Method and device for opening and closing vials
OwnerRobert S. Abramsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and device for opening and closing vials includes a rack for supporting a plurality of vials, a first arrangement for sequentially lifting a cap from each of the supported vials, an upwardly sloping bar for raising each cap from its respective vial, a downwardly sloping bar for lowering each cap onto its respective vial, and a second arrangement for closing each cap onto its respective vial.
Claims22
A device for use in connection with filling or testing equipment for opening and closing snap-on caps on vials adapted for moving sequentially through the device adjacent the filling or testing equipment, said device comprising:
- a detachable rack having means for supporting a plurality of vials against rotation and tipping;
- piston means for sequentially snapping off a cap from each of the supported vials;
- means for raising each cap from its respective vial so as to permit the filling or testing equipment access to the vial;
- means for lowering each cap onto its respective vial;
- piston means for snapping each cap onto its respective vial;
- control means for controlling the operating of both piston means in coordination with the filling or testing equipment;
- and
- means for mounting the control means on or adjacent to the filling or testing equipment, the control means including a sensor mounted on or adjacent the filling or testing equipment for sensing when a filling or testing operation occurs and for actuating both piston means substantially simultaneously with the filling or testing operation.
A method of opening and closing caps onto vials for use with a device for filling the vials or testing the contents of the vials, comprising the steps of:
- locating a plurality of vials in a detachable rack;
- sequentially moving said plurality of vials adjacent the filling or testing device;
- sequentially unsnapping a cap off of each vial prior to filling or testing;
- sequentially raising each cap from its respective vial;
- filling the vial or testing the contents of the vial with the filling or testing device while the cap is raised from the vial;
- sensing the filling or testing operation with a control means;
- sequentially lowering the cap onto its respective vial;
- sequentially snapping the cap onto its respective vial;
- and
- controlling the snapping and unsnapping operations with said control means such that a cap is unsnapped off of a first vial, a second vial is filled or tested, and a cap is snapped onto a third vial substantially simultaneously.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.