Assembly of a protected stopper and a test tube, said stopper being used for blood sample collecting or biological liquids handling test tubes

Abstract

An assembly of a protected stopper with a test tube consists of a protected stopper for blood sample collecting or biological liquids handling test tubes which contains a substantially cylindrical inner body made of an elastomer, the body including a lower portion for insertion in a test tube, an upper abutment flange, and an abutment step formed between the inner body lower portion and the upper flange. The stopper also includes a substantially cylindrical cover made of a plastic for enclosing an upper part of the test tube and the inner body, the cylindrical cover including a free upper region for insertion of a sampling needle in the stopper and arc-like openings provided in the upper part. The engaging means provided in the cylindrical cover for engaging the inner body are constituted by arc-like protrusions which protrude from the inner wall of cylindrical cover which surrounds the lower portion of the inner body and couple with the abutment step, the protrusions being in an angular position which corresponds to the arc-like openings, a plan area of each one of the protrusions being entirely contained within a plan area of corresponding ones of the openings. The thickness of the cylindrical cover should preferably be 0.055-5.5 mm.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An assembly of a protected stopper and a test tube, said protected stopper for blood sample collecting or biological liquids handling test tubes comprising a substantially cylindrical inner body ( 10 ) made of an elastomer, said body including an upper flange ( 13 ) and a lower portion ( 11 ) for insertion in a test tube ( 12 ), said test tube ( 12 ) having an upper part, an upper abutment flange ( 13 ), said body including an abutment step ( 14 ) formed between said inner body lower portion and said upper flange ( 13 ), said stopper also comprising a substantially cylindrical cover ( 15 ) for enclosing said upper part of said test tube and said inner lower body ( 10 ), said cylindrical cover ( 15 ) having an upper part ( 18 ) and including a free upper region  16 ) for insertion of a sampling needle in said stopper, and arc-like openings ( 19 ) provided in the upper part of said cover, means for engaging said inner body, said engaging means being constituted by arc-like protrusions ( 17 ) which protrude from an inner wall of said cylindrical cover which surrounds said lower portion of said inner body and couples to said abutment step ( 14 ), said protrusions being in an angular position which corresponds to said arc-like openings ( 19 ), a plan area of each one of said protrusions being entirely contained within a plan area of corresponding ones of said openings ( 19 ), whereby said protrusions and said arc-like openings are respectively vertically aligned, said protrusions being free of undercuts, said protrusions having a radial dimension substantially equal to the thickness of a test tube ( 12 ), said test tube having an edge, whereby when the stopper is assembled to said test tube, said protrusions are interposed between abutment step ( 14 ) and said edge of said test tube.  
     
     
         2 . The stopper assembly according to    claim 1    wherein said cover is always in contact with the test tube.  
     
     
         3 . The stopper assembly according to    claim 1    wherein the axial dimension of said flange ( 13 ) is identical to the distance between said protrusions ( 17 ) and the upper part ( 18 ) of said cover.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to    claim 1    wherein said cylindrical cover ( 15 ) has a thickness of 0.055-5.5 mm and is capable of operation with test tubes of external diameter 5-16 mm.  
     
     
         5 . An assembly of a protected stopper with a test tube, said stopper for blood sample collecting or biological liquids handling test tubes, comprising a substantially cylindrical inner body ( 10   a ), made of an elastomer, said body including an upper flange ( 13   a ) and a lower portion ( 11   a ) for insertion in a test tube ( 12 ), said test tube ( 12 ) having an upper part, said upper abutment flange ( 13   a ) resting on said upper part of said test tubes, said stopper also comprising a substantially cylindrical cover ( 15 ) for enclosing said upper part of said test tube and said inner lower body ( 10   a ), said cylindrical cover having an upper part ( 18 ), including a free upper region ( 16 ) for insertion of a sampling needle in said stopper, and arc-like opening ( 19 ) provided in the upper part of said cover, engaging means provided in said cylindrical cover for engaging said inner body, said engaging means being constituted by arc-like protrusions ( 17   a ) which have a triangular cross-section and which protrude from an inner wall of said cylindrical cover which surrounds said lower portion of said inner body and couples with said abutment, said protrusions ( 17   a ) being free of undercuts, wherein said abutment step ( 14   a ) of said inner body ( 10   a ) has radial dimensions such as to cause the rim region of said test tube ( 12 ) and said arc-like protrusions ( 17   a ) to abut thereagainst, said protrusions being external with respect to said rim region, wherein said protrusions ( 17   a ) have an upper part located with respect to an upper part of said cover at a distance which is substantially equal to an axial extension of said flange ( 13   a ) of said inner body, wherein said arc-like protrusions have a rectangular cross-section extension, so as to form a ledge.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to    claim 5    wherein said cylindrical cover ( 15 ) has a thickness of 0.055-5.5 mm and is capable of operation with test tubes of external diameter 5-16 mm.