US3640418A - Throwaway closure for test tube - Google Patents
Throwaway closure for test tube Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3640418A US3640418A US25888A US3640418DA US3640418A US 3640418 A US3640418 A US 3640418A US 25888 A US25888 A US 25888A US 3640418D A US3640418D A US 3640418DA US 3640418 A US3640418 A US 3640418A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- test tube
- diameter
- closure
- plug
- plug portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/023—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices with integral internal sealing means
Definitions
- FIG. 1 A first figure.
- FIG. 1 A first figure.
- the present invention provides a simple, inexpensive plastic cap which protects the contents of a test tube even more effectively than the usual metal caps, and which is so low in cost that it can be thrown away after each use, as each cap costs less than the expensive sterilizing of the metal caps. Due to the high temperature at which they are molded, the caps emerge from the manufacturing process in a completely sterile condition, and with normal precautions remain in this condition until they are used.
- the design of the cap is such that the cap is properly centered without the use of springs, and provides an effective closure tightly retaining the contents even during shipping of the tube and contents, in a very simple manner.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a test tube provided with a cap according to the invention
- FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cap looking up into its interi-
- FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the test tube and cap partly broken away in diametric section;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3 of a portion of the cap showing details of construction.
- a test tube 2 is shown in the upright position, although when shipped with contents it may at least temporarily be turned in any position.
- the cap 3 is provided with a cylindrical sidewall 4 and a flat top 6, and of an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the test tube 2 so that an annular space 7 is provided when the cap is in place and centered.
- the cap is provided with an internal plug portion 8 extending downwardly from the top 6 of the cap and integral therewith.
- the plug 8 is annular in configuration, both to conserve material and also to provide resilience so that it tightly engages the inside wall of the vial.
- the plug may be considered as having two sections, the first section 9 having an exterior surface in the form of a truncated right cone increasing outwardly in diameter from its point of attachment to the top at an angle of substantially l, which is sufficiently small to per mit ready extraction of the cap from the mold cavity.
- a second section It) continues from the maximum transverse diameter of section 9 and has its exterior surface in the form of a cone reversely oriented to the first cone and preferably decreasing at a considerably larger angle than the first cone,
- the rim of the vial with which the cap is intended to be used is provided with a bead 12 of greater width than the thickness of the vial 2 so that on the inside of the via the bead provides an inwardly projecting rim 1241.
- the plug 8 snaps past this rim due to its elasticity, and thereafter presses outwardly at all points against the inner wall of the vial.
- the inner bead rim 12a thereafter prevents any possibility of the cap falling out, as a fair amount of force is required to extract the plug from the vial past this inner rim.
- the long outer skirt 4 keeps the plug from cocking appreciably and this prevents any possibility of leakage due to this factor.
- caps 3 made in accordance with the invention are very inexpensive, and present no particular molding problem, so that they can be produced at less cost than the cost of merely sterilizing the metal caps fonnerly used. They are completely sterile when manufactured, and require only to be packaged under reasonably sterile conditions to be immediately usable when the package is opened without further sterilization.
- said closure having a cylindrical wall portion of slightly larger interior diameter than the external diameter of the test tube, sufficient to provide a loose fit
- said plug portion having a first section comprising an external conical wall surface increasing outwardly in diameter at an angle in the order of 10 from the vertical for a short distance from its junction with said top portion, to a maximum transverse diameter, said plug portion having a second section comprising an external conical wall surface decreasing from said maximum diameter to a minimum diameter at an angle in the order of 30 to the vertical to provide a reversely tapering tip portion facilitating entry of the plug portion into a test tube,
- said cylindrical wall portion of the closure being of sufficiently greater axial length than the plug portion to prevent any substantial degree of cocking of the plug portion.
Abstract
A disposable plastic closure cap for test tubes dimensioned to fit loosely over the exterior of the open end of a test tube, the cap having an annular plug extending down from the top of the cap to fit into the test tube snugly but not airtightly, the plug surface being in the form of two truncated cones having a common base and different conical angles.
Description
United States Patent Williams Feb. 8, 1972 [54] THROWAWAY CLOSURE FOR TEST FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS TUBE 1,025,894 1/1953 France ..220/DlG. 19 [72] Inventor: Robert J. Williams, Dover, Ohio Primary Examiner-George T. Hall [73] Assignee. gag/gr Molded Products Company, Dover, AtwmeY MaX L. Libman [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] APP!" 25,888 A disposable plastic closure cap for test tubes dimensioned to fit loosely over the exterior of the open end of a test tube, the 52] us. 01.. ..215/41, 215/47, 220/42 c p having an annular P s emndins down from the top of [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 41/22, 865d 39/00 the cap to fit into the test tube snugly but not airtightly, the [58] Field of Search ..220/42 C, 42 B, 60, DIG. l9; plug surface being in the form of twbtnmcated cones having a 215/4] 47 common base and different conical angles.
[56] References Cited 1 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,164,279 1/1965 Towns ..215/47 '2 s I 8 4 I -14 A l 5 AL PATENTEU FEB 81972 FIG. 3.
FIG.
FIG.
INVENTOR Robert J. Williams ATTORNEY THROWAWAY CLOSURE FOR TEST TUBE The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive plastic cap which protects the contents of a test tube even more effectively than the usual metal caps, and which is so low in cost that it can be thrown away after each use, as each cap costs less than the expensive sterilizing of the metal caps. Due to the high temperature at which they are molded, the caps emerge from the manufacturing process in a completely sterile condition, and with normal precautions remain in this condition until they are used. The design of the cap is such that the cap is properly centered without the use of springs, and provides an effective closure tightly retaining the contents even during shipping of the tube and contents, in a very simple manner.
The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a test tube provided with a cap according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cap looking up into its interi- FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the test tube and cap partly broken away in diametric section; and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3 of a portion of the cap showing details of construction.
Referring to the Figures, a test tube 2 is shown in the upright position, although when shipped with contents it may at least temporarily be turned in any position. In order to prevent contamination of the contents by airborne particles such as bacteria or spores, the cap 3 is provided with a cylindrical sidewall 4 and a flat top 6, and of an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the test tube 2 so that an annular space 7 is provided when the cap is in place and centered. To effectively seal the contents against leakage, even during shipment, the cap is provided with an internal plug portion 8 extending downwardly from the top 6 of the cap and integral therewith. The plug 8 is annular in configuration, both to conserve material and also to provide resilience so that it tightly engages the inside wall of the vial. The plug may be considered as having two sections, the first section 9 having an exterior surface in the form of a truncated right cone increasing outwardly in diameter from its point of attachment to the top at an angle of substantially l, which is sufficiently small to per mit ready extraction of the cap from the mold cavity. A second section It) continues from the maximum transverse diameter of section 9 and has its exterior surface in the form of a cone reversely oriented to the first cone and preferably decreasing at a considerably larger angle than the first cone,
for example in the order of 30 as shown in FIG. 4, so as to facilitate centering of the plug portion with the test tube when the cap is applied.
The rim of the vial with which the cap is intended to be used is provided with a bead 12 of greater width than the thickness of the vial 2 so that on the inside of the via the bead provides an inwardly projecting rim 1241. When the vial is capped, the plug 8 snaps past this rim due to its elasticity, and thereafter presses outwardly at all points against the inner wall of the vial. The inner bead rim 12a thereafter prevents any possibility of the cap falling out, as a fair amount of force is required to extract the plug from the vial past this inner rim. The long outer skirt 4 keeps the plug from cocking appreciably and this prevents any possibility of leakage due to this factor.
As can be seen from the above, caps 3 made in accordance with the invention are very inexpensive, and present no particular molding problem, so that they can be produced at less cost than the cost of merely sterilizing the metal caps fonnerly used. They are completely sterile when manufactured, and require only to be packaged under reasonably sterile conditions to be immediately usable when the package is opened without further sterilization.
It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact embodiment shown and that various modifications can be made in construction and arrangement within the scope of the invention.
I claim: 1. a. In combination with a cylindrical glass test tube having a smooth cylindrical interior wall, a molded plastic closure for said test tube,
b. said closure having a cylindrical wall portion of slightly larger interior diameter than the external diameter of the test tube, sufficient to provide a loose fit,
c. and a substantially circular flat top portion at right angles to said wall portion and closing one end thereof,
(1. an integral annular internal plug portion projecting downwardly from said top portion and concentric with said top portion and of a size to fit snugly and airtightly within said tube when the closure is applied to the open end thereof, by engagement with said smooth cylindrical wall portion,
e. said plug portion having a first section comprising an external conical wall surface increasing outwardly in diameter at an angle in the order of 10 from the vertical for a short distance from its junction with said top portion, to a maximum transverse diameter, said plug portion having a second section comprising an external conical wall surface decreasing from said maximum diameter to a minimum diameter at an angle in the order of 30 to the vertical to provide a reversely tapering tip portion facilitating entry of the plug portion into a test tube,
. said cylindrical wall portion of the closure being of sufficiently greater axial length than the plug portion to prevent any substantial degree of cocking of the plug portion.
Claims (1)
1. A. In combination with a cylindrical glass test tube having a smooth cylindrical interior wall, a molded plastic closure for said test tube, b. said closure having a cylindrical wall portion of slightly larger interior diameter than the external diameter of the test tube, sufficient to provide a loose fit, c. and a substantially circular flat top portion at right angles to said wall portion and closing one end thereof, d. an integral annular internal plug portion projecting downwardly from said top portion and concentric with said top portion and of a size to fit snugly and airtightly within said tube when the closure is applied to the open end thereof, by engagement with said smooth cylindrical wall portion, e. said plug portion having a first section comprising an external conical wall surface increasing outwardly in diameter at an angle in the order of 10* from the vertical for a short distance from its junction with said top portion, to a maximum transverse diameter, f. said plug portion having a second section comprising an external conical wall surface decreasing from said maximum diameter to a minimum diameter at an angle in the order of 30* to the vertical to provide a reversely tapering tip portion facilitating entry of the plug portion into a test tube, g. said cylindrical wall portion of the closure being of sufficiently greater axial length than the plug portion to prevent any substantial degree of cocking of the plug portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US2588870A | 1970-04-06 | 1970-04-06 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3640418A true US3640418A (en) | 1972-02-08 |
Family
ID=21828595
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US25888A Expired - Lifetime US3640418A (en) | 1970-04-06 | 1970-04-06 | Throwaway closure for test tube |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US3640418A (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4266689A (en) * | 1979-10-01 | 1981-05-12 | Phillips Petroleum Company | Closure for top inside roll container |
US4637520A (en) * | 1985-08-29 | 1987-01-20 | Alvi Javid R | Test tube protector |
EP0547781A2 (en) * | 1991-12-14 | 1993-06-23 | Dines Plastics Limited | Container and closure |
US20050218027A1 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2005-10-06 | Lammers Anthony J | Package with integral plug |
US20060043100A1 (en) * | 2004-07-12 | 2006-03-02 | Polytop Corporation | Vial with hinged cap and method of making same |
US20070028704A1 (en) * | 2003-09-18 | 2007-02-08 | Ecocap's S.R.L. | Glued or heat-sealed cap for resealing test tubes for clinical analyses |
US20070175853A1 (en) * | 2004-05-25 | 2007-08-02 | Markus Kebben | Sealing cap |
US10946172B2 (en) * | 2013-12-04 | 2021-03-16 | Hollister Incorporated | Urinary catheter protective tips having a fluid reservoir |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1025894A (en) * | 1950-10-12 | 1953-04-21 | Sealing of plastic tubes with cylindrical walls | |
US3164279A (en) * | 1965-01-05 | Test tube closure |
-
1970
- 1970-04-06 US US25888A patent/US3640418A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3164279A (en) * | 1965-01-05 | Test tube closure | ||
FR1025894A (en) * | 1950-10-12 | 1953-04-21 | Sealing of plastic tubes with cylindrical walls |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4266689A (en) * | 1979-10-01 | 1981-05-12 | Phillips Petroleum Company | Closure for top inside roll container |
US4637520A (en) * | 1985-08-29 | 1987-01-20 | Alvi Javid R | Test tube protector |
GB2179639A (en) * | 1985-08-29 | 1987-03-11 | Javid Rehman Alvi | Test-tube closure |
GB2179639B (en) * | 1985-08-29 | 1990-01-04 | Javid Rehman Alvi | Gb8606889.7rotector |
EP0547781A2 (en) * | 1991-12-14 | 1993-06-23 | Dines Plastics Limited | Container and closure |
EP0547781A3 (en) * | 1991-12-14 | 1993-09-01 | Dines Plastics Limited | Container and closure |
US20070028704A1 (en) * | 2003-09-18 | 2007-02-08 | Ecocap's S.R.L. | Glued or heat-sealed cap for resealing test tubes for clinical analyses |
US7677403B2 (en) * | 2003-09-18 | 2010-03-16 | Ecocap's S.R.L. | Glued or heat-sealed cap for resealing test tubes for clinical analyses |
US20050218027A1 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2005-10-06 | Lammers Anthony J | Package with integral plug |
US20070175853A1 (en) * | 2004-05-25 | 2007-08-02 | Markus Kebben | Sealing cap |
US20060043100A1 (en) * | 2004-07-12 | 2006-03-02 | Polytop Corporation | Vial with hinged cap and method of making same |
US10946172B2 (en) * | 2013-12-04 | 2021-03-16 | Hollister Incorporated | Urinary catheter protective tips having a fluid reservoir |
US11813412B2 (en) | 2013-12-04 | 2023-11-14 | Hollister Incorporated | Urinary catheter protective tips having a fluid reservoir |
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