Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Assembling or joining
Reexamination Certificate
1996-11-18
2001-06-12
Bryant, David P. (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Assembling or joining
C029S521000, C403S375000, C403S273000, C053S474000, C053S410000, C053S449000, C053S452000, C206S514000, C206S499000, C215S016000, C215S006000, C215S010000, C215S012100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243936
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging a predetermined volume of material and, more particularly, to a container insert for holding a predetermined volume of material within an outer container, a method for assembly thereof and a method for packaging a predetermined volume of material by use of such a container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to decrease the cost and increase the efficiency of packaging materials, it would be useful to have containers of uniform outer dimensions which allow for packaging of different predetermined volumes of material. For example, a typical pharmaceutical manufacturer may package different quantities of a product for shipment to retail pharmacies in correspondingly sized different containers. The manufacturer may decide to ship a product in two or three different quantities (e.g., 50 or 200 tablets) in two or three different sized containers. The tablets to be shipped may contain different dosages of medication (e.g., 30 mg, 100 mg, etc.). The pills may be sized or shaped differently. Each of these factors, and other factors too numerous to mention, may affect the volume of material to be packaged in an individual bottle. A manufacturer may, therefore, need a series of bottles having different interior volumes to accommodate the disparate volumes of material to be packaged. Each series of bottles may have different exterior dimensions and configurations, thereby requiring different equipment lines for packaging and labelling the bottles.
It would be advantageous for a manufacturer to have available containers of uniform outer dimension and configuration in order to standardize systems for filling, closing, and labelling each bottle and rendering tamper-proof the bottle closures. The size of dispensing and shipping cartons and the packaging system therefor may also be standardized.
In addition, it would be advantageous for a manufacturer to have available a container at least partially formed from recycled materials in order to lessen container cost and to help preserve the environment. However, in areas where contamination of the packaged material is of concern, it is desirable that the recycled portion of the container not contact the packaged material. Contamination of the packaged material is particularly undesirable in the pharmaceutical industry, where product purity is imperative. The present invention fulfills a long-felt need in the art by overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art containers and providing other advantages as set forth below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention comprises a container insert for holding a predetermined volume of material and for being positioned within an other container. The outer container comprises a container bottom having a periphery and a container wall extending generally upwardly from the periphery. The container bottom and container wall define an interior container portion having a predetermined volume. The interior container portion is sized to accommodate the container insert. The container wall comprises a neck portion defining an opening for receiving the container insert therein. The neck portion has an interior surface complementarily sized to accommodate an exterior surface of the container insert for securely fixing the container insert within the interior container portion. The container insert comprises a bottom having a periphery and a wall extending generally upwardly from the periphery. The bottom and the wall define an interior portion of predetermined volume for holding the predetermined volume of material. The predetermined volume of the interior portion of the insert is less than the predetermined volume of the interior container portion. The wall comprises an upper portion having an exterior surface of the neck portion. The insert includes vent means for allowing fluid to pass from the interior container portion to the atmosphere when the container insert is positioned within the outer container.
A further aspect of the present invention is a method for assembling an outer container having a container insert. The method comprises the steps of forming an outer container comprising a container bottom having a periphery and a container wall extending generally upwardly from the periphery. The container bottom and the container wall define an interior container portion which has a predetermined volume and is sized to accommodate a container insert. The container wall comprises a neck portion which defines an opening for receiving the container insert therein. The neck portion has an interior surface complementarily sized to accommodate an exterior surface of the container insert for securely fixing the container insert within the interior container portion. The method further comprises forming a container insert including a bottom having a periphery and a wall extending generally upwardly from the periphery. The bottom and the wall define an interior portion of predetermined volume for holding the predetermined volume of material. The predetermined volume of the interior portion of the container insert is less than the predetermined volume of the interior container portion. The wall comprises an upper portion spaced apart from the bottom. The upper portion has an exterior surface for being placed in engagement with the interior surface of the neck portion. The insert includes vent means for allowing fluid to pass from the interior container portion to said atmosphere when the container insert is positioned within the outer container. The temperature of the container insert is controlled such that the container insert is at a first predetermined temperature. The temperature of the outer container is controlled such that the outer container is at a second predetermined temperature greater than the first predetermined temperature of the container insert. The container insert is positioned through the opening in the neck portion into the interior container portion of the outer container such that the exterior surface of the upper portion is in facing relationship with the interior surface of the neck portion and the vent means is in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the outer container and the interior container portion for allowing fluid to pass through the vent means from the interior container portion to the atmosphere. The outer container is then cooled to a third predetermined temperature less than the second predetermined temperature such that the interior surface of the neck portion contracts into engagement with the exterior surface of the upper portion of the container insert, whereby the container insert is frictionally secured to the neck portion.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method for packaging a predetermined volume of material, comprising the steps of determining the predetermined volume of material to be packaged and selecting an outer container having a volume greater than the predetermined volume of material to be packaged and a container insert therein having an interior portion of a predetermined volume from a group of outer containers with container inserts therein having predetermined volumes different than the volume of material to be packaged. The material is then inserted into the interior portion of the container insert.
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Biesecker Lissa B.
Boyle Justin P.
Faughey Michael
Forte Glenn J.
Matthews Norris W.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Bryant David P.
Butler Marc W.
Drug Plastics and Glass Company, Inc.
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