Patent ID: 7222547

Claim:
An apparatus for testing a specimen, the apparatus comprising: a container for holding a specimen; a lid having means adopted to securely attach the lid to the container, said lid having a slot that allows objects to pass therethrough allowing access to the interior of the container; a testing cassette having a leading edge, said cassette adapted to pass through said slot, with its leading edge first, said cassette also having a locking aperture proximate said leading edge; and a plug to which releasably and seal covers and seals said slot in order to prevent any specimen from escaping the container, the plug further including jaws that communicate with said locking aperture for releasably locking said plug onto said testing cassette when the testing cassette passes through said slot, said plug uncovers said slot when an appropriate pressure is applied through the cassette and moves in tandem with the cassette as the cassette enters the interior of the container; and when said cassette is withdrawn from the container, the plug covers and reseals the slot while the jaws release said cassette.