Multi-functional holder article and method of using same

• US 6,667,010 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2002
• Issued: 12/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Plastic Design, LLC
• Original Assignee: Innovative Plastic Design, LLC
• Inventors: Kuchar, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WALLENHORST, MAUREEN
• Application Number:
  US10/238,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20030031603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 422/99, 422/102, 422/104, 600/573, 600/574, 600/580, 248/309.1, 248/311.2, 248/312, 248/312.1, 248/315, 206/217, 206/438, 206/569, 220/737, 220/738, 220/752, 220/754-758, 220/762, 220/763, 220/764, 215/395, 215/396, 215/398, D24/122, D24/128, D24/227
• US Class Current: 422/561
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/007 for taking urine samples measuring urological functions A61B5/20; genital receptacles A61F5/451; urinals for bed-ridden persons A61G9/006
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/00 Supporting devices; Holding devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders

Abstract

An apparatus and method for collecting a biological fluid specimen. The apparatus includes a holder article for a specimen container, wherein the holder article contains a ring which is removably engagable with a specimen container, a connector continuous with the ring, and a grasping portion continuous with the connector, the grasping portion having opposed lateral side portions, and the ring having at least one perturbation on an interior diametral dimension. The article can be reconfigured with the grasping portion movable along a longitudinal axis such that the lateral side portions are approachable one to another, with each side portion on an opposed side of a plane coaxial with the longitudinal axis to provide a specimen collection area.

Claims

1. A holder article for a specimen container of the type having an upper circumferential opening, said article comprising:

a ring having a width dimension and an interior diametral dimension and a proximate portion, said ring having at least one perturbation on said interior diametral dimension;

a connector continuous with said ring, said connector having a width dimension; and

a grasping portion continuous with said connector, said grasping portion having a length dimension and opposed lateral side portions continuous and contiguous with one another along the entirety of said length dimension.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein said at least one perturbation comprises at least one die-cut.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein said proximate portion of said ring is contiguous with said connector.

4. The article of claim 1 wherein said grasping portion is movable along a longitudinal axis thereof such that said lateral side portions are approachable one to another, each said portion on opposed sides of a plane coaxial with said longitudinal axis.

5. The article of claim 4 wherein said proximate portion of said ring is contiguous with said connector.

6. The article of claim 5 wherein said connector width dimension is greater than said ring interior diametral dimension.

7. The article of claim 1 wherein said connector is substantially non-coplanar with said ring.

8. The article of claim 1 wherein said connector includes a specimen collection area.

9. The article of claim 1 wherein said ring has a raised edge defining said interior diametral dimension.

10. The article of claim 1 wherein said ring has a downward flange continuous with the width dimension of said ring.