Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a liquid include a container including a body portion defining an internal chamber and at least one opening in communication with the internal chamber, and an insertable plug including a plug body with two rings attached to the plug body via hinges, the insertable plug configured to be inserted into the opening so that a portion of the plug body covers a lip of the opening to restrict access through the opening to the liquid contained in the internal chamber, wherein the hinges can be deformed to raise the two rings away from the plug body. An insertable plug for a container can include a cylindrical plug body, and two rings attached to the plug body by hinges, wherein the hinges can bend to orient the rings towards or away from the plug body.

Abstract: An improved cork closure for beverage and wine bottles having a recess on the outer face of the closure. The recess is designed to facilitate the extraction process by providing central constraint on the position of the corkscrew on the face of the closure and to guide the corkscrew along the axis of the closure. This recess does not interfere with any other type of extraction device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.

Abstract: A container (10) has a base (12) on a cap (14). The container (10) has a chamber (38) for liquid. The base (12) on the cap (14) are arranged to be interengaged so as to seal hermetically the chamber (38). The base (12) and the cap (14) have multi-sided portions which interengaged to form the hermetic seal. The cap (14) has outwardly flared sides so that as the cap (14) is rotated relative to the base (12) the cap is caused to move out of the base and the hermetic seal is broken so that the contents of the chamber (38) may be accessed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure device for a container, which seals an opening (6) that opens at the top of a container (2) and has a rim (7) on its periphery. The closure device comprises a seal member (8) that is to cover the opening (6) on the top of the container (2), and a synthetic resin cap (9) that is to press the seal member (8) against the upper surface of the rim (7). The seal member (8) comprises a flange (10) to be mounted on the upper surface of the rim (7). The cap (9) comprises a top wall (15), a cylinder part (16), and a locking part (18). The top wall (15) is to be disposed above the flange (10). The cylinder part (16) hangs down from the outer circumference of the top wall (15). The locking part (18) is disposed on the inner surface of the cylinder part (16). After the cap (9) is pushed down, the locking part (18) locks at the under surface of the rim (7). The upper surface of the flange (10) has a compressible projection (29).

Abstract: The invention relates to a universal closure device (1) for openings (2) of sample containers (3) having different cross-sections (4). The closure device (1) comprises a shaft part (6) extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis (5) and a plurality of sealing elements (12, 16), which are disposed in the region of an outer surface (9) of the shaft part (6) and are intended for applying to an inner lateral surface (11) of the sample container (3) to be closed, wherein said lateral surface faces the longitudinal axis (5). The sealing elements (12, 16) arranged on the shaft part (6) are arranged in succession in a circumferential plane and in the circumferential direction of the shaft part (6). At least one supporting element (31, 33) is arranged and extends between the sealing element (12, 16) and the outer surface (9) of the shaft part (6).

Abstract: An improved synthetic resin spout stopper to be combined with a discharge port of a container is provided. The spout stopper does not pose difficulty in breaking an annular score formed in an annular flange wall, when discarding the container. Damage to the annular score is avoided even if a considerably great impact is applied to the spout stopper owing to a fall of the container. Damage to the annular score is also avoided even when ultrasonic welding is adopted for welding the container and the spout stopper together. In an inner peripheral edge part of the annular flange wall, an annular additional score is disposed adjacent to the annular score radially outwardly of and/or radially inwardly of the annular score.

Abstract: A liquid container (10) has a base (12) and a cap (14) which interengage to form a hermetically sealed chamber (42). The cap (14) has a curved outer wall (18) and the base has a curved inner wall (36). The outer and inner walls (18, 36) have perspective non-circular portions and are of complementary shape. The cap (14) is able to be rotated axially relative to the base (12) by means of a handle (24) so that the outer and inner curved walls (18, 36) interact such that the cap (14) is released from the base (12) upon axial rotation thereof and the hermetic seal is broken.

Abstract: An environmentally-friendly hose plug may include an insertion section having a size selected for plugging a hose. The insertion section may be attached to a knob at a distal end of the hose plug through a gripping section. The gripping section provides a number of ridges to improve a technician's ability to handle the hose plug. The insertion section reduces the exertion of force by fluids in the hose against the hose plug. Thus, the hose plug is less likely to be forced from the hose by fluids in the hose. The insertion section may include one or more sealing rings for further reducing the leakage of fluids from the hose.

Abstract: A closure is shown for closing an opening of a vessel. The closure includes a stopper, a shield, and a pusher. The stopper seats at least partially within the vessel opening. The shield includes a recess configured to receive the stopper and at least partially defined by the inner surface of a skirt. The skirt is positioned outside the generally cylindrical neck of the vessel when the stopper is seated in the vessel opening. The pusher extends into the recess of the shield. The pusher is configured to push the stopper out of the opening when the shield is withdrawn axially, as when removing the closure from the opening. A method of assembling a closure is also shown, in which the pusher is positioned to push the stopper out of the opening when the shield is withdrawn axially from the vessel opening.

Abstract: A closure for sealing a container comprising a cap having an outer cap surface and an inner cap surface, wherein said cap is capable of being removably attached to the container, and a wall having a first wall edge, a second wall edge, an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface.

Abstract: A reaction tube for use in performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in a thermal cycler, is provided herein such reaction tube includes a hollow tube of heat conducting synthetic plastics material having an open top and a flat bottom formed of an optically-clear material. Such reaction tube also includes a solid plug cap nesting within said hollow tube and to provide a minimized void volume within the hollow tube and to minimize evaporation and condensation of the biological fluid.

Abstract: A closure is shown for closing an opening of a vessel. The closure includes a stopper, a shield, and a pusher. The stopper seats at least partially within the vessel opening. The shield includes a recess configured to receive the stopper and at least partially defined by the inner surface of a skirt. The skirt is positioned outside the generally cylindrical neck of the vessel when the stopper is seated in the vessel opening. The pusher extends into the recess of the shield. The pusher is configured to push the stopper out of the opening when the shield is withdrawn axially, as when removing the closure from the opening. A method of assembling a closure is also shown, in which the pusher is positioned to push the stopper out of the opening when the shield is withdrawn axially from the vessel opening.

Abstract: The closure device (500) comprises a stopper (501) made of elastomer and a cover (502) suitable for covering both the neck (12) of a container and stopper (501) in place in said neck (12). The cover (502) is made of plastics material and comprises a ring (503) and a drive member (504). The ring (503) may surround the stopper (501) and the neck (12) in the mounted configuration, the ring being provided with locking means (503G) for locking on the neck (12). The drive member (504) may be mounted on the ring (503) in arbitrary angular orientation about a central axis (X503) of the ring. The drive member is provided with an annular edge (505D) suitable for being engaged between an outer skirt (503A) of the ring (503) and at least one tab (503G) forming locking means and extending radially towards the central axis (X503) of the ring from the skirt (503A).

Abstract: A fixing mechanism for fixing a battery in a sleeve defines a receiving groove therein, a latching member including a body, a restraining flange extending out from one end of the body and a contact end formed at the other end of the body, a latching slot defined in an inner surface of the sleeve, an elastic member compressed and received in the receiving groove and a barrel detachably fixed in the receiving groove. An end of the compressed elastic member resists a bottom surface of the receiving groove and the other end of the elastic member resists the restraining flange, to press the latching member contact end to pass through the barrel and finally to be received in the latching slot, and the restraining flange is blocked by the barrel.

Abstract: A multi-material, cryogenic, elastomeric closure is provided for sealing a container for samples of cryophilic biological materials, pharmaceuticals or the like. The closure includes at least one cryophilic elastomer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) below the cryogenic temperature to which the sample is to be subjected and at least one non-cryophilic elastomer having a Tg above the cryogenic temperature. The cryophilic and non-cryophilic elastomers are present in such a manner as to maintain a complete seal of the container opening at the cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure device for a container, which seals an opening (6) that opens at the top of a container (2) and has a rim (7) on its periphery. The closure device comprises a seal member (8) that is to cover the opening (6) on the top of the container (2), and a synthetic resin cap (9) that is to press the seal member (8) against the upper surface of the rim (7). The seal member (8) comprises a flange (10) to be mounted on the upper surface of the rim (7). The cap (9) comprises a top wall (15), a cylinder part (16), and a locking part (18). The top wall (15) is to be disposed above the flange (10). The cylinder part (16) hangs down from the outer circumference of the top wall (15). The locking part (18) is disposed on the inner surface of the cylinder part (16). After the cap (9) is pushed down, the locking part (18) locks at the under surface of the rim (7). The upper surface of the flange (10) has a compressible projection (29).

Abstract: A shipping plug is disclosed herein. The shipping plug is formed from a cylindrical member that is configured to be operatively disposed within a bore of a component to create a seal therewith. The cylindrical member is a resilient material, and has an upper wall, a lower wall, and a circumferential side defined between the upper and lower walls. A recess is defined in the upper wall. The recess includes a bottom end and at least one wall extending between the bottom end and the upper wall. The recess is configured to operatively receive a complementarily shaped rod which selectively distorts the circumferential side of the cylindrical member in response to a twisting or rotating action exerted thereon to temporarily release the seal.

Abstract: An expansible bottle stopper includes a body, a resilient member, and a movable member that is longitudinally movable relative to the body. The resilient member is caused to expand radially by a first-stage longitudinal displacement of the movable member relative to the body or to shrink radially by a second-stage longitudinal displacement of the movable member relative to the body.

Abstract: A urine sample is taken by providing to the person a container having a removable cap with an initially unbroken elastomeric septum puncturable by a blunt tipped pipette and self-resealing following withdrawal of the pipette from the septum. The urine specimen is deposited in the container and the cap replaced. The container with the specimen is conveyed to a laboratory location for analysis where the septum is punctured by manually pressing the blunt tip of a plastic pipette against the septum with sufficient force to puncture through the septum and into the container with the tip. A sample of the urine specimen is drawn into the pipette and the pipette tip withdrawn to allow the septum to self-reseal, such that the urine specimen is sampled for analysis without reopening the container cap following replacement of the cap at the specimen collection site.

Abstract: An improved cork closure for beverage and wine bottles having a recess on the exterior face of the closure in use. The recess is designed to facilitate the extraction process by providing central constraint on the position of the corkscrew on the face of the closure and to guide the corkscrew along the axis of the closure. This recess does not interfere with any other types of extraction device.

Abstract: A stopper apparatus for closing wine bottles and like receptacles having an elongated stopper body of flexible material adapted for insertion into the neck of the bottle so as to create a water-tight and air-tight seal between the media contained within said bottle and the outside environment. The stopper body has a generally cylindrical shape with a slight taper near the base of the cylinder and features a cavity near the top of the cylinder. The cavity features a concealed apparatus therein. At least one self revealing handle is attached to the stopper body for extracting said stopper from the neck of the bottle, wherein extracting said stopper body from the neck of said bottle exposes said concealed apparatus contained therein.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a bottle stopper for a wine bottle or the like, which bottle stopper comprises a body having a sealing member which sits within the peck (1) of the bottle in use and which extends radially outwardly from the body of the stopper to seal the bottle neck, the stopper further having a passageway extending upwardly therethrough to communicate with the interior of the bottle and which incorporates or communicates with a chamber within the stopper in which is housed an oxygen-scavenging medium.

Abstract: For sure sealing and easy handling, the plugging type dental liquid housing container comprises a container main body 1 having a holding blade plate projected on an outer circumference of a liquid housing part 1a; a flat face 1ea, a slope face 1eb and a stepped face 1ec at of an opening end; and an inner face taper part 1d provided on the opening side of an inner face 1c of the liquid housing part 1a so as to have an inner diameter gradually decreasing toward the bottom side, and a plug body 2 having a contacting blade plate 2b projected on an outer circumference thereof; a truncated conical shape part 2e at a bottom; and plural annular projection ridge parts 2f formed above truncated conical shape part 2e so as to contact with a portion on the bottom side of the inner face taper part 1d.

Abstract: In the medical cap comprising a plug 10 made of thermoplastic elastomer and an outer frame 20 made of synthetic resin, the side surface part of the plug is contacted with an inner wall 211 of the side circuit part of the outer frame in a non-fused state and is held in a state with pressure applied from the leg part of the outer frame 22. As a result, the wetted surface of the plug is not flat shaped but has an inclination downward to the circle center. Protrusion 14 can also be provided on the wetted surface and in such a case, the bottom part of the protrusion part that is one part of the wetted surface has an inclination downward to the circle center.

Abstract: An actuator assembly and method for making and using an actuator assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an actuator body having an actuator channel with a first region and a second region. An actuator is disposed in the actuator channel and is movable when in a flowable state between a first position and a second position. A heater is positioned proximate to the actuator channel to heat the actuator from a solid state to a flowable state. A source of gas or other propellant is positioned proximate to the actuator channel to drive the actuator from the first position to the second position. The actuator has a higher surface tension when engaged with the second region of the channel than when engaged with the first region. Accordingly, the actuator can halt upon reaching the second region of the channel due to the increased surface tension between the actuator and the second region of the channel.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a closure system for a container comprises a sealing member and a stopper. The sealing member comprises a flange, an inner sleeve extending from the flange, and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve extends from the flange and is configured to be inserted into a container. The stopper is configured to be removably inserted into the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A closure for receptacles such as bottles which includes a solid cylindrical core. The cylindrical core includes a helically or spirally shaped frangible structure along which the cylindrical core can be pulled, stripped, unwound or torn apart. The closures can be pressed into receptacles using conventional methods. To remove the closures, one pulls, strips or tears the cylindrical core apart.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a stopper from a bottle by rotating a threaded capsule surrounding the threaded neck of a bottle. The capsule is preferably received over a narrowed neck of the bottle to maintain the appearance of a foil-wrapped and cork-closed bottle. The bottle may be sealed with plugs (natural cork, synthetic cork, molded plugs), planar seals, or a combination thereof. The capsule may engage the stopper directly or by way of a stopper anchor. Aspects of the invention include preventing uncontrolled egress of stoppers from pressurized bottles, the resealing of various forms of bottles after removal of the stopper, locking the closure in place, and providing evidence of tampering.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a stopper from a bottle by rotating a threaded capsule surrounding the threaded neck of a bottle. The capsule is preferably received over a narrowed neck of the bottle to maintain the appearance of a foil-wrapped and cork-closed bottle. The bottle may be sealed with plugs (natural cork, synthetic cork, molded plugs), planar seals, or a combination thereof. The capsule may engage the stopper directly or by way of a stopper anchor. Aspects of the invention include preventing uncontrolled egress of stoppers from pressurized bottles, the resealing of various forms of bottles after removal of the stopper, locking the closure in place, and providing evidence of tampering.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a cork from a bottle in which an anchor is embedded in the cork and a cork-pulling sleeve is provided for engaging the anchor for removal of the cork. The cork-pulling sleeve includes inner threads that mate with external threads on the neck of the bottle, and rotation of the cork-pulling sleeve in relation to the bottle extracts the cork.

Abstract: A closure assembly is provided for a specimen collection container. The closure assembly includes a bottom ring and top ring assembly. The bottom ring is removably attachable to the open end of the container. The top ring assembly, which is removably attached to the bottom ring, includes a mounting ring and a pierceable, resealable septum that closes the bottom ring and permits pierceable instrument access therethrough. The container interior can also be accessed by the removal of the bottom ring from the open end of the container or by the removal of the top assembly from the bottom ring.

Abstract: A closure for containers has a septum of elastomeric material which is self-resealing when punctured by a blunt ended tubular implement to access to the contents of the container. In one application the elastomeric closure is incorporated in a cap for a bottle or vial and is self-resealing after being punctured by a laboratory pipette.

Abstract: Cover for vessels to reduce the evaporation of a liquid from a vessel and/or the introduction of gases, especially carbon dioxide, into a liquid in a vessel, wherein the cover has at least one opening through which a pipette or the like can be inserted into the inside of the vessel and the cover also contains an active material or a material that can be activated, that releases moisture and/or absorbs gas or which is suitable for taking up a liquid that can release moisture or absorb gas. System for storing liquids comprising a vessel and a cover that is attached to the vessel. System comprising a vessel storage space on the opening of which a cover of the afore-mentioned type is mounted.

Abstract: A multi-compartment bottle is provided, the bottle comprising a body defining a plurality of compartments, with each compartment being adapted to contain an amount of a liquid. A neck finish, integral with the body, has an outer surface which defines an opening for and in communication with each respective compartment. Each opening is adapted to allow dispensing of the respective liquid therethrough. The outer surface of the neck finish defines a groove configured to discretely separate the openings such that the groove prevents liquid dispensed from one opening from entering another opening. The openings are further arranged so as to collectively define a substantially circular outer periphery for the neck finish. A closure system for the bottle comprises a plug for and configured to be separably engageable with each respective opening.

Abstract: A closure for receptacles such as bottles which includes an annular sealing member which is internally reinforced by a cylindrical core. The cylindrical core includes a helically or spirally shaped frangible structure along which the cylindrical core can be pulled, stripped, unwound or torn apart. The closures can be pressed into receptacles using conventional methods. To remove the closures, one pulls, strips or tears the cylindrical core apart. The remaining, unreinforced annular sealing member can be easily removed.

Abstract: A cork extraction device includes a tubular member having a first open end, a second open end and a peripheral wall having an outer threaded surface. The tubular member is positioned over an top end of a bottle. A cover member has a top wall and a perimeter wall extending downward from the top wall. The perimeter wall has an inner threaded surface. The cover member may be positioned over and threadably coupled to the tubular member when the cover member is rotated in a first direction. A corkscrew is elongate and has a first end and a second end. A disc is attached to the first end. The corkscrew is rotated in a second direction such that the second end extends through the top wall of the cover member and into a cork. The cover member is rotated in the second direction and the cork extracted from the bottle.

Abstract: A small elastic band designed to slip over a wine cork to allow one to get a good grip on the cork and ease removal without having to use costly, cumbersome, frustrating contraptions that usually result in a damaged cork and/or cork bits in your wine.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a cork from a bottle in which an anchor is embedded in the cork and a cork-pulling sleeve is provided for engaging the anchor for removal of the cork. The cork-pulling sleeve includes inner threads that mate with external threads on the neck of the bottle, and rotation of the cork-pulling sleeve in relation to the bottle extracts the cork.

Abstract: A closure for receptacles such as bottles which includes an annular sealing member which is internally reinforced by a cylindrical core. The cylindrical core includes a helically or spirally shaped frangible structure along which the cylindrical core can be pulled, stripped, unwound or torn apart. The closures can be pressed into receptacles using conventional methods. To remove the closures, one pulls, strips or tears the cylindrical core apart. The remaining, unreinforced annular sealing member can be easily removed.

Abstract: A closure for containers has a septum of elastomeric material which is self-resealing when punctured by a blunt ended tubular implement to access to the contents of the container. In one application the elastomeric closure is incorporated in a cap for a bottle or vial and is self-resealing after being punctured by a laboratory pipette.

Abstract: The invention refers to the attachment for extraction of cork and similar bottle stoppers enabling extraction of cork stopper without application of additional tool and/or special opener, designed for the respective purpose. The attachment referred to in this invention consists of the basic threaded body (2) with a tape shaped pull cord (5) coming out of the upper part of the attachment. The attachment referred to in this invention may also be built in the body (1) as a screw (2′) with a preliminarily inserted washer (3) provided with a groove (4) that serves as a channel for the pull cord (5′). In the second example the attachment in the body (1′) is shaped as a screw (2′) with recess (7) with an edge (8) at the bottom, while the pull cord (5′) is attached to the bayonet plug (9).

Abstract: A flexible tube and a container manufactured with a detachable cover that is reusable as a cap. The detachable cover includes a plastic top member and a skirt. The plastic top member has a neck and a cover. The neck is connected to the cover by a tearable ring-shaped part. The cover has a circular plate with an interlocking mechanism, for example, at least three lugs projecting radially from a periphery of the circular plate. The skirt has a common axis of symmetry with the cover and has an inner surface that follows the periphery of the circular plate. The skirt also has a receiving mechanism, for example, at least three cavities that are positioned to receive the at least three lugs such that the skirt becomes immobilized with respect to the plastic top member. The skirt encircles the outer surface of the neck. The skirt and the cover are configured to cap the flexible tube or container after tearing the tearable ring-shaped part.

Abstract: A closure for receptacles such as bottles which includes an annular sealing member which is internally reinforced by a cylindrical core. The cylindrical core includes a helically or spirally shaped frangible structure along which the cylindrical core can be pulled, stripped, unwound or torn apart. The closures can be pressed into receptacles using conventional methods. To remove the closures, one pulls, strips or tears the cylindrical core apart. The remaining, unreinforced annular sealing member can be easily removed.

Abstract: A closure for containers has a septum of elastomeric material which is self-resealing when punctured by a blunt ended tubular implement for access to the contents of the container. In one application the elastomeric closure is incorporated in a twist-off cap for a bottle or vial and is self-resealing after being punctured by a laboratory pipette.

Abstract: A penetrator for penetrating a stopper sealing an opening in a container. The penetrator includes a stamped piece of sheet material formed to define a shank having a length. A groove extends along the length of the shank. The shank has a pointed distal. The stamped piece of sheet material further includes a bearing plate extending from the shank at a proximal end opposite the distal end of the shank.

Abstract: A convenient stopper for a bottle including a plug slidably retained in a cylinder by a connecting pin. The cylinder is sized to be received in an opening of the bottle. In a contracted mode of the stopper, the plug is disposed at the top of the connecting pin and away from the cylinder, whereby an outer wall of the cylinder contracts from the neck of the bottle, to allow easy removal from the bottle, without use of a corkscrew. In an expanded mode of the stopper, the plug is urged into the cylinder whereby the outer wall of the cylinder tightly seals the opening of the bottle. The stopper can be re-used to permit storage of remaining contents of the bottle to be consumed later.

Abstract: A sealing cap for the mouth of a container facilitates both the sealing of new bottles containing unused contents, and the re-sealing of those bottles already in use so as to preserve their contents. The sealing cap includes an inner cap and an outer cap. The inner cap includes a shielding plate which is fixed on the mouth of a container, and an annular strip which is provided at the lower end of the outer circumferential wall of the inner cap. The outer cap, which is fixed on the inner cap, includes a top lid, and a main cap with a guide tube having a lower-end sharp edge located opposite the shielding plate. By removing the annular strip from the inner cap and pressing down the outer cap, the lower end of the outer cap engages the outer circumference of the mouth of the container, and at the same time, the lower-end sharp edge of the guide tube pierces the shielding plate. The user then opens the top lid of the outer cap to access the contents of the container.

Abstract: A developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing device with a developer, and a developer container for use therewith. The developer container, or toner bottle, has a mouth portion at one end thereof which is smaller in diameter than a hollow cylindrical main body. At the end of the bottle provided with the mouth, a shoulder has the inner periphery thereof partly raised to the edge of the mouth portion to form a raised portion for scooping up a toner. In addition, a part of the inner periphery of the circumferential wall of the bottle which is contiguous with the raised portion is also raised toward the axis of the bottle about which the bottle is rotatable, thereby forming another raised portion. When the bottle is mounted to a bottle holder, which is included in the replenishing device, substantially horizontally with the mouth portion oriented sideways, the bottle is rotated to raise the toner from the bottom of the main body to the mouth portion.

Abstract: A container for liquid medical specimens such as urine specimens includes a container with a wide mouth opening for facilitating deposition of a urine sample, a removable cap for closing the mouth opening and an impermeable sheet liner under the cap for making a fluid tight seal with the rim. The liner is rupturable with the blunt tip of a laboratory pipette inserted through a small hole in the cap for drawing a sample of a urine specimen without removing the cap of the container. The hole in the cap may remain open after collection of a urine specimen in the container, as leakage is prevented by the liner. Alternatively, a small secondary cap may close the hole in the main cap. An optional decanter may be inserted through the hole in the cap for piercing the liner to facilitate pouring of the contents without removing the cap. A method of using the novel container for conveying a liquid medical specimen from a specimen collection site to a geographically removed laboratory site is disclosed.