Patent ID: 6360794
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: B65B,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for piercing a septum secured to a container, said apparatus comprising:a holder mechanism for holding said container; a carriage, said carriage being movable along an axis relative to said holder mechanism; a piston attached to said carriage; a cylinder slidably attached to said piston along said axis, with said piston residing at least partially inside said cylinder, said cylinder having a hole formed therein; a needle attached to said piston and passing through said hole in said cylinder, said needle extending along said axis; a chamber located within said cylinder which is formed when said cylinder is attached to said piston, said chamber being changeable in volume depending on where said piston resides within said cylinder; and said needle being in a first operative position relative to said cylinder is when said chamber has a first volume and said needle being in a second operative position relative to said cylinder when said chamber has a second volume.