US3805784A - Semen capsule for use with an artificial insemination applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

A capsule for cold storage of semen that is subsequently used with a plunger-type artificial insemination applicator. The capsule container ends are sealed with force fitted one-piece plugs having tapered confronting inner ends and spaced annular sealing lands that engage the inner wall of the container. One plug is engaged and movable by a reciprocable applicator plunger for ejecting semen.

Description

I United StatesPatent 1 1 1 1 3,805,784 Alter 1 1 Apr. 23, 1974 SEMEN CAPSULE FOR USE WITH AN 2,986,141 5/1961 Hart 128/218 D ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION APPLICATOR 2,717,601 9/1955 Brown 128/272 [76] Inventor: Richard R. Alter, 608 McDowell FOREIGN T TS OR APPLICATIONS $1., Delavan, Wis. 53114 480,075 12/1969 Switzerland 128/235 22' Filed: Aug. 4, 1972 Primary Examiner-R1chard A. Gaudet [21] PP N04 278,112 Assistant ExaminerRonald L. Frinks Attorney, Agent, or FirmRoot & OKeeffe [52] U.S. Cl 128/235, 128/260, 128/272,

' 128/218 D [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. A6lm 37/02, A61d 7/02 [58] Field of Search. 128/234, 235, 218 D, 218 DA, A capsule for F storage of f 128/260 261 272 quently used with a plunger-type artificial 1nsem1nation applicator. The capsule container ends are sealed [56] References Cited with force fitted one-piece plugs having tapered confronting inner ends and spaced annular sealing lands UNITED STATES PATENTS that engage the inner wall of the container. One plug 3,256,884 6/1966 Hill et a1. 128/235 is engaged and movable by a reciprocable applicator l Jones plunger for ejecting emen 3,507,281 4/1970 Cassou 1,803,316 5/1931 Brown 123/218D 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 2 3 1974 I IIIIHH SEMEN CAPSULE FOR USE WITH AN ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION APPLICATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to capsules for use in applicator apparatuses, and, more specifically, to capsules which are particularly well adapted for use in artificial insemination operations, and the like.

It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel capsule for use in an applicator apparatus.

Another object is to afford a novel capsule which is particularly well adapted for use in artificial insemination operations.

It is a primary objectof the present invention to afford a novel capsule for use in an applicator apparatus.

Another object is to afford a novel capsule which is particularly well adapted for use in artificial insemination operations.

Apparatuses embodying elongated tubular housings, through which elongated plungers are movable therethrough for ejecting fluid from the housing, are well known in the art. This includes such apparatuses for use in artificial insemination operations, apparatuses of this type being shown, for example, in my copending application for United States Letters Patent, Ser. No. 124,883, filed Mar. 16, 1971, and now abandoned, and in I-Ieuboski U.S. Pat. No. 2,841,146, Hill et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,884 and Cassou U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,281.

Also, capsules of various types, which are adapted to hold a supply of fluid, such as semen, and which may be used with apparatuses of the aforementioned. type, have been heretofore known in the art, such as, for example, capsules adapted' to be mounted on the outer end of such a housing, such as shown in the aforementioned Hill et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,884; capsules in the form of straws adapted to be mounted in such housings and embodying a plug movable therethrough. to expel fluid therefrom, such as shown in the aforementioned Cassou U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,281; and capsules in the form af ampules which may be mounted in such housings, and which may be turned inside out to expel fluid therefrom, such as shown in my aforementioned application, Ser. No. 124,883.

However, although capsules of the aforementioned -types heretofore known in the art have been successfully used, they commonly have had several inherent:

disadvantages, such as, for example, being difficult to manufacture; being difficult to fill with fluid; not affording effective sealing against leakage of fluid therefrom; not affording effective sealing against the passage of outside air, gases or liquids thereinto; being. inefficient in the discharge of fluids therefrom; being susceptible to the accidental blowing out of the sealing members thereof during storage and handling; being complicated in construction; or being difficult orunreliable'in operation, and the like. It is an important object of the present invention to overcome such disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel capsule for use in applicator apparatuses wherein the parts thereof are constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manneroperable to afford effective sealingof fluid or liquid therein at all times prior to the desired discharge of such fluid or liquid therefrom.

A further object of the present invention is to afford a novel capsule of the aforementioned type wherein the parts thereof are constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner effective to insure thorough discharge, in the desired direction, of fluid therefrom during a discharge operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to afford a novel capsule of the aforementioned type wherein the parts thereof are constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner effective to prevent leakage of liquids, air and gases into the capsule.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel capsule of the aforementioned type which is practical and efficient in construction and operation, and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the capsule shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another the capsule shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT SHOWN HEREIN" Acapsule 1, embodying the principles of the present invention, isshown in the drawing to illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.

portion of Thecapsule 1 embodies, ingeneral, an elongated, substantially straight, tubular member in the form of astraw 2, FIG. 2, with plugs and4 disposed in respective opposite ends of thetubular member 2, in sealing. relation thereto, a fluid 5. being disposed in the tubularmember 2between theplugs 3 and 4, and prefer ably completely filling the tubular member 3therebetween. Preferably, thetubular member 2 and theplugs 3 and 4 are round in transverse crosssection.

Thetubular member 2 may be made of any suitable material, but preferably is made of a suitable plastic material such as, for example, polypropylene, or the like, and preferably is what is referred to herein as severable, which meansthat it may be readily cut with a manually operated, sharp cutting edge, such as a knife blade, scissors, clippers, or the like.

Theplugs 3 and 4, also, may be made of any suitable material, but preferably are made of a suitable plastic material such as, for example, polypropylene.

Theplug 3, shown in the drawings, comprises an elongated member having oppositely disposed, outer end portions 6 and 7, FIGS. 2 and 3, separated by an elongated, substantially cylindrical-shaped,central body portion 8. Two annular lands orribs 9 and 10 extend around thebody portion 8, transversely to the length thereof, in spaced, parallel relation to each other. Preferably, thelands 9 and 10 are disposed closely adjacent to, but spaced from the end portions 6 and 7, respectively, FIG. 3.

The end portions 6 and 7 of theplug 3 shown in the drawing are frusto-conical in shape, terminating at their outer ends in substantiallyflat faces 11 and 12, respectively, FIG. 3, which are smaller in diameter than the inner ends of the respective end portions 6 and 7.

In the assembledcapsule 1, theplug 3 is disposed in thetubular member 2 with a relative snug, force fit, but is movable longitudinally therethrough by the application of manual force applied by suitable means, such as a plunger, to the face 11 of the end portion 6, as will be discussed in greater detail presently. Preferably, theplug 3 in the assembledcapsule 1 is so disposed in thetubular member 2 that the face 11 of the end portion 6 thereof is disposed in uniplanar relation to theouter end 13 of thetubular member 2.

Theplug 4 is somewhat similar in construction to theplug 3, embodying a frusto-conical shapedend portion 14 tapering inwardly away from one end of an elongated, substantially cylindrical-shaped,central body portion 15 and terminating at its outermost end in a substantiallyflat face 16, and including two lands l7 and 18 projecting radially outwardly from opposite end portions of thebody portion 15 in parallel spaced relation to each other and to the respective adjacent ends of thebody portion 15. However, unlike theplug 3, the end portion of theplug 4 remote from theend portion 14 comprises a cap or end piece, in the form of a substantiallyflat plate 19, which is round in cross section, transverse to the length of theplug 4, and which projects radially outwardly beyond the adjacent end of thebody portion 15. Preferably, thecap 19 is of the same outside diameter as the-outside diameter of thetubular member 2, and in the assembledcapsule 1, the outerperipheral edge portion 20 thereof is disposed in abutting juxtaposition to theend 21 of thetubular member 2 remote from theend 13 thereof, FIG. 2. It will be seen that with this construction of theplug 4, when the latter is disposed in operative position in thetubular member 2, thecap 19 affords an effective abutment member for engaging theouter end 21 of thetubular member 2, to thereby accurately locatetheplug 4 in thetubular member 2, and to prevent theplug 4 from being pushed through thetubular member 2, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

The outside diameter of thelands 9, l0, l7 and 18 preferably are such that, when theplugs 3 and 4 are disposed in operative position in the respective end portions of thetubular member 2, the latter are expanded outwardly somewhat thereby to afford a liquid-tight sealing engagement between the tube. 2 and theplugs 3 and 4. For example, I have found that in making thecapsule 1, with thetubular member 2 and theplugs 3 and 4 made of polypropylene and with the inside diameter of the unassembledtubular member 2 having a wall thickness of 0.020 inch and an inside diameter of 0.105 inch, the outside diameter of thelands 9, 10 and 17 may be made in the nature ofO. 109 inch and 0.1l 1 inch and preferably 0.1 10 inch. With this construction, the wall portions of thetubular member 2, adjacent to thelands 9, 10 17 and 18 in the assembledcapsule 1, are expanded outwardly by the respective lands to afford a somewhat wrap-around engagement of thetubular member 2 with thelands 9, 10, 17 and 18 which is effective to provide an efficient seal against leakage of air, gas and liquid past theplugs 3 and 4, and is effective to hold theplugs 3 and 4 in thetubular member 2.

In filling thecapsule 1 with the fluid 5, the proper amount of fluid may be inserted into thetubular member 2, with the latter disposed in horizontally extending position, and theplugs 3 and 4 may then be inserted into operative position in the respective ends of thetubular member 2 to seal the fluid therein. With this construction, thelands 9 and 10, and'the lands l7 and 18, afford an effective double-seal at the respective ends of thetubular member 2 against leakage of the fluid 5 outwardly past theplugs 3 and 4, respectively, and against the passage of liquid, air or gases past theplugs 3 and 4 into the tube 5, to thereby afford effective protection against the leakage of the fluid 5 from thetubular member 2 and against the passage of contaminants from outside of thetubular member 2 into the fluid 5.

Capsules of the type shown herein are commonly stored in what may be termed extremely cold refrigerants, such as, for example, liquid nitrogen, and the like, the temperature of which may be several hundred degrees below zero, Fahrenheit. Such cooling of the interior of thecapsule 1, of course, causes contraction of any gases which may be trapped therein between theplugs 3 and 4, so as to reduce the pressure within the capsule l and thus tend to cause the flow of any surrounding liquid, or gases, or the like, into thecapsule 2. If such inward flow occurs, there is danger of deleteriously contaminating the fluid 5. In addition, in the event of any such leakage of liquid nitrogen or a gas into thecapsule 1, subsequent warming of thecapsule 1, effective to thaw the frozen fluid therein is also effective to tend to expand the gas afforded by any such liquid nitrogen or gas which has passed thereinto, with the resultant danger that thetubular member 2 might burst or the end plugs therein might be blown therefrom. If this-occurs, of course, the fluid, which oftentimes is highly valuable, will be lost, and, in addition, such bursting of the tubular member or blowing out of the end plugs therefrom creates a danger to personnel who may be nearby. Therefore, it isof importance that capsules of the type disclosed herein are effectively sealed against such inward leakage of liquid or gases, and the like, thereinto, and the present invention affords effective protection against such occurrences.

When it is desired to use the capsule l in an applicator apparatus, theend 21 of thetubular member 2 may be opened, and thetubular member 2, with the fluid 5 and theplug 3 remaining therein may be inserted into operative position in a suitable applicator apparatus, such as, for example, theapparatus 22 shown in FIG. 1. Theapparatus 22 is of a type well known in the art and forms no part of the present invention, except insofar as it affords a part of the entire combination, with a capsule as disclosed herein.

Theapparatus 22 includes an elongated, substantially straight tubular member 23, which may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, stainless steel, extruded aluminum or a suitable plastic such as, for ex ample, polypropylene. It embodies afront end 24 and arear end 25, and, preferably, is substantially uniform in internal diameter from therear end 25 to afront end portion 26 thereof, adjacent to thefront end 24, from which point it tapers inwardly, in a substantially frustoconical shape to adischarge opening 27 in thefront end 24.

Anelongated plunger 28 having abody portion 29 of such cross sectional size as to fit snugly within the portion of the tubular housing 23 rearwardly of thefront end portion 26 thereof with a freely slidable fit, is slidably mounted in the housing 23 in the assembledapparatus 22. Theplunger 28 embodies anenlarged handle portion 30 at the outer end thereof, and aninner end portion 31, at the other end thereof, theinner end portion 31 being of reduced cross sectional size, as compared to the cross sectional size of thebody portion 29, and projecting from thebody portion 29 in substantially axial alignment therewith.

In the use of thecapsule 1, in theapparatus 22 shown in the drawings, after theend 21 has been opened, thetubular member 2, withplug 3 and the fluid 5 remaining therein, may be inserted into the housing 23 into position wherein the end thereof remote from theend 13 is disposed in engagement with the inner face of the front end'portion 26 of the housing 23, as shown in FIG. 1. Thereafter, theplunger 28 may be inserted into operative position in the housing 23, wherein theend portion 31, which is of a cross sectional size adapted to pass through thetubular member 2, is engaged with the outer end face 11 of theplug 3. When it is desired to discharge the now thawed fluid 5 from theapparatus 22, such as, for example, into the vaginal canal of an animal to be impregnated, theplunger 28 may be manually pressed forwardly into the housing 23 to thereby cause theplug 3 to be moved forwardly along thetubular member 2, with thelands 9 and in firm wiping engagement with the inner surface of thetubular memher 2, into position, such as that shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, and thereby discharge the fluid 5 outwardly from thetubular member 2 and through theopening 27 in the housing 23. Preferably, thehandle 30 is so disposed relative to the front end of thefront end portion 31 of theplunger 28 that it will engage theend 25 of the housing 23 in the most forward position, which is desired for the plunger28, so as to limit movementof theplug 3 to a position, such as shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, wherein it is effective to completely discharge the fluid from thetubular member 2 while remaining disposed in the latter. Upon completion of the discharge operation, theplunger 28 may be removed from .the housing 23, the emptiedtubular member 2, with theplug 3 remaining therein, may be removed from housing 23 through theend 25 thereof, and, if desired, after the housing 23 has been suitably sterilized, anothertubular member 2 with theplug 3 and fluid 5 remaining therein may be inserted into operative position in the housing 23 for another insemination operation.

If desired, the force with which theplug 4 is engaged with thetubular member 2 may be such that, by using a suitable manually operated tool, such as, for example, a pliers, or the like, theplug 4 may be manually removed from thetubular member 2 to thereby open theend 21 thereof. However, it will be remembered that, preferably, thetubular member 2 is constructed of severable material, and I prefer that, in the opening of thetubular member 2, the latter be cut off inwardly of, and immediately adjacent to theinner end 16 of theplug 4. Such opening of thetubular member 2 may be readily accomplished by the use of a knife blade, or' the like, and tends to insure against spillage of the fluid 5 from thetubular member 2.

It is well known in the art that, heretofore, certain op erators using straws of semen, having plugs at both ends which were of the type that were movable through the body portion of the straw, such as, for example, the plug shown in the aforementioned. Cassou U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,281, have resorted to the practice of cutting such straws in two and using the two halves of the straws in an artificial insemination operation on two separate animals. This, of course, reduces the dosage of spermatozoa to one-half of the intended dosage, and, commonly, the thus reduced dosages have not proven sufficient to effect the intended impregnation of the animal receiving the same. This, of course, is a highly undesirable practice. The construction of theplug 4 is such as to deter such practice, thecap 19 being of such size, and being so engaged with thetubular member 2 as to prevent the passage of theplug 4 therethrough, so that in the event thetubular member 2 should be cut in two,

i the fluid 5 contained in the half of thetubular member 2 in which theplug 4 is disposed cannot be discharged from thetubular member 2 by movement of theplug 4 therethrough.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel capsule.

In addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel capsule which is particularly well adapted for storage and subsequent discharge of semen in the carrying out of artificial insemination operations.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel capsule embodying novel sealing structures constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner for effective efficient sealing against the leakage of fluid therefrom and against the passage of contaminating liquids, gases, and the like, thereinto.

- In addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel capsule from which fluid may be discharged efficiently and thoroughly.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel capsule which is practical and efficient in operation and which may readily and economically produced commercially. I

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire the avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A capsule for the cold storage of semen at freezing temperatures and for subsequent use in an artificial insemination applicator apparatus of the type embodying an elongated tubular body portion, and an elongated plunger reciprocable through said body portion in coaxial relation thereto, and comprising a. an elongated tubular member adapted to be inserted longitudinally into said body portion and to receive an end of said plunger for movement longitudinally therethrough,

b. a one-piece plug normally mounted in one end portion of said tubular member in position to close the latter and to be engaged by said end of said plunger and be moved thereby through said tubular member upon such movement of said plunger therethrough, and

c. another one-piece plug mounted in the other end portion of said tubular member in position to close the latter; I

d. semen disposed in said tubular member between said plugs,

e. each of said plugs including c. engaging said tubular member with a force fit.

Claims (3)

1. A capsule for the cold storage of semen at freezing temperatures and for subsequent use in an artificial insemination applicator apparatus of the type embodying an elongated tubular body portion, and an elongated plunger reciprocable through said body portion in co-axial relation thereto, and comprising a. an elongated tubular member adapted to be inserted longitudinally into said body portion and to receive an end of said plunger for movement longitudinally therethrough, b. a one-piece plug normally mounted in one end portion of said tubular member in position to close the latter and to be engaged by said end of said plunger and be moved thereby through said tubular member upon such movement of said plunger therethrough, and c. another one-piece plug mounted in the other end portion of said tubular member in position to close the latter; d. semen disposed in said tubular member between said plugs, e. each of said plugs including 1. a substantially cylindrical-shaped central body portion disposed in the respective end portion of said tubular member, 2. an end portion a. projecting from one end of said last mentioned central body portion in substantially co-axial relation thereto toward the other of said plugs, and b. sloping inwardly toward its axis in a direction away from its last mentioned central body portion, and 3. two outwardly projecting annular lands a. extending around the respective central body portion transversely to the length thereof, b. disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each other, and c. engaging said tubular member with a force fit.

2. an end portion a. projecting from one end of said last mentioned central body portion in substantially co-axial relation thereto toward the other of said plugs, and b. sloping inwardly toward its axis in a direction away from its last mentioned central body portion, and

3. two outwardly projecting annular lands a. extending around the respective central body portion transversely to the length thereof, b. disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each other, and c. engaging said tubular member with a force fit.

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