Patent · US Expired

Ball and socket closure for specimen collection container

US6136275A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
27References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 11, 1999
Grant dateOct 24, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 11, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01L3/50825
  • 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 container 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 axle-support of the socket and the axle of the ball are parallel and eccentric with respect to each other.

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