Patent Publication Number: US-2023139411-A1

Title: Container adapter for removably attachable syringe

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to improved apparatus for removably attaching a syringe to a container (such as a bottle) for use with extracting fluid from the container into the syringe, and method(s) of using same, and is particularly advantageous for higher-viscosity fluid. 
     Withdrawing fluid from a container into a syringe can be cumbersome and/or tedious for a person having that task, particularly when the fluid is viscous and therefore requires a relatively long draw time (as compared to a thinner fluid). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to improved apparatus for removably attaching a syringe to a container for use with extracting fluid from the container into the syringe, and method(s) of using same, and is particularly advantageous for higher-viscosity fluid. In one aspect, this comprises a container adapter that further comprises: a syringe adapter comprising a sidewall extending between a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the sidewall having an interior surface defining a chamber, the sidewall defining a proximal-end opening and a distal-end opening at a terminal end of the proximal end and the distal end, respectively, the proximal end configured to be removably connected to a syringe tip at a distal end of a syringe; a component configured for securely holding the syringe adapter therein; and a cap. In this aspect, the component is configured to hold the syringe adapter such that the distal end of the syringe adapter extends outward from a bottom of the component while the proximal end of the syringe adapter extends outward from a top of the component, the component being further configured for securely attaching over a collar on a neck opening of a container and to thereby hold the distal end of the syringe adapter within an interior of the container, the interior of the container holding a fluid therein. In this aspect, the cap is configured to removably connect to the proximal end of the syringe adapter and thereby close off a proximal-end opening into the chamber of the syringe adapter, the cap further configured to be disconnected from the proximal end of the syringe adapter for removably connecting the syringe tip thereto to thereby open the proximal-end opening into the chamber to open a fluid path between a barrel of the syringe, the chamber of the syringe adapter, the distal-end opening, and the fluid-containing interior of the container. Preferably, the cap connects to the proximal end of the syringe adapter using a secure, Luer-type lock connection that is made by rotating a flanged area extending laterally from the proximal end of the syringe adapter within corresponding internal threads of a threaded area in the cap, the flanged area also configured for making the secure, Luer-type lock connection with the syringe tip of the syringe. Preferably in this aspect, the component further comprises a sidewall connected to, and extending between, the top of the component and the bottom of the component, the bottom of the component further comprising a lip area extending therefrom; the component is configured to hold the syringe adapter by configuring the top of the component to separate along a center thereof, thereby exposing an opening in the top that is configured to surround an outer surface of at least a portion of the syringe adapter sidewall; the component is configured to attach over the collar by surrounding an exterior of the collar with an interior of the component and causing the lip area to hook underneath a lower edge of the collar; and the component is further configured to close around the portion of the outer surface of the syringe adapter sidewall and the collar, and to stay closed. Preferably, the component further comprises a strap extending from an area at a first end of the sidewall of the component and an extension from an area at a second end of the sidewall of the component, the extension having an opening therein, such that the component is configured to stay closed by inserting a loose end of the strap through the extension until the component is no longer separated along the center thereof, the loose end configured with at least one protrusion that prevents the strap from being backed out of the opening in the extension. (Rather than the opening in the top being closeable to then surround the portion of the outer surface of the syringe adapter sidewall, in an alternative approach, some portion of the outer surface of the syringe adapter sidewall is molded to a side of the opening, such that closing the top then fully surrounds the outer surface of at least the portion of the syringe adapter sidewall.) 
     In another aspect, a container adapter for use with extracting fluid from a container and into a syringe comprises a component configured for securely attaching a syringe adapter to a container, the component having a cap securely attached thereto. In this aspect, the syringe adapter comprises a sidewall extending between a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the sidewall having an interior surface defining a chamber, the sidewall defining a proximal-end opening and a distal-end opening at a terminal end of the proximal end and the distal end, respectively, the proximal end configured to be removably connected to a syringe tip at a distal end of a syringe; the syringe adapter is preferably molded to the component such that the distal end of the syringe adapter extends outward from a bottom of the component while the proximal end of the syringe adapter extends outward from a top of the component; the component is configured with a plurality of sides that are separated from one another, at and towards a terminal end, by a gap, each of the sides being fixedly connected to the top of the component at an edge opposite the terminal end and being able to flex / bend slightly outward at the terminal end, each of the terminal ends further comprising a lip area extending therefrom; and the component is further configured for securely attaching over a collar on a neck opening of a container and to thereby hold the distal end of the syringe adapter within an interior of the container, the interior of the container holding a fluid therein. In this aspect, the cap is configured to removably connect to the proximal end of the syringe adapter and thereby close off the proximal-end opening into the chamber of the syringe adapter, the cap further configured to be disconnected from the proximal end of the syringe adapter for removably connecting a distal end of the syringe thereto to thereby open the proximal-end opening into the chamber to open a fluid path between a barrel of the syringe, the chamber of the syringe adapter, the distal-end opening of the syringe adapter, and the fluid-containing interior of the container. Preferably, the component of this aspect is configured to securely attach over the collar by forcing (e.g., by pushing) the component over an exterior of the collar and thereby causing the sides of the component to flex / bend outward around the exterior of the collar until the exterior of the collar is enclosed within an interior of the component and the lip area reaches a lower edge of the collar and hooks underneath the lower edge. In an alternative approach, the component is configured with an opening into which the syringe adapter is insertable, instead of the syringe adapter being molded to the component. 
     In a further aspect, a method of removably attaching a syringe to a container for withdrawing fluid from the container into the syringe comprises: inserting a distal end of a syringe adapter into a through-hole opening of a stopper to thereby attach the syringe adapter to the stopper, the syringe adapter comprising a sidewall extending between a proximal end and the distal end, the proximal end being opposite the distal end, the sidewall having an interior surface defining a chamber, the sidewall defining a proximal-end opening and a distal-end opening at a terminal end of the proximal end and the distal end, respectively, the proximal end configured to be removably connected to a syringe tip at a distal end of a syringe; inserting at least a lower portion of the stopper into a neck opening of the container, the stopper sized so as to plug the neck opening with the lower portion of the stopper while causing an upper portion of the stopper to rest upon an upper surface of the neck opening, while enabling the distal end of the attached syringe adapter to extend into an interior of the container, the interior of the container holding a fluid therein; placing a component over the proximal end of the syringe adapter, the attached stopper, and an outer surface of the neck opening and then making a secure attachment therebetween, the component comprising a sidewall connecting a top side and a bottom side thereof, the top side configured with an opening sized to accommodate a diameter of the proximal end of the syringe adapter and the bottom side configured with an opening sized to accommodate a larger of a diameter of an extension that extends laterally from the syringe adapter and a diameter of the outer surface of the neck opening, the sidewall of the component defining a chamber having a diameter sized to surround the diameter of the extension and the diameter of the outer surface of the neck opening and having a height sized to extend over the extension, the upper portion of the stopper, and the outer surface of the neck opening; attaching a cap to the syringe adapter, the cap being attached to a first terminal end of a lanyard, the lanyard having a ring attached thereto at a second terminal end, the attaching further comprising placing the ring around at least a portion of an outer surface of the syringe adapter sidewall; removably connecting the cap to the proximal end of the syringe adapter to thereby close off the proximal-end opening into the chamber of the syringe adapter; and disconnecting the cap from the proximal end of the syringe adapter and then removably connecting the syringe tip to the proximal end of the syringe adapter, thereby opening the proximal-end opening into the chamber to open a fluid path between a barrel of the syringe, the chamber of the syringe adapter, the distal-end opening of the syringe adapter, and the fluid-containing interior of the container. In this aspect, removably connecting the cap preferably comprises rotating a flanged area extending laterally from the proximal end of the syringe adapter within corresponding internal threads of a threaded area in the cap and removably connecting the syringe preferably comprises rotating the flanged area within corresponding internal threads of a threaded area in the syringe tip; the attaching preferably further comprises placing the ring within an indentation in the portion of the outer surface of the syringe adapter sidewall; and making the secure attachment preferably further comprises crimping the component to cause an edge of the opening in the bottom side of the sidewall of the component to lock in place under a bottom edge of the outer surface of the neck opening. 
     Various embodiments of these and other aspects of the present invention may be provided in view of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims, will become apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numbers denote the same element throughout. 
         FIGS.  1 - 3    depict examples of prior art syringes; 
         FIG.  4    depicts an as-assembled view of a container with container adapter fitted thereupon, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is shown as a perspective view; 
         FIG.  5    (comprising  FIGS.  5 A -  5 C ) illustrates a side view, a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line depicted using dashes in  FIG.  5 A , and a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view, respectively, according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an exploded view showing individual components of the assembly depicted in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an as-assembled perspective view of the container with container adapter fitted thereupon from  FIG.  4   , now illustrating how a syringe may be attached thereto; 
         FIG.  8    (comprising  FIGS.  8 A -  8 C ) depicts further details of the assembly illustrated in  FIG.  7   , including a side view, a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line depicted using dashes in  FIG.  8 A , and a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view, respectively; 
         FIG.  9    depicts an as-assembled view of a container with container adapter fitted thereupon, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is shown as a perspective view; 
         FIG.  10    (comprising  FIGS.  10 A -  10 C ) illustrates a side view, a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line depicted using dashes in  FIG.  10 A , and a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view, respectively, according to the second embodiment, and  FIGS.  10 D -  10 F  provide a variation on the illustrations in  FIGS.  10 A -  10 C , respectively; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an exploded view showing individual components of the assembly depicted in  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates an as-assembled perspective view of the container with container adapter fitted thereupon from  FIG.  9   , now illustrating how a syringe may be attached thereto; 
         FIG.  13    (comprising  FIGS.  13 A -  13 C ) depicts further details of the assembly illustrated in  FIG.  12   , including a side view, a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line depicted using dashes in  FIG.  13 A , and a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view, respectively, and  FIGS.  13 D -  13 F  provide a variation on the illustrations in  FIGS.  13 A -  13 C , respectively; 
         FIG.  14    depicts an as-assembled view of a container with container adapter fitted thereupon, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and is shown as a perspective view; 
         FIG.  15    (comprising  FIGS.  15 A -  15 C ) illustrates a side view, a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line depicted using dashes in  FIG.  15 A , and a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view, respectively, according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG.  16    illustrates an exploded view showing individual components of the assembly depicted in  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  17    illustrates an as-assembled perspective view of the container with container adapter fitted thereupon from  FIG.  14   , now illustrating how a syringe may be attached thereto; and 
         FIG.  18    (comprising  FIGS.  18 A -  18 C ) depicts further details of the assembly illustrated in  FIG.  17   , including a side view, a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line depicted using dashes in  FIG.  18 A , and a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view, respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As noted earlier, withdrawing fluid from a container (such as a bottle) into a syringe can be cumbersome and/or tedious for a person having that task, particularly when the fluid is viscous and therefore requires a relatively long draw time (as compared to a thinner fluid). Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a “container adapter”, which as will become evident in view of the detailed descriptions below, is designed to provide an improved experience for the person withdrawing fluid from a container. The container adapter attaches to a container, and is directed toward securely holding a device referred to herein as a “syringe adapter” (where the syringe adapter device is configured for providing a fluid path between a container and a syringe) and thereby also securing the syringe adapter to the container. By holding the syringe adapter securely to the container, the container adapter thereby provides an attachment point for a syringe - that is, when the syringe is attached to the syringe adapter held within the container adapter, the syringe is thereby securely attached to the container (at least) while the fluid is being withdrawn from the container, through the syringe adapter, and into the syringe. Due to this assembly, the user has fewer individual components to hold onto and manage during the withdrawal process. The user may therefore be less likely to experience problems while withdrawing fluid - including, but not limited to, accidentally dropping the container of fluid, which could enable its (potentially-expensive) contents to leak out and thereby be wasted. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed container adapter enable attaching a syringe adapter (which is discussed in further detail herein) to a container of fluid in a permanent (or semi-permanent) manner, such that a distal end of the syringe adapter is held within the body (i.e., interior) of the container and a proximal end of the syringe adapter extends outward from the container. The syringe adapter has a hollow chamber (i.e., a hollow body), and thus has an opening at its distal end and an opening at its proximal end. The container adapter is designed to hold the syringe adapter such that the distal end of the syringe adapter extends into the container, providing a path for the fluid to enter into the hollow chamber through the opening in the distal end of the syringe adapter. A cap of the container adapter is used to close off entry into the opening at the proximal end of the hollow chamber of the syringe adapter when fluid is not being withdrawn from the container. When it is desired to withdraw fluid from the container, the cap is opened, enabling the distal end of a syringe to be attached to the proximal end of the syringe adapter, the proximal end of the syringe adapter being configured for making a secure connection with the distal end of the syringe. More particularly, the attachment between the syringe and the syringe adapter connects the proximal end of the syringe adapter to a syringe tip located at the distal end of the syringe. Once the syringe is in place on the syringe adapter, fluid can be withdrawn from the container, through the distal end opening and into the hollow chamber of the syringe adapter, and then through the proximal end opening and through an opening in the syringe tip and finally into the syringe barrel. (As will be readily understood, the syringe tip at the distal end of the syringe has an opening therein; accordingly, as the fluid exits the hollow chamber, it passes through the proximal-end opening of the syringe adapter and also through the distal-end opening in the syringe tip of the attached syringe.) After withdrawing the desired amount of fluid, the syringe is preferably detached from the syringe adapter (which remains attached, by the container adapter, to the container), and the cap is replaced to close off the opening at the proximal end of the syringe adapter. (As will be obvious from teachings herein, it is not required that the syringe is detached from the syringe adapter within any particular time limit, and the detachment may thus occur at the convenience of the user. Similarly, it is not required that the withdrawal commence within any particular time period after attachment of the syringe to the syringe adapter. Accordingly, it is noted herein that the container adapter secures the syringe to the syringe adapter - and thereby to the container - “at least” while fluid is being withdrawn, and discussions herein of attaching the syringe while fluid is being withdrawn should therefore be construed as signifying “at least” while fluid is being withdrawn.) 
     U.S. Pat. Applications 16/010155, 16/166111, 16/203858, 16/393696, 16/563896, and 16/698471 (hereinafter, “the related applications”) disclose various embodiments of a device referred to therein as a “syringe adapter”, and teachings thereof are hereby incorporated herein by reference. These various embodiments are directed toward improved syringeability for viscous fluids, and more particularly, toward reducing the time (and effort) required to draw viscous fluid into a syringe. Generally stated, an embodiment of a syringe adapter, as disclosed in at least one of the related applications, comprises a sidewall extending between a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the sidewall having an interior surface defining a chamber, the proximal end configured to be connected to a syringe while withdrawing fluid from a container through the chamber and into a barrel of the syringe and the distal end configured for inserting into the container for the withdrawal, wherein an opening at the distal end is relatively large in diameter to facilitate withdrawing fluid having a relatively high viscosity. The related applications describe various issues pertaining to withdrawing viscous fluid from a container prior to the invention of the syringe adapter, and describe significant advantages provided by the disclosed syringe adapter in its various embodiments. Reference may be made to the related applications for detailed information regarding those issues and advantages, and accordingly, those descriptions are not repeated fully herein. 
     An embodiment of the present invention may be advantageously used with a syringe adapter as disclosed in the related applications, in view of disclosures provided herein, to further facilitate withdrawing viscous fluid from a container. (For ease of reference, discussions herein refer to using an embodiment of the syringe adapter as disclosed in the related applications, although this is by way of illustration but not of limitation. For example, while the related applications disclose that an opening into the distal end of the syringe adapter is preferably on the order of approximately 0.10 inches in diameter, with other ranges for this diameter also disclosed therein, it is noted that an embodiment of the present invention may be used advantageously for holding a syringe adapter that has a different opening size and/or feature(s) that differ from those of the syringe adapter disclosed in the related applications.) 
     Discussions are presented herein primarily with reference to fluid that comprises a medication of some sort; this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, however, and it should be noted that the disclosed container adapter may be beneficial for use with a container that holds fluid without regard to the purpose of the fluid. Discussions presented herein also refer primarily to fluids that are viscous — that is, fluids having a relatively high viscosity —although this is also by way of illustration and not of limitation, and it should be noted that the disclosed container adapter may be beneficial for use with a container that holds fluid without regard to the viscosity of the fluid. 
     Fluids may vary widely in their viscosity, depending upon their chemical formulation. Viscosity is sometimes defined as the resistance of a substance to flow. The viscosity of water is relatively low, for example, while the viscosity of honey is relatively high. The viscosity of some substances can be changed by applying heat; for example, melting butter increases its ability to flow. Some fluids (including fluid medications) may have a viscosity that is relatively low and is similar to that of water, for example, and thus will flow quite easily, while other fluids (including fluid medications) are known that have a viscosity that is markedly different from water. 
     Fluid medications intended for use with animals are commonly marketed in multi-dose packaging, such as bottles that hold enough fluid for administering several doses. A bottle of medication might hold 500 milliliters, for example (equivalently, 500 cubic centimeters), which is roughly equivalent to 16.9 ounces. The bottle might be made of glass or plastic, and a container having a configuration other than a bottle might be used. The term “bottle” is used herein for ease of reference, and by way of illustration and not of limitation, as a container type in which a fluid (including fluid medication) may be contained. 
     A multi-dose bottle of fluid medication is typically marketed with a rubber membrane covering at least a portion of an opening at the top of the bottle, and the rubber membrane typically has a dimple in the center where it is intended for the rubber membrane to be penetrated for withdrawing the fluid. Conventionally, a syringe is used to withdraw some amount of fluid from the multi-dose bottle. In the prior art (prior to the invention of the syringe adapter disclosed in the related applications), this is done by attaching a needle to a tip of the syringe, inserting this needle into the multi-dose container through the rubber membrane (i.e., by piercing the dimple with the needle), and then withdrawing a plunger of the syringe until an appropriate amount of fluid is pulled into the syringe body (referred to equivalently herein as the syringe “barrel”), such that the eye of the needle serves as an entry point for the fluid to be drawn from the container into the syringe barrel. In the prior art, once the needle is removed from the multi-dose container, the needle can then be used for injecting at least some portion of the withdrawn fluid into a recipient. (The related applications describe how this withdrawal process is improved when using an embodiment of the syringe adapter, as disclosed therein, instead of using a needle.) Commonly, the recipient is an animal, such as a human being or a livestock animal; accordingly, discussions herein refer primarily to fluids that comprise medication intended for use with animals, by way of illustration but not of limitation. 
     One reason for marketing animal medication in multi-dose bottles is economic. The cost of the medication may be reduced, for example, by selling a larger quantity container and thereby reducing the relative cost of the packaging. Another reason for marketing animal medication in multi-dose bottles is that the dosage of many (if not all) medications is prescribed with regard to the animal’s body weight. Accordingly, the correct amount of medication to use on a particular animal can be calculated and then withdrawn from the multi-dose bottle, after which it may be injected into the animal, and the remaining medication is then available for subsequent use. 
       FIG.  1    shows an example of a prior art syringe  100 , and illustrates how the hollow barrel  130  of syringe  100  is commonly marked with fill lines  110  that are provided for measuring the amount of fluid contained therein. When withdrawing fluid from a bottle prior to the invention of the syringe adapter disclosed in the related applications, a needle is placed over (or inside) the tip  140 , and fluid enters through an opening or eye of the needle and into the syringe barrel  130 . The syringe includes a retractable plunger, a terminal end of which is shown at  120 . As will be obvious, fluid medication is withdrawn from the bottle into the barrel  130  by pulling the plunger  120  outwardly from the proximal end of the syringe  100  (although the extension, or movement, of the plunger outwardly from the syringe is not illustrated in  FIG.  1   ). Commonly, a syringe as illustrated in  FIG.  1    is constructed of plastic, making it relatively cheap to produce and to purchase. 
     A tab-shaped member  150  is also provided on syringe  100 . When administering the medication from the barrel  130 , a person’s index finger is placed on the tab-shaped member  150  at one side of barrel  130  and the person’s middle finger is placed on the tab-shaped member  150  at the opposing side of barrel  130 , and the person’s thumb is then used to depress the terminal end of plunger  120  into the barrel in order to expel the medication from the barrel. 
     As an alternative to the syringe  100  of  FIG.  1   , an example of a so-called “pistol-grip” syringe is illustrated in  FIG.  2   . When withdrawing fluid from a bottle prior to the invention of the syringe adapter disclosed in the related applications, a needle is attached to tip  240  and fluid enters through this needle, similar to the discussion presented above with reference to  FIG.  1   ; fluid medication is drawn into a syringe of this type by pulling plunger  220  outwardly from the barrel  230 . A tab-shaped member is not provided on a syringe of this type, as compressing or squeezing the handles  210  serves to expel medication from the barrel of a syringe having a pistol-grip configuration. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates yet another prior art syringe  300 , and is referred to herein as a “tab-handled” syringe. In this configuration, the syringe has a tabbed member  350  near the proximal end of barrel  330 , and includes a handle-style tabbed member  320  affixed to the terminal end of the plunger. The tabbed member  350  is used in a similar manner to tab-shaped member  150  of  FIG.  1   , whereby a person places fingers on the tabbed member  350  on opposing sides of barrel  330 ; the person then presses down on tabbed member  320  using the person’s palm to depress the terminal end of the plunger into the barrel in order to expel the medication from the barrel. When withdrawing fluid from a bottle prior to the invention of the syringe adapter disclosed in the related applications, a needle is attached to tip  340  and fluid enters through this needle, similar to the discussion presented above with reference to  FIG.  1   ; fluid medication is drawn into a syringe of this type by pulling handle  320  to thereby draw the attached plunger outwardly from the barrel  330 . As compared to tab-shaped member  150  and plunger end  120  of  FIG.  1   , the tabbed members  320 ,  350  of  FIG.  3    typically provide improved comfort for the person using the tab-handled syringe. 
     The tips  240 ,  340  may be generally on the order of ⅜ to 7/16 inch in diameter and generally of similar height (and similarly, tip  140 ), and are generally constructed of metal. An interior area of this tip is intended for securably attaching a needle and is generally threaded for at least a portion thereof. A height of this threaded area is believed to be generally on the order of ⅛ inch to ¼ inch (and it is believed that a height of 5.4 millimeters, or approximately 0.2125 inches, is used for syringe tip threads that conform to ISO 80369-7:2016, which is further discussed below). While not illustrated in detail on tips  240 ,  340  of  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the syringe tip also typically includes a protrusion (see, for example, the illustration at reference number  741  of  FIG.  8 C ) that is centered within the exterior wall of the tip and that provides the opening through which a substance enters into the syringe barrel. (Notably, tips  140 ,  240 ,  340  are not designed for inserting through the rubber membrane of a medicine bottle.) 
     Syringes  200 ,  300  are often constructed, at least in part, of metal. Glass or plastic might be used for the syringe barrel. A metal commonly used for syringes, by way of example, is stainless steel; another example is aluminum. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are depicted (for example, in  FIG.  7   ) as enabling attachment of a syringe having a form similar to the shape shown at  100  in  FIG.  1    for ease of illustration, although in actual operation, it may be preferable to use a pistol-grip syringe  200  or tab-handled syringe  300  of the form illustrated in  FIGS.  2  -  3   , respectively. It is not material to an understanding of the present invention, for example, as to whether the syringe has handles  210  as shown in  FIG.  2    or tabbed members  320 ,  350  as shown in  FIG.  3   , or has the simpler shape shown in  FIG.  1   . Accordingly, the form of syringe illustrated at reference number  700  in  FIG.  7    et seq. is for ease of illustration only, and should not be construed as limiting the particular type of syringe that may be used advantageously with an embodiment of the disclosed container adapter. (Reference number  700  is used in  FIG.  7    et seq., rather than reference number  100 , so as to clarify that the syringe shown in those figures is not necessarily identical to syringe  100  of  FIG.  1   .) 
     As noted earlier, embodiments of the present invention provide a container adapter that attaches to a container, the container adapter directed toward securely holding a syringe adapter (the syringe adapter configured for providing a fluid path between a container and a syringe) and thereby also securing the syringe adapter to the container, the container adapter thereby providing an attachment point for a syringe that secures the syringe to a bottle (at least) while fluid is being withdrawn from the bottle and into the syringe barrel. The related applications describe, in detail, how the proximal end of a syringe adapter may be attached to the distal end of a syringe, or more particularly, to a syringe tip on the distal end of the syringe. It is noted that a conventional prior art syringe is marketed with the expectation that a needle will be attached to this distal end of a syringe, and accordingly, the distal end syringe tips  140 ,  240 ,  340  typically conform to the standard size of the proximal end of a needle. The related applications describe how the proximal end of an embodiment of the syringe adapter disclosed therein is preferably configured in a similar manner to the proximal end of a needle (thereby enabling the syringe adapter to be attached to a commercially-available syringe). 
     More particularly, the related applications describe the proximal end of some embodiments of the syringe adapter disclosed therein as having a flanged area that extends laterally therefrom, where the flanged area is designed (in these embodiments) to securably attach to a corresponding receiving area on the distal end of a syringe. This approach for making a securable attachment between two parts is commonly referred to as a Luer-type lock approach. Luer-type locks and Luer-type slips are known approaches for making leak-free connections on fluid fittings, and are described in International Standards 594-1:1986 and ISO 594-2:1998(E) and their replacement ISO 80369-7:2016, which are directed toward conical fittings for health-care applications. As is readily understood, a Luer-type lock relies upon a threaded attachment of what are commonly denoted as “male” and “female” parts, which may be achieved by placing tabs as lateral extensions on one part, these tabs designed to rotatably descend within corresponding threads of the other part. The threads are designed as a so-called “double start” or double helix configuration, as described for the internal threads of a Luer-type lock hub in the above-noted International Standards. The related applications disclosed embodiments that use this type of flanged area, also referred to as tabs, to thereby make a secure connection — by a Luer-type lock approach — between the syringe adapter and a syringe. 
     As an alternative to connecting a syringe to a syringe adapter using a Luer-type lock, the related applications also describe other embodiments of the syringe adapter disclosed therein as relying on a friction-based connection. Prior to invention of the syringe adapter disclosed in the related applications, this type of connection relied on friction to attach a needle to a syringe tip, and is known as a Luer-type slip connection. The related applications include embodiments that use a friction-based, or Luer-type slip, connection whereby the proximal end of those embodiments of the syringe adapter is placed over an exterior of the distal end (e.g., tip  140  of  FIG.  1   ) of a syringe. 
     While discussions herein primarily refer to a syringe adapter embodiment having a proximal end configured with tabs and thus adapted for making a Luer-type lock connection, and a syringe having a syringe tip that accommodates a Luer-type lock connection, this is by way of illustration but not of limitation: in view of teachings herein, it can be seen that the disclosed container adapter may alternatively be used in a Luer-type slip connection between syringe and syringe adapter. 
     The related applications describe removably attaching a syringe adapter to a syringe, then withdrawing fluid from a bottle through an opening in the distal end of the syringe adapter, through a hollow chamber of the syringe adapter and then through a proximal end opening of the syringe adapter as it meets with an opening in the syringe tip, and then into the syringe barrel. The related applications also describe that in some embodiments, the syringe adapter is configured for affixing a needle onto the in-place syringe adapter for administering the medication from the syringe barrel, while in other embodiments, the syringe adapter is configured to be removed from the syringe after the withdrawing of fluid and then replaced with a needle in order to administer medication from the syringe barrel. Preferred embodiments of the container adapter of the present invention are configured for use with a syringe adapter embodiment of the latter form. 
     The container adapter disclosed herein provides a novel, non-obvious mechanism for securing the syringe adapter to the container that then facilitates attachment of the syringe, and also facilitates novel and non-obvious methods of use, as will now described in detail with reference to several embodiments thereof. 
       FIGS.  4 - 8    illustrate a first embodiment of the container adapter disclosed herein. 
       FIG.  4    depicts an as-assembled view of a container / bottle  410  with a container adapter  420  fitted thereupon, the container adapter  420  securing therein a syringe adapter  490  (as shown in further detail in  FIGS.  5  -  8   ). A cap  430  is shown as being closed, thus preventing fluid in bottle  410  from leaking or spilling out. A lanyard  440  is attached to the cap  430 . In this embodiment, a component  450  is attached to the other end of lanyard  440 . Component  450  is formed so as to open, allowing syringe adapter  490  to be placed within an interior of component  450 , and a strap  460  is placed so as to securely hold component  450  in a closed position around the syringe adapter  490 , as will now be discussed in more detail with reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   . 
       FIG.  5 A  illustrates a side view of this first embodiment, showing container adapter  420  placed upon bottle  410 .  FIG.  5 B  provides a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line that is denoted as “A” and depicted using dashes in  FIG.  5 A .  FIG.  5 C  provides a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  5 B , this portion denoted as “B” in  FIG.  5 B , and for ease of reference, discussions will now refer to the close-up view in  FIG.  5 C . 
       FIG.  5 C  illustrates how cap  430  is placed on (i.e., removably connected to) a syringe adapter  490 , thus closing off entry and exit into bottle  410 . Reference numbers  440   a ,  440   b  represent portions of a ring-shaped end of lanyard  440  as its surrounds a top portion of cap  430 . Preferably, portions of cap  430  are configured to mimic portions of a syringe tip from a conventional syringe. More particularly, cap  430  is depicted as having a protruding tip  431  and a threaded inner attachment area  432 . (Notably, tip  431  does not have a through-hole, as distinguished from a conventional syringe tip.) In the approach depicted in  FIG.  5 C , the tip  431  protrudes somewhat from an edge  433  of cap  430  and into the hollow chamber  492  of the syringe adapter  490 . (Note that while chamber  492  is illustrated as having a generally cylindrical shape at one end and a generally conical or tapered shape at the other end, and that while syringe adapter  490  is illustrated as having particular dimensions, this is by way of illustration but not of limitation, and an embodiment of the disclosed container adapter may be suitably configured to accommodate varying outer shapes and dimensions of syringe adapters without deviating from the scope of the present invention.) 
     Cap  430  is preferably configured with a multi-sided exterior (shown in  FIGS.  4  -  8    as being hexagonal, by way of illustration but not of limitation). This multi-sided exterior shape enables a user to twist and/or grip the cap with relative ease (for example, when attaching and removing the cap). Accordingly, a secure and leak-free Luer-lock type connection between cap  430  and syringe adapter  490  may be made by rotating / twisting cap  430  (and/or syringe adapter  490 ) until a flanged area  491  (which may also be referred to as tabs, as noted earlier, a “flanged area” as referred to herein preferably comprising a pair of tabs placed generally opposite one another) that extends laterally from a proximal end of syringe adapter  490  (i.e., the end where reference number  491  is generally pointing) moves within internal threaded area  432  of cap  430  until flanged area  491  locks into place within threaded area  432 . Notably, this is the same approach for making a leak-free connection that will preferably be used when connecting a syringe to the syringe adapter  490  (as will be discussed in further detail with reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   ). As noted earlier, a conventional height for the internal threaded portion of a tip of a pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe is believed to be approximately ⅛ inch to ¼ inch in length and a standardized height thereof is believed to be 5.4 millimeters to conform with the above-cited International Standards. Accordingly, threaded area  432  of cap  430  preferably has a similar height so as to accommodate flanged area  491  on the proximal end of syringe adapter  490  (where a height of flanged area  491 , as described in the related applications, is preferably on the order of at least 1/16 to ⅛ inch in height in view of the height of the syringe tip threads). 
     It should be noted that while a Luer-type connection is designed to be “leak-free”, references herein to such characterization are not meant to imply that the connection provided by an embodiment of the disclosed container adapter necessarily prevents fluid from leaking from a container under all circumstances. Thus, such references may be interpreted more generally as leak resistant. 
     Reference number  411  depicts a conventional collar on bottle  410 , and  FIG.  5 C  illustrates how component  450  is designed to surround this collar  411  to thereby secure the container adapter  420  (and thus the syringe adapter  490 ) to the bottle  410 . An inner diameter of component  450 , when a sidewall  452  thereof is closed, is preferably only slightly larger than the diameter of an exterior of collar  411 . (Reference number  452  is shown in  FIG.  6   .) In this manner, component  450  will fit snugly around collar  411 , and will be less likely to slip or spin. Similarly, a height of sidewall  452  is preferably only slightly taller than a sum of the height of collar  411  and the height of extension  493  of syringe adapter  490 . In addition to surrounding the top and outer edges of collar  411 ,  FIG.  5 C  illustrates that component  450  is further configured with a lip  453  at its lower edge (i.e., at the lower edge of sidewall  452 ) that hooks underneath collar  411 . Reference number  454  depicts an area where sidewall  452  flexes as it is opened or closed. 
       FIG.  5 C  also illustrates how container adapter  420  is configured to encapsulate an extension  493  of syringe adapter  490 , extension  493  being configured in this example as a radial extension. (Note that while the extension  493  is illustrated as being round at its perimeter, and the exterior dimension thereof is shown as fully extending within the bounds of the interior diameter of component  450 , this is by way of illustration but not of limitation.) A conventional bottle  410  typically includes a rubber membrane covering at least a portion of an opening at the top of the bottle and the rubber membrane typically has a dimple (e.g., a small indentation) in the center where it is intended for the rubber membrane to be penetrated, as noted earlier, and this membrane is illustrated at reference number  412  in  FIG.  5 C . Commonly, collar  411  is made from metal and is used to hold membrane  412  over an opening in the neck of the bottle  410 . A distal end  495  of syringe adapter  490  penetrates and extends through this membrane  412  (and is held in this position by container adapter  420 ), thus allowing fluid within bottle  410  to contact, and enter through, an opening  494  in the distal end  495  of the syringe adapter (this opening  494  illustrated as being formed by the sidewall of syringe adapter  490  and located at the terminal end of distal end  495  and being generally blunt and frusto-conical in shape, as contrasted to the sharp end of a needle). 
       FIG.  6    illustrates an exploded view showing individual components of the assembly depicted in  FIG.  4   . A conventional bottle  410  is illustrated with its collar  411  and membrane  412 . A syringe adapter  490  is illustrated, showing its flanged area  491 , proximal end opening  497 , extension  493 , distal end  495 , and the location therein of opening  494 . Component  450  is shown as separating at the top, preferably along a center thereof, and is designed to flex open. As shown in  FIG.  6   , one side of sidewall  452  of component  450  is designed to open during this flexing, while a side opposite thereto is formed as a continuous piece that flexes or bends (see  454  of  FIG.  5 C ) but does not open. By way of illustration but not of limitation, an opening or cut-out in the center area of the top of component  450  forms (when closed) a hexagonal shape, as can be seen in  FIGS.  6  and  7   . This hexagonal cut-out shape accommodates a corresponding hexagonal exterior shape of a portion  496  of syringe adapter  490 , holding the syringe adapter in place so that it does not spin. Using a hexagonal (or more generally, multi-sided) exterior shape for portion  496  assists a person in easily grasping the syringe adapter  490  - for example, when connecting syringe adapter  490  within the inner threaded area  432  of cap  430  and/or (as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   ) the inner threaded area  732  of a syringe tip  740 . (As will be obvious in view of teachings herein, if a syringe adapter is used that has a different shape for this exterior portion —for example, being cylindrical in shape or having a multi-sided exterior with a different number of sides — then the cut-out in the center area of the top of component  450  is preferably configured to match that exterior shape. Furthermore, while  FIG.  6    depicts syringe adapter  490  as being completely separable from component  450 , it should be understood in view of teachings herein that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. As an alternative, syringe adapter  490  may be molded to, or otherwise affixed to, the top of component  450  — for example, by being attached to one of the sides of the top of component  450  in the area where the cut-out in the center is depicted — without deviating from the scope of the present invention.) 
       FIG.  6    also illustrates how strap  460  is preferably designed to extend from an area on one end of sidewall  452 , while an opposite end of sidewall  452  includes an extension  451  having an opening into which the loose end  461  of strap  460  is to be inserted. Strap  460  may be manufactured to curve (at least somewhat) from its attachment point on sidewall  452  toward its loose end  461 . Preferably, strap  460  and extension  451  are configured similarly to a well-known “zip tie”, such that once the component  450  is in place surrounding the syringe adapter  490  and the bottle collar  411 , the loose end  461  may be pulled through the opening in extension  451  and tightened. Loose end  461  is preferably configured with at least one protrusion that prevents strap  460  from being backed out of the opening in extension  451 . As a result, the component  450  of container adapter  420  enables the syringe adapter  490  to be securably attached to the bottle  410 . See  FIG.  7   , where this attachment is illustrated. The attachment is preferably used as a permanent attachment, although if strap  460  is constructed from a material that can be severed, it would be possible to detach the container adapter  420  from bottle  410  if desired. 
       FIG.  6    also illustrates cap  430  and its protrusion  431 , the cap being attached to lanyard  440  which in turn is attached to component  450 . Preferably, lanyard  440  is of sufficient length as to allow cap  430  to not interfere with other portions of the assembly when the cap is opened (as illustrated in  FIG.  7   ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the container adapter  420  of this first embodiment is designed such that component  450  is assembled over a syringe adapter  490  and collar  411  prior to locking the component  450  closed with strap  460  and extension  451 . In one approach, this assembly is performed in a manufacturing or distribution step, prior to delivery of the bottle to a user. In another approach, this assembly is performed by a user, thus enabling the user to attach the container adapter — including the syringe adapter it secures — to a suitably-sized bottle. In this latter approach, the container adapter and its syringe adapter may be packaged together so that the user receives all needed components; as an alternative, components of the container adapter may be provided separately, such that (for example) a user receives component  450  with lanyard  440  and cap  430  attached thereto, and then provides his or her own syringe adapter during the assembly process. (The term “user”, as used herein, should be construed as including end users who extract fluid for administering with a syringe and also other humans such as veterinarians who may prepare containers of fluid medication for other users.) 
     The related applications describe various materials from which a syringe adapter may be constructed, noting that choices include plastics (or composites) and metal. Similarly, other elements of container adapter  420  (including the cap  430 , lanyard  440 , component  450 , and strap  460 ) may be constructed from a plastic or a composite, or from another material such as stainless steel, aluminum, or another metal (or a combination thereof), without deviating from the scope of the present invention. (It will be readily understood that constructing the container adapter from a material such as plastic advantageously allows it to be recyclable, in addition to being easily disposable.) 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an as-assembled perspective view of bottle  410  with container adapter  420  fitted thereupon from  FIG.  4   , now illustrating how a syringe  700  may be attached thereto. Syringe  700 , as noted earlier, is shown (for ease of illustration) as having a form similar to the shape of syringe  100  of  FIG.  1   , and it should be understood that syringe  700  illustrates merely one example shape. As noted earlier, embodiments of the container adapter are described (and illustrated) herein primarily with reference to containing (i.e., securing) a syringe adapter having a proximal end configured with tabs and thus adapted for making a Luer-type lock connection with a syringe tip that accommodates such connection, and accordingly, the syringe tip shown at reference number  740  of  FIG.  7    is described as having a configuration with an internal threaded area (as further shown in  FIG.  8   ). 
       FIG.  7    shows that cap  430  is now opened, and the tip  740  at the distal end of syringe  700  takes it place. Accordingly, a secure connection (referred to equivalently herein as, inter alia, a secure attachment or a leak-free connection) is made between tip  740  and the proximal end of syringe adapter  490  (this proximal end being contained inside tip  740  and thus not being visible in  FIG.  7   ).  FIG.  8    illustrates this secure connection in further detail. 
       FIG.  8 A  illustrates a side view of the assembly shown in  FIG.  7   , with syringe  700  attached to bottle  410 .  FIG.  8 B  provides a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line that is denoted as “C” and depicted using dashes in  FIG.  8 A .  FIG.  8 C  provides a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  8 B , this portion denoted as “D” in  FIG.  8 B , and for ease of reference, discussions will now refer to the close-up view in  FIG.  8 C . 
       FIG.  8 C  shows the component  450  of the container adapter surrounding collar  411  to thereby secure the container adapter  420  to the bottle  410  while encapsulating syringe adapter  490 , as has been discussed above with reference to  FIG.  5 C .  FIG.  8 C  differs from  FIG.  5 C , however, in that the cap  430  is now opened and replaced with syringe  700  as noted above with reference to  FIG.  7   .  FIG.  8 C  shows how syringe  700  is securably attached to syringe adapter  490 , this attachment comprising inserting flanged area  491  into corresponding internal threads of threaded area  732  shown in the interior of syringe tip  740  and then twisting until flanged area  491  of the syringe adapter  490  locks into place within threaded area  732 . As can be seen in  FIG.  8 C , the proximal end of syringe adapter  490  is preferably sized — as disclosed in one or more of the related applications — so as to slip over the protrusion  741  while at the same time, fitting within the threaded interior area  732  of syringe tip  740 . (It is noted that the above-cited International Standard ISO 80369-7 states acceptable measurements for inner and outer diameters of male and female portions of components intended for a Luer-type lock connection. As discussed in one or more of the related applications, inner and outer diameters of the proximal end — i.e., the end where reference number  491  is generally pointing — are preferably designed for compatibility with such measurements to enable syringe adapter  490  to make a secure attachment to the internal threaded area  732  of a syringe tip  740  that is manufactured in conformance with such measurements.) 
       FIG.  8 C  depicts, in detail, how a fluid path exists for withdrawing fluid from bottle  410  through the opening  494  into the syringe adapter  490 , then through the hollow chamber  492  of the syringe adapter  490 , then through proximal end opening  497  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) of the syringe adapter where it meets with an opening shown generally at  742  of protrusion  741 , and finally into the barrel  730  of syringe  700 . Because the disclosed container adapter securably connects all of the elements as illustrated in  FIG.  8    (i.e., syringe, syringe adapter, and bottle), a user now has fewer things to hold and to manage during the withdrawal process and may therefore be less likely to experience problems while withdrawing fluid, as was noted earlier. 
       FIGS.  9 - 13    illustrate a second embodiment of the container adapter disclosed herein. 
       FIG.  9    depicts an as-assembled view of a bottle  410  with a container adapter  920  fitted thereupon, the container adapter  920  securing therein a syringe adapter  990  (as shown in further detail in  FIGS.  10  -  13   ). A cap  930  is shown as being closed, thus preventing fluid in bottle  410  from leaking or spilling out. A lanyard  940  is attached to the cap  930 , and in this embodiment, a component  950  is attached to the other end of lanyard  940 . In contrast to component  450  of  FIG.  4   , component  950  is not designed to open for insertion of a syringe adapter. Instead, a preferred embodiment of component  950  is manufactured so as to include a syringe adapter  990 , as will now be discussed in more detail with reference to  FIGS.  10  and  11   . (Syringe adapter  990  may be similar, including identical, to syringe adapter  490 . Cap  930  and lanyard  940  may also be similar, including identical, to cap  430  and lanyard  440 .) 
       FIG.  10 A  illustrates a side view of this second embodiment, showing container adapter  920  placed upon bottle  410 .  FIG.  10 B  provides a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line that is denoted as “E” and depicted using dashes in  FIG.  10 A .  FIG.  10 C  provides a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  10 B , this portion denoted as “F” in  FIG.  10 B , and for ease of reference, discussions will now refer to the close-up view in  FIG.  10 C . 
       FIG.  10 C  illustrates how cap  930  is placed on (i.e., removably connected to) a syringe adapter  990 , thus closing off entry and exit into bottle  410 . Reference numbers  940   a ,  940   b  represent portions of a ring-shaped end of lanyard  940  as its surrounds a top portion of cap  930 . Preferably, portions of cap  930  are configured to mimic portions of a syringe tip from a conventional syringe. More particularly, cap  930  is depicted as having a protruding tip  931  and a threaded inner attachment area  932 . (Notably, tip  931  does not have a through-hole, as distinguished from a conventional syringe tip.) In the approach depicted in  FIG.  10 C , the tip  931  protrudes somewhat from an edge  933  of cap  930  and into the hollow chamber  992  of the syringe adapter  990 . (Note that while chamber  992  is illustrated as having a generally cylindrical shape at one end and a generally conical or tapered shape at the other end, and that while syringe adapter  990  is illustrated as having particular dimensions, this is by way of illustration but not of limitation, and an embodiment of the disclosed container adapter may be suitably configured to accommodate varying outer shapes and dimensions of syringe adapters without deviating from the scope of the present invention.) 
     Cap  930  is preferably configured with a multi-sided exterior (shown in  FIGS.  9  -  13    as being hexagonal, by way of illustration but not of limitation). This multi-sided exterior shape enables a user to twist and/or grip the cap with relative ease. Accordingly, a secure and leak-free Luer-type lock connection between cap  930  and syringe adapter  990  may be made by rotating / twisting cap  930  (and/or syringe adapter  990 ) until a flanged area  991  extending laterally from a proximal end of syringe adapter  990  (i.e., the end where reference number  991  is generally pointing) moves within internal threaded area  932  of cap  930  until flanged area  991  locks into place within threaded area  932 . Notably, this is the same approach for making a leak-free connection that will preferably be used when connecting a syringe to the syringe adapter  990  (as will be discussed in further detail with reference to  FIGS.  12  and  13   ). As noted earlier, a conventional height for the internal threaded portion of a pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe tip is believed to be approximately ⅛ inch to ¼ inch in length and a standardized height thereof is believed to be 5.4 millimeters to conform with the above-cited International Standards. Accordingly, threaded area  932  of cap  930  preferably has a similar height so as to accommodate flanged area  991  on the proximal end of syringe adapter  990  (where a height of flanged area  991 , as described in the related applications, is preferably on the order of at least 1/16 to ⅛ inch in height in view of the height of the syringe tip threads). 
     Reference number  411  depicts a conventional collar on bottle  410 , and  FIG.  10 C  illustrates how component  950  is designed to surround this collar  411  to thereby secure the container adapter  920  (and thus the syringe adapter  990 ) to the bottle  410 . In addition to surrounding the top and outer edges of collar  411 ,  FIG.  10 C  illustrates that component  950  is further configured with a lip area  953  (discussed below with reference to sides  951 ) that hooks underneath collar  411 . An inner diameter of component  950  is preferably only slightly larger than the diameter of an exterior of collar  411 . In this manner, component  950  will fit snugly around collar  411 , and will be less likely to slip or spin. Similarly, a height of the outside of sides  951  (see  FIGS.  11  and  13 C ) is tall enough to enable a secure fit around collar  411 , as shown in  FIG.  13 C . 
       FIG.  10 C  also illustrates how container adapter  920  is configured to encapsulate an extension  993  of syringe adapter  990 , extension  993  being configured in this example as a radial extension. (Note that while the extension  993  is illustrated as being round at its perimeter, and the exterior dimension thereof is shown as fully extending within the bounds of the interior diameter of component  950 , this is by way of illustration but not of limitation.) A rubber membrane covering at least a portion of an opening at the top of the bottle  410 , and typically including a dimple as noted earlier, is illustrated at reference number  412  in  FIG.  10 C . A distal end  995  of syringe adapter  990  penetrates and extends through this membrane  412  (and is held in this position by container adapter  920 ), thus allowing fluid within bottle  410  to contact, and enter through, an opening  994  in the distal end  995  of the syringe adapter (this opening  994  illustrated as being formed by the sidewall of syringe adapter  990  and located at the terminal end of distal end  995  and being generally blunt and frusto-conical in shape, as contrasted to the sharp end of a needle). 
       FIG.  11    illustrates an exploded view showing individual components of the assembly depicted in  FIG.  9   . A conventional bottle  410  is illustrated with its collar  411  and membrane  412 . A syringe adapter  990  is illustrated, showing its flanged area  991  and proximal end opening  997 . Extension  993 , distal end  995 , and the location therein of opening  994  are not visible in  FIG.  11   , but may be seen in  FIGS.  10  and  13   . As shown in  FIG.  11   , component  950  is designed with a plurality of sides  951  that are separated from one another, at and towards a terminal end, by a gap, these sides  951  preferably being connected (e.g., molded) to a top surface of component  950  at an edge opposite of their terminal end. Sides  951  are further configured as being somewhat flexible (i.e., at least able to bend or flex slightly outward, at their terminal ends, without breaking) and as having a lip area  953  (see  FIGS.  10 C and  13 C ) on their terminal end, thereby enabling the sides  951  to slip over collar  411  as component  950  is forced (e.g., pushed or pressed) onto collar  411 , while also enabling the lip area  953  to then securably hook underneath collar  411  as lip area  953  reaches the underside of the collar  411  and the terminal ends of sides  951  then snap back into place after being bent / flexed. See  FIGS.  12  and  13   , where this attachment is illustrated (noting that portions of underlying collar  411  are visible in the gaps between sides  951 ). The attachment is preferably used as a permanent attachment, although if sides  951  are constructed from a material that can be severed, it would be possible to detach the container adapter  920  from bottle  410  if desired. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates syringe adapter  990  extending through a top surface of component  950 . In this example, syringe adapter  990  has a hexagonal exterior shape in at least a portion  996 , and thus the top surface of component  950  adapts to this hexagonal shape. In a preferred approach, syringe adapter  990  is not separable from container adapter  920 . Accordingly, it can be seen that syringe adapter  990  will not spin. Using a hexagonal (or more generally, multi-sided) exterior shape for portion  996  assists a person in easily grasping the syringe adapter  990  — for example, when connecting syringe adapter  990  within the inner threaded area of cap  930  and/or (as shown in  FIGS.  12  and  13   ) the inner threaded area of a syringe tip. (As will be obvious in view of teachings herein, if a syringe adapter is used that has a different shape for this exterior portion —for example, being cylindrical in shape or having a multi-sided exterior with a different number of sides — then the top surface of component  950  is preferably configured to match that exterior shape.) 
       FIG.  11    also illustrates cap  930  and its protrusion  931 , the cap being attached to lanyard  940  which in turn is attached to component  950 . Preferably, lanyard  940  is of sufficient length as to allow cap  930  to not interfere with other portions of the assembly when the cap is opened (as illustrated in  FIG.  12   ). 
       FIG.  11    also illustrates how syringe adapter  990 , in this embodiment, is preferably not separable from container adapter  920 , as noted earlier. Instead, the container adapter  920  of this second embodiment is designed as an assembly that includes a syringe adapter  990  permanently attached to component  950 . In one approach, this assembly may be performed in a manufacturing step. As an alternative to a permanent attachment between component  950  and syringe adapter  990 , component  950  may be configured such that a syringe adapter  990  can be popped (or otherwise inserted) into an opening in a top surface thereof without deviating from the scope of the present invention. This inserting of a syringe adapter  990  into a component  950  may be performed during a manufacturing or distribution step. In another approach, inserting the syringe adapter  990  into the component  950  may be performed by a user. And as discussed above with reference to  FIG.  6   , assembly of the container adapter  920  (and its contained syringe adapter  990 ) onto a bottle  410  may be performed during manufacturing, distribution, or by a user. 
     As discussed above with reference to the first embodiment, syringe adapter  990  and other elements of container adapter  920  (including the cap  930 , lanyard  940 , and component  950 ) may be constructed from a plastic or a composite, or from another material such as stainless steel, aluminum, or another metal (or a combination thereof), without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG.  12    illustrates an as-assembled perspective view of bottle  410  with container adapter  920  fitted thereupon from  FIG.  9   , now illustrating how a syringe  700  may be attached thereto. Refer to the above-provided description of syringe  700  and tip  740  for further information about the syringe and its tip. 
       FIG.  12    shows that cap  930  is now opened, and the tip  740  at the distal end of syringe  700  takes it place. Accordingly, a secure connection is made between tip  740  and the proximal end of syringe adapter  990  (this proximal end being contained inside tip  740  and thus not being visible in  FIG.  12   ).  FIG.  13    illustrates this secure connection in further detail. 
       FIG.  13 A  illustrates a side view of the assembly shown in  FIG.  12   , with syringe  700  attached to bottle  410 .  FIG.  13 B  provides a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line that is denoted as “J” and depicted using dashes in  FIG.  13 A .  FIG.  13 C  provides a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  13 B , this portion denoted as “K” in  FIG.  13 B , and for ease of reference, discussions will now refer to the close-up view in  FIG.  13 C . 
       FIG.  13 C  shows the component  950  of the container adapter, with its sides  951  and their lip areas  953 , surrounding collar  411  to thereby secure the container adapter  920  to the bottle  410  while encapsulating syringe adapter  990 , as has been discussed above with reference to  FIG.  10 C .  FIG.  13 C  differs from  FIG.  10 C , however, in that the cap  930  is now opened and replaced with syringe  700  as noted above with reference to  FIG.  12   .  FIG.  13 C  shows how syringe  700  is securably attached to syringe adapter  990 , this attachment comprising inserting flanged area  991  into corresponding internal threads of threaded area  732  shown in the interior of syringe tip  740  and then twisting until flanged area  991  of the syringe adapter  990  locks into place within threaded area  732 . As can be seen in  FIG.  13 C , the proximal end of syringe adapter  990  is preferably sized — as disclosed in one or more of the related applications — so as to slip over the protrusion  741  while at the same time, fitting within the threaded interior area  732  of syringe tip  740 . (As noted above and as discussed in one or more of the related applications, inner and outer diameters of the proximal end — i.e., the end where reference number  991  is generally pointing —are preferably designed for compatibility with such measurements to enable syringe adapter  990  to make a secure attachment to the internal threaded area  732  of a syringe tip  740  that is manufactured in conformance with measurements provided in the above-cited International Standard ISO 80369-7.) 
       FIG.  13 C  depicts, in detail, how a fluid path exists for withdrawing fluid from bottle  410  through the opening  994  into the syringe adapter  990 , then through the hollow chamber  992  of the syringe adapter  990 , then through proximal end opening  997  (shown in  FIG.  11   ) of the syringe adapter where it meets with an opening shown generally at  742  of protrusion  741 , and finally into the barrel  730  of syringe  700 . Because the disclosed container adapter securably connects all of the elements as illustrated in  FIG.  13    (i.e., syringe, syringe adapter, and bottle), a user now has fewer things to hold and to manage during the withdrawal process and may therefore be less likely to experience problems while withdrawing fluid, as was noted earlier. 
       FIGS.  10 D -  10 F  provide a variation on the illustrations in  FIGS.  10 A -  10 C , respectively, and  FIGS.  13 D -  13 F  provide a variation on the illustrations in  FIGS.  13 A -  13 C , respectively, as will now be discussed. 
     The related applications disclose embodiments where the distal end of the syringe adapter is generally blunt (and frusto-conical in shape) at the opening, as contrasted to the sharp end of a needle. The related applications also disclose embodiments where the distal end of the syringe adapter has a relatively sharp tip. Any of the container adapter embodiments as disclosed herein may be used with a syringe adapter having either of these configurations. Because a container adapter according to the second embodiment is preferably manufactured to include a syringe adapter, as noted earlier, illustrations are provided in  FIGS.  10 D -  10 F and  13 D -  13 F  showing how the container adapter and its syringe adapter differs in physical appearance when the syringe adapter has a relatively sharp tip at the distal end. The alternative distal end opening is denoted in these figures with reference number  994 ′. (While syringe adapters with this configuration at the distal end are not separately illustrated for the first and third embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand, in view of teachings herein, how illustrations for those embodiments would be modified for the alternative configuration. Such configuration may be used in those embodiments without deviating from the scope of the present invention.) 
       FIGS.  14  -  18    illustrate a third embodiment of the container adapter disclosed herein. 
       FIG.  14    depicts an as-assembled view of a bottle  410  with a container adapter  1420  fitted thereupon, the container adapter  1420  securing therein a syringe adapter  1490  (as shown in further detail in  FIGS.  15  -  18   ). A cap  1430  is shown as being closed, thus preventing fluid in bottle  410  from leaking or spilling out. A lanyard  1440  is attached to the cap  1430 . In this embodiment, a ring  1441  is attached to the other end of lanyard  1440  (see also  FIG.  16   ), and is depicted as being placed within an indentation or groove  1498  (see  FIG.  16   ) in a portion  1496  of an exterior of syringe adapter  1490 . A component  1450  is also provided, along with a stopper  1460  contained therein (stopper  1460  not being visible in  FIG.  14   ). These elements are assembled so as to securely hold a syringe adapter  1490 , as will now be discussed in more detail with reference to  FIGS.  15  and  16   . (Syringe adapter  1490  may be similar, including identical, to syringe adapter  490  or  990 . Cap  1430  and lanyard  1440  may also be similar to cap  430  or  930  and lanyard  440  or  940 , although it is preferred that cap  1430  and lanyard  1440  are configured as shown in  FIG.  14   .) 
       FIG.  15 A  illustrates a side view of this third embodiment, showing container adapter  1420  placed upon bottle  410 .  FIG.  15 B  provides a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line that is denoted as “N” and depicted using dashes in  FIG.  15 A .  FIG.  15 C  provides a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  15 B , this portion denoted as “P” in  FIG.  15 B , and for ease of reference, discussions will now refer to the close-up view in  FIG.  15 C . 
       FIG.  15 C  illustrates how cap  1430  is placed on (i.e., removably connected to) a syringe adapter  1490 , thus closing off entry and exit into bottle  410 . Preferably, portions of cap  1430  are configured to mimic portions of a syringe tip from a conventional syringe. More particularly, cap  1430  is depicted as having a protruding tip  1431  and a threaded inner attachment area  1432 . (Notably, tip  1431  does not have a through-hole, as distinguished from a conventional syringe tip.) In the approach depicted in  FIG.  15 C , the tip  1431  protrudes somewhat from an edge  1433  of cap  1430  and into the hollow chamber  1492  of the syringe adapter  1490 . (Note that while chamber  1492  is illustrated as having a generally cylindrical shape at one end and a generally conical or tapered shape at the other end, and that while syringe adapter  1490  is illustrated as having particular dimensions, this is by way of illustration but not of limitation, and an embodiment of the disclosed container adapter may be suitably configured to accommodate varying outer shapes and dimensions of syringe adapters without deviating from the scope of the present invention.) 
     Cap  1430  is preferably configured with a multi-sided exterior (shown in  FIGS.  14  -  18    as being hexagonal, by way of illustration but not of limitation). This multi-sided exterior shape enables a user to twist and/or grip the cap with relative ease. Accordingly, a secure and leak-free Luer-type lock connection between cap  1430  and syringe adapter  1490  may be made by rotating / twisting cap  1430  (and/or syringe adapter  1490 ) until a flanged area  1491  extending laterally from a proximal end of syringe adapter  1490  (i.e., the end where reference number  1491  is generally pointing) moves within internal threaded area  1432  of cap  1430  until flanged area  1491  locks into place within threaded area  1432 . Notably, this is the same approach for making a leak-free connection that will preferably be used when connecting a syringe to the syringe adapter  1490  (as will be discussed in further detail with reference to  FIGS.  17  and  18   ). As noted earlier, a conventional height for the internal threaded portion of a pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe tip is believed to be approximately ⅛ inch to ¼ inch in length and a standardized height thereof is believed to be 5.4 millimeters to conform with the above-cited International Standards. Accordingly, threaded area  1432  of cap  1430  preferably has a similar height so as to accommodate flanged area  1491  on the proximal end of syringe adapter  1490  (where a height of flanged area  1491 , as described in the related applications, is preferably on the order of at least 1/16 to ⅛ inch in height in view of the height of the syringe tip threads). 
     Reference numbers  1441   a ,  1441   b  represent portions of the ring-shaped end  1441  of lanyard  440  as its surrounds, and sits in the indentation  1498  of, portion  1496  of syringe adapter  1490  (see also  FIG.  16   ). 
     Reference number  413  depicts a conventional edge surrounding a neck opening on bottle  410 , and  FIG.  15 C  illustrates how component  1450  is designed to surround this neck opening edge  413  to thereby secure the container adapter  1420  (and thus the syringe adapter  1490 ) to the bottle  410 . Notably, the collar  411  that was discussed above is not present in this embodiment, as collar  411  generally serves to hold a membrane in place over a neck opening of a conventional bottle. In this embodiment, rather than hooking underneath a collar  411  that is itself surrounding a neck opening edge of a bottle, component  1450  is secured directly to neck opening edge  413  by a lip area  1453  configured on the lower edge of component  1450  and a stopper  1460 , the lip area  1453  configured to securably hook underneath neck opening edge  413  while stopper  1460  attaches (e.g., by pressing in as a plug or gasket) to an interior of the neck opening. Bottle  410  is typically constructed from glass, as noted earlier, in which case neck opening edge  413  of a prior art bottle  410  typically comprises a relatively thickened area of glass; alternatively, bottle  410  and neck opening edge  413  may be constructed from a different material without deviating from the scope of the present invention. An inner diameter of component  1450  is preferably only slightly larger than the diameter of an exterior of neck opening edge  413 . In this manner, component  1450  will fit snugly around neck opening edge  413 , and will be less likely to slip or spin. Similarly, a height of component  1450  — including lip area  1453  — is preferably sized to enable a secure fit by being only slightly taller than a sum of the height of neck opening edge  413 , an upper portion of stopper  1460  that rests upon an upper surface of neck opening edge  413 , and the height of extension  1493  (as shown in  FIGS.  15 C and  18 C ). 
       FIG.  15 C  also illustrates how container adapter  1420  is configured to encapsulate an extension  1493  of syringe adapter  1490 , extension  1493  being configured in this example as a radial extension. (Note that while the extension  1493  is illustrated as being round at its perimeter, and the exterior dimension thereof is shown as fully extending within the bounds of the interior diameter of component  1450 , this is by way of illustration but not of limitation.) A conventional bottle  410  typically includes a rubber membrane covering at least a portion of an opening at the top of the bottle and the rubber membrane typically has a dimple in the center where it is intended for the rubber membrane to be penetrated, as noted earlier. In this embodiment, a stopper  1460  is used, and is inserted into a neck opening of bottle  410  to thereby plug the neck opening (as shown also in  FIG.  16   ). Preferably, stopper  1460  is placed beneath extension  1493 , and rests above an upper surface of neck opening edge  413 , as shown in  FIG.  15 C . A distal end  1495  of syringe adapter  1490  penetrates and extends through a hole  1461  in this stopper  1460  (the hole  1461  being illustrated in  FIG.  16   ) and is held in this position by container adapter  1420 , thus allowing fluid within bottle  410  to contact, and enter through, an opening  1494  in the distal end  1495  of the syringe adapter (this opening  1494  illustrated as being formed by the sidewall of syringe adapter  1490  and located at the terminal end of distal end  1495  and being generally blunt and frusto-conical in shape, as contrasted to the sharp end of a needle). 
       FIG.  16    illustrates an exploded view showing individual components of the assembly depicted in  FIG.  14   . A conventional bottle  410  is illustrated, although as noted above, a conventional collar and membrane (such as collar  411  and membrane  412  of  FIGS.  6  and  11   ) are not present on bottle  410  in this embodiment; instead, component  1450  and stopper  1460  are provided in this embodiment. A syringe adapter  1490  is illustrated, showing its flanged area  1491 , proximal end opening  1497 , extension  1493 , distal end  1495 , and the location therein of opening  1494 . Reference number  1498  illustrates the indentation in portion  1496 . Component  1450  is shown as having a cylindrical shape with an opening at a top and bottom surface thereof, these openings preferably being round and being smaller in diameter than a sidewall  1452  that forms the outer edge of the cylindrical shape. As can be seen by the illustration in  FIG.  16    (with further reference to  FIGS.  15 C,  17 , and  18 C ), a diameter of the opening in the top surface of component  1450  must be at least large enough to accommodate the largest diameter of the proximal end  1496  of the syringe adapter, while the opening in the bottom surface of component  1450  must be large enough to accommodate the larger of (i) the diameter of the extension  1493  and (ii) the diameter of the outer surface of neck opening edge  413 . As an alternative to having a round opening in the top surface of component  1450 , this opening may be multi-sided, such as hexagonal, if desired to conform to a corresponding multi-sided exterior shape of a portion  1496  of syringe adapter  1490  so that the syringe adapter does not spin. Using a hexagonal (or more generally, multi-sided) exterior shape for portion  1496  assists a person in easily grasping the syringe adapter  1490  — for example, when connecting syringe adapter  1490  within the inner threaded area of cap  1430  and/or (as shown in  FIGS.  17  and  18   ) the inner threaded area of a syringe tip. (As will be obvious in view of teachings herein, if a syringe adapter is used that has a different shape for this exterior portion — for example, being cylindrical in shape or having a multi-sided exterior with a different number of sides — then the opening in the top surface of component  1450  may be configured to match that exterior shape.) 
       FIG.  16    also illustrates cap  1430  and its protrusion  1431 , the cap being attached to lanyard  1440  opposite its ring-shaped end  1441 . Preferably, lanyard  1440  is of sufficient length as to allow cap  1430  to not interfere with other portions of the assembly when the cap is opened (as illustrated in  FIG.  17   ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  16   , the container adapter  1420  of this third embodiment is designed as pieces to be assembled over, and under, a syringe adapter  1490 , with the assembly then placed on, and extending into, the neck opening surrounded by edge  413 . Preferably, this assembly is performed in a manufacturing step, as part of a process that fills the bottle with fluid. A crimping (or similar) process preferably secures component  1450  to neck opening edge  413 , in a similar manner to how bottles are conventionally distributed with collar  411  (see, for example,  FIGS.  6  and  11   ) placed over this neck opening edge. Accordingly, attachment of container adapter  1420  to bottle  410  is preferably a permanent attachment. Users thus receive a bottle that is fully configured with a container adapter  1420  and the syringe adapter  1490  contained therein. (In another approach, this assembly is performed by a user, thus enabling the user to attach the container adapter — and the syringe adapter it secures — to a suitably-sized bottle. In this latter approach, the pieces of the container adapter and its syringe adapter may be packaged together so that the user receives all needed components; as an alternative, components of the container adapter may be provided separately, such that (for example) a user receives component  1450 , stopper  1460 , and lanyard  1440  with cap  1430  attached thereto, and then provides his or her own syringe adapter during the assembly process. This approach is not preferred, at least for the reason that the user may accidentally cause the fluid contained in the bottle to leak therefrom.) 
     As discussed above with reference to the first and second embodiments, elements of container adapter  1420  (including the cap  1430 , lanyard  1440 , ring  1441 , and syringe adapter  1490 ) may be constructed from a plastic or a composite, or from another material such as stainless steel, aluminum, or another metal (or a combination thereof), without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Component  1450  is preferably constructed from metal. Stopper  1460  is preferably constructed from rubber. 
       FIG.  17    illustrates an as-assembled perspective view of bottle  410  with container adapter  1420  fitted thereupon from  FIG.  14   , now illustrating how a syringe  700  may be attached thereto. Refer to the above-provided description of syringe  700  and tip  740  for further information about the syringe and its tip. 
       FIG.  17    shows that cap  1430  is now opened, and the tip  740  at the distal end of syringe  700  takes it place. Accordingly, a secure connection is made between tip  740  and the proximal end of syringe adapter  1490  (this proximal end being contained inside tip  740  and thus not being visible in  FIG.  17   ).  FIG.  18    illustrates this secure connection in further detail. 
       FIG.  18 A  illustrates a side view of the assembly shown in  FIG.  17   , with syringe  700   attached to bottle  410 .  FIG.  18 B  provides a cross-sectional view along an imaginary line that is denoted as “R” and depicted using dashes in  FIG.  18 A .  FIG.  18 C  provides a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  18 B , this portion denoted as “T” in  FIG.  18 B , and for ease of reference, discussions will now refer to the close-up view in  FIG.  18 C . 
       FIG.  18 C  shows the component  1450  of the container adapter surrounding neck opening edge  413  and stopper  1460  to thereby secure the container adapter  1420  to the bottle  410  while encapsulating syringe adapter  1490 , as has been discussed above with reference to  FIG.  15 C .  FIG.  18 C  differs from  FIG.  15 C , however, in that the cap  1430  is now opened and replaced with syringe  700  as noted above with reference to  FIG.  17   .  FIG.  18 C  shows how syringe  700  is securably attached to syringe adapter  1490 , this attachment comprising inserting flanged area  1491  into corresponding internal threads of threaded area  732  shown in the interior of syringe tip  740  and then twisting until flanged area  1491  of the syringe adapter  1490  locks into place within threaded area  732 . As can be seen in  FIG.  18 C , the proximal end of syringe adapter  1490  is preferably sized — as disclosed in one or more of the related applications — so as to slip over the protrusion  741  while at the same time, fitting within the threaded interior area  732  of syringe tip  740 . (As noted above and as discussed in one or more of the related applications, inner and outer diameters of the proximal end — i.e., the end where reference number  1491  is generally pointing —are preferably designed for compatibility with such measurements to enable syringe adapter  1490  to make a secure attachment to the internal threaded area  732  of a syringe tip  740  that is manufactured in conformance with measurements provided in the above-cited International Standard ISO 80369-7.) 
       FIG.  18 C  depicts, in detail, how a fluid path exists for withdrawing fluid from bottle  410  through the opening  1494  into the syringe adapter  1490 , then through the hollow chamber  1492  of the syringe adapter  1490 , then through proximal end opening  1497  (shown in  FIG.  16   ) of the syringe adapter where it meets with an opening shown generally at  742  of protrusion  741 , and finally into the barrel  730  of syringe  700 . Because the disclosed container adapter securably connects all of the elements as illustrated in  FIG.  18    (i.e., syringe, syringe adapter, and bottle), a user now has fewer things to hold and to manage during the withdrawal process and may therefore be less likely to experience problems while withdrawing fluid, as was noted earlier. 
     While illustrations provided for describing embodiments of the present invention show particular shapes and relative dimensions for various components, an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the shapes and/or dimensions as illustrated. As one example, illustrations in  FIGS.  4 - 18    depict an outer perimeter of component  450 , component  950 , and component  1450  as being generally round. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this shape for the outer perimeter, however; the outer perimeter might alternatively be multi-sided, such as hexagonal, without deviating from the scope of the present invention. An interior perimeter of these components, on the other hand, is preferably round so as to conform to the shape of the collar or neck opening edge at the top of the bottle. (And, if an embodiment of the present invention is used with a bottle having a collar or neck opening edge that is not round, then an interior perimeter of component  450 ,  950 , or  1450  preferably has a shape corresponding generally thereto.) 
     It should be noted that while discussions herein refer in some cases to making a locking connection by twisting a first feature within a second feature, it will be obvious that the second feature may be twisted within the first feature or that both features may be twisted, without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the disclosed container adapter is configured, as has been described, to securely hold a syringe adapter in an attachment to a bottle at one end, while allowing the other end of the syringe adapter to be removably connected to a cap and to a syringe. Once the container adapter and its enclosed syringe adapter have been used for withdrawing fluid from a bottle into a syringe, the syringe is removed from this assembly (at some point), and the syringe may then be fitted with a needle so that it is then usable for injecting at least a portion of the withdrawn fluid into a recipient. 
     The embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  4 - 18    have been described primarily as container adapters that include, as part of the assembly, a syringe adapter. It will be obvious, in view of the illustrations in  FIGS.  4 - 18    and their accompanying descriptions, that (at least) fourth through sixth embodiments of a container adapter are envisaged and disclosed herein, these embodiments differing from the first through third embodiments by absence of the actual syringe adapter (and absence of corresponding steps in method claims for such embodiments). Referring to  FIG.  6   , by way of example, a fourth embodiment comprises elements shown at reference number  420  with exception of the syringe adapter  490 , where component  450  is adapted for closing around a separately-provided syringe adapter  490 . Similarly, with reference to  FIG.  11   , a fifth embodiment comprises elements shown at reference number  920  with exception of the syringe adapter  990 , where component  950  is provided with an open area into which a syringe adapter  990  can be inserted; and with reference to  FIG.  16   , a sixth embodiment comprises elements shown at reference number  1420  with exception of the syringe adapter  1490 . Accordingly, the scope of the present invention includes container adapters that hold a syringe adapter as well as container adapters that are configured for holding, but do not yet hold, a syringe adapter (i.e., where the syringe adapter is to be added to the assembly at a later time). 
     It should be noted that while embodiments are described herein as conforming to the above-cited International Standards and/or as using Luer-type connections to a syringe, this is by way of illustration but not of limitation. It should also be noted that the figures are directed toward illustrating aspects of the present invention, in combination with descriptions herein, and aspects shown therein (for example, length, width, and/or taper) are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     While fluid medications have been discussed herein as commonly being sold in a multi-dose bottle, this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. The disclosed container adapter may be used beneficially for fluid medication that is sold in a single-use dosage. 
     Advantageously, an embodiment of the disclosed container adapter may be included with purchase (e.g., within the packaging) of a higher-viscosity fluid medication; the disclosed container adapter may also be sold separately from fluid medication. And as noted above, an embodiment of the disclosed container adapter may be provided as a permanent attachment to a bottle. Advantageously, a supplier of packaged container adapters may ensure that they are sterilized and/or sanitized by distributing them in sealed packaging. 
     As has been demonstrated, an embodiment of the present invention improves a user experience while withdrawing fluid from a container into a syringe, whereby the user no longer needs to hold a bottle and a syringe with attached syringe adapter. Instead, those components are assembled as a single unit by an embodiment of the disclosed container adapter. This is particularly advantageous when withdrawing a viscous fluid, which requires a relatively long draw time and thus introduces more time for user fatigue and/or distraction, which in turn could lead to the user losing his or her grip on the bottle or syringe. This increased ease of use may provide various benefits, including increased sales of viscous fluid medications. 
     It should be noted that various features discussed herein with reference to “an embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, and so forth should not be construed as suggesting that each such feature is present in a single embodiment, or in every embodiment, of the present invention. Instead, it should be understood that there may be various combinations of the disclosed features present in any particular embodiment. 
     While embodiments of the present invention have been described, additional variations and modifications in those embodiments may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims shall be construed to include the described embodiments and all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.