Patent ID: 6070761
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: A61J,G16H

Abstract:
A vial-loading mechanism for loading a vial onto a spike, comprising:a support member located adjacent to said spike;a holding assembly including at least one holder having a holding portion that holds at least one vial, said holder reciprocally mounted to said support member for reciprocal motion in a predefined direction between an unlocked position where the vial does not contact the spike and a locked position where the vial does contact the spike;means for providing an opposing force when said holding assembly is moved towards the locked position and urging said holding assembly into at least one of said positions; anda locking assembly including a locking arm with a cam, and wherein when said holder assembly is moved towards said locked position, said holder assembly engages said cam so as to cause said locking arm to move laterally away from said holder assembly, and wherein when said holder assembly is provided in said locked position, said locking arm restores itself to a natural position where it retains said holder assembly in said locked position.