Cartridge loading system for syringe caps
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12329951-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
A cartridge and loading system for loading tamper-evident syringe caps into a robotic pharmaceutical compounding device. The compounding device has a syringe finishing station, and can transfer tamper-evident caps from the cartridge to the syringe finishing station. The cartridge has a floor disposed at an angle to horizontal. The device may include a vibratory element for vibrating the cartridge, so that tamper-evident caps are fed to an outlet of the cartridge by gravity.
Core Innovation
The invention describes loading tamper-evident syringe caps into a robotic compounding device using a cartridge-based storage and dispensing arrangement. The cartridge has a storage volume defined by a flat floor and opposing side walls that rise from the floor, with side walls including curved sections that approach each other so the storage volume narrows toward an outlet of the cartridge.
The cartridge includes an end wall opposite the outlet and a cover that snaps onto the side walls to enclose the storage volume. A spring-loaded door is provided that, by default, closes off the outlet of the cartridge, thereby controlling access to caps at the cartridge outlet when the cartridge is installed in the robotic compounding device.
The disclosed cartridge-based system is configured to cooperate with a syringe finishing station that has a capping gripper and a selectively actuated gate at an input location, enabling cap-by-cap admission into the syringe finishing station.
Claims Coverage
1 independent claim is identified. The claim covers a cartridge having a narrowing storage volume, a snap-on cover, and a spring-loaded door that by default closes the outlet, together with placing a supply of tamper-evident syringe caps into the cartridge and inserting the cartridge into a robotic compounding device.
Cartridge with narrowing storage volume to outlet
The cartridge comprises a flat floor; opposing side walls rising from the floor, wherein the floor and side walls define the storage volume and the side walls include curved sections that approach each other such that the storage volume narrows toward an outlet of the cartridge.
Snap-on cover enclosing the storage volume
The cartridge comprises a cover that snaps onto the side walls to enclose the storage volume.
Spring-loaded door default closes cartridge outlet
The cartridge comprises a spring-loaded door that by default closes off the outlet of the cartridge.
Loading tamper-evident syringe caps by cartridge insertion
The method comprises placing a supply of tamper-evident syringe caps into the cartridge and inserting the cartridge into the robotic compounding device.
Overall claim coverage centers on a specific cap-loading cartridge: a narrowing storage volume toward a cartridge outlet, a snap-on cover, and a spring-loaded door that by default closes the outlet, together with placing caps into the cartridge and inserting the cartridge into a robotic compounding device.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Loading tamper-evident syringe caps into a robotic compounding device using a cartridge that is inserted into the device for dispensing into a syringe finishing station.
Interested in licensing this patent?