Semen container with specialized tip

Abstract

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

Claims

1. A biological liquid container comprising: a body having a first end defining a sealable opening configured to receive a biological liquid therethrough, a second end opposite the first end, and a cavity for receiving the biological liquid disposed between the first end and the second end; a one-piece nozzle and removable tip extending from the second end and in communication with the cavity to dispense the biological liquid; a score line defined between the nozzle and the tip, wherein the score line is configured to separate the tip from the nozzle; and a tab connecting the body and the tip; wherein upon removal of the tip from the nozzle, the tip remains attached to the tab and the tab remains attached to the body.

2. The biological liquid container of claim 1, further comprising a score line between the nozzle and the tip.

3. The biological liquid container of claim 1, wherein the tab is a thread embedded within the body thereof.

4. The biological liquid container of claim 1, wherein the tip includes a flange configured for gripping by a user to facilitate twisting of the tip with respect to the nozzle for removal of the tip from the nozzle.

5. The biological liquid container of claim 1, wherein the tip is removable from the nozzle by cutting a portion of the nozzle, and the tip is made of a biodegradable plastic.

6. The biological liquid container of claim 1, wherein the container is connected to a plurality of other containers to form a semen bag assembly.

7. A biological liquid bag assembly comprising: a plurality of connected bodies each having: a sealable first end for the introduction of biological liquid, a second end opposite the first end having a one-piece nozzle and removable tip, a score line defined between the nozzle and the tip, wherein the score line is configured to separate the tip from the nozzle, and a cavity between the first and second ends, wherein the bodies are connected to one another along a seam extending along at least one side thereof and integrally formed therewith; and a tab connected to the tip and the respective body; wherein the tip remains connected to the tab after removal of the tip from the nozzle.

8. The biological liquid bag assembly of claim 7, further comprising means for twistably removing the tip from the nozzle.

9. The biological liquid bag assembly of claim 8, wherein the removable tip is separated from the nozzle by a score line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a semen container of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the semen container of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a top of the semen container of FIGS. 1-2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the semen container of the present invention; FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the semen container of FIG. 4;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a semen container assembly of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a partial top plan view of a semen container of an another embodiment of the present invention; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a partial top plan view of the semen container of FIG. 6.

(9) In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected, attached, or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the 30 following description.

(11) Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a container for holding and storing biological liquids such as semen comprises semen tube 10 having a hollow body 13 defining a cavity and having a first end 12 adapted for receiving semen and other biological liquids to be stored in the cavity. After the semen is introduced into the tube 10, first end 12 is sealed to prevent the spilling or loss of semen therefrom. Heat sealing, or a similar such process, is preferably used to form a seal 14 at the first end 12 of the tube 10. In addition, a cut may be provided in the tube 10 along the seal 14 to facilitate the opening of the seal 14 during the AI procedure to create a vacuum inside the tube 10 to facilitate the delivery of the semen to the animal.

(12) The walls of the tube 10 are preferably relatively flexible and adapted for receiving and retaining semen within the tube 10. As such, the tube 10 is preferably constructed from a plastic material such as, for example, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or a similar such material. The tube 10 is preferably constructed from a material that will not harm or otherwise damage the contents stored within the tube 10 and which will serve to properly preserve the liquids stored therein. More preferably, the tube 10 of the present invention may be constructed of a biodegradable plastic material such that tube tips accidentally disposed of in, for example, manure pits, are safely and easily decomposed over time thereby preventing clogging or other such damage when the manure pits are pumped out.

(13) Opposite the first end 12, a second end 16 includes a nozzle 18 attached thereto and terminating in a removable tip 20. The nozzle 18 is preferably integrally molded to the body 13 by blow molding or similar such process as is generally known in the art. The second end 16 of the tube 10 is preferably substantially more rigid than the first end 12 to facilitate delivery of the stored semen during the AI procedure. During an AI procedure, the nozzle 18 is inserted into a horizontal insemination catheter that has been inserted into the animal's body. Insertion of the nozzle 18 into the catheter is accomplished with the semen tube 10 in a substantially horizontal position and the nozzle 18 longitudinally aligned with the tube 10. The tube 10 may be rotated vertically for dispensing the stored semen. Accordingly, the nozzle 18 may additionally include a substantially bendable portion 19. The bendable portion 19 enables the tube 10 to be rotated vertically without kinking or otherwise damaging the nozzle 18 or the body 13 of the semen tube 10. Bendable portion 19 preferably includes a pair of bumps molded into the nozzle 18 to allow for bending of the nozzle 18. In addition, the nozzle 18 is preferably adapted to fit existing semen fill cup manufacturing assemblies.

(14) The nozzle 18 is generally adapted for delivering the stored semen to the animal during the AI procedure. For example, the tip 20 of the nozzle 18 preferably includes means for easy 5 removal therefrom. Preferably, the tip 20 is removable from the nozzle 18 without the use of tools. For example, the tip 20 and nozzle 18 may include a relatively weak portion disposed between the tip 20 and the nozzle 18 that may be easily broken such that the tip 20 may be easily removed. Alternatively, the tip 20 may include a flange 24 or similar such projection extending therefrom that may facilitate gripping by the user such that the tip 20 may be twisted or 10 otherwise removed from the nozzle 18 under a user applied force. In one embodiment, the nozzle 18 includes a score line 22 configured to separate the tip 20 from the nozzle 18. Score line 22 is preferably provided to provide a relatively weakened line between the nozzle 18 and the tip 20 such that bending across the score line 22 allows for easy removal of the tip 20. In another embodiment, the tip 20 of the nozzle 18 is adapted to be removed by cutting with a scissors, knife, or similar such tool.

(15) Tip 20 preferably includes a flange 24 extending outwardly therefrom. Flange 24 provides an attachment surface for a tab 26. Tab 26 is a relatively flexible member provided in parallel with the nozzle 18 of the present invention. Tab 26 preferably has a first end 28 integrally molded or otherwise affixed to the body 13 of the tube 10 and a second end 30 molded or affixed to the flange 24 of the tip 20. The tab 26 is preferably attached to the body 13 at or near the point where the nozzle 18 extends from the body 13. In this embodiment, the tab 26 is substantially parallel to the nozzle 18. Alternatively, the tab 26 may be attached to the nozzle 18 of the body 13 as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the tip 20 may be removed from the nozzle 18 as described above, but remain attached to a portion of the body 13 of the tube 10 by way of the tab 26. Accordingly, during an AI procedure, the tip 20 may be removed for dispensing the semen stored therein, and after completion of the procedure, the tube 10 and tip 20 may simultaneously be disposed of. As such, the amount of small plastic debris to be disposed of is greatly reduced or eliminated. Accordingly, farming equipment may safely be used to clean a barn and dispense barn waste.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising a semen bag assembly 110 includes a plurality of individual bags 111 attached to one another. Each bag 111 includes a rectangular-shaped body 113 that is relatively flat before the introduction of semen to the bag 111 and a first end 112 adapted to receive semen. The bag 111 includes an internal pouch 115 defining a cavity configured to receive the semen and secured between a joining portion 117 on each side. Joining portion 117 includes a seal 121 disposed between each joining portion 117 and a joining portion 117 of an adjacent bag 111. After the bag 111 is filled, a seal 114 may be provided at the first end 112 to securely retain the semen therein for transport or storage. The bags 111 may be sealed using heat sealing or similar such methods known in the art. In addition, each bag 111 may further include a cut or similar perforation for removing each bag 111 from the bag assembly 110. Each bag 111 preferably includes two pairs of holes 123 disposed near the first end 112 and adapted to receive hooks of a semen bag filling assembly of the kind generally known in the art. Bags 111 are preferably constructed of a plastic material, and more preferably, bags 111 are constructed of a biodegradable plastic such that the tips 120 might naturally decompose over time.

(17) Opposite the first end 112, a second end 116 includes a nozzle 118 with a removable tip 120. The nozzle 118 is preferably heat sealed in place at the second end 116 of the bag 111 and in communication with the internal pouch 115 of the bag 111. The nozzle 118 is adapted for use with standard filling equipment known in the art. The nozzle 118 is generally adapted for dispensing stored semen in the bag 111 to an animal during an AI procedure. During use, the nozzle 118 is typically interconnected with a catheter inserted into the animal for insemination. The semen is then dispensed via the nozzle 118 under pressure applied to the bag 111 to the catheter for delivery to the animal. Nozzle 118 preferably includes a substantially bendable portion 119 similar to that of the previous embodiment.

(18) The tip 120 is preferably removable from nozzle 118 without the use of tools. Accordingly, a score line 122 may be included to demark and separate the nozzle 118 from the tip 120. As such, the tip 120 may be easily removed by applying torque or other such force thereto. Alternatively, the tip 120 may be removed by cutting with a knife or scissors.

(19) As in the previous embodiment, the tip 120 includes a flange 124 molded thereto. A tab 30 126 is interconnected between each bag 111 and the flange 124 of the tip 120. As such, when the tip 120 is removed from the nozzle 118, the tip 120 remains affixed to the bag 111 by way of the tab 126. Accordingly, the tip 120 may be disposed of along with the bag 111 after completion of the AI procedure. In an alternative embodiment, the tab 126 may comprise a thread embedded within the body 113 of bag 111 or otherwise fixed thereto. The thread of the alternative embodiment preferably comprises a relatively strong material such that the tab 126 is able to retain the tip 120 in contact with the body 113 of the bag 111 as discussed previously.

(20) Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of the semen container 210 of the present invention includes a hollow body 213 with a nozzle 218 terminating in a removable tip 220 at one end thereof. In this embodiment, the tip 220 is retained in contact with the body 213 or nozzle 218 by way of a thread 232 embedded within the body 213 or nozzle 218. Accordingly, after the tip 220 is removed from the nozzle 218 as described in the prior embodiments of the present invention, the thread 232 ensures that the tip 220 is retained in contact with one of the body 213 and the nozzle 218. The thread 232 of this embodiment preferably comprises a relatively strong material such that the thread 232 is able to retain the tip 220 in contact with the body 213 of the container 210. Accordingly, the thread 232 may be constructed from any such suitable material including, but not limited to, a relatively flexible plastic or similarly suitable material.

(21) Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept.

(22) Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually any configuration. Furthermore, all the disclosed features of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed features of every other disclosed embodiment except where such features are mutually exclusive.

(23) It is intended that the appended claims cover all such additions, modifications and rearrangements. Expedient embodiments of the present invention are differentiated by the appended claims.