GB2041896A - Closures for Bottles and Like Liquid Containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure for a bottle intended to hold a sterile liquid comprises a closure device (A) having a lower hollow portion for fitting over or within the mouth of the bottle, an upper hollow portion axially aligned with the lower portion and provided at its outer end with a pouring lip and an internal removable seal (B) provided between the upper and lower portions. A removable cap (D) is provided for enclosing the upper portion of the closure device in fluid-tight manner. Device (A) may be formed integrally with the container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Closures for Bottles and Like Liquid Containers This invention relates to the closure of bottles and like containers and is particularly concerned with closures for bottles holding sterile liquids.

In the preparation of liquids for use in medical, surgical and like fields, a sterile liquid may be introduced into a sterilised container which is then closed by means of a stopper. Alternatively, a liquid may be introduced into a container which is then sealed and brought to sterilising temperature by exposing it to saturated steam or other suitably hot fluid for a predetermined period after which the container is cooled by exposing it to a fluid such as water or air at a lower temperature.

In both cases, it is necessary to be able to readily remove the sterile liquid from the container without it being contaminated by microorganisms which may be deposited on the outer surface of the container over which the liquid is poured during cooling or storage of the container.

It is the principal object of the present invention to maintain the liquid and the surfaces of the container over which the liquid is poured, in a sterile condition and to this end, according to the invention, there is provided means for closing the mouth of a bottle or like container, said means comprising a closure device having a lower hollow portion for fitting over or within the mouth of the container, an upper hollow portion axially aligned with the lower portion and provided at its outer end with a pouring lip and an internal removable seal provided between said upper and lower portions, and removable cap for enclosing the upper portion of said closure device in fluidtight manner.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a sectional view of one form of closure according to the invention applied to the neck of a bottle or like container for sterile liquid.

In the drawing, A indicates the closure device which includes a lower plug portion received within the neck of the bottle, an upper neck portion surmounted by a pouring lip and an internal seat which is closed by a septum B which is also shown in plan in the drawing and may be moulded integral with the closure device or formed separately as a removable plug. When the septum B is formed integral with the closure device a line of weakness may be provided around its periphery, along which the septum will tear when force is applied to a pulling element C of any suitable form or material by which the septum may be removed from its seat. D is a removal cap which may be snapped onto the outside of the neck portion and protects the pouring lip against contamination and E is a retaining ring which engages over an external flange on the closure device and a rim at the mouth of the bottle.

Instead of being formed as a plug, the lower portion of the closure device may be arranged to fit over the neck of the bottle.

The closure device A may be moulded from a suitable non-toxic synthetic plastics material and when the bottle is also made from plastics the closure device and bottle may be moulded in one piece or the closure device may be cemented, fused or welded to the bottle, in which case, the retaining ring E will not be required.

Provision may be made for the attachment of an external unit by which liquid may be removed from the bottle and means may be provided for indicating whether unauthorised removal of the cap B has occurred before use.

The external unit may be a hypodermic needle but preferably takes the form of a tube having an enlarged end which is inserted and locked in fluidtight manner in the bore of the upper neck portion. Such a unit, commonly known as an irrigation set, is usually supplied in sterile condition and used for directing a flow of liquid onto a wound or for supplying liquid to a urethroscope or like instrument.

Claims

1. Means for closing the mouth of a bottle or like container, said means comprising a closure device having a lower hollow porticn for fitting over or within the mouth of the container, an upper hollow portion axially aligned with the lower portion and provided at its outer end with a pouring lip and an internal removable seal provided between said upper and lower portions, and a removable cap for enclosing the upper portion of said closure device in fluid-tight manner.

2. Closure means according to claim 1, wherein said seal is formed by a removable septum or plug.

3. Closure means according to Claim 2, wherein said septum is formed integral with said closure member and is separable therefrom along a line of weakness when force is applied to a pulling element secured thereto and accessible to a user.

4. Closure means according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said closure device is formed between its ends with an external flange for engagement by a retaining ring for detachably securing the closure device on a container.

5. Closure means according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said closure device is formed integral with or is permanently secured to a container to be closed thereby.

6. Closure means according to Claim 5, wherein said closure device is cemented, fused or welded to the container.

7. Closure means according to any preceding claim, formed for the attachment thereto of an external unit for extracting or delivering the contents of the container.

8. Means for closing the mouth of a bottle or like container, substantially as hereinbefore

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

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Closures for Bottles and Like Liquid Containers This invention relates to the closure of bottles and like containers and is particularly concerned with closures for bottles holding sterile liquids. In the preparation of liquids for use in medical, surgical and like fields, a sterile liquid may be introduced into a sterilised container which is then closed by means of a stopper. Alternatively, a liquid may be introduced into a container which is then sealed and brought to sterilising temperature by exposing it to saturated steam or other suitably hot fluid for a predetermined period after which the container is cooled by exposing it to a fluid such as water or air at a lower temperature. In both cases, it is necessary to be able to readily remove the sterile liquid from the container without it being contaminated by microorganisms which may be deposited on the outer surface of the container over which the liquid is poured during cooling or storage of the container. It is the principal object of the present invention to maintain the liquid and the surfaces of the container over which the liquid is poured, in a sterile condition and to this end, according to the invention, there is provided means for closing the mouth of a bottle or like container, said means comprising a closure device having a lower hollow portion for fitting over or within the mouth of the container, an upper hollow portion axially aligned with the lower portion and provided at its outer end with a pouring lip and an internal removable seal provided between said upper and lower portions, and removable cap for enclosing the upper portion of said closure device in fluidtight manner. A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a sectional view of one form of closure according to the invention applied to the neck of a bottle or like container for sterile liquid. In the drawing, A indicates the closure device which includes a lower plug portion received within the neck of the bottle, an upper neck portion surmounted by a pouring lip and an internal seat which is closed by a septum B which is also shown in plan in the drawing and may be moulded integral with the closure device or formed separately as a removable plug. When the septum B is formed integral with the closure device a line of weakness may be provided around its periphery, along which the septum will tear when force is applied to a pulling element C of any suitable form or material by which the septum may be removed from its seat. D is a removal cap which may be snapped onto the outside of the neck portion and protects the pouring lip against contamination and E is a retaining ring which engages over an external flange on the closure device and a rim at the mouth of the bottle. Instead of being formed as a plug, the lower portion of the closure device may be arranged to fit over the neck of the bottle. The closure device A may be moulded from a suitable non-toxic synthetic plastics material and when the bottle is also made from plastics the closure device and bottle may be moulded in one piece or the closure device may be cemented, fused or welded to the bottle, in which case, the retaining ring E will not be required. Provision may be made for the attachment of an external unit by which liquid may be removed from the bottle and means may be provided for indicating whether unauthorised removal of the cap B has occurred before use. The external unit may be a hypodermic needle but preferably takes the form of a tube having an enlarged end which is inserted and locked in fluidtight manner in the bore of the upper neck portion. Such a unit, commonly known as an irrigation set, is usually supplied in sterile condition and used for directing a flow of liquid onto a wound or for supplying liquid to a urethroscope or like instrument. Claims

1. Means for closing the mouth of a bottle or like container, said means comprising a closure device having a lower hollow porticn for fitting over or within the mouth of the container, an upper hollow portion axially aligned with the lower portion and provided at its outer end with a pouring lip and an internal removable seal provided between said upper and lower portions, and a removable cap for enclosing the upper portion of said closure device in fluid-tight manner.

2. Closure means according to claim 1, wherein said seal is formed by a removable septum or plug.

3. Closure means according to Claim 2, wherein said septum is formed integral with said closure member and is separable therefrom along a line of weakness when force is applied to a pulling element secured thereto and accessible to a user.

4. Closure means according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said closure device is formed between its ends with an external flange for engagement by a retaining ring for detachably securing the closure device on a container.

5. Closure means according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said closure device is formed integral with or is permanently secured to a container to be closed thereby.

6. Closure means according to Claim 5, wherein said closure device is cemented, fused or welded to the container.

7. Closure means according to any preceding claim, formed for the attachment thereto of an external unit for extracting or delivering the contents of the container.

8. Means for closing the mouth of a bottle or like container, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawing.

9. A bottle or like container provided with closure means in accordance with any preceding claim.