Patent US4420092A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4420092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly
Assignee: Solopak Pharmaceuticals Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-01
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Granted: 1983-12-13
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Expires: 2002-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly of the kind comprising an open-top vial covered by a cap with a depending peripheral skirt, the inner surface of the cap skirt and the outer surface of the vial having complementary mating interlock elements that preclude manual removal of the cap, the cap including an integral tear member, defined by one or more weakened junction lines, such that pulling away the tear member allows ready manual removal of the cap; the cap top includes a fill hole that for filling the vial with the cap in place, and the fill hole is closed, after filling, by a resilient stopper having a configuration effectively precluding manual removal, so that post-filling tampering and contamination are precluded. The stopper is preferably molded together with the cap, being connected to the cap by an integral strap.
Inventors
- 👤 Sam D. Finkelstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:57
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/06; B65D47/12; B65D47/14; B65D47/141; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/46; B65D41/48; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/15; B65D2401/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
In a tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly comprising an open-top vial for dispensation of a predetermined dosage of a pharmaceutical preparation and a molded cap of resilient material mounted on and covering the top of the vial, the cap having an integral skirt, encompassing the upper portion of the vial, the inner surface of the skirt and the outer surface of the upper portion of the vial comprising complementary mating interlock elements precluding manual removal of the cap from the vial, the cap further comprising a tear member defined by at least one weakened junction line such that removal of the tear member permits ready removal of the cap from the vial; the improved construction permitting filling of the vial after the cap has been mounted on the vial but precluding post-filling contamination or tampering, comprising: a fill hole in the top of the cap affording access to the interior of the vial for filling the vial with the cap mounted on the vial; and a stopper insertable in the fill hole to close and seal the fill hole after filling of the vial, the stopper having a configuration effectively precluding manual removal of the stopper from the fill hole after insertion therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly comprising an open-top vial for dispensation of a predetermined dosage of a pharmaceutical preparation and a molded cap of resilient material mounted on and covering the top of the vial, the cap having an integral skirt, encompassing the upper portion of the vial, the inner surface of the skirt and the outer surface of the upper portion of the vial comprising complementary mating interlock elements precluding manual removal of the cap from the vial, the cap further comprising a tear member defined by at least one weakened junction line such that removal of the tear member permits ready removal of the cap from the vial; the improved construction permitting filling of the vial after the cap has been mounted on the vial but precluding post-filling contamination or tampering, comprising: a fill hole in the top of the cap affording access to the interior of the vial for filling the vial with the cap mounted on the vial; and a stopper insertable in the fill hole to close and seal the fill hole after filling of the vial, the stopper having a configuration effectively precluding manual removal of the stopper from the fill hole after insertion therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly according to claim 1 in which the stopper is molded integrally with the cap and is connected to the cap by an integral molded connector element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly according to claim 2 in which the tear member is a band extending circumferentially of the cap skirt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 and further comprising temporary closure means for closing the fill hole prior to filling of the vial.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly according to claim 4 in which the temporary closure means comprises a thin, puncturable membrane molded integrally with the cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly according to claim 4 in which the temporary closure means comprises a thin membrane adhesively mounted on the outer top surface of the cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 in which the fill hole is of a diameter of about 0.375 inch or less for acceptance of a fill needle in filling of the vial.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly according to claim 7 in which the top of the cap includes an integral ring encompassing the top of the fill hole to limit access to the stopper, when the stopper is mounted in the fill hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, or claim 3 in which the top of the cap includes an integral ring encompassing the top of the fill hole to limit access to the stopper, when the stopper is mounted in the fill hole.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tamper-resistant pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 in which the cap is of molded polyethylene and the vial is of molded polypropylene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-12-12 | 1987-06-13 | 1987-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-12 | 1991-06-13 | 1991-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-12 | 1995-06-13 | 1995-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |