Patent ID: 7700046
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: B01L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use in a system for controlled delivery of a predetermined volume of a reactant, such as a liquid or solid, to a vacuum sealed container comprising: a housing including a chamber defined therein for holding the predetermined volume of reactant and a first connector section for providing a sealed coupling to the container, the first connector section being an opening formed in the housing and open along one face of the housing that faces the container when the apparatus is coupled to the container, the housing being a single structure that includes the first connector section, the chamber and the conduit; and a piston axially moveable within the chamber in response to an applied force, the piston having one end that seals against an inner surface that defines the chamber with the reactant being contained and held between the one end of the piston and a reduced diameter conduit that fluidly connects the chamber with the connector section; a cover that has an open first end and an opposing closed end, wherein the cover receives and at least partially surrounds the housing and completely surrounds the entire piston so that any contact with the piston is prevented, the cover having a vent port formed therein to permit passage of air into an enclosed chamber that contains a flange of the piston, wherein the piston including the flange is completely enclosed by the closed end of the cover so as to prevent access to the flange; wherein sides and an end of the chamber are defined by walls of the housing and the conduit comprises a fixed channel integrally formed within the housing, wherein the apparatus is constructed so that once the conduit and chamber are exposed to the vacuum of the container by passing a piercing member through a stopper of the container and locating a connector end of the piercing member within the first connector section, wherein the conduit has a diameter less than a diameter of the first connector section resulting in a shoulder formed therebetween that limits travel of the connector end of the piercing member, the reactant is drawn from the chamber through the conduit and into an interior of the container without releasing a vacuum seal between the stopper and container, the chamber and conduit being formed so that the additive is self-contained within the delivery device prior to the coupling of the delivery device with another component.