VESSEL

A vessel, in particular for receiving small quantities of liquid, for example for receiving analysis samples, has a vessel body which has a small diameter relative to a vessel length. The vessel body has a longitudinal axis and an opening which can be closed by a screw cap. This vessel is advantageously easy to handle with respect to closing the vessel. The screw cap can be secured by plugging the screw cap in the direction of the longitudinal axis in order to close the opening using an adapter part to which the screw cap is screw-fastened; afterwards, however, the opening can only be released by unscrewing the screw cap.

The invention relates to a vessel, particularly for receiving small quantities of liquid, for receiving analysis samples, for example, preferably comprising a vessel body which has a smaller diameter relative to a vessel length, wherein the vessel body has a longitudinal axis and an opening that is closable with a screw cap.

Such vessels are already known in several variants. In particular, the invention relates to a sample vial such as is used in the medical field to transport and store body fluids, for example blood. The vessel is the type of vessel that is referred to more particularly as a cuvette.

In vessels of such kind, see for example EP 1 981 637 A1, the opening may be closed and opened by screwing and unscrewing the screw cap. The objective on the one hand is to ensure secure handling, in particular a secure closure. On the other hand, however, manipulating the screw cap is not always consistent with the urgency with which action must be taken, or the fact that, in some circumstances closure must be effected with one hand.

On the basis of the cited prior art, the invention is concerned with the task of suggesting vessel particularly for receiving samples for analysis that can be handled conveniently with respect to the closure thereof.

According to a first inventive idea, one possible solution to the problem is given in the form of a vessel in which, in order to close the opening, the screw cap may be secured by plugging with an adapter part, to which it is screw-fastened, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, but the opening may then be unblocked simply by unscrewing the screw cap.

According to this approach, the principle of the proven screw cap is retained, but the closure of the vessel is simplified significantly. The screw cap may be placed over the opening to block it with a simple plugging movement. An axial movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vessel is all that is required. At the same time, the ability to unblock the opening by unscrewing is retained.

Further features of the invention are described and illustrated in the following, and in the description of the figures and the drawing, often in the preferred association thereof with the concept explained in the preceding, although they may also be significant in conjunction with only one or several individual features, described or represented graphically here, or independently, or in another overall concept.

In order to enable the screw cap to be unscrewed, the adapter part is preferably connected to the vessel in fixed manner, particularly in a rotationally fixed manner. This may be achieved with an interference fit, for example. To this extent, it is preferred that the adapter part is secured against rotation with respect to the vessel body in positive locking manner.

If such is not achieved for example by a tight fit, it is further preferred that special measures be implemented to retain the adapter part on the vessel body so that it cannot be pulled off. Such means for preventing detachment may be provided for example with a detent mechanism.

It is further preferred that the mounting of the adapter part is provided on an outer surface of the opening, that is to say on the outside of an opening area of the vessel body that extends into the opening. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the adapter part to engage in the opening or even to cooperate with an inner surface of the vessel, in particular even in the opening area, although generally this is still possible as well. However, it is further preferred that the adapter part is only retainable on the outside of the opening area of the vessel body.

For the preferred securing against rotation by positive locking means, it is preferably further provided that ribs are provided, extending in the longitudinal direction along said opening area of the vessel. Said ribs may further preferably be distributed unevenly about the circumference. Groups of ribs may also be provided, wherein the ribs of one group are conformed relatively close to each other, but the groups are arranged at greater distances from one another. The groups may be evenly distributed about the circumference. However, it is also possible to provide only two groups, preferably opposite one another, and one or two additional, single ribs. In principle, sufficient rotational rigidity with respect to an assigned inner surface of the adapter part may already be assured with the aid of such ribs, when said inner surface is of smooth construction, since in the attached state the ribs cause a certain deformation in the contact areas thereof with the inner surface of the adapter part due to a high concentration of tension. However, it is further preferred that grooves corresponding to the ribs are conformed on the inner side of the adapter part.

In general, it is also possible for locations of the ribs and the grooves to be reversed, that is to say that the grooves are conformed in the opening area of the vessel and the ribs are formed on the adapter part.

In addition, in order to effectively prevent detachment thereof, it is preferred that a protruding detent projection is conformed transversely to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vessel on the outside of the opening area. This detent projection may serve to cooperate with a counter-locking mechanism, which may be conformed on the adapter part.

To this extent, it is further preferable that in the assembled state the detent projection engagingly clasps an outwardly biased shoulder conformed on the adapter part over a substantial part or even the entire circumference of the adapter part.

Said detent projection is preferably conformed on the opening side of the positive locking formations on the opening area of the vessel, that is to say in particular on the opening side of the ribs. Further preferably, the detent projection may more conformed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vessel at a distance from an opening side end of the ribs.

The adapter part itself may preferably be in the shape of a tube section. Somewhat in the manner of a sleeve. Thus, ring substantially in the form of a cylinder section is created, which is however structured on the outside and inside with thread formations or positive locking formations.

In addition, a flange protruding radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the vessel may be conformed on the front of the adapter part and in the direction of attachment thereof. The screw cap, for example, may be seated on this flange with a corresponding end face of the outer circumferential area, the thread being conformed on the inside thereof.

A radially outwardly open recess may be conformed on the inside of the adapter part, that is to say relative to a matching transverse plane or matching transverse area and assigned to the outwardly projecting flange. In the attached state, said recess may cooperate with a further flange section, which may be conformed below the detent formations on the opening area of the vessel.

The screw cap itself may have a closed cover and a surrounding circumferential casing area, as described previously, in which circumferential casing area one or more threads are conformed to cooperate with an outer thread on the adapter part. Further, the screw cap may comprise a cylindrical section radially inwardly with respect to the outer cladding area, which section is conformed to project from the cover toward the opening plane of the screw cap. This cylindrical section may be constructed to have an axial length relative to the longitudinal axis of the vessel in the screwed state such that when mounted on the vessel it protrudes into the interior of the vessel. A seal may be arranged in the cover in the annular space between the inner cylindrical section and the outer casing area.

A vessel1in the form of a sample receptacle having a lower vessel body2with a closed bottom is represented and described. At the top, as shown inFIG. 2, vessel1has an opening3, which is closed by a screw cap4.

As is shown in detail inFIG. 2for example, vessel body further has a longitudinal axis A that is initially slightly conically shaped in a body area immediately below an opening area5, and preferably then tapers conically more markedly towards the bottom thereof.

Screw cap4cooperates with an adapter part6.

In a state at the start of handling, separate adapter part6is screwed into cap4, see also the state shown inFIG. 3, for example, after it has been mounted on vessel1.

This combination of screw cap4and adapter part6can then be connected to vessel body2simply by plugging it into the body in the direction of longitudinal axis A.

In order to enable unscrewing of screw cap4to unblock the opening subsequently while leaving adapter part6attached to vessel body2, adapter part6is attached in rotationally fixed manner to container body2.

Adapter part6is preferably also fastened to vessel body2by additional means to prevent it from being pulled off.

The rotational lock may be assured positive locking elements conformed in the vessel body, the opening area5thereof, and/or on adapter part6, preferably on the inner surface thereof.

In detail, the positive locking elements may consist of ribs7conformed on opening area5, and optionally grooves8conformed on the inside of adapter part6and cooperating with ribs7. As may be seen inFIG. 2, ribs7are preferably arranged in two oppositely positioned groups of five ribs arranged together with practically no separation therebetween, and two further single ribs arranged equidistantly between the two groups and preferably also opposite one another.

Further preferably, adapter part6is configured as shown, in the form of a sleeve or tube section. At all events, it preferably has no bottom and/or no top cover. Merely a circumferential casing wall9.

One or more threads10are conformed on the outside of said circumferential casing wall9of adapter part6, and grooves8are formed on the inside thereof. In the attached state, grooves8are preferably conformed transversely to longitudinal axis A and at least partially overlapping threads10.

Adapter part6further comprises a flange11on the front side thereof in connecting direction R, which flange is extended radially outwardly compared with the section of the casing wall9located above it. This extension preferably has the form of a step-like protrusion.

Further preferably, in the attached state said flange11engages over a vessel flange12conformed on the vessel, as shown inFIG. 5.

A preferably continuous circumferential detent protrusion13is conformed on the opening side of opening area5of vessel body2and at a distance from the positive locking formations. As shown inFIG. 5, in the mounted state detent protrusion13engages over a corresponding recess14on the inner wall of adapter part6.

Screw cap4has a cover15that becomes a radially outward cap wall16. Threads17are formed on the inside of cap wall16, which in the screwed state according toFIG. 3orFIG. 5, cooperate with the threads10of adapter part6.

A cylindrical section18extends from cap cover15in a plugging direction R. Cylindrical section18is preferably conformed with an axial length such that in the plugged state, as shown inFIG. 5, the side thereof facing the inner wall of opening area5overlaps the inner wall of the opening area. An overlap length a is preferably chosen such that at the beginning of a plugging state as shown inFIG. 3, in which ribs7and grooves8are substantially engaged with each other but adapter part6has not locked together with vessel body2, an overlap already exists with a smaller overlap dimension b. Thus, advantageous guidance is provided for the axial approach of the screw cap4combined with adapter part6and the vessel body2.

A seal19is inserted on the inside of the closure cap between cylindrical section18and cap wall16. Seal19may be designed as a circumferential gasket (FIGS. 4,5). In this case, it is preferably only effective between cover15(inner side) of screw cap4and an end face of opening area5of the vessel1. However, it may also be in the form of an annular sealing ring, as shown inFIG. 3. It should be noted here that the screw cap4is not fully closed as shown inFIG. 3, and is only shown in the fully closed state inFIG. 4. The seal19have been altered here for illustrative purposes only, wherein a design change visible on the cover side of screw cap4is also associated therewith.

Seal19in the form of an annular sealing ring according toFIG. 3extends radially such that it extends over both end faces, the end face of both opening area5of vessel1, and the end face of adapter part6. Given the structure of seal19as an annular gasket, the inner surface of cover15of screw cap4is preferably designed such that the gasket lies flush with the inside of cover15, as also shown inFIG. 3.

All features disclosed (per se) essential to the invention. The disclosure contents of the associated/accompanying priority documents (transcript of prior application) are herewith also incorporated in full in the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose of including features of said documents in claims of the present application. In the optionally coordinate version thereof, the dependent claims characterize independent inventive refinements of the prior art, in particular with a view to making divisional applications based on these claims.