US3892311A

US3892311A - Disposable syringe kit

Info

Publication number: US3892311A
Application number: US304115A
Authority: US
Inventors: Vincent R Sneider
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-01-31
Filing date: 1972-11-06
Publication date: 1975-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-01

Abstract

This invention relates to a disposable syringe kit in which a nozzle portion is detachably attached to an end closure member having a tubular portion and a cap portion. A flexible bag is packed in collapsed form and has an open or openable end that is sized for mounting on the tubular portion. In disassembled array in the kit, the syringe parts may be packaged in a decorative case, carton, plastic bag, or the like for shipping and/or dispensing, as by means of a vending machine. After assembly and use, the complete unit or merely the bag component may be disposed of, as desired.

Description

United States Patent Sneider July 1, 1975 [54] DlSPOSABLE SYRINGE KIT 2,524,02l 9/l950 Rigby et a1. 215/]! E 2,664,893 l/l954 Kem l 1 1 .1 128/232 [76] Inventor: Vincent R. Snelder, 3422 Hallcrest 3.474388 10/1969 g at 128,232 X Atlanta. 30319 1495.706 2/1970 Sokolic 206/l7.5 ux [22] Filed, Nov 6 1972 3,693,783 9/1972 Hart 206/175 21 A l. N .1304 115 1 pp 0 Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 153,885, June [6 I97 I abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. ABSTRACT 795.574, Jan. 3|. 1969. abandoned, said Ser. No. This invention relates to a disposable syringe kit in 795574 is acontinualion'ifl-pan Ofser- 704.101 which a nozzle portion is detachably attached to an abandonedend closure member having a tubular portion and a 52 us. Cl. 206/229; 128/232; 128/251; p P A flexible bag iS Packed in Collapsed form 20 3 4 and has an open or openable end that is sized for 51 C 3 5 79/00; 1 3/ A61, 7/02 mounting on the tubular portion. In disassembled [58] Field of Search 206/175, 69, 229, 364; array m the the Syringe parts y be Packaged in l28/232, 251; 2l5/I1 E a decorative case, carton. plastic bag, or the like for shipping and/or dispensing, as by means of a vending [56] References Cited machine. After assembly and use, the complete unit or UNITED STATES PATENTS merely the bag component may be disposed of, as desired. 2,3l3,5l2 3/1943 Brewer 206/6312 R I 2,508.48l 5/1950 Allen 2l5/ll E 9 Claims, ll Drawing Flgures DISPOSABLE SYRINGE KIT This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 153,885, filed June 16, 1971 (now abandoned); said copending application is a continuation of my application Ser. No. 795,574, filed Jan. 31, 1969 (now abandoned), and said Ser. No. 795,574 was a continuation-in-part of my original application, Ser. No. 704,105, filed Feb. 8, 1968 (now abandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The field of art to which this invention pertains is found generally in the class of Surgery and more particularly in the subclass of douches and even more particularly in the subclass of vaginal douches.

2. Description of the Prior Art Vaginal douche devices, and syringes in general, are well known in the art and commerce and are exemplified by many patents both United States and foreign. In particular, several patents represent attempts to provide a syringe which may be folded, rolled or disassembled to form a small assemblage for packaging and transport. Many of these syringes are intended for a one-time use, then for discarding of the apparatus. However, these various syringes have not proved commercially acceptable for many reasons, among which are: the syringe is too complicated to assemble and use; the syringe does not provide means for increasing or decreasing the pressure by manual control by the user; and the syringe does not lend itself to the use of modern materials for the best sanitary presentation for use by the user. It is contemplated that the apparatus of this invention may be readily sterilized and that when the package is opened for use that it may be readily filled, assembled and provide manipulative control by the user.

The particular prior art which relates to the present invention is best represented in US. Pat. No. 2,925,084 to Brewer of Feb. 16, 1960 and in US. Pat. No. 3,144,866 to Ellis of Aug. 18, 1964. In the device of Brewer there is no provision, except for gravity, of any regulation of the pressure of the fluid from the nozzle. In Ellis the preassembly of the filler plug to the bag and the locking of the nozzle to the plug is rather a complicated process The simple packaging arrangement and ease of assembly of the syringe of this invention as well as its simple inexpensive construction, represent a significant contribution to the art.

The disposable apparatus as exemplified in the drawing and in the description which follows includes a nozzle portion, either unitary or formed in sections, which is preferably formed by present molding techniques to provide an inexpensive and aesthetically acceptable and medically proved inserting member. This nozzle is shaped at its connecting end so as to be readily assembled in a fluid-tight manner to a forward end closure or cap member. This cap is formed so as to engage and retain a collar, which collar is disposed to slidably receive a flexible bag within which the fluid forming the bulk portion of the douche application is poured. In the specification and drawing there are shown a number of exemplifications of means for attaching the nozzle to the cap portion. Each of these methods is representative of the assembly ease contemplated for this apparatus.

The flexible bag is preferably a cylindrically shaped tubular member having an open and closed end. The open end is mounted on or slidable on a collar or sleeve having an expanded diameter portion. The cap and the collar are constructed and sized to retain the bag the rebetween. The engagement of the cap to the collar may be by a snap rim or by a thread or wedge fit.

It is an object of this invention to provide a disposable douche syringe in which the several members may be arrayed in a disassembled condition for packaging in a minimal space box or bag, said syringe disposed for ready assembly and use by the user.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a disposable douche syringe in which a nozzle is attached to an end closure or cap member. The syringe includes a flexible bag of generally tubular construction having one end closed and the other end sized to be slidable on the outer surface of a collar member, the bag and collar member being then an assembly mountable in the retaining rim of the cap member.

Intent of the Disclosure Although the following disclosure offered for public dissemination is detailed to insure adequacy and aid in the understanding of the invention, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how it may later be disguised by variations in form or additions of further improvements. The claims at the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose, as it is these that meet the requirements of pointing out the parts, improvements and combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

There has been chosen a specific embodiment of the disposable douche syringe and modifications of the nozzle and cap member as adapted for use therewith. This specific embodiment and the alternate embodiments thereof have been chosen for the purposes of illustration and description as shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, showing a disposable douche syringe of this invention in an assembled condition;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, partly in section, in which is shown one arrangement of assembly of the nozzle to a cap or end closing member of the syringe;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view, partly in section, in which is shown a screw thread method of attaching the nozzle to the cap or end closing member of the syringe;

FIG. 4 is yet another exploded side view, partly in section, in which is shown a tapered socket and end assembly of the nozzle to the cap or end closing;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a kit package of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an openably sealed bag contained in the kit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view in perspective showing separated subassemblies made from the kit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the region of engagement of the subassemblies of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another kit package;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a still further kit package; and

FIG. II is a fragmentary side view of a syringe assembled from the kit of FIG. 10, partly broken away and in section.

DESCRIPTION OF A FIRST EMBODIMENT In the following description and in the claims various details will be identified by specific names for convenience. The names, however, are intended to be generic in their application. Corresponding reference characters refer to like members throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The drawings accompanying, and forming part of, this specification disclose certain details of construction for the purpose of explanation of the broader as pects of the invention, but it should be understood that structural details may be modified in various respects without departure from the concept and principles of the invention and that the invention may be incorporated in other structural forms than shown. In particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a one-piece nozzle which is removably mountable into a cap or end closure member 12 which is disposed to engage and retain a flexible bag 14 in a fluid-tight condition as it, the bag, is gripped between the cap and a collar or sleeve member 16.

In particular, it is to be noted that the nozzle 10 is preferably molded of plastic such as polypropylene, polyethylene and the like. The nozzle is formed with a hollow portion which extends from an inner open end 22 to a discharge closed end 24. Positioned near end 24 and extending from the interior 20 to the outside of the nozzle are a plurality of ports 25. These ports provide means for directing and carrying the flow of fluid from the nozzle during the time of use. This nozzle is of conventional construction and configuration to conform to acceptable medical practice and use. As shown in the drawing, the nozzle is contemplated to be a generally full size representation ofa preferred configuration. It is to be noted that the nozzle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a shoulder portion 26 which is adapted to engage a gasket 28 of rubber and the like and having a sufficient resiliency to act as a fluid sealing means when this shouldered end of the nozzle is inserted into the cap 12. As particularly seen in FIG. 2, the entering end 22 of the nozzle includes a reduced portion 30 which extends from shoulder 26 to a slightly larger tapered collar portion 32.

Referring now in particular to the cap 12, it is to be noted that the center portion of the cap has a collar retaining sleeve portion 36. The bore of the sleeve portion is tapered to accept the end 32 of the nozzle. The rightward end of the bore is sized to pass the largest part of the collar 32 while the leftward end of the bore is sized to snugly engage reduced portion 30. This retaining sleeve has relieving slots 38 formed in the left portion thereof and an outward shoulder engaging portion 40 which is spaced and shaped so as to engage the inner end of the collar portion 32 when the nozzle is inserted in the cap 12. The outer portion of the cap 12 has a tubular extending portion or flange 41 terminating with an inwardly extending lip 42 which is disposed to engage an annular outward extending portion 44 formed in the collar member 16. The cap is preferably made of a plastic material which is sufficiently rigid to retain the tapered collar 32 and annular portion 44. The material is also sufficiently flexible to snap over the annular portion 44 or as spring finger members of the sleeve 36 are deflectable to pass the collar 32 and to then spring into retaining engagement with the inner shoulder of the tapered collar 32. Also, for ease of manipulation with respect to the member 16, the axial extent of the telescoped part of the flange 41 is in the order of one half, or less, of the axial extent of member 16.

The bag 14 is preferably made of a thin plastic film which may be polypropylene and the like and is preferably two or three thousandths of an inch in thickness. The bag is tubular in construction and sealed at the back end 46 and is sized so that its open end 48 is disposed to slide over the annular portion 44 of the collar 16.

Assembly And Use of The Disposable Douche Syringe of FIGS. 1 and 2 It is contemplated that the nozzle 10, cap 12, bag 14 and gasket 28 will be packaged in a carton or envelope so that these items may be shipped and stored as unassembled individual syringes. As an assemblable syringe these components, at the time of packaging, are sterilized so that after purchase the user may open the package and have a douche syringe hygienically ready for assembly and use. As contemplated, the bag 14 may be folded flat or may be accordion pleated for packaging and storage in a minimum of space. The bag may be rolled if desired, and in certain circumstances may be used as the package means for the other members comprising the syringe assembly. It is only necessary that at the time of assembly the bag be opened so that end 48 may be slid over the left portion of the collar 16 and forwardly over the annular ring portion 44. It is, of course, to be noted that the bag 14 may now be filled with the desired amount of water or a solution of water and a medicant or the like as determined by the preference of the user and/or the manufacturer of the device. After the filling of the bag 14 and with the end of the bag 14 forwardly of the annular portion 44 of the collar member 16, the collar and bag are brought to the lip 42 of cap 12 which is then snapped into the position of FIG. 1. As thus assembled, the bag 14 is retained in a fluid-tight condition, after which the noule 10 is then brought in way of the interior portion 36 of the cap and with the rubber gasket 28 in place adjacent the collar portion 26. The nozzle 10 is now pushed into the cap 12 until it assumes the position of HO. 1 whereat the lip portion 40 has engaged the rear shoulder of the tapered portion 32 to cam the nozzle 10 into a fluid-tight condition. Thus assembled and filled. the syringe is ready for use. The syringe is used in the customary manner and after the fluid in the bag 14 has been expelled by grasping and squeezing of the bag by the user or by an attendant, the syringe is discarded. If desired, the cap 12 is removed from the collar 16 and the nozzle 10 may be removed from the cap 12 so that the contents may be wrapped in the bag and discarded. On occasion, only the bag 14 is discarded. At a later time, a new bag 14 may be placed upon collar 16 and the syringe filled and reassembled for use.

In general, it should be noted that in FIG. 1, as for the other forms to be described, the bore diameter of sleeve or collar member 16 is sufficiently generous to readily admit the collapsed bag 14 and one or two fingers, so that finger pressure in the course of stuffing an almost depleted bag 14 into member 16 may force the dispensing of substantially all the liquid contents of bag 14; in practice a sleeve bore of 1.75 inches diameter and 2.0 inches length has been found to be highly satisfactory. Description of the Embodiment of FIG. 3

Referring next to FIG. 3, a nozzle 50, which is similar to nozzle 10, has its inner end threaded at 52 so as to engage a threaded portion 54 in an end cap 58 which is similar in construction to the cap 12. Cap 58 has an inner lip 42 which is sized to engage the collar member 16 in the manner of the syringe of FIGS. 1 and 2. The bag 14 and collar 16 are assembled as above described and are fastened to cap 58. The nozzle 50 has its threaded end 52 provided with the rubber gasket 28 mounted thereon and then is brought in way of the threaded opening 54, whereupon the nozzle is rotated to threadedly engage and seat in the opening 54. After assembly, the syringe is used in the manner of the syringe of FIG. 1 above.

Description of the Embodiment of FIG. 4

Referring to FIG. 4, it is to be noted that a nozzle 70, similar to nozzle 10, has a tapered end 72 formed to mate in a tapered socket 74 formed in a cap 76. A nozzle and cap assembly as thus formed is fluid-tight without a gasket 28 as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tapered end 72 is caused to enter the socket 74 and engages and seats in a frictional and sealing engagement to provide a fluid-tight retention of the nozzle 70. The cap 76 is assembled to bag 14 and collar member 16 in the manner above described, after which the syringe is used in the manner of FIG. 1 above.

It is to be noted that in certain assemblies it may be desirable that bag 14 be attached to collar member 16 prior to packaging for shipment. When such is the case, the bag may be attached as by heat-sealing or cement. It is also noted that the cap and nozzle may be molded as a single unit where desired.

Although the lip 42 is preferably sized and shaped so as to be snapped onto the annular portion 44, it is also contemplated that the lip and portion may be formed as compatible threads for assembly by rotating. It is further noted that the collar portion 36, threaded portion 54 and tapered socket 74 can be formed on the cap so as to extend outwardly of the face of the cap as the syringe is assembled for use.

Description of the Embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 8 FIG. 5 depicts a kit of the invention, packaged within a case comprising a body 80 and a cover 81, the latter being shown backwardly hinged, for the open condition of the case. Suitable locating lugs formed in the body cavity serve to position closure and sleeve members 82-83, in preassembled relation at one longitudinal end of the body. In substantial alignment therewith, a rolled-up bag package 85 is similarly retained and located, predominantly at the other end of the body. Finally, the nozzle fitting 50, shown with a threaded end 52 (as in FIG. 3), is positioned in a conveniently forward location.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the bag package 85 comprises one or a plurality of like openably sealed bags 14' (see FIG. 6), each with its predetermined measure of water-soluble contents (suggested by stippled shading 86) for example powdery or crystaline medicaments, appropriate as to strength, for the ultimate liquid-capacity of the assembled syringe; the contents 86 will be understood to be of relatively small volume, so as not to inhibit flattening of one or more bags 14', for rolled-up packaging in multiple, at 85. Bag 14' may be fabricated as a cut-off length L of flexible tubing, as of polyethylene, with one end permanently closed, as by a strong heat-sealed seam 87, and with the other end openably sealed, as by a less strongly heatsealed seam 88; preferably, the flexible tubing is so cut with respect to the seam alignments 87-88 that a substantially greater unsealed excess D remains beyond the openably sealed seam 88, as compared with the excess D beyond the permanently sealed seam 87, thus facilitating and inviting finger access to the separable panel ends 89-89 for opening the bag at that end. Additionally, it is preferred that a suitably marked indicium, such as a printed transverse bar 90 be applied to the sealed region of bag 14, adjacent the openable seam 88, thus enabling even more clear recognition of the openable end, and also enabling the user to know that the opened bag has been adequately applied to the sleeve member 83; the latter function will be better understood in the additional context of FIGS. 7 and 8.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the sleeve 83 is seen to be slightly enlarged at a forward land 92 having integral threads 93 for removable engagement to the threaded bore of the flange 94 of cap member 82. A seal washer or gasket 95 of yieldable plastic or elastomeric material may be retained in cap 82, over a radial span which when assembled to sleeve 83 will be in register with the adjacent axial end of sleeve 83. Preferably, the thread arrangement of member 82-83 is characterized by a multiple pitch, and the angular extent of each of the threads 92 is such as to preclude their angular overlap; thus, for the three-lead pitch shown, each thread 93 is at least no greater than in angular extent, and the three threads 93 are equally spaced (on interlaced helices), so that the cap 82 and sleeve 83 can be secured with substantially less than 120 of engaged relative rotation. Manipulation is further aided by peripheral ribs 96-97 on externally exposed parts of sleeve 83 and cap 82, and by proportioning these parts so that the axial extent of sleeve 83 is in the order of at least twice the axial extent of the telescoped part of the flange of cap 82, when assembled.

In use, bag 14' is first removed from the package 85, and the openable end identified. The openable end is passed through sleeve 83, with the panel ends 8989' beyond and adjacent the threaded land 92, whereupon ends 89-89 are pulled apart to open seam 88, and the mouth of the opened bag is folded back over land 92 and into substantial overlap with the ribbed exterior of sleeve 83, as shown. The correct extent of folding back can be recognized by observing the indicium 90 against the axially inner end of land 92, thus assuring that threaded engagement and gasket (95) sealed engagement of the cap and sleeve will be operative on bag material that has not been marred by the seam 88. Also, by substantially overlapping the ends 89-89 with the ribbed exterior of sleeve 83, a firm manual grasp can hold the bag end against the sleeve while loading with water, and while later manipulating the loaded bag and sleeve into threaded engagement with cap member 82. Description of the Embodiment of FIG. 9

FIG. 9 illustrates another compact manner in which a syringe of the invention can be packed, as in a tearable flexible envelope 98, particularly when the package is to be automatically dispensed, for example, by a coin-operated machine.

The length L, of the package 98 is hardly longer than the length of the nozzle 10, shown by dashed lines. The width W of the package is not substantially greater than the outer diameter of the cap 12, plus the maximum outer diameter of the nozzle 10. The thickness T is determined by the axial length of the collar or sleeve member 16. The bag [4 is simply folded flat, with or without the openably sealed feature of bag 14'; and if bag 14 is not furnished with water-soluble concentrate 86, then the size of package 98 is not appreciably affected by including a packet 99 of water-soluble medicant within the kit of package 98. The overall package 98 will be understood to be sized and proportioned to fit within a standard vending-machine rectangularprismatic dispensing-unit profile.

Description of the Embodiment of FIGS. l and 11 The collar or sleeve [00 illustrated in FIGS. and 11 is more elongate than those illustrated in the previous embodiments, and a clamping ring 101 may be provided to frictionally engage the slightly tapered outer surface of collar 100. In the illustration, the collar has its largest diameter in the vicinity of the cap 102 and its smallest outer diameter at the other end. Said other end is closed by plug 103, for example, made of polyethylene and retained by a friction-fit engagement; th plug is only used as a temporary closing member during shipping and storage and can be disposed of upon syringe assembly. Cap member 102 has a sealing cap 104 placed over the nozzle opening, and cap 104 can also be disposed of upon syringe assembly. Plug I03 and sealing cap 104 are provided to keep the other parts of the syringe stored within the collar 100, clean and unsoiled. A very compact package, easily stored and dispensed is obtained in this manner. The folded bag 14, with or without the sealed feature of bag 14', may be stored within collar 100. Also shown is a packet 105 of soluble powder and sectional nozzle members 106-106. Members 106-106 can be assembled in a known manner, e.g., by screw threads, by friction, or by snap action, as at the telescoped region designated 107 in FIG. 11. Collar 100 has an outwardly extending circumferential bead 108 to be held by snap action within a coacting bead formation in the lip or flange of cap 104.

The kit package of FIG. 10 can be assembled for use in the manner described for FIG. I or for FIGS. 7 and 8, Le, with the open end of the bag peripherally squeezed by and sealed between coacting secured parts of the sleeve and cap members. Alternatively, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 can be assembled for use as shown in FIG. 11. Plug 103 is removed and clamping ring 101 is then slid from the outer surface of collar or sleeve member 100. The mouth portion of the bag 14 is then placed around clamping ring 101, as illustrated in FIG. 11, or in the reversed sense, namely, first into the bore of the clamping ring and then with a portion remaining outside. The clamping ring is then slid over the outer surface until it has a sufficiently tight fit on the tapered outer surface of collar 100. The inner diameter of clamping ring 101 is of a size to assure to fluid-tight holding of the bag on the outer surface. The cap 102 is then removed to fill the bag. Alternatively, the bag could be filled through the central aperture provided for holding the nozzle portion 106.

General Remarks The material from which some of the embodiments are manufactured has not been specifically recited. The same material can be used throughout for the various embodiments. Generally speaking, nozzle, cap and collar parts are relatively stiff, and the bag is soft and pli able, and the polyethylenes and polypropylenes are satisfactory basic materials.

The disposable syringe is illustrated as having a nozzle for feminine hygiene. It is believed that this will be one of the main uses for the disposable syringe. The disposable syringe can, however, be used for other purposes as well, and the plurality of openings 25 can be replaced by a single aperture placed, for example, at the tip of the nozzle. The tip of the nozzle is illustrated as somewhat bulbous. The nozzle can, however, be tapered outwardly so that the tip has the smallest diameter.

The terms inner, outer", right, left", and the like as used in the above description pertain to the assembly of the disposable syringe as shown in the drawings and do not necessarily pertain to the position or attitude in which the disposable syringe may be used and assembled.

The conception of the disposable syringe and the modifications of the nozzle as shown and described above is not limited to the examples shown but departures therefrom may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims and protection is sought to the broadest extent the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a disposable syringe kit package containing a flexible and readily foldable bag having fluid-retaining properties and sized so as to be readily grasped and squeezed for the administration of the syringe, said bag being collapsed and compacted and having an open end of predetermined size, and removably attachable end-fitting means including a tubular sleeve sized to accept and removably retain said bag at said open end; said end-fitting means including a closure with a dispensing nozzle and a circumferential flange selectably securable in telescoped relation with only an end part of the tubular sleeve, said closure and sleeve having such a circumferentially continuous interfit when secured in sandwiched relation to the end of the bag that a liquid-sealed connection is established upon such assembly; said bag comprising a length of tubular plastic material closed only at one end, thereby defining said open end at the other end of said material, said length being of generally rectangular planiform when flattened in readiness for assembly to said endfitting means, said bag being openably sealed at said open end and with a predetermined sealed content of water-soluble material.

2. The article of claim I, in which said water-soluble material is a medicant of powdery particles.

3. The article of claim 1, in which the predetermined quantity of water-soluble material is such as to achieve a predetermined strength of such material in relation to the volume of water which can be added to till the bag upon its subassembly to said sleeve.

4. The article of claim I, in which said bag carries a marking indicium adjacent the openable seal and visible against the sleeve profile when the open end of the bag is drawn through the sleeve bore and folded back over the outer surface of the sleeve, whereby a person using the kit can observe the location of such indicium and thereby know that the secured fit is correctly located with respect to the open end of the bag.

5. The article of claim 1, in which said package is sized and proportioned to substantially fit within a rectangular-prismatic profile, whereby vending machine dispensing and/or sale is facilitated.

9 l 6. The article of claim 1, in which said package inend-fitting means is removably securable to said clo eludes said bag as one of a plurality of like expendable sure at an opening th fl bags m Bald package 9. The article of claim I, in which said package is 7. The article of claim 6 in which each said bag is openably sealed with the same predetermined quantity of water-soluble contents.

8. The article of claim 1, in which the nozzle of said largely defined by said sleeve and closure. substantially all other parts being contained therein.

Claims

1. As an article of manufacture, a disposable syringe kit package containing a flexible and readily foldable bag having fluid-retaining properties and sized so as to be readily grasped and squeezed for the administration of the syringe, said bag being collapsed and compacted and having an open end of predetermined size, and removably attachable end-fitting means including a tubular sleeve sized to accept and removably retain said bag at said open end; said end-fitting means including a closure with a dispensing nozzle and a circumferential flange selectably securable in telescoped relation with only an end part of the tubular sleeve, said closure and sleeve having such a circumferentially continuous interfit when secured in sandwiched relation to the end of the bag that a liquid-sealed connection is established upon such assembly; said bag comprising a length of tubular plastic material closed only at one end, thereby defining said open end at the other end of said material, said length being of generally rectangular planiform when flattened in readiness for assembly to said end-fitting means, said bag being openably sealed at said open end and with a predetermined sealed content oF water-soluble material.

2. The article of claim 1, in which said water-soluble material is a medicant of powdery particles.

3. The article of claim 1, in which the predetermined quantity of water-soluble material is such as to achieve a predetermined strength of such material in relation to the volume of water which can be added to fill the bag upon its subassembly to said sleeve.

4. The article of claim 1, in which said bag carries a marking indicium adjacent the openable seal and visible against the sleeve profile when the open end of the bag is drawn through the sleeve bore and folded back over the outer surface of the sleeve, whereby a person using the kit can observe the location of such indicium and thereby know that the secured fit is correctly located with respect to the open end of the bag.

5. The article of claim 1, in which said package is sized and proportioned to substantially fit within a rectangular-prismatic profile, whereby vending-machine dispensing and/or sale is facilitated.

6. The article of claim 1, in which said package includes said bag as one of a plurality of like expendable bags in said kit package.

7. The article of claim 6 in which each said bag is openably sealed with the same predetermined quantity of water-soluble contents.

8. The article of claim 1, in which the nozzle of said end-fitting means is removably securable to said closure at an opening thereof.

9. The article of claim 1, in which said package is largely defined by said sleeve and closure, substantially all other parts being contained therein.