GB2278111A

GB2278111A - Adaptor.

Info

Publication number: GB2278111A
Application number: GB9310373A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Herbert Allen Kordan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-05-20
Filing date: 1993-05-20
Publication date: 1994-11-23
Also published as: GB9310373D0

Abstract

A closure for a culture flask 12 includes a cap 10 which can be engaged with the neck of the flask. The cap has internal and external spigots (13, 14 Fig. 1) formed thereon. The internal spigot carries a valve housing 16 which includes a resiliently biased valve member which can be opened to allow air or other gas to flow through a bore in the cap to or from the interior of the flask. <IMAGE>

Description

ADAPTOR This invention relates to an adaptor or stopper for use with a necked vessel.

An example of such a vessel is a culture vessel or flask which in use contains a biological specimen to be cultured. In some instances it is required that a specific atmosphere other than air should be maintained in the vessel over the specimen and the object of the invention is to provide an adaptor or stopper which can be used to purge the vessel of air and then act to prevent air entering the vessel.

According to the invention an adaptor or stopper comprises an internally screw threaded cap for engagement with a screw threaded neck of the vessel, integral inner and outer coaxial spigots formed on the cap, a bore extending through the spigots, the inner spigot being screw threaded for engagement with a valve housing which contains a valve member, said valve member when in the open position allowing gas to flow between said bore and openings formed in the valve housing.

An example of an adaptor or stopper in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view and, Figure 2 shows the adaptor in assembled form and mounted on the neck of a culture flask.

With reference to the drawings the adaptor comprises a screw threaded cap 10 which can be secured on the externally screw threaded neck 11 of a culture flask 12. Integrally formed with the cap is an outer spigot 13 and an inner spigot 14, the two spigots being in coaxial relationship and each being formed with an external screw thread. Extending between the ends of the spigots is a stepped bore 15 the narrower portion of which is formed in the inner spigot.

Also provided is a valve housing 16 which as will be seen from Figure 1, comprises a main housing part 17 and a closure 18. The main housing part is of hollow cylindrical form with an end wall from which there extends within the part, a hollow valve guide 19.

Coaxial with the guide and extending on the outer side of the end wall is an externally screw threaded spigot 20.

The end closure 18 is of cup shaped form and is internally screw threaded for engagement with the spigot 20. Moreover, the open end portion of the housing part 17 is provided with a screw thread for engagement with the spigot 14.

Slidable in the valve guide 19 is a valve member 21 having a collar intermediate its end engageable with a step defined in the hollow valve guide. The valve member is biased outwardly by a coiled spring which is located between the valve member and the closure 18.

When the valve housing is assembled to the spigot 14, the shaped end of the valve member 21 engages with the narrower end of the bore 15 to form a non-return valve. In addition, there is formed in the wall of the main housing a series of apertures 22.

In use, when the specimen has been inserted into the culture flask and if it is required to have an atmosphere other than air over the specimen, the adaptor is inserted into the flask but the cap is not tightened.

The end of a pipeline is then secured to the spigot 13 and the pipeline connected to a source of the required gas under pressure. The pressure at which the gas is delivered is sufficient to lift the valve member from the end of the bore to allow flow of gas through the apertures 22 into the flask. The gas is allowed to flow for a sufficient length of time to ensure that the air is purged whereafter the supply of gas is halted and the cap is tightened onto the neck of the flask. If a large volume flask is utilised the spigot 14 may be extended by means of a tubular attachment which will ensure that the valve housing and therefore the apertures 22 lie closer to the bottom of the flask.

The arrangement described above effectively allows the air within the flask to be purged and it also prevents air entering the flask once purging has taken place. The spigot 13 can if required, be closed by means of a cap 23.

The various components of the adaptor are formed from synthetic resin material which can be placed in an autoclave for sterilisation. The spring which biases the valve member is formed from a stainless material.

The cap 11 may be used to close the flask without the valve housing and in order to close the bore 15, a cap 23 is provided for engagement with the spigot. The cap may be alternatively replaced by an open ended member which forms part of a coupling for attachment to a Warburg or similar form of respiration apparatus whereby gases which may be generated whilst the specimen is being cultured, can be withdrawn for analysis.

The valve housing may be replaced by a cup-shaped member again having apertures formed in its wall with the cup-shaped member being intended to receive a chemical material.

The larger diameter portion of the bore 15 can accommodate a cotton wool plug which will allow gases to escape from the flask but will maintain sterility.

Alternatively a valve housing containing a non-return valve which operates in the reverse direction to that described above may be secured to the spigot 14.

Claims

1. An adaptor or stopper for use with a necked vessel comprising an internally screw threaded cap for engagement with a screw threaded neck of the vessel, integral inner and outer spigots formed on the cap, a bore extending through the spigots, a screw thread formed on the inner spigot, and a valve housing in screw thread engagement with the inner spigot said valve housing containing a valve member which in the open position allows gas to flow between said bore and openings formed in the valve housing.

2. An adaptor according to Claim 1, in which said valve member is resiliently biased to the closed position.

3. An adaptor according to Claim 2, in which the valve member is biased into engagement with the end surface of the inner spigot to prevent gas flow through the bore.

4. An adaptor according to Claim 3, in which the valve member is slidable within a hollow valve guide forming part of the valve housing, the valve member projecting from one end of the valve guide, and a closure for the opposite end of the valve guide, the resilient biasing of the valve member being provided by a coiled spring interposed between the closure and the valve member.