The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 21, 2000
Jack Y. Zhang, South El Monte, CA (US);
Mary Ziping Luo, South El Monte, CA (US);
Frank Z Xia, South El Monte, CA (US);
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA (US);
Abstract
A process of bulk filling containers which includes the steps of arranging a number of containers upside down in a tray ( ) that has a raised peripheral lip ( ). This tray full of containers is then placed in a vacuum chamber ( ) which is then evacuated to a predetermined level below atmospheric pressure. Liquid ( ) is then introduced into the tray through a reservoir ( ) and conduit ( ) which penetrates the wall of the vacuum chamber and the vacuum within the chamber is gradually released at a rate that draws the liquid into the containers. At this point in the process unwanted liquid is rinsed away and the tray is removed from the chamber and turned right side up. The final step is to seal the top of the containers with an appropriate cap, barrier, tip or connection. A second embodiment adds a step to the process by positioning the containers upside down in a rack ( ) and positioning the rack directly above the tray containing the liquid. The rack is then lowered until the container necks are immersed in the liquid. The level of liquid is maintained as above and the balance of the process is conducted the same as the preferred embodiment.