Closure for specimen collection containers

Abstract

A closure for sealing closing a medical specimen container having a container wall defining a container interior and an open end. The closure includes a molded plastic closure frame having a cap portion for positioning over the open end of the container and an insertion portion depending from the cap portion for positioning adjacent the container wall. An elastomeric sheath is formed about the insertion portion of the frame. The elastomeric sheath is to be disposed in resilient frictional engagement with the container wall.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A closure for sealing closing a medical specimen container having a container wall defining a container interior and an open end, said closure comprising: 
 a closure frame including a cap portion for positioning over the open end of said container and an insertion portion depending from said cap portion for positioning adjacent said container wall; and    an elastomeric sheath formed about said insertion portion of said frame, said elastomeric sheath being positioned in resilient frictional engagement with said container wall.    
     
     
         2 . A closure of  claim 1  wherein said insertion portion is formed for positioning within said container interior.  
     
     
         3 . A closure of  claim 1  wherein said insertion portion includes a plurality of deflectable splines for resilient positioning adjacent said container wall.  
     
     
         4 . A closure of  claim 2  wherein said sheath is formed about said splines of said insertion portion.  
     
     
         5 . A closure of  claim 4  wherein said splines including said sheath thereabout provide for resilient engagement with said container wall.  
     
     
         6 . A closure of  claim 5  wherein said splines including said sheath thereabout are insertable within said container interior.  
     
     
         7 . A closure of  claim 3  wherein said frame includes an annular body forming said cap portion, said annular body having a central aperture and wherein said splines extend circumferentially about said central aperture.  
     
     
         8 . A closure of  claim 7  wherein said elastomeric sheath fills said central aperture of said annular body.  
     
     
         9 . A closure of  claim 3  wherein said frame is formed of molded plastic.  
     
     
         10 . A closure of  claim 9  wherein said sheath is formed of an elastomeric polymer.  
     
     
         11 . A closure of  claim 10 , wherein said elastomeric polymer is molded over said frame.  
     
     
         12 . A closure of  claim 8  wherein said cap annular body includes a first annular surface for positioning over said opening of said tube.