Vacuum device for an expandable container

Claim 3

The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a single substantially Y-shaped strip of pliable material.

Claim 4

The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to release the vacuum in said chamber is carried by said cover and is a valve member which when depressed effects communication between the outside atmosphere and the compartment.

Claim 5

The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 further including an electrical inlet and an outlet plug carried by said base member and a switch disposed between said inlet and outlet plug, said switch constructed and arranged to be contacted by said cover.

Claim 6

The vacuum device as defined in claim 4 wherein said cover member and said base have shorter side portions and said cover member is pivotally attached to said base member by means of a hinge disposed along one of the shorter side portions of said cover and said base members.

Claim 7

The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said pocket, cover and base members are constructed and arranged to position said expandable container in an inclined position with the portion of said container having said inlet port positioned at the higher dimension.

Claim 8

The vacuum device as defined in claim 6 wherein said base member has a front and backwall portion constructed and arranged with a higher frontwall than the backwall and said opening in the closed compartment is defined in said cover and disposed adjacent the higher frontwall of said base member when said cover is positioned in a closed position on said base.

Claim 9

The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover member is composed of a flat, rigid, transparent material and said base member is formed from two separate wall portions.

Claim 10

The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover is constructed and arranged to extend beyond at least a portion of the sidewall of said base member.

Claim 11

The vacuum device as defined in claim 1 wherein said base member is defined by a wall member constructed and arranged with an upper beam portion.

Claim 12

A vacuum device for introducing a sterile, flowable material into a sterile, closed, expandable container having a sealable additive port comprising: a base member having means to secure the base member in a stationary position on a supporting surface and to remain in said position throughout usage of said device, said base member having an end portion and constructed and arranged to receive said expandable container therein; a vacuum passage and electrical connection means housed in said base member in the same end portion with said vacuum passage having an inlet into the inside of base member; a cover member having an opening for accommodating said sealable additive port of said expandable container; means to temporarily seal said cover and base members together; hinging means connecting said cover and base members together adjacent said end portion of said base member; a pocket member carried by said cover adjacent the portion of said cover hinged to said base member; to fully support said container when in a substantially vertical position and at least partially support said container when in a substantially horizontal position; an electrical switch interconnecting said electrical connection means and disposed adjacent said hinging means whereby movement of said cover member actuates said switch.

Claim 13

A vacuum device for introducing a sterile, flowable material into a sterile, closed, expandable container having a sealable additive port comprising: a base member having means to secure the base member in a stationary position on a supporting surface and to remain in said position throughout usage of said device, said base member having an end portion and constructed and arranged to receive said expandable container therein; a vacuum passage and electrical connection means housed in said base member in the same end portion with said vacuum passage having an inlet into the inside of base member; a cover member having an opening for accommodating said sealable additive port of said expandable container; means to temporarily seal said cover and base members together; hinging means connecting said cover and base members together adjacent said end portion of said base member; a pocket member carried by said cover adjacent the portion of said cover hinged to said base member; to fully support said container when in a substantially vertical position and at least partially support said container when in a substantially horizontal position; an electrical switch interconnecting said electrical connection means and disposed adjacent said hinging means whereby movement of said cover member actuates said switch.

Claim 14

The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 wherein said pocket has an endwall to retain said expandable container away from the vacuum inlet.

Claim 15

The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 wherein said opening in said cover for receiving said additive port is straight walled and said additive port is tapered.

Claim 16

The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 further including a vacuum release means disposed in said cover and opposite said pivotal means, said cover constructed to extend beyond the confines of the sidewall of said base with said extending portion and said vacuum release means disposed within the grasp of a human hand.

Claim 17

The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 wherein said cover is substantially flat and said base has an endwall of higher dimension than the wall portion housing said vacuum passage and said electrical connection means.

Claim 18

The vacuum device as defined in claim 15 wherein said cover is composed of a transparent plastic material and said base is composed of an opaque plastic material.

Claim 19

The vacuum device as defined in claim 11 wherein said sealing means is carried only by said base member and said cover member is substantially flat.