Patent ID: 11939099
Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON FRANCE S.A.S.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  A | IPC A  B

Claim 16:
17. A device for vacuum stoppering a medical container, comprising:
a main body defining an internal volume comprising a variable pressure chamber configured to be connected to a vacuum pump;
a piston rod moveable inside the internal volume of the main body along a longitudinal axis between a proximal rest position wherein the piston rod is remote from a stopper and a distal operative position wherein the piston rod contacts and pushes the stopper into the medical container;
a stopper holder system arranged in communication with the variable pressure chamber and configured to receive and hold the stopper in a fixed position relative to the main body and aligned with the direction of travel of the piston rod; and
a container holder system, arranged distally relative to the stopper holder system and in communication with the variable pressure chamber, the container holder system being configured to receive an end of a medical container and to hold the medical container aligned with the direction of travel of the piston rod such that movement of the piston rod from the proximal rest position to the distal operative position pushes the stopper from the stopper holder system into the medical container,
wherein the container holder systems comprises:
a proximal wall provided with an opening in communication with the variable pressure chamber, the opening being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the piston rod, such that, during movement of the piston rod, the piston rod passes through the opening;
a distal wall facing the proximal wall and joined to the proximal wall by a lateral wall provided with a slot extending through a first portion of the circumference of the lateral wall and a groove on an interior surface continuous with the slot extending around a second portion of the circumference of the lateral wall; and
the proximal wall, the distal wall, and the lateral wall defining a housing that receives the end of the medical container when the medical container is inserted into the slot and then moved along the groove.