Closure and method of using same

Abstract

A closure having an operating member, a lower member having a near end connected to the operating member and a far end spaced along an axial direction from the proximal end. One or more sealing members extend from the lower member. A first bore extends along the axial direction through the operating member and into the lower member. Second bores extend along the axial direction into the operating member. The second bores are located around the first bore with dividers between adjacent bores. The dividers are arranged to increase the compression stiffness of the operating member.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DISCLOSURE[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 272,603 filed Oct. 9, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Art[0003]The present disclosure describes a closure for sealing a complementary opening. An exemplary embodiment includes an operating member having an operating surface that is contacted during insertion or removal; one or more sealing members which can impart a pressure-resistant seal; and a centering member that facilitates alignment of the closure during insertion. The closure can be operated manually or in an automated system. In another aspect, this disclosure describes methods of operating a closure, which can be manual or automated methods.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Medical testing is increasingly performed at central locations that process hundreds or even thousands of patient samples per day. These tests can be ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]For example, conventional push-type closures can be overly flexible, tending to become distorted when grasped with sufficient force to permit insertion, resulting in a poor seal that can cause containment failure. Other closures can be sufficiently rigid to prevent distortion, but (presumably for convenience of manufacturing) are made of a single material having uniform thickness throughout; consequently, the inserted portion of the closure in some instances can be overly rigid and unable to accommodate imperfect alignment, resulting in deformation or breakage of the closure, potentially resulting in containment failure. Many conventional push-type closures also lack centering features or aligning features, increasing the frequency of mis-insertion and risk of containment failure.

[0010]In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure provides a closure for sealing a complementary opening. The closure has an operating member, a lower member having a near end connected to the operating member and a far end spaced along an axial direction from the proximal end. One or more sealing members extend from the lower member. A first bore extends along the axial direction through the operating member and into the lower member. Second bores extend along the axial direction into the operating member. The second bores are located around the first bore with dividers between adjacent bores. The dividers are arranged to increase the compression stiffness of the operating member.

Problems solved by technology

Many conventional closures are not designed for high-throughput use, and perform poorly in such a demanding environment.

Poor performance can lead to containment failure and compromised assay reliability.

In high-throughput automated systems, closure problems can not only lead to loss of one particular sample, but also can jeopardize an entire sample run if the system becomes jammed, damaged, or contaminated due to one problem closure.

For example, conventional push-type closures can be overly flexible, tending to become distorted when grasped with sufficient force to permit insertion, resulting in a poor seal that can cause containment failure.

Other closures can be sufficiently rigid to prevent distortion, but (presumably for convenience of manufacturing) are made of a single material having uniform thickness throughout; consequently, the inserted portion of the closure in some instances can be overly rigid and unable to accommodate imperfect alignment, resulting in deformation or breakage of the closure, potentially resulting in containment failure.

Many conventional push-type closures also lack centering features or aligning features, increasing the frequency of mis-insertion and risk of containment failure.

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