Abstract:
A hand-held apparatus is provided to allow a user to easily apply the necessary force required to install or remove caps into or from a vial or test tube. The device includes a handle member that is ergonomically shaped to provide a user with maximum comfort and control of a cap while applying pressure to insert caps. The device also includes a coupling portion configured to selectively engage a cap and efficiently disengage a cap. Through this configuration, a user generated force is transferred from the handle member through the coupling portion, and to the cap, thereby causing the cap into an opening of the vial for locking the cap into a sealed and closed position with the vial.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/655,734, filed on Jun. 5, 2012 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to a device for installing and removing caps on vials and test tubes, and more particularly to an ergonomic apparatus that enables quick and easy installation and removal of the caps. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    Test tubes are extensively used in laboratories and research facilities worldwide for containing liquids and mixtures during experiments and research-based pursuits. Often it is necessary to seal, mix, and/or transport contained substances within the test tube creating the need for test tube caps that couple to the opening of the test tube, thereby holding in the contained substance. Advances in polymer science have led to the creation of plastic polypropylene test tubes and test tube caps that are disposable. These plastic polypropylene test tubes and test tube caps are inexpensive and do not shatter when dropped, however glass embodiments are known to break when dropped. 
         [0005]    A wide range of test tubes are available in different sizes and colors, including a 12×75 mm standard sized test tube which is used by many organizations. Various capping structures are used to create a seal between the cap and the test tube. One commonly used capping structure is the flange cap, which consists of two flanges that extend around the outer periphery of the bottom portion of the cap that is inserted into the opening on the top of the test tube. The cap is snapped into a sealed position within the aperture of the test tube, so that a flange that extends from the inner surface of the test tube is pushed between the two flanges extending out from the capping structure. 
         [0006]    Laboratories and research facilities often generate large numbers of test tubes daily that must be sealed with a cap. The task of a person sealing test tubes with various types of caps, and in particular flange caps, is time consuming and requires a repeated movement of the hands in the same manner and position. As a result, the task of repeatedly capping test tubes can cause uncomfortable inflammation or other similar illnesses and injuries. In addition to causing pain and discomfort to the user, the disease also can lead to a decrease in employee productivity levels. 
         [0007]    The prior art details a device that seeks to provide means for attaching and detaching caps onto test tubes in USPN 2010/0088871. However, the device utilizes a projecting member that protrudes from the device to engage the cap. The projecting member applies user force unevenly upon a cap and requires that the projecting member be placed centrally to a recess of a cap. Uneven force can leave caps not fully coupled to a vial or, worse, tip, spill or damage vials by applying unintended, angled force with respect to a vial. Further the projecting member is awkward or slow to disengage from the cap as frictional forces or engagement compression forces undesirably engage portions of the cap, inhibiting production capacity. In use, the prior art device generally requires two hands for operation, one to hold the tool and a second to balance the test tube. Additional disadvantages include inapplicability to multiple vial cap types. For example, the prior art device performs poorly when used with vial caps having no recess. 
         [0008]    Therefore, there exists a need to for an apparatus to assist a user to apply and disengage caps to vials with greater control without decreasing comfort. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    A hand-held apparatus is provided to allow a user to easily apply the necessary force required to install caps into a vial or test tube. The device includes a handle member that is ergonomically shaped to provide a user with maximum comfort and control of a cap while applying pressure to insert caps. The device also includes a coupling portion configured to selectively engage a cap and efficiently disengage a cap. Through this configuration, a user generated force is transferred from the handle member through the coupling portion, and to the cap, thereby causing the cap into an opening of the vial for locking the cap into a sealed and closed position with the vial. 
         [0010]    Additional embodiments of the present disclosure include a de-coupling tool configured to selectively disengage a cap from a test tube. Through this configuration, a user generated force is transferred from the handle member through the de-coupling portion and to the cap, in the form of a lever machine, thereby causing the cap to disengage from an opening of the vial. 
         [0011]    Additional embodiments of the present disclosure include a handle portion selectively attachable to a coupling tool or a de-coupling tool. 
         [0012]    This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an exemplary test tube and cap, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a hand-held apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the hand-held apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the hand-held apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the hand-held apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the hand-held apparatus along line A-A as shown in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 7-8  show an embodiment of the hand-held apparatus having a selectively severable body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9-12  show an embodiment of a coupling portion configured to selectively couple to the severable body shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 13-16  show a second embodiment of a coupling portion configured to selectively couple to the severable body shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0023]      FIGS. 17-21  show a de-coupling attachment tool configured to selectively couple to the severable body shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein the depictions are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same,  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary cap  12  insertable within the vial or test tube  14 . As  FIG. 2  shows, the test tube  14  is formed of a cylindrical-shaped body that may be a transparent glass or plastic structure. The cap  12  may be any known type configured to seal or close an opening of the test tube  14 . The cap  12  may be formed of or include any known substance such as rubber or plastic polymer. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the test tube  14  is configured to receive visual indicia such as a description or scannable code. The teachings of the disclosure herein may readily be applied to various types of test tubes and caps and therefore is not intended to be limited thereby. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a hand-held apparatus  10  for installing the cap  12  on the test tube  14  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  10  includes a top portion  16 , a cylindrical-shaped body  18 , and a coupling portion  20 . The cylindrical-shaped body  18  is intended to ergonomically receive a user&#39;s palm and fingers when gripped in use. The coupling portion  20  is configured to engage the cap  12  around an outer periphery. 
         [0026]    The apparatus  10  is formed of any suitable compliant material that is sufficiently rigid to adequately transfer forces generated by the user, while still being compliant enough to provide comfort and minimize uncomfortable inflammation. Some examples of such material include a polyurethane foam rubber, various metals, a contained gel, or polymer-based. The apparatus  10  is preferably integrally formed into a contiguous structure; however it is contemplated by the disclosure herein that portions of the apparatus may be separately coupled together such as the top portion  16  and the body  18  and/or the coupling portion  20  and the body  18 . In one embodiment, portions of the apparatus  10  may be hollow. In a further embodiment, the apparatus  10  is formed of sufficiently rigid material to transfer the user applied force from the apparatus  10  to the cap  12 , to secure the cap  12  to the test tube  14  without causing any damage to the cap  12 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the apparatus  10 . As  FIG. 3  shows, the top portion  16  is vase-shaped, although the top portion  16  may be shaped in any number of configurations including flush with the body  18 . In one embodiment, a top surface  17  of the top portion is slightly recessed to ergonomically receive a user&#39;s thumb. In this way, pressure and force from a user is more efficiently transferred to the cap  12  via the apparatus  10 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of the apparatus  10  and coupling portion  20  including a cavity  22  and a plurality of flanges  19 . The flanges  19  are preferably longitudinal arranged and radially extended and spaced toward a center region of the cavity  22 . In one embodiment, however, the flanges  19  are flexible and configured to moveably engage a cap. The flanges  19  may be integrally formed of the apparatus  10 . In one embodiment, the flanges  19  are molded to inner walls of the cavity and configured to flex upon receipt of a cap. The cavity  22  is preferably circular-shaped, but may be sized and adapted to receive a particular size cap  12 . For example, a diameter of an outer periphery of the cavity  22  is preferably slightly larger than a diameter of a corresponding cap diameter. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the coupling portion  20  of the apparatus  10 . As  FIG. 5  shows, the space between the flanges  19  open into the cavity  22 . The spaces between the flanges  19  enable a cap to freely exit the cavity  22  without suction forces inhibiting an exit. In one embodiment, the flanges  19  are tapered or pointed at an engagement end. The tapered ends  23  enable decreased frictional forces to be applied to cap sidewall. The decreased frictional forces enable preferable release of caps upon coupling to a test tube, and decrease inhibition of the cap from the coupling portion  20 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the coupling portion  20  of the apparatus  10  along line A-A as shown in  FIG. 5 . As  FIG. 6  shows, the coupling portion  20  is defined by a bottom wall  24 . The bottom wall  24  is preferably substantially flat and configured to engage a top surface of the cap  12 . When in engagement with the cap  12 , the bottom wall is at least substantially flush against the top surface of the cap  12 . In this way, the user generated force applied to the apparatus  10  is adequately distributed to the cap  12  and applied substantially evenly to the cap  12 , enabling desirable user control of the force direction. Further, because the flanges  19  engage the cap  12  at points along a cap sidewall, preferable frictional forces are effectively utilized, enabling preferable release of an engaged cap. Accordingly, the coupling portion  20  along with the apparatus  10  can be disengaged quickly and easily from the cap  12 , thereby enabling a user to install a plurality of caps in a short period of time. 
         [0031]    It is contemplated that the disclosure herein can be applied with any type of cap that fits on any standard sized test tube, including but not limited to: 12 mm, 13 mm, 16 mm, and 17 mm diameter test tubes and test tube caps. Such cap types can include but are not limited to screw caps or flange caps. The flange cap  12  may include an upper and/or lower flange, extending outward around the periphery of the lower section of the cap  12 . According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus  10  is configured for use in installing a cap  12  into a test tube  14  containing an inwardly pointed flange that extends around the inner periphery of the test tube  14 . In locking a flange-type cap  12  into a sealed position, the cap  12  is pushed into the opening of the test tube  14  through a downwardly directed force indicated by the arrow shown in  FIG. 1 . In pushing the cap  12  into the test tube  14 , the lower flange is displaced over and beneath the inwardly pointed test tube flange, so that the inwardly pointed flange is positioned between the upper and lower flanges of the cap  12 . This in turn secures the cap  12  to the test tube  14  creating a seal about the opening. 
         [0032]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in operation, the apparatus  10  is placed in use by first placing a cap  12  over the opening of the test tube  14 . The user then grasps the body  18  of the apparatus  10  and couples the cap  12  into the cavity  22  of the coupling portion  20 . Finally, a user generates a force in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in  FIG. 1  in relation to the test tube  14  and the cap  12 . This force is transferred from the apparatus  10 , through the coupling portion  20 , and to the cap  12 , thereby causing the cap  12  to engage within the opening of the test tube  14  and create a closed and sealed structure. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 7-8  show an embodiment of the apparatus  10  having a selectively severable body  18  from a tool portion.  FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the apparatus  10  having a severable body  18 . As  FIG. 7  shows, the severable body  18  may include a coupling means  30 . The coupling means  30  may be a mechanical screw. In one embodiment, the coupling means  30  is a screw shaft having an outer surface being formed with a helical male thread and groove, wherein a corresponding coupling tool is formed of a helical female thread and groove. Although it is contemplated herein that the coupling means  30  may be a helical female groove wherein the corresponding tool sets are formed of a helical male groove. The helical male groove is configured to rotatably mate with a helical female groove on a corresponding coupling portion as described herein below. 
         [0034]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view of the severable body  18  of the apparatus  10  along line B-B as shown in  FIG. 7 . As  FIG. 8  shows, the severable body  18  may include a hallow interior in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the severable body  18  is integrally formed into a contiguous structure, and rigidly formed to transfer the user applied force from the severable body  18  to an attached tool or coupling portion. As  FIG. 8  shows, the coupling means  30  preferably includes a plurality of helically-shaped threads and grooves on an outer surface configured to couple to an inner surface of a coupling portion, wherein the threads and grooves of the coupling means are sized and adapted to mesh or couple to corresponding threads and grooves of the coupling tool. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 9-12  show an embodiment of a coupling portion  20  configured to selectively couple to the severable body  18  described herein above and shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . As  FIGS. 9 and 10  show, the coupling portion  20  is configured to engage a cap of a test tube so that a user may couple the cap to the test tube. As described herein above with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 , the coupling portion  20  includes a cavity  22  and a plurality of flanges  19 . Within the coupling portion  20 , the flanges  19  are preferably longitudinal arranged and radially extended and spaced toward a center region of the cavity  22 . In one embodiment, however, the flanges  19  are flexible and configured to moveably engage a cap. The flanges  19  may be integrally formed of the coupling portion  20 . In one embodiment, the flanges  19  are molded to inner walls of the cavity and configured to flex upon receipt of a cap. The space between the flanges  19  open into the cavity  22  of the coupling portion  20 . The cavity  22  is preferably circular-shaped, but may be sized and adapted to receive a particular size cap  12 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the coupling portion  20 .  FIG. 12  shows a cross-sectional view of the coupling portion  20  along line C-C as shown in  FIG. 11 . As  FIG. 12  shows, the coupling portion  20  includes a coupling means  32  configured to engage the coupling means  30  of the severable body  18 . The coupling means  32  preferably includes helically-shaped threads and grooves on an inner surface configured to couple to an outer surface of a shaft portion such as the severable body  18 , wherein the threads and grooves of the coupling means  32  are sized and adapted to mesh or couple to corresponding threads and grooves of the coupling means  30 . 
         [0037]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in operation, the coupling portion  20  is coupled to the severable body  18  by rotatably screwing the coupling means  32  over the coupling means  30 . During engagement of the coupling portion  20  to the severable body  18 , the coupling portion  20  may be rotated relative to the severable body  18 , moving the coupling means  32  axially relative to the coupling means  30  of the severable body  18 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 13-16  show a second embodiment of a coupling portion  20  configured to selectively couple to the severable body  18  described herein above and shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The second embodiment is included herein as exemplary to illustrate and describe a coupling portion  20  configured to engage larger vial caps. Upon a careful reading of the teachings herein, one skilled in the art will readily adapt the teaching to any sized vial or cap size including adapting the coupling portion to engage caps from 8 mm, 12 mm, and 15 mm shell vials. 
         [0039]    As  FIG. 13  shows, the second embodiment of a coupling portion  20  may be funneled outward to form the cavity  22  with a larger void space.  FIG. 14  shows a top view of the second embodiment of a coupling portion  20 . A diameter  34  of an outer periphery of the cavity  22  may be adapted and sized to accommodate different sized vial caps. As described herein above, the diameter  34  is preferably slightly larger than a diameter of a corresponding cap diameter. In this way, the cap does not stick inside the cavity  22  requiring a user to manually remove the cap from the coupling portion  20 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 14  shows a side view of the second embodiment of the coupling portion  20 .  FIG. 15  shows a cross-sectional view of the coupling portion  20  along line D-D as shown in  FIG. 14 . As  FIG. 15  shows, the second embodiment of the coupling portion  20  includes a coupling means  32  configured to engage the coupling means  30  of the severable body  18 , similar to the coupling portion  20  shown in  FIGS. 9-12 . As above, the coupling means  32  preferably includes a plurality of helically-shaped threads and grooves on an inner surface configured to couple to an outer surface of a shaft portion such as the severable body  18 , wherein the threads and grooves of the coupling means  32  are sized and adapted to mesh or couple to corresponding threads and grooves of the coupling means  30 . The space between the flanges  19  open into the cavity  22  of the coupling portion  20 . The cavity  22  is preferably circular-shaped, but may be sized and adapted to receive a particular size cap  12 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 17-20  show a de-capper attachment tool  40  configured to selectively couple to the severable body  18  described herein above and shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The de-capper attachment tool  40  is configured to remove a cap from a vial such as the vial  14  shown in  FIG. 1 . The tool  40  is formed of a first and second member  42  and  44 , respectively, and a base  46 . The first and second members  42  and  44  are preferably convexly curved outwardly. In one embodiment the tool  40  is integrally formed. The second member  44  includes a concave-shaped end configured to provide a lifting force from a user onto a cap. The first member  42  includes a convex-shaped end configured to provide a downward force on an opposite end of a vial cap. In this way, a user may use the tool as a lever force upon the vial cap, wherein the effort from a user is concurrently communicated to the vial cap as an upward force to a first end and a downward force to a second end. In one embodiment, the first and second members  42  and  44  have straight ends. 
         [0042]      FIG. 21  shows a cross-sectional view of the de-capper attachment tool  40 . As  FIG. 21  shows, the de-capper attachment tool  40  includes a coupling means  49  configured to engage the coupling means  30  of the severable body  18 . The coupling means  49  preferably includes a plurality of helically-shaped threads and grooves on an inner surface configured to couple to an outer surface of a shaft portion such as the severable body  18 , wherein the threads and grooves of the coupling means  49  are sized and adapted to mesh or couple to corresponding threads and grooves of the coupling means  30 . 
         [0043]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in operation, the second member  44  of the tool  40  is slid between a cap and vial by a user. The first member  42  is pressed upon a top surface of the cap. The user exerts a rocking motion with the apparatus creating a lever force that simultaneously exerts a lifting force on a first side of the cap and a depression force on a second side of the cap, removing the cap from the vial. For embodiments of a vial having a snap cap, where the snap cap covers outer edges of the vial, the second member  44  is placed between the snap cap and an outer surface of the vial. The user may then use the apparatus  10  to lift the snap cap upward and over opening of the vial. 
         [0044]    The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereto. Further modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.