Patent ID: 6171293
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B01L

Abstract:
A venting device for venting the interior of a sealed container by passing the tip of a hollow needle through a sealing portion of the container, the device comprising a collapsible shield (2) for shielding the needle (12), a needle support (5) in the vicinity of one end (3) of the shield for holding the needle (12) and incorporating a vent passage providing fluid communication between the hollow interior of the needle (12) and the atmosphere, and sterilizing means (20) in the vicinity of the other end (4) of the shield (2), the two ends (3, 4) of the shield (2) being reciprocable relative to one another in the direction of the length of the needle (12), whereby, in use, when venting of the container is effected by placing said other end (4) of the shield (2) against the sealing portion with the shield (2) in an extended condition and applying pressure to the device in a direction towards the sealing portion, the tip of the needle (12) moves through the sterilizing means (20) and passes through the sealing portion to vent the container as the shield (2) collapses under the applied pressure.