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:
Oct. 29, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 03, 2001
John K. Domici, Jr., Flemington, NJ (US);
GEM Plastics, Inc., Hillsborough, NJ (US);
Abstract
A fluid collection device includes a receptacle for holding a fluid collecting vial and a shield that telescopically receives a portion of the receptacle. The receptacle and shield have closed distal ends with aligned apertures for receiving a vacuum needle. The receptacle is axially displaced within the shield between two releasable locking positions. The first releasable locking position is a “needle exposure” position, wherein the needle is exposed outside of the shield and is ready for use. The second releasable locking position is a “needle storage” position, wherein the needle is completely withdrawn into the shield for protective storage during nonuse. The receptacle has at least one locking tab and at least one engaging tab, and the shield has at least one slot and at least one barrier for receiving and engaging the locking tab and engaging tab, respectively. When in the “needle storage” position, the engaging tab is received within the slot and an edge of the locking tab abuts the barrier to prevent the receptacle from moving axially within the shield beyond a selected distance between the receptacle proximal end and the shield proximal end. The locking tab may further be depressed radially toward the exterior surface of the receptacle to disengage the locking tab from the barrier and release the device from the “needle storage” position.