Ball and socket closure for specimen collection container incorporating a dimple locking mechanism

US5972298A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Becton, Dickinson and Company · US

Inventors

• Volker Niermann · Bound Brook, US
• Don Carano · Flanders, US
• Steve Savitz · Teaneck, US
• Katherine Birkland · Wayne, US
• Robert Gottlieb · Mahwah, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 12, 1997
• Grant date: Oct 26, 1999
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

A closure for sealing the open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a socket mountable on the open end of the collection container for enclosing an interior region of the collection container. The socket includes a ball receiving internal surface having a protrusion thereon. The closure further includes a generally spherical-shaped ball mounted within the socket and at least partially enclosed by the socket. The ball is capable of rotative movement within the socket between an open position and a closed position. The ball includes an external surface capable of interference engagement with the protrusion of the socket upon rotative movement of the ball between the open position and the closed position.