US5232111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stopper-shield combination closure
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
•
Filing: 1993-01-19
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Granted: 1993-08-03
•
Expires: 2013-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A combination closure is provided, particularly for evacuated collection tubes for body fluids such as blood, including an elastomer stopper and plastic cover combination with cooperating locking surfaces spaced around the circumference thereof. The stopper includes vertically spaced sealing rings for insertion into the open end of the tube. Also, the stopper includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions and the cover or shield cooperating circumferentially spaced indentations or ports to provide a locking force between the protrusions and indentations. As a result, the dimensions of the stopper and the plastic cover are reduced, which in turn reduces the penetration force required to insert a needle through the stopper. Moreover, the reduced dimension of the closure allows it to be locked to a bead on the tube whether plastic or glass, and the lesser overall diameter allows the closure on the tube to fit more tube holders or containers during and prior to use. In addition, the smaller dimension reduces the tendency of the closure to "rock" on the tube. The closure of the invention includes means for containing liquid droplets or aerosol when the needle is removed from the stopper.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Burns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:38
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/508; B01L3/5082; B01L3/50825; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/15; A61B5/150007; A61B5/150015; A61B5/15003; A61B5/150351; A61B5/153; A61B5/154; B65; B65D; B65D51/00; B65D51/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S215/00; Y10S215/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body; said stopper body having an upper annular flange portion with a top surface and a lower annular portion, with both said upper and lower annular portions being integral with each other; said lower portion having a vertical surface comprised of a plurality of vertically spaced integral annular rings; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having a top surface with a central opening for receiving a needle therethrough; and a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body; said stopper body having an upper annular flange portion with a top surface and a lower annular portion, with both said upper and lower annular portions being integral with each other; said lower portion having a vertical surface comprised of a plurality of vertically spaced integral annular rings; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having a top surface with a central opening for receiving a needle therethrough; and a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a well in the top surface of said upper annular flange portion of said stopper body; said well having a bottom surface for receiving the needle through said stopper body; and said well formed from walls extending from the top surface of said stopper body to the bottom surface of said well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 2, wherein said central opening in said shield top surface has a diameter that is less than a diameter of said well so that said shield top surface provides an annular overhang around said well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said lower annular portion of said stopper body is received in an open end of an evacuatable tube in sealing engagement with the open end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: an annular integral sealing ring on said shield body; said sealing ring coaxial with said shield body and extending from said shield top surface to surround said central opening in said shield top surface; and an annular groove in said stopper body for receiving said sealing ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body; said stopper body having an upper annular flange portion and a lower annular portion, with both said upper and lower annular portions being integral with each other; said lower portion having a surface comprised of a plurality of vertically spaced integral annular rings; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having an internal surface and a top surface with a central opening for receiving a needle therethrough; a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber; and an annular undercut in the internal surface of said shield body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body; said stopper body having an upper annular flange portion and a lower annular portion, with both said upper and lower annular portions being integral with each other; said lower portion having a surface comprised of a plurality of vertically spaced integral annular rings; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having an internal surface and a top surface with a central opening for receiving a needle therethrough; a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber; and an annular undercut in the internal surface of said shield body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The assembly of claim 6, further comprising: an elongated evacuatable glass tube having a closed end and an open end; and an annular bead positioned on a rim of said open end of said glass tube, wherein said lower annular portion of said stopper body is received in said open end of said evacuatable tube in sealing engagement with said open end said annular bead is received in said undercut.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body; said stopper body having an upper annular flange portion and a lower annular portion, with both said upper and lower annular portions being integral with each other; said lower portion having a surface comprised of a plurality of vertically spaced integral annular rings; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having an internal surface and a top surface with a central opening for receiving a needle therethrough; a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances on the internal surface of said shield body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body; said stopper body having an upper annular flange portion and a lower annular portion, with both said upper and lower annular portions being integral with each other; said lower portion having a surface comprised of a plurality of vertically spaced integral annular rings; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having an internal surface and a top surface with a central opening for receiving a needle therethrough; a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances on the internal surface of said shield body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The assembly of claim 8, further comprising: an elongated evacuatable plastic tube; said plastic tube having an open end and a closed end; an integral annular collar formed adjacent said open end of said plastic tube; and an annular transition abutment on said plastic tube for engaging said circumferentially spaced protuberances on the internal surface of said shield body when said plastic tube is positioned in said shield chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
263 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body; said stopper body having an upper annular flange portion with a top surface and a lower annular portion, with both said upper and lower annular portions being integral with each other; said lower portion having a surface comprised of a plurality of vertically spaced integral annular rings; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having an internal surface and a top surface with a central opening for receiving a needle therethrough; a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber; a plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances on the internal surface of said shield body; a well in the top surface of said upper annular flange portion of said stopper body; said well having a bottom surface for receiving the needle through said stopper body; said well formed from walls extending from the top surface of said stopper body to the bottom surface of said well; an annular integral sealing ring on said shield body; said sealing ring coaxial with said shield body and extending from said shield top surface to surround said central opening in said shield top surface; and an annular groove in said stopper body for receiving said sealing ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
263 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body; said stopper body having an upper annular flange portion with a top surface and a lower annular portion, with both said upper and lower annular portions being integral with each other; said lower portion having a surface comprised of a plurality of vertically spaced integral annular rings; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having an internal surface and a top surface with a central opening for receiving a needle therethrough; a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber; a plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances on the internal surface of said shield body; a well in the top surface of said upper annular flange portion of said stopper body; said well having a bottom surface for receiving the needle through said stopper body; said well formed from walls extending from the top surface of said stopper body to the bottom surface of said well; an annular integral sealing ring on said shield body; said sealing ring coaxial with said shield body and extending from said shield top surface to surround said central opening in said shield top surface; and an annular groove in said stopper body for receiving said sealing ring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
The assembly of claim 10, further comprising: an elongated evacuatable plastic tube; said plastic tube having an open end and a closed end; an integral annular collar formed adjacent said open end of said plastic tube; and an annular transition abutment on said plastic tube for engaging said circumferentially spaced protuberances on the internal surface of said shield body when said plastic tube is positioned in said shield chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body having an upper annular flange portion; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having a top surface with an opening for receiving a needle therethrough; and a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
An assembly for closing evacuatable tubes for receiving samples of body fluids, said assembly comprising: an annular stopper body having an upper annular flange portion; a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around said upper annular flange portion; an annular shield body having an annular wall defining a chamber for receiving said stopper body; said shield body having a top surface with an opening for receiving a needle therethrough; and a plurality of openings through said wall of said shield body positioned so that each opening receives one of said plurality of protrusions on said stopper body when said stopper body is received in said shield chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The assembly of claim 12, further comprising: an annular integral sealing ring on said shield body; said ring coaxially with said shield body and extending from said shield top surface to surround said opening in said shield top surface; and an annular groove in said stopper body for receiving said sealing ring.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |