GB1591655A - Sealed containers - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SEALED CONTAINERS (71) I, HUBERT ANSLAC D'ARNAL of 350 North Genesee Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036, United States of America, a citizen of the United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement : This invention relates to an hermetically sealed container, and aims primarily at the medical use of such container.

A first type of container currently in use includes a stopper, a membrane covering the stopper, and a cap crimped around the neck.

The cap is precut so that a central portion may be removed uncovering a corresponding area of the membrane to which it gives access.

The part of the cap that is left isolates hermetically the interior of the container with respect to the surrounding environment through the tight compression of the membrane over the stopper and through both against the neck. The stopper has two holes bored vertically in it. One is intended for the passage of the fluids to be withdrawn from the container, and the other is for the entry of the air that must replace those fluids.

Depending on the formulation, the contents may be placed inside the container either in an industrial plant for mass production, within a health care facility by complately extemporaneously compounding custom formulas, or by partial compounding by adding materials to the contents placed inside the container at the plant.

In the medical utilization of such containers in an ordinary environment, it is of critical importance in order to avoid detrimental effects on a patient's health such as septicemias and ischemias to avoid administering to the patients contents that have been contaminated by undesirable biologically active or inactive particles. Ischemias are caused by particles clogging smaller blood vessels, are particularly critical in certain organs and have been suspected by some to have some relation to certain forms of At the industrial level, exacting procedures make it possible to end up with hermetically sealed containers free of any undesirable particle. This result is achieved thanks to sophisticated and expensive equipment handled by handpicked highly qualified professionals.

If a fluid is to be introduced into the container in a hospital setup, the operator pierces through the membrane with a hollow needle within a visual indicator or at the vertical of one of the holes mentioned, if existing in the stopper, and injects the fluid inside.

This procedure involves the risk of contaminating the interior with undesired particles because the needle passing from the surrounding environment into the container may carry inside particles existing outside. Furthermore, the needle may also cut part of the membrane, the stopper or both, or it may allow the air outside to be sucked in because of the internal vacuum. Any germs reaching the fluids may proliferate even in the presence of preservatives.

For the administration of the container's contents to the patient, the membrane is broached at one of the two holes for the extraction of the fluids and at the other hole to permit the surrounding air to replace the departing fluid (replacement air). Some devices require one piercing only because they carry two canals on one stem; one canal allowing the fluids out and the other allowing the replacement air in.

A second type of container has only a single and smaller stopper without any hole bored in it nor any membrane on top of it. It is tightly compressed and kept in place by one or two crimped caps that are precut so that their central portion may be removed uncovering an equivalent area of the stopper.

This stopper must again be pierced through its thickness for the extraction of its contents, either in a continuous manner (for slow perfusion), or repetitively in the course of time (vitamins, hormones, antibiotics), and to let in the replacement air. The larger containers usually are deprived of any internal gas when they leave the plant so that compounding is facilitated extemporaneously. How ever, air must be aspirated at the end of the compounding phase to eliminate the pressure differential before dispensing.

The containers of the second type are plagued by the same risks of contamination.

With these two types of containers now in general use, any tampering with the original seals that is not very carefully monitored by a professional may cause at least a deformation of the elastic membranes letting in the surrounding air that may carry contaminants and suppress the pressure differential so helpful to compounding. As a matter of fact, this vacuum is necessary because it permits the insertion of additives without having to withdraw an equal volume of gas from inside.

Furthermore, the presence of a vacuum at compounding or dispensing time after a long storage period is a very important safety check of air seepage and contamination.

To remedy these difficulties of extemporaneous utilization, one proposed measure is to include a rudimentary filter on the air inlet within the two-canal device mentioned earlier.

However, this filter, which is close to the end to be inserted in the stopper, is regularly contaminated by the operator. It is common practice at the end of compounding to microfilter the full contents (post compounding microfiltration), particularly warranted in the case of large volume of fluids for parenteral fluid therapy, or total parenteral nutrition, from which preservatives are barred.

In-line microfiltration is a common practice during dispensing of the fluids to the patient. These important microfiltrations are slow, tedious and leak-prone, and they necessitate highly paid professionals using very expensive equipment.

According to the present invention there is provided an hermetically sealed container comprising a body enclosing a compartment, closure means attached to the body to define a closed operative space, a tube communicating said space with the compartment and sealed by a stopper at its outer end which is located within said space, valve means for selectively opening and closing the tube, the closure means including a sealing member sealing said operative space hermetically from the outside, the sealing member being removable or rupturable to gain access to the stopper, a passage having an inner end communicating with the compartment for supplying fluid thereto, and a sealing element closing the outer end of the passage and being removable or penetrable for delivery of fluid into the passage.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a filter is positioned to filter fluid supplied to the compartment via the passage before it can be discharged from the compartment through the tube. The filter can be conveniently located in the passage.

Such a container can obviate the need for recreating very special environments at the time of utilization. The plant quality cannot be achieved without huge investments in equipment and professionals permanently on the alert.

A better understanding of the invention will be had from the following description which is given only by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical section showing one embodiment of the container according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section showing another embodiment of the container according to the invention; Fig. 3 is an exploded view of one portion of the container shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical section showing a portion of the container according to another embodiment of the invention; Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views of the container of Fig. 4 showing what the operator sees during two phases of its utilization extemporaneously; Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of the container shown in Fig. 4;; Fig. 8 is a vertical section showing a portion of a container arranged according to another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 9 shows a vertical section of another variation of a container according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments: The container made according to the invention is intended so that it may hold liquid in its interior shielded from any undesired contaminant, allows the introduction extemporaneously of that liquid or of additives, and allows withdrawal of the contents while avoiding at all times contact with contaminants. Such container may serve in particular for the treatment of patients to whom the contents are dispensed in the form of a slow perfusion, but it may also serve for repeated small withdrawals made at sensible time intervals.

Figs. 1 and 3 show one embodiment of the container according to the invention. The container has an envelope or body 1 made of glass, plastic, metal or otherwise. The internal space defined by envelope 1 is divided into two compartments 2 and 3 which are separated one from the other by a filtering wall 4, which can be shown as 4 (or 41) and arranged so that it allows the passage from compartment 2 into compartment 3 of fluids with or without particles having a diameter below a predetermined size. Particles used in the case of perfusions could be about 0 22 to 1 micron. Filter 4 could be made of a rigid porous material supporting lining 6 of filter material in compartment 2. Compartment 2 may communicate with the surrounding environment by a passageway 7, defined by a neck or opening 8 of the container.A sealing element such as a stopper 9, or an elastic membrane, seals the passageway 7 and is held in place by a cap 10 crimped around lip 11 on the external side of neck 8.

Compartment 3 may also communicate with the surrounding environment by a passageway 12, defined by a second neck or opening 13 of the container. As shown particularly in Fig. 3, neck 13 comprises an internal annular ledge 13A, and at its upper end it comprises an external annular ledge 13B, between which is defined an operative space 22. This neck is tightly sealed by the set of obturating means 14 which comprises an inner dual element 15 (15A and 15B), an outer element of obturation 16, a hollow tube (canal) 17 and a slotted ring 39. (Fig. 3) Element 15B is located inwardly of element 15A, and is a cylindro-conical disc made from compressible impervious material. Its cylindrical surface seats exactly on ledge 13A, and its conical portion 19 seats exactly on the corresponding surface 18.These corresponding dual cylindro-conical surfaces exist both on neck 13 and disc 15B so that the disc may hold in its place through friction and compression to seal the neck. The upper face of disc 15B has a central depression 50 that is intended to support annular expansion collar 51 of tube 17 for supporting the tube. Disc 15B has a central hole 38 at the center of cavity 50 for the passage of the lower portion of tube 17 shown below lip 51. Tube 17 could be modified for the specific uses of the container. It could extend to the bottom of the container and need not be tapered at its bottom as shown.

Thin flat disc or membrane 15A is made from a compressible and impervious material.

It covers the upper face of disc 15B, and tube 17 is inserted into hole 23 by deforming disc 15A around the body of tube 17 above lip 51.

Thus tube 17 is solidly and hermetically lodged and held between the dual elements 15 A & B. (Fig. 3) Tube 17 which is preferably of plastic includes a valve 52 which may also be referred to as a tap or a faucet, and is operable by a handle or otherwise to open or close the tube.

Tube 17 has an outward widening mouth 24 (conical) that can be hermetically sealed by an appropriately shaped stopper 25. Tube 17, therefore, communicates between the interior of compartment 3 and the operational space 22 above disc 15A.

The set constituted by both discs 15A and 15B and tube 17 is held against neck 13 by slotted ring 39. (Figs. 3 and 6) Ring 39 is vertically compressed and elastically deforms laterally within. space 22 fitting exactly above membrane 15A and below the internal overhang of ledge 133.

Ring 39 has two protrusions 40 and 41 (Fig. 6) having a holding means such as holes 42 on each extremity. To insert ring 39 the operator clamps holes 42 with an implement and presses protrusions 40 and 41 together to reduce the overall diameter of ring 39.

After insertion, the protrusions can be released and the resiliency of ring 39 is urged against the wall of neck 13 below the lower face of ledge 13B. Ring 39 is pushing strongly downward against membrane 15A which pushes downward against disc 15B compressing both against inferior ledge 13A, thus constituting an internal seal of neck 13 isolating the interior of compartment 3 from that of operational space 22.

The sealing member 16 has the form of a thick stopper and has no holes. It seats on the upper face of ledge 13B and extends partially inside the central opening formed by ledge 13B. It is held tightly in place by a cap 20 (Figs. 1 and 6) crimped around lip 21 of neck 13. This cap may be completely removed by tearing along precut lines starting with a flap 20A. When in place with cap 20 crimped on, stopper 16 hermetically seals the external mouth of neck 13 and thus isolates space 22, tube 17 and tube upper end 24 from the surrounding environment. If stopper 16 is removed, controlled access to these elements is possible.

The preparation and utilization of containers shown in Figs. 1 and 3 are done as follows. The original mounting is done at the plant and contents may or may not be placed inside. Partial or complete filling may be done either at the plant or in a health care facility, extemporaneously in the latter case.

Because of the controlled environment at a plant, necks 8 and 13 may be left entirely open and the contents placed directly through neck 13. Stoppers 25 and 16 may be removed allowing access to compartment 3 through the canal of tube 17 with valve 52 being in the open position for filling. After filling and before sterilizing, the air inside must be removed. Neck 8 is hermetically sealed by tightly placing crimping cap 10 over lip 11 to secure membrane 9. Membranes 15A and 15B and tube 17 are placed in neck 13, and the slotted ring 39 holds the three of them in position to hermetically seal neck 13. Valve 52 is opened and both stoppers 25 and 16 are removed. Thus compartment 3 communicates with the surrounding environment by the canal of tube 17. Stopper 25 rests lightly in seat 24 on the upper end of tube 17, and stopper 16 lies on ledge 13B.The container is placed inside an autoclave, and the vacuum is increased. The air inside the container very slightly lifts both stoppers to escape from compartment 3 and space 22 until the desired vacuum is achieved and no air remains. Then both stoppers fall back into place, and sterile steam under pressure is admitted around the container. Under the maximum pressure differential both stoppers are forced in place sealing the container. Stopper 16 could be provided with means to close valve 52 when stopper 16 is forced into place. If not, stopper 16 would be removed so that valve 52 could be locked manually. Then vacuum processing would be repeated followed by sterilization and crimping.

For extemporaneous compounding within a health care facility, the precut central flap 10a of cap 10 on neck 8 is removed exposing the appropriate portion of stopper 9 where piercing should be done. This is done with a classical hypodermic hollow needle mounted on a syringe or tubing connected to the fluid to be injected. Enough air is injected to eliminate any remaining vacuum to avoid aspiration. It is possible in this manner to adjust the formulation of a container prepared in a plant to the specific needs of the patient. It is equally possible to start from an empty container prepared in the plant, and compound the entire formula extemporaneously within a health care facility.

Neck 13 is used to withdraw iquids to be administered. Precut flap 20A is removed so that cap 20 can also be removed. Stopper 16 is removed giving access to operative space 22 exposing the upper end 24 of tube 17 with its stopper 25 and valve 52 locked tightly so that compartment 5 is hermetically isolated.

Stopper 25 is removed and replaced with a correspondingly shaped male tip which is connected to a hypodermic needle through plastic tubing. The air that must be admitted simultaneously with the outflowing of fluids is filter ed and admitted through neck 8 through a needle inserted in stopper 9.

It is clear from the preceding that passageway 7 of neck 8 serves only for the introduction of liquids, solids dissolved in liquids, and air into compartment 2, and that passageway 12 serves only for the extraction of the contents of compartment 3. Compartment 3 throughout all manipulations is shielded from any contamination. As a matter of fact filter 4 retains any undesired particle that may have gotten into compartment 2 during the various piercings or that may be carried along by the air sucked in. Nothing enters through tube 17, not even air, because there is no vacuum.

With such a container, one is assured that the patient is administered a liquid free of any harmful particle. Further advantages are that it reduces manipulations to simple operations that can be harmlessly performed by an expanded body of health personnel; it puts high volume fluid therapy within reach of the most modest health facility with excellent safety margin; one can do away with the two external microfiltrations described earlier; it prolongs very substantially the period of effective utilization of a drug whose container's seal has been broken for the purpose of making small infrequent withdrawals because of the effective isolation of the contents inside compartment 3 from contaminants; and it permits a longer preservation because of multistage obturating means that prevent air seepage much better.

Fig. 1 shows in phantom one variation in which the filter becomes miniaturized into a filter cartridge 41 that is attached to neck 8.

This allows compartment 2 to become a tiny fraction of the size of compartment 3.

(Fig. 2) With reference to Fig. 2 and Figs. 4 to 9, various other types of embodiments of the container are shown in accordance with the invention. Identical or analogous features may have identical reference numerals or they may have the same numeral added to 100 or 200.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, necks 8 and 13 of envelope 1 are aligned on the opposing ends of the container. Filter 41 which separates compartments 2 and 3 is of the cartridge type. It attaches to neck 8 by its conical mouth 28 which is lodged in a corresponding conical surface 27 of neck 8. The latter is sealed by membrane 9 over which cap 10 is crimped around lip 11. A removable sleeve or drum 29 may cover the end on the side of neck 13 to protect it during the compounding phase. The cover thus achieved is held by friction against extension 30. The envelope has a conventional indentation 31 near neck 8 for a holding strap (not shown) that permits hanging the container upside down for gravity flow to the patient.

The manufacture and the extemporaneous utilization of the container shown in Fig. 2 are similar to those described for containers shown in Figs. 1 and 3 except that the container must be rotated 1800 for use.

Both necks of the container may be formed on a lid that fits over a body. The lid of this drum-like container hermetically seals the drum and is secured by various means like screws.

The container shown in Figs. 4 and 7 differs from those above in that it has only a single neck 8(13) which makes it very similar to the containers currently in use. Some features that in Figs. 1 through 3 were associated respectively to necks 8 and 13 are common in Figs. 4 and 7. Therefore, such features wi!l be referred to by both numerical notations they had in Figs. 1--3, e.g. neck S(13).

Neck 8(13) has a conical surface 18 corresponding to surface 19 of the conicocylindrical disc 15B1. Cartridge filter 9 is fitted through passage 37 bored through disc 15Bl where it may be affixed for example by its widening out mouth 28. Disc 15B1 also has a second hole 38 for the passage of the communication tube 17 whose circular lip 51 fits into cavity 501 in the upper face of disc 15B1. Note the increased size of lip 511 from lip 51 of Figs. l-3. Membrane 15A1, a hermetical seal to cartridge filter 4, is above disc 15B1 and covers open mouth 28. Membrane 15A1 has a visual indicator 45 in relief on its upper face to locate the piercing locus.

Membrane 15A1 is mounted within neck 8(13) with or without play and has- a hole 23 so that it may elastically be slipped around the body of tube 17. Lip 511 also includes aperture 35 for supporting filter Q. As in previous embodiments, tube 17 ends just above membrane 15A1 and has the same mouth 24 widening out and sealed by stopper 25 and valve 52. Cartridge 4t is maintained tightly between membranes 15At and 15B1.

Slotted ring 39 pushing upwards against the lower face of ledge 13B pushes membrane ISA1 downward against membrane 15B1 and against ledge 1 3A sealing neck 8(13).

The upper end of neck 8(13) is hermetically sealed by a stopper 9(16) held tightly in place by two mating caps 10 and 20 both crimped around lip 11(21). On its upper face stopper 9(16) has a visual indicator 44 in relief for proper piercing. Within the boundaries of indicator 44, stopper 9(16) presents a cavity 44A on its opposite face to make stopper 9(16) thinner Stopper 9(16) has another cavity 53 located above the upper end oftube 17. The top of cavity 53 presses stopper 25 and closes valve 52. when stopper 9(16)- is tightly in place.

Fig. 5 is the operator's view of a factory sealed container shown in Fig. 4 when central flap 10a of cap 10 has been peeled away. Cap 10 remains as an annular ring with a central window open and shows a portion of stopper 9(16) with its visual indicator 44 for proper injection.. For the introduction of additives including air, a hollow needle connected to a syringe or appropriately to another container is inserted within indicator 44. Both stopper 9(16) and membrane 15A1 are pierced simultaneously, and the needle is directed into filtering cartridge 4 by indicator 44.

Fig. 6 is the operator's view of the container shown in Fig. 4 during the dispensing phase after the rest of cap 10, all cap 20 and stopper 9(16) are removed giving access to operative space 22. Membrane 1ski, slotted ring 39 and the upper end of tube 17 with its stopper 25 and its valve 52, both placed in sealed position are visible. Stopper 25 may be safely removed and replaced by an equivalently shaped male tip for the extraction of the contents inside compartment 3 in the manner previously described. The tip may be connected to a hypodermic needle through plastic dispensing tubing. The needle is inserted into a patient's vein and valve 52 is opened allowing gravity flow of the fluids.A needle is inserted through membrane 15Al at indicator 45- to allow replacement air to enter through filter 41 Both caps 10 and 20 may have a precut removable central flap, but in the preferred embodiment internal cap 2(5 has an open window therethrough.

With such a container as shown in Figs. 4 to 7, one is again assured that compartment 3 remains strictly shielded from any undesired particle throughout all extemporaneous manipulations. Any debris created by the needle during the piercing of stopper 9(16) (compounding phase) could be retained by membrane 15A1, and any debris carved during the piercing of membrane 15At (com- pounding and/or dispensing phase) and entering compartment 2 will be retained by filter device 41 Any particles of the surrounding environment that may penetrate with à needle or with aspirated air will also remain in the filter.Finally no material enters com-partment 3 by the channel of tube 17, because of the different seals, stopper 25, valve 52, and the previous suppression of any resi-dual vacuum.

The container shown in Figs. 4 to 7 may be made in the plant without any contents for extemporaneous compounding only. In- the case of total parenteral therapy formulas, the double seals constituted by stopper 9(16) held by crimped caps 10 and 20 externally, and the- dual element internally (1 so, 1 SB), guaranty against air seepage over long storage periods. To inject liquids inside, one may remove caps 10 and 20 and then stopper 9(16)-, thus uncovering the upper end of tube 17 sealed by stopper 25 and valve 52. Membrane 15A1 is pierced. Flap 10a only could be removed and both seals 9(16) and 1 SA' pierced.

Filtering cartridge 4I shown in Figs. 4 to 7 could be modified by having the cartridge body fused in a one piece device to lip 51.

Cartridge 41 could be replaced by a multiple canal passageway. Each canal would lead to a miniaturized nut-type filter of various mesh size. Visual indicator 45 of membrane I5A would be marked so that each specific canal can be selected unambiguously. In this case the stopper 9(16) would be pierced simultaneously as described earlier, but would be removed before compounding.

Figs. 8- and 9 show two variations in which the introduction of liquids itself during formulation compounding does not require piercing of membrane 15A for access to compartment 2.

A portion. of a container having a single neck similar to neck 13 shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is shown in Fig. 8. This neck has both ledges 13C and 13D outlining operative space I22, and the lip 11(21) extends below ledge 13C.

The elastic disc 15D is not conical. Rather, it is a flat annular ring or washer that seats on the similarly annular ledge 13C. Disc- 15C which could be of compressible nature seats on disc 15D. Tube 17 is similar to that discussed before. Slotted ring 39A tightly presses downward on ledge 13C over annular disc 15D. Lip 511 could be formed as an integral part of disc 15C. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 8, the disc is replaced by an integral mounting to disc 15C which rests on disc 15D.

Disc 15C with a second opening 35 that supports means 100 for access to the containcr is organized as follows. Opening 35 is generally centrally located in the neck and tapers in a conical surface that cooperates with the widening mouth 28 of filtering cartridge 41 Disc 115B seats by its conical portion in mouth 28. Disc 11 SB is similar to the cylindroconical disc 15B in Figs. 1 to 7. The obturating elements here, cylindroconical disc 115B, membrane 115A, tube 117, its valve 152, stopper 125 and the slotted ring 139 are analogous to the complex 15B, 15A, tube 17 and ring 39 shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

Neck 113, similar in shape to neck 13 of Fig. 3, extends upward from disc 15C above opening 35. Neck 113 has an operative space between two ledges 113A inferior and 113B superior that function similarly to the parts associated with neck 13.

The upper ends of tubes 17 and 117 lay within operative space 122 above disc 15A.

While neck 113 has no stopper of its own, neck 8(13) has a stopper 9(16) that seals it and space 22. Stopper 9(16) seats on and inside upper ledge 1 3D hermetically pressed and so kept by the crimping of cap 110 around neck 8(13) and its external lip 11(21).

For access to compartments 2 and/or 3, cap 110 and stopper 9(16) are removed, operative space 122 exposed showing both tubes 17 and 117, their valves 52 and 152, and stoppers 25 and 125 that allow controlled access to the corresponding compartments 2 and/or 3.

Fig. 9 shows a variation that differs from Fig. 8 by the organization of the filtering device, cartridge 204, and by the means of access to it. Neck 8(13), annular disc 15D, tube 17, slotted ring 39A and stopper 9(16) are identical to those shown correspondingly in Fig. 8.

Disc 215A which has been expanded into and fused with tube 17 and what had been disc 51 in the Fig. 7 embodiment, has two passageways or openings. The first for the access to compartment 3 is the canal of tube 17, the other opening leading inside compartment 2 through tube 200 which permits selection of microfilters. Tube 200 has a body 260 extending below disc 215A. Stopper 225 similar to stopper 25 of tube 17 is at the top of body 260 and below stopper 225 is a valve 252. A removable cap 200 may be crimped over neck 252D to hold stopper 225 in place.

Selection of the microfilter in the exemplary embodiment is as follows. Tube 260 may have three receptacles 261, 262 and 263 below disc 215A on which are fitted minisized filters 264, 265, 266 of mesh going from 0-22 to 1 micron, for example. A coaxial cylinder 267 inside tube 260 to whose internal wall it is linked lengthwise by two flanges, delimitates canals 270, 171 and 272 that each lead to a receptacle 261, 262 and 263.

Valve 252 which includes a rotating cylinder 252A that has a canal 252B directs fluid to one of the canals 270, 271, 272. Cylinder 252A is hermetically lodged inside a corresponding cylindrical cavity of the bulge 252C of tube 260. This bulge follows upward to form a neck 252D of tube 260 similar to the end 24 of tube 17. Valve 252 is maneuverable inside operative space 122 to open or close passageway 200 leading though its lower canal 260 inside the container. For example, cylinder 252A may be rotated to one of four positions. In the closed position, both openings of canal 252B are hermetically in contact with the solid wall of bulge 252C. In the three active positions, canal 252B is placed in line with the mouth of neck 252D on one hand and one of the canals 270, 271, 272.

The separating cylinder 267 inside tube 263 carries hermetical seal 273 for isolating unused canals from canal 252B on valve 252.

For the utilization of Fig. 9, external cap 10(20) and stopper 9(16) are removed uncovering the upper ends of both tubes 17, 260. Valves 52 and 252 lock the passageway through both tubes. Stoppers 225 (with or without cap 210) and 25 are in the tubes.

Valve 252 is in the locked position. Stopper 225 and cap 210 are removed. Communication is established between the fluid to be injected and the interior of the container through an appropriate male tip hermetically fitted into the mouth of neck 252D, and valve 252 is put in an active position that allows fluid flow to the preselected microfilter. The vacuum existing inside the container actively sucks in the liquid that is filtered by the microfilter chosen. Compounding is followed by injection of enough air to suppress residual vacuum. Extraction of liquids from compartment 3 through tube 17 is similar to that discussed above. Replacement air is admitted through neck 252D.

The industrial preparation of containers shown in Figs. 8 and 9 follows the patterns mentioned earlier.

In the embodiments discussed above, the filter has been shown in the container. However, the aim is that no contaminated material should enter the container and the filter could instead be located in the operative space 122 in Figs. 8 and 9 so that air or other materials entering tubes 117 or 260 would be filtered prior to the entry therethrough.

From what was described heretofore with respect to the various modes of embodiment of the invention, it appears that the containers can be kept free from any undesired particle, particularly during extemporaneous utilization and compounding in a contaminated environment.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and alternative constructions and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. An hermetically sealed container comprising a body enclosing a compartment, closure means attached to the body to define a closed operative space, a tube communicating said space with the compartment and sealed by a stopper at its outer end which is located within said space, valve means for selectively opening and closing the tube, the closure means including a sealing member sealing said operative space hermetically from the outside, the sealing member being removable or rupturable to gain access to the stopper, a passage having an inner end communicating with the compartment for supplying fluid thereto, and a sealing element closing the outer end of the passage and being removable or penetrable for delivery of fluid into the passage.

2. An hermetically sealed container comprising a body enclosing a compartment, closure means attached to the body to define a closed operative space, a tube communicating said space with the compartment and sealed by a stopper at its outer end which is located within said space, valve means for selectively opening and closing the tube, the closure means including a sealing member sealing said operative space hermetically from the outside, the sealing member being removable or rupturable to gain access to the stopper, a passage having an inner end communicating with the compartment for supplying fluid thereto, a filter positioned to filter fluid supplied to the compartment via the passage before it can be discharged from the compartment through the tube, and a sealing element closing the outer end of the passage and being removable or penetrable for delivery of fluid into the passage.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the filter is mounted in said passage.

4. A container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said passage includes a valve for opening and closing the passage.

5. A container according to claim 2, wherein first and second portions of the compartment communicate with each other through the filter the said passage connecting the first portion with the exterior of the container, and the said tube opening into said second portion.

6. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the filter is a cartridge filter.

7. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the outer end of the passage is located in said operative space, and the sealing element is accessible by removal or rupture of said sealing member.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the passage is defined by a further tube and the sealing element comprises a stopper sealing the outer end of said further tube and removable to permit delivery of fluid into the passage.

9. A container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the filter is located within said operative space for filtering fluid as it enters the passage.

10. A container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the operative space is separated from the compartment by seal means, the tube passes through the seal means, and the seal means includes a hole defining said passage.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein the filter is supported by the seal means.

12. A container according to claim 11, wherein the filter is a cartridge filter.

13. A container according to claim 10, wherein the seal means includes an inner seal member and an outer seal member, the tube has lip means for holding the tube between the said inner and outer seal members, the lip means including support means for supporting a portion of the filter, whereby the said portion of the filter is held between the said inner and outer seal members.

14. A container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the filter is supported in the container, the seal means comprises an inner seal member and an outer seal member, the outer seal member constitutes said passage sealing element and comprises a membrane of piercable material whereby the membrane may be pierced above the filter for adding fluid to the compartment through the passage.

15. A container according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the said sealing member comprises a penetrable membrane over at least a portion thereof aligned with the outer end of the passage.

16. A container according to claim 15, wherein said sealing member includes locating means positioned in alignment with the passage to indicate the position at which the sealing member should be pierced to deliver fluid to the passage.

17. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 16, including a cap, and means on the container body for securing the cap thereto, the cap covering the sealing member to secure the sealing member in place.

18. A container according to claim 2, wherein the filter comprises discrete filtering elements adapted to filter different sized particles, the passage includes a plurality of parallel passageways each including a respec

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (22)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. of the invention, it appears that the containers can be kept free from any undesired particle, particularly during extemporaneous utilization and compounding in a contaminated environment. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and alternative constructions and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. An hermetically sealed container comprising a body enclosing a compartment, closure means attached to the body to define a closed operative space, a tube communicating said space with the compartment and sealed by a stopper at its outer end which is located within said space, valve means for selectively opening and closing the tube, the closure means including a sealing member sealing said operative space hermetically from the outside, the sealing member being removable or rupturable to gain access to the stopper, a passage having an inner end communicating with the compartment for supplying fluid thereto, and a sealing element closing the outer end of the passage and being removable or penetrable for delivery of fluid into the passage.

2. An hermetically sealed container comprising a body enclosing a compartment, closure means attached to the body to define a closed operative space, a tube communicating said space with the compartment and sealed by a stopper at its outer end which is located within said space, valve means for selectively opening and closing the tube, the closure means including a sealing member sealing said operative space hermetically from the outside, the sealing member being removable or rupturable to gain access to the stopper, a passage having an inner end communicating with the compartment for supplying fluid thereto, a filter positioned to filter fluid supplied to the compartment via the passage before it can be discharged from the compartment through the tube, and a sealing element closing the outer end of the passage and being removable or penetrable for delivery of fluid into the passage.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the filter is mounted in said passage.

4. A container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said passage includes a valve for opening and closing the passage.

5. A container according to claim 2, wherein first and second portions of the compartment communicate with each other through the filter the said passage connecting the first portion with the exterior of the container, and the said tube opening into said second portion.

6. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the filter is a cartridge filter.

7. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the outer end of the passage is located in said operative space, and the sealing element is accessible by removal or rupture of said sealing member.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the passage is defined by a further tube and the sealing element comprises a stopper sealing the outer end of said further tube and removable to permit delivery of fluid into the passage.

9. A container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the filter is located within said operative space for filtering fluid as it enters the passage.

10. A container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the operative space is separated from the compartment by seal means, the tube passes through the seal means, and the seal means includes a hole defining said passage.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein the filter is supported by the seal means.

12. A container according to claim 11, wherein the filter is a cartridge filter.

13. A container according to claim 10, wherein the seal means includes an inner seal member and an outer seal member, the tube has lip means for holding the tube between the said inner and outer seal members, the lip means including support means for supporting a portion of the filter, whereby the said portion of the filter is held between the said inner and outer seal members.

14. A container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the filter is supported in the container, the seal means comprises an inner seal member and an outer seal member, the outer seal member constitutes said passage sealing element and comprises a membrane of piercable material whereby the membrane may be pierced above the filter for adding fluid to the compartment through the passage.

15. A container according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the said sealing member comprises a penetrable membrane over at least a portion thereof aligned with the outer end of the passage.

16. A container according to claim 15, wherein said sealing member includes locating means positioned in alignment with the passage to indicate the position at which the sealing member should be pierced to deliver fluid to the passage.

17. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 16, including a cap, and means on the container body for securing the cap thereto, the cap covering the sealing member to secure the sealing member in place.

18. A container according to claim 2, wherein the filter comprises discrete filtering elements adapted to filter different sized particles, the passage includes a plurality of parallel passageways each including a respec

tive filter element, and valve means for directing fluid supplied to the outer end of the passage to a selected one of the passageways to be filtered by a selected filter before entering the compartment.

19. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 18, wherein the sealing member is arranged to hold the stopper in sealing engagement with the outer end of the tube.

20. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing member is arranged to engage and operate the valve means to close the tube.

21. An hermetically sealed container; substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 3, Figure 2, Figures 4 to 7, Figure 8 or Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the compartment is evacuated.