Patent Publication Number: US-11027901-B2

Title: Transfer lid

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/047,269 filed Sep. 8, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of containment, storage and delivery of fluids, and more particularly to a transfer lid for an enteral fluid container such as a bottle or breast pump collection container providing vented transfer of fluids such as formula or breast milk to or from the container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various containers are used for collection, storage and delivery of enteral fluids such as breast milk, formula, medications, supplements and the like. For example, breast milk may be collected in a collection container of a breast pump, transferred to a storage container for storage, and/or transferred to a bottle or syringe for feeding an infant, for example, orally via a bottle nipple or enterally via a feeding tube or line. 
     Maintaining sanitary and aseptic conditions in the handling of such enteral fluids is desirable. Various fluid collection, storage and delivery container systems have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. US2012/0289936A1 by Ingram et al, which is incorporated herein by reference, shows an example system for aseptic collection and enteral delivery of fluids. 
     Continued improvements to collection, storage and delivery containers and systems are sought. It is to the provision of an improved transfer lid for such containers, and to containment systems incorporating such a transfer lid that the present invention is primarily directed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In example embodiments, the present invention provides an improved transfer lid or cap for bottles, breast pump collection containers, and other containers. In further embodiments, the present invention provides improved containers, containment systems, and methods, incorporating such a transfer lid. 
     In one aspect, the present invention relates to a transfer lid for a fluid container, the transfer lid preferably including an attachment collar for removably attaching the transfer lid to the fluid container, and an inner collar arranged generally concentrically with and spaced inwardly from the attachment collar, the inner collar having a vent opening extending therethrough. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a fluid containment and transfer system. The fluid containment and transfer system preferably includes a containment shell defining a contained volume therein, and having an opening accessing the contained volume and a threaded coupling around the opening. The fluid containment and transfer system preferably also includes a transfer lid having a top panel, an attachment collar for releasable engagement with the threaded coupling of the containment shell to allow attachment and removal of the transfer lid from the containment shell, an inner collar, a vent slot extending through at least a portion of the inner collar, and a fluid transfer port through the top panel for transfer of fluid through the transfer lid into and out of the contained volume of the containment shell. 
     In still another aspect, the invention relates to a breast milk containment and transfer system. The breast milk containment and transfer system preferably includes a breast milk pump collection container having a threaded rim and defining a contained volume. The breast milk containment and transfer system preferably also includes a transfer lid having a top panel, an attachment collar for releasable engagement with the threaded rim of the breast milk pump collection container to allow attachment and removal of the transfer lid from the breast milk pump collection container, an inner collar, a vent slot extending through at least a portion of the inner collar, and a fluid transfer port through the top panel for transfer of fluid through the transfer lid into and out of the contained volume of the breast milk pump collection container. 
     These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container with a transfer lid or cap according to an example embodiment of the present invention, with the lid cap in a closed state. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container and transfer lid of  FIG. 1 , with the lid cap in an open state. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the transfer lid shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the transfer lid shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is close up view of a vent slot portion in the bottom of the transfer lid. 
         FIGS. 6A-C  show a bottom view of a transfer lid according to another example embodiment of the present invention, and engagement of the lid interface with the bottle interface as the lid is closed onto the bottle. 
         FIGS. 7A-C  show a bottom view of a transfer lid according to another example embodiment of the present invention, and engagement of the lid interface with the bottle interface as the lid is closed onto the bottle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
     With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a container  10 , comprising a containment shell  12  enclosing a contained volume  14  for containment of fluids. The containment shell  12  has a rim  16 . In example embodiments, the container  10  is a breast milk pump collection container, a feeding bottle for preparation and delivery of formula to an infant, a storage container for enteral fluids such as formula or milk, or any of a variety of other container formats. 
     The containment shell  12  includes a threaded open top terminating in a rim  16 , to which a vented transfer lid or cap  20  is removably mounted to enable selective opening and closing of the container for delivery of fluids to and from the contained volume  14 . In the example embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 3-5 , the transfer lid  20  comprises a generally circular top panel  22  with a transfer port or nipple  24  extending from a generally central position on the top panel outwardly in a first or distal direction. Optionally, a port closure cap  26  is attached to the transfer lid  20  by a tether  28 , and includes a cover or plug  32  for removable engagement and closure of the transfer port  24 . The transfer lid  20  further comprises an attachment collar  40  extending in a second or proximal direction from the top panel  22 . 
     In example forms, the transfer port  24  comprises an enteral-only (EO) coupling, for example an EO female coupling for releasable sealing engagement with a male EO coupling of a transfer syringe for transferring enteral fluids to and/or from the container  10 . Optionally, the transfer port  24  comprises a self-sealing closure to allow fluid passage to or from a syringe inserted therein, but to prevent fluid leakage from the container and provide an air-tight seal forming an aseptic closure to prevent contamination from entering the container when the syringe is removed. Optionally, the sealing closure of the transfer port provides a positive sealing engagement with the cooperating coupling element of a transfer syringe, to prevent airflow, fluid leakage or potential transfer of contamination therebetween into or from the container. In further example embodiments, the transfer port  24  is optionally an enteral-only coupling compatible with the ENFit design standard (ISO 80369-3). 
     The interior circumferential face of the attachment collar  40  of the transfer lid  20  is threaded, to releasably engage corresponding exterior threads at the top of the containment shell  12  near the rim around its open upper end. The threads  42  and attachment collar are optionally configured for engagement with the threads of a containment shell compatible with the threaded connection hub of a standard breast pump. Various collar and thread configurations may be provided within the scope of the invention, for compatibility with different breast pump and/or other product designs and different manufacturer specifications. The exterior circumferential face of the attachment collar  40  of the transfer lid  20  optionally comprises spaced recesses, ridges or other gripping features  44  to assist a user in installing and removing the transfer lid onto and from the containment shell  12 . In this manner, the containment shell  12  can be attached to a breast pump for collection of breast milk, then removed from the pump and the transfer lid  20  attached to the containment shell to close the container  10  for storage or dispensing of the milk. Alternatively, the transfer lid  20  can be removed from the container  10  to allow artificial formula, supplements or other fluids to be prepared through the open top of the containment shell, and the transfer lid replaced for storage and dispensing. 
     A circumferential sealing flange or inner collar  60  projects from the top panel  22  of the transfer lid  20  in the second or proximal direction, generally concentric with and spaced a distance inwardly from the attachment collar  40 . The outside diameter of the inner collar  60  is less than the inside diameter of the attachment collar  40  by a dimension selected to define a spacing between the attachment collar and the inner collar corresponding to the material thickness of the containment shell  12  around its upper rim. In this manner, when the transfer lid  20  is attached to the containment shell  12 , the upper rim of the containment shell is engaged between the inner circumferential face of the attachment collar on the outside of the containment shell, and the outer circumferential face of the inner collar  60  on the inside of the containment shell, with a close fit therebetween. The free end  62  of the inner collar  60  opposite its attachment to the top panel  22  preferably comprises a radiused or tapered profile to provide a smoother interface as the rim of the containment shell  12  passes along the inner collar during installation and removal. Optionally, the material of the inner collar  60  is sufficiently thin and resilient to allow a degree of flexure or inward compression upon contact with the rim of the containment shell  12  for easier installation and removal of the transfer lid  20 , and/or a small outwardly radiused bulb profile along the outside diameter of the inner collar around its free end  62  forms a sealing contact ring about the rim of the containment shell. 
     A narrow vent opening, such as a vent slot  70  is provided through the inner collar  60  and along the inside surface of the top panel  22  of the transfer lid  20 . The slot  70  allows air to vent to or from the contained volume  14  of the container  10 , for example as fluid is delivered into or out of the container through the transfer port  24 , and/or as temperature changes may cause fluid expansion or contraction within the contained volume. For example, in the event a substantially airtight seal is formed between the transfer port of the container  10  and a transfer syringe, pressure or vacuum within the contained volume may render fluid transfer between the container and the syringe difficult, absent the provision of a vent to allow airflow out of or into the contained volume to relieve the pressure or vacuum otherwise resulting from fluid delivery to or from the contained volume by the syringe. 
     Preferably the vent slot  70  is configured to define a sufficiently narrow opening width such that leakage of liquid from the contained volume therethrough is minimized or prevented, but providing a passage large enough to allow airflow therethrough sufficient to accommodate normal rates of transfer of the contained liquid through the transfer port  24 . In example forms, the slot  70  has an opening width of about 0.25 mm to about 1.0 mm, for example about 0.40 mm or about 0.50 mm. Additionally, the vent slot  70  is preferably positioned along or adjacent the inner face of the top panel  22  of the transfer lid  20 , such that any liquid leaking through the vent slot will remain contained between the threads  42  of the transfer lid and the interengaging threads of the containment shell  12  during normal use of the container  10 . In alternate embodiments, the vent opening can comprise one or more holes, channels, lumens, gaps, apertures or other opening(s) or passage(s) instead of or in addition to a slotted configuration. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the vent slot  70  extends generally vertically or perpendicular to the top panel  22  through the entire height of the inner collar  60 , and generally radially along the inner face of the top panel  22  from the inside diameter of the inner collar to the inside diameter of the attachment collar  40 . In alternate embodiments, various other configurations and positions of the vent slot are provided within the scope of the invention. In this manner, the vent slot  70  provides a conduit for fluid communication for venting air to and from the contained volume  14 , through the vent slot, and through spaces between the threads of the transfer lid  20  and the threads of the containment shell  12 , to the ambient atmosphere external of the container  10 . 
       FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  show a vented transfer lid  120  according to another embodiment of the invention, substantially similar to the above-described embodiment, with differences as noted. The lid  120  includes a top panel  120  with an inner collar  160  having a vent slot  170  extending therethrough. The inner collar  160  has a generally tapered or triangular cross-sectional profile, with an external taper angle generally corresponding to a confronting tapered contact face  118  of the rim  116  of the container shell  112 . In this manner, partial closure of the transfer lid  120  onto the container shell allows clearance for venting ( FIG. 6B ), and further tightening of the transfer lid onto the container shell  112  engages the contact face of the inner collar  160  and the contact face  118  of the container shell  112  ( FIG. 6C ) to reduce or prevent venting, whereby selective control of the extent of closure allows a user to vary the extent of venting provided. 
       FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C  show a vented transfer lid  220  according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the vent slot  270  extends through the inner collar  260  and along the top panel  222  of the transfer lid  220  in a non-radial direction. For example, the vent slot  270  may extend generally helically or along a chord of the circle defined by the top panel  222 , rather than radially as in the above described embodiment. The outer face of the inner collar  260  preferably defines a tapered profile (see cross-section shown in  FIG. 6A ) having a steeper inclination than the confronting contact interface  218  of the rim  216  of the containment shell or bottle  212 , and the inner collar  260  is flexible. In this manner, the vent slot  270  enables an “active” venting, as compared to the “passive” venting of the above described embodiments. When the transfer lid  220  is installed with a regular or normal installation force (i.e., the user screws the lid on with a light manual pressure until feeling a seating or contact), the inner collar  260  does not flex significantly and the vent slot  270  remains open to allow air passage sufficient to relieve pressure or vacuum resulting from transfer of liquid into or out of the container  212 . When additional installation force is applied (i.e., the user screws the lid on more tightly with a higher manual force), the interface angles of the inner collar  260  and the rim  216  of the bottle  212  interact to cause the inner collar  260  to flex inwardly (see direction arrow in  FIG. 7B , closing off the vent slot  270  to prevent airflow therethrough (see  FIG. 7C ). In this manner, the user may vary the installation pressure applied to the transfer lid  220  to selectively permit or prevent venting. 
     The invention further includes methods of collection, storage, transfer and delivery of fluids, for example enteral fluids such as breast milk, formula, medications, supplements and the like, using a container having a vented transfer lid. For example, a liquid is collected or deposited into a contained volume of the container, and a vented transfer lid as described herein is installed onto the container. In example embodiments, the container is a breast milk pump collection container, and the liquid is breast milk expressed by operation of the pump. Liquid can be transferred through a transfer port of the vented transfer lid, into or out of the contained volume, for example via a transfer syringe. In example embodiments, nutritional supplements and/or medication may be added to breast milk or formula in the container through the transfer port, and/or breast milk or formula may be withdrawn from the container into a syringe or other transfer device through the transfer port. Pressure or vacuum in the contained volume is released by venting air through a vent slot in the vented transfer lid. Optionally, a user selectively opens or closes the vent slot by controlled application of closure force used to engage the transfer lid with the containment shell. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.