Method and apparatus for automatically opening and closing vial lids
US6531096B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for opening a vial lid with respect to its respective container includes the lid having a tamper evident tape applied over a top surface of the lid with the ends of the tape being adhered against the outer side walls of the vial container below a juncture of the lid and the container outer wall. The tape has a score on each side in the area adjacent to the juncture. The apparatus includes a device for opening the lid by lifting the lid with respect to the container by a sufficient elevation to ensure that the tape score is substantially completely separated. A second device places a downwardly depending flange of the lid in an overlapped position with respect to an upper end wall of the container after the lid has been opened.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.