Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An integrally formed closure for a lyophilized product container; wherein said container comprises a neck, an upwardly facing circular opening in said neck and an external radial bead on said neck, said opening having a predetermined diameter; said closure comprising: a top wall portion, a stopper portion extending downwardly from said top wall portion, said stopper portion comprising an upper cylindrical section having an outer diameter greater than said predetermined diameter, a bottom cylindrical section having an outer diameter less than said predetermined diameter, an annular beveled section interconnecting said upper and bottom sections, and port means for venting said container during a lyophilization process, said beveled section providing means for seating said closure in a first position in said neck during the lyophilization process with said port means positioned at least in part above said opening, and a tear-away skirt portion extending downwardly from said top wall portion, and including means for engaging said bead when said closure is seated in a second position in said neck with said port means positioned below said opening to prevent venting said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
An integrally formed closure for a lyophilized product container; wherein said container comprises a neck, an upwardly facing circular opening in said neck and an external radial bead on said neck, said opening having a predetermined diameter; said closure comprising: a top wall portion, a stopper portion extending downwardly from said top wall portion, said stopper portion comprising an upper cylindrical section having an outer diameter greater than said predetermined diameter, a bottom cylindrical section having an outer diameter less than said predetermined diameter, an annular beveled section interconnecting said upper and bottom sections, and port means for venting said container during a lyophilization process, said beveled section providing means for seating said closure in a first position in said neck during the lyophilization process with said port means positioned at least in part above said opening, and a tear-away skirt portion extending downwardly from said top wall portion, and including means for engaging said bead when said closure is seated in a second position in said neck with said port means positioned below said opening to prevent venting said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The closure of claim 1 wherein said stopper portion is hollow, and wherein said port means comprises a plurality of slots extending upwardly through said bottom section, said beveled section and to a level above said beveLed section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The closure of claim 1 wherein said skirt portion is joined to said top wall portion by a thin annular horizontal section; and wherein said skirt portion further includes another thin section extending downwardly from said horizontal section to the bottom edge of said skirt portion, and a pull tab adjacent to said downwardly extending section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The closure of claim 3 wherein said bead engaging means comprises an inwardly projecting circular rib.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The closure of claim 4 wherein said top wall portion is in abutting contact with the uppermost surface of said neck when said closure is in said second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The closure of claim 4 wherein the lower surface of said bead is angularly formed, and wherein the upper surface of said rib is angularly formed for interlocking engagement with the lower surface of said bead when said closure is in said second position.