CN-122003381-A - Device for opening a container and method therefor

Abstract

Devices and methods for removing caps from bottles and vials are described herein. The device may include a locking mechanism, teeth for crimping caps (particularly metal caps), and a counter-balancing tip that balances the force applied when the locking mechanism is closed. The method may include placing the device on a cap attached to a bottle, pushing down such that the teeth of the device surround the cap, locking the locking mechanism such that the teeth are pressed into the cap, and removing the device from the bottle or vial along with the cap.

Inventors

• Michael. A. Lafucci
• Pamela A. Baglino
• Jonathan Pinsky
• Jeffrey R. Wall

Assignees

• 迈达斯医疗保健解决方案公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20240808

Priority Date

20230810

Claims (20)

1. 1. A device for opening a receptacle, wherein the device comprises: A central portion comprising two or more inwardly facing protrusions; At least one locking mechanism coupled to the central portion, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the two or more inwardly facing protrusions around the cap of the receiver such that the two or more inwardly facing protrusions are pressed into the cap; And a tip including a handle, wherein the tip is coupled to the central portion and positioned opposite the at least one locking mechanism.
2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an unlocked state and a locked state.
3. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein a circumference of the central portion in the locked state is less than a circumference in the unlocked state.
4. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one locking mechanism comprises at least one inwardly facing protrusion.
5. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one locking mechanism comprises at least two inwardly facing protrusions.
6. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one locking mechanism has a radius of curvature.
7. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one locking mechanism comprises an expanding clasp or lever lock.
8. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one locking mechanism comprises a living hinge.
9. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the central portion comprises an engagement member.
10. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the engagement member is shaped as a circle or an oval.
11. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a radius of curvature of the engagement member substantially matches a radius of curvature of the at least one locking mechanism.
12. 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the two or more inwardly facing protrusions are positioned in the engagement member.
13. 13. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one locking mechanism is positioned in the engagement member when the device is in a locked state.
14. 14. The device of claim 13, further comprising a locking recess in the engagement member, wherein the at least one locking mechanism is positioned in the locking recess when the device is in a locked state.
15. 15. The device of claim 9, wherein the engagement member comprises at least one circumference comprising two or more inwardly facing protrusions.
16. 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the engagement member comprises at least three circumferences comprising two or more inwardly facing protrusions, wherein each of the at least three circumferences has a different diameter.
17. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said each of said at least three circumferences is configured to fit differently sized receptacles.
18. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the two or more inwardly facing protrusions comprise two or more inwardly facing protrusions on the each of the at least three circumferences, wherein an increase in diameter across the each of the at least three circumferences corresponds to an increase in width of the two or more inwardly facing protrusions on the each of the at least three circumferences.
19. 19. The device of claim 16, wherein at least two of the at least three circumferences are concentric.
20. 20. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least three circumferences are not concentric.

Description

Device for opening a container and method therefor Cross reference The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/531,883, filed 8/10 at 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference. Background When contained in containers such as drug bottles or vials and wine bottles, various liquids may be stored and transported. To avoid spillage, these containers may be tightly closed before, during and after shipping. These containers may be tightly closed by caps (including metals, plastics, rubber, and other materials) that make the container difficult to open. More than 1940 million plastic pill bottles, more than 200 million glass vials containing metal and rubber caps, and more than 300 million wine bottles are transported annually. When contained in a container (e.g., a vial), which may be sealed with a stopper (e.g., a rubber stopper) and further sealed with a rigid housing (e.g., a metal housing) around at least a portion of the rubber stopper and another portion of the vial (e.g., the glass neck portion of the vial), various medications (e.g., liquid medications) may be stored and transported. Propofol is an example of such a liquid medicament. Propofol can be a frequently transferred drug in hospitals, ASCs and operating rooms. Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic used for surgical sedation, during monitoring anesthesia care, or as an inducer of general anesthesia. It may be administered as a bolus or infusion or some combination of both. Disclosure of Invention A device for opening a receptacle is provided herein. The device may comprise a central portion comprising two or more inwardly facing protrusions. The device may include at least one locking mechanism coupled to the central portion. The locking mechanism may be configured to lock the two or more inwardly facing protrusions around the cap of the receiver such that the two or more inwardly facing protrusions are pressed into the cap. The device may include a tip including a handle. The tip may be coupled to the central portion and may be positioned opposite the at least one locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the device includes an unlocked state and a locked state. In some embodiments, the circumference of the central portion in the locked state is less than the circumference in the unlocked state. In some embodiments, the at least one locking mechanism comprises at least one inwardly facing protrusion. In some embodiments, the at least one locking mechanism comprises at least two inwardly facing protrusions. In some embodiments, at least one locking mechanism has a radius of curvature. In some embodiments, the at least one locking mechanism comprises an expanding clasp or lever lock. In some embodiments, the at least one locking mechanism comprises a living hinge. In some embodiments, the central portion includes an engagement member. In some embodiments, the shape of the engagement member is designed to be circular or elliptical. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the engagement member substantially matches the radius of curvature of the at least one locking mechanism. In some embodiments, two or more inwardly facing protrusions are positioned in the joint. In some embodiments, at least one locking mechanism is positioned in the engagement member when the device is in the locked state. In some embodiments, the device further comprises a locking recess in the engagement member. In some embodiments, at least one locking mechanism is positioned in the locking recess when the device is in the locked state. In some embodiments, the engagement member comprises at least one circumference comprising two or more inwardly facing protrusions. In some embodiments, the engagement member comprises at least three circumferences comprising two or more inwardly facing protrusions. In some embodiments, each of the at least three circumferences has a different diameter. In some embodiments, each of the at least three circumferences is configured to fit a different sized receptacle. In some embodiments, the two or more inwardly facing protrusions comprise two or more inwardly facing protrusions on each of the at least three circumferences, wherein an increase in diameter across each of the at least three circumferences corresponds to an increase in width of the two or more inwardly facing protrusions on each of the at least three circumferences. In some embodiments, at least two of the at least three circumferences are concentric. In some embodiments, at least three circumferences are not concentric. In some cases, the tip includes a tension relief portion. In some cases, the open space in the tension relief portion increases in diameter in response to locking by the at least one locking mechanism. In some cases, the two or more inwardly facing protrusions comprise four to eighteen inwardly facing protrusions. In some cases, the device includes an integrally formed structure (unibody). In some cases, the apparatu