US4949840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Specimen collection kit for mailing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-12-11
•
Granted: 1990-08-21
•
Expires: 2009-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A combination clinical specimen collection vial and shipping means, including packaging components, are provided, which are uniquely adapted and acceptable for shipment and delivery through regular first-class mailing-delivery systems, for both domestic and overseas purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Theodore Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:51
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/508; B01L3/5082; B01L3/50825; A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0045; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/02; B65D81/03; B65D81/05; B65D81/107; B65D81/113; A61B10/007; A61B2010/0009; B01L2200/00; B01L2200/18; B01L2200/185; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N2001/002; G01N2001/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An improved method for packaging a collected specimen of animal body fluid for mailing via regular mail service system, said improvement comprising the steps of: a. partially filling a specimen collection container having a predetermined volume capacity, with an animal body fluid in an amount equal to at least three quarters of said container's volume capacity; b. sealing said partially filled container with a plug-like cap for retaining said body fluid therein; c. snugly fitting said sealed container into a block of cushion-like material to reduce the shock of a jar or impact to said container; d. securing said snugly fitted sealed container and block of cushion material by a flexible retainer means; e. enclosing said block of cushion material with said sealed container therein, in a pouch of absorptive material and sealing said pouch; f. enclosing said pouch containing said block and container in a mailing envelope having a complete air-bubble material inner-lining, and sealing said envelope, to thereby complete a light weight package which is safe and acceptable for transport and delivery by regular mail service system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An improved method for packaging a collected specimen of animal body fluid for mailing via regular mail service system, said improvement comprising the steps of: a. partially filling a specimen collection container having a predetermined volume capacity, with an animal body fluid in an amount equal to at least three quarters of said container's volume capacity; b. sealing said partially filled container with a plug-like cap for retaining said body fluid therein; c. snugly fitting said sealed container into a block of cushion-like material to reduce the shock of a jar or impact to said container; d. securing said snugly fitted sealed container and block of cushion material by a flexible retainer means; e. enclosing said block of cushion material with said sealed container therein, in a pouch of absorptive material and sealing said pouch; f. enclosing said pouch containing said block and container in a mailing envelope having a complete air-bubble material inner-lining, and sealing said envelope, to thereby complete a light weight package which is safe and acceptable for transport and delivery by regular mail service system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method of claim 1, in which said specimen collection container is glass or plastic tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method of claim 2, in which said plastic tube has a bullet-like shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method in claim 2, in which said container has a volume capacity greater than 60 milliliters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method in claim 1, in which said body fluid is blood, urine or semen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method in claim 1, in which said cushion material is polyethylene foam with air voids therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method in claim 1, in which said means for securing said container within said block is an adhesive strip of tape, a
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method in claim 1, in which said pouch is lightweight paper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
157 words
An improved animal body fluid specimen collection kit for mailing via regular mail service system, said improvement comprising: a. a specimen collection container having a predetermined volume capacity, and a plug-like cap connected at an end and opening of said container, to thereby retain a fluid therein when said cap is placed in said opening; b. a block of cushion material for snugly receiving said entire volume capacity of said container, to thereby reduce the shock of a jar or impact to said container; c. means for securing said container within said block of cushion material; d. a pouch of absortive lightweight material for receiving said container and block, to thereby provide means for absorbing fluid from said container in the event of spillage; and e. a mailing envelope having a complete air-bubble inner-lining of material, to further reduce the shock of a jar or impact to said container during the transport and delivery via regular mailing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
157 words
An improved animal body fluid specimen collection kit for mailing via regular mail service system, said improvement comprising: a. a specimen collection container having a predetermined volume capacity, and a plug-like cap connected at an end and opening of said container, to thereby retain a fluid therein when said cap is placed in said opening; b. a block of cushion material for snugly receiving said entire volume capacity of said container, to thereby reduce the shock of a jar or impact to said container; c. means for securing said container within said block of cushion material; d. a pouch of absortive lightweight material for receiving said container and block, to thereby provide means for absorbing fluid from said container in the event of spillage; and e. a mailing envelope having a complete air-bubble inner-lining of material, to further reduce the shock of a jar or impact to said container during the transport and delivery via regular mailing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A collection kit as in claim 9, in which said body fluid is blood, urine or semen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A collection kit as in claim 9, in which said cushion material is polyethylene foam material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A collection kit as in claim 9, in which said means for securing said container within said block is a strip of adhesive tape, cushion plug or lift-up lid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A collection kit as in claim 9, in which said pouch is absorptive light weight paper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1965227A
Cited
US2897641A
Cited
US3349990A
Cited
US3460740A
Cited
US3435946A
Cited
US3868056A
Cited
US3893280A
Cited
US3948436A
Cited
US4240547A
Cited
US4679688A
Cited
US4560069A
Cited
US4620633A
Cited
US4620633B1
Cited
US4793123A
Cited
US4882893A
Cited
US4884684A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-20 | 1994-02-19 | 1994-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-20 | 1998-02-19 | 1998-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-20 | 2002-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |