Patent · US Expired

Ball and socket closure for specimen collection container incorporating a resilient elastomeric seal

US5919420A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
26References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 12, 1997
Grant dateJul 6, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 12, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65D47/30
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A closure for sealing the open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a generally spherical-shaped ball having a passageway extending therethrough, with the ball including an axle permitting rotative movement of the ball thereabout between an open position and a closed position. The closure further includes a socket mounted on the open end of the collection container, with the socket including a ball receiving internal surface having an axle-support for receiving the axle of the ball for accommodating rotative movement of the ball therein. The passageway of the ball is aligned with the open end of said collection tube when the ball is in an open position and is out of alignment with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in a closed position. The socket includes a ball receiving portion and a resilient elastomeric seal for maintaining the ball within the ball receiving portion and for providing a liquid-tight seal between the ball and the open end of the collection container.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.