JP7347893B2 - Cap member, stopper, and blood collection container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cap member constituting a stopper for sealing the open end of a body fluid collection container having an open end. The present invention also relates to a stopper provided with the above-mentioned cap member, and a blood collection container provided with the stopper.

2. Description of the Related Art In order to collect body fluids such as blood, a body fluid collection container equipped with a stopper is widely used. A stopper attached to a body fluid collection container generally includes a stopper body such as a rubber stopper, and a cap member attached to the stopper body.

Examples of such body fluid collection containers include blood collection containers such as blood collection tubes. The blood collection container includes a body fluid collection container having an open end and a stopper attached to the open end, and maintains sterility inside the blood collection container.

As an example of a stopper attached to a body fluid collection container, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a lid assembly (stopper) that seals the open end of a body fluid collection tube. The lid assembly includes a stopper with a specific structure, a flexible cap body with top and bottom stop shelves, and an annular skirt. The inner wall of the annular skirt of the flexible cap body is provided with an integral abutment having a tapered surface. In addition, the said contact part is annular and is an annular contact part.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-145685

In order to make it difficult for the stopper body to come off from the cap member, an annular protrusion may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cap member. Such a cap member is generally manufactured by injecting a resin composition into a mold corresponding to the shape of the cap member and molding the resin composition.

In order to make it easier to remove the molded body from the mold, the sides of the molded body may be slightly bulged. In a conventional cap member provided with an annular protrusion (an annular contact part) as described in Patent Document 1, the side surface of the molded object is difficult to swell, and when the molded object is taken out from the mold, the molded object is The annular protrusion may be deformed if the inner surface gets caught in the mold. Deformation of the protrusion during molding causes a decrease in yield. Further, when the protrusion is deformed, the plug body may come off from the cap member.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cap member that can suppress deformation of a protruding portion during molding and that prevents the stopper body from coming off from the cap member. Another object of the present invention is to provide a stopper including the cap member, and a blood collection container including the stopper.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap member constituting a stopper attached to the open end of a body fluid collection container having an open end, the cap member comprising a top plate portion and extending downward from a periphery of the top plate portion. A cap member is provided that includes a side portion and a plurality of protrusions on an inner surface of the side portion that protrude radially inward of the cap member.

In a particular aspect of the cap member according to the present invention, the height of the protrusion is 0.1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less.

In a particular aspect of the cap member according to the present invention, the maximum width of the protrusion is 0.5 mm or more and 4 mm or less.

In a particular aspect of the cap member according to the present invention, a circumferential distance of the cap member between the adjacent protrusions is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

In a particular aspect of the cap member according to the present invention, the number of the protrusions is 3 or more and 8 or less.

In a particular aspect of the cap member according to the present invention, the protrusion has a trapezoidal cross section along the length direction of the cap member.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stopper that includes a stopper main body and the above-described cap member, and the cap member is sheathed so as to cover the outer surface of the stopper main body.

In a particular aspect of the stopper according to the present invention, the material of the stopper body is an elastomer.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blood collection container comprising a body fluid collection container having an open end and the above-mentioned stopper, the stopper being attached to the open end. A container is provided.

The cap member according to the present invention is a cap member that constitutes a stopper attached to an open end of a body fluid collection container having an open end. The cap member according to the present invention includes a top plate portion, a side portion extending downward from the periphery of the top plate portion, and a plurality of protrusions on the inner surface of the side portion that protrude radially inward of the cap member. Be prepared. Since the cap member according to the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, deformation of the protruding portion during molding can be suppressed, and the stopper body is difficult to come off from the cap member.

1(a), FIG. 1(b), FIG. 1(c), and FIG. 1(d) are a plan view, a front view, a bottom view, and a front sectional view of a cap member according to an embodiment of the present invention. be. FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are partially cutaway front sectional views showing enlarged main parts of a cap member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of a plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a blood collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front sectional view showing an enlarged main part of a blood collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) are front sectional views for explaining the process of inserting a blood collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention into a blood collection holder.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Cap member]
1(a), FIG. 1(b), FIG. 1(c), and FIG. 1(d) are a plan view, a front view, a bottom view, and a front sectional view of a cap member according to an embodiment of the present invention. be. FIG. 1(a) is a plan view. FIG. 1(b) is a front view. FIG. 1(c) is a bottom view. FIG. 1(d) is a front sectional view.

The cap member 1 is a cap member that constitutes a stopper attached to an open end of a body fluid collection container having an open end.

The cap member 1 includes a top plate portion 11, a side surface portion 12 extending downward from the periphery of the top plate portion 11, and a plurality of protrusions 13 that protrude inward in the radial direction of the cap member on the inner surface 12a of the side surface portion 12. Equipped with

Since the cap member 1 is provided with the above-mentioned configuration, deformation of the protruding portion 13 during molding can be suppressed, and the stopper body is difficult to come off from the cap member.

With conventional cap members, when the molded body is taken out from the mold, the sides of the molded body may not swell easily, and as a result, the inner surface of the side face of the molded body gets caught in the mold, resulting in deformation of the protrusion. Sometimes.

For this reason, in the conventional cap member, when a plug body is manufactured by attaching the conventional cap member to a plug body, the plug body may fall or come off from the cap member. The stopper body may come off from the cap member when a force is applied in the direction of removing the stopper body from the cap member, such as when removing the stopper from a body fluid collection container, immediately after the stopper is manufactured, or during transportation of the stopper. It's easy to happen.

In the cap member 1, when the molded body is taken out from the mold, the side surface of the molded body easily swells, and the molded body can be taken out from the mold in a good manner. Therefore, deformation of the protrusion 13 can be suppressed.

Further, since the cap member 1 can suppress deformation of the protruding portion 13, it is possible to effectively suppress the stopper main body from coming off from the cap member 1. In the cap member 1, although the contact area between the protrusion and the stopper body is smaller than that of a conventional cap member having an annular protrusion, it is possible to effectively prevent the stopper main body from coming off from the cap member 1. can. In the cap member 1, although the contact area between the protrusion and the stopper body is smaller than that of a conventional cap member having an annular protrusion, the fitting force between the cap member and the stopper body does not decrease.

In the cap member 1, the stopper body is difficult to fall or come off from the cap member 1 immediately after the stopper is manufactured and even during transportation of the stopper. Since the cap member 1 is provided with the protrusion 13, the downward movement of the stopper body can be effectively suppressed.

In the cap member 1, even when a force is applied in the direction of removing the cap body from the cap member 1, such as when removing the cap body from a body fluid collection container, the cap body does not easily come off from the cap member 1. In the cap member 1, even if a force is applied in a direction to remove the plug body from the cap member 1, the plug body will bite into the recess formed by the adjacent protrusion 13 and the inner surface 12a of the side surface 12 between them, and the plug will be removed. The main body is difficult to come off from the cap member 1.

Furthermore, in the cap member 1, even if the side surface of the molded object is slightly inflated in order to facilitate removal of the molded object from the mold, the bulged side surface tends to return to its original shape. Therefore, a cap member that corresponds to the shape of the mold can be obtained satisfactorily.

Moreover, in the cap member 1, the occurrence of defective products can be suppressed, and the yield of cap members and plugs can be improved.

The protrusion 13 is provided in an arc shape. The protrusion 13 is different from an annular protrusion. The protrusion 13 has the shape of an annular protrusion with a portion removed.

The protrusions 13 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cap member 1. The protrusions 13 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cap member 1. The protrusions may not be provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cap member.

The cap member 1 includes three protrusions 13. The number of the protrusions does not need to be three. The cap member of the present invention includes two or more protrusions. The number of the protrusions is preferably 3 or more, preferably 8 or less, and more preferably 5 or less. When the number of the protrusions is greater than or equal to the lower limit and less than or equal to the upper limit, deformation of the protrusions can be effectively suppressed. When the number of the protrusions is equal to or greater than the lower limit, it is possible to effectively prevent the stopper main body from coming off the cap member.

In the cap member 1, all three protrusions have the same shape and the same dimensions. All of the plurality of protrusions do not need to have the same shape and dimensions.

In the cap member 1, all three protrusions are provided at the same height position on the cap member. All of the protrusions may or may not be provided at the same height position on the cap member. In order to effectively suppress the deformation of the protruding parts and to effectively prevent the stopper body from coming off the cap member, all of the protruding parts should be provided at the same height position on the cap member. is preferred.

As shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later, the cross section of the protrusion 13 along the length direction of the cap member is trapezoidal. The shape of the cross section of the protruding portion along the length direction of the cap member may not be trapezoidal. The shape of the cross section of the protruding portion along the length direction of the cap member may be semicircular, semielliptic, or polygonal other than trapezoid. When the shape of the cross section of the protruding portion along the length direction of the cap member is a trapezoid, the trapezoid may be an isosceles trapezoid or a trapezoid other than the isosceles trapezoid.

From the viewpoint of effectively suppressing the deformation of the protrusion and also effectively preventing the stopper body from coming off the cap member, the cross section of the protrusion along the length of the cap member should have a triangular or square shape. It is preferably trapezoidal, and more preferably trapezoidal.

The outer shape of the top plate portion 11 is annular. The top plate portion 11 has a circular opening 11a in the center. From the viewpoint of making it easier to insert a needle such as a blood sampling needle into the stopper, it is preferable that the top plate portion has an opening. When the top plate portion has an opening, the outer shape of the opening may be circular or polygonal.

The outer shape of the top plate portion can be changed depending on the shape of the stopper body.

The side surface portion 12 extends downward from the periphery of the top plate portion 11. The outer shape of the side surface portion 12 is cylindrical. A top plate portion 11 is provided at the upper end of the side surface portion 12. The lower end of the side surface portion 12 corresponds to the lower end of the cap member. The outer shape of the side part can be changed depending on the shape of the stopper body or the body fluid collection container.

The cap member 1 includes a plurality of ribs 14 on the outer surface 12b of the side surface portion 12 that protrude outward in the radial direction of the cap member. The cap member 1 includes 16 ribs 14. The cap member may or may not include ribs. Improved handling of the cap member, stopper, and body fluid collection container, such as making it easier to remove the stopper from the body fluid collection container after body fluid collection, and preventing the cap member, stopper, and body fluid collection container from rolling. From the viewpoint of increasing the resistance, it is preferable that the cap member includes ribs.

In the cap member 1, the rib 14 does not reach the upper end of the cap member 1. The rib may extend to the upper end of the cap member. In the cap member 1, the ribs 14 do not reach the lower end of the cap member. The rib may extend to the lower end of the cap member.

The outer surface 12b of the side surface portion 12 partially has a recess 12c. The recess 12c is recessed in the outer surface 12b compared to the portion of the outer surface that does not include the rib 14. The outer surface 12b has a total of four recesses 12c every 1/4 circumference. The outer surface of the side surface may or may not have a recess. From the viewpoint of improving the handling of the cap member, the stopper, and the body fluid collection container, such as preventing the cap member, the stopper, and the body fluid collection container from rolling, the cap member preferably has a recess.

The recess 12c does not reach the upper end of the cap member 1. The recess may reach the upper end of the cap member. The recess 12c does not reach the lower end of the cap member 1. The recess may reach the lower end of the cap member.

Hereinafter, dimensions etc. of the cap member of the present invention will be explained.

The cap member of the present invention is a cap member that constitutes a stopper attached to an open end of a body fluid collection container having an open end.

Examples of the container including the body fluid collection container and the stopper include blood collection containers such as blood collection tubes. When collecting a blood sample into a blood collection container, the blood collection container and a blood collection holder equipped with a blood collection needle are prepared, and the stopper side of the blood collection container is inserted into the blood collection holder. Therefore, the dimensions of the cap member constituting the stopper can be changed as appropriate depending on the dimensions of the body fluid collection container, the stopper body, the blood collection holder, etc. to be used.

There are various types of blood collection tubes depending on the volume of blood to be collected, such as 5cc blood collection tubes, 7cc blood collection tubes, and 10cc blood collection tubes, and each has a predetermined length, inner diameter, outer diameter, etc.

From the viewpoint of allowing the cap member to be used regardless of the size of the blood collection tube, the maximum inner diameter of the cap member is preferably 12 mm or more, more preferably 13 mm or more, preferably 18 mm or less, and more preferably 17 mm or less. .

From the viewpoint of improving the handleability of the cap member, the length of the cap member is preferably 11 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more, preferably 25 mm or less, and more preferably 20 mm or less.

Note that the length of the cap member indicates the distance from the upper end to the lower end of the cap member.

From the viewpoint of improving the handleability of the cap member, the thickness of the top plate portion is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, preferably 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2 mm or less.

In order to properly take out the molded body from the mold, the maximum thickness of the side surface portion is preferably It is 0.3 mm or more, more preferably 0.4 mm or more, preferably 2 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or less.

The thickness of the side surface portion above and below the protrusion may be the same or different. If the thickness of the side surface portion is different above and below the protrusion, the thickness of the side surface above the protrusion is greater than the thickness of the side surface below the protrusion. The thickness of the side surface portion above the protrusion may be smaller than the thickness of the side surface portion below the protrusion.

When the cap member includes ribs, the length of the ribs is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 14 mm or more. When the length of the rib is equal to or greater than the lower limit, the handleability of the body fluid collection container can be improved.

When the cap member includes ribs, the height of the ribs is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.3 mm or more, preferably 1 mm or less, and more preferably 0.8 mm or less. When the height of the rib is not less than the lower limit and not more than the upper limit, the body fluid collection container can be easily handled.

Note that the length direction of the rib corresponds to the length direction of the cap member, and the height direction of the rib corresponds to the radial direction of the cap member.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are partially cutaway front sectional views showing enlarged main parts of a cap member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the ribs 14 and recesses 12c shown in FIG. 1 are not shown. Further, FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the shape of a part of the protrusion 13 shown in FIG. 1 (the shape of the cross section along the length direction of the cap member).

Hereinafter, the shape, dimensions, etc. of the protrusion will be further explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The protruding portion 13 includes a first surface 13a of the side surface 12 opposite to the inner surface 12a, a second surface 13b on the upper end side of the cap member 1, and a third surface 13c on the lower end side of the cap member 1. and a fourth surface 13d and a fifth surface 13e on the adjacent protrusion side. The first surface 13a is an arcuate surface. The first surface 13a is a curved surface. The first surface 13a is located at the tip of the protrusion. The second surface 13b is an inclined surface that approaches the third surface 13c as it moves away from the side surface 12. The third surface 13c is an inclined surface that approaches the second surface 13b as it moves away from the side surface 12. The angle of inclination of the second surface 13b is greater than the angle of inclination of the third surface 13c. The above-mentioned inclination angle means the smaller of the angles formed by the inner surface 12a of the side surface portion 12 and the second surface 13b or the third surface 13c. The fourth surface 13d is a surface opposite to the fifth surface 13e. The angles formed between the fourth surface 13d or the fifth surface 13e and each of the inner surface 12a, the first surface 13a, the second surface 13b, and the third surface 13c are right angles. By forming the protrusion into such a shape, deformation of the protrusion can be suppressed even more effectively, and the plug main body can be effectively suppressed from coming off from the cap member.

The protrusion 13 has a trapezoidal cross section along the length direction of the cap member 1. In the protruding portion 13, in a cross section along the length direction of the cap member 1, a side is formed by the first surface 13a, a side is formed by the second surface 13b, and a third surface 13c. A trapezoid is formed by the sides and the side connecting the side formed by the second surface 13b and the side formed by the third surface 13c. In the trapezoid, the length of the side formed by the second surface 13b is shorter than the length of the side formed by the third surface 13c.

When the cross section of the protrusion along the length direction of the cap member has a trapezoidal shape, one of the second surface and the third surface of the protrusion may not be an inclined surface. . Further, when both the second surface and the third surface of the protrusion are inclined surfaces, the angle of inclination of the third surface may be larger than the angle of inclination of the second surface.

When the cross section of the protruding portion along the length direction of the cap member is trapezoidal, the fourth surface or the fifth surface, the inner surface, the first surface, and the second surface. , and the third surface may not be right angles. For example, the fourth surface may be an inclined surface that approaches the fifth surface as it moves away from the side surface, or may be an inclined surface that moves away from the fifth surface. The fifth surface may be an inclined surface that approaches the fourth surface as it moves away from the side surface, or may be an inclined surface that moves away from the fourth surface.

The first surface, the second surface, the third surface, the fourth surface, and the fifth surface may each be a flat surface or a curved surface. The second surface, the third surface, the fourth surface, and the fifth surface may each be an inclined surface (tapered surface) that tapers away from the side surface, and as the distance from the side surface increases. It may be a sloped surface (reverse tapered surface) that tapers at the beginning.

The height H of the protrusion is preferably 0.1 mm or more, preferably 0.7 mm or less, and more preferably 0.4 mm or less. When the height H is equal to or greater than the lower limit, it is possible to more effectively prevent the stopper main body from coming off from the cap member. When the height H is less than or equal to the upper limit, deformation of the protrusion can be suppressed even more effectively.

Note that the height H indicates the distance from the inner surface of the side surface to the tip of the protrusion. If the thickness of the side surface is different above and below the protrusion, the height H is the distance from the inner surface of the side surface above the protrusion to the tip of the protrusion. shows.

The maximum width W1 of the protrusion is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, preferably 4 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less. When the maximum width W1 is greater than or equal to the lower limit and less than or equal to the upper limit, deformation of the protrusion can be suppressed even more effectively.

It is preferable that the maximum width direction of the protrusion corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the protrusion. Preferably, the maximum width direction of the protrusion corresponds to the length direction of the cap member.

The distance L between the top plate portion and the protruding portion is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 4 mm or more, preferably 7 mm or less, and more preferably 6 mm or less. When the distance L is greater than or equal to the lower limit and less than or equal to the upper limit, deformation of the protruding portion can be more effectively suppressed, and detachment of the stopper main body from the cap member can be further effectively suppressed.

In addition, the said distance L shows the distance from the inner surface of a top plate part to the position of 1/2 of the maximum width of a protrusion part.

The ratio of the distance L between the top plate portion and the protruding portion to the length of the cap member (distance L/length of the cap member) is preferably 1/5 or more, more preferably 1/4 or more, and preferably 1 /2 or less, more preferably 1/3 or less. When the above-mentioned ratio is above the above-mentioned lower limit and below the above-mentioned upper limit, deformation of the protrusion can be suppressed even more effectively, and detachment of the stopper main body from the cap member can be suppressed even more effectively.

The circumferential distance X of the cap member between the adjacent protrusions is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 3 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or less. When the circumferential distance X is equal to or greater than the lower limit, deformation of the protrusion can be effectively suppressed. When the circumferential distance X is equal to or less than the upper limit, the stopper main body can be effectively prevented from coming off from the cap member.

Note that the circumferential distance X indicates the distance (length) on the inner surface of the side surface of the cap member between the adjacent protrusions.

The circumferential dimension Y of the cap member of the protrusions can be changed as appropriate depending on the number of protrusions, the inner diameter of the cap member, and the like.

Note that the circumferential dimension Y indicates the dimension on the inner surface of the side surface of the cap member of the protrusion.

At the height position of the cap member where a plurality of the protrusions are provided, the ratio of the total circumferential dimension Y of the cap member of the protrusions to the circumferential dimension of the cap member (the ratio of the circumferential dimension Y of the cap member of the protrusions) The total dimension Y/circumferential dimension of the cap member) is preferably 1/2 or more, more preferably 3/5 or more, preferably 9/10 or less, and more preferably 4/5 or less. When the ratio is equal to or higher than the lower limit, deformation of the protrusion can be effectively suppressed. When the ratio is equal to or less than the upper limit, it is possible to effectively prevent the stopper main body from coming off the cap member.

Note that the above ratio (total circumferential dimension Y of the cap member of the protrusions/circumferential dimension of the cap member) is the same for a cap member that includes three protrusions of the same shape at equal intervals at the same height position of the cap member. 1 indicates 3Y/3(X+Y).

When the shape of the cross section along the length direction of the cap member of the protrusion is trapezoidal, the width W2 of the surface (first surface 13a) of the protrusion opposite to the inner surface of the side surface of the cap member of the protrusion is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, preferably 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2 mm or less. When the width W2 is greater than or equal to the lower limit and less than or equal to the upper limit, deformation of the protruding portion can be effectively suppressed, and detachment of the stopper main body from the cap member can be effectively suppressed.

When the cross section of the protruding portion along the length direction of the cap member is trapezoidal, the width W3 of the upper end side surface (second surface 13b) of the cap member of the protruding portion is not particularly limited.

When the cross section of the protruding portion along the length direction of the cap member is trapezoidal, the width W4 of the lower end surface (third surface 13c) of the cap member of the protruding portion is not particularly limited.

Other details of the cap member will be described below.

In order to improve moldability, the material of the cap member is preferably resin. Only one type of the above resin may be used, or two or more types may be used.

Examples of the resin include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and polycarbonate.

The top plate portion, the side surface portion, the protruding portion, and the ribs that constitute the cap member may be made of the same material or different materials. From the viewpoint of facilitating molding, it is preferable that the same material be used for the top plate portion, the side surface portion, the protrusion portion, and the rib.

A slit may be provided in the side surface of the cap member of the present invention. It is preferable that the slit is provided so as to extend upward from the lower end of the side surface. By providing the slit in the side surface of the cap member, the cap member can deform inward in the radial direction when the outer surface of the side surface comes into contact with the inner wall of the blood collection holder. Can provide frictional resistance. Moreover, since the deformed portion applies force to the outside in the radial direction of the cap member due to its elasticity, the stopper can be held in the blood collection holder with an appropriate force.

When the side surface portion has slits, the number of slits is preferably three or more. When the number of slits is at least the above lower limit, the cap member can be inserted into the blood collection holder favorably.

[Bung body]
The stopper of the present invention includes a stopper main body and the cap member. In the plug body of the present invention, the cap member is provided so as to cover the outer surface of the plug body. In addition, in the plug body of the present invention, the cap member does not need to cover the entire outer surface of the plug body. When the cap member has an opening in the top plate portion, the outer surface of the stopper body is not covered in the opening portion. Further, since the end of the cap member opposite to the top plate is open, the outer surface of the stopper body is not covered in the open portion.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of a plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The plug body 2 includes a cap member 1 and a plug body 3. A cap member 1 is provided so as to cover the outer surface of the stopper body 3. The outer surface of the stopper body 3 and the inner surface 12a of the side surface 12 of the cap member 1 are in contact with each other. The plug body 3 is held by the cap member 1. The lower end of the stopper body 3 is located above the lower end of the cap member 1.

The plug body 3 has a press-fitting part 3a on the lower side and a gripping part 3b on the upper side. The press-fitting part 3a is a part that is press-fitted into the open end of the body fluid collection container. The gripping portion 3b is a portion that is directly gripped by the cap member 1. The side surface of the grip portion 3b and the inner surface 12a of the side surface portion 12 of the cap member 1 are in contact with each other. The outer diameter of the gripping part 3b is larger than the outer diameter of the press-fitting part 3a. Therefore, a step 3c is formed by the press-fitting part 3a and the gripping part 3b. The gripping portion 3b has a recessed portion 3d at the center of the upper surface.

The outer diameter of the gripping part is preferably larger than the outer diameter of the press-fitting part. That is, it is preferable that the stopper body has a step. In this case, since the stepped portion can be caught on the protrusion, it is possible to effectively prevent the stopper main body from coming off from the cap member. Furthermore, since the stopper can be properly attached to the open end of the body fluid collection container, the sterility of the body fluid collection container can be maintained well.

The outer diameter of the press-fitting part is not particularly limited, as long as it can be attached to the open end of the body fluid collection container.

The outer diameter of the grip part is not particularly limited. Preferably, the gripping portion has a recessed portion on the upper surface. In this case, the body fluid collection needle can be easily inserted into the stopper body, and scattering of the body fluid when the body fluid collection needle is removed from the stopper body can be suppressed.

The plug body and the protrusion may or may not be in contact with each other.

From the viewpoint of effectively suppressing the stopper body from coming off from the cap member, it is preferable that the stopper main body and the protrusion are in contact with each other.

However, even when the protrusion and the stopper body are not in contact with each other, when the stopper body moves downward, the protrusion effectively suppresses further downward movement of the stopper body. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the stopper main body from coming off from the cap member.

The dimensions of the stopper body can be changed as appropriate depending on the dimensions of the body fluid collection container, cap member, blood collection holder, etc. to be used.

From the viewpoint of improving the penetrability of the body fluid collection needle, the distance between the lower end of the recess provided on the upper surface of the grip and the lower end of the stopper body is preferably 3 mm or more, preferably 7 mm or less.

From the viewpoint of effectively suppressing the scattering of body fluid when the body fluid sampling needle is removed from the stopper body, the depth of the recess provided on the upper surface of the gripping portion is preferably 4 mm or more, and preferably 8 mm or less.

The material of the stopper body is preferably an elastomer. As for the material of the stopper main body, only one type may be used, or two or more types may be used in combination.

Examples of the elastomer include thermosetting elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, and the like. Examples of the thermosetting elastomer include isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, butadiene rubber, and styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber. Examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include styrene elastomer.

When the material of the stopper body is the above-mentioned elastomer, the stopper body is a rubber stopper. Preferably, the stopper body is a rubber stopper.

When the stopper body is a rubber stopper, the stopper body can be easily deformed, so that even if a force is applied in the direction of removing the stopper main body from the cap member, the stopper body formed by the adjacent protrusions and the inner surface of the side surface between them can be easily deformed. The plug main body bites into the recessed part, and the downward movement of the plug main body can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, when the stopper body is a rubber stopper, the stopper main body can be deformed well, so the step formed by the press-fitting part and the gripping part can come into good contact with the protruding part, and the cap member of the stopper main body can be smoothly deformed. Effectively suppresses slippage.

[Blood collection container]
The blood collection container of the present invention includes a body fluid collection container having an open end and the stopper. In the blood collection container of the present invention, the stopper is attached to the open end.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a blood collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The blood collection container 5 includes a body fluid collection container 4 and a stopper 2. The plug body 2 includes a cap member 1 and a plug body 3. In FIG. 4, the stopper body held inside the cap member 1 is not shown. A stopper 2 is attached to the open end of the body fluid collection container 4.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front sectional view showing an enlarged main part of a blood collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The blood collection container 5 includes a body fluid collection container 4 and a stopper 2. The plug body 2 includes a cap member 1 and a plug body 3. A stopper 2 is attached to the open end of the body fluid collection container 4.

The press-fitting portion 3a of the stopper body 3 is press-fitted into the opening of the body fluid collection container 4. The inner surface of the body fluid collection container 4 is in contact with the side surface of the press-fit portion 3a of the stopper body 3. From the viewpoint of maintaining good sterility of the body fluid collection container, it is preferable that the inner surface of the body fluid collection container and the side surface of the press-fitting portion of the stopper body are in contact with each other.

The upper end of the body fluid collection container 4 is in contact with the step 3c of the stopper body 3. From the viewpoint of maintaining good sterility of the body fluid collection container, it is preferable that the upper end of the body fluid collection container and the step of the stopper body are in contact with each other.

In the blood collection container 5, the inner surface 12a of the side surface 12 of the cap member 1 is not in contact with the outer surface of the body fluid collection container 4. The inner surface of the side surface of the cap member and the outer surface of the body fluid collection container may or may not be in contact with each other. For example, the side surface of the cap member may be inclined inward in order to bring the inner surface of the side surface of the cap member into contact with the outer surface of the body fluid collection container.

The protrusion and the outer surface of the body fluid collection container may or may not be in contact with each other.

Examples of the body fluid collection container include blood collection tube bodies and the like.

Examples of the blood collection container include blood collection tubes and the like.

The blood collection container described above is suitably used as a blood collection tube.

When collecting a blood sample into a blood collection container (blood collection tube), such as when using the blood collection container described above as a blood collection tube, prepare the blood collection container described above and a blood collection holder equipped with a blood collection needle, and then Perform steps 1)-3). Step 1) Insert one end of the blood sampling needle into the blood vessel. Step 2) Insert the blood collection container into the blood collection holder so that the needle tip at the other end of the blood collection needle passes through the stopper of the blood collection container. Step 3) Since the pressure inside the blood collection container is reduced, blood is drawn into the blood collection container through the blood collection needle.

FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) are front sectional views for explaining the process of inserting a blood collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention into a blood collection holder. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the above steps 1)-3).

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a blood collection container 5 and a blood collection holder 6 equipped with a blood collection needle 61 are prepared. The blood sampling needle 61 has a needle tip 61a at one end and a needle tip 61b at the other end.

In step 1), the needle tip 61a is inserted into the blood vessel.

In step 2), the needle tip 61b is pierced through the stopper body 3, and the blood collection container 5 is inserted into the blood collection holder 6, as shown in FIG. 6(c).

In step 3), blood is drawn into the blood collection container 5 through the blood collection needle 61. Since the inside of the blood collection container 5 is under reduced pressure, blood is drawn into the blood collection container 5 from the blood vessel due to the pressure difference.

After the above step 3), the blood collection container 5 can be removed from the blood collection holder 6 to obtain the blood collection container 5 in which the blood sample is accommodated.

As mentioned above, even when removing the blood collection container from the blood collection holder or removing the stopper from the blood collection container in order to obtain a blood sample contained inside the blood collection container (collection tube), In the present invention, since the cap member is provided with a specific protrusion, it is possible to effectively prevent the stopper main body from coming off from the cap member.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to Examples. The present invention is not limited only to the following examples.

(Example 1)
A resin composition (polypropylene) was injected into a mold having the cap member dimensions shown below and molded to produce a cap member A having the shape shown in FIG. 1.

Length: 20mm, minimum inner diameter: 15.5mm
Top plate thickness: 1mm, side thickness: 0.4mm
Rib length: 17mm, rib height: 0.1mm
Circumferential dimension of cap member (3 x (X+Y)): 48mm
Protrusion: 3 pieces, shape of cross section along the length direction of the cap member: trapezoid, height H: 0.16 mm, distance L between top plate and protrusion: 6 mm, maximum width W1: 2 mm, protrusion Width W2 of the side surface of the side surface of the cap member opposite to the inner surface: 1 mm, circumferential distance X of the cap member between adjacent protrusions: 8 mm, circumferential dimension Y of the cap member of the protrusions: 8 mm.

(Example 2)
A resin composition (polypropylene) was injected into a mold having the cap member dimensions shown below and molded to produce a cap member B having the shape shown in FIG. 1.

Length: 20mm, minimum inner diameter: 15.5mm
Top plate thickness: 1mm, side thickness: 0.4mm
Rib length: 17mm, rib height: 0.1mm
Circumferential dimension of cap member (3 x (X+Y)): 48mm
Protrusion: 3 pieces, shape of cross section along the length direction of the cap member: trapezoid, height H: 0.16 mm, distance L between top plate and protrusion: 6 mm, maximum width W1: 2 mm, protrusion Width W2 of the side surface of the side surface of the cap member opposite to the inner surface: 1 mm, circumferential distance X of the cap member between adjacent protrusions: 4 mm, circumferential dimension Y of the cap member of the protrusions: 12 mm.

(Example 3)
A cap member D having the shape shown in FIG. 1 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that polyethylene was used as the resin composition.

(Comparative example 1)
A resin composition (polypropylene) was injected into a mold having the cap member dimensions shown below and molded to produce a cap member C having an annular protrusion (one protrusion).

Length: 20mm, minimum inner diameter: 15.5mm
Top plate thickness: 1mm, side thickness: 0.4mm
Rib length: 17mm, rib height: 0.1mm
Circumferential dimension of cap member: 48mm
Protrusion: 1 piece (annular protrusion); cross-sectional shape along the length direction of the cap member: trapezoid (the cross-sectional shape is the same trapezoidal shape as in Examples 1 and 2); height H: 0. 16mm, distance L between the top plate and the protrusion: 6mm, maximum width W1: 2mm, width W2 of the surface opposite to the inner surface of the side surface of the cap member of the protrusion: 1mm, the width of the cap member of the protrusion Circumferential dimension Y: 48mm

(Comparative example 2)
A cap member E having an annular protrusion (one protrusion) was produced in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that polyethylene was used as the resin composition.

(evaluation)
<Deformation of protrusion>
The protruding portion of the obtained cap member was observed with a measuring microscope (“MM-60” manufactured by Nikon Corporation), the minimum inner diameter of the cap member was measured, and the minimum inner diameter of the mold (15.5 mm) and the cap member were measured. The absolute value of the difference from the minimum inner diameter was calculated. Note that the starting point and ending point of the minimum inner diameter are located on the surface of the protruding portion opposite to the inner surface of the side surface portion of the cap member.

[Criteria for determining the deformation of the protrusion]
○: The absolute value of the difference between the minimum internal diameter of the mold and the minimum internal diameter of the cap member is less than 0.5 mm ×: The absolute value of the difference between the minimum internal diameter of the mold and the minimum internal diameter of the cap member is 0.5 mm or more

<Fitting force between cap member and plug body>
The obtained cap member was wrapped so as to cover the outer surface of a rubber stopper (material: butyl rubber) having the shape shown in FIG. 3 to produce a stopper body. The obtained stopper was attached to the open end of a 10 cc blood collection tube body (outer diameter 16 mm, length 100 mm). In addition, at the time of attachment, the above-mentioned stopper body and the above-mentioned 10 cc blood collection tube body were adhered with an adhesive. Only the cap member was pulled using a tensile tester (“LRX” manufactured by Lloyd's Co., Ltd.), and the maximum strength at which the cap member came off from the plug body was defined as the fitting force.

The structure and results of the obtained cap member are shown in Table 1 below. Note that the height H is the average value of values measured at five or more locations using a measuring microscope ("MM-60" manufactured by Nikon Corporation).

In the cap members A, B, and D obtained in Examples 1 to 3, the deformation of the protruding portion during molding was suppressed compared to the cap members C and E obtained in Comparative Examples 1 and 2. In cap members A, B, and D, almost no deformation was observed in the entire protrusion, whereas in cap members C and E, deformation was observed in some parts of the protrusion. Larger deformations were observed.

In addition, in cap members A, B, and D, the fitting force between the cap member and the plug body is lower than that of cap members C and E, even though the contact area between the protrusion and the plug body is smaller. First, the fitting force of cap members A, B, and D and the fitting force of cap member C were equivalent. In the cap members A, B, and D, the plug main body bites into the recess formed by the adjacent protrusions and the inner surface of the side surface between them, making it difficult for the plug main body to come off from the cap member.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Cap member 2... Plug body 3... Plug body 3a... Press-fitting part 3b... Gripping part 3c... Step 3d... Recessed part 4... Body fluid collection container 5... Blood collection container 6... Blood collection holder 11... Top plate part 11a... Opening 12... Side part 12a... Inner surface 12b... Outer surface 12c... Recess 13... Projection part 13a... First surface 13b... Second surface 13c... Third surface 13d... Fourth surface 13e... Fifth surface 14 ...Rib 61...Blood sampling needle 61a, 61b...Needle tip

Claims (8)

A cap member constituting a stopper attached to an open end of a body fluid collection container having an open end, the cap member comprising:
comprising a top plate part, a side part extending downward from a periphery of the top plate part, and a plurality of protrusions protruding inward in the radial direction of the cap member on the inner surface of the side part ,
The protrusion includes a first surface opposite to the inner surface of the side surface, a second surface on the upper end side of the cap member, a third surface on the lower end side of the cap member, and an adjacent protrusion. having a fourth side and a fifth side;
The second surface is an inclined surface that approaches the third surface as it moves away from the side surface,
The third surface is an inclined surface that approaches the second surface as it moves away from the side surface,
A cap member, wherein the protruding portion has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape along the length direction of the cap member. The cap member according to claim 1, wherein the height of the protrusion is 0.1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less. The cap member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the maximum width of the protrusion is 0.5 mm or more and 4 mm or less. The cap member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a circumferential distance of the cap member between adjacent protrusions is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The cap member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of the protrusions is 3 or more and 8 or less. The stopper body,
and the cap member according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A plug body, wherein the cap member is wrapped so as to cover an outer surface of the plug body. The plug body according to claim 6 , wherein the material of the plug body is an elastomer. A blood collection container,
a body fluid collection container having an open end;
and a stopper according to claim 6 or 7 ,
A blood collection container, wherein the stopper is attached to the open end.

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