Container cap with kink-resistant connector

#This disclosure pertains to improved laboratory apparatus. More specifically, the disclosure relates to caps for use with rotating laboratory apparatus. In embodiments, the caps have connectors and a rotating mechanism to prevent twisting or kinking of equipment connected to the caps.

#Roller bottles are used in many laboratory and other applications. In general, roller bottles are cylindrical containers structured and arranged to rotate around a long axis when placed on a roller apparatus. This rolling motion increases the surface area available to cells for culture, and continually mixes cells and media in culture. Roller bottles may be used in cell and tissue culture applications for aseptic sampling, tissue and cell culture in media, pilot and process research and development, and sterile filling and transfer of liquid components of tissue and cell culture. In these applications, it is important to work with an aseptic closed system. The aseptic closed system often includes a vessel to hold the cell culture media with direct access to the media by way of a tubing accessory set that passes through the vessel cap. The tubing accessory set can include, for example, dip tubes, tubing, filters, Y connectors and quick connectors. Venting with tubing, which may require filtering may also be needed. Media can be placed or displaced within the vessel by way of pressure such as a vacuum pump, gravity or even a syringe. Each time that a tissue or cell culture container is manipulated manually, for example to remove or replace a lid, screw a lid onto a container or to insert a tube into a container, there is an increased risk of contamination of the culture. Therefore, there is a need for a roller bottle closure apparatus that both supports the maintenance of an aseptic environment and also allows for the motion of a roller bottle while still allowing the bottle to remain connected to accessories such as tubing passing through the vessel cap.

#In embodiments, an additional bearing is used. In embodiments, a thrust bearing sits on a top surface of the annular skirted cap body. Secured to the top surface of the thrust bearing is an annular anti-rotation mounting plate. The cap insert, with at least one protruding port, is secured to the annular anti-rotation mounting plate. When two bearings are utilized, the annular skirted cap body, secured to a container, rotates with the container.

#FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a cap apparatus.

#FIG. 2A-D are illustrations of four embodiments (A, B, C and D) of cap inserts.

#FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a partially assembled embodiment of the cap apparatus.

#A cap apparatus for use in a neck of a container, such as a roller bottle, is disclosed. In embodiments, the cap is assembled from two parts, an annular skirted cap body and a cap insert. Once assembled, the cap is an integral part. In embodiments the cap insert has integral connectors for attaching tubing, vents, filters, or the like. In embodiments, the cap insert fits into the annular skirted cap body and couples to the annular skirted cap body through at least one rotatable fitting. In embodiments, when the cap is assembled, the cap insert of the cap apparatus is rotatably fitted to the annular skirted cap body. That is, the cap apparatus functions to allow the annular skirted cap body of the cap to be secured to a container, while the cap insert portion, having features such as ports or vents, is free to rotate in relation to annular skirted cap body and the container. Thus, when the container (and the annular skirted cap body of the cap apparatus) rotates, the cap insert portion can remain in a relatively stationary orientation, which prevents tubing attached to the ports from twisting or kinking.

#In certain applications, such as tissue and cell culture, cell culture containers such as roller bottles are rotated. Rotating cells and tissues in culture may increase the efficiency of cultures, and support healthy cells. Often, during culture, air exchange is provided to the culture through a vented cap. In order to move liquids, including cells and media for example, into and out of roller bottles, caps having connectors are often attached to the bottles. These caps may have ports that are structured and arranged to couple with tubing to allow for the movement of liquids or gasses into or out of culture containers. Often, when it becomes necessary to stop rotating a cell culture container and move liquid into or out of the container, the cap must be changed. To change a cap from a cap having a vent to a cap having a tube connector, an operator must remove the first cap and exchange it for another cap. Each time this occurs, especially when this exchange is performed by a human operator, there is a risk of contaminating the culture. In addition, this type of manipulation of cell culture containers is labor and time intensive. Therefore, there is a need for a cell culture container that does not require changing a cap in order to introduce a tube connector.

#Roller bottles are typically filled vertically and then laid horizontally on a roller machine. The vessel is not filled completely. Care is taken when the bottle is placed horizontally so that the vent membrane does not get wet with cell media. The bottle sits on and between two rotating rollers. The rotating rollers may have a rubber compound covering to provide friction to the roller bottle. The rolling action of the roller bottle provides increase exposure of the cells to oxygen for increased cell growth.