IL26188A - Medicament injector with attached vial - Google Patents

Description

C O H E N Z E D E K & S P I S B A C H E G D. PA TE NT A TT O R N E YS 24, LEVONTIN STR., P. O. B. 1169 P A T E N T S & D E S I G N S O D I N A N C E 15600/66 SPECIFICATION MEDICAMENT INJECT OH WITH ATTACHED ~VIAL ROBEBT WAIEEB OGLE, a citizen of the% U.S.A., of 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, State of California, U.S»A., DO HEREBY DECLARE the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a combination package, vial and injector, and though it has sometimes been referred to in this art as a syringe, we prefer to distinguish from a syringe in this invention in that a syringe ordinarily consists of a barrel which contains an injectable fluid and a plunger which propels the fluid from the barrel, wherein in this invention, the container for the fluid also acts as a propeller or propelling agent for the fluid and thus differs from the hyperdermic syringe. It is noted that in the prior art this general type of injector is nevertheless termed a syringe by certain patents.

It is a feature of this invention that the vial portion which contains the injectable fluid forms a separate element which may be removed from the combination, filled with the desired injectable fluid with conventional filling machines, sealed with the sealing mechanism hereinafter described, and then combined with the remainder of the injector to form the overall injector and/or syringe.

It is a further feature of this Invention that after the vial has been loaded and sealed as heretofore mentioned it ma be combined with the barrel of the injector for storage without in any way communicating the contents of the fluid to the barrel of the injector until precisely at the point when it is desired to use the injector.

It is a further feature of this invention that sure, positive, and always effective means not relying upon mere friction are present, which enable the user, i.e., the physician or nurse, to aspirate the injector positively in all cases so as to prevent the injection of the medicament directly into a vital portion of the body, such as a vein, artery, or organ, It is a further feature of this invention that the needle of the injector in the portion extending within the injector terminates short of the surrounding cylindrical portion rather than extending at any time beyond said cylindrical portion with the result that the tip of said portion of said needle is protected at all times from accidental contact which might in some manner injure or render ineffective this end of the needle.

It is a further feature of this invention that Where-as said needle referred to above is at all times short of the surrounding cylindrical portion, it assures that the puncturing of the rubber stopper as hereinafter described is directed centrally, thus avoiding any possibility of the needle puncturing a side of said stopper and rendering the device ineffective.

It is a further feature of this invention that the glass vial at its open end preferably is of reduced internal diameter. However, certain embodiments of the invention are provided with a glass vial having a reduced portion which is of a very slightly reduced diameter on the order of twenty-thousandth of an inch. The presence of the reduced portion on the open end of the glass vial is of benefit in avoiding mishaps which might otherwise occur in the process of aspirating, as will be more fully hereinafter described. The same problem may be otherwise solved such as by the use of markings on the vial. This expedient is also more fully hereinafter described.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of means on the vial portion and the remainder of the injector whereby the rubber stopper in the vial portion may be freed from the walls thereof without the exertion of any sub- of a vial.

Experience with devices of the type embodied in the present invention has shown that the plug, which is of rubber or a rubber-like material may, over an extended period of time, actually seal to the inner walls of the vial not only forming a seal which is, of course, to be desired, but also a seizure which must be broken before the injector can be used. It is therefore an important feature and advantage of this invention that positive means are provided to interlock the plug and cylindrical member within the holder so that the seizure of the plug to the walls of the vial may be broken by turning the vial with respect to the holder and thus rotating the plug within the vial and breaking the seizure.

As set forth in the foregoing paragraph, it is an important object and feature of this invention to form such a positive interlocking when desired between the plug and the cylindrical member so that no slippage' whatsoever is possible at this interlock with the result that the breaking of this seizure may be made entirely by rotation and no axial pressure on the vial in the direction of the needle is- required such as might accidentally cause an expulsion of the contents of the vial by a premature rupture of the plug where it is pierced by the inner end of the needle. Such positive interlock is required as it has been found that attempts to break such a seizure, without a positive interlock are ineffective.

It is another feature of this invention that a needle cover is employed which positively and surely maintains a seal on the open end of the needle, preferably not only at the needle end but also upon the hub from which the needle projects Ρ.Λ. 26188 File Ι56ΟΟ 2k.TV.68 above-described assures the complete sterility of the entire length of the needle during shipping* storage and handling* .

In another and preferred embodiment of the present invention, i is a signif¬ P.A, 26188 File ,15600 2tt.IV.66 sharpened inner endj■> interlocking means on said cylindrical member and cooperating Interlockin neans on said lug, whereby upo .interlocking of said plug with said cylindrical member said vial. is . irst held in an assembled bat non-operating position and^ upon further interlockin o said, plug with: said cylindrical member,: said plug is adapted to be pierced by said, needle and said needle communicated, with said vial withou the application of substantial axia pressure on said plug and; said plu is- locked securely to said cylindrical member to permit aspiration upon w thdrawal of said vial or t permit expulsion of the contents of said vial upon exertionof pressure on said vialj aad e plurality of teeth on the Inner end of said cylindrica member and extending: towards eaid, esilient plug and said- esilient plug being provided with a plurality of teeth formed thereon and extendin towards . aid teeth on said cylindrical member) said teeth being adapted to releas-ably engag and lock agains . elative ro atlve movement of said cylindrical member and said plug when full inte locked whereby roa ion of said vial with respect to said cylindrical Further advantagts of apparent froa which* - 5c - Figure 1 is a plan view of a package embodying the present Invention as presented for distribution in one preferred embodiment; Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical section of the preferred embodiment of this invention, which preferred embodiment is Intended to be housed in the housing shown in Figures 1 and 2 and is further illustrated as contained in said housing in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a fragmentary section similar to Figure 3 showing a different embodiment of the needle sealing means employed in the present invention; Figure 5 is a plan view partly broken away and partly in section of the preferred embodiment of. this invention incorporating the features of the positive interlock between the plug and the inner cylindrical member of the holder as well as the needle cap; .

Figure 6 is a vertical section through the device shown in Figure 5 with the vial more fully inserted and establishing the interlock; Figure 7 is an enlarged section taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of. the bottom of the holder employed in this embodiment; Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective elevation of the plug utilized in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a vertical section of the most advanced version of the invention illustrating that embodiment wherein Referring now more particularly to the drawings and particularly to the embodiment shown in Figure 3* the device is shown comprising a vial 20 preferably in the form of a glass or plastic cylinder having an outer flange 21 of a closed end 22 and an open end 23. The walls of the open end 23 are necked-over as 24 for the purpose hereinafter described.

A resilient plug 25 is provided having a central bore 26 extending only partway. through the plug as clearly indicated in Figure 3. The plug 25 has a reduced section 27 provided with male threads 28 and an enlarged section 29 provided with outstanding rings 30, 31 and 32. The vial 20 may be placed in an ordinary filling machine as commonly used by pharmaceutical manufacturers and filled with a liquid injectable. Thereafter, the plug 25 may be inserted in the vial 20 to the extent that all three of the rings 30, 31 and 32 are contained within the vial and the outer ring 32 is within the necked-over end walls 24. It will thus be seen that the vial 20 with the plug 25 constitutes a self-contained unit in which the medicament may be sealed in a sterile condition. A holder 33 formed of glass or suitable plastic is provided which is generally cylindrical in form and has formed therein a second cylindrical member 34. The holder 33 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 35 at its open end. The cylindrical member 34 terminates at a point 36 well within the open end of the holder 33 as clearly indicated. The interior of the cylindrical member 34 adjacent its outer end is provided with a series of female threads 37 adapted to mate with male threads 28 of the plug 25. The threads as just described engage with a loose fit so as to present substantially no frictional resistance to the making overcome the press fit of the rings 30, 31 and 32 within the vial 20. The holder 33 is provided with a closed end 38 and an outwardly extending boss 39 having a bore 40 therein in which is securely cemented, as by an epoxy cement/ a needle 41 which has an Inwardly extending sharpened end 42 and an outward ly sharpened end 43 in. the fashion of a conventional syringe cannula.

In use, assuming the vial 20 to be filled with the injectable fluid 44 enclosed with the plug 25, the vial 20, having the plug secured therein with all three of the rings 30, 31 and 32 being inside the neoked-over ends 24, is taken and inserted into the holder 33 such that the male threads 28 mate with the female threads 37 of the cylindrical member 34. ThiB is the condition of the mechanism as shown in Figure 3.

In the condition shown in Figure 3> the device above-described is taken and placed in the housing shown in Figures 1 and 2. This housing comprises an upper cylindrical casing 45 and a lower cap 46 both,of which have closed ends. The wall of .the cap 46 is reduced as at 47 to form a shoulder 48 upon which the casing 4 may be seated and sealed with a press fit. It will be apparent that with a sterile seal at the point 48, the entire device as shown in Figure 3 is a sterile package contained in its sterile housing. The casing 45 is- provided with a plurality of Inwardly extending ribs 49 which extend downwardly to a portion 50 at which point the ribs 49 are of reduced width as shown at 51 forming a shoulder 52 against which the end wall 38 of the holder 33 seats when contained in the package and prevents the end 43 of the needle from striking the end of the casing 45. The reduced portion 7 of the cap 46 of the holder 33* thus securely holding the device between the two stops formed by the shoulder 50 and the reduced portion 47.

When it is desired to use the device of the embodiment above-described, the casing 45 and the cap 46 are removed. The device shown in Figure 3 is then taken with the holder 33* gripped. in the fingers of one hand and the vial 20 gripped in the fingers of the other hand. The vial 20 is then turned in a clockwise direction to cause. male threads 28 to mate up with the female threads 37 until it reaches a point at which the sharpened end 42 of the needle 4l pierces the wall 53 of the plug 2 , thus establishing communication between the needle 4l and bore 26 and hence the contents of vial 20.

In practice, no matter how carefully filled, the vial 20 will never be completely filled with fluid 44 but will con-tain a certain space 4 filled with nothing but air. Prior to injecting the device in the patient the physician or nurse will hold the device shown in Figure 3 in an upright position so as to cause the air bubble to be at the top' of vial 20. Pressure is. then applied on the end 22 of vial 20 to force the air in the space 54 outwardly through the needle 4l . This procedure is continued until at least some small drop of fluid 44 is expelled f om the end 43 of the cannula to demonstrate that all of the air has been evacuated.

Thereafter, the physician or nurse injects the cannula tip 43 into the patient. Before proceeding with an injection, however, it is common practice to aspirate the device. This is done by withdrawing by pulling outwardly on the vial 20 as by inger contact with the flange 21 and observing the presence or absence' of blood entering the vial 20» or nurse then proceeds with the injection of the medicament into the patient which is done simply by pressing on the closed end 22 of vial 20 to pass the vial over the walls of the cylindrical member 3 until the bottom 22 of the vial 20 contacts the bottom rings 30, of the plug 25. This completes the injection and the device is removed from the patient.

In Figure 4, there is shown another form of plug 25. In order to provide for an effective seal around the needle end 42 and to thereby prevent contamination of the needle as a result of air and other foreign material seeping into the interior of member 34 around the threads of the plug 25, it has been found that the outside diameter of the needle end 42 is preferably slightly larger than the internal diameter of bore 70 to provide a press fit.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 5 through 9, there is. shown a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Again, a vial 120 generally similar to the vial 20 is provided which has an outer flange 121 on a closed end 122 and has an open end 123. The walls of the open end 123 are slightly reduced in interior diameter as in 124 for it has been found in practice that a reduction on the order of ten-thousandth inch is sufficient to provide a suitable warning and that the reduced portion 124 may even, if desired, be entirely eliminated and visual indicia relied upon to prevent the user from pulling the vial too far out of the assembly.

A resilient plug 125 generally similar to plug 25 is provided and has a central bore 126 similar to bore 26 and also a central bore 170 similar to bore 70 aligned with the bore 126 but leaving an imperforated solid piece of the plug between needle end 142 Into bore 170 It has been found desirable to provide the bore 170 with slightly enlarged "v"-shaped guide or entrance portion 171. In addition to maintaining sterility, the seal formed between needle end 142 and bore hole 170 is of major importance in preventing the passage of some of the fluid in vial 120 into the interior of element 134 during the injection process. Since it is desired that all of the fluid in vial 120 be forced, out through needle 141, the seal between bore hole 170 and needle l4l accomplishes an important function in the operation of the overall' syringe. The plug 125 has reduced portion 127 provided with male threads 128 and an enlarged section 129 provided with outstanding rings 130, 131* and 132.

It will be understood that in describing the embodi- ents of Figures 5 through 9 features in common with the previous embodiment are given like numbers except that they are in the one-hundred series. The vial 120 may be filled and sealed with the plug 125 exactly as the vial 20 in the previous embodiments.

The plug 125 differs from plug 25, however, in having formed upon the top of ring 132 a plurality of sharp teeth 180 which it will be noted are cut to form a deep "v" 181 with the upper wall of the ring 132 tapering rom the bottom of one sharp "v" tooth to the top of the next sharp "v" tooth as shown at 182.

The device shown in Figures 5 through 9 is provided with a holder 133* generally similar to the holder 33 and having a cylindrical member 134 formed therein comparable to member 34. The holder 133 is provided with a flange 135, cylindrical member 13 terminates at a point 136 which is well within the end of the holder 133 as most clearly indicated in Figure 6. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 through 9» the space between the end 136 of the member 134 and the bottom of the flange 135 is of lesser degree than in the previous embodiment since it has been found that it is only necessary to have enough wall contact within the cylindrical member 134 to center the upper end of plug 125 prior to any piercing by the needle l4l. As before, the interior of the cylindrical member 134 adjacent its outer end, is provided with a series of female threads 137 adapted to mate with the male threads 128 of the plug 125, It will be noted in this embodiment that the threads are of the square or modi ied acme type rather than the sharp "v" thread shown in Figures 3 and 4 to reduce the possibility of thread stripping. The holder 133 is provided with a closed end 138 and outwardly extending boss 139 having a bore l40 therein in which is securely- cemented a needle l4l, which has an inwardly extending sharpened end 142 and an outwardly extending end 143 sharpened in the fashion of a conventional cannula. A needle cover 200 is provided having an open end 201 the walls of which are tapered at 202 to have a press fit of the tapered walls with the boss 139. The needle cover 200 has a hollow interior tapering to a section 203 which is cylindrical but smaller in diameter than the needle or cannula l4l and there-fore receives the end of the needle with a press fit and seals the same when the needle cover 200 is in place. It will be realized, of course, that the needle cover is formed of a plastic or rubber-like material having resiliency sufficient to form the press fit on the boss 139 and on the open end of The use of the device described in Figures 5 through 9 is quite similar to that shown in Figure 3 with the exception that no cover as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is required due to the fact that the needle is sealed by the needle cover 200 and the vial 120 is sealed by the plug 125 and when the device is assembled as shown in Figure 5, the interior of the cylindrical member 134 is closed by the threads 128 of the plug 125.

It has been found in practice that with the device as above-described, especially when the plug 125 is formed of rubber or rubber-like material, over a given period of time the rings 130, 131 and 132 of plug 125 will seize to and bind against the interior, of the vial 120. In part, this is due to the fact that the rings must engage the walls of the vial with force sufficient to maintain a seal with the walls while rotational force is applied to initially make up the threads 128 with threads 137 and then to cause needle end l l to pierce the imperforated section between bores 126 and 170 of plug 125.

This is particularly true in the case when the vial has been subjected to an elevated temperature. In order for this device to be operative, in such event, it is, of course, necessary that the plug 125 become free to slide within the vial 120 and it is therefore necessary to break the bind or seizure between the plug 125 and the vial 120. Any attempt to do this by pressing the vial 120 downwardly or forwardly in the direction of the needle would, of course, result in sudden expulsion of the fluid in the vial at the instant seizure was broken. To overcome this, the present embodiment utilizes the sharp teeth 180 formed upon the plug 125 cooperating with sharp teeth 190 formed on the open end of the cylindrical member 134. Both the teeth is threaded into the cylindrical member 134, the teeth 180 engage with the teeth 190 so that a positive grip is taken by the cylindrical member 13 on the plug 125.

When a rotary motion is applied between the vial 120 and the holder 133* the seizure or bind of the plug 125 with the interior of the vial 120 is broken. Moreover, all of the force involved is applied in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the syringe so that there is no tendency to cause an expulsion of the fluid from the vial 120 premature-ly. Furthermore, if there is some relative motion of the vial 120 with respect to holder 133 in a longitudinal direction after the needle 141 pierces the plug 125 and establishes communication with the vial 120, accidental and premature expulsion of the medicament from the vial 120 is prevented by the presence of needle cover 200 on its dual seal, first upon the boss 139 and secondly at the zone 203 surrounding the end 143 of the needle. Accordingly) premature, and undesired discharge of the medicament is at all times prevented until such time as the operator, by choice, removes the needle cover 200.

It will be noted that since the teeth l80 and 190, as has Just been described, permit the breaking of the seizure of the plug 125 with the interior of vial 120 solely by force normal to the axis of the vial and further since the making up of the threads on plug 125 with the inner end 13β and the piercing of the plug 125 all take place by forces perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the syringe, there is no danger of the inadvertent expulsion of any liquid either during the making up of the threads and the piercing of plug 125, or during the breaking of the bind or seizure of the plug.

Figures 5 through 9 have the needle end 142 sealed in bore 170, that in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 there is no bore in the plug 125 comparable to the bore 170. However, it is within the compass of this invention that the concept of the bore 170 and the plug receiving the needle l4l may be substituted in Figure 3 so that the needle 141 is sealed in which case a cap similar to cap 200 will be used to cover the open end 3 o the needle 4l and the housing consisting of the casing and cap 46 may be eliminated. It is also within the concept of this invention to use a plug 25 of the type shown in Figure 3 in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 through 9. In this case then, in order to maintain an aseptic condition, a housing such as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is necessary. However, it will be accordingly obvious that when a plug such as shown in Figures 4 through 9 is utilized, then an asceptic condition is established and a mere needle cap such as cap 200 may complete the package and the outer housing comprising the casing 45 and cap 46 becomes superfluous.

Turning to Figure 10, there is shown the most sophis-ticated embodiment of the present invention. In this figure it will be appreciated that in describing the device, features in common with the previous embodiments are given like numbers except that they are in the three-hundred series. The device shown in Figure 10 differs from the other embodiments princi-pally in that- the holder such as holder 33 in Figures 3 and 4 and holder 133 in Figures 5 through 9 has been eliminated.

Otherwise, the structure of the embodiment shown in Figure 10 is essentially identical to that shown in Figures 5 through 9.

Thus the embodiment of Figure 10 has a cylindrical member 334. ' flange 335. As before, the interior of the cylindrical member 334 adjacent its outer end, is provided with a series of female threads 337 adapted to mate with the male threads 328 of the plug 325. The cylindrical member 33 is provided with a closed end 338 and outwardly extending boss 339 having a bore 340 therein in which is cemented a needle 34l which has an inwardly extending sharpened end 342 and an outwardly extending sharpened end 3 3. The embodiment shown in Figure 10 may be provided with a needle cover which in all respects is identical to the needle cover shown in Figures 5 and 6.

In use, the making up of the threads on the plug 3 5 with the threads on the cylindrical member 334, the piercing of the plug 325, and the engagement of teeth on the upper end of member 334 to break the seizure of rings 330, 331 and 332 with the walls of the vial 320 are accomplished as before.

Likewise, the removal of any air within vial 320 and the aspiration procedures are as previously described. However, in injecting the patient, as will be apparent to those skilled In the art, the device is normally gripped at the flange 335 which depends from the cylindrical member 334. The elimination of the holder or barrel as shown in this embodiment effects substantially economies in the manufacture of the injector by greatly simplifying the molding procedures, and reducing the amount of materials required for the production of each unit.

While there has been described what is at present considered preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention and it is intended to cover

Claims (1)

1. WHAT I CLAIM IS i 1. A medicament Injector with a, cylindrical vial having an open end and a closed end, a resilient plug adapted to be inserted at least partially through said open end of said vial}, a plurality of outwardly extending rings upon said plug engaging the walls of said vial with a press fit; a cylindrical member having one closed end adapted to hold a needle, said needle extending outwardly from, and also inwardly into, said cylindrical member and havin a sharpened inner end} said cylindrical member and said plug being provided with mutually cooperating interlocking means whereby upon interlocking of said plug with said cylindrical member said vial is first held in an assembled but non-operating position, and, upon interlocking of said plug with said cylindrical member, said plug is adapted to be pierced by said needle and to make said needle to communicate with said vial without application of substantial axial pressure on said plug, wherein said plug is locked securely to said cylindrical member to permit aspiration upon withdrawal of said vial or to permit expulsion of Contents of said vial upon exertion of pressure on said vial} wherein further said interlocking means are a plurality, of teeth on the inner end of said cylindrical member extending towards said resilient plug and a plurality of teeth formed on said resilient P.A. 26188 /II plug and extending towards said teeth on said cylindrical member, said teeth being adapted to releasably engage and lock against relative rotative movement of said cylindrical member and said plug when fully interlocked, whereby rotation of said vial with respect to said cylindrical member causes said plug to break free of any bind with said vial. 2* The medicament injector of Claim 1 wherein said needle is secured to said cylindrical member and its said sharpened inner end terminates within the walls of said cylindrical member at a distance such that upon further interlocking, of said plug with said holder, said needle pierces said plug and communicates with said vial* 3. The medicament injector of Claims 1 or 2 wherein said plug is provided with a first central bore extending axially thereof and a second central bore extending axially therethrough in the opposite direction, said bores leaving theBebetween an imperforate section, of said plug adapted to be. pierced by said inner end of said needle, wherebyv» said cylindrical member acts to centralize said plug and insert said needle directly into said bores* ¾. The medicament injector of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the interlocking means comprises threads formed at the open end of said cylindrical member,, and threads formed on said plug and mating with said threads on the cylindrical member | whereby said vial is first held in an assembled but nonOoperating position and upon further making up of said threads, said plug is pierced by said needle and said needle communica es wi h said vial without the application of substantial axial pressure on said plug; 5. The medicament injector of any one of Claims 1-^ in which : he walls of said vial at, said open end are reduced in diameter to form a lip. , .: 6. The medicament injector of any one of Claims 1-5 in which said inner end of said needle in assembled but .nonrQperating position enters said second bore in said plug so as to pierce said plug and ente said first mentioned bore upon said further interlocking of said plug to said holder. She medicament injector of any one of Claims 1-6 in, which said teeth on said cylindrical member and said: teet on said plug are each formed with a sharp . " n underout to prevent slippage therebetween when ■ engaged.*'! . ·„··. ·..'.· , A cylindrical member, haying one closed end, said cylindrical member haying a , needle expending outwerdfcff ; from the. closed end, of said cylindrical member and also inwardly into said cylindrical member and haying a sharpened inne end, means securing; said. needle to said : cylindrical member , the inner end, o daid neddle terminating within the walls of said cylindrical member, and said cylindrical member having threads thereon adapted to mate within threads on a second threaded member to form an interlock therebetween. -19 9. The cylindrical member of Claim 8, wherein the inner end of said cylindrical, member is provided with a plurality of teeth -Jrraed., thereon and adapted to extend toward a second, member equipped with a pluralit of teeth* said teeth being adapted to releasably engage and lock with said second member to prevent relative rotative movement therebetween* 10· The cylindrical/member of Claims 8 or 9 within and spaced om holder having one end engaging: aaid closed end of said holder, said cylindrical member extendin longitudinally of said holder and terminating at an open end with said holder. 11. A cylindrical vial having an open end and a closed end, a resilient plug inserted through said open end of said vial a plurality of outwardly extending rings upon said plug enga ing the walls of said vial with a press fit, said plug also being provided with a plurality of teeth formed thereon, said teeth extending towards and beingadapted to releasably engage and lack with a second member having teeth to prevent relative rotative movement between. said plug and aaid second membe . ■ 12. The cylindrical vial of Claim 11, comprising a resilient plug having an extension thereon and male threads formed on at least a portion of said extension and adapted to mate with fefimale threads on said second member to Interlock therewith. -20- - 13, The vial of Cla ms 12 or 13 wherein the walls of the vial at said open end are of reduced diameter to form a lip. 1 · The vial of any one of Claims 12, 13 or l wherein said plug has a central bore extending; partly through said plug*