Severing by tearing or breaking – Methods
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-28
2004-03-30
Choi, Stephen (Department: 3724)
Severing by tearing or breaking
Methods
C225S096500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06712252
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to ampoule opening methods and ampoule opening structures.
2. Description of Related Art
Various approaches have been proposed in connection with the opening of ampoules, particularly glass ampoules. Many of those approaches are described in earlier patents, including those cited herein. Those patents also describe a wide variety of structures, and certain ampoule-opening methods that are associated with those structures. Many of the structures are complex, others have parts that require undue assembly and still others have delicate or fragile construction, making them difficult to make or use, or both. While certain of those structures may have purported advantages, it is perceived by the present inventor that a need exists for an improved method of opening an ampoule that is simple, safe and effective, and that preferably includes disposal of the ampoule tip, and for an ampoule opening structure that is resilient and useful for safely opening an ampoule and disposing of the ampoule tip. In certain aspects, the present invention overcomes one or more of the shortcomings found in prior art devices and methods.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In at least one broad aspect, the invention is directed to a method of opening an ampoule, which includes one or more of the following actions, preferably in sequential order. In one aspect, the method may include providing an ampoule that has a longitudinal ampoule axis, a lower liquid portion containing liquid and an upper tip portion that is narrower in diameter than the lower liquid portion, the lower liquid portion having a longitudinal outer surface, the ampoule further having a neck portion disposed between the lower liquid portion and the upper tip portion; providing a structure that includes (a) an elongated housing having a longitudinal housing axis and an inner cavity, an open housing end, a closed housing end, sidewalls disposed between the open housing end and the closed housing end, the sidewalls having an outer housing surface and an inner housing surface forming at least a portion of the inner cavity; and (b) a lid flexibly secured to the elongated housing proximate the open housing end. The method preferably also includes positioning the upper tip portion of the ampoule in the elongated housing such that the upper tip portion is substantially enclosed within the inner cavity of the housing, the lower liquid portion is substantially outside the housing and the longitudinal ampoule axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal housing axis. Also, the method preferably includes pressing the lid against the longitudinal outer surface of the lower liquid portion of the ampoule with a thumb or finger; bending the elongated housing with respect to the ampoule such that the longitudinal housing axis rotates with respect to the longitudinal ampoule axis and the neck portion of the ampoule breaks; separating the longitudinal outer surface of the lower liquid portion of the ampoule from the lid; securing the lower liquid portion of the ampoule; rotating the lid to cover the open housing end with at least a portion of the lid, such that the housing is substantially closed and contains the upper tip portion of the ampoule; and disposing of the housing containing the upper tip portion of the ampoule.
Preferably, for any of the methods disclosed herein, the structure additionally includes a latch for keeping the open housing end covered with at least a portion of the lid.
In any of the methods or structures disclosed herein, the lid preferably includes an aperture, the housing includes a protrusion sized to fit into the aperture and the method further includes fitting the protrusion into the aperture to secure the lid in a closed position.
In any of the methods or structures disclosed herein, the lid is preferably flexibly secured to the elongated housing by a plastic rotatable hinge, including in certain embodiments a lid that that is bendable and capable of being rotated so as to close the open housing end, and preferably being rotatable at least about 45 degrees or more preferably 60 degrees and most preferably 90 degrees or more, as reflected by the lid shown in
FIGS. 1-6
.
In any of the methods or structures disclosed herein, the outer housing surface of the elongated housing preferably has one or more outer ridges on the outer housing surface, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal housing axis.
Preferably, the outer ridges circumscribe the entire outer housing surface.
In any of the methods or structures disclosed herein, the elongated housing preferably includes two housing portions (sections) hingedly connected to one another. Thus, when the portions or sections are swung (rotated) together to a closed position, they form a housing or cavity.
In any of the methods or structures disclosed herein, the elongated housing preferably includes two housing portions hingedly connected to one another, in which the inner housing surface forming at least a portion of the inner cavity includes at least one inner rib circumscribing (occupying the surface of) at least a portion of the inner housing surface proximate the open housing end and having an inner diameter sized to receive the neck portion of the ampoule, and in which the positioning of the upper tip portion of the ampoule includes placing the neck portion of the ampoule on the inner rib and closing the two housing portions to secure the neck portion of the ampoule.
In any of the methods or structures disclosed herein, the providing of a structure that includes an elongated housing and a lid preferably includes providing a first elongated housing portion and a second elongated housing portion, the first and second elongated housing portions being hingedly connected to one another such that the first elongated housing portion is capable of being rotated toward the second housing portion to form an enclosed cavity with an open housing end and a closed housing end, the first elongated housing portion having a substantially concave first inner surface, the second elongated housing portion having a substantially concave second inner surface, the structure further including one or more ribs forming part of the first elongated housing portion or the second elongated housing portion.
In any of the methods or structures disclosed herein, the elongated housing preferably includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first and second housing portions being hingedly connected to one another, the first and second housing portions having one or more latches for securing the first and second housing portions together when in a closed position.
In at least one other broad aspect of this invention, a method of opening an ampoule includes one or more of the following actions, preferably in sequential order. The method preferably includes, for example, providing an ampoule that has a longitudinal ampoule axis, a lower liquid portion containing liquid and an upper tip portion that is narrower in diameter than the lower liquid portion, the lower liquid portion having a longitudinal outer surface, the ampoule further having a neck portion disposed between the lower liquid portion and the upper tip portion. Also, the method preferably includes providing a structure that includes a first elongated housing portion and a second elongated housing portion, the first and second elongated housing portions being hingedly connected to one another such that the first elongated housing portion is capable of being rotated toward the second housing portion to form an enclosed cavity with an open housing end and a closed housing end, the first elongated housing portion having a substantially concave first inner surface, the second elongated housing portion having a substantially concave second inner surface. The structure may further include one or more ribs forming part of the first elongated housing portion or the second elongated housing portion. The method preferably includes placing the upper tip portion of
Choi Stephen
Moser Patterson & Sheridan LLP
Starr Systems, LLC
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