Tube closure with removable septum for direct instrument access

• US 20040131506A1
• Filed: 01/06/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Zurcher, Robert G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,303,914 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/102
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50825 Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02

Abstract

A closure assembly is provided for a specimen collection container. The closure assembly includes a bottom ring and top ring assembly. The bottom ring is removably attachable to the open end of the container. The top ring assembly, which is removably attached to the bottom ring, includes a mounting ring and a pierceable, resealable septum that closes the bottom ring and permits pierceable instrument access therethrough. The container interior can also be accessed by the removal of the bottom ring from the open end of the container or by the removal of the top assembly from the bottom ring.

Claims

10. A resealable specimen collection container comprising:

a container body having an open end, a closed end and a cylindrical side wall therebetween defining a container interior;

a closure assembly for closing said open end of said container body, said closure assembly including a bottom ring removably attachable to said open end of said container; and

a top ring assembly removably attachable to said bottom ring for closing said open end of said container;

said top ring assembly further including;

a mounting ring removably attachable to said bottom ring, said mounting ring having an opening therein for communication with said container interior; and

a pierceable, resealable septum closing said opening and permitting pierceable instrument access therethrough.

11. The closure assembly of claim 10, wherein said container interior is further accessible through said open end by said removal of said bottom ring from said open end and by said removal of said mounting ring from said bottom ring.

12. The closure assembly of claim 10, wherein said top ring assembly further comprises a barrier having a top face and a bottom face, said top face of said barrier supported adjacent said septum.

13. The closure assembly of claim 12, wherein said barrier is adhesively supported to said septum.

14. The closure assembly of claim 12, wherein said barrier further includes a foil layer.

15. The closure assembly of claim 10, wherein said bottom ring is internally screw threaded for removable screw attachment with the open end of said container.

16. The closure assembly of claim 10, wherein said bottom ring and said mounting ring includes cooperative structure for removable snap fit engagement therebetween.

17. The closure assembly of claim 10, wherein said septum is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

18. The closure assembly of claim 10, wherein said septum is supported within said mounting ring opening by a force-fit.

19. A kit of parts adapted for closing a specimen collection container having an open end, a closed end, and a cylindrical side wall defining a container interior, said kit of parts comprising:

a bottom ring removably attachable to said open end of said container;

a top ring assembly adapted for removable attachment to said bottom ring for closing said container open end;

said top ring assembly including a mounting ring removably attachable to said bottom ring and a pierceable septum for permitting instrument access to said container interior therethrough; and

a replacement ring adapted for removable attachment to said bottom ring for closing said open end of said container.

1. A closure assembly for a specimen collection container having an open end, an opposed closed end and a side wall therebetween, defining a container interior, said closure assembly comprising:

a bottom ring removably attachable to said open end of said container; and

a top ring assembly removably attachable to said bottom ring for closing said open end of said container;

said top ring assembly further including;

a mounting ring removably attachable to said bottom ring, said mounting ring having an opening therein for communication with said container interior; and

a pierceable, resealable septum closing said opening and permitting pierceable instrument access therethrough.

2. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said container interior is further accessible through said open end by said removal of said bottom ring from said open end and by said removal of said mounting ring from said bottom ring.

3. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said top ring assembly further comprises a barrier having a top face and a bottom face, said top face of said barrier supported adjacent said septum.

4. The closure assembly of claim 3, wherein said barrier is adhesively supported to said septum.

5. The closure assembly of claim 3, wherein said barrier further includes a foil layer.

6. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said bottom ring is internally screw threaded for removable screw attachment with the open end of said container.

7. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said bottom ring and said mounting ring includes cooperative structure for removable snap fit engagement therebetween.

8. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said septum is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

9. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said septum is supported within said mounting ring opening by a force-fit.

20. The closure assembly of claim 19, wherein said top ring assembly further comprises a barrier having a top face and a bottom face, said top face of said barrier supported adjacent said septum.

21. The closure assembly of claim 20, wherein said barrier is adhesively supported to said septum.

22. The closure assembly of claim 21, wherein said barrier further includes a foil layer.

23. The closure assembly of claim 19, wherein said bottom ring is internally screw threaded for removable screw attachment with the open end of said container.

24. The closure assembly of claim 19, wherein said septum is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

25. The closure assembly of claim 19, wherein said septum is supported within said mounting ring opening by a force-fit.

26. The closure assembly of claim 19, wherein said bottom ring and said replacement top ring includes cooperative structure for removable snap fit engagement therebetween.

22-1. The closure assembly of claim 19, wherein said bottom ring and said mounting ring includes cooperative structure for removable snap fit engagement therebetween.