Collection assembly or test tube for a small amount of a body fluid, comprising an extender element
Inventors
EBETSBERGER, Franz • BOECK, Arnold
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11305286-B2
Publication Date
2022-04-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a collection assembly (1) for small amounts of body fluids, comprising a sample container (2) and an extender element (3). The sample container (2) has a base (13) and a container wall (5) with a first container wall section (6) and a second container wall section (7) adjoining same. The second container wall section (7) is formed hollow-conically and projects into the extender element (3). Moreover, a coupling device (25) with a first coupling element (26) and a second coupling element (27) is provided. When the coupling elements (26, 27) are in coupled engagement, the extender element (3) is coupled to the sample container (2) in a positively locked manner in the form of a snap connection establishing the collection assembly (1).
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a collection assembly for collecting a small amount of a body fluid. The assembly comprises a sample container having a container wall that extends from a first open end to a second end, with a base closing the second end and surrounding a collecting chamber together with the container wall. The container wall includes a first container wall section and a second container wall section adjacent in the direction of the longitudinal axis, where the first container wall section is formed hollow-cylindrically and the second container wall section is formed hollow-conically with a transition section between them. The arrangement includes support elements provided as webs distributed across the circumference projecting beyond the outer surface of the second container wall section.
An extender element having a side wall and a base wall is coupled to the sample container, where the base wall of the extender element is calotte-shaped. The sample container at least partially projects into the first open end of the extender element, with the second container wall section arranged at a distance from the first open end in the direction of the longitudinal axis. A coupling device having at least one first coupling element and at least one second coupling element is provided, with the first coupling element arranged or formed on the sample container and the second coupling element arranged or formed on the extender element. When the first and second coupling elements are in coupled engagement, the extender element is coupled to the sample container in a positively locked manner by a snap connection formed by the coupling elements.
The first coupling element is arranged in the transition section between the first container wall section and the second container wall section. The first coupling element is formed as a continuous peripheral first groove together with a wall section of the side wall of the sample container adjoining towards the base of the sample container, providing abutment surfaces for end faces of the extender element in a region of its first open end. Several webs form an outer envelope with a diameter equal to or slightly larger than an inner diameter of the side wall of the extender element in the region of its open end. At least one breakthrough perforates the base wall of the extender element at a distance from the longitudinal axis in the radial direction, while the base wall is formed continuously in the region of the longitudinal axis.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one explicitly independent claim (clm-00001). It recites five inventive features, including a specific two-part container wall geometry, a calotte-shaped extender element, a positively locked snap connection defined by cooperating coupling elements and groove/abutment surfaces, and a breakthrough in the base wall.
Hollow-cylindrical to hollow-conical sample container with transition section and collecting chamber
A sample container having a container wall extending from a first open end to a second end, with the container wall comprising a first container wall section formed hollow-cylindrically with a first outer diametric dimension and an adjacent second container wall section formed hollow-conically with a transition section arranged between the first container wall section and the second container wall section; a base closing the second end to surround a collecting chamber with the container wall, and support elements arranged as webs on the outer surface of the second container wall section.
Calotte-shaped extender element coupled by a positively locked snap connection
An extender element having a side wall extending from a first open end to a second end and a base wall adjacent to the second end, where the base wall of the extender element is calotte-shaped, and the sample container projects into the first open end such that the second container wall section is arranged at a distance; a coupling device having at least one first coupling element and at least one second coupling element with snap connection engagement providing positively locked coupling between the extender element and the sample container when the coupling elements are in coupled engagement.
Groove-defined first coupling element with abutment for extender end face
A coupling device where the at least one first coupling element is formed as a continuous peripheral first groove together with a wall section of the side wall of the sample container adjoining towards the base, and where a first side face of the first groove forms an abutment surface for an end face of the extender element in a region of its first open end and also provides an axial abutment for the first end face.
Continuous straight hollow-cylindrical side wall and calotte base with breakthrough
The side wall of the extender element is formed hollow-cylindrically and continuous and straight as seen in axial section between the first open end and the second end, and the base wall of the extender element has at least one breakthrough perforating the base wall arranged at a distance from the longitudinal axis in the radial direction while the base wall is continuously formed in the region of the longitudinal axis.
Closure device to reduce collecting chamber pressure below ambient
When the collecting chamber is closed by the closure device, the collecting chamber is reduced to a lower pressure than ambient pressure.
Across the provided material, the claim coverage centers on a specific sample container geometry, a calotte-shaped extender element with a breakthrough in the base wall, and a positively locked snap connection formed by cooperating coupling elements including a continuous peripheral first groove with abutment surfaces. The closure device is also recited as reducing collecting chamber pressure below ambient pressure.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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