The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 05, 1994
Filed:
Aug. 20, 1992
Michael C Grimm, Laguna Hills, CA (US);
Philippe F Bailley, Norwood, NJ (US);
Joseph W Price, Newport Beach, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
An improved vial assembly is provided for storing a quantity of material for cryogenic freezing, such as a sample of semen for use in artificial insemination. The vial assembly includes a locking mechanism to prevent the vial from being opened and then reclosed prior to final use. The locking mechanism includes a pair of apertured locking members, one on the vial, and one on the cap of the vial. The locking members are positioned for mutual alignment only when the cap is securely tightened onto the vial. A locking pin is provided for one-way insertion through the apertures of the locking members to prevent the cap from being removed without severing or destroying the locking pin. With this locking mechanism, the integrity of the contents of the vial is substantially ensured until the vial is selected for use and the locking pin is severed in the presence of a patient recipient. A secondary vial is also provided which mounts to the main vial. The secondary vial holds a small quantity of a sample contained within the main vial for use in determining the viability of the sample of the main vial. The entire vial assembly is connected together into a single, generally cylindrical unit, which may be mounted to a mounting bar for insertion into a cryogenic bath.