FGI.5 show an additional embodiment of the barrier coating and a tube. The alternate embodiment functions in a similar manner to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. Accordingly, similar components performing similar functions will be numbered identically to those components in the embodiment of FIG. 4, except that the suffix “a” will be used to identify those components in FIG. 5.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a further embodiment 60 of the invention where multi-layer barrier coating 45a incorporates both upper portion 50a of stopper 48a, as well as the entire outer surface of tube 42a. Multi-layer barrier coating 45a includes serrations 62 at the tube, stopper interface. The serrations are registered so that it can be determined if the sealed container has been tampered with. Such an embodiment may be utilized, for example, for sealing the container with the stopper in place. Once a sample has been placed in the tube, the sample cannot be tampered with by removal of the stopper. Additionally, the serrations may be registered so that it can be determined if the sealed container has been tampered with. Such an arrangement may be appropriate, for example, in drug abuse testing, specimen identification and quality control.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, multi-layer barrier coating 45 is repeatedly or sequentially applied to the inner and/or outer surface of the tube. Preferably, the coating is applied at least twice.
It will be by practitioners-in-the-art, that such tubes may contain reagents in the form of additives or coatings on the inner wall of the tube.
The multi-layer barrier coating forms a substantially clear or translucent barrier. Therefore, the contents of a plastic tube with a multi-layer barrier coating comprising at least two layers of barrier materials are substantially visible to the observer at the same time identifying information may be displayed over the multi-layer barrier coating after it is applied to the plastic tube.
The first layer of the multi-layer barrier coating may be formed on the tube by dip-coating, roll-coating or spraying acrylate monomer or the blend of monomers, followed by the UV curing process.