Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for collecting fluid samples for laboratory use, comprising an open-ended vial having at least one arcuate flange projecting outwardly therefrom at said open end; a cap having a generally cylindrical side wall and an end wall defining a cavity removably received on the open end of said vial; said cap having an elongated collection tube portion projecting outwardly from said end wall and an inner tube portion disposed within said cavity and aligned with said collection tube portion; said cap also having at least one internal thread provided by the inner surface of said side wall and engagable by said flange for directing said vial axially when said flanged end of the vial is rotated within said cavity; said end wall having a vent opening therethrough; said vent opening being positioned and arranged to be sealed by said flange when said open end of said vial is fully threaded into said cavity of said cap.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for collecting fluid samples for laboratory use, comprising an open-ended vial having at least one arcuate flange projecting outwardly therefrom at said open end; a cap having a generally cylindrical side wall and an end wall defining a cavity removably received on the open end of said vial; said cap having an elongated collection tube portion projecting outwardly from said end wall and an inner tube portion disposed within said cavity and aligned with said collection tube portion; said cap also having at least one internal thread provided by the inner surface of said side wall and engagable by said flange for directing said vial axially when said flanged end of the vial is rotated within said cavity; said end wall having a vent opening therethrough; said vent opening being positioned and arranged to be sealed by said flange when said open end of said vial is fully threaded into said cavity of said cap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 1 in which said vial is provided with a plurality of said flanges spaced circumferentially apart at said open end, and said cap is provided with a plurality of said vent openings positioned and arranged to be sealed by said flanges when said vial is fully threaded into said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 in which said vial is cylindrical in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 3 in which said inner tube portion of said cap extends axially beyond said cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 4 in which said inner tube portion has longitudinally-extending external ribs defining channels therebetween for the passage of air from said vial through said vent opening when said opening is unsealed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 in which said inner and outer tube portions are formed integrally with the remainder of said cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 6 in which said cap is formed of flexible plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 1 in which said cap is provided with at least one retention lip at the opening to said cavity, said lip being flexible and being engagable with said flange to retain said vial and cap together unless forces are applied sufficient to deform said lip and allow removal of said vial from said cap.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
20 words
The device of claims 1, 3, 4, or 5 in which said vial is formed of substantially rigid plastic material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
48 words
The device of claims 1, 3, 4, or 5 in which said vial is formed of flexible material and is capable of being deformed by finger pressure applied thereto, and recovering its original shape when such pressure is relieved, to draw fluid therein when said vent is sealed.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for collecting fluid samples for laboratory use, comprising a generally cylindrical vial formed of substantially rigid plastic material and having an opening at one end thereof; said vial also having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced flanges projecting outwardly therefrom at said one end; a cap removably received on said vial having a generally cylindrical side wall and an end wall defining a cavity for receiving said one end of said vial; said cap having an elongated collection tube portion projecting outwardly from said end wall and an inner tube portion disposed within said cavity and aligned with said collection tube portion; said cap also being internally threaded with the threads thereof engagable by said flanges for directing said vial axially when said one end thereof is rotated within said cavity; said end wall having at least one vent opening therethrough; said vent opening being positioned and arranged to be sealed by a flange of said vial when said one end of said vial is fully threaded into said cavity of said cap.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for collecting fluid samples for laboratory use, comprising a generally cylindrical vial formed of substantially rigid plastic material and having an opening at one end thereof; said vial also having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced flanges projecting outwardly therefrom at said one end; a cap removably received on said vial having a generally cylindrical side wall and an end wall defining a cavity for receiving said one end of said vial; said cap having an elongated collection tube portion projecting outwardly from said end wall and an inner tube portion disposed within said cavity and aligned with said collection tube portion; said cap also being internally threaded with the threads thereof engagable by said flanges for directing said vial axially when said one end thereof is rotated within said cavity; said end wall having at least one vent opening therethrough; said vent opening being positioned and arranged to be sealed by a flange of said vial when said one end of said vial is fully threaded into said cavity of said cap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 11 in which said cap is provided with a plurality of said vent openings positioned and arranged to be sealed by said plurality of flanges when said vial is fully threaded into said cavity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 11 in which said inner tube portion of said cap extends axially beyond said cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 13 in which said inner tube portion has longitudinally-extending external ribs defining channels therebetween for the passage of air from said vial through said vent opening when said opening is unsealed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 11 in which said inner and outer tube portions are formed integrally with said cap.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 11 in which said cap is provided with at least one retention lip at the opening to said cavity; said lip being flexible and being engagable by said flanges to retain said vial and cap together unless forces are applied sufficient to deform said lip and allow removal of said vial from said cap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 16 in which there are a plurality of said retention lips.