US2569702A - Sperm receptacle for analysis - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 2, 1951 w WARNER 2,569,702

SPERM RECEPTACLE FOR ANALYSIS Filed Sept. 23, 1948 INVEN TOR. HAROLD H. WARNER AGENT Patented Oct. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPERM RECEPTACLE FOR. ANALYSIS Harold W. Warner, San Diego, Calif.

Application September 23, 1949, Serial No. 117,447

My invention relates to a sperm receptacle for analysis, more particularly to an improvement over the sperm receiving cup disclosed in my issued Patent No. 2,433,538, issued December 30, 1947, and the obects of my invention are:

First, to provide a receptacle of this class which is particularly designed to receive specimens of human sperm, and is provided with retaining features which promote the transportation thereof to testing laboratories without loss of an appreciable amount thereof;

Second,to provide a receptacle of this class which directly indicates the volume of dispensation of sperm, which is one of the determining factors in the testing of a male for sterility;

Third, to provide a receptacle of this class which is very efficient in its mechanical arrangement for receiving and retaining the sperm within the cup portion of the receptacle;

Fourth, to provide a receptacle of this class having a novel cover provided witha combination vent and valve means which permits air to escape from the receptacle when the sperm is entering the same, and which permits the vent to be closed off after the sperm is received in the cup, preliminary to the transportation thereof;

Fifth, to provide a receptacle of this class which is adapted to receive sperm from the male organ when in conventional upright position, whereby the receiving opening in the cover of the receptacle is substantially funnel-shaped and directed on an incline into the cup to a position substantially above the middle thereof, trapping the sperm within the cup below the level of the entrance opening of the cover, prevening leakage of the sperm therefrom preliminary to the removal of the receptacle from the patient and the transportation thereof; and

Sixth, to provide a receplacle of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, efiicient in operation, and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of m sperm receptacle, showing the graduated scale and vent side thereof; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view,

2 Claims. (Cl. 128-294) 2 taken from the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken from the line 33: of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cap for the cover of the receptacle, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and Fig. 5 is an edge elevational view of the cap, showing a portion thereof broken away and in section to amplify the illustration.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings. l

The cup I, cover 2 and cap 3, constitute the principal parts and portions of my sperm receptacle for analysis.

The cup I, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and :3 of the drawings, is a hollow cup-shaped member, preferably made of clear plastic, such as Lucite, or the like, provided with an open end Ia, over which the cover 2 i positioned. The cover 2 is provided with an extending skirt 2a, fitted over the annular recessed flange Ib of the cup I, near its open end Ia, all as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The cover 2 is provided with a curved recess portion 2b, having a substantially funnel-shaped portion 20 integral therewith, terminating at its open end 2d inwardly of the open end I a of the receptacle I. This open end 211 is disposed laterally of the central axis of the cup I, and when in use by the patient is above the middle of the cup I, so that sperm gravitates to the lower side 2] of the funnelshaped portion 20.

In the recess flange lb of the cup I is provided a notch portion Id which is adapted to be indexed with the notch 2e in the skirt 2a of the cover 2, so that a vent is provided through the notch Id and the notch 2e, which communicates with the channel la in the side of the cup I, adjacent the graduated scale portion Ie on the inner side wall of the cup I, all as shown best in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. It will be noted that the channel Ic extends to the normally forward enclosed portion of the cup I, providing an air vent which is disposed within the cover of the receptacle holder, disclosed in my issued patent hereinbefore referred to. The receptacle holder as now manufactured, is provided with a vent in the forward portion thereof which coincides with the channel Ic at its end portion, which extends to the enclosed end of the cup I.

The cap 3 is a shallow cup-shaped member, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, which is adapted to be fitted over the cover 2, as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings, for en- When in use, the cup I and cover 2 are placed within the holder, as disclosed in my former patent hereinbefore referred to, in place of the insert 2 disclosed in said patent. The opening 2d of the funnel Zcis extended uppermost, while the normallofigitudi'na-l axis of the cup I is maintained in substantiallyhorizontal position during use. The end of the male organ is securely held in the recess 2b, and the sperm vent thereof is directed into the funnel 20 toward: the opening 2d. As the sperm is dispensed, it travels into the cup I through the opening Ed, and grav'i'tastes into the cup I at the lower portion 2f of the funnel 20, substantially below the opening 2d, and directly below the air vent Id, which automatically vents air according to the displacement of space in: the cup I caused by entrance thereinto of the 7 sperm. After the specimen is-col:1ected in the cup I the cup I, together with the cover 2, is removed; from the holder as disclosed in my issued patent hereinbefore referred to, and the cover f. is rotated: relative to the cup I, so that the notch 2e is turned out of index withthe notch Id thus closing the vent and: preventingthe possibility of any leakage of. the specimen through the vent. The cap 3 is then placed over thecover 2-, as disclosed: by dash lines in Fig. 2- of the drawings, so that: the specimen may be transported without loss of any volume thereof, whereby the testing laboratory technicians may determine the actual volume of each individual specimen delivered by the patient,- and may analyze the specimen for the] sperm count, y

n Itwill be here noted that the substantially transparent character of the material of which the cup I is made permits the technician to detrmine the' volume of the specimen in cubic centimeters by viewing thescale le inthe side of the cup I-.

v Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement off' parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a receptacle of the class described, a cup, a cover for sameup, having" a funnel portion extending into said cup, and provided with a converging portion open inwardly of the open end of said cup, said cup having a vent therein, said vent comprising. anotch portion in the edge of said cup at its area end, said cover provided with a flange-skirt ei'itending over the edge of said cup, and having. a notch adapted to coincide with the notch in said cup.

ZLJIriJareceptacle of the class described, a cup, a cover for said cup, having a funnel portion extending into saidcup; and providedwith a converging portionopen inwardly of the open. end of said cup, said cup having a venttherein, said vent comprising a notch portion in the edge of said cup at its open end, said cover provided with a flange skirtextending over the edge of said cup, and havinga notch adapted to coincide withthe notch insaid: cup, said. cup provided with. a channel groove portion in its externalwall extending from the notch in the: surrounding skirt of said cover toward the enclosed end of. said cup.

HARLD WAfiN'E'r'h appearances: GI'IYED The followingv references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNI'TLiJ STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,296,761 Beckers c. Sept122, 1-942 FoREiGN' PATENTS Number v Country Date M 110,234 Germany Apr. 24, 1900 420,932 France Dec; 8-, 1910

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