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.

1 . A closure comprising:
 an operating member;   a lower member having a proximal end connected to the operating member and a distal end spaced along an axial direction from the proximal end;   one or more sealing members extending from the lower member;   a first bore extending along the axial direction through the operating member and into the lower member;   a plurality of second bores extending along the axial direction into the operating member, the plurality of second bores being located around the first bore;   a plurality of dividers between adjacent second bores, the dividers being arranged to increase the compression stiffness of the operating member.   
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the lower member has a wall thickness between an outer surface of the lower member and the first bore, and the operating member has a vertical dimension between a first side to which the lower member is connected and a second side opposite the first side, and the vertical dimension is substantially greater than the wall thickness. 
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the operating member has a vertical dimension between a first side to which the lower member is connected and a second side opposite the first side, and the vertical dimension is greater than 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the operating member has a vertical dimension between a first side to which the lower member is connected and a second side opposite the first side, and the vertical dimension is greater than 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the operating member has a modulus of elasticity between about 0.2 GPa and about 3.0 GPa when compressed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. 
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more sealing members has a substantially uniform thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 6 , wherein the substantially uniform thickness is between about 0.5 mm and about 2.0 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 6 , wherein the average distance that the sealing member extends from the lower member is between about 5 and about 15 times the substantially uniform thickness. 
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 7 , wherein the average distance that the sealing member extends from the lower member is between about 5 mm and about 15 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sealing members extend perpendicular to the axial direction. 
     
     
         11 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sealing members comprise annular rings extending from the lower member. 
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a test tube having a complementary opening formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more sealing members are adapted to contact an internal wall of the complementary opening to form a pressure-resistant seal when the lower member is inserted into the complementary opening. 
     
     
         14 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein the operating member comprises a shoulder that abuts an end of the complementary opening when the lower member is fully installed in the complementary opening. 
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein the complementary opening has a diameter of between about 12 mm and about 16 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein the force required for insertion or removal of the lower member into the complementary opening is between approximately 2 N and approximately 20 N. 
     
     
         17 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein the force required for insertion or removal of the lower member into the complementary opening is between approximately 2 N and approximately 40 N. 
     
     
         18 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a centering member extending in the axial direction from the distal end of the lower member. 
     
     
         19 . The closure of  claim 18 , wherein the tapered surface has an angle of between about 45 degrees and about 85 degrees relative to the axial direction. 
     
     
         20 . The closure of  claim 18 , wherein the first bore extends into the centering member. 
     
     
         21 . The closure of  claim 18 , wherein the first bore extends into the centering member and is shaped to approximate the shapes of the lower member and the centering member such that the lower member and centering member have an approximately uniform wall thickness. 
     
     
         22 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first bore is adapted to receive an alignment pin on an associated processing machine. 
     
     
         23 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the closure comprises walls of approximately uniform thickness, whereby the closure is adapted for manufacture by injection molding as a single piece. 
     
     
         24 . The closure of  claim 23 , wherein the thickness of each wall is between approximately 1/32″ and approximately 1/10″. 
     
     
         25 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the closure has a center of mass located between the proximal and distal ends of the lower member. 
     
     
         26 . The closure of  claim 22  wherein the first bore comprises a single molded form or piece.