U.S. patent number 3,672,368 [Application Number 05/044,216] was granted by the patent office on 1972-06-27 for syringe.
Invention is credited to Lothar Schwarz.
United States Patent |
3,672,368 |
Schwarz |
June 27, 1972 |
SYRINGE
Abstract
A hypodermic syringe comprising, a body assembly, a space being
defined in said body, a preparation container receivable in said
space, a tube extending through said preparation container, a
hollow needle positioned within said tube, a seal on the end of
said tube through which said needle is extrudable, an auxiliary
plunger slidable within said body assembly and adapted to be moved
into said tube to extrude said needle and an actuating plunger
slidable within said body assembly and adapted to act on said
container to expel said preparation through said extruded
needle.
Inventors: |
Schwarz; Lothar (Karlsruhe,
DT) |
Family
ID: |
5736537 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/044,216 |
Filed: |
June 8, 1970 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 10, 1969 [DT] |
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P 19 29 317.5 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/196; 604/201;
604/227; 604/197; 604/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
5/28 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
5/28 (20060101); A61m 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/220,218N,218M,218P,218D,218PA |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mancene; Louis G.
Assistant Examiner: Weinhold; D. L.
Claims
I claim:
1. A hypodermic syringe comprising, in combination, a body
assembly, an elongated preparation container having a fixed sealed
end and a movable sealed end mounted on said body assembly, a tube
in communication with and extending through said preparation
container disposed substantially within the length thereof and
fixed with respect thereto, a hollow needle slidably positioned
with said tube sealingly extrusible through said fixed sealed end,
an auxiliary plunger slidably mounted upon said body assembly and
adapted to be received within said tube to extrude said needle
through said fixed sealed end, and an actuating plunger slidably
mounted upon said body assembly and adapted to engage said
container movable sealed end to expel the contents of said
preparation container through said extruded needle.
2. A hypodermic syringe as recited in claim 1, further comprising
locking means engaging said auxiliary plunger to lock said hollow
needle in the extruded position.
3. A hypodermic syringe as recited in claim 2, wherein a hollow
block is slidably mounted on said actuating plunger and one end of
said auxiliary plunger is secured to said block.
4. A hypodermic syringe as recited in claim 3, wherein a stop
member is mounted on said block and is adapted to be manually
actuated in the direction of release.
5. A hypodermic syringe as recited in claim 1, wherein said
preparation container is an interchangeable preparation cartridge,
and a hingeable seal is affixed to said body assembly to receive
said cartridge.
6. A hypodermic syringe comprising a body member, a preparation
container supported within said body member, a preparation
contained within said preparation container, a tube extending
through said preparation container, a hollow needle positioned
within said tube, a thin seal mounted across the front end of said
tube, a first sealing plug mounted in the rear end of said tube, an
opening in said needle near the rear end thereof, a hole in said
tube near the front end thereof, a second sealing plug mounted in
the rear end of said preparation container, a first longitudinal
bore extending through said second sealing plug, said tube
extending through said first longitudinal bore, a piston rod, a
handle attached to the rear end of said piston rod, an elongated
slot extending longitudinally along said piston rod, a piston
attached to the front end of said piston rod, said piston adapted
to slide into said preparation container into engagement with said
second sealing plug, a block mounted around said piston rod, a rib
extending through said block and in sliding engagement in said
elongated slot, a second longitudinal bore through said piston, an
auxiliary piston within said second longitudinal bore, the rear end
of said auxiliary piston being attached to said block, said
auxiliary piston being adapted to enter said tube and engage said
first sealing plug, locking means attached to said block, such that
when said block is slid forward said auxiliary piston moves forward
into said tube and engages said first sealing plug, such that when
said first sealing plug is moved forward and moves said needle
forwardly, said needle breaks the thin seal and moves to its
advanced position and is locked in this advanced position by said
locking means, said hole in said tube and said opening in said
needle being aligned in this advanced position said handle is then
depressed such that said piston rod moves forward, moving said
piston into engagement with said second sealing plug, said second
sealing plug thus forces the preparation through the aligned hole
in the tube and opening in the needle and the preparation is
ejected through said needle.
7. A preparation cartridge comprising a body member, a tube
extending through said body member, a hollow needle positioned
within said tube, and a first sealing plug mounted in the rear end
of said body member.
8. A preparation cartridge as recited in claim 7, further
comprising a second sealing plug mounted in the rear end of said
tube, a longitudinal bore extending through said first sealing
plug, said tube extending through said longitudinal bore.
9. A preparation cartridge as recited in claim 8, further
comprising a hole in said tube near the front end thereof and an
opening in said needle near the rear end thereof, such that a
connecting path is provided between the interior of the hollow
needle and the interior of the body member.
10. A preparation cartridge as recited in claim 9, further
comprising a thin seal mounted across the front end of said tube, a
front opening in the body member adjacent the front end of the
needle and a front seal sealing said front opening, said tube being
supported by said front seal.
11. A preparation cartridge as recited in claim 10, further
comprising laterally projecting claw-shaped extensions affixed to
said first sealing plug adapted to be retained in a folded position
by engagement with the body member.
Description
The present invention relates to syringes, more especially
hypodermic syringes for medicinal purposes, having associated
preparation containers, which may be formed as interchangeable
preparation cartridges.
In known hypodermic syringes it is difficult to manipulate the
hollow needle and yet keep it sterile. When syringes are to be
sterilized with the hollow needles fitted thereto, it is easy for
the needles to become bent and be damaged. Handling and storage of
such syringes is cumbersome. In many cases therefore it has become
the custom to use hypodermic needles once only. Such single purpose
hollow needles are packed sterile and supplied in a threaded holder
which may be screwed on to a thread provided on the syringe. The
connection with the preparation container of the syringe is
effected in a conventional manner in that the rear end of the
needle punctures an elastic front seal of the preparation
container. Usually, in connection with single purpose needles,
preparation containers in the form of interchangeable preparation
cartridges are used which after use are discarded together with the
needle. It is, however, necessary to remove the needle from its
wrapping, screw it on to the syringe and after use to unscrew it
again from the syringe. This is still relatively cumbersome and
there is still the danger that the sterility of the needle may be
lost as it is screwed to the syringe.
Syringes have also been known in which the complete syringe is
intended to be used only once. In these syringes, which are made of
a light plastics material, the needle is already firmly connected
to the front end of the charged preparation container and is
enclosed by a hood safeguarding the sterility, which hood is
removed shortly before use. The hood or another packing part may be
used as an actuating plunger and serve to push a plug sealing the
rear end of the preparation container forward to force the
preparation out of the needle. Such single purpose syringes,
however, have the disadvantage that, when they are stored, the
needle and its protecting hood occupies considerable space.
The object of the invention is to form a syringe and an associated
preparation container so that difficulties with regard to the
needle are overcome and such that the syringe can be changed for
use without endangering the sterility thereof.
To solve the problem posed, the syringe of the present invention
comprises an actuating plunger for pushing a plug forward in a
preparation container, an auxiliary plunger adapted to be forwardly
displaced parallel to but independently of the actuating plunger
for sliding out a hollow needle held ready in the preparation
container through the front seal of the preparation container, and
an optionally releasable arresting device to retain the hollow
needle in the advanced position.
In the syringe in accordance with the invention any handling of the
needle is avoided; instead in preparation of the syringe, the only
parts handled are those which need not be sterile. Moreover, the
advancing of the auxiliary plunger is a simple operation requiring
no manual dexterity.
In a further development of the invention an arresting device may
engage the hollow needle or a part connected therewith.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the arresting device
engages the hollow needle or a part connected therewith and locks
the auxiliary plunger in the advanced position. This feature, which
may also be used together with the initially described locating
device on the hollow needle, has the advantage that the preparation
container and the parts appertaining thereto can have greater
tolerances and can be of simpler structure.
A further advantageous feature of the invention is that the
arresting device is adapted to be engaged such that no special
handles are required to retain the needle in the advanced position.
The arresting device is preferably optionally releasable.
In a further development of the invention, the auxiliary plunger
may be slidably mounted in the actuating plunger and actuated
through a slot formed in the actuating plunger. Thus, the auxiliary
plunger, preferably at its rear end, is secured to a block mounted
on the actuating plunger. This construction is particularly simple
and easy to manipulate. In accordance with the invention the
arresting device may be provided with catch elements adapted to be
engaged with one another. These catch elements can be provided on
the block and on a component supported against the preparation
container. More especially, it is preferable for at least one stop
member, displaceable by hand in the direction of release, to be
mounted on the block and pre-tensioned in the stop direction. This
causes the arresting device to be automatically engaged after the
block has been completely advanced and the auxiliary plunger
mounted thereon. Thus, the advanced needle is retained in its
position of use.
A syringe in accordance with the invention in which the preparation
container is formed as an interchangeable preparation cartridge,
can in a further development of the invention be characterized by a
hingeable seal adapted to be locked in a closed position to receive
the preparation cartridge. The seal can have a hingeable half and
have profiling provided therein which engages the preparation
cartridge.
The syringe can be adapted to be filled by preparations by
profiling the front end of the actuating plunger, such that this
profiling engages with corresponding profiling on the plug in the
preparation cartridge, when this plug is advanced.
To solve the problem posed, the invention uses a further
preparation container, in the form of an interchangeable
preparation cartridge which is provided with a seal closing the
front end thereof. The cartridge being connected to a hollow needle
and having a plug sealing the rear end thereof, the plug being
displaceable therein. In accordance with the invention this
preparation cartridge for use in the syringe of the invention, is
characterized by the feature that, when the preparation cartridge
is not yet in use, the hollow needle is located in the interior of
the preparation cartridge so as to be forwardly displaced. This is
an important feature of the present invention as it means that a
separate packaging and separate space requirement for the needle
can be dispensed with and that the preparation of the syringe does
not necessitate in any way any handling of the sterile needle.
In a further development of the invention it is expedient for the
hollow needle to be guided in the interior of the preparation
cartridge, a stationary tube is provided which passes with a seal
through the plug, the latter being displaceable on the tube, and
the rear end of the hollow needle is mounted in a closure plug
tightly sealing the rear of the tube and mounted with a seal
slidably in the tube. This construction provides particularly
reliable guidance and sealing for the needle. It is thus expedient
to provide openings at the front end of the tube adjacent the front
seal and in the hollow needle near to the closure plug. These
openings connect the interior of the tube with the interior of the
preparation cartridge or the interior of the hollow needle with the
interior of the tube.
The tube is conveniently anchored in the front seal of the
preparation cartridge. It is expedient to laterally support the
tube in the radial direction in the wall of the preparation
cartridge.
To facilitate ejection of the needle, the front end of the hollow
needle is mounted in a recess of the closure, sealed by an easily
punctured thin wall.
In order, in a simple manner, to enable preparations to be induced
into the preparation container, the plug sealing the rear end of
the preparation cartridge is provided with claw-like projections
which, when the plug is advanced by engaging in the wall of the
preparation cartridge, are retained in an inwardly folded position.
In this manner the claw-like projections co-operate with the
correspondingly profiled actuating plunger of the syringe and lock.
The preparation cartridge is preferable provided with a locking
profile, which may comprise a groove extending in a peripheral
direction.
The invention will be described further, purely by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view substantially in natural size, of a
syringe in accordance with the invention having an interchangeable
preparation cartridge; the needle being shown in its advanced
operational position;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic sectional view of the front end of
the syringe shown in FIG. 1, the needle and the actuating plunger,
however, being shown in their retracted position;
FIG. 3 is also an enlarged schematic sectional view through the
front end of the syringe, the needle and the actuating plunger
being advanced to their momentary end positions;
FIG. 4 is a section taken on the line IV--IV of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the center portion of an
alternative embodiment of a syringe in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic fragmentary section of a modified embodiment,
in which the arresting device engages the hollow needle.
The syringe shown in FIG. 1, substantially in natural size,
operates in known manner. The preparation container is an
interchangeable preparation cartridge. For syringes having fixedly
mounted preparation containers, more especially single purpose
syringes, the following statements apply.
A cylinder 2 supports the preparation cartridge 6. Elongated
viewing openings 4 are provided so that the level of the
preparation in the cartridge 6 can be observed. In the position of
use shown, a hollow needle 8 connected to the front end of the
preparation cartridge 6 projects from a front opening provided in
the cylinder 2. At its rear open end the cylinder 2 by means of
pins 10 is pivotably mounted about a transverse axis in a
bifurcated part 12 of a seal 14. An actuating plunger 16 moves
within the seal 14. The thickened front end 18 of the plunger 16
can be inserted into the cartridge 6. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1, a longitudinal slot 20 extends through the actuating
plunger 16 throughout its whole length. The rear end of the
actuating plunger is anchored in a grip 22, and at this point the
slot 20 is filled with a key 24. The seal 14 is provided with a
handle 26.
FIG. 1 shows the position of use of the syringe, in which the
cylinder 2 is coaxial with the actuating plunger 16, and the
actuating plunger 16 is partially advanced (in FIG. 1 the forward
direction is to the right). It is shown that the front end 18 of
the actuating plunger has pushed forward a plug 28 which was
originally located in the rear end of the preparation cartridge 6,
so that a corresponding part of the preparation in the cartridge 6
has been emptied through the hollow needle 8. (In FIG. 1 the
backward direction is to the left). FIG. 1 also shows a tube 30
extending through the preparation cartridge 6. The actuating
plunger 16 has a longitudinal bore (not shown in FIG. 1), which
receives the tube 30 as the plunger 16 moves forward. As explained
in more detail hereinafter, the hollow needle is protected by the
tube 30 while the preparation cartridge 6 is out of use. An
auxiliary plunger, not shown in FIG. 1, mounted in the longitudinal
bore of the actuating plunger 16 is used to slide the hollow needle
8 out of the tube 30 and into the operational position shown in
FIG. 1. At its rear end the auxiliary plunger is anchored on a
block 32. The block 32 is slidingly mounted on the actuating
plunger 16 and is engaged therewith by means of a rib 34 which
passes from the block 32 and through the slot 20 of the plunger 16.
When the block 32 has been completely displaced into the right hand
end position shown in FIG. 1, it engages the seal 14 so that the
auxiliary plunger and hence also the hollow needle 8 are locked in
their position of use. The locking device contains interengaging
catch elements. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 two stop levers
36 are mounted in the block 32 and are rotatable about pins 38. The
front ends 40 of the levers 36 are hook-shaped, and these ends
engage a groove 42 formed in the seal 14.
The rear ends of the stop levers 36 project from the block 32 and
are resiliently supported against a gripping plate 44. Leaf springs
46 connected the plate 44 to the block 32 and serve to pre-tension
the stop levers 36 in the stop position shown in FIG. 1. In the
stop position, the block 32 is connected to the seal 14. It is
readily seen from FIG. 1 that the locking between block 32 and the
seal 14 is released when, during retraction of the block 32 with
the fingers, the stop levers 36 are urged against the grip plate
44.
When a new preparation cartridge 6 is to be inserted, the stop
levers 36 and the block 32 with the auxiliary plunger mounted
thereon (not shown in FIG. 1) and also the actuating plunger 16 are
slid completely to the rear (to the left in FIG. 1). After all the
parts protruding from the seal 14 into the cylinder 2 have been
withdrawn, the cylinder 2 can be pivoted about the pins 10 through
about 90.degree., so that the rear open end of the cylinder 2
becomes accessible for the removal or insertion of a preparation
cartridge 6. In FIG. 1 the definition 48, located on the other side
of the plane of the drawing of the bifurcated part 12 of the
closure 14, is indicated in broken lines. This definition 48 serves
as a stop for the cylinder 2, both in the ready for use position
shown and in the position swung about through 90.degree.. A
detailed description of the swiveling operation is dispensed with,
since it is used in the same manner in known syringes.
FIG. 2 shows on an enlarged scale a longitudinal section through
the cylinder 2 after a fresh preparation cartridge 6 has been
inserted and the cylinder 2 has been swiveled back into the
position of FIG. 1, with the cylinder 2 coaxial to seal 14 and the
actuating plunger 16. In the example shown the cylindrical side
wall 50 of the cartridge 6 merges at the front in an annular end
wall 52 which has a central opening 54 for the passage of the
needle 8. The end wall 52 in the operating position shown is
supported against the annular end wall 56 of the cylinder 2, in
which a central opening 58 is provided for the passage of the
needle 8. At its rear end the cartridge 6 is engaged by a sleeve 60
which is resiliently pre-stressed forwardly (to the right in FIG.
2) and urged forwards. The sleeve 60 has an inner projection 62
which may engage with a step 64 of the actuating plunger 16, so
that by drawing the actuating plunger 16 back the sleeve 60 can be
drawn to the rear against its pre-tension force until it no longer
enters the cylinder 2 and hence the cylinder 2 can be swiveled
about the pins 10. These details are also found in known
syringes.
The cartridge 6 is sealed at its front end by a seal 66 of
elastomeric material which is supported against the end wall 52,
and at its rear end by the plug 28 already mentioned. The tube 30,
also mentioned above, passes through the plug 28. The plug 28 is
displaceable with the seal along the tube 30. The front end of the
tube 30 has an opening 68 directly adjacent the front seal 66. In
the embodiment shown the tube 30 in the seal 66 continues in shanks
70 extending diagonally outwards. This causes the tube 30 to be
supported on the end wall 52, so that a stress occurring in the
longitudinal direction of the tube 30 is not absorbed by the seal
66, but by the end wall 52. This is expedient in that it gives more
freedom in the choice of material.
Before use of the cartridge 6, the hollow needle 8 is located in
the manner shown in FIG. 2 within the tube 30. At its rear end the
needle 8 is supported and sealed by a closure plug 72 and at its
front end by the seal 66. The seal 66 has a central recess 74 which
is closed at the end by a thin wall 76. At its rear end, near the
plug 28, the needle 8 has an opening 78. Directly before use of the
syringe the needle 8 is slid out of the cartridge 6 through the
thin wall 76. This is achieved by the auxiliary plunger 80 which is
slidingly mounted in the actuating plunger 16. The actuating
plunger 16 has an axial bore 82 in which a spacer 84 is slidingly
mounted. The auxiliary plunger 80 is located within a bore 86 of
the spacer 84. The spacer 84 cannot fall from the bore 82 as
projections 88 are provided at the front end of the actuating
plunger 16. The tube 30 has at its rear end a funnel-shaped inside
surface 90 which facilitated the insertion of the auxiliary plunger
80 into the tube 30. The spacer 84 may be moved forwardly together
with the plungers 16 and 80 (to the right in the Figs.), until it
makes contact with the rear end of the tube 30. In this end
position the spacer 84 does not prevent the progressive movement of
the plungers 16 and 80, since it is mounted so as to be axially
movable between these plungers.
When the auxiliary plunger 80 is forced forwardly (to the right in
the Figs.), it passes through the funnel-shaped inside surface 90
in the tube 30 and presses the closure plug 72, together with the
needle 8, to the right. With this the front end of the needle 8
punctures the thin wall 76. The resilient seal 66 encloses the
needle with a sealing effect.
FIG. 3 shows the position of the needle 8 at the end of the forward
feed path of the auxiliary plunger 80. The opening 78 at the rear
end of the needle then lies substantially opposite the opening 68
at the front end of the tube 30. In this position the auxiliary
plunger 80 is arrested by the engagement of the block 28 on the
seal 14 (see FIG. 1). After this the hollow and slotted actuating
plunger 16 may be advanced. Thus, the plunger 16 moves with radial
clearance over the tube 30 and urges the plug 28 forwards. This
causes the preparation to be forced out of the cartridge, flowing
through the openings 68 and 78. In FIG. 3 the possible end position
of the actuating plunger 16 is shown; the plug 28 is thus supported
against the seal 66, and the preparation cartridge 6 is practically
completely empty.
FIG. 4, by way of a schematic radial section, shows the block 32
with the actuating plunger 16 guided therein, in the axial bore 82
of which the auxiliary plunger 80 and the spacer 84 are mounted.
The auxiliary plunger 80 is fastened to rib 34 passing through the
block 32. Furthermore FIG. 4 also shows the stop levers, the
grooves 94 serving to receive them and the bearing pins 38.
FIG. 5 shows an alternatively possible embodiment in which the
cylinder 2 only encloses a part of the preparation cartridge 6, so
that the front end of the cartridge 6 is exposed. In this
embodiment a part of the cylinder 2 merges integrally in the seal
14. At its rear end (left in the Figs.), the cartridge 6 has an
external annular bead 96 which fits into a corresponding annular
groove 98 in the seal 14. This annular groove and the inside
surface of the cylinder 2 adjacent thereto are lined with an
elastomeric coating 100 and form a profiling engaging the
preparation cartridge 6 with a retaining effect.
The insertion of the cartridge 6 is made possible in the embodiment
of FIG. 5 as the cylinder 2 has a part 104 adapted to be folded
over. In the folded over position shown the part 104 can be
arrested. As example of a possible arresting device FIG. 5 shows an
arresting ring 106 which is adapted to be screwed axially onto a
thread 108. It is, of course, also possible to use other arresting
devices. The handle 26 appertaining to the seal 14 is herein
provided in the arresting ring 106. The arresting ring 106 is
secured to the left by a spring ring 110.
FIG. 5 shows a further, independently usable feature which makes it
possible to use the syringe not only for ejecting but also inducing
preparations. For this purpose the plug 28 sealing the rear end of
the cartridge 6 is provided with profiling in the form of
claw-shaped extensions 112, which normally extend diagonally
outward, as shown in the Figs. The seal 14 has a corresponding
annular recess 114 to receive the claw-like extensions 112. The
claw-shaped extensions 112 in the inoperative position (FIG. 5)
project outward to such an extent that the front end 18 of the
actuating plunger 16 can be slid forward unobstructed to the rear
end wall of the plug 28. Behind the front end portion 18 in the
actuating plunger 16 a profiling in the form of an annular groove
116 is provided, which is large enough to receive the claw-like
extensions 112. When the actuating plunger is slid forward (to the
right in the Figs), it presses the plug 28 forward. Thus, the
claw-shaped extensions 112 are pressed inward, so that they are
supported and locked in the annular grooves 116 of the plunger 16,
by the inclined inside surfaces 118 of the recesses 114 and by the
engagement of the cartridge 6 with the wall 50.
The claw-shaped extensions 112 remain in this locked position
whenever the plug 28 is located in the interior of the preparation
cartridge 6. When the actuating plunger 16 is withdrawn, the plug
28 is retracted and hence a new charge can be induced into the
preparation cartridge 6. As soon as the plug 28 has resumed the
position shown in FIG. 5, the claw-like extensions 112 on account
of their resilience again move out of the annular groove 116 and
hence out of the path of the actuating plunger 16.
In syringes having a fixed and not an interchangeable preparation
chamber there are simplifications in the design due to the omission
of the structural details necessary for insertion and removal of
the cartridges.
FIG. 6 shows schematically a possible embodiment of an arresting
device which engages the needle 8. The hollow needle 8 is movably
arranged in the tube 30 and at its rear end is secured by the
closure plug 72. The needle 8 has a stop groove in its rear end
section, the groove being defined by a steep shoulder 120 and by a
conical surface 122. The hollow space 124 of the needle 8,
indicated in broken lines, preferably ends in front of the stop
groove, as shown. At the front end section of the tube 30 a
resilient stop pawl 126 is secured by means of a ring 128. The
front end of the stop pawl projects diagonally through an opening
130 into the interior of the tube 30. During the forward feed of
the needle 8 the front end of the stop pawl 126 slides along the
needle 8 until finally engaging in the stop groove 120,122. After
this a withdrawal movement of the needle is no longer possible. The
conical surface 122 permits a certain tolerance in the path of the
needle or of the auxiliary plunger (not shown in FIG. 6). When the
needle is advanced a short distance beyond the engaging point, the
stop pawl 126 slides further along the conical surface and then the
needle can be moved back again until the stop pawl 126 engages with
the steep shoulder 120. Often, however, a simple, tolerance-free
engagement will also be satisfactory; in this case, for example, a
stop groove steeply defined in both directions can be used.
It is obvious that the arresting device shown in FIG. 6 or the like
may also be so constructed that it does not engage the needle
directly but a part connected thereto, for example, the closure
plug 72.
* * * * *