Apparatus for reducing syringe fill pressures

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a fill sleeve for protecting an outer surface of a syringe from exposure to a liquid when filling the syringe with the liquid. The fill sleeve includes a sidewall extending between a first open end and a second end having an end wall. The end wall and the sidewall define an interior volume of the fill sleeve. The end wall is provided with an opening configured to form a seal with a fill site of a syringe when the syringe barrel is inserted within the interior volume of the fill sleeve. The seal prevents the outer surface of the syringe barrel from being exposed to a liquid when the fill sleeve and the syringe are lowered into a liquid, such as paint. The configuration also allows for a preferred filling position that minimizes filling pressures, force, and fill time in comparison to prior art designs.

1 . A method for filling a syringe with a liquid, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a syringe having a plunger, a barrel, and a fill site;   b. providing a fill sleeve having a sidewall, an open end, and an end wall that together define an interior volume, the end wall having an opening;   c. inserting the syringe at least partially within the fill sleeve such that the syringe fill site forms a seal with the opening in the fill sleeve end wall;   d. placing the syringe and fill sleeve into a liquid such that at least a portion of the fill sleeve sidewall and at least a portion of the syringe fill site are submerged below a top surface of the liquid;   e. drawing liquid into the syringe while retaining the syringe within the fill sleeve; and   f. removing the syringe containing the liquid from the fill sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a fill sleeve includes providing a fill sleeve comprising a gripping feature for securing the syringe barrel within the fill sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of drawing liquid into the syringe while retaining the syringe within the fill sleeve includes engaging the gripping feature onto the syringe barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of drawing liquid into the syringe while retaining the syringe within the fill sleeve includes manually engaging the syringe barrel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of installing the syringe containing the liquid into an apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step drawing liquid into the syringe while retaining the syringe within the fill sleeve includes drawing paint into the syringe. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of placing the syringe and fill sleeve into a liquid includes submerging the syringe such that a portion of the syringe barrel is below the liquid top surface; 
     
     
         8 . A fill sleeve for protecting an outer surface of a syringe from exposure to a liquid, the fill sleeve comprising:
 a. a sidewall extending between a first open end and a second end;   b. an end wall disposed at the second end;   c. an interior volume defined by the sidewall and the end wall; and   d. an opening in the end wall, the opening being configured to form a seal with a fill site of a syringe.   
     
     
         9 . The fill sleeve of  claim 8 , wherein the sidewall is tapered. 
     
     
         10 . The fill sleeve of  claim 8 , further comprising stand-off means for maintaining a clearance between the end wall opening and a container surface. 
     
     
         11 . The fill sleeve of  claim 10 , wherein the stand-off means includes a plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         12 . The fill sleeve of  claim 8 , further comprising holding means for supporting the fill sleeve on a fluid container. 
     
     
         13 . The fill sleeve of  claim 12 , wherein the holding means includes a pair of leg extensions configured to engage a sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The fill sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the end wall opening is tapered. 
     
     
         15 . The fill sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising a gripping feature having at least one deflectable leg, the gripping feature being movable from an open position to a closed position, the open position allowing for removal of the syringe from the interior volume of the fill sleeve, the closed position preventing removal of the syringe from the interior volume of the fill sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The fill sleeve of  claim 15 , wherein the gripping feature has two deflectable legs. 
     
     
         17 . The fill sleeve of  claim 16 , wherein the deflectable legs include inward extensions for engaging a barrel of the syringe when the gripping feature is in the closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The fill sleeve of  claim 17 , wherein the deflectable legs include guide members within the interior volume of the fill sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . A combination fill sleeve and syringe apparatus comprising:
 a. a fill sleeve comprising:
 i. a sidewall extending between a first open end and a second end; 
 ii. an end wall disposed at the second end; 
 iii. an interior volume defined by the sidewall and the end wall; and 
 iv. an opening in the end wall; and 
   b. a syringe comprising:
 i. a barrel for holding a liquid, the barrel having an outside diameter less than an inside diameter of the fill sleeve sidewall at the first open end; 
 ii. a plunger for drawing liquid into barrel; and 
 iii. a fill site for allowing entry of the liquid into the barrel; 
   c. wherein the size of the end wall opening and the size of the syringe fill site are such that a seal is formed between the opening and the fill site when the syringe barrel is inserted into the fill sleeve interior volume.   
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 19 , wherein the sidewall is tapered. 
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 19 , further comprising stand-off means for maintaining a clearance between the end wall opening and a container surface. 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 21 , wherein the stand-off means includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the fill sleeve sidewall. 
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 19 , further comprising holding means for supporting the fill sleeve on an open container. 
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 23 , wherein the holding means includes a pair of leg extensions configured to engage a sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 19 , wherein the end wall opening is tapered. 
     
     
         26 . The combination of  claim 19 , further comprising a gripping feature having at least one deflectable leg, the gripping feature being movable from an open position to a closed position, the open position allowing for removal of the syringe from the interior volume of the fill sleeve, the closed position preventing removal of the syringe from the interior volume of the fill sleeve. 
     
     
         27 . The combination of  claim 26 , wherein the gripping feature has two deflectable legs. 
     
     
         28 . The combination of  claim 27 , wherein the deflectable legs include inward extensions for engaging a barrel of the syringe when the gripping feature is in the closed position. 
     
     
         29 . The combination of  claim 28 , wherein the deflectable legs include guide members within the interior volume of the fill sleeve.