Abstract:
A semen container fitted with a specialized tip includes a substantially hollow body having a sealable first end adapted for the introduction of biological fluids such as semen and a second end having a nozzle molded thereto. The nozzle terminates in a removable tip that is anchored to the container by way of a tab such that after dispensing the biological liquid from the container the tip and the container may be disposed of simultaneously thereby reducing or eliminating the need to separately collect the removed tips from the ground.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to the field of animal husbandry. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container for the collection of biological liquids such as semen. Specifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to semen container having a specialized tip that is adapted to be retained in connection with the container after removal for dispensing the stored biological materials such that the container and tip may be disposed of simultaneously. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Artificial insemination (AI) is a common technique employed for the purpose of procreation of a variety of different livestock. In particular, AI is used to deliver biological liquids, i.e., semen, to the reproductive tract of a female animal. Typically, these biological liquids are stored in sealed containers such as tubes and bags prior to their use. 
     As is known to those skilled in the art, AI technology has made it possible to inseminate a larger number of livestock than through traditional mating. Further, AI technology has made it possible to collect semen from a male animal without contact with the female. Accordingly, this allows for the insemination of each female with a controlled quantity of semen in an isolated environment such that the chances of insemination and size of resulting litter are greatly increased. The containers traditionally used to collect the semen generally include a sealable first end for the introduction of semen and a second end having a nozzle ending in a removable tip for the dispensing of the stored semen during AI. The removable tips are generally small plastic caps that may be removed by a variety of mechanisms. For example, the tips may be twisted, cut, or otherwise severed from the end of the nozzle. Typically, after the tips are removed they simply fall to ground where they pose a threat to the environment. Furthermore, the plastic tips are capable of damaging or otherwise interfering with the operation of farming machinery, e.g., mechanical barn cleaners or manure spreaders. Thus, one previously recognized problem has been that the removable tips, if not properly disposed of, may clog or otherwise plug manure spreading equipment and result in a large number of relatively small plastic pieces which are difficult to remove and dispose of. Needless to say, it is desirable to provide a semen container that employs a tip that is separable from the nozzle for dispensing of the semen during the AI procedure but that is capable of remaining attached to the container itself such that the container and tip may be disposed of simultaneously after completion of the procedure. What is needed therefore is a semen container having a specialized tip configured to maintain the tip in contact with the container after removal thereof. 
     The below-referenced U.S. patents disclose embodiments that were at least in-part satisfactory for the purposes for which they were intended. The disclosures of all the below-referenced prior United States patents, in their entireties are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application for purposes including, but not limited to, indicating the background of the present invention and illustrating the state of the art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,503 discloses a boar semen collection bag comprising a pair of flexible flat plastic segments sealed along the edges to present an upwardly opening bag. A pouch is positioned within the collection bag. When the bag is disposed within a collection mug, the upper portions thereof extend as a shroud around the exterior of the mug. Once the semen is received within the mug, the semen passes through a filter material and into the collection bag. The collection bag includes a spout having a tip that is cut off to form a dispensing opening in the spout for dispensing the contents thereof. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,819 discloses a container for semen and other biological liquids for use in AI. The container includes a nozzle for the delivery of the biological liquid. The nozzle includes means for bending such that the container may be used in a vertical position while attached to a horizontal catheter. Further, the nozzle has means to allow for opening the nozzle, i.e., removing a tip thereof, without the use of tools. 
     In embodiments disclosed in the above-referenced patents, semen and biological liquid containers are disclosed as having nozzles with removable tips. As indicated above, these containers suffer from the disadvantage of creating a substantial amount of difficult to dispose of and potentially hazardous plastic debris. Accordingly, as noted previously, providing a biological liquid container having means to maintain a connection between the removable tip and the container is desired. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     By way of summary, the present invention is directed to a semen container having a specialized tip. An effect of the present invention is to allow for simultaneously disposal of the removable tip along with the semen container. A primary object of the invention is to provide a semen container including a removable tip that is interconnected with the semen container such that it is retained in contact therewith after removal of the tip from the nozzle. Another object of the invention is to provide a semen container that is reliable, thereby decreasing down time and operating costs. Another object of the invention is to provide semen container that has one or more of the characteristics discussed above but which is relatively simple to manufacture and assemble using a minimum of equipment. Another object of the invention is to provide a semen container that can be used with existing automatic semen container filling equipment. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a specialized tip that is capable of use with a plurality of interconnected semen bags 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, these objects are achieved by providing a semen container having a first sealable end adapted to receive the semen or biological liquid. The container includes a second end opposite the first end having a nozzle extending therefrom and terminating in a removable tip. The removable tip may be configured to be removed by cutting, twisting or otherwise severing the connection between the tip and the nozzle such that the semen or biological liquids stored in the container may be dispensed for purposes of artificially inseminating livestock. The tip is anchored or otherwise affixed to a portion of the body of the container by a plastic tab or similar such structure. Accordingly, even after the tip is removed from the nozzle, the tip remains attached to the semen container such that it may be simultaneously disposed of along with the container. In one embodiment, the specialized tip may be used with a plurality of interconnected semen bags of the kind generally known in the art. 
     These and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a semen container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the semen container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a top of the semen container of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the semen container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the semen container of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a semen container assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial top plan view of a semen container of an another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a partial top plan view of the semen container of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected, attached, or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , a container for holding and storing biological liquids such as semen comprises semen tube  10  having a hollow body  13  defining a cavity and having a first end  12  adapted for receiving semen and other biological liquids to be stored in the cavity. After the semen is introduced into the tube  10 , first end  12  is sealed to prevent the spilling or loss of semen therefrom. Heat sealing, or a similar such process, is preferably used to form a seal  14  at the first end  12  of the tube  10 . In addition, a cut may be provided in the tube  10  along the seal  14  to facilitate the opening of the seal  14  during the AI procedure to create a vacuum inside the tube  10  to facilitate the delivery of the semen to the animal. 
     The walls of the tube  10  are preferably relatively flexible and adapted for receiving and retaining semen within the tube  10 . As such, the tube  10  is preferably constructed from a plastic material such as, for example, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or a similar such material. The tube  10  is preferably constructed from a material that will not harm or otherwise damage the contents stored within the tube  10  and which will serve to properly preserve the liquids stored therein. More preferably, the tube  10  of the present invention may be constructed of a biodegradable plastic material such that tube tips accidentally disposed of in, for example, manure pits, are safely and easily decomposed over time thereby preventing clogging or other such damage when the manure pits are pumped out. 
     Opposite the first end  12 , a second end  16  includes a nozzle  18  attached thereto and terminating in a removable tip  20 . The nozzle  18  is preferably integrally molded to the body  13  by blow molding or similar such process as is generally known in the art. The second end  16  of the tube  10  is preferably substantially more rigid than the first end  12  to facilitate delivery of the stored semen during the AI procedure. During an AI procedure, the nozzle  18  is inserted into a horizontal insemination catheter that has been inserted into the animal&#39;s body. Insertion of the nozzle  18  into the catheter is accomplished with the semen tube  10  in a substantially horizontal position and the nozzle  18  longitudinally aligned with the tube  10 . The tube  10  may be rotated vertically for dispensing the stored semen. Accordingly, the nozzle  18  may additionally include a substantially bendable portion  19 . The bendable portion  19  enables the tube  10  to be rotated vertically without kinking or otherwise damaging the nozzle  18  or the body  13  of the semen tube  10 . Bendable portion  19  preferably includes a pair of bumps molded into the nozzle  18  to allow for bending of the nozzle  18 . In addition, the nozzle  18  is preferably adapted to fit existing semen fill cup manufacturing assemblies. 
     The nozzle  18  is generally adapted for delivering the stored semen to the animal during the AI procedure. For example, the tip  20  of the nozzle  18  preferably includes means for easy removal therefrom. Preferably, the tip  20  is removable from the nozzle  18  without the use of tools. For example, the tip  20  and nozzle  18  may include a relatively weak portion disposed between the tip  20  and the nozzle  18  that may be easily broken such that the tip  20  may be easily removed. Alternatively, the tip  20  may include a flange  24  or similar such projection extending therefrom that may facilitate gripping by the user such that the tip  20  may be twisted or otherwise removed from the nozzle  18  under a user applied force. In one embodiment, the nozzle  18  includes a score line  22  configured to separate the tip  20  from the nozzle  18 . Score line  22  is preferably provided to provide a relatively weakened line between the nozzle  18  and the tip  20  such that bending across the score line  22  allows for easy removal of the tip  20 . In another embodiment, the tip  20  of the nozzle  18  is adapted to be removed by cutting with a scissors, knife, or similar such tool. 
     Tip  20  preferably includes a flange  24  extending outwardly therefrom. Flange  24  provides an attachment surface for a tab  26 . Tab  26  is a relatively flexible member provided in parallel with the nozzle  18  of the present invention. Tab  26  preferably has a first end  28  integrally molded or otherwise affixed to the body  13  of the tube  10  and a second end  30  molded or affixed to the flange  24  of the tip  20 . The tab  26  is preferably attached to the body  13  at or near the point where the nozzle  18  extends from the body  13 . In this embodiment, the tab  26  is substantially parallel to the nozzle  18 . Alternatively, the tab  26  may be attached to the nozzle  18  of the body  13  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Thus, the tip  20  may be removed from the nozzle  18  as described above, but remain attached to a portion of the body  13  of the tube  10  by way of the tab  26 . Accordingly, during an AI procedure, the tip  20  may be removed for dispensing the semen stored therein, and after completion of the procedure, the tube  10  and tip  20  may simultaneously be disposed of. As such, the amount of small plastic debris to be disposed of is greatly reduced or eliminated. Accordingly, farming equipment may safely be used to clean a barn and dispense barn waste. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising a semen bag assembly  110  includes a plurality of individual bags  111  attached to one another. Each bag  111  includes a rectangular-shaped body  113  that is relatively flat before the introduction of semen to the bag  111  and a first end  112  adapted to receive semen. The bag  111  includes an internal pouch  115  defining a cavity configured to receive the semen and secured between a joining portion  117  on each side. Joining portion  117  includes a seal  121  disposed between each joining portion  117  and a joining portion  117  of an adjacent bag  111 . After the bag  111  is filled, a seal  114  may be provided at the first end  112  to securely retain the semen therein for transport or storage. The bags  111  may be sealed using heat sealing or similar such methods known in the art. In addition, each bag  111  may further include a cut or similar perforation for removing each bag  111  from the bag assembly  110 . Each bag  111  preferably includes two pairs of holes  123  disposed near the first end  112  and adapted to receive hooks of a semen bag filling assembly of the kind generally known in the art. Bags  111  are preferably constructed of a plastic material, and more preferably, bags  111  are constructed of a biodegradable plastic such that the tips  120  might naturally decompose over time. 
     Opposite the first end  112 , a second end  116  includes a nozzle  118  with a removable tip  120 . The nozzle  118  is preferably heat sealed in place at the second end  116  of the bag  111  and in communication with the internal pouch  115  of the bag  111 . The nozzle  118  is adapted for use with standard filling equipment known in the art. The nozzle  118  is generally adapted for dispensing stored semen in the bag  111  to an animal during an AI procedure. During use, the nozzle  118  is typically interconnected with a catheter inserted into the animal for insemination. The semen is then dispensed via the nozzle  118  under pressure applied to the bag  111  to the catheter for delivery to the animal. Nozzle  118  preferably includes a substantially bendable portion  119  similar to that of the previous embodiment. 
     The tip  120  is preferably removable from nozzle  118  without the use of tools. Accordingly, a score line  122  may be included to demark and separate the nozzle  118  from the tip  120 . As such, the tip  120  may be easily removed by applying torque or other such force thereto. Alternatively, the tip  120  may be removed by cutting with a knife or scissors. 
     As in the previous embodiment, the tip  120  includes a flange  124  molded thereto. A tab  126  is interconnected between each bag  111  and the flange  124  of the tip  120 . As such, when the tip  120  is removed from the nozzle  118 , the tip  120  remains affixed to the bag  111  by way of the tab  126 . Accordingly, the tip  120  may be disposed of along with the bag  111  after completion of the AI procedure. In an alternative embodiment, the tab  126  may comprise a thread embedded within the body  113  of bag  111  or otherwise fixed thereto. The thread of the alternative embodiment preferably comprises a relatively strong material such that the tab  126  is able to retain the tip  120  in contact with the body  113  of the bag  111  as discussed previously. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an alternative embodiment of the semen container  210  of the present invention includes a hollow body  213  with a nozzle  218  terminating in a removable tip  220  at one end thereof. In this embodiment, the tip  220  is retained in contact with the body  213  or nozzle  218  by way of a thread  232  embedded within the body  213  or nozzle  218 . Accordingly, after the tip  220  is removed from the nozzle  218  as described in the prior embodiments of the present invention, the thread  232  ensures that the tip  220  is retained in contact with one of the body  213  and the nozzle  218 . The thread  232  of this embodiment preferably comprises a relatively strong material such that the thread  232  is able to retain the tip  220  in contact with the body  213  of the container  210 . Accordingly, the thread  232  may be constructed from any such suitable material including, but not limited to, a relatively flexible plastic or similarly suitable material. 
     Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. 
     Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually any configuration. Furthermore, all the disclosed features of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed features of every other disclosed embodiment except where such features are mutually exclusive. 
     It is intended that the appended claims cover all such additions, modifications and rearrangements. Expedient embodiments of the present invention are differentiated by the appended claims.