Container Assembly and System for Detection Thereof

Abstract

A closure and a container assembly are disclosed. The closure includes a first visual identifier and a second visual identifier, wherein the second visual identifier is different from the first visual identifier. The first visual identifier may be a first color, and the second visual identifier may be a second color. At least one of the first and/or second visual identifier may include a fluorescent compound having a characteristic fluorescent spectra. The first visual identifier and the second visual identifier may be provided on the annular skirt of the closure. The fluorescent compound may be provided on at least one of the closure and the container assembly and can be used to facilitate automated visualization of the fluorescent compound under fluorescence excitation light.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated processing system, comprising:
 a directing system for directing the location of collection containers, wherein the collection containers each comprise:
 a closed bottom portion, an open top portion, and a sidewall extending therebetween, adapted to receive a specimen sample therein; and 
 a closure, comprising a top surface and an annular skirt depending therefrom, wherein the annular skirt includes a first portion having a first visual identifier and a second portion having a second visual identifier, the second visual identifier being different from the first visual identifier; and 
   an automated visual identifier system for selectively identifying the collection containers to be directed by the directing system by the first portion and the second portion of the annular skirt of the closure.   
     
     
         2 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first visual identifier and second visual identifier form a visually distinct pattern relative to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first visual identifier is a first color, and the second visual identifier is a second color, the second color being different from the first color 
     
     
         4 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein either the first visual identifier or the second visual identifier comprises one or more fluorescent compounds having a characteristic fluorescent spectra. 
     
     
         5 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first visual identifier comprises a first fluorescent compound having a characteristic fluorescent spectra and the second visual identifier comprises a second fluorescent compound having a characteristic fluorescent spectra, the second fluorescent compound being different from the first fluorescent compound. 
     
     
         6 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a stopper at least partially disposed within the annular skirt, wherein at least one of the annular skirt and the stopper are configured for closing a container. 
     
     
         7 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface and the first portion of the annular skirt have the same visual identifier. 
     
     
         8 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion is printed over at least a portion of the first portion. 
     
     
         9 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is the base material of the closure. 
     
     
         10 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are co-formed. 
     
     
         11 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a first region adjacent the top surface and a second region adjacent the bottom surface of the annular skirt, and the second portion is disposed between the first region of the first portion and the second region of the first portion. 
     
     
         12 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a first region adjacent a first depending sidewall and a second region adjacent a second depending sidewall, and the second portion is disposed between the first region of the first portion and the second region of the first portion. 
     
     
         13 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluorescence excitation light source and a detector. 
     
     
         14 . The automated processing system of  claim 1 , further comprising an automatic decapper. 
     
     
         15 . A method for identifying a feature of a sample collection container comprising:
 providing a sample collection container adapted for joining with a closure, wherein the collection container contains one or more fluorescent compounds; and   providing the sample collection container for communication with a fluorescence detection station comprising a fluorescence excitation light source and a detector,   wherein the sample collection container is illuminated with fluorescence excitation light from the light source, and   wherein the presence of a fluorescent signal from the one or more fluorescent compounds is detected by a detector to identify a feature of the sample collection container.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the feature indicates a content of the sample collection container. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the feature indicates an intended testing procedure to be performed on a content of the sample collection container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sample collection container is a blood collection tube. 
     
     
         19 . A method for identifying a feature of a sample collection container comprising:
 providing a sample collection container adapted for joining with a closure, wherein the closure contains one or more fluorescent compounds; and   providing the closure for communication with a fluorescence detection station comprising a fluorescence excitation light source and a detector,   wherein the closure is illuminated with fluorescence excitation light from the light source, and   wherein the presence of a fluorescent signal from the one or more fluorescent compounds is detected by a detector to identify a feature of the closure and/or sample collection container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the feature indicates a content of the sample collection container. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the feature indicates an intended testing procedure to be performed on a content of the sample collection container. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sample collection container is a blood collection tube.