Versatile vial and plug system

Abstract

A versatile vial and plug combination forming a securely sealed closure of the vial. The combination includes a vial with (a) a head with an inner diameter (ID) and an outer diameter (OD); (b) a body with an ID and an OD substantially equal to those of the head; and (c) a neck having an ID less than the ID, and an OD less than the OD, of the head and body, providing a recessed robotic arm pick up area adapted for engagement by automatic equipment. The combination also includes a resilient plug with (a) an inwardly tapered base, (b) a top flange, and (c) a body having an OD that corresponds to or is only slightly greater than the ID of the vial, assuring an interference fit between the plug and the vial, thereby sealing the plug inside the vial upon insertion of the plug in the vial.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A versatile vial and plug combination adapted to form a securely sealed closure of the vial, the combination comprising: 
 a vial having: 
 (a) a head defining a first chamber with a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter and extending between a top, with a center opening, and a lower shoulder,  
 (b) a body defining a second chamber with a second inner diameter substantially equal to the first inner diameter and a second outer diameter substantially equal to the first outer diameter and extending between a base and an upper shoulder, and  
 (c) a neck having an inner diameter less than the first inner diameter and an outer diameter less than the first outer diameter and extending between the lower shoulder of the head and the upper shoulder of the body, providing a recessed robotic arm pick up area adapted for engagement by automatic equipment; and  
   a resilient plug having: 
 (a) a base,  
 (b) a top flange, and  
 (c) a body extending from the base to the top flange and having an outer diameter that corresponds to or is only slightly greater than the first inner diameter of the vial, assuring an interference fit between the plug and the vial, thereby sealing the plug inside the vial upon insertion of the plug in the vial.  
   
     
     
         2 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a filter adapted for insertion into the vial before insertion of the plug in the vial.  
     
     
         3 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein multiple interference contacts exist between the body of the plug and the vial upon insertion of the plug in the vial.  
     
     
         4 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein the base of the plug is tapered inwardly to facilitate insertion of the plug in the vial.  
     
     
         5 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein the body of the plug has an outward angular taper.  
     
     
         6 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein the plug has a button made of a material that can be pierced by an instrument and resealed after removal of the instrument.  
     
     
         7 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein the plug has a button with a slit permitting the plug to be pierced by an instrument and resealed after removal of the instrument.  
     
     
         8 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein the flange of the plug has an underside contacting the top of the head of the vial when the plug is fully inserted into the vial.  
     
     
         9 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein the head has a protrusion adjacent the top, the protrusion facilitating retention of the plug in the vial upon insertion of the plug into the vial.  
     
     
         10 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein a first transition exists between the lower shoulder and the neck and a second transition exists between the neck and the upper shoulder, the transitions being formed by sharp angles.  
     
     
         11 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein a first curved transition exists between the lower shoulder and the neck and a second curved transition exists between the neck and the upper shoulder.  
     
     
         12 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein the vial is one of plastic or glass.  
     
     
         13 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein the resilient plug is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber and plastic.  
     
     
         14 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 13  wherein the resilient plug is also made of polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         15 . A versatile vial and plug combination adapted to form a securely sealed closure of the vial, the combination comprising: 
 a vial having: 
 (a) a head defining a first chamber with a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter and extending between a top, with a center opening, and a lower shoulder, the head having a protrusion adjacent the top which facilitates retention of the plug in the vial upon insertion of the plug into the vial,  
 (b) a body defining a second chamber with a second inner diameter substantially equal to the first inner diameter and a second outer diameter substantially equal to the first outer diameter and extending between a base and an upper shoulder, and  
 (c) a neck having an inner diameter less than the first inner diameter and an outer diameter less than the first outer diameter and extending between the lower shoulder of the head and the upper shoulder of the body, providing a recessed robotic arm pick up area adapted for engagement by automatic equipment; and  
   a resilient plug having: 
 (a) a base tapered inwardly to facilitate insertion of the plug in the vial,  
 (b) a top flange having an underside contacting the top of the head of the vial when the plug is fully inserted into the vial,  
 (c) an outward angular tapered body extending from the base to the top flange and having an outer diameter that corresponds to or is only slightly greater than the first inner diameter of the vial, assuring an interference fit between the plug and the vial, thereby sealing the plug inside the vial upon insertion of the plug in the vial, and  
 (d) a button that (i) is made of a material which can be pierced by an instrument and resealed after removal of the instrument, or (ii) has a slit permitting the plug to be pierced by an instrument and resealed after removal of the instrument,  
 wherein multiple interference contacts exist between the body of the plug and the vial upon insertion of the plug in the vial.  
   
     
     
         16 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 15  further comprising a filter adapted for insertion into the vial before insertion of the plug in the vial.  
     
     
         17 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 15  wherein a first transition exists between the lower shoulder and the neck and a second transition exists between the neck and the upper shoulder, the transitions being formed by (i) sharp angles, or (ii) curves.  
     
     
         18 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 15  wherein the vial is one of plastic or glass.  
     
     
         19 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 15  wherein the resilient plug is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber and plastic.  
     
     
         20 . The versatile vial and plug combination as recited in  claim 19  wherein the resilient plug is also made of polytetrafluoroethylene.