Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Gary A Ward

David A Winchell

Jerry D Martin

Stephen J Pearson

A molded collapsible solution container which defines a body portion having an integral neck portion and a relatively stiff shoulder portion and sealed at the opposite end, with gusset portions defined in the body portion adjacent the shoulder portion at opposite sides thereof. The shoulder portion extends outwardly from the neck portion and also extends axially rearwardly away from the neck portion in tapered manner. Sections of the shoulder portion adjacent the gusset portions normally extend in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container, being connected to the remainder of the shoulder portion by an angular crease line and being flexible to permit axially forward bending of the sections about the crease line as the container collapses by draining. Also, the tail seal at the opposite end may define a convex, arcuate seal for improved strength.

Collapsible solution container

A molded collapsible solution container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof. The container defines a pair of opposed gusset portions adjacent the shoulder portion at opposite ends of the shoulder portion, with the shoulder portion defining opposed shoulder edges extending between the gusset portions. A pair of opposed lines of flexing weakness are defined in the collapsible solution container and exhibit an arcuate cross section which extends inwardly of the container. The opposed lines of flexing weakness are positioned on each side of the container in generally parallel relation to the opposed shoulder edges with the opposed lines of flexing weakness being longitudinally spaced from the shoulder edges by a distance which is proportioned to cause the opposed lines of flexing weakness to abut one another as the container collapses inwardly about the opposed shoulder edges. Accordingly, the abutting lines of flexing weakness inhibit further collapse of the container under the pressure of suction, to slow the rate of subsequent collapse.

Collapsible solution container having reduced collapse rate at the end

A unitary molded injection site comprising a central, needle-receiving portion and a skirt portion may be assembled onto a support tube by temporarily convoluting the skirt portion about the central portion to expose its inner surface; bringing the end of the support tube adjacent to the inner surface; and bringing the skirt portion back toward its original, unstressed configuration, to surround the end portion of the tube in telescoping relation. An advantage of this is that the injection site is positioned on the support tube in relatively unstressed condition. Furthermore, the skirt portion may define on its inner surface a plurality of sealing rings adapted to sealingly bear against the support tube.

Method of assembling an injection site to a support tube

Molded injection site

A molded collapsible solution container which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and shoulder portion at one end thereof. The container defines, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross section which tapers from the shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite to the one end. In accordance with this invention, the shoulder portion is rectilinear in shape, with the wall circumferences of transverse cross sections preferably progressively decreasing in length along the container from adjacent the shoulder portion toward the opposite end. Opposed triangular gusset portions are preferably present in which the side of the gusset portion which is parallel to the shoulder edge is positioned directly against the shoulder edge, and the shoulder edge defines the shape of an enlarged, generally cylindrical section for ease of flexing. Flat areas are defined in the container wall between the gussets.

Collapsible solution container having rectangular shoulder

A cap closure is provided for bonding to the neck of a container. The cap closure includes a base portion enclosed by a side wall, a peripheral rim extending outwardly from the side wall with the rim being adapted for bonding to the neck of the container, an administration port connected to the base portion, a medication addition port connected to the base portion, a resealable injection site connected to the medication addition port, and port protectors covering and hermetically sealing the administration and medication addition ports. In the illustrative embodiment, the base portion, side wall, peripheral rim, administration port and medication addition ports are molded as an integral, unitary member, and a method is provided for fusing a membrane to the medication addition port and for fusing port protectors with the base member.

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Round Lake, IL, United States of America

Gary A Ward