IP Library Granted Patent US 8,137,332
Granted Patent B2
US 8,137,332 · App. 12/087,908 · Granted Mar 20, 2012

Container for introducing at least one non-sterile vessel in a sterile region

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,137,332
App. No.
12/087,908
Granted
Mar 20, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a container ( 5 ) for receiving at least one non-sterile vessel ( 1, 1 ′), in particular a pierceable ampoule with a pierceable rubber stopper ( 3 ), containing a removable substance ( 2, 2 ′), and for introducing the at least one vessel ( 1, 1 ′) into a sterile region (I), said container comprising at least two interconnectable parts ( 6, 7 ) which, in their interconnected state, are designed to receive the at least one vessel ( 1, 1 ′), one container part ( 7 ) including at least one means ( 11, 11 ′) for removing the respective substance ( 2, 2 ′) from the at least one vessel ( 1, 1 ′). To create such a container ( 5 ) which can be produced at low costs and is easy to handle, said container parts ( 6, 7 ) are surrounded by a removable envelope ( 10 ) which consists of at least two parts ( 8, 9 ).

Claims (23)

1. A container ( 5 ) for receiving at least one non-sterile vessel ( 1 , 1 ′), in particular a pierceable ampoule with a pierceable rubber stopper ( 3 ), containing a removable substance ( 2 , 2 ′), and for introducing the at least one non-sterile vessel ( 1 , 1 ′) into a sterile region (I), said container ( 5 ) comprising at least two interconnectable parts ( 6 , 7 ) which, in their interconnected state, are designed to enclose the at least one non-sterile vessel ( 1 , 1 ′), one container part ( 7 ) including at least one means ( 11 , 11 ′) for removing the respective substance ( 2 , 2 ′) from the at least one non-sterile vessel ( 1 , 1 ′), wherein said container parts ( 6 , 7 ) are sterile and are surrounded by a removable envelope ( 10 ) which comprises at least two parts ( 8 , 9 ), wherein said sterile container parts ( 6 , 7 ) for enclosing the at least one non-sterile vessel ( 1 , 1 ′) can be opened and closed again by gripping only the at least two parts ( 8 , 9 ) of the envelope ( 10 ), said envelope being removable by pulling off the at least two parts ( 8 , 9 ) of the envelope ( 10 ) before the sterile container ( 5 ) enclosing the non-sterile vessel ( 1 , 1 ′) is introduced into the sterile region (I).

2. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the envelope ( 10 ) is at least partially formed of an elastic material, in particular of an elastic synthetic material.

3. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a projection ( 13 , 14 ) is provided on each envelope part ( 8 , 9 ).

4. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the envelope parts ( 8 , 9 ) comprise ring elements ( 18 , 19 ) which, in the closed state of the container ( 5 ), preferably contact each other.

5. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the envelope parts ( 8 , 9 ) comprise elements ( 20 , 21 ) for a releasable connection with the container parts ( 6 , 7 ), which are formed by complementarily shaped elements on the container parts ( 6 , 7 ) and on the envelope parts ( 8 , 9 ).

6. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 5 , wherein a means ( 22 ) for releasing the connecting elements ( 20 , 21 ), when the container ( 5 ) is completely closed, are provided, which are formed by complementarily shaped inclined end faces ( 23 , 24 ) on the envelope parts ( 6 , 7 ), or on ring elements ( 18 , 19 ) of the at least two parts ( 8 , 9 ) of the envelope ( 10 ), respectively, so that, when the container ( 5 ) is completely closed, the connecting elements ( 20 , 21 ) of the at least two parts ( 8 , 9 ) of the envelope ( 10 ) and of the container parts ( 6 , 7 ) are releasable from each other.

7. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein at least two, substantially equally sized container parts ( 6 , 7 ) are provided.

8. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the container parts ( 6 , 7 ) are interconnectable via plug-in connections.

9. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the container parts ( 6 , 7 ) are interconnectable via a thread.

10. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein snap noses or the like are provided to prevent an undesired separation of the interconnected container parts ( 6 , 7 ).

11. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the container parts ( 6 , 7 ) are cylindrically shaped.

12. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the container parts ( 6 , 7 ) and the envelope parts ( 8 , 9 ) are made of a synthetic material.

13. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 12 , wherein the container parts ( 6 , 7 ) and the envelope parts ( 8 , 9 ) are made of a transparent synthetic material.

14. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 12 , wherein the synthetic material is capable of being sterilized, in particular sterilized by gamma radiation.

15. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 12 , wherein the container parts ( 6 , 7 ) and the envelope parts ( 8 , 9 ) are made of polyolefins, in particular polypropylene or polyethylene.

16. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 12 , wherein the container parts ( 6 , 7 ) and the envelope parts ( 8 , 9 ) can be produced by an injection moulding process.

17. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one removing means ( 11 , 11 ′) is formed by at least one pierceable membrane.

18. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one removing means ( 11 , 11 ′) is formed by at least one needle ( 12 , 12 ′).

19. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one needle ( 12 , 12 ′) is made of a synthetic material.

20. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one needle ( 12 , 12 ′) is made of metal.

21. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one element is connected to at least one connecting member ( 16 , 16 ′).

22. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one connecting member ( 16 , 16 ′) is formed by at least one quick lock.

23. The container ( 5 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a sterile package ( 15 ) is provided.

Priority Claims (2)
AT A 74/2006 · Jan 18, 2006 · national
AT A 643/2006 · Apr 13, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090082752A1 · Mar 26, 2009