US4542833A — Stretchable cap for sealing and/or resealing bloo…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 384 words

A cap for sealing closed the opened end of an elongated tube such as a blood drawing tube having an upper lip around its opened end, a test tube or the like, comprising: (a) an integrally formed top end section having a closed top end, a cylindrical sidewall depending down from said top end so as to define a receiving area for a top end section of said elongated tube including the tube's upper lip, and an annular rib concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said sidewall a fixed distance from said top end and extending a fixed distance into said receiving area, said main section sized relative to said tube and integrally formed from a sufficiently flexible material so as to receive readily said top end section of said tube within said receiving area such that said annular rib engages the entire outer annular circumference of the tube's top end section just under its upper lip in a fluid tight manner and such that said main section is equally readily removable from said top end section of said tube; (b) an outwardly tapering skirt having a cylindrical cross section, integrally formed of the same material as said upper main section and having a top opened end and a larger bottom opened end, said skirt being integrally connected at its top end to the bottom end of said cylindrical sidewall and extending down from the latter in coaxial relationship therewith whereby to define a downwardly opening circumferential space around the outer surface of said tube when the top end section of said tube is disposed within the receiving area of said top end section; and (c) said top end section including a second annular rib concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said sidewall below said first-mentioned rib and extending into said receiving area a fixed distance whereby to sealingly engage the outer circumference of said tube in the same manner as said first-mentioned rib, said second rib extending a greater distance into said receiving area than said first-mentioned rib whereby to compensate for a tube which might be out-of-round to a limited extent, said second rib being sufficiently closer in proximity to said skirt than said first-mentioned rib so as to flex radially outwardly to a greater extent than the first-mentioned rib.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 384 words

A cap for sealing closed the opened end of an elongated tube such as a blood drawing tube having an upper lip around its opened end, a test tube or the like, comprising: (a) an integrally formed top end section having a closed top end, a cylindrical sidewall depending down from said top end so as to define a receiving area for a top end section of said elongated tube including the tube's upper lip, and an annular rib concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said sidewall a fixed distance from said top end and extending a fixed distance into said receiving area, said main section sized relative to said tube and integrally formed from a sufficiently flexible material so as to receive readily said top end section of said tube within said receiving area such that said annular rib engages the entire outer annular circumference of the tube's top end section just under its upper lip in a fluid tight manner and such that said main section is equally readily removable from said top end section of said tube; (b) an outwardly tapering skirt having a cylindrical cross section, integrally formed of the same material as said upper main section and having a top opened end and a larger bottom opened end, said skirt being integrally connected at its top end to the bottom end of said cylindrical sidewall and extending down from the latter in coaxial relationship therewith whereby to define a downwardly opening circumferential space around the outer surface of said tube when the top end section of said tube is disposed within the receiving area of said top end section; and (c) said top end section including a second annular rib concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said sidewall below said first-mentioned rib and extending into said receiving area a fixed distance whereby to sealingly engage the outer circumference of said tube in the same manner as said first-mentioned rib, said second rib extending a greater distance into said receiving area than said first-mentioned rib whereby to compensate for a tube which might be out-of-round to a limited extent, said second rib being sufficiently closer in proximity to said skirt than said first-mentioned rib so as to flex radially outwardly to a greater extent than the first-mentioned rib.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 114 words

A cap according to claim 1 wherein said top end section includes a third annular rib concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said sidewall below said second rib and extending into said receiving area a fixed distance whereby to sealingly engage the outer circumference of said tube in the same manner as said first-mentioned rib, said third rib extending a greater distance into said receiving area than said first-mentioned rib whereby to compensate for a tube which might be out-of-round to a limited extent, said second rib being sufficiently closer in proximity to said skirt than said first-mentioned rib so as to flex radially outwardly to a greater extent than the first-mentioned rib.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

A cap according to claim 2 wherein said second and third ribs define therebetween an annular pocket and together with said pocket function as a suction device around the outer circumference of said tube.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

A cap according to claim 3 wherein said top end section, skirt and ribs are constructed of a stretchable polyethylene plastic.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 303 words

A cap for sealing closed the opened end of an elongated tube such as a blood drawing tube having a lip extending around its opened end, a test tube or the like, comprising an integrally formed main body having (i) a closed top end, (ii) a circumferential sidewall depending down from said top end so as to define a receiving area for a top end section of said elongated tube including the tube's lip, said sidewall including at least a lowermost circumferential section which tapers outwardly in the downward direction whereby to define a downwardly opening circumferential space around the outer surface of the tube when the top end section of the tube is disposed within said receiving area, and (iii) first, second and third vertically spaced annular ribs concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said sidewall fixed distances from said top end, said first rib being disposed above the second and third ribs and extending a first fixed distance into said receiving area and said second and third ribs extending a second greater fixed distance into said receiving area, said main body being sized relative to said tube and integrally formed from a sufficiently flexible material so as to receive readily said top end section of said tube within said receiving area such that said first rib engages the entire outer annular circumference of the tube's top end section just under its upper lip in a fluid tight manner and said second and third ribs sealingly engage the outer circumference of said tube in the same manner as said first rib even though the outer circumference of siadd tube engaged by said second and third ribs may be out-of-round to a limited extent and such that said main body is equally readily removable from said top end section of said tube.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 303 words

A cap for sealing closed the opened end of an elongated tube such as a blood drawing tube having a lip extending around its opened end, a test tube or the like, comprising an integrally formed main body having (i) a closed top end, (ii) a circumferential sidewall depending down from said top end so as to define a receiving area for a top end section of said elongated tube including the tube's lip, said sidewall including at least a lowermost circumferential section which tapers outwardly in the downward direction whereby to define a downwardly opening circumferential space around the outer surface of the tube when the top end section of the tube is disposed within said receiving area, and (iii) first, second and third vertically spaced annular ribs concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said sidewall fixed distances from said top end, said first rib being disposed above the second and third ribs and extending a first fixed distance into said receiving area and said second and third ribs extending a second greater fixed distance into said receiving area, said main body being sized relative to said tube and integrally formed from a sufficiently flexible material so as to receive readily said top end section of said tube within said receiving area such that said first rib engages the entire outer annular circumference of the tube's top end section just under its upper lip in a fluid tight manner and said second and third ribs sealingly engage the outer circumference of said tube in the same manner as said first rib even though the outer circumference of siadd tube engaged by said second and third ribs may be out-of-round to a limited extent and such that said main body is equally readily removable from said top end section of said tube.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 34 words

A cap according to claim 5 wherein said second and third ribs define therebetween an annular pocket and together with said pocket function as a suction device around the outer circumference of said tube.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

A cap according to claim 5 wherein said sidewall includes a cylindrical section above said lowermost tapering section.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 17 words

A cap according to claim 5 wherein said main body is constructed of a stretchable polyethylene plastic.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 311 words

A tube assembly, comprising: (a) an elongated tube such as a blood drawing tube, test tube or the like having an opened top end having a lip extending around its opened end and a cylindrical tube body; and (b) a cap for sealing closed the opened end of said tube, said cap including an integrally formed main body having (i) a closed top end, (ii) a circumferential sidewall depending down from said top end so as to define a receiving area into which a top end section of said elongated tube including the tube's upper lip is disposed, said sidewall including at least a downwardly circumferential section which tapers outwardly in the downward direction whereby to define a downwardly opening circumferential space around the outer surface of the tube whereby to accomodate a user's thumbnail in removing said cap from said tube in a way which prevents aerosoling of any liquid substances with the tube, and (iii) first, second and third vertically spaced annular ribs concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said sidewall fixed distances from said top end, said first rib being disposed above the second and third ribs and extending a first fixed distance into said receiving area so as to engage the entire outer annular circumference of the tube's top end section just under its upper lip in a fluid tight manner and said second and third ribs extending a greater fixed distance into said receiving area so as to sealingly engage the outer circumference of said tube in the same manner as said first rib, even though the outer circumference of said tube engaged by said second and third ribs may be out-of-round to a limited extent, said main body being sized relative to said tube and integrally formed of a sufficiently flexible material so as to easily fit on and be removed from said tube.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 311 words

A tube assembly, comprising: (a) an elongated tube such as a blood drawing tube, test tube or the like having an opened top end having a lip extending around its opened end and a cylindrical tube body; and (b) a cap for sealing closed the opened end of said tube, said cap including an integrally formed main body having (i) a closed top end, (ii) a circumferential sidewall depending down from said top end so as to define a receiving area into which a top end section of said elongated tube including the tube's upper lip is disposed, said sidewall including at least a downwardly circumferential section which tapers outwardly in the downward direction whereby to define a downwardly opening circumferential space around the outer surface of the tube whereby to accomodate a user's thumbnail in removing said cap from said tube in a way which prevents aerosoling of any liquid substances with the tube, and (iii) first, second and third vertically spaced annular ribs concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said sidewall fixed distances from said top end, said first rib being disposed above the second and third ribs and extending a first fixed distance into said receiving area so as to engage the entire outer annular circumference of the tube's top end section just under its upper lip in a fluid tight manner and said second and third ribs extending a greater fixed distance into said receiving area so as to sealingly engage the outer circumference of said tube in the same manner as said first rib, even though the outer circumference of said tube engaged by said second and third ribs may be out-of-round to a limited extent, said main body being sized relative to said tube and integrally formed of a sufficiently flexible material so as to easily fit on and be removed from said tube.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 45 words

A tube assembly according to claim 9 wherein the upper lip of said tube extends outwardly radially along its entire annular circumference, said lip cooperating with said first rib so as to prevent the cap from moving up the tube and over its top end.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

A tube assembly according to claim 9 wherein said second and third ribs define therebetween an annular pocket and together with said pocket function as a suction device around said inner surface of said sidewall.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 239 words

A cap for sealing closed the opened end of an elongated tube such as a blood drawing tube, a test tube or the like, comprising an integrally formed main body having (i) a closed top end, (ii) a circumferential side wall depending down from said top end so as to define a receiving area for a top end section of said elongated tube, and (iii) first and second vertically spaced annular ribs concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said side wall fixed distances from said top end, said first rib being disposed above the second rib and extending a first fixed distance into said receiving area and said second rib extending a second greater fixed distance into said receiving area, said main body being sized relative to said tube and integrally formed from a sufficiently flexible material so as to receive readily said top end section of said tube within said receiving area such that said first rib engages the entire outer annular circumference of the tubes' top end section just under its opened end in a fluid tight manner, such that said second rib sealingly engages the outer circumference of said tube in the same manner as said first rib even though the outer circumference of said tube engaged by said second rib may be out-of-round, to a limited extent, and such that said main body is readily removable from said top end section of said tube.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 239 words

A cap for sealing closed the opened end of an elongated tube such as a blood drawing tube, a test tube or the like, comprising an integrally formed main body having (i) a closed top end, (ii) a circumferential side wall depending down from said top end so as to define a receiving area for a top end section of said elongated tube, and (iii) first and second vertically spaced annular ribs concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said side wall fixed distances from said top end, said first rib being disposed above the second rib and extending a first fixed distance into said receiving area and said second rib extending a second greater fixed distance into said receiving area, said main body being sized relative to said tube and integrally formed from a sufficiently flexible material so as to receive readily said top end section of said tube within said receiving area such that said first rib engages the entire outer annular circumference of the tubes' top end section just under its opened end in a fluid tight manner, such that said second rib sealingly engages the outer circumference of said tube in the same manner as said first rib even though the outer circumference of said tube engaged by said second rib may be out-of-round, to a limited extent, and such that said main body is readily removable from said top end section of said tube.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 46 words

A cap according to claim 12 wherein said integrally formed main body includes a third annular rib concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said side wall directly below said second rib and extending into said receiving area the same fixed distance as said second rib.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 34 words

A cap according to claim 13 wherein said second and third ribs define therebetween an annular pocket and together with said pocket function as a suction device around the outer circumference of said tube.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

A cap according to claim 12 wherein said cylindrical side wall includes an upper cylindrical section including said ribs and defining said receiving area.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 65 words

A cap according to claim 12 wherein said circumferential side wall has at least a circumferential section including the lowermost end of the side wall tapering outwardly in the downward direction whereby to define a downwardly opening circumferential space around the outer surfacee of said tube when the top end section of said tube is disposed within the receiving area defined by said side wall.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 74 words

A cap according to claim 12 wherein said circumferential side wall includes cylindrical section including said ribs and defining said receiving area and a lowermost section which is disposed below said ribs and which tapers outwardly in the downward direction whereby to define a downwardly opening circumferential space around the outer surface of said tube when the top end section of said tube is disposed within the receiving area of said upper cylindrical section.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 142 words

A cap according to claim 12 wherein said integrally formed main body includes a third annular rib concentrically disposed around the inner surface of said side wall directly below said second rib and extending into said receiving area the same fixed distance as said second rib, said second ribs defining therebetween an annular pocket and together with said pocket functioning as a suction devise around the outer circumference of said tube, and wherein said circumferential side wall includes an upper cylindrical section including said ribs and defining said receiving area and a lowermost section which is disposed below said ribs and which tapers outwardly in the downward direction whereby to define a downwardly opening circumferential space around the outer surface of said tube when the top end section of said tube is disposed within the receiving area of said upper cylindrical section.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1988-09-23	1989-03-25	1989-09-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1992-09-23	1993-03-25	1993-09-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1996-09-23	1997-03-25	1997-09-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Stretchable cap for sealing and/or resealing blood drawing tubes and the like

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