Penetrable cap
First Claim
1. A penetrable cap comprising:
- a core structure comprising;
a closed side wall;
a ledge extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the side wall, the ledge defining an opening that is sized to receive a pipette tip therethrough;
a first bore defined by the inner surface of the side wall and a top surface of the ledge, the first bore extending from the top surface of the ledge to a top surface of the side wall; and
attachment means for fixing the cap to an open end of a vessel in sealing engagement;
a first frangible seal comprising a foil layer, the first frangible seal being affixed to a surface of the ledge to provide a fluid barrier between the first bore and fluid contents of a vessel; and
a second frangible seal affixed to a top surface of the side wall, the second frangible seal being disposed over the first bore and in axial alignment with the first frangible seal,wherein the cap is capable of being penetrated by a plastic pipette tip, andwherein the cap is capable of being penetrated by a plastic pipette tip, and wherein air passageways are formed between the first and second frangible seals and a plastic pipette tip when the plastic pipette tip penetrates the first and second frangible seals, whereby air can be vented through the cap when the cap is secured to an open end of a vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with an open-ended vessel capable of receiving and holding fluid specimens or other materials for analysis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between a fluid sample present in the vessel and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap having a frangible seal which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device. The cap further includes a filter for limiting dissemination of an aerosol or bubbles once the frangible seal has been pierced. The filter is positioned between the frangible seal and a retaining structure. The retaining structure is positioned on the cap above the filter and may be used to contain the filter within the cap. The material of the retaining structure may be penetrable by a fluid transfer device.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A penetrable cap comprising:
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a core structure comprising; a closed side wall; a ledge extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the side wall, the ledge defining an opening that is sized to receive a pipette tip therethrough; a first bore defined by the inner surface of the side wall and a top surface of the ledge, the first bore extending from the top surface of the ledge to a top surface of the side wall; and attachment means for fixing the cap to an open end of a vessel in sealing engagement; a first frangible seal comprising a foil layer, the first frangible seal being affixed to a surface of the ledge to provide a fluid barrier between the first bore and fluid contents of a vessel; and a second frangible seal affixed to a top surface of the side wall, the second frangible seal being disposed over the first bore and in axial alignment with the first frangible seal, wherein the cap is capable of being penetrated by a plastic pipette tip, and wherein the cap is capable of being penetrated by a plastic pipette tip, and wherein air passageways are formed between the first and second frangible seals and a plastic pipette tip when the plastic pipette tip penetrates the first and second frangible seals, whereby air can be vented through the cap when the cap is secured to an open end of a vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification