US2006081554A1PendingUtilityA1

Sealing devices

38
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Oct 20, 2004Filed: Oct 20, 2004Published: Apr 20, 2006
Est. expiryOct 20, 2024(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:W. Henry Snyder
B65D 51/002B01L 3/50825B01L 2400/0611
38
PatentIndex Score
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References
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Claims

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided. Embodiments include devices for sealing an opening of a container, where such container sealing devices may include a flexible sealing element dimensioned to cover the opening of a container, a compliant channel in the flexible sealing element, and a compression member for maintaining the compliant channel in a sealed configuration, regardless of whether a fluid transfer member is present in the compliant channel. Also provided are containers sealed by the subject sealing devices, and methods of using the same.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A container sealing device comprising: 
 (a) a flexible sealing element dimensioned to cover an opening of a container and having a compliant channel passing therethrough; and    (b) a compression member that applies a compressive force to said compliant channel such that said compliant channel remains in a sealed configuration, regardless of whether a fluid transfer member is present in said compliant channel.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said compliant channel has a first end having a first outer diameter and a second end having a second outer diameter, wherein said first outer diameter is larger than said second outer diameter.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible sealing element is a one-piece structure.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second ends of said compliant channel are annular.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said compression member is cylindrical structure.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said compression member is a spring.  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said spring is an elastomeric band.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of said flexible sealing element at said second end is barrel-shaped and said compression member is positioned about said barrel-shaped portion.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible sealing element comprises a coating.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said coating is a hydrophobic coating.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said coating is a polytetrafluoroethylene coating.  
   
   
       12 . A sealed container comprising a container sealing device according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       13 . The sealed container of  claim 11 , further comprising a fluid sealed inside said container.  
   
   
       14 . The sealed container of  claim 13 , wherein said flexible sealing element is a one-piece structure.  
   
   
       15 . The sealed container of  claim 12 , wherein said sealed configuration provides a liquid seal.  
   
   
       16 . The sealed container of  claim 12 , wherein said first and second ends of said compliant channel are annular.  
   
   
       17 . The sealed container of  claim 12 , wherein said compression member is cylindrical.  
   
   
       18 . The sealed container of  claim 12 , wherein said compression member is a spring.  
   
   
       19 . The sealed container of  claim 12 , wherein said spring is an elastomeric band.  
   
   
       20 . The sealed container of  claim 12 , wherein said container further includes a gas.  
   
   
       21 . The sealed container of  claim 20 , wherein said gas is an inert gas.  
   
   
       22 . A method of sealing a container, said method comprising: 
 positioning a container sealing device over an opening of said container,    wherein said sealing device comprises:    (i) a flexible sealing element dimensioned to cover an opening of a container and having a compliant channel passing therethrough; and    (ii) a compression member that applies a compressive force to said compliant channel such that said compliant channel remains in a sealed configuration, regardless of whether a fluid transfer member is present in said compliant channel;    to seal said container.    
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said compliant channel has a first end having a first outer diameter and a second end having a second outer diameter, wherein said first outer diameter is larger than said second outer diameter.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said method further comprises introducing a fluid into said container.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein said fluid is introduced into said container prior to sealing said container.  
   
   
       26 . A method comprising: 
 (a) positioning a first end of a fluid transfer member into a fluid present in a sealed container according to  claim 12 , wherein said positioning comprises introducing said fluid transfer member into said container through said compliant channel; and    (b) removing a volume of fluid from a sealed container through said positioned fluid transfer member.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said removing step (b) comprises removing said fluid transfer member from said channel, wherein said fluid transfer member contains said volume of fluid.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said sealed container further comprises a gas and said removing step (b) comprises removing said volume of fluid without leakage of said gas from said sealed container.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said method comprises repeating steps (a)-(b) at least once to remove additional fluid from said sealed container.  
   
   
       30 . A kit comprising: 
 (a) a container; and    (b) a container sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sealing device is configured to seal an opening of said container.    
   
   
       31 . The kit according to  claim 30 , wherein said container is sealed by said sealing device.  
   
   
       32 . The kit according to  claim 31 , wherein said container further comprises a liquid.  
   
   
       33 . The kit according to  claim 31 , wherein said container further comprises a gas.  
   
   
       34 . The kit according to  claim 31 , wherein said container further comprises a liquid and a gas.

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