US3898046A - Stopper for sealing containers - Google Patents

Stopper for sealing containers Download PDF

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US3898046A
US3898046A US462510A US46251074A US3898046A US 3898046 A US3898046 A US 3898046A US 462510 A US462510 A US 462510A US 46251074 A US46251074 A US 46251074A US 3898046 A US3898046 A US 3898046A
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stopper
container
stopper body
lug
tapered
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US462510A
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Tatuhiko Ikeda
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Jintan Terumo Co Ltd
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Jintan Terumo Co Ltd
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
    • B01L3/5082—Test tubes per se
    • B01L3/50825—Closing or opening means, corks, bungs
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S215/00—Bottles and jars
    • Y10S215/03—Medical

Definitions

  • FIG.6 FIG? FIG.
  • This invention relates to a stopper for sealing a container such as an evacuated blood sampling tube or other test tubes, and more particularly to a stopper for sealing a container having a lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion.
  • stoppers In the medical, biological or laboratory fields, various stoppers are widely accepted which are used to seal containers such as an evacuated blood sampling tube or other test tubes. Such a stopper should be prevented from unexpectedly disengaging from the container due to the action of a pressure produced when the stopper is fitted or inserted into the container or due to the increase in inner pressure resulting from the elevated temperature, and should be designed tightly to seal said container. To this end, the stopper has heretofore been subjected to various contrivances.
  • the US. Pat. No. 3,136,440 relates to an elastomeric material-made self sealing pierceable stopper for sealed container.
  • Said stopper comprises a cylindrical plug and an enlarged flange like head integrally formed at the upper end thereof.
  • In said plug and head is respectively formed a recess, and these two recesses are separated from each other by a diaphragm having a concave section at its upper portion and a convex section at its lower portion.
  • the outer diameter of said plug is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the container, thereby enabling said plug to tightly engage the container.
  • a circumferential groove which serves to minimize or relieve the stresses adjacent this portion of the plug resulting from the resistance of the head of the stopper to compression of the plug when it is inserted in one opening in the container.
  • the prior art stoppers including those disclosed in said two United States Patents are so designed as to tightly engage the container at a position in which the stopper is forced into the container.
  • the stopper is usually repeatedly dismounted from the container in order to make tests on its contents. Under the condition in which the stopper is maintained forced into the container, the air inside of the container is kept compressed. When, therefore, the stopper is pulled out from the container, it pops out therefrom with force, and where the contents are liquid, they are likely to pop out simultaneously with the disengagement of the stopper from the container. Further, after the stopper is dismounted, the liquid contents frequently adhere onto the inner wall surface of the container opening portion so as to decrease the force of friction between the stopper and the container inner wall, which causes the stopper to gradually rise for ready disengagement with the aid of the compressed air attained by the reinsertion of the stopper.
  • a blood sampling tube used to make a blood test had the drawback that blood was spilt or scattered to infect the tester.
  • a usual rubber stopper for use with an evacuated blood sampling tube is so formed as to enlarge as much as possible the contacting portion of the stopper body surface with the container inner wall mainly for the purpose of maintaining the evacuated state.
  • the stopper body except for its top end portion is so formed as to have a greater outer diameter than the inner diameter of the container and, in order to make a blood Sam pling needle readily pierceable into the stopper body, said stopper is formed at its both end portions with re Listes. Accordingly, where said stopper is reinserted into the container after once dismounted therefrom it is more decreased in fitted strength and is more likely to raise the above-mentioned problems as compared with a stopper for use with an ordinary wholly-tapered test tube.
  • an object of the invention is to provide an elastomeric material-made stopper for sealing a container which is prevented from being unexpectedly dismounted from the container once it is inserted thereinto.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a stopper which is so designed as to seal the container without being dismounted therefrom even when raised due to the action of the compressed air within the container produced when it is inserted thereinto.
  • an clastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion comprising a cylindrical stopper body and an anuular groove formed in said body spatially from the upper end thereof, said annular groove being engageable with said lug.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view, partly exploded, of a stopper according to the invention
  • FIGS. 2 to 4 respectively are views illustrating the function of the stopper shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIGS. 5 to 7 respectively are front views of other embodiments of the stopper according to the invention.
  • a stop per according to the invention is denoted by a reference numeral 1, and is made of resilient material such as, for example, vulcanized rubber mainly consisting of butyl rubber, and presents a hardness of approximately 50 when its head portion is pressed from the lateral side thereof by a hardness tester according to the Japanese Industrial Standard.
  • the stopper 1 is fitted or inserted into the opening portion of a container, for example, an evacuated blood sampling tube 2, having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion, so as to seal said tube 2.
  • said lug may be the one which is necessarily formed during heating of the container opening portion.
  • the stopper 1 consists of a cylindrical stopper body 3 tapered from its lower end portion 10 to its lowest end and having a maximum diameter of approximately 11.8 mm, and of an enlarged head 4 formed integrally at the upper end of the body.
  • recesses 5 and 6 In the lower end surface of the stopper body 3 and the upper end surface of the stopper head 4 are formed recesses 5 and 6 so as to make a blood sampling needle readily pierceable into the central portion of the stopper 1.
  • the stopper'body is designed to have a relatively elastic construction.
  • the stopper body 3 is provided with an annular groove 9, spatially from the lower end of the stopper head 4 and at that portion of the outer circumference 7 of the body which is in the proximity of the'lower end portion 10 of the stopper body 3.
  • the annular groove 9 has a longitudinal section in which a line connecting a groove upper end E1 on the side of the head 4 and the groove bottom 11 inclines toward said bottom 11, and a line connecting together the other groove upper end E2 and said groove bottom 11 is perpendicular to the central axis of the stopper body.
  • the longitudinal section of the groove may be of any shape if said groove has only to engage the container lug.
  • the annular groove 9 is engaged with the tube lug 2 to suppress the raising of the stopper body.
  • The. groove is formed in the stopper body spatially from the upper end of the stopper body, or preferably in the vicinity of the lower end of the body.
  • the groove position is determined with the stopper hardness, containerlug height, or groove depth synthetically taken into consideration.
  • the container lug height should of course be limited to the range within which the stopper is insertible into the container.
  • the evacuated blood sampling tube 2 prior to blood sampling is hermetically sealed by the stopper 1, and the inside of the tube is in an evacuated state.
  • the stopper body 3 is inserted into the opening portion of the blood sampling tube 2 up to the lower end of the enlarged head 4.
  • the stopper-inserted tube is set on a blood mixing per body 3 and the inner wall of the blood sampling tube 2, so that the stopper becomes liable to disengage from the tube. For this reason, even when the stopper 1 is again forced into the tube 2 and the stopper body 3 issufficiently inserted into the tube up-to the lower end of the stopper head 4, said sufficient insertion so actsas to increase the pressure of the interior 8 of the tube, and said increased pressure so acts as to raise the stopper by degrees.
  • the annular groove 9 formed in the stopper body 3 is tightly engaged with the annular lug P of the blood sampling tube 2 fully to stop the upward movement of the stopper 1, thereby preventing the disengagement of the stopper from the tube.
  • the blood sampling tube is laid or upset for mixing its charged mass, it is maintained sealed without causing the mass to be spilt therefrom.
  • the rise of the stopper body 3 decreases the tube inner'pressure previously kept relatively increased by the insertion of the stopper body 3 into the tube. Upon disengagement of the stopper, therefore, the mass is prevented from forcibly popping out from the tube.
  • FIGS. 5 to 7 respectively illustrate other embodiments of the stopper according to the invention.
  • FIG. 5 shows a stopper wherein the lower end portion of the stopper body 3 is largely tapered; and a ring-shaped protrusion 13 having its outer circumference'made substantially flush with the outer circumference of the stopper body 3 is formed on the intermediate portion of the outer circumference of said tapered section, whereby an annular groove is defined by said ring 13 with the tapered plane above it.
  • FIG. 6 shows another stopper having a similar construction to that shown in FIG. 1, in which the lower end portion 15 of the stopper body 3 presents a tapered curved surface.
  • FIG. 7 shows another stopper having an annular groove 16 formed in the central portion of the outer circumference of the stopper body.
  • the use of the stopper according to the invention enables the 'reliable prevention of infection due to the stopper popping out or due to the charged mass being scattered upon disengagement of the stopper.
  • the intrahospital infection such as the infection of serumcholangeitis or syphilis with a blood-tester via a patients blood scattered, for example. in a clinical examination room or laboratory room has recently become an important problem.
  • the use of the stopper according to the invention enables the complete prevention of such intrahospital infection. Accordingly, the stopper of the invention prevents a prominent effect when put to practical use.
  • An elastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion comprising a cylindrical stopper body and an annular groove formed in said body spatially from the upper end of the stopper body, whereby said stopper inserted with its groove below the lug of the container may be pushed up with the pressure built up in the container during the insertion of the stopper until the groove engages the lug and becomes fixed tight in the container.
  • An elastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion comprising a cylindrical hollow stopper body whose lower end portion is tapered, an enlarged head formed integrally at the upper end of said body and having a recess at its upper end, and a ring-shaped protrusion which is formed on the intermediate portion of the outer circumference of said tapered end portion of said body, has its outer circumference made substantially flush with the outer circumference of the stopper body and constitutes an annular groove with the tapered plane of said stopper body po' sitioned above it, whereby said stopper inserted with its groove below the lug of the container may be pushed up with the pressure built up in the container during the insertion of the stopper until the groove engages the lug and becomes fixed tight in the container.
  • An elastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion comprising a cylindrical stopper body having a tapered lower end, an enlarged head formed integrally on the upper end of said body, central recesses in said body and head whereby the stopper presents a closure barrier in its central portion of substantially less longitudinal dimensions than the overall length of the stopper, and a single annular groove on said stopper body adjacent the lower end thereof, said groove being defined by a first plane which extends radially into the stopper body and a second plane which extends into the stopper body above said first plane at an acute angle to said first plane and intersects said first plane within the stopper body.
  • a blood sampling container comprising a sampling tube having a closed end and an open end, an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of said open end and an elastomeric stopper comprising a cylindrical stopper body having a tapered lower end, an enlarged head formed integrally on the upper end of said body, the lower end of said head presenting a flat ledge extending radially beyond said stopper body, central recesses in said body and head whereby the stopper presents a closure barrier in its central portion of substantially less longitudinal dimension than the overall length of said stopper and a single annular groove on said stopper body adjacent the lower end thereof, said groove having a depth substantially corresponding to the radial dimension of said annular lug.
  • said stopper extending into the open end of said tube with said flat ledge of the stopper in contact with said edge of the open end sealing the container by engagement of said lug with a portion of said stopper body above said annular groove.

Abstract

A stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion, comprising a resilient, cylindrical stopper body provided spatially from the upper end thereof with an annular groove engageable with said lug.

Description

United States Patent Ikeda et al. 1 Aug. 5, 1975 [5 STOPPER FOR SEALING CONTAINERS 3.362.556 1/1968 Waldrum 215/355 x 3.682.597 8 1972 H h 23 259 [75] Inventors: Tatuhiko lkeda, Funabashi, Japan; use
Jintan Terumo Co., Ltd., Tokyo. Japan FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] Assignee; 801,540 12/1968 Canada 215/355 3 .I 2 5 3. Filed: p 9 1974 1,172, 48 11/1969 United Kingdom 1 55 [2]] Appl' 462510 Primary Examiner-R. E. Serwin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kemon, Palmer & [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Eswbmok Apr. 23, 1973 Japan 48-47564 [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 23/259; 23/292; 215/355:
215/1316 3 A stopper for sealing a container having an annular [51] Int. Cl. G01N 1/10; B65D 39/00 l g inw r ly projecting at the edge of the container [58] Field of Search 23/292, 259, 253, 230 B; opening portion, comprising a resilient, cylindrical 215/355, 356, DIG, 3 stopper body provided spatially from the upper end thereof with an annular groove engageable with said [56] References Cited lug.
UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,415,908 5/1922 Tofting 215/356 X 6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUG 51975 FIG.1
FIG. 4
FIG.6 FIG? FIG.
STOPIER FOR SEALING CONTAINERS This invention relates to a stopper for sealing a container such as an evacuated blood sampling tube or other test tubes, and more particularly to a stopper for sealing a container having a lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion.
In the medical, biological or laboratory fields, various stoppers are widely accepted which are used to seal containers such as an evacuated blood sampling tube or other test tubes. Such a stopper should be prevented from unexpectedly disengaging from the container due to the action of a pressure produced when the stopper is fitted or inserted into the container or due to the increase in inner pressure resulting from the elevated temperature, and should be designed tightly to seal said container. To this end, the stopper has heretofore been subjected to various contrivances.
In US Pat. No. 3,057,502, disclosure is made of the provision of a plurality of annular ribs in the outer periphery of the cylindrical hollow body of a stopper made of resilient plastic material. The outer periphery of said annular rib constitutes the contacting surface with the inner wall of a glass tube. The abovementioned publication further discloses that the annular rib surface is rough-finished in order to increase the coefficient of friction between the inner wall of the glass tube and the stopper body.
The US. Pat. No. 3,136,440 relates to an elastomeric material-made self sealing pierceable stopper for sealed container. Said stopper comprises a cylindrical plug and an enlarged flange like head integrally formed at the upper end thereof. In said plug and head is respectively formed a recess, and these two recesses are separated from each other by a diaphragm having a concave section at its upper portion and a convex section at its lower portion. The outer diameter of said plug is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the container, thereby enabling said plug to tightly engage the container. Further, around the plug portion immediately adjacent the head there is formed a circumferential groove, which serves to minimize or relieve the stresses adjacent this portion of the plug resulting from the resistance of the head of the stopper to compression of the plug when it is inserted in one opening in the container.
The prior art stoppers including those disclosed in said two United States Patents are so designed as to tightly engage the container at a position in which the stopper is forced into the container.
It would not fully attain the purpose even if the stopper is once forced into the container. The stopper is usually repeatedly dismounted from the container in order to make tests on its contents. Under the condition in which the stopper is maintained forced into the container, the air inside of the container is kept compressed. When, therefore, the stopper is pulled out from the container, it pops out therefrom with force, and where the contents are liquid, they are likely to pop out simultaneously with the disengagement of the stopper from the container. Further, after the stopper is dismounted, the liquid contents frequently adhere onto the inner wall surface of the container opening portion so as to decrease the force of friction between the stopper and the container inner wall, which causes the stopper to gradually rise for ready disengagement with the aid of the compressed air attained by the reinsertion of the stopper. As the result, a blood sampling tube used to make a blood test, for example, had the drawback that blood was spilt or scattered to infect the tester. Particularly, a usual rubber stopper for use with an evacuated blood sampling tube is so formed as to enlarge as much as possible the contacting portion of the stopper body surface with the container inner wall mainly for the purpose of maintaining the evacuated state. For this reason, in such rubber stopper, the stopper body except for its top end portion is so formed as to have a greater outer diameter than the inner diameter of the container and, in order to make a blood Sam pling needle readily pierceable into the stopper body, said stopper is formed at its both end portions with re cesses. Accordingly, where said stopper is reinserted into the container after once dismounted therefrom it is more decreased in fitted strength and is more likely to raise the above-mentioned problems as compared with a stopper for use with an ordinary wholly-tapered test tube.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an elastomeric material-made stopper for sealing a container which is prevented from being unexpectedly dismounted from the container once it is inserted thereinto.
Another object of the invention is to provide a stopper which is so designed as to seal the container without being dismounted therefrom even when raised due to the action of the compressed air within the container produced when it is inserted thereinto.
According to the invention, there is provided an clastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion, comprising a cylindrical stopper body and an anuular groove formed in said body spatially from the upper end thereof, said annular groove being engageable with said lug.
This invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view, partly exploded, of a stopper according to the invention;
FIGS. 2 to 4 respectively are views illustrating the function of the stopper shown in FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 5 to 7 respectively are front views of other embodiments of the stopper according to the invention.
This invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawing. Referring to FIG. 1, a stop per according to the invention is denoted by a reference numeral 1, and is made of resilient material such as, for example, vulcanized rubber mainly consisting of butyl rubber, and presents a hardness of approximately 50 when its head portion is pressed from the lateral side thereof by a hardness tester according to the Japanese Industrial Standard. The stopper 1 is fitted or inserted into the opening portion of a container, for example, an evacuated blood sampling tube 2, having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion, so as to seal said tube 2. Where the tube is made of glass, said lug may be the one which is necessarily formed during heating of the container opening portion. In the case of a tube having a capacity of 7 ml, the container is approximately 10.50 mm in inner diameter. The stopper 1 consists of a cylindrical stopper body 3 tapered from its lower end portion 10 to its lowest end and having a maximum diameter of approximately 11.8 mm, and of an enlarged head 4 formed integrally at the upper end of the body. In the lower end surface of the stopper body 3 and the upper end surface of the stopper head 4 are formed recesses 5 and 6 so as to make a blood sampling needle readily pierceable into the central portion of the stopper 1. When, in this case, a blood sampling needle having a diameter of 0.08 mm is pierced at a speed of 20 mm/min., the piercing resistance accounts for approximately'3.0 pounds as measured by Chatillon gauge. As above described, thestopper'body is designed to have a relatively elastic construction. The stopper body 3 is provided with an annular groove 9, spatially from the lower end of the stopper head 4 and at that portion of the outer circumference 7 of the body which is in the proximity of the'lower end portion 10 of the stopper body 3. The annular groove 9 has a longitudinal section in which a line connecting a groove upper end E1 on the side of the head 4 and the groove bottom 11 inclines toward said bottom 11, and a line connecting together the other groove upper end E2 and said groove bottom 11 is perpendicular to the central axis of the stopper body. The longitudinal section of the groove may be of any shape if said groove has only to engage the container lug.
As hereinafter explained, when the stopper body 3 is gradually raised from the position in which it is inserted into the blood sampling tube 2 up to the upper end of the body, due to, for example, the inner pressure of the blood sampling tube, the annular groove 9 is engaged with the tube lug 2 to suppress the raising of the stopper body. The. groove is formed in the stopper body spatially from the upper end of the stopper body, or preferably in the vicinity of the lower end of the body. The groove position is determined with the stopper hardness, containerlug height, or groove depth synthetically taken into consideration. However, the container lug height should of course be limited to the range within which the stopper is insertible into the container.
Referring to FIG. 2 to 4, the function of the stopper according to the invention will now be described. The evacuated blood sampling tube 2 prior to blood sampling is hermetically sealed by the stopper 1, and the inside of the tube is in an evacuated state. The stopper body 3 is inserted into the opening portion of the blood sampling tube 2 up to the lower end of the enlarged head 4. When the needle of a blood sampling instrument is pierced into the stopper 1 thereby to perform blood sampling, the reduction degree of pressure within the tube is decreased so that the stopper is brought to a manually dismountable state.
Where the general test on blood (the erythrocyte number, leukocyte number or hematocrit value) is carried out, a lot of blood is sampled in the evacuated blood sampling tube 2 previously charged with a blood anticoagulant. The stopper 1 is then dismounted (see FIG. 2) from the tube and said blood is discharged therefrom exactly to an extent necessary for the test on one item, and the stopper 1 is again inserted (see FIG.
3). The stopper-inserted tube is set on a blood mixing per body 3 and the inner wall of the blood sampling tube 2, so that the stopper becomes liable to disengage from the tube. For this reason, even when the stopper 1 is again forced into the tube 2 and the stopper body 3 issufficiently inserted into the tube up-to the lower end of the stopper head 4, said sufficient insertion so actsas to increase the pressure of the interior 8 of the tube, and said increased pressure so acts as to raise the stopper by degrees. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the annular groove 9 formed in the stopper body 3 is tightly engaged with the annular lug P of the blood sampling tube 2 fully to stop the upward movement of the stopper 1, thereby preventing the disengagement of the stopper from the tube. Further, also when the blood sampling tube is laid or upset for mixing its charged mass, it is maintained sealed without causing the mass to be spilt therefrom. When this is viewed from the inner pressure condition of the tube, the rise of the stopper body 3 decreases the tube inner'pressure previously kept relatively increased by the insertion of the stopper body 3 into the tube. Upon disengagement of the stopper, therefore, the mass is prevented from forcibly popping out from the tube.
The provision of the annular groove in close proximity to the lower end portion 10 of the stopper body 3, when the stopper 1 is inserted, causes said ring-shaped lower end portion 10 to be bent in the opposite direction to the direction of the stopper insertion, thus to facilitate the stopper insertion.
FIGS. 5 to 7 respectively illustrate other embodiments of the stopper according to the invention. FIG. 5 shows a stopper wherein the lower end portion of the stopper body 3 is largely tapered; and a ring-shaped protrusion 13 having its outer circumference'made substantially flush with the outer circumference of the stopper body 3 is formed on the intermediate portion of the outer circumference of said tapered section, whereby an annular groove is defined by said ring 13 with the tapered plane above it. FIG. 6 shows another stopper having a similar construction to that shown in FIG. 1, in which the lower end portion 15 of the stopper body 3 presents a tapered curved surface. FIG. 7 shows another stopper having an annular groove 16 formed in the central portion of the outer circumference of the stopper body.
The preceding embodiments referred to the case where the stopper of the invention is applied to the evacuated blood sampling tube, but the abovementioned problems are not raised only about said tube and therefore the stopper of the invention is also applicable to containers such as ordinary test tubes.
The use of the stopper according to the invention enables the 'reliable prevention of infection due to the stopper popping out or due to the charged mass being scattered upon disengagement of the stopper. The intrahospital infection such as the infection of serumcholangeitis or syphilis with a blood-tester via a patients blood scattered, for example. in a clinical examination room or laboratory room has recently become an important problem. The use of the stopper according to the invention enables the complete prevention of such intrahospital infection. Accordingly, the stopper of the invention prevents a prominent effect when put to practical use.
What is claimed is:
1. An elastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion, comprising a cylindrical stopper body and an annular groove formed in said body spatially from the upper end of the stopper body, whereby said stopper inserted with its groove below the lug of the container may be pushed up with the pressure built up in the container during the insertion of the stopper until the groove engages the lug and becomes fixed tight in the container.
2. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the stopper body is tapered at its lower end portion, and said annular groove is defined by a ring-shaped protrusion formed on the intermediate portion of the outer circumference of said tapered section and having its outer circumference made substantially flush with the outer circumference of the stopper body and the tapered plane positioned above said ring-shaped protrusion.
3. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein said annular groove is formed adjacent to the lower end of said stopper body.
4. An elastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion, comprising a cylindrical hollow stopper body whose lower end portion is tapered, an enlarged head formed integrally at the upper end of said body and having a recess at its upper end, and a ring-shaped protrusion which is formed on the intermediate portion of the outer circumference of said tapered end portion of said body, has its outer circumference made substantially flush with the outer circumference of the stopper body and constitutes an annular groove with the tapered plane of said stopper body po' sitioned above it, whereby said stopper inserted with its groove below the lug of the container may be pushed up with the pressure built up in the container during the insertion of the stopper until the groove engages the lug and becomes fixed tight in the container.
5. An elastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion comprising a cylindrical stopper body having a tapered lower end, an enlarged head formed integrally on the upper end of said body, central recesses in said body and head whereby the stopper presents a closure barrier in its central portion of substantially less longitudinal dimensions than the overall length of the stopper, and a single annular groove on said stopper body adjacent the lower end thereof, said groove being defined by a first plane which extends radially into the stopper body and a second plane which extends into the stopper body above said first plane at an acute angle to said first plane and intersects said first plane within the stopper body.
6. A blood sampling container comprising a sampling tube having a closed end and an open end, an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of said open end and an elastomeric stopper comprising a cylindrical stopper body having a tapered lower end, an enlarged head formed integrally on the upper end of said body, the lower end of said head presenting a flat ledge extending radially beyond said stopper body, central recesses in said body and head whereby the stopper presents a closure barrier in its central portion of substantially less longitudinal dimension than the overall length of said stopper and a single annular groove on said stopper body adjacent the lower end thereof, said groove having a depth substantially corresponding to the radial dimension of said annular lug. said stopper extending into the open end of said tube with said flat ledge of the stopper in contact with said edge of the open end sealing the container by engagement of said lug with a portion of said stopper body above said annular groove.

Claims (6)

1. AN ELASTOMERIC STOPPER FOR SEALING A CONTAINER HAVING AN ANNULAR LUG INWARDLY PROJECTING AT THE EDGE OF THE CONTAINER OPENING PORTION, COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL STOPPER BODY AND AN ANNULAR GROOVE FORMED IN SAID BODY SPATIALLY FROM THE UPPER END OF THE STOPPER BODY, WHEREBY SAID STOPPER INSERTED WITH ITS GROVE BELOW THE LUG OF THE CONTAINER MAY BE PUSHED UP WITH THE PRESSURE BUILT UP IN THE CONTAINER DURING THE INSERTION OF THE STOPPER UNTIL THE GROOVE ENGAGES THE LUNG AND BECOMES FIXED TIGHT IN THE CONTAINER.
2. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the stopper body is tapered at its lower end portion, and said annular groove is defined by a ring-shaped protrusion formed on the intermediate portion of the outer circumference of said tapered section and having its outer circumference made substantially flush with the outer circumference of the stopper body and the tapered plane positioned above said ring-shaped protrusion.
3. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein said annular groove is formed adjacent to the lower end of said stopper body.
4. An elastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion, comprising a cylindrical hollow stopper body whose lower end portion is tapered, an enlarged head formed integrally At the upper end of said body and having a recess at its upper end, and a ring-shaped protrusion which is formed on the intermediate portion of the outer circumference of said tapered end portion of said body, has its outer circumference made substantially flush with the outer circumference of the stopper body and constitutes an annular groove with the tapered plane of said stopper body positioned above it, whereby said stopper inserted with its groove below the lug of the container may be pushed up with the pressure built up in the container during the insertion of the stopper until the groove engages the lug and becomes fixed tight in the container.
5. An elastomeric stopper for sealing a container having an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of the container opening portion comprising a cylindrical stopper body having a tapered lower end, an enlarged head formed integrally on the upper end of said body, central recesses in said body and head whereby the stopper presents a closure barrier in its central portion of substantially less longitudinal dimensions than the overall length of the stopper, and a single annular groove on said stopper body adjacent the lower end thereof, said groove being defined by a first plane which extends radially into the stopper body and a second plane which extends into the stopper body above said first plane at an acute angle to said first plane and intersects said first plane within the stopper body.
6. A blood sampling container comprising a sampling tube having a closed end and an open end, an annular lug inwardly projecting at the edge of said open end and an elastomeric stopper comprising a cylindrical stopper body having a tapered lower end, an enlarged head formed integrally on the upper end of said body, the lower end of said head presenting a flat ledge extending radially beyond said stopper body, central recesses in said body and head whereby the stopper presents a closure barrier in its central portion of substantially less longitudinal dimension than the overall length of said stopper and a single annular groove on said stopper body adjacent the lower end thereof, said groove having a depth substantially corresponding to the radial dimension of said annular lug, said stopper extending into the open end of said tube with said flat ledge of the stopper in contact with said edge of the open end sealing the container by engagement of said lug with a portion of said stopper body above said annular groove.
US462510A 1973-04-23 1974-04-19 Stopper for sealing containers Expired - Lifetime US3898046A (en)

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JP1973047564U JPS5652994Y2 (en) 1973-04-23 1973-04-23

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US (1) US3898046A (en)
JP (1) JPS5652994Y2 (en)
AU (1) AU480267B2 (en)
BE (1) BE814077A (en)
BR (1) BR7403273D0 (en)
CA (1) CA1024939A (en)
FI (1) FI56353C (en)
FR (1) FR2226327B1 (en)
GB (1) GB1463683A (en)
NL (1) NL188396C (en)
NO (1) NO139262C (en)
ZA (1) ZA742562B (en)

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USD246467S (en) * 1975-11-05 1977-11-22 Japan Medical Supply Co., Ltd. Test tube
US4074976A (en) * 1976-09-01 1978-02-21 Gower Stephen G M Leveling devices for use in high speed liquid sampling systems
EP0019940A1 (en) * 1979-06-04 1980-12-10 Terumo Corporation Microorganism culturing device and method
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US4502604A (en) * 1983-08-08 1985-03-05 Don Martus Chambered bottle cap
US4554125A (en) * 1983-03-17 1985-11-19 Schering Corporation Method of making a stopper for a sterile fluid container
US4635807A (en) * 1983-03-17 1987-01-13 Schering Corporation Stopper for sterile fluid containers
DK155159B (en) * 1979-06-04 1989-02-20 Terumo Corp Apparatus and process for culturing microorganisms
US4813563A (en) * 1987-04-27 1989-03-21 Doxtech, Inc. Tamper resistant, tamper evident leak proof container
US4830209A (en) * 1988-05-09 1989-05-16 Multi-Technology Inc. Fail safe releasible locks for cappped disposable centrifuge containers
US4871077A (en) * 1987-04-27 1989-10-03 Doxtech, Inc. Tamper resistant, tamper evident leak proof container
US4874102A (en) * 1988-05-09 1989-10-17 Multi-Technology Inc. Medical fail safe releasible locks and/or seals for capped disposable centrifuge containers, cryogenic vials and the like
US4878597A (en) * 1988-03-24 1989-11-07 Haast William E Lyophilization containers
US4886177A (en) * 1988-10-31 1989-12-12 Porex Technologies Corp. Of Georgia Cap for tubes
US4886185A (en) * 1989-04-21 1989-12-12 Chuan Chang C Structure of a container and closure
US4893636A (en) * 1988-03-09 1990-01-16 Sherwood Medical Company Medical container stopper
US4896780A (en) * 1988-05-09 1990-01-30 Multi-Technology Inc. Fail safe releasible locks for capped disposable centrifuge containers
US4953741A (en) * 1988-05-09 1990-09-04 Multi-Technology Inc. Medical fail safe releasible locks and/or seals for capped disposable centrifuge containers, cryogenic vials and the like
US4956103A (en) * 1988-05-09 1990-09-11 Multi-Technology Inc. Fail safe releasible locks for capped disposable centrifuge containers
EP0414179A1 (en) * 1989-08-21 1991-02-27 Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha Fluid sample container
US5127895A (en) * 1990-03-30 1992-07-07 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Self-seal centrifuge tube
EP0820813A2 (en) * 1996-07-22 1998-01-28 Becton, Dickinson and Company A closure
US5762228A (en) * 1996-07-26 1998-06-09 Dart Industries Inc. Vented seal with rocking vent cover
US5865353A (en) * 1996-08-29 1999-02-02 L'oreal Dispensing cap with gripping means
US20010039058A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2001-11-08 Iheme Mordi I. Fluid transfer device
US20020121139A1 (en) * 2001-03-02 2002-09-05 Purpura Paul E. Adapter for holding a sample container to facilitate sensing of liquid level in the sample container
US20020175137A1 (en) * 2001-05-16 2002-11-28 L'oreal Dispensing cap with cover
US20030231988A1 (en) * 2002-06-17 2003-12-18 Vacutest Kima S.R.L. Protected stopper for test-tubes
US7392735B2 (en) 2003-01-30 2008-07-01 Brasscorp Limited Manual liquid metering device and cartridge
US20100206836A1 (en) * 2007-10-18 2010-08-19 Tsuyoshi Koshidaka Vial rubber-stopper
US20100264155A1 (en) * 2009-04-15 2010-10-21 Spartan Bioscience, Inc Tube for dna reactions
US7887758B2 (en) 1998-09-18 2011-02-15 Cytyc Corporation Sample vial for use in preparing cytological specimen
US20110284535A1 (en) * 2010-05-19 2011-11-24 Eicoh Co., Ltd. Container
USD758526S1 (en) * 2014-07-24 2016-06-07 Jeffrey James Quail Compressed gas cartridge
US20170172703A1 (en) * 2015-12-22 2017-06-22 Stoma Ventures, LLC Tail cap
US20180373050A1 (en) * 2017-06-27 2018-12-27 The Boeing Company Curved Beam Replicator
US20190264643A1 (en) * 2016-08-05 2019-08-29 Usui Co., Ltd. End cap
US10532859B1 (en) 2018-09-20 2020-01-14 Cmg Partners, Inc. Invertible container for display and dispensing of product
US20220168729A1 (en) * 2020-11-30 2022-06-02 Enplas Corporation Container
US20230347350A1 (en) * 2022-04-28 2023-11-02 Elizabeth Deckler Blood collection tube

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US4111326A (en) * 1976-03-04 1978-09-05 Becton, Dickinson And Company Closure for air evacuated container
FR2364444A1 (en) * 1976-09-10 1978-04-07 Searle & Co Levelling device for high speed fluid sampling systems - uses removable cup for simple, trouble free economical operation with blood serum

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US3682597A (en) * 1969-12-30 1972-08-08 Interstate Foods Corp Apparatus for testing fatty acids content in edible oils and protective shipper therefor

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US3682597A (en) * 1969-12-30 1972-08-08 Interstate Foods Corp Apparatus for testing fatty acids content in edible oils and protective shipper therefor

Cited By (70)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD246467S (en) * 1975-11-05 1977-11-22 Japan Medical Supply Co., Ltd. Test tube
US4074976A (en) * 1976-09-01 1978-02-21 Gower Stephen G M Leveling devices for use in high speed liquid sampling systems
EP0019940A1 (en) * 1979-06-04 1980-12-10 Terumo Corporation Microorganism culturing device and method
DK155159B (en) * 1979-06-04 1989-02-20 Terumo Corp Apparatus and process for culturing microorganisms
EP0086251A1 (en) * 1982-02-16 1983-08-24 Becton Dickinson and Company Stopper for test tubes, and the like
US4554125A (en) * 1983-03-17 1985-11-19 Schering Corporation Method of making a stopper for a sterile fluid container
US4635807A (en) * 1983-03-17 1987-01-13 Schering Corporation Stopper for sterile fluid containers
US4502604A (en) * 1983-08-08 1985-03-05 Don Martus Chambered bottle cap
US4813563A (en) * 1987-04-27 1989-03-21 Doxtech, Inc. Tamper resistant, tamper evident leak proof container
US4871077A (en) * 1987-04-27 1989-10-03 Doxtech, Inc. Tamper resistant, tamper evident leak proof container
US4893636A (en) * 1988-03-09 1990-01-16 Sherwood Medical Company Medical container stopper
US5060659A (en) * 1988-03-09 1991-10-29 Sherwood Medical Company Medical container stopper
US4878597A (en) * 1988-03-24 1989-11-07 Haast William E Lyophilization containers
US4830209A (en) * 1988-05-09 1989-05-16 Multi-Technology Inc. Fail safe releasible locks for cappped disposable centrifuge containers
US4874102A (en) * 1988-05-09 1989-10-17 Multi-Technology Inc. Medical fail safe releasible locks and/or seals for capped disposable centrifuge containers, cryogenic vials and the like
US4896780A (en) * 1988-05-09 1990-01-30 Multi-Technology Inc. Fail safe releasible locks for capped disposable centrifuge containers
US4953741A (en) * 1988-05-09 1990-09-04 Multi-Technology Inc. Medical fail safe releasible locks and/or seals for capped disposable centrifuge containers, cryogenic vials and the like
US4956103A (en) * 1988-05-09 1990-09-11 Multi-Technology Inc. Fail safe releasible locks for capped disposable centrifuge containers
US4886177A (en) * 1988-10-31 1989-12-12 Porex Technologies Corp. Of Georgia Cap for tubes
US4886185A (en) * 1989-04-21 1989-12-12 Chuan Chang C Structure of a container and closure
EP0414179A1 (en) * 1989-08-21 1991-02-27 Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha Fluid sample container
US5127895A (en) * 1990-03-30 1992-07-07 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Self-seal centrifuge tube
EP0820813A2 (en) * 1996-07-22 1998-01-28 Becton, Dickinson and Company A closure
EP0820813A3 (en) * 1996-07-22 1998-09-16 Becton, Dickinson and Company A closure
US6161712A (en) * 1996-07-22 2000-12-19 Becton Dickinson And Company Ball and socket closure
EP1894630A1 (en) * 1996-07-22 2008-03-05 Becton, Dickinson & Company A closure
US6705482B2 (en) 1996-07-22 2004-03-16 Steven Robert Savitz Ball and socket closure
US5762228A (en) * 1996-07-26 1998-06-09 Dart Industries Inc. Vented seal with rocking vent cover
US5865353A (en) * 1996-08-29 1999-02-02 L'oreal Dispensing cap with gripping means
USRE38816E1 (en) * 1996-08-29 2005-10-11 L'oreal Dispensing cap with gripping means
US7887758B2 (en) 1998-09-18 2011-02-15 Cytyc Corporation Sample vial for use in preparing cytological specimen
US20040105786A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2004-06-03 Anderson Bruce W. Collection device
US7927549B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2011-04-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device with a modified pipette tip
US6723289B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2004-04-20 Gen-Probe Incorporated Fluid transfer device
US8573072B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2013-11-05 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device
US20040152205A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2004-08-05 Anderson Bruce W. Method for removing a fluid substance from a collection device
US6806094B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2004-10-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for removing a fluid substance from a collection device
US8535621B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2013-09-17 Gen-Probe Incorporated Penetrable cap having rib structures
US8334145B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2012-12-18 Gen-Probe Incorporated Pierceable cap having spaced-apart grooves
US7276383B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2007-10-02 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel
US7309469B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2007-12-18 Gen-Probe Incorporated Collection device
US6716396B1 (en) 1999-05-14 2004-04-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Penetrable cap
US20080134808A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2008-06-12 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device with a modified pipette
US8211710B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2012-07-03 Dickey Kathleen A Method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device
US7435389B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2008-10-14 Gen-Probe Incorporated Sealed collection device having striated cap
US7648680B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2010-01-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for accessing the contents of a closed vessel containing a specimen retrieval device
US8206662B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2012-06-26 Gen-Probe Incorporated Collection device including a penetrable cap having an absorbent pile fabric
US7795036B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2010-09-14 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device
US8038967B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2011-10-18 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for accessing the contents of a closed vessel containing a specimen retrieval device
US20010039058A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2001-11-08 Iheme Mordi I. Fluid transfer device
US20020121139A1 (en) * 2001-03-02 2002-09-05 Purpura Paul E. Adapter for holding a sample container to facilitate sensing of liquid level in the sample container
US20020175137A1 (en) * 2001-05-16 2002-11-28 L'oreal Dispensing cap with cover
US7198757B2 (en) * 2002-06-17 2007-04-03 Vacutest Kima S.R.L. Protected stopper for test-tubes
US20030231988A1 (en) * 2002-06-17 2003-12-18 Vacutest Kima S.R.L. Protected stopper for test-tubes
US7392735B2 (en) 2003-01-30 2008-07-01 Brasscorp Limited Manual liquid metering device and cartridge
US20100206836A1 (en) * 2007-10-18 2010-08-19 Tsuyoshi Koshidaka Vial rubber-stopper
US20100264155A1 (en) * 2009-04-15 2010-10-21 Spartan Bioscience, Inc Tube for dna reactions
US8528777B2 (en) * 2009-04-15 2013-09-10 Spartan Bioscience Inc. Tube for DNA reactions
US20110284535A1 (en) * 2010-05-19 2011-11-24 Eicoh Co., Ltd. Container
USD758526S1 (en) * 2014-07-24 2016-06-07 Jeffrey James Quail Compressed gas cartridge
US20170172703A1 (en) * 2015-12-22 2017-06-22 Stoma Ventures, LLC Tail cap
US10898294B2 (en) * 2015-12-22 2021-01-26 Stoma Ventures, LLC Tail cap for dental equipment
US20190264643A1 (en) * 2016-08-05 2019-08-29 Usui Co., Ltd. End cap
US10808663B2 (en) * 2016-08-05 2020-10-20 Usui Co., Ltd. End cap
US20180373050A1 (en) * 2017-06-27 2018-12-27 The Boeing Company Curved Beam Replicator
US10901228B2 (en) * 2017-06-27 2021-01-26 The Boeing Company Cavity with curved beam replicator and method of determining a characteristic of a medium therein
US10532859B1 (en) 2018-09-20 2020-01-14 Cmg Partners, Inc. Invertible container for display and dispensing of product
US20220168729A1 (en) * 2020-11-30 2022-06-02 Enplas Corporation Container
US11845083B2 (en) * 2020-11-30 2023-12-19 Enplas Corporation Container
US20230347350A1 (en) * 2022-04-28 2023-11-02 Elizabeth Deckler Blood collection tube

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO139262C (en) 1979-01-31
NO741454L (en) 1974-10-24
FR2226327A1 (en) 1974-11-15
FR2226327B1 (en) 1980-05-09
AU480267B2 (en) 1975-10-23
JPS5652994Y2 (en) 1981-12-10
DE2419510B2 (en) 1976-03-18
CA1024939A (en) 1978-01-24
NL188396B (en) 1992-01-16
NO139262B (en) 1978-10-23
DE2419510A1 (en) 1974-11-07
FI56353C (en) 1980-01-10
ZA742562B (en) 1975-08-27
NL7405402A (en) 1974-10-25
BE814077A (en) 1974-08-16
FI56353B (en) 1979-09-28
NL188396C (en) 1992-06-16
GB1463683A (en) 1977-02-02
AU6814774A (en) 1977-01-25
BR7403273D0 (en) 1974-12-31
JPS49147261U (en) 1974-12-19

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