Patent ID: 6904662
Filing Date: 2005-06-14
Classification: A61J,A61M,B65B,B65D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of sealing a medical cartridge with a plastic closure, said medical cartridge including a tubular barrel portion having an open proximal end, a radial rim portion surrounding said open end, a reduced diameter neck portion adjacent said radial rim portion and a resilient stopper overlying said open proximal end and said rim portion of said medical cartridge, said method comprising: forming a clear plastic closure of a polymer alloy comprising a relatively malleable soft polymer and a relatively rigid polymer, said plastic closure being sufficiently malleable to permit radial deformation, yet sufficiently rigid to retain its shape following deformation, and sufficiently resistant to creep to maintain a seal between the cartridge and the plastic closure following radial deformation, said plastic closure including a generally cylindrical tubular collar portion having an internal diameter generally equal to or slightly greater than an outside diameter of said rim portion of said medical cartridge and an integral radial rim portion; telescopically disposing said generally cylindrical tubular collar portion of said plastic closure over said rim portion of said cartridge with said radial rim portion of said plastic closure overlying said rim portion of said cartridge and said generally cylindrical tubular collar portion surrounding said rim portion of said cartridge having a free end surrounding said reduced diameter neck portion of said cartridge; radially deforming said free end of said generally cylindrical tubular collar portion of said plastic closure by incrementally deforming and rolling said free end of said generally cylindrical tubular collar portion into said reduced diameter neck portion of said cartridge beneath said rim portion, said free end of said plastic closure retaining its shape beneath said radial rim portion of said cartridge following deformation to permanently retain said plastic closure on said cartridge and sealing said cartridge proximal open end; and wherein said step of incrementally deforming and rolling said free end of said tubular portion comprises using a crimping tool having an inclined surface, said method including relatively rotating said crimping tool and said medical cartridge with said plastic closure assembled thereon, simultaneously driving said inclined surface against said tubular portion of said closure adjacent said free end, simultaneously cold forming said free end incrementally into said reduced diameter neck portion and against said rim portion of said medical cartridge, permanently deforming said free end into said reduced diameter neck portion and against said rim portion of said medical container.