Device and method for docking a vial with a container
A device and method for docking a vial with a container is disclosed. A cap may be used to establish fluid communication between the vial and a container. The cap may be positioned within a first aperture in the device which is positioned below a second aperture which is sized to accept the vial. The second aperture may contain a taper so that the vial may automatically center above the piercing aperture of the cap. A notch may be placed adjacent to the first aperture so that the vial and cap may be removed horizontally from the device. A cavity may be positioned below the first aperture to accept at least a portion of a container which may be in fluid communication with the cap.
1. A device for docking a vial with a cap comprising:
a vertical support having front and top surfaces;
a horizontal base extending forwardly from the front surface of the vertical support;
a plate positioned above and substantially parallel to the base;
a first aperture in the plate sized to accept the cap;
a head support extending forwardly from the front surface of vertical support above the base and plate;
a lever arm hingedly fastened to the top surface of the vertical support;
a plunger adapted to slide within the head support and attached to the lever arm such that rotation of the lever arm causes the plunger to travel vertically; and
a second aperture in the plunger for accepting the vial.
2. The docking device of claim 1 further comprising:
a tapered profile in the second aperture.
3. The docking device of claim 2 wherein:
a centerline of the first aperture is substantially aligned with a centerline of the second aperture.
4. The docking device of claim 1 further comprising:
a collar attached to the plunger which limits the upward vertical movement of the plunger.
5. The docking device of claim 1 further comprising:
a notch in the plate.
6. The docking device of claim 5 wherein:
the notch is positioned opposite the vertical support.
7. The docking device of claim 1 further comprising:
a first base member extending between the base and the plate; and
a second base member extending between the base and the plate and positioned opposite the first base member.
8. The docking device of claim 7 further comprising:
a cavity defined by the space between the base, plate, vertical support, first base member, and second base member.
9. The docking device of claim 1 wherein:
the base, plate, and head support are substantially horizontal.
10. The docking device of claim 9 wherein:
the vertical support is substantially perpendicular to the base.
11. The docking device of claim 5 wherein:
the notch is sized to permit the cap to travel horizontally when removed from the device.
12. The docking device of claim 1 wherein:
the plate is adapted to provide an upward force on the cap while being docked with the vial.
13. A device for docking a vial with a cap having a ledge, piercing aperture, and an attachment means in fluid communication with a container, the device comprising:
a horizontal base having a back edge;
a vertical support having front and top surfaces;
a horizontal base extending forwardly from the front surface of the vertical support;
a plate positioned above the base and substantially parallel to the base;
a first aperture in the plate sized to accept the cap while allowing the ledge to rest atop the plate;
a head support extending horizontally from the front surface of the vertical support above the base and plate;
a lever arm hingedly fastened to the top surface the vertical support;
a plunger adapted to slide within the head support and attached to the lever arm such that rotation of the lever arm causes the plunger to travel vertically;
a tapered aperture in the plunger adapted to accept the vial; and
a notch within the plate and sized to permit the cap to travel horizontally away from the device after docking.
14. The docking device of claim 13 further comprising:
a first base member extending between the base and the plate; and
a second base member extending between the base and the plate and positioned opposite the first base member.
15. The docking device of claim 14 further comprising:
a cavity defined by the space between the base, plate, vertical support, first base member, and second base member.
16. The docking device of claim 15 wherein:
the cavity is sized to accept at least a portion of the container.
17. A method for docking a vial with a cap having a ledge and a piercing aperture, the method comprising the steps of:
presenting the device of claim 1 ;
positioning the cap within the first aperture such that the ledge rests atop the plate;
positioning the vial above the cap;
rotating the lever arm downward until the vial is captured between the second aperture and the cap;
rotating the lever arm downward until the piercing aperture has adequately pierced the vial;
rotating the lever arm upward until the vial is clear of the second aperture; and
removing the cap and vial from the device.
18. The docking method of claim 17 wherein:
the step of removing the cap and vial from the device is performed by sliding the cap and vial horizontally out of the device.