Abstract:
The disclosed invention relates to a reaction bottle comprising a container with a container opening and a container interior, a septum associated with the container and configured to releasably seal the container opening, a needle holder associated with the container, the needle holder defining a holder cavity, a needle associated with the needle holder, the needle disposed at least partially within the holder cavity, wherein the septum is deformable between a sealing rest state and a punctured state, and the septum is deformable into puncturable impingement with an end of the needle when the septum is in the punctured state.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/853,915, filed on Sep. 12, 2007. This application is a “continuation in part” of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/853,915 (Reaction bottle with Pressure Release), filed on Sep. 12, 2007. This application further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/076,593 filed on Jun. 27, 2008. The entire contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the use of a resealed reaction bottle to carry out chemical reactions with a safe pressure release mechanism. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is conventional to carry out chemical reaction in a glass reaction bottle with an open end. Based on Collision Theory and Activation Energy Theory (minimum kinetic energy), as a rule of thumb, reaction rates for many reactions double or triple for every 10 degree Celsius increase in temperature. Thus heating is often required for increasing rate of chemical reactions or starting and continuing a chemical reaction. When heating is required for a reaction bottle with an open end, a cooling condenser usually is used to restrain the loss of reactants, products, reagents and solvent from the reaction bottle. Even with a cooling condenser, some portion of the reactants may be lost prior to the chemical reaction due to vaporization of the reactants, which may lead to retardation of the desired chemical reaction. Usually the temperature limit for a chemical reaction is the boiling temperature of the reactants and/or solvents used in an open vessel. When higher than boiling temperature is required for certain reactions, or if volatile reactants are involved, or pressure is required for a gaseous reaction, then one may utilize a pressure vessel (such as a glass pressure bottle, a glass pressure tube, and/or a sealed tube), or metal pressure reactor to carry out these reactions. One of the drawbacks associated with using a pressure vessel is safety. Although some pressure vessels are equipped with pressure gauges for monitoring purposes, they usually lack automatic venting systems. Pressure vessels have been known to explode due to unpredictable sudden excess pressure in the pressure vessel. Another drawback is that a pressure vessel may be very difficult to open after a chemical reaction due to internal pressure in the vessel which can cause injury to chemists. One of the drawbacks associated with metal pressure reactors is that they cannot carry out reactions with acidic materials. Acidic materials may be a reactant, product, reagent or solvent (like hydrogen chloride) in a chemical reaction. Acidic materials lead to corrosion, which in turn can cause unpredictable leaks and injury under high temperature and high pressure. In addition a metal pressure reactor should not be used to carry out reactions with reagents that are sensitive to metals. Another drawback to metal pressure reactors, is that they need special skill to use and maintain properly. 
         [0004]    Thus, due to the aforementioned disadvantages and drawbacks, there is a need for a reaction bottle that allows for releasing excess pressure safely, while generally maintaining a seal of the reaction bottle during chemical reactions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The disclosed invention relates to a reaction bottle comprising a container with a container opening and a container interior, a septum associated with the container and configured to releasably seal the container opening, a needle holder associated with the container, the needle holder defining a holder cavity, a needle associated with the needle holder, the needle disposed at least partially within the holder cavity, wherein the septum is deformable between a sealing rest state and a punctured state, and the septum is deformable into puncturable impingement with an end of the needle when the septum is in the punctured state. 
         [0006]    The disclosed invention also relates to a needle puncturing device, comprising a needle adapter containing a protruding member, a needle associated with the needle adapter, a container adapter containing at least one slot, the container adapter being configured to associate the needle adapter with a container, wherein the protruding member is associated with the slot so as to position the needle in proximity to the container. 
         [0007]    In addition, the disclosed invention relates to a reaction system comprising a container defining a container opening and a container interior, a septum associated with the container and configured to releasably seal the container opening, a needle adapter containing a protruding member, the needle adapter defining a holder cavity, a needle associated with the needle adapter, the needle disposed at least partially within the holder cavity, a container adapter containing at least one slot, the container adapter being configured to associate said needle adapter with said container, wherein the protruding member is associated with the slot so as to position the needle in proximity to the container, and wherein the septum is deformable between a sealing rest state and a punctured state, the septum being deformable into puncturable impingement with an end of the needle when the septum is in the punctured state. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front sectional view of one embodiment of the disclosed reaction bottle; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front sectional view of the reaction bottle from  FIG. 1 , with the septa being deformed; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front sectional view of the reaction bottle from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the septa back at an at rest state; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front sectional view of another embodiment the disclosed reaction bottle; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front sectional view of the disclosed reaction bottle from  FIG. 4 , with the septa deformed and a needle pierced through septa; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a front sectional view of another embodiment of the disclosed reaction bottle; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective exploded view of the disclosed reaction bottle; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective exploded view of a disclosed reaction bottle with a septum cap; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a generally front sectional view of the reaction bottle from  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective exploded view of a reaction bottle, with a septum cap and where the container has a lip; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a generally front sectional view of the reaction bottle from  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a perspective exploded view of a reaction bottle with no septum cap and where the container has a lip located near the container opening; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a generally front sectional view of the reaction bottle from  FIG. 12 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14A  shows a sectional view of the reactor. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14B  shows a sectional view of the disclosed reactor during a reaction. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14C  shows a three-dimension view of an embodiment of a container adaptor. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  shows an embodiment of the reactor. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  shows another embodiment of the reactor. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  shows another embodiment of the reactor. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a front sectional view of another embodiment of the reactor. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19A  shows another embodiment of the reactor. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19B  shows an embodiment of the reactor during a reaction. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a front sectional view of the disclosed reaction bottle  10 . The reaction bottle comprises a container  14 . Reactants  18  are shown inside the container  14 . The container  14  has a container top  26 . A bottle cap  22  is attached to the container top  26 . The bottle cap  22  may comprise a threaded interior surface  30  that has a generally cylindrical shape. The top exterior surface of the bottle  10  may have a threaded surface  34  and also a generally cylindrical shape. The cap  22  may thus be removeably attached to the container by mating the threaded interior surface  30  to the threaded surface  34 . Located adjacent to the cap  22  and the container  14  is a septa  38 . The septa is not attached to the cap  22  or container  14 , thus allowing for easy replacement after each reaction, if desired, and also allows for avoidance of contamination. The septa  38  can be replaced after every reaction. When the cap  22  is attached to the container  14 , the septa  38  divides a container interior  15  from a cap cavity  42  inside the bottle cap  22 . The septa  38  may be made out of a variety of materials, such as but not limited to: Septum, PTFE-faced Silicone, model no. LG-4342, sold by Wilmad-LabGlass, 1002 Harding Highway, Buena, N.J. 08310-0688; PTFE/Red Rubber Septa, PTFE/Silicone/PTFE Septa, Pre-Slit PTFE/Silicone Septa, Pre-Slit PTFE/Red Rubber Septa, PTFE Septa, PTFE/Silicone Septa, Polyethylene Septa, Polypropylene Septa, Viton® Septa, HEADSPACE 20 MM SEPTA, Natural PTFE/White Silicone Septa, Ivory PTFE/Red Rubber Septa, Gray PTFE/Black Butyl Molded Septa all sold by National Scientific Company, Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, 197 Cardiff Valley Road, Rockwood, Tenn. 37854; PTFE/Red Rubber PTFE/Grey Butyl PTFE/Silicone PTFE/Silicone, PTFE/Silicone, PTFE/Silicone, PTFE/Moulded Butyl, PTFE/Silicone all sold by SMI-LabHut Ltd., The Granary, The Steadings Business Centre, Maisemore, Gloucestershire, GL2 8EY, UK; and LabPure® Vial Septa sold by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, 11 Sicho Drive, Poestenkill, N.Y. 12140. Attached to the cap top  46  of the bottle cap  22  is a needle holder  50 . Attached to the needle holder, is a non-coring hollow needle  54 , configured to be located within the cap cavity  42 . The needle holder  50  is in fluid communication with a needle conduit  58 . The needle conduit  58  is also in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow needle  54  and the cap cavity  42 . An optional emergency discharge conduit  62  may be attached to the bottle cap  22  and also be in fluid communication with the cap cavity  42 . An optional reservoir  66  may be in fluid communication with the needle conduit  58 . If the optional discharge conduit  62  is present, the reservoir  66  may be also be in fluid communication with the discharge conduit. The septa  38  is shown at an at rest state in  FIG. 1 . That is, the septa  38  has not been deformed yet by pressure in the container interior  15 . In one alternative embodiment, the cap top  46  may move relative to the rest of the cap  22 . One or more compression springs  148  are in compression against the underside of the cap top, and one or more cap extending members  152 . In this alternative embodiment, a user may push the needle holder  50  down into the septum  38  manually, thereby releasing any pressure in the container  14 . This release of pressure is a safety benefit of the disclosed invention. The compression springs  148  will tend to push the needle  54  up and away from the septum  38  after the user has pushed the needle  54 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a front sectional view of the disclosed reaction bottle  10  from  FIG. 1 . However, in this view, pressure in the container  14  is building up. The pressure may be building up due to chemical reactions occurring in the reactant  18 , and/or pressure may be building up due to the interior of the container  14  being heated by microwave radiation or another heat source. If the pressure is great enough in the interior of the container  14 , the septa  38  may deform up into the cap cavity  42 . The septa may be configured to deform when the pressure in the reaction bottle is between 150-300 psi. Of course, the septa may configured to deform at other pressures, depending on the proposed chemical reactions. Also, the thinner the septa, the more deformation and the less pressure it can hold. As the septa  38  deforms it impinges the needle  54 . Once the needle punctures the inner surface  70  of the septa  38 , the interior of the hollow needle  54  is in fluid communication with the interior of the container  14 . The pressure in the container interior  15  has reached a first threshold value when the pressure causes the septa  38  to become punctured by the hollow needle  54 . The amount of pressure required to deform the septa  70  such that the needle  54  punctures the inner surface  70  is dependent on the thickness “t” of the septa and the particular material selected for the septa  38 . The septa  38  is shown in a punctured state in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a front sectional view of the disclosed reaction bottle  10  from  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this view, the pressure in the container  14  has been released by the puncturing action of the septa  38  impinging against the needle  54 , and the pressurized fluid exiting the container through the needle  54 , and into the needle conduit  58  and out to the atmosphere or to an optional reservoir  66 . Since the pressure in the container  14  has been released, the septa  38  returns to its original shape, and is no longer impinging on the needle  54 . The septa  38  is made out of a material, such as but not limited to PTFE-faced Silicone. This material, and others, allow the puncture hole in the septa  38  (from the needle  54 ) to reseal. The material allows for multiple resealing events. The septa  38  has returned to an at rest state. When the septa  38  has returned to an at rest state, the pressure in the container interior  15  has reached a second threshold value. The septa  38  is designed to reseal many times, usually at least 5 times, and up to 30 times or more, depending on the size of the non-coring needle. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the disclosed reaction bottle. In this embodiment the bottle  80  comprises a bottle cap  22  and a container  14 . The bottle cap  22  may comprise a threaded interior surface  30  that has a generally cylindrical shape. The top exterior surface of the bottle  10  may have a threaded surface  34  and also a generally cylindrical shape. The cap  22  may thus be removeably attached to the container by mating the threaded interior surface  30  to the threaded surface  34 . Located between the cap  22  and the container  14  is a septa  38 . When the cap  22  is attached to the container  14 , the septa  38  divides the interior of the container  14  from a cap cavity  42  inside the bottle cap  22 . The bottle cap comprises at least one linearly moveable member  84  (this embodiment shows 2 linearly moveable members  84 ) located in the cap cavity  42 . In communication with the top end  92  of the linearly moveable member  84  is a pivoting member  88 . The pivoting member  88  is configured to pivot about a pivot member  96 . The pivot member is fixed to the top  100  of the bottle cap  22 . The pivot may have a spring mechanism to return member  84  to original position after pressure release (the spring mechanism is not shown in this figure). The hollow needle  54  is attached to a needle holder  50 . In this embodiment, the needle holder  50  and needle  54  are linearly moveably with respect to the bottle cap, and can move up in the direction of the arrow  108 , and down in a direction opposite the arrow  108 . Fixed to the needle holder is at least one extended member  104  (in this embodiment, two or more extended members  104  are attached to the needle holder  50 ). The pivoting member  88  is configured to be in operational communication with the extended member  104 .  FIG. 5  shows the reaction bottle with pressure developing within the container  14 . The pressure causes the septa  38  to deform and move away from the container  14  and into the cap cavity  42 . As the septa  38  moves into the cap cavity  42 , the septa  38  impinges against the linearly moveable member  84 , causing the linearly moveable member  84  to move up in the direction of the arrow  108 . The upwards movement of the linearly moveable member  84  causes the pivoting member  88  to pivot about the pivot member  96  such that the pivoting member  88  pushes down (in a direction opposite the arrow  108 ) on the extended member  104  thus moving the needle holder  50  and needle  54  towards and into the septa  38 . In addition, the septa  38  is moving towards the needle  54  as the pressure builds within the container  14 . Once the needle  54  punctures the septa  38 , pressure is released from the container into the hollow needle and through the needle conduit  58 , similar to the operation described with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 . Not shown in this figure is the needle conduit  58  in fluid communication with an optional reservoir  66  or an optional discharge conduit  62  attached to the bottle cap and in fluid communication with the cap cavity  42 , however, those objects may included in other embodiments as modified by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0035]    In an alternative embodiment (not shown), which comprises the same mechanism as  FIG. 1 , a user may push the needle holder  50  through conduit  58  down into the septum  38  manually, thereby releasing any pressure in the container  14  after a reaction. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  discloses another embodiment of the disclosed reaction bottle. In this embodiment, the reaction bottle  120  comprises a bottle cap  22  removeably attached to the container  14 . The attachment means may be by mating threaded surfaces as discussed in the previous embodiments. Located between the bottle cap  22  and container  14  is a septa  38 . In communication with the septa  38  is a transmitting member  124 . The transmitting member is in operational communication with a measurement transducer  128  such as a pressure transducer, for example. The hollow needle  54  is attached to a needle holder  50 . A needle conduit  58  is in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow needle  54 . The needle holder  50  is in operational communication with an actuating member  132 . The actuating member  132  is in operational communication with an actuator  136 . A processing system  140  may be in signal communication with the actuator  136  and measurement transducer  128 . The processing system  140 , may include, but is not limited to a computer system including central processing unit (CPU), display, storage and the like. The computer system may include, but not be limited to, a processor(s), computer(s), controller(s), memory, storage, register(s), timing, interrupt(s), communication interface(s), and input/output signal interfaces, and the like, as well as combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. For example, the computer system may include signal input/output for controlling and receiving signals from the measurement transducer  128  as described herein. The reaction bottle  120  may operate as follows: as the pressure builds up inside the container  14 , the septum  38  attempts to move towards the needle  54 . The force of the septum  38  moving up translates through the transmitting member  124  to the measurement transducer  128 . The measurement transducer  128  may measure the amount of force transmitted by the transmitting member  124  and communicate that information to the processing system  140 . Once the force reaches a threshold value, the processing system  140  activates the actuator  136 . The actuator in turn moves the actuating member  132  down in the direction of the arrow  144  a predetermined distance such that the needle  54  punctures the septum  38  and releases the excess pressure through the needle conduit  58  to a the atmosphere or to an optional reservoir  66 . In other embodiments, the processing system  140  may be configured to move the needle in a direction opposite the arrow  144  and hold the needle  54  there until the processing system receives information from the measurement transducer  128  that the pressure has gone down below a threshold level, thus causing the needle to move away from the septum  38  and allow the septum to re-seal. In still another embodiment, the measurement transducer may be a movement measurement device that measures the amount of movement the transmitting member  124  moves due to the force of the septum  38 . The value of the amount of movement may then be transmitted to the processing system  140 . The processing system may then cause the actuator  136  to move the needle into and puncture the septum  38  when the amount of movement reaches a predetermined amount, or if the amount of movement is calibrated to an amount of pressure build up in the container, such that when the pressure reaches a first threshold value, the processing system causes the actuator to move the needle into the septum, in order to puncture the septum  38 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of how the cap  22  of the disclosed reaction bottle  10  may be assembled. The cap  22  comprises a top threaded member  156  which allows the cap top  46  (and needle holder  50  and needle  54 ) to move within the top threaded member  156 . The top threaded member  156  has a set of male threads  160 . The male threads  160  are configured to mate with the first set of female threads  168  of a lower threaded member  164 . The top threaded member  156  has a lip  157  that is of a greater diameter than the threaded opening  165  of the lower threaded member  164 . This insures that the top threaded member  156  cannot be screwed too far into the lower threaded member  164 . A second set of female threads  172  are located near the bottom  176  of the lower threaded member. The second set of female threads  30  (not visible in this view, but seen in  FIGS. 1-3 ) are configured to mate with a set of male threads  34  located on the container  14 . The container  14  has a circular lip  184  located on the top side of the container  14 . The septum  38  sits on the lip  184 , between the container and the lower threaded member  164 , when the lower threaded member  164  is mated with the container  14 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows another embodiment of how the cap  22  of the disclosed reaction bottle  10  may be assembled. In this embodiment, there is also a septum cap  188 . Another difference is the top threaded member  156  does not have the lip  157 , and thus the top threaded member&#39;s diameter is generally the same as the diameter of the threaded opening  165  of the lower threaded member  164 . In another embodiment, the top threaded member  156  and lower threaded member  164  may manufactured as one piece. This embodiment allows one to simply use the septum cap  188 , and septum  38  as a cover for the container  14 , without the rest of the cap  22 , and needle apparatus. This allows for easy storage, the ability to restrain toxic vapor escaping the container, and/or preventing moisture from entering the container, and safe transport of the container  14  when reactants are in it.  FIG. 9  shows a generally cross-sectional view of the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  shows still another embodiment of how the disclosed reaction bottle  192  may be assembled. In this embodiment, the container  14  does not have threads, but does have a circular lip  196 . A threaded collar  200  slides onto the container  14  below the lip  196 . The collar threads  204  are configured to lie adjacent to the lip  196 . The collar threads  204  are configured to mate with a set of female threads  208  located on inside bottom  176  of the lower threaded member  164 . As the lower threaded member  164  is threaded onto the collar  200 , the cap assembly is held in place by the container lip  196 . Again, in this embodiment, there is a septum cap  188 . The lip  196  is located a fixed distance away from the container  14  opening  212 .  FIG. 11  shows a generally cross-sectional view of the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 12  shows still another embodiment of how the disclosed reaction bottle  216 . In this embodiment, the container  14  does not have any threads. The container  14  does have a circular lip  196  located adjacent to the container opening  212 . There is no separate septum cap in this embodiment.  FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0041]    The advantages of the disclosed reaction bottle include that the bottle may be used with a microwave heating device. The reaction bottle will release pressure buildup in the container, when the hollow needle punctures the septa. The septa will re-seal when the needle is removed from the septa. The reaction bottle has a feed back loop, in that when pressure begins to go down, the septa will return to its original shape, and move away from the needle, at which time the septa will reseal. The reaction bottle may be used with a pressure detection transducer and a processing system. The reaction bottle is safer than reaction bottles without a pressure relief component. Compared to open vessels, the disclosed sealed reaction vessel provides following advantages for chemical reactions: a reaction can be finished in minutes instead of hours at higher temperature than boiling point of solvent; energy savings by reducing heating time from hours to minutes; energy saving by eliminating cooling condenser that is run by continuous tap water for hours; work efficiency through reducing reaction time. 
         [0042]    Regarding  FIGS. 14A and 14B , exemplary embodiments of frontal sectional views of a reactor  501  are shown for use in a chemical reaction. The embodiment of  FIG. 14A  shows a chemical reactor without pressure buildup, and the embodiment of  FIG. 14B  shows the same chemical reactor with pressure build up. As will be explained in more detail below,  FIG. 14B  shows pressure build up in which a septum  507  is deformed and is punctured by a hollow needle  509 , thereby releasing pressure while generally maintaining a sealed reactor. 
         [0043]    In the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the reactor  501  comprises a container  502  that has a container top  550 , and a lip portion  555  that protrudes from the exterior surface of the container  502 . Reactants  503  are placed inside of container  502 . A sleeve  504  is a removably attached to the container  502  by slidably hinging to the lip portion  555  of the container to create a seal. The sleeve  504  has a threaded exterior surface and a generally cylindrical shape. Removably attached to the threaded exterior surface of the sleeve  504  is a cap  505  that has a generally cylindrical shape, a cap hole, and a threaded interior surface. 
         [0044]    A bottle adapter  506  is configured to dispose through the cap  505  via the cap hole. The bottle adapter  506  has a generally cylindrically shape, a cavity  513 , and a bottle adapter hole  560 . A removably attached compression spring  514  is positioned inside the cavity  513  of the bottle adapter  506 . 
         [0045]    In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 14C  the bottle adapter  506  is shown in a three-dimensional view in which the bottle adapter  506  has a slot  570  and a groove  575  for inserting a locking pin (label  510  in  FIG. 14A-B ) that positions a needle adapter  508 . As an alternative embodiment (not shown), the bottle adapter may have multiple slots or adjustable slots and grooves for locking and positioning a needle adapter  508 . 
         [0046]    Referring back to the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 14A and 14B , septum  507  has a septum inner surface  515  and a septum outer surface  527 . The septum outer surface  527  is positioned adjacent to the bottle adapter  506  so to expose septum outer surface  527  to the bottle adapter hole  560 . The septum inner surface  515  is positioned adjacent to the container top so as to expose it to the container interior  516 . It is not necessary to permanently mount the septum  507  to the bottle adapter  506  or to the container  502 , thereby allowing for easy replacement of the septum  507  after a reaction. 
         [0047]    The septum  507  may be made out of a variety of materials, such as but not limited to: 63236-C12, F1605-1.180+/−5-, sold by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, 11 Sicho Drive, Poestenkill, NY 12140; Septum, PTFE-faced Silicone, model no. LG-4342, sold by Wilmad-LabGlass, 1002 Harding Highway, Buena, N.J. 08310-0688; PTFE/Red Rubber Septa, PTFE/Silicone/PTFE Septa, Pre-Slit PTFE/Silicone Septa, Pre-Slit PTFE/Red Rubber Septa, PTFE Septa, PTFE/Silicone Septa, Polyethylene Septa, Polypropylene Septa, Viton® Septa, HEADSPACE 20 MM SEPTA, Natural PTFE/White Silicone Septa, Ivory PTFE/Red Rubber Septa, Gray PTFE/Black Butyl Molded Septa all sold by National Scientific Company, Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, 197 Cardiff Valley Road, Rockwood, Tenn. 37854; PTFE/Red Rubber PTFE/Grey Butyl PTFE/Silicone PTFE/Silicone, PTFE/Silicone, PTFE/Silicone, PTFE/Moulded Butyl, PTFE/Silicone all sold by SMI-LabHut Ltd., The Granary, The Steadings Business Centre, Maisemore, Gloucestershire, GL2 8EY, UK; and LabPure® Vial Septa sold by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, 11 Sicho Drive, Poestenkill, N.Y. 12140. The septum  507  may be made out of material such as, but not limited to, a PTFE-faced Silicone backing. The septum may be made from natural and synthetic flexible polymers, including polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone, styrene-butadiene, polybutadinc, isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, acrylic rubber, epichlorhydrine rubber, ethylene-acrylic elastomer, and copolymers and mixtures thereof. This material, and other similar materials, allows the punctured hole on the septum  507  to be resealed multiple times. The septum  507  is generally designed to reseal itself at least 5 times, and up to 30 times or more, depending on the size of the hollow needle  509  and septum material. 
         [0048]    When the threaded interior surface of the cap  505  is mated to the threaded exterior surface of the sleeve  504 , the cap  505  and lip portion of the container creates a clamping like force that is exerted onto the bottle adapter and clamps the septum  507  to the container  502 . This clamping further creates a seal between the septum  507  and the container interior  516 . 
         [0049]    A needle adapter  508  is removably attached to the cavity  513  of the bottle adaptor  506 . A locking pin  510  is positioned on the needle adapter  508 , which engages a slot that is positioned on the bottle adaptor  506  (as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 14C ). 
         [0050]    The needle adapter  508  has a needle conduit  590  for conveying fluids. The needle conduit  590  may have a threaded interior cavity portion at one end of the needle conduit  590  and an opposing end for attaching a hollow needle  509 . An optional discharge conduit  511  may be removable attached to the threaded interior cavity portion of the needle conduit  590  so as to allow fluid communication between the needle conduit  590  and the discharge conduit  511 . An optional reservoir  512  may be attached to the discharge conduit  511  so as to allow fluid communication between the discharge conduit  511  and the reservoir  512 . 
         [0051]    The hollow needle  509  is attached to the needle adaptor  508  so as to allow fluid communication between the needle conduit  590  and hollow needle  509 . The hollow needle  509 , attached to the needle adapter  508 , is held in a set position by a compression spring  514  pushing against the needle adapter  508  until the locking pin  510  reaches a locking portion  580  of the groove  575  located on the bottle adapter  506 . 
         [0052]    Referring again  FIG. 14C , the bottle adapter  506  will now be described in more detail below. The bottle adaptor  506  containing a slot  570  and a groove  575 , in which the locking pin  510  of a needle adaptor  508  is insertably guided. Positioning the locking pin  510  within the groove  575  stabilizes the needle adaptor  508  and hollow needle  509  during deformation of a septum  507 , wherein the locking pin  510  (and thus the needle adapter  508 ) is locked into place when the spring  514  biases the locking pin  510  into the locking portion  580  of the groove  575 . An alternative embodiment of bottle adaptor contains a series of slots for setting the locking pin  510  at different groove positions. Another alternative embodiment of bottle adaptor contains a slot for setting the locking pin  510  at multiple different groove positions. 
         [0053]    Referring again to  FIG. 14A , the exemplary embodiment further shows the septum  507  at a rest state, in which the septum  507  has not been deformed by pressure build up in the container  502  (via any reaction therein). In this rest state, a user may manually push the needle adapter  508  down through the bottle adapter hole  560  and into the septum  507  in order to release any possible pressure build up that is may not be visible from deformation of septum  507 . When a user manually pushes the needle adapter  508  downward, the locking pin  510  on the needle adapter  508  moves along the slot on the bottle adapter  506  (as shown in  FIG. 14C ) so as to safely position the hollow needle  509  through the bottle adapter hole  560 , thereby puncturing the seal created by the septum and releasing any pressure in the container  502 . The controlled release of any pressure build up before detaching the cap  505  from the sleeve  504  is an especially useful safety benefit. After the user has pushed down the needle adapter  508  through the bottle adapter hole  560  to release any pressure, the compression spring  514  will generally push the needle adapter  508  in an opposing direction and guide the hollow needle  509  away from the septum  507 , by means of guiding the locking pin  510  through the slot  570  and into the locking position  580  of the groove  575 . When in this position, the hollow needle  509  is disposed in proximity to the septum  507  that allows the hollow needle  509  to puncture the septum  507  upon a desired, relatively upward deformation of the septum  507 . 
         [0054]    Referring again to  FIG. 14B , the exemplary embodiment further shows a septum deformation and a septum  507  in a punctured state. As shown, pressure in the container  502  has built up so as to deform (and/or stretch) the septum  507  through the bottle adapter hole and into the cavity  513  of the bottle adapter  506 . As the septum  507  deforms it impinges upon the hollow needle  509 . Once the hollow needle  509  punctures the septum inner surface  515  of the septum  507 , the interior of the hollow needle  509  is in fluid communication with the container interior  516 . The pressure in the container interior  516  has reached a first threshold value when the pressure causes the septum  507  to become punctured by the hollow needle  509 . When the septum  507  is punctured, the pressurized gas exits the container through the hollow needle  509  and flows through the needle conduit  590 . From the needle conduit  590 , the pressurized gas flows through the discharge conduit  511  and exits out to the reservoir  512  or to the atmosphere. As the pressure is released, the septum  507  returns to its generally original shape, as shown in  FIG. 14A . When the septum  507  has returned to a rest state, or a state in which the septum  507  is no longer punctured by the hollow needle  509 , the pressure in the container interior  516  has reached a second threshold value. 
         [0055]    The shape of the septum  507  just prior to being punctured is dependent on several factors such as the thickness of the septum  507 , the particular material selected for the septum  507 , and the size of the bottle adapter hole. 
         [0056]    Several components of the reactor  501  may be configured to vary and/or predetermine the amount of pressure that is required before reaching the first threshold value. For example, the size of the bottle adapter hole that is exposed to the septum  507  may be adjusted so as to deform when the pressure in container interior  516  is between 1-500 psi. Generally, the smaller the bottle adapter hole that is exposed to the septum  507 , the greater the amount of pressure that will be required to stretch and/deform the septum  507  through the bottle adapter hole and into the cavity  513 . Another component that may be varied is the locking pin  510  on the needle adapter  508  and the locking portion  580  of the groove  575  on the bottle adapter  506 , which allows the hollow needle  509  to be moved closer to or further away from the septum  507 . The closer the hollow needle  509  is to the septum  507 , the less amount of pressure will be required for the septum  507  to stretch and/or deform before being punctured by the hollow needle  509 . Another component that may be varied is the thickness and/or elasticity of septum  507 . A thinner septum  507  will generally stretch and/or deform under less pressure compared to a thicker septum  507  made of the same material. For example, the septum may be configured to deform when the pressure in the reaction bottle is between 150-500 psi. Of course, the septum may be configured to deform at other pressures, depending on the proposed chemical reactions and the components of the reactor. 
         [0057]    In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a bottle adapter may contain multiple slots and grooves for setting the locking pin  510  at different positions in the multiple slots. Each slot and groove may set a locking pin at different heights protruding from the needle adapter  508 , which may be calibrated to correspond to different allowed maximum pressure levels allowed in the reactor. Alternatively, multiple bottle adapters may be used in the reactor wherein each bottle adapter has a slot and a groove that positions a locking pin at different heights. A change of a bottle adapter would allow a user to set the hollow needle to different positions relative to the septum. Each bottle adapter may set a locking pin at different heights protruding from the needle adapter  508 , which may be calibrated to correspond to a maximum allowable pressure levels in the reactor. 
         [0058]    In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the needle adapter  508  may contain a threaded exterior surface and the bottle adapter  506  may contain a threaded interior surface (or vice-versa) so as to allow the needle adapter  508  to removably screw into the cavity  513  of the bottle adapter  506 . This embodiment allows the hollow needle  509  to be positioned at a set distance from the septum  507 , which may be calibrated to correspond to maximum allowable pressure amounts. In such an embodiment, a user may also continue to manually screw the needle adapter  508  into the bottle adapter  506  so as to move the hollow needle  509  through the bottle adapter hole and puncture the seal created by the septum, thereby releasing any pressure in the container  502 . 
         [0059]    Referring to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 15 , of the reactor  501  is shown to allow a pressure gauge  519  to measure pressure build up. A cap adapter  518  is added and is configured to mate with the sleeve  504  and the cap  505  so as to allow the pressure gauge  519  to measure pressure build up inside the container interior  516 . The connections of the cap, the bottle adapter, septum, needle adapter, discharge conduit, reservoir, and hollow needle are generally the same as what is described in  FIGS. 14A-C . The difference is that now, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 15 , the threaded interior surface of the cap  505  is mated to the threaded exterior surface of the cap adapter  518 , and the septum  507  is now positioned in between the bottle adapter  506  and the cap adapter  518 . 
         [0060]    The cap adapter  518  comprises a hollow core and a port  520  that are in fluid communication with the container interior  516 . An O-ring  517  is configured to form a seal between the cap adapter  518  and container  502  when the cap adapter  518  is mated to the sleeve  504 . The port  520  is configured to adapt a pressure gauge  519 , which allows for a measurement of the pressure contained in the container interior  516 , the hollow core of the cap adapter, and the port  520 . In alternatively exemplary embodiments (not shown), the port  520  may be adapted for use of a line into the reaction container, such as when a gas needs to be added before, during or after a reaction. In alternatively exemplary embodiments (not shown), the port  520  may be removably sealed so as to allow a release of pressure without having to puncture the septum  507  or disassemble the reactor  501 . In alternatively exemplary embodiments (not shown), the port  520  is configured to adapt a pressure gauge  519  with a pressure relief valve so as to allow a release of pressure without having to puncture the septum  507  or disassemble the reactor  501 . 
         [0061]    The mating between the cap  505  and the cap adapter  518  allows the cap  505  to exert a clamping like force on to the bottle adapter  506 , which in turn seals the septum  507  over the hollow core of to the cap adapter  518 . This allows for easy replacement of the septum  507  after a reaction, while minimizing the possibility of contamination. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , therein discloses an exemplary embodiment of the reactor  501  in which the cap adapter  518  in  FIG. 15  is switched for a sleeveless cap adapter  525  and the container  502  now contains a threaded interior surface. The connections of the cap, the bottle adapter, septum, needle adapter, discharge conduit, reservoir, and hollow needle are substantially the same as what is described in  FIG. 14 . The difference is that now, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the threaded interior surface of the cap  505  is mated to the threaded exterior surface of the sleeveless cap adapter  525 , and the septum  507  is now positioned in between the bottle adapter  506  and the sleeveless cap adapter  525 , so as to expose the septum  507  to the bottle adapter hole. The sleeveless cap adapter  525  has an upper threaded exterior surface, a lower threaded exterior surface, a port  521 , and a hollow core that is in fluid communication with the container interior  516 . An o-ring  517  is positioned around the circumference of the lower threaded exterior surface of the sleeveless cap adapter  525  and forms a seal between the sleeveless cap adapter  525  and the container  502  when the sleeveless cap adapter  525  is mated to the threaded interior surface of the container  502 . The port  521  is configured to adapt a pressure gauge  519 , with or without a pressure relief valve, which allows for a measurement of the pressure in the container interior  516 , the hollow core of the sleeveless cap adapter  525 , and the port  521 . In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the port  521  may be adapted for use of a line into the reaction container, such as when a gas needs to be added before, during or after a reaction. In another alternative exemplary embodiment, the port  521  may be removably sealed so as to allow the release of pressure without having to puncture the septum  507  or disassemble the reactor  501 . 
         [0063]    The upper threaded exterior surface of the sleeveless cap adapter  525  engages a threaded interior of the cap  505 . The mating between the cap  505  and the sleeveless cap adapter  525  exerts a clamp like force onto the bottle adapter and the septum  507 , which seals the septum  507  over the hollow core of the sleeveless cap adapter  525 . This allows for easy replacement of the septum  507  after a reaction, while minimizing the possibility of contamination. 
         [0064]    Regarding  FIG. 17 , an exemplary embodiment of the reactor  501  is shown in which a condenser  522  is added and is configured to mate with the sleeve  504  and the cap  505 . The connections of the cap, the bottle adapter, septum, needle adapter, discharge conduit, reservoir, and hollow needle arc substantially the same as what is described in  FIG. 15 . The difference is that now, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 15 , the threaded interior surface of the cap  505  is mated to the threaded exterior surface of the condenser  522 , and the septum  507  is now positioned in between the bottle adapter  6  and the condenser  522 , so as to expose the septum  507  to the bottle adapter hole. The condenser  522  comprises a hollow core that is in fluid communication with the container interior  516 . The condenser  522  allows a vapor within the hollow core to be cooled by exchanging heat between the vapor and condenser interior, then in turn between condenser exterior and atmosphere. The heat exchange may reduce internal pressure that builds up during. An O-ring  517  is configured to form a seal between the condenser  522  and container  502  when the condenser  522  is mated to the sleeve  504 . The mating between the cap  505  and the condenser  522  allows the cap  505  to exert a clamping like force onto the bottle adapter, which in turn exerts a force onto the septum  507  and creates a seal between the septum  507  and the hollow core of the condenser  522  and container interior  516 . This allows for easy replacement of the septum  507  after a reaction, while minimizing the possibility of contamination. 
         [0065]    Regarding  FIG. 18 , an exemplary embodiment of the reactor  501  is shown in which reactor  501  is used in a parallel synthesis format. The connections are generally the same as in  FIG. 14A , except that instead of a sleeve  504  and a cap  505  as described in  FIG. 14A , a parallel synthesis format comprises sleeve plate  523 , cap plate  524 , and a locking system  525  between sleeve plate  523 . The locking system  525  may include devices such as latches, clamps, screws and the like. The cap plate  524  and a sleeve plate  523  may support multiple containers and bottle adapters, and a single reservoir may be used for each reactor in the parallel synthesis format. Alternative embodiments of the parallel synthesis format (not shown) may include combinations of cooling condensers, pressure gauges, heating units, release valves, and other components described in other embodiments. The advantage of the parallel synthesis embodiment is that it allows several reactions to be carried out at the same time under similar conditions. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 19A-B , therein discloses an exemplary embodiment of the reactor  501  in which the bottle adapter  506  in  FIG. 14A-B  is switched for an arm  599  which holds the needle adapter  508 . The arm  599  may be controlled manually and/or by programming so as to position the hollow needle  509  at a set distance from the septum  507 , which may be calibrated to correspond to maximum allowable pressure amounts. The connections of needle adapter, discharge conduit, reservoir, and hollow needle are substantially the same as what is described in  FIGS. 14A and 14B . The difference is that now, as shown in  FIG. 19A , the threaded interior surface of the cap  505  is mated to the threaded exterior surface of the sleeve  504 , and the septum  507  is now positioned in between the cap  505  and the container  502 , so as to expose the septum  507  to a cap hole  595 . 
         [0067]    The cap  505  of the reactor  501  may be configured to vary and/or predetermine the amount of pressure that is required before reaching the first threshold value. For example, the size of the cap hole  595  that is exposed to the septum  507  may be adjusted so as to deform when the pressure in container interior  516  is between 1-500 psi. Generally, the smaller the cap hole  595  that is exposed to the septum  507 , the greater the amount of pressure that will be required to stretch and/deform the septum  507  through the cap hole  595 . 
         [0068]    In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the needle adapter  508 , discharge conduit  511 , and reservoir  512  be built into the arm  599 . In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the cap  505  and sleeve  504  are switched for a crimper cap. 
         [0069]    It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
         [0070]    While the disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.