Patent ID: 8726619
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: A61J,B65B,B65D

Abstract:
1. A method for capping plural pharmaceutical vials in a lyophilization process with a plurality of closures, each of said vials including an interior in which a lyophilizable pharmaceutical is located, each of said vials having an opening to said interior thereof and a flanged neck surrounding said opening, said flanged neck having an undersurface, said method comprising: providing a plurality of said vials in a spaced array in a tray, said tray having a flange; providing a plurality of closures in respective recesses in a cover member, said recesses being in an array corresponding to said spaced array of said tray, each of said closures comprising a respective elastomeric stopper and a retainer member; disposing said cover member with said closures over said vials in said tray, whereupon each of said closures is located on the neck of its associated vial so that a portion of said stopper closes, but does not seal, said opening of said vial; securing a waterproof/breathable membrane to said peripheral flange of said tray, to enclose said cover member and said vials with their respective closures within said tray to thereby form a unit for processing; placing said unit in a freeze drying chamber to lyophilize the contents of said vials, whereupon moisture is extracted from within said vials and passes through said membrane out of said unit; thereafter applying a force to said cover member of said unit to apply said force to said closures within said tray to cause each of said retainer members to snap-fit on said flanged neck of its associated vial so that portions of the associated stopper seal said opening in the associated vial; and removing said unit vials from the freeze drying chamber.