is a
perspective view of the container top 100 shown in FIG. 8 with the
cover 63 in the opened position, for example, as retained by hinge
assembly 61. FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of container top 100
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In one aspect of the invention, cap 62 may
include a septum 65 (shown in phantom in FIG. 10), for example, an
elastomeric septum similar to septa 22 and 35 discussed above.
[0031] As shown most clearly in FIG. 10, cap 62 includes a
cylindrical skirt 64 having a top or first end 66 and a bottom or
second end 68, and a ring 70 mounted to the top 66. Ring 70
includes an opening or hole 72 which exposes septum 65 (again,
shown in phantom in FIG. 10) mounted within cap 62, for example, by
means of the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,647,939 and
6,234,335. According to an aspect of the invention, skirt 34
includes a first outside diameter 76 at the top 66 of skirt 64, a
second outside diameter 78 at the bottom 68 of skirt 64, a height
79, and an inside surface 80 adapted to engage a container (not
shown), for example, a bottle similar to bottle 14 shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. The inside diameter 80 may include one or more helical
threads 81 adapted to engage a threaded bottleneck. In one aspect,
first outside diameter 76 may be substantially equal to second
outside diameter 78; however, first outside diameter 76 may be
smaller than second outsider diameter 78, for instance, to
facilitate removal of cap 62 from a mold when cap 62 is fabricated
by molding. Outside diameter 76 may also be greater than outside
diameter 78.
[0032] As also shown in FIG. 10, cap 62 may include an annular
retaining structure 82, for example, a first annular retaining
structure, adapted to engage an annular retaining structure, for
example, a second annular retaining structure, in cover 63, for
example, annular retaining structure 88 on cover 63. In one aspect,
the annular retaining structure 82 of cap 62 may be associated with
ring 70, for example, annular retaining structure 82 may be mounted
on the inside diameter (for example, on the inside diameter of hole
72) or the outside diameter of ring 70, for example, a ring 71
mounted to or projecting from ring 70. In one aspect of the
invention, annular retaining structure 82 may comprise one or more
annular recesses or one or more annular protections, for example,
one substantially continuous annular recess or projection or one or
more discontinuous annular recesses or projections (as discussed
above with respect to container cover 10) mounted in or on ring 71.
Similarly, in one aspect of the invention, annular retaining
structure 88 on cover 63 may comprise one or more annular recesses
or one or more annular protections, for example, one substantially
continuous annular recess or projection or one or more
discontinuous annular recesses or projections (as discussed above
with respect to container cover 10) mounted in or on ring 86
(described below). In one aspect, the engagement of annular
retaining structure 82 with its complementary retaining structure
88 on cover 63 may be substantially fluid tight or non-fluid tight,
depending upon the medium container top 100 is used to retain and
the application of container top 100.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 10, cover 63 may include a thin membrane
portion 84 and an outer annular or ring portion 85 and an inner
annular ring portion 86. According to one aspect of the invention,
inner annular portion 86 may provide means for removably engaging
cover 63 to cap 62 and membrane portion 84 may provide a protective
barrier for hole 72 (and septum 65) in cap 62. Cover 63 outer
annular ring 85 also includes an outside diameter 90.
[0034] As also shown in FIG. 10, annular retaining structure 88 on
cover 63 is adapted to removably engage annular retaining structure
82 on cap 62. In the aspect shown in FIG. 10, though the retaining
structures may comprise one or more recesses or projections as
discussed above, annular retaining structures 82 on cap 62 and
annular retaining structure 88 on cover 63 may comprise a friction
fit between annular rings 71 and 86. For example, rings 71 and 86
may be sized whereby sufficient friction is provided between their
respective contacting surfaces to provide sufficient engagement to
minimize or prevent disengagement. In one aspect, the annular
retaining structure 82 in cap 64 and annular retaining structure 88
in cover 63 may comprise the only means of engagement between cap
62 and cover 63, for example, friction between rings 71 and 86 may
be the only means of engagement between cap 62 and cover 63.
[0035] Similar to the aspect of the invention illustrated in and
described with respect to FIGS. 3 to 7, according to an aspect of
the present invention, cover 63 is removably mounted to cap 62 and
occludes opening 72 in ring 70 of cap 62. Moreover, in one aspect,
cover 63 may include substantially no structure extending beyond
the first or upper outside diameter 76 of skirt 64. For example,
cover 63 may be so mounted to cap 62 that the outside diameter 90
of cover 63 is substantially no greater than the first outside
diameter 76 of skirt 64. By providing cover 63 within the
dimensions of cap 62, several advantages are provided, including
limiting the modification of the molding tooling required to
fabricate cap 62 and ensuring compatibility with existing cap and
bottle handling equipment, for example, automated handling
equipment, among other advantages.
[0036] As also shown in FIG. 10, container top 100 may include some
form of hinge assembly 61 (shown in phantom) adapted to retain
cover 63 on cap 62 when cover 63 is dislodged from engagement with
cap 63. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, in one aspect, hinge
assembly 61 may comprise a strap 102 having a first end 104 mounted
to cover 63 and a second end 106 mounted to cap 62. In this aspect
of the invention, hinge assembly 61 may retain cover 63 on cap 62
when cover 63 is removed from or disengaged from cap 62 to expose
opening 72 in cap 62. In one aspect, cover 63, cap 62, and strap
102 may be fabricated as one integral component, for example, by
molding. Strap 102 may have a length of between about 0.25 inches
and about 0.50 inches; a width of between about 0.10 inches and
about 0.25 inches; and a thickness of between about 0.005 inches
and about 0.050 inches.
[0037] Container covers 10 and 100 may be fabricated from any
conventional metallic or non-metallic material, but is typically
fabricated from plastic. For example, container covers 10 and 100
may be fabricated from one or more of the following plastics: a
polyamide (PA), for example, nylon; a polyamide-imide; a
polyethylene (PE); a polypropylene (PP); a polyester (PE); a
polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE); an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(ABS); a polycarbonate (PC); or a vinyl, such as, polyvinylchloride
(PVC), among other plastics.
[0038] The outside diameter 60 of cover 33, the outside diameters
46 and 48 of cap 32, the outside diameter 76 of cover 63, and the
outside diameter 90 of cap 62 may vary from about 0.25 inches to
about 12 inches, but are typically between about 0.5 inches and
about 3 inches, for example, about 1 inch. The thickness of
membrane portion 54 of cover 33 and the thickness of membrane
portion 84 of cover 63 may vary from about 0.01 inches to about 1.0
inch, but is typically between about 0.010 inches and about 0.020
inches, for example, about 0.015 inches. The height 49 of cap 32
and the height 79 of cap 62 may vary from about 0.25 inches to
about 6 inches, but is typically between about 0.40 inches and
about 0.75 inches, for example, about 0.60 inches.
[0039] According to aspects of the invention, container covers 10
and 100 provide improvements over the container covers according to
the prior art, in particular, when container covers 10 and 100
include flexible septa. Aspects of these inventions minimize or
eliminate the need to handle and wash separate dust covers while
imposing little or no impact upon the manufacture and handling of
such container covers. These and other advantages of aspects of the
invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
[0040] While several aspects of the present invention have been
described and depicted herein, alternative aspects may be effected
by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives.
Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all
such alternative aspects as fall within the true spirit and scope
of the invention.
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