Ball and socket closure for specimen collection container incorporating a septum
US5972297A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65D47/30
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A closure for sealing an open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a socket mountable on an open end of the collection container for enclosing an interior region of the collection container. The closure further includes a generally spherical-shaped ball mounted within the socket which includes an environment-contacting surface, an opposed specimen-contacting surface and a passageway extending therethrough. The passageway is aligned with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in an open position. The environment-contacting surface is exposed to the external environment and the specimen-contacting surface is exposed to the interior region of the collection container when the ball is in a closed position. The ball further includes a piercable septum. The closure is capable of maintaining negative air pressure within collection container, with the piercable septum capable of being repeatedly pierced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.