Patent ID: 6161712
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: B01L,B65D

Abstract:
An assembly for specimen collection comprising:a) a specimen collection tube having a cylindrical wall and an open end of a first diameter or a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, and a closed end; andb) a closure for sealing said open end of said collection tube, said closure comprising:i) a socket mounted on said open end of said collection tube, said socket including a generally spherical internal surface having a pair of opposed flat surfaces, said socket further including a single annular plug extending from a lower end of said socket, said single annular plug being insertable within said open end of said collection tube having said first diameter and extendable about a perimeter of said open end of said collection tube having said second diameter, said socket further including a face transversely positioned with respect to said cylindrical wall of said collection tube such that said transversely positioned face sits on said open end of said collection container when said single annular plug is selectively inserted within said collection tube having said first diameter or extended about said collection tube having said second diameter, andii) a generally spherical-shaped ball rotatably mounted within said generally spherical internal surface of said socket in a liquid-tight contacting engagement, said ball including a pair of opposed flat surfaces on an outside surface which form an axis of rotation with said opposed flat surfaces of said socket for permitting movement between an open and closed position, said ball further including a passageway extending therethrough that is aligned with said open end of said collection tube when said ball is said open position and is out of alignment with said open end of said collection tube when said ball is in said closed position.