Sample tube

Abstract

A sample tube including a cylindrical part and a conical part is described. The cylindrical part can include, a first wall portion having a first wall portion thickness, a second wall portion having a second wall portion thickness, and a shoulder including a planar first surface and a conically beveled second surface disposed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. The first wall portion can be disposed closer to the planar first surface than the conically beveled second surface. The conical part can be shaped as a frustrum of a cone having a conical part wall thickness. The frustrum can include a wider-end and a narrower-end. The wider-end of the frustrum can be in contact with the second wall portion of the cylindrical part. At least one of the first wall portion thickness and the second wall portion thickness can be greater than the conical part wall thickness.

1 . A sample tube comprising: 
 a cylindrical part including 
 a first wall portion having a first wall portion thickness,  
 a second wall portion having a second wall portion thickness, and  
 a shoulder including a planar first surface and a conically beveled second surface disposed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion wherein the first wall portion is disposed closer to the planar first surface than is the conically beveled second surface; and  
   a conical part being shaped as a frustrum of a cone and having a conical part wall thickness, the frustrum comprising a wider-end and a narrower-end, and wherein the wider-end is in contact with the second wall portion of the cylindrical part;    wherein at least one of the first wall portion thickness and the second wall portion thickness is greater than the conical part wall thickness.    
     
     
         2 . The sample tube of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall portion thickness is greater than the second wall portion thickness.  
     
     
         3 . The sample tube of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall portion thickness is about 0.022 inches and the second wall portion thickness is about 0.015 inches.  
     
     
         4 . The sample tube of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder has a wall thickness of about 0.030 inches.  
     
     
         5 . The sample tube of  claim 1 , wherein the narrower-end of the conical part comprises a closed end.  
     
     
         6 . The sample tube of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder comprises a planar surface that extends radially away from the cylindrical part.  
     
     
         7 . The sample tube of  claim 1 , wherein the sample tube comprises plastics compatible with a polymerase chain reaction.  
     
     
         8 . The sample tube of  claim 7 , wherein the sample tube comprises polypropylene.  
     
     
         9 . The sample tube of  claim 8 , wherein the polypropylene has a high melt index.  
     
     
         10 . The sample tube of  claim 8 , wherein the polypropylene has a high molecular density.  
     
     
         11 . The sample tube of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap pivotally attached to the cylindrical part and including a portion that is removably insertable into said sample tube.  
     
     
         12 . The sample tube of  claim 11 , wherein the cap further comprises a substantially cylindrically-shaped third portion and a resiliently deformable closed dome-shaped fourth portion.  
     
     
         13 . The sample tube of  claim 12 , wherein the dome-shaped fourth portion extends away from the third portion, and the cap further comprises a circumferential shoulder, extending radially outwardly, attached to and interposed between said third portion and the fourth portion.  
     
     
         14 . The sample tube of  claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical part, the conical part, and the cap comprise a one-piece assembly.  
     
     
         15 . The sample tube of  claim 8 , wherein the cap comprises polypropylene.