Disposable ampoule opener assembly

Abstract

An ampoule opener assembly comprising a first ampoule opener having an elongated sidewall and a first cavity where the first cavity is configured to fit over at least a portion of an ampoule, a second ampoule opener having an elongated sidewall and a second cavity, where the second cavity is configured to fit over at least a portion of an ampoule, where the first ampoule opener is attached to the second ampoule opener by one or more strips. The first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener may each further comprise a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section. The first plastic housing section, the second plastic housing section, or both, may comprise a rib circumscribing the inner surface of the first or second plastic housing sections. The first plastic housing section may be coupled to the second plastic housing section by a hinge.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An ampoule opener assembly comprising:
 a first ampoule opener having an elongated sidewall and a first cavity, wherein the first cavity is configured to fit over at least a portion of an ampoule; and   a second ampoule opener having an elongated sidewall and a second cavity, wherein the second cavity is configured to fit over at least a portion of an ampoule;   wherein the first ampoule opener is attached to the second ampoule opener by one or more strips.   
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener are each configured to be capable of breaking a neck portion of an ampoule. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein:
 the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section; and 
 the first plastic housing section and the second plastic housing section each comprises a concave inner surface shaped to receive a portion of an ampoule. 
 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein:
 the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section; and 
 the first plastic housing section, the second plastic housing section, or both, comprise a rib circumscribing the inner surface of the first or second plastic housing sections. 
 
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein:
 the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section; 
 the first plastic housing section is coupled to the second plastic housing section by a hinge; and 
 the first plastic housing section, the second plastic housing section, or both, are capable of rotating about the hinge. 
 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section, a second plastic housing section, and a latch that is capable of contributing to the securing at least one of the first or second plastic housing sections. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section wherein the first plastic housing section, the second plastic housing section, or both, comprises a rib circumscribing at least a portion of an inner surface of the first or second plastic housing section at a location that is capable of corresponding to a neck portion of a partially enclosed ampoule. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section, a second plastic housing section, and a latch wherein the latch is capable of contributing to the securing of the first plastic housing section to the second plastic housing section. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the strip attaching the first ampoule opener to the second ampoule opener comprises a flexible plastic. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises an open housing end and a closed housing end on opposite ends of the elongated sidewall and a lid secured proximate the open housing end. 
     
     
         30 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section, a second plastic housing section, and at least one latch that is capable of securing the first plastic housing section to the second plastic housing section of each of the first and second ampoule openers to define the first cavity of the first ampoule opener and the second cavity of the second ampoule opener. 
     
     
         31 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section wherein the first plastic housing section, the second plastic housing section, or both, comprises a rib circumscribing at least a portion of an inner surface of the first or second plastic housing sections at a position suitable for serving as a fulcrum about which an ampoule neck rotates and breaks. 
     
     
         32 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises:
 an open housing end and a closed housing end on opposite ends of the elongated sidewall; and 
 a lid secured proximate the open housing end; wherein: 
 the lid is hingedly secured proximate the open housing end by a hinge that comprises a first plastic hinge member and a second plastic hinge member; 
 the first plastic hinge member is rotatable with respect to the second plastic hinge member; and 
 the first plastic hinge member is stationary relative to the lid and the second plastic hinge member is stationary relative to the elongated sidewall. 
 
     
     
         33 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises:
 an open housing end and a closed housing end on opposite ends of the elongated sidewall; and 
 a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section; wherein: 
 the first plastic housing section has a lid attached proximate to the open housing end and the second plastic housing section has a latch attached proximate to the open housing end; and 
 the latch is capable of securing the lid in a closed position. 
 
     
     
         34 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener both comprise polypropylene. 
     
     
         35 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises:
 an open housing end and a closed housing end on opposite ends of the elongated sidewall; and 
 a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section wherein the first plastic housing section and the second plastic housing section are hingedly connected at the closed housing end. 
 
     
     
         36 . The assembly of  claim 20  further comprising a third ampoule opener and a fourth ampoule opener; wherein:
 the second ampoule opener is attached to the third ampoule opener by one or more strips; and 
 the third ampoule opener is attached to the fourth ampoule opener by one or more strips. 
 
     
     
         37 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein:
 the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section; and 
 the first plastic housing section and the second plastic housing section are each capable of rotating with relation to the other plastic housing section to enclose at least a portion of an ampoule. 
 
     
     
         38 . An ampoule opener assembly comprising a first ampoule opener attached to a second ampoule opener by one or more flexible plastic strips; wherein:
 the first and second ampoule opener each comprise an elongated sidewall and a cavity sized to fit over at least a portion of an ampoule;   the first and second ampoule opener each further comprises a first plastic housing section and a second plastic housing section directly or indirectly coupled to the first plastic housing section, an open housing end and a closed housing end on opposite ends of the elongated sidewall, and a lid secured proximate the open housing end;   the lid is hingedly secured by a hinge that comprises a first plastic hinge member and a second plastic hinge member;   the first plastic hinge member is rotatable with respect to the second plastic hinge member;   the first plastic hinge member is stationary relative to the lid and the second plastic hinge member is stationary relative to the elongated sidewall;   the first plastic housing section, the second plastic housing section, or both, includes a rib circumscribing at least a portion of an inner surface of the first or second plastic housing sections;   the first plastic housing section and the second plastic housing section are each capable of rotating with relation to the other plastic housing section to enclose at least a portion of an ampoule; and   the first plastic housing section and the second plastic housing section are capable of enclosing the portion of the ampoule by attaching to one another with at least one latch.   
     
     
         39 . An ampoule opener assembly comprising a first ampoule opener and a second ampoule opener; wherein:
 the first and second ampoule opener each comprises a substantially transparent first plastic housing section having a substantially concave inner surface shaped and sized to receive at least a portion of an ampoule and a substantially transparent second plastic housing section having a substantially concave inner surface shaped and sized to receive the same portion of the ampoule;   the first plastic housing section is hingedly connected to the second plastic housing section by a flexible plastic hinge;   the first ampoule opener is attached to the second ampoule opener by one or more flexible plastic strips;   the first plastic housing section, the second plastic housing section, or both, includes a rib circumscribing at least a portion of the concave inner surface of the plastic housing section; and   the first ampoule opener and the second ampoule opener each further comprises a latch capable of securing the first plastic housing section to the second plastic housing section in a closed position to form a cavity shaped to receive the same portion of the ampoule.