Biological specimen collection container

Abstract

The present invention provides for a biological specimen collecting container for holding a biological specimen in a long-term sustained and sealed environment. The biological specimen collecting container comprises a container for holding the biological specimen and a sealing closure cap. The container is of circular section and has a generally vertical side wall, the side wall at the top being provided with a first thread on an exterior surface thereof. The sealing closure cap has a peripheral groove to receive the container rim, an outer wall of the closure cap being provided with a second thread complementary to the first thread on the container for engagement therewith. The exterior of the outer wall of the sealing closure cap is provided with an integral indicator. The exterior wall of the container below the first thread is provided with an integral indicator in a position such that when the indicator of the closure cap lines up with the indicator on the container, the cap is secure and the container is closed.

1 . A biological specimen collecting container for holding a biological specimen in a long-term sustained and sealed environment, the biological specimen collecting container comprises a container for holding the biological specimen and a sealing closure cap, the container being of circular section and having a generally vertical side wall, the side wall at the top being provided with a first thread on an exterior surface thereof, the sealing closure cap having a peripheral groove to receive the container rim, an outer wall of the sealing closure cap being provided with a second thread complementary to the first thread on the container for engagement therewith, the exterior of the outer wall of the sealing closure cap being provided with an integral sealing indicator, the exterior wall of the container below the first thread being provided with an integral sealing indicator in a position such that when the indicator of the sealing closure cap lines up with the indicator on the container, the sealing closure cap is secure and the container is closed.  
   
   
       2 . A biological specimen collecting container according to  claim 1  wherein the integral sealing indicator is selected from a solid arrow shape, a triangle, square, rectangle and a plurality of vertically extending raised indicator bars or other shape which serves as an indicator on the vial portion of the container.  
   
   
       3 . A biological specimen collecting container according to  claim 2  wherein the indicator on the cap is selected from a bar, an arrow or other shape to indicate the position of the cap relative to the container.  
   
   
       4 . A biological specimen collecting container according to  claim 3  wherein the integral indicator on the exterior wall of the container is a plurality of vertically extending raised indicator bars spaced along the outer wall, the bars increasing in length in the direction of closure of the cap.  
   
   
       5 . A biological specimen collecting container according to  claim 4  wherein the cap is provided with two indicators 180° apart on the exterior of the cap.