Patent Publication Number: US-2018050183-A1

Title: Internal bottle adapter for material transfer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Aug. 17, 2016, and entitled “ADAPTOR FOR ENTERAL FEEDING” (originally filed as U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/376,231 (Attorney Docket No. 48332-00010) for which a “Petition Under 37 C.F.R. § 1.53(c)(3) to Convert Provisional Application to Non-Provisional Application” was filed Aug. 4, 2017). This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Aug. 19, 2016, and entitled “ADAPTOR FOR ENTERAL FEEDING” (originally filed as U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/377,293 (Attorney Docket No. 48332-00011) for which a “Petition Under 37 C.F.R. § 1.53(c)(3) to Convert Provisional Application to Non-Provisional Application” was filed Aug. 4, 2017), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, an adapter may include an adapter body with a bore through its longitudinal axis. The adapter may include one or more sealing surfaces and a threaded connection nested in the adapter body. The threaded connection may be configured to mate with a CORPAK ENFIT connection or a luer lock connection. 
     In other embodiments, a system for accessing material in a container may include a container holding material. An adapter may have a bore and one or more sealing surfaces, where at least one sealing surface has a sealing surface diameter that is at least as large as an opening diameter of the container. The adapter has a threaded connection. 
     In yet other embodiments, a method of accessing a container may include inserting an adapter into a container, twisting a connector fixed to a material transfer device to engage with the adapter, sealing the container with the adapter, and adding or removing material from the container. The method may include disengaging the connector from the adapter, closing the container, opening the container, and re-engaging the connector to the adapter. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments. The features and advantages of such embodiments may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the like elements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout the various accompanying figures. While some of the drawings may be schematic or exaggerated representations of concepts, at least some of the drawings may be drawn to scale. Understanding that the drawings depict some example embodiments, the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adapter, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an adapter, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an adapter, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an adapter, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an adapter, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a cut-away view of an embodiment of a system for accessing material in a container; 
         FIG. 7-1  and  FIG. 7-2  are a cut-away views of the system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a method chart for a method of accessing a container, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, 
         FIG. 9  is a method chart for a method of adding or removing material from a container, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a method chart for a method of accessing a container, adding or removing material from the container, and closing and opening the container, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure generally relates to devices, systems, and methods to add and remove material from a container. In particular, this disclosure discusses an adapter that is inserted into a container and connected to a material transfer device. In a hospital, home, or other patient care setting, it is critical that patients receive the correct material from the correct bottle. For example, in an enteral feeding system, it is critical that enteral food be administered, rather than another material. Similarly, for an intravenous (IV) application, it is critical that IV fluid/medication be administered, rather than another material, such as enteral food. In at least one embodiment, an adapter is provided that creates a seal against the container and fits standard enteral, IV, or other system&#39;s standard connection may help ensure that a patient receives the correct material for the right application, while maintaining ease of use for the caregiver/provider. Additionally, an adapter that is easy to install and connect may help caregivers in a fast-pace, high stress environment to quickly and efficiently administer the correct material to the correct patient. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adapter  100 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The adapter  100  includes an upper surface  102  and one or more sealing surfaces  104 . The one or more sealing surfaces  104  may be used to seal an opening of a container, as described below. The adapter  100  includes an adapter body  106 , the adapter body  106  having a bore  108  relative to a longitudinal axis  110  thereof. In some embodiments, the bore  108  may be positioned relative to (e.g., on or spaced away from) the longitudinal axis  110 . As shown, the bore  108  may be straight. In other embodiments, the bore  108  may at least partially be non-straight (e.g., curved). 
       FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the embodiment of the adapter  100  of  FIG. 1 . The adapter  100  includes a connection  112 . The connection  112  may be used to connect the adapter  100  to a material transfer device (e.g., material transfer device  360  shown in  FIG. 5 ), as will be described below. The connection  112  is a threaded connection. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the connection  112  may be nested in the adapter body  106 . For example, the connection  112  may include a port  114  through which the bore  108  extends. In some examples, the port  114  may be flush with the upper surface  102 . In other examples, the port  114  may be recessed within the adapter body  106  with a recess depth  113 . In some embodiments, the recess depth  113  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 0.1 millimeters, 0.5 millimeters, 1.0 millimeters, 1.5 millimeters, 2.0 millimeters, 2.5 millimeters, 3.0 millimeters, 3.5 millimeters, 4.0 millimeters, 4.5 millimeters, 5.0 millimeters, 6.0 millimeters, 7.0 millimeters, 8.0 millimeters, 9.0 millimeters, 10 millimeters, 20 millimeters, 30 millimeters, 40 millimeters, or any value therebetween. For example, the recess depth  113  may be greater than 0.1 millimeters. In other examples, the recess depth  113  may be less than 10.0 millimeters. In yet other examples, the recess depth  113  may be in a range of 0.1 millimeters to 10.0 millimeters. 
       FIG. 4  represents a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the adapter  100  of  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, a portion of the port  114  may extend past the upper surface  102  with a port extension height  117 . In some embodiments, the port extension height  117  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 0.1 millimeters, 0.5 millimeters, 1.0 millimeters, 1.5 millimeters, 2.0 millimeters, 2.5 millimeters, 3.0 millimeters, 3.5 millimeters, 4.0 millimeters, 4.5 millimeters, 5.0 millimeters, or any value therebetween. For example, the port extension height  117  may be greater than 0.1 millimeters. In other examples, the port extension height  117  may be less than 5.0 millimeters. In yet other examples, the port extension height  117  may be in a range of 0.1 millimeters to 5.0 millimeters. 
     The adapter body  106  has an outer surface  107 . In some embodiments, at least one sealing surface  104  may be circumscribed around the outer surface  107 . In other words, at least one sealing surface  104  may extend around an entirety of the circumference of the outer surface  107 . In some embodiments, the port  114  extends from a connection end  115  through an annular space  116 . In some embodiments, the annular space  116  may include threads  118 , making the connection  112  a threaded connection  112 . In some embodiments, the port  114  may include a valve that may restrict flow into an out of the container. Inserting a connector into the connection  112  may open the valve in the port  114 , thereby allowing material to be removed from the container. In some embodiments, the valve may be a sphincter-type valve that the connector must push through to access the material in the container. In other embodiments, the valve may be a flap or bridge that may be pushed aside by the connector when the connector is installed in the connection. In still other embodiments, the valve may be a manually operated valve, such as a ball valve or a butterfly valve. 
     In some embodiments, the threaded connection  112  may be a standard threaded connection, such as a CORPAK ENFIT connection, a luer lock, or other standard connection Different systems may use different standard connections. For example, for enteral feeding systems, the CORPAK ENFIT connection may be a standard connection. In at least one embodiment, using a standard connection specific to enteral feeding systems may prevent accidental use of non-enteral feeding material during enteral feeding, thereby increasing patient safety. Similarly, different standard connections may be used in different contexts to prevent a health care provider from administering the wrong medication or material to a patient. For example, a luer lock connection may be used in an intravenous (IV) system, draining devices (e.g., chest tubes, urinary catheters, biliary drains), or other medical systems. 
     In some embodiments, the adapter  100  may include a threaded connection  112  that mates with standard connections. For example, the threaded connection may mate with the CORPAK ENFIT connection. In other examples, the threaded connection  112  may mate with a luer lock connection. In still other examples, the connection  112  may be configured to mate with any connection, including non-threaded connections. 
     In some embodiments, the upper surface  102  may have a larger diameter than one or more of the sealing surfaces  104 . For example, when the adapter  100  is inserted into a container, at least one of the sealing surfaces  104  may be configured to engage an inner surface of the container. The upper surface  102  may be sized to engage the upper edge (e.g., upper edge  364  from  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7-1 ) of the container, thereby preventing the adapter  100  from being inserted completely into the container. In other embodiments, the upper surface  102  may have the same diameter as at least one of the sealing surfaces  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the annular space  116  may include an annular gap  120  that is sized to receive a standard connection. In some embodiments, the annular gap  120  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 2 millimeters, 3 millimeters, 4 millimeters, 5 millimeters, 6 millimeters, 7 millimeters, 8 millimeters, 9 millimeters, 10 millimeters, 15 millimeters, 20 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the annular gap  120  may be greater than 2 millimeters. In other examples, the annular gap  120  may be less than 10 millimeters. In yet other examples, the annular gap  120  may be in a range of 2 millimeters to 10 millimeters. 
     In some embodiments, the port  114  includes the bore  108  with a bore diameter  122  that may be sized to receive a standard connection. In some embodiments, the bore diameter  122  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 2 millimeters, 3 millimeters, 4 millimeters, 5 millimeters, 6 millimeters, 7 millimeters, 8 millimeters, 9 millimeters, 10 millimeters, 15 millimeters, 20 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the bore diameter  122  may be greater than 2 millimeters. In other examples, the bore diameter  122  may be less than 10 millimeters. In yet other examples, the bore diameter  122  may be in a range of 2 millimeters to 10 millimeters. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, at least one of the sealing surfaces  104  may have a sealing surface diameter  124  that is sized to engage an inner surface of a container with a seal. In some embodiments, the sealing surface diameter  124  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 10 millimeters, 12 millimeters, 14 millimeters, 16 millimeters, 18 millimeters, 20 millimeters, 22 millimeters, 24 millimeters, 26 millimeters, 28 millimeters, 30 millimeters, 35 millimeters, 40 millimeters, 45 millimeters, 50 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the sealing surface diameter  124  may be greater than 10 millimeters. In other examples, the sealing surface diameter  124  may be less than 30 millimeters. In yet other examples, the sealing surface diameter  124  may be in a range of 10 millimeters to 30 millimeters. In some embodiments, the sealing surface diameter  124  may be the same for each sealing surface  104 . In other embodiments, the sealing surface diameter  124  may be different for each sealing surface  104 . In still other embodiments, the sealing surface diameter  124  may be the same for two or more sealing surfaces  104  and different for one or more sealing surface  104  on the same adapter  100 . 
     The upper surface  102  has an upper surface diameter  126 . In some embodiments, the upper surface diameter  126  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 10 millimeters, 12 millimeters, 14 millimeters, 16 millimeters, 18 millimeters, 20 millimeters, 22 millimeters, 24 millimeters, 26 millimeters, 28 millimeters, 30 millimeters, 32 millimeters, 35 millimeters, 40 millimeters, 45 millimeters, 50 millimeters, 55 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the upper surface diameter  126  may be greater than 10 millimeters. In other examples, the upper surface diameter  126  may be less than 32 millimeters. In yet other examples, the upper surface diameter  126  may be in a range of 10 millimeters to 32 millimeters. In some embodiments, the upper surface diameter  126  may be greater than the sealing surface diameter  124 . In other embodiments, the upper surface diameter  126  may be approximately equal to the sealing surface diameter  124 . 
     The adapter body  106  has an adapter body diameter  128 . In some embodiments, the adapter body diameter  128  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 8 millimeters, 10 millimeters, 12 millimeters, 14 millimeters, 16 millimeters, 18 millimeters, 20 millimeters, 22 millimeters, 24 millimeters, 26 millimeters, 28 millimeters, 30 millimeters, 35 millimeters, 40 millimeters, 45 millimeters, 50 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the adapter body diameter  128  may be greater than 8 millimeters. In other examples, the adapter body diameter  128  may be less than 28 millimeters. In yet other examples, the adapter body diameter  128  may be in a range of 8 millimeters to 28 millimeters. 
     The difference between the sealing surface diameter  124  and the adapter body diameter  128  is the sealing height  130 . In some embodiments, the sealing height  130  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 0.1 millimeters, 0.5 millimeters, 1.0 millimeters, 1.5 millimeters, 2.0 millimeters, 2.5 millimeters, 3.0 millimeters, 3.5 millimeters, 4.0 millimeters, 4.5 millimeters, 5.0 millimeters, 10 millimeters, 15 millimeters, 20 millimeters, 25 millimeters, 30 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the sealing height  130  may be greater than 0.1 millimeters. In other examples, the sealing height  130  may be less than 5.0 millimeters. In yet other examples, the sealing height  130  may be in a range of 0.0 millimeters to 5.0 millimeters. In some embodiments, the sealing height  130  may be the same for each sealing surface  104 . In other embodiments, the sealing height  130  may be different for each sealing surface  104 . In still other embodiments, the sealing height  130  may be the same for two or more sealing surfaces  104  and different for one or more sealing surface  104  on the same adapter  100 . In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have a large sealing height  130 . For example, a large sealing height  130  may accommodate a range of container opening diameters (e.g., opening diameter  362  of  FIG. 6 ). In other embodiments, it may be desirable to have a small sealing height  130 . For example, a small sealing height  130  may create a stronger seal with the container. 
     The sealing surface  104  has a sealing width  131 . In some embodiments, the sealing width  131  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 0.1 millimeters, 0.2 millimeters, 0.3 millimeters, 0.4 millimeters, 0.5 millimeters, 0.6 millimeters, 0.7 millimeters, 0.8 millimeters, 0.9 millimeters, 1.0 millimeters, 1.5 millimeters, 2.0 millimeters, 2.5 millimeters, 3.0 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the sealing width  131  may be greater than 0.1 millimeters. In other examples, the sealing width  131  may be less than 1.0 millimeters. In yet other examples, the sealing width  131  may be in a range of 0.1 millimeters to 1.0 millimeters. In some embodiments, the sealing width  131  may be the same for each sealing surface  104 . In other embodiments, the sealing width  131  may be different for each sealing surface  104 . In still other embodiments, the sealing width  131  may be the same for two or more sealing surfaces  104  and different for one or more sealing surface  104  on the same adapter  100 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , the ratio between the sealing height  130  and the sealing width  131  is a sealing surface aspect ratio. In some embodiments, the sealing surface aspect ratio may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, or any values therebetween. For example, the sealing surface aspect ratio may be greater than 2:1. In other examples, the sealing surface aspect ratio may be less than 15:1. In yet other examples, the sealing surface aspect ratio may be in a range of 2:1 to 15:1. In some embodiments, the sealing surface aspect ratio may be the same for each sealing surface  104 . In other embodiments, the sealing surface aspect ratio may be different for each sealing surface  104 . In still other embodiments, the sealing surface aspect ratio may be the same for two or more sealing surfaces  104  and different for one or more sealing surface  104  on the same adapter  100 . In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have a large sealing surface aspect ratio. For example, a large sealing surface aspect ratio may result in a flexible sealing surface  104 , and may accommodate a range of container opening diameters. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to have a small sealing surface aspect ratio. For example, a small sealing surface aspect ratio may result in a stiff sealing surface  104 , and create a strong seal with the container. 
     The space between two consecutive sealing surfaces  104  has a sealing surface spacing  132 . In some embodiments, the sealing surface spacing  132  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 1.0 millimeters, 1.5 millimeters, 2.0 millimeters, 2.5 millimeters, 3.0 millimeters, 3.5 millimeters, 4.0 millimeters, 4.5 millimeters, 5.0 millimeters, 6.0 millimeters, 7.0 millimeters, 8.0 millimeters, 9.0 millimeters, 10.0 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the sealing surface spacing  132  may be greater than 1.0 millimeters. In other examples, the sealing surface spacing  132  may be less than 5.0 millimeters. In yet other examples, the sealing surface spacing  132  may be in a range of 1.0 millimeters to 10.0 millimeters. 
     In some embodiments, the sealing surface spacing  132  may be the same between each sealing surface  104 . In other embodiments, the sealing surface spacing  132  may be different between sealing surfaces  104 . In still other embodiments, the sealing surface spacing  132  may be the same for two or more sealing surfaces  104  and different for one or more sealing surface  104  on the same adapter  100 . In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have a small sealing surface spacing  132 . For example, a small sealing surface spacing  132  may result in the sealing surfaces stacking to create a strong seal. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to have a large sealing surface spacing  132 . For example, a large sealing surface spacing  132  may result in a plurality of individual seals against the container, thereby creating redundant seals. 
     The ratio between the sealing surface spacing  132  and the sealing height  130  is a sealing spacing aspect ratio. In some embodiments, the sealing spacing aspect ratio may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 3:1, 5:1, or any values therebetween. For example, the sealing spacing aspect ratio may be greater than 1:5. In other examples, the sealing spacing aspect ratio may be less than 5:1. In yet other examples, the sealing spacing aspect ratio may be in a range of 1:5 to 5:1. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have a small sealing spacing aspect ratio. For example, a small sealing spacing aspect ratio may result in the sealing surfaces stacking to create a strong seal. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to have a large sealing spacing aspect ratio. For example, a large sealing spacing aspect ratio may result in a plurality of individual seals against the container, thereby creating redundant seals. 
     In some embodiments, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , the adapter  100  may include four sealing surfaces  104 . In other embodiments, the adapter  100  may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 sealing surfaces  104 . In some embodiments, the upper surface  102  may be a sealing surface. 
     The space between a lower face  134  of the upper surface  102  and the last sealing surface  104 - 1  is the sealing length  136 . In some embodiments, the sealing length  136  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 4 millimeters, 6 millimeters, 8 millimeters, 10 millimeters, 12 millimeters, 14 millimeters, 16 millimeters, 18 millimeters, 20 millimeters, 22 millimeters, 24 millimeters, 26 millimeters, 28 millimeters, 30 millimeters, 35 millimeters, 40 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the sealing length  136  may be greater than 4 millimeters. In other examples, the sealing length  136  may be less than 3 0  millimeters. In yet other examples, the sealing length  136  may be in a range of 4 millimeters to 30 millimeters. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have a long sealing length  136 . For example, a long sealing length  136  may create a stronger seal against the container. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to have a short sealing length  136 . For example, a short sealing length  136  may match the length of a short container neck (e.g., neck  556  of  FIG. 6 ), thereby preventing the trapping of material between the outer surface  107  and the container. 
     The ratio between the adapter body diameter  128  and the sealing length  136  is an adapter body aspect ratio. In some embodiments, the adapter body aspect ratio may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 3:1, 5:1, or any values therebetween. For example, the adapter body aspect ratio may be greater than 1:5. In other examples, the adapter body aspect ratio may be less than 5:1. In yet other examples, the adapter body aspect ratio may be in a range of 1:5 to 5:1. 
     The ratio between the sealing surface diameter  124  and the sealing length  136  is a sealing surface diameter aspect ratio. In some embodiments, the sealing surface diameter aspect ratio may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, or any values therebetween. For example, the sealing surface diameter aspect ratio may be greater than 1:5. In other examples, the sealing surface diameter aspect ratio may be less than 5:1. In yet other examples, the sealing surface diameter aspect ratio may be in a range of 1:5 to 5:1. 
     The length from an upper face  138  of the upper surface  102  and the end  140  of the adapter  100  is the adapter length  142 . In some embodiments, the adapter length  142  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 6 millimeters, 8 millimeters, 10 millimeters, 12 millimeters, 14 millimeters, 16 millimeters, 18 millimeters, 20 millimeters, 22 millimeters, 24 millimeters, 26 millimeters, 28 millimeters, 30 millimeters, 32 millimeters, 35 millimeters, 40 millimeters, or any values therebetween. For example, the adapter length  142  may be greater than 6 millimeters. In other examples, the adapter length  142  may be less than 32 millimeters. In yet other examples, the adapter length  142  may be in a range of 6 millimeters to 32 millimeters. 
     The ratio between the sealing surface diameter  124  and the adapter length  142  is an adapter length aspect ratio. In some embodiments, the adapter length aspect ratio may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 1:6, 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 3:1, 5:1, 6:1, or any values therebetween. For example, the adapter length aspect ratio may be greater than 1:5. In other examples, the adapter length aspect ratio may be less than 5:1. In yet other examples, the adapter length aspect ratio may be in a range of 1:5 to 5:1. 
     In some embodiments, the last sealing surface  104 - 1  may be the end  140  of the adapter  100 . In other embodiments, the adapter body  106  may extend past the last sealing surface  104 - 1 . 
     In some embodiments, the adapter  100  may be made from plastic or rubber. In some embodiments, the adapter  100  may be manufactured in a sterile manufacturing plant and shipped in sterile packaging. In some embodiments, the adapter  100  may be made from a sterilizable material. For example, the adapter  100  may be made from polyethylene, other plastics, rubber, silicone, glass, other sterilizable materials, or combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the adapter  100  may include a directional air valve. The directional air valve may be configured to allow air to enter the container but prevent material from exiting the container. In some embodiments, the directional air valve may be located on the upper surface next to the connection. In other embodiments, the directional air valve may be located on the upper surface radially outward from the adapter body. In some embodiments, a series of directional air valves may be located on the upper surface and sealing surfaces to pass air into the container. For example, the directional air valve may be a flap that covers a hole in the body  106 , the flap being on the side of the adapter  100  that includes the material. In other examples, the directional air valve may be two opposing flaps that overlap over a hole in the body  106 . A trigger pressure will push the opposing flaps into the container and release a quantity of air into the container. 
       FIG. 5  is another embodiment of an adapter  200 . The adapter  200  may be similar to the adapter  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-4  in at least one aspect. Like numerals represent like elements and the disclosure of  FIGS. 1-4  is hereby incorporated into the description of the adapter  200 . For example, the adapter  200  may include an adapter body  206 , an upper surface  202 , one or more sealing surfaces  204 , and a connector (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 5 , the adapter body  206  may include a taper between the upper surface  202  and a last sealing surface  204 - 1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , sides of the adapter body  106  may be parallel. 
     In some embodiments, each sealing surface  204  may have the same sealing surface diameter  224 . In other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , each sealing surface  204  may have different sealing surface diameters  224 . In some embodiments, the sealing surface diameter  224  may be the same for two or more sealing surfaces  204  and different for one or more sealing surface  204  on the same adapter  200 . In some embodiments, each sealing surface  204  may have the same sealing height  230 . In other embodiments, each sealing surface  204  may have different sealing heights  230 . In some embodiments, the sealing height  230  may be the same for two or more sealing surfaces  204  and different for one or more sealing surface  204  on the same adapter  200 . 
       FIG. 6  represents a system  350  for accessing material in a container. The system  350  includes a container  352 . In some embodiments, the container  352  may be a bottle. In other embodiments, the container  352  may be another type of container such as a bag or other container. The container  352  may contain a material. In some embodiments, the material may be food for an enteral feeding system. In other embodiments, the material may be a beneficial agent (e.g., medicine). In still other embodiments, the material may be saline solution. In yet other embodiments, the material may be any material stored in a container. In further embodiments, the material may be collected in a container. In at least one embodiment, the container may be sterile to store and/or collect material. 
     The container  352  includes a container opening  354 . In some embodiments, material may be removed from the container  352  through the container opening  354 . In some embodiments, the container opening  354  may be located at a neck  356 . The neck  356  may restrict the width of the container  352  such that the container opening  354  is narrower than the container  352 . In other embodiments, the neck  356  of the container  352  may not restrict the width of the container  352  such that the container opening  354  has the same width as the container  352 . In other words, the container  352  and the neck  356  may be parallel similar to a test tube. 
     Removing material from the container in one or more of a controlled, sanitary, and safe manner may be critical in certain industries. For example, simply pouring material from the container opening  354  increases the risk of spillage. Controlling the material removed from the container  352  may be accomplished by using an adapter  300  that includes a threaded connection nested in an adapter body (e.g., adapter designed to mate with a connector  358  of a material transfer device  360 . In some embodiments, the adapter  300  may be inserted into the container opening  354 . At least one sealing surface  304  of the adapter  300  may be sized to fit within the container opening  354 . In some embodiments, the at least one sealing surface  304  may have a sealing surface diameter (e.g., sealing surface diameter  124 , as shown in relation to  FIG. 4 ) that is approximately the same as a container opening diameter  362 . In some embodiments, the sealing surface diameter is at least as large as or greater than the container opening diameter  362 . 
     In some embodiments, an upper surface  302  of the adapter  300  may have a greater upper surface diameter (e.g., upper surface diameter  126 , as shown in relation to  FIG. 4 ) than the container opening diameter  362 . In this manner, when the adapter  300  is inserted into the container opening  354 , the upper surface  302  may engage an upper edge  364  of the container  352 , thereby prohibiting further insertion into the container  352 . In other embodiments, the upper surface  302  may have an upper surface diameter that is the same as or less than the container opening diameter  362 . In some embodiments, the upper surface  302  may be inserted into the container opening  354 , and may act as a sealing surface  304 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more sealing surfaces  304  may contact an inner surface  366  of the neck  356 . The contact between the one or more sealing surfaces  304  and the inner surface  366  may create a seal between the adapter  300  and the container  352 . Thus, in some embodiments, when a material transfer device  360  is connected to the adapter  300 , the only path through which material may enter or exit the container  352  may be through the material transfer device  360 . 
     In some embodiments, a connection port (e.g., port  114  from  FIG. 4 ) may include a valve that may restrict flow of material out of the container  352  except when the connector  358  of the material transfer device  360  is connected to the adapter. A port valve may help prevent accidental spills and contamination of the material. 
     In some embodiments, the adapter  300  may include a last sealing surface  304  (e.g., last sealing surface  104 - 1  from  FIG. 4 ) that has a sealing surface diameter that is wider than the other sealing surfaces  304 . The last sealing surface  304  may engage the inner surface  366  of the container  352  as the inner surface  366  flares outward, thereby increasing the strength and integrity of the seal. In some embodiments, the adapter  300  may include a plurality of sealing surfaces that flare outward in relation to the inner surface  366 . 
     The adapter  300  has a removal force. The removal force is the force required to remove the adapter from the container  352 . In some embodiments, the removal force may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 2.0 Newtons (N), 3.0 N, 4.0 N, 5.0 N, 7.5 N, 10 N, 20 N, 30 N, 40 N, 50 N, 75 N, 100 N, 125 N, 150 N, 175 N, 200 N, or any values therebetween. For example, the removal force may be greater than 2.0 N. In other examples, the removal force may be less than 200 N. In yet other examples, the removal force may be in a range of 2.0 N to 200 N. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have a large removal force. For example, a large removal force means that the adapter  300  is hard to remove, thereby decreasing the chance of an accidental removal due to squeezing the container  352  or flipping the container  352  upside down. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to have a small removal force. For example, a small removal force may result in an adapter  300  that is easy to remove. 
     In some embodiments, the adapter  300  may include a directional air valve, which may allow air into the container  352 , but prevent material from escaping the container  352  through the directional valve. For example, a pinhole opening may be used that is sized to allow the passage of air while preventing passage of the material. In such an example, a removable cover may be used to maintain sterility of the material. In another example, a one way valve may be used. 
     The neck  356  has a restriction length  367 , which is the length of the container  352  that the neck  356  is restricted to the opening diameter  362  or close to the opening diameter  362 . In some embodiments, the restriction length  367  may be the same as, or approximately the same as, the sealing length (e.g., the sealing length  136 , as shown in reference to  FIG. 4 ). In other embodiments, the restriction length  367  may be greater than the sealing length. In still other embodiments, the restriction length  367  may be less than the sealing length. In some embodiments, the apparatus body between two sealing surfaces  304  may include one or more gaps in fluid communication with a bore through the apparatus body. The one or more gaps may allow material to flow from the container and into the bore. For example, if the restriction length  367  is less than the sealing length, material may be trapped between the adapter and the inner surface  366  of the container  352 . One or more gaps in the adapter body may allow the material to flow into the bore and prevent waste. 
     In some embodiments, the connector  358  may complementarily fit the connection of the adapter  300 . For example, the connector  358  may be the male end of a CORPAK ENFIT enteral feeding system connection, and the connection in the adapter  300  may be the female end of the CORPAK ENFIT enteral feeding system connection. In other examples, the connector  358  may be male end of a luer lock, and the connection of the adapter  300  may be the female end of a luer lock. Although typically material is removed from a bottle using a female adapter, in some embodiments, the connection in the adapter  300  may be the male end of the CORPAK ENFIT enteral feeding system connection. In other embodiments, the connection in the adapter  300  may be the male end of a luer lock. 
     In some embodiments, the material transfer device  360  may be manually operated, such as a syringe. In other embodiments, the material transfer device  360  may be a pump, such as an electric pump. In still other embodiments, the material transfer device  360  may be a gravity-fed tube. In some embodiments, the material transfer device  360  may remove material from the container  352 . In other embodiments, the material transfer device  360  may add material to the container  352 . In still other embodiments, the material transfer device  360  may add and/or remove material to the container  352 . 
     In some embodiments, in an installed configuration, the adapter  300  may be completely internal to the container  352 . For example, the entire adapter  300  may be located entirely within the container  352  such that the upper surface  302  of the adapter  300  is below an upper edge  364  of the container  352 . In other embodiments, in the installed configuration, the adapter  300  may be partially internal to the container  352 . For example, in the installed configuration, all of the adapter  300  except the upper surface  302  (e.g., including the upper face  138  and the lower face  134  of  FIG. 4 ) may be internal to the container. In other words, the lower face  134  may abut the upper edge  364  of the container  352 . In other examples, all of the adapter  300  except the upper surface  302  (e.g., including the upper face  138  and the lower face  134 ) and one, two, three, four, or five sealing surfaces  304  may be internal to the container  352 . 
     In some embodiments, all of the sealing surfaces  304  may be internal to the container  352 . In other embodiments, not all of the sealing surfaces  304  may be internal to the container  352 . For example, in an adapter  300  with five sealing surfaces  304 , two sealing surfaces  304  may be internal to the container  352 . In other examples, in an adapter  300  with three sealing surfaces  304 , two sealing surfaces  304  may be internal to the container  352 . In yet other examples, in an adapter with four sealing surfaces, one sealing surface  304  may be internal to the container  352 . 
     In some embodiments, the adapter  300  may be tapered as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, an adapter  300  may be inserted into a container  352  until at least one of the sealing surfaces  304  engages the inner wall  366 . Because of the taper, this may result in one or more sealing surface  304  being inside the container  352  but not contacting the inner wall  366 , one or more sealing surface  304  engaging the inner wall  366 , and one or more sealing surface  304  being outside the container  352 . 
       FIG. 7-1  is a partial cutaway view of the neck  356  of the container  352  of the system  350 . In some embodiments, the adapter  300  may be inserted into the neck  356 , and the sealing surfaces  304  may contact the inner surface  366  of the neck  356 . The upper surface  302  may overlap an upper edge  364  of the neck  356 . In some embodiments, the upper surface  302  may partially overlap the upper edge  364 . In other embodiments, the upper surface  302  may completely overlap the upper edge  364 . The upper surface  302  may extend to the neck outer surface  368 . In some embodiments, the upper surface  302  may extend past the neck outer surface  368 . The neck  356  may include container threads  369 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7-2 , the system  350  may include a container lid  370 . The container lid  370  may have lid threads  372  complementary to the container threads  369 . In some embodiments, the container lid  370  may completely enclose the adapter  300  in a closed configuration. For example, the container lid  370  may surround the entirety of the upper surface  302  of the adapter  300 . In some embodiments, the container lid  370  may seal the container  352  when enclosing the adapter  300  in the closed configuration. 
     In some embodiments, the container lid  370  may be a screw-on lid. In other embodiments, the container lid  370  may be a safety-lid (e.g., child locked). In still other embodiments, the container lid  370  may be a press-fit lid. In still other embodiments, the container lid  370  may close with a latch or other locking mechanism. 
       FIG. 8  is an embodiment of a method  472  of installing an adapter according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method  472  may include inserting  474  an adapter into the neck or opening of a container. In some embodiments, a container lid may be removed from the container prior to inserting  474  the adapter into the neck or opening of the container. The adapter may be inserted  474  into the neck or opening of the container such that it is completely or substantially completely enclosed in the container. The adapter may include one or more sealing surfaces and a threaded connection. In some embodiments, inserting  474  the adapter may occur during assembly of the container. In other embodiments, inserting  474  of the adapter may occur after filling the container with material but prior to shipping the bottle. In still other embodiments, inserting  474  the adapter may occur in a professional setting, such as at a hospital. In yet other embodiments, inserting  474  the adapter may occur in a user&#39;s home. 
     The method  472  may include the act of sealing  476  the container by engaging at least one sealing surface of the adapter against an inner surface of the container. In some embodiments, the adapter may completely seal  476  the container, such that no material may be removed prior to connection of a material transfer device. In other embodiments, the adapter may seal  476  the container except for a bore (e.g., bore  108  of  FIG. 4 ) through the adapter. In some embodiments, sealing  476  the container may include creating a water-tight seal. In other embodiments, sealing  476  the container may include creating an air-tight seal. In still other embodiments, sealing  476  the container may create a seal strong enough to withstand rotating the container upside down such that the entire weight of the material inside the container is sealed by the adapter. 
       FIG. 9  is an embodiment of a method  578  of accessing a container according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method  578  may include connecting  580  a connector fixed to a material transfer device to a connection in an adapter. Connecting  580  may include twisting the connector in the connection to connect a CORPAK ENFIT connection, luer lock connection, or other connection. In some embodiments, connecting  580  the connector may seal the adapter. In some embodiments, the method  578  may include the act of adding or removing  582  material from the container. Adding or removing  582  material from the container may include manually adding or removing  582 , using a pump to add or remove  582  material, or using a gravity-feed to add or remove  582  material. 
       FIG. 10  is an embodiment of a method  684  of accessing a container according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to method  472  discussed in reference to  FIG. 8 , the method  684  may include inserting  674  an adapter into the container and sealing  676  the container. The method  684  may include some or all of the acts discussed in reference to  FIG. 8 , which is incorporated herein. 
     In some embodiments, and similar to method  578  discussed in reference to  FIG. 9 , the method  684  may include connecting  680  a material transfer device and adding or removing  682  material from the container. The method  684  may include some or all of the acts discussed in reference to  FIG. 9 , which is incorporated herein. 
     In some embodiments, the method  684  may include venting the container using a directional air valve in the adapter. As material is removed, the directional air valve may allow air into the container while flow of the material out of the container through the directional air valve. 
     In some embodiments, the method  684  may include disengaging  686  the connector of the material transfer device from the adapter by twisting the connector in an opposite direction used in the connecting  680  and removing the material transfer device. The method  684  may also include closing  688  the container with a container lid. Closing  688  the container may include installing a container lid in a closed configuration with the adapter still inserted in the neck or opening of the container. Closing  688  the container may create a water and/or air tight seal between the container lid and the adapter, thereby preventing any material from entering or exiting the container. 
     After the container is closed  688 , the container may be stored or transported for use in a different location. Leaving the adapter in the container after it is closed may save some of the time, hassle, and expense often expended in changing out adapters. 
     In some embodiments, the method  684  may include opening  690  the container. The connector of the material transfer device may then be re-engaged  690  with the threaded connection of the adapter without removing or reinserting the adapter. Re-using the same container, with the same adapter, may save significant time, hassle, and expense in finding and replacing adapters that cannot be closed within the container. This may also help prevent spills caused by over-handling the container. Additionally, storing the adapter in the container may help ensure that the correct adapter is used when material is removed from the bottle, because there will not be an opportunity to select the incorrect adapter. 
     The method  684  may include any single act or combination of acts referenced in  FIG. 10 . For example, the method  684  may include inserting  674  an adapter, sealing  676  the container, and closing  688  the container. In other examples, the method  684  may include connecting  680  the material transfer device, and disengaging  686  the material transfer device. 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. These described embodiments are examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual embodiment may be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous embodiment-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one embodiment to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, any element described in relation to an embodiment herein may be combinable with any element of any other embodiment described herein. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value. 
     A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims. 
     The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements. 
     The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.