Apparatus, systems, and methods for material transfer

Abstract

A coupler apparatus may be used to couple a container to a reservoir to transfer material therebetween. The coupler apparatus may be coupled to the container, and then to the reservoir. Material may not be allowed to flow through the coupler when the coupler is not coupled to the reservoir.

1 . A coupler apparatus for coupling a container holding material to a reservoir, the coupler apparatus comprising:
 a first end portion configured to be inserted into the container;   a second end portion configured to be coupled to the reservoir, wherein each of the first end portion and the second end portion define a channel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion to allow material to flow from the first end portion to the second end portion, wherein material is free to flow through the channel from the first end portion to the second end portion when the second end portion is coupled to the reservoir, wherein material is inhibited from flowing through the channel from the first end portion to the second end portion when the second end portion is not coupled to the reservoir; and   attachment apparatus located between the first end portion and the second end portion configured to retain the coupler apparatus to the container when the first end portion is inserted in the container.   
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The coupler apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container defines an opening sealed by a membrane, wherein the first end portion is configured to pierce and cut the membrane when the first end portion is inserted into the container. 
     
     
         6 . The coupler apparatus  claim 5 , wherein the first end portion comprises a plurality of blade portions arranged radially about an axis configured to pierce and cut the membrane when the first end portion is inserted into the container. 
     
     
         7 . The coupler apparatus  claim 6 , wherein each blade portion of the plurality of blade portions defines an outer edge that corresponds to an inner surface of the opening of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The coupler apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion defines a plurality of apertures configured to allow material to flow from the container into the channel when the first end portion is inserted into the container. 
     
     
         9 . The coupler apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first end portion defines a cylindrical region and a conical region extending from the cylindrical region, wherein a length is defined between the aperture of the plurality of apertures closest to the attachment apparatus and the attachment apparatus, wherein a radius is defined between an outer surface of the cylindrical region and an axis extending through the first end portion, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the radius. 
     
     
         10 . The coupler apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first end portion defines a cylindrical region and a conical region extending from the cylindrical region, wherein each of the cylindrical region and the conical region defines at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         11 . The coupler apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion defines a cylindrical region and a conical region extending from the cylindrical region, wherein first end portion comprises a sealing element extending radially from the cylindrical region, wherein the sealing element is configured to provide a seal between an inner sealing structure of the opening of the container when the first end portion is inserted into the container and the coupling apparatus is retained to the container by the attachment apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The coupler apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a length is defined between the sealing element and the attachment apparatus, wherein a radius is defined between an outer surface of the cylindrical region and an axis extending through the first end portion, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the radius. 
     
     
         13 . The coupler apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion defines one or more coupling features configured to couple the second end portion to a reservoir. 
     
     
         14 . A container configured to hold material and to be opened using a coupler apparatus, wherein the container comprises:
 a body defining a cavity configured to hold material and an opening extending into the cavity; and   a membrane coupled to the body and configured to seal the opening, wherein the membrane is further configured to be pierced and cut by the coupler apparatus inserted into the opening.   
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the container further comprises an inner sealing structure located in the opening configured to mate with a sealing element of the coupler to provide a seal between the cavity of the body and a channel of the coupler apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the body comprises a neck region extending along an axis to the opening defining a length, wherein the neck portion defines a uniform outer shape about the axis, wherein a radius is defined between an outer surface of the neck portion and the axis, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the radius. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the body defines an insertion region and a recessed region configured to receive an insertion region of another like container to allow stacking of one or more like containers. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the container further comprises a cap portion configured to be coupled to the opening to cover the membrane. 
     
     
         19 . A material transfer system couplable to a reservoir comprising:
 a container configured to hold material; and   a coupler apparatus comprising:
 a first end portion configured to be inserted into the container, 
 a second end portion configured to be removably coupled to the reservoir, wherein each of the first end portion and the second end portion define a channel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion to allow material to flow from the first end portion to the second end portion, wherein material is free to flow through the channel from the first end portion to the second end portion when the second end portion is coupled to the reservoir, wherein material is inhibited from flowing through the channel from the first end portion to the second end portion when the second end portion is not coupled to the reservoir; and 
 attachment apparatus located between the first end portion and the second end portion configured to retain the coupler apparatus to the container when the first end portion is inserted in the container. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the container defines an opening sealed by a membrane, wherein the first end portion is configured to pierce and cut the membrane when the first end portion is inserted into the container. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the first end portion comprises a plurality of blade portions arranged radially about an axis configured to pierce and cut the membrane when the first end portion is inserted into the container. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first end portion defines a plurality of apertures configured to allow material to flow from the container into the channel when the first end portion is inserted into the container. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the first end portion defines a cylindrical region and a conical region extending from the cylindrical region, wherein a length is defined between the aperture of the plurality of apertures closest to the attachment apparatus and the attachment apparatus, wherein a radius is defined between an outer surface of the cylindrical region and an axis extending through the first end portion, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the radius. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the first end portion defines a cylindrical region and a conical region extending from the cylindrical region, wherein each of the cylindrical region and the conical region defines at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first end portion defines a cylindrical region and a conical region extending from the cylindrical region, wherein first end portion comprises a sealing element extending radially from the cylindrical region, wherein the sealing element is configured to provide a seal between an inner sealing structure of the opening of the container when the first end portion is inserted into the container and the coupling apparatus is retained to the container by the attachment apparatus. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein a length is defined between the sealing element and the attachment apparatus, wherein a radius is defined between an outer surface of the cylindrical region and an axis extending through the first end portion, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the radius. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the second end portion defines one or more coupling features configured to couple the second end portion to a reservoir.