Lyophilization cap and method

A cap sealing cap for use with a pharmaceutical container of the type which undergoes lyophilization, the container having an interior terminating at an open mouth surrounded by a rim and having an outwardly extending mouth ring, the mouth ring having a shoulder facing away from the rim, the cap comprising:

• a body including an outer end and an inner end;
• the body including a container engaging means, including a plurality of radially deflectable fingers, for mounting the cap to the container at a first, lyophilized position, at which fluid flow through the mouth into and from the container interior is substantially unhindered, and a second, sealed position, at which the cap seals the mouth of the container, said radially deflectable fingers including:
• mouth ring engaging portions sized and positioned to engage the mouth ring when the cap is at the first position;
• and
• shoulder engaging portions sized and positioned to engage the shoulder when the cap is at the second position;
• and
• an axially movable lock ring which locks the cap to the container when the cap is at the second position.

A sealing cap for use with a pharmaceutical cartridge of the type which undergoes lyophilization, the cartridge having an interior terminating at an open mouth surrounded by a rim and having an outwardly extending mouth ring, the mouth ring having a shoulder facing away from the rim, the cap comprising:

• a molded body including:
• an outer end and an inner end, the outer end of the body including radially deflectable segments on which an external thread is formed so to aid removal of the body from a mold;
• a through hole extending from the outer end to the inner end;
• and
• a cartridge engaging means for mounting the cap to the cartridge at a first, lyophilization position, at which fluid flow through the mouth into and from the cartridge interior is substantially unhindered, and a second, sealed position, at which the cap seals the mouth of the cartridge;
• a piercible septum positioned across the through hole at the outer end, access through the mouth to the interior of the cartridge when the cap is in the second position being through the piercible septum;
• and
• an axially movable lock ring which locks the cap to the cartridge when the cap is at the second position.

A sealing cap for use with a pharmaceutical container of the type which undergoes lyophilization, the container having an interior terminating at an open mouth surrounded by a rim and having an outwardly extending mouth ring, the mouth ring having a shoulder facing away from the rim, the cap comprising:

• a body including an outer end and an inner end;
• the body including a plurality of container engaging fingers for mounting the cap to the container at a first, lyophilized position, at which fluid flow through the mouth into and from the container interior is substantially unhindered, and a second, sealed position, at which the cap seals the mouth of the container;
• the fingers including mouth ring engaging portions sized and positioned to engage the mouth ring when the cap is at the first position, and shoulder engaging portions sized and positioned to engage the shoulder when the cap is at the second position;
• and
• a lock ring carried by the body and movable from an initial position to a locking position at which at least a portion of the lock ring is on a side of the shoulder away from the rim for locking the cap to the container when the cap is at the second position.