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Publication Number
US-11717604-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A container (20) for storing pen needles (10) comprises a plurality of cavities (30), each cavity (30) having a closed end (32) and an open end (34), and a plurality of rings (40), each ring (40) including a plurality of arms (42) that is configured to retain the pen needle (10) in a first position and in a second position, wherein the open end (34) is flared outwardly, and the plurality of arms (42) are flared outwardly when the pen needle (10) is in the first position.
Core Innovation
A container for storing pen needles includes a plurality of cavities, each cavity having a closed end and an open end, and a plurality of rings. Each ring includes a plurality of arms configured to retain a pen needle in a first position and in a second position, and the open end is flared outwardly. The plurality of arms are configured to flare outwardly when the pen needle is in the first position and to come together to lock the pen needle in place in the second position.
A plurality of protrusions extends inward from the plurality of arms and cooperate with the pen needle to retain the pen needle across the first position and the second position. In the second position, the plurality of arms and the plurality of protrusions provide locking such that the pen needle is retained in a manner described as less accessible and non-reusable. The pen needle is positioned deeper inside the container in the used second position than in the unused first position.
The container further provides mechanical interlock features at the pen needle hub, including tapered jaws and hub castellations. In the first position and/or the second position, the tapered jaws of one of the plurality of rings engage the hub, and in some embodiments the plurality of arms and the plurality of tapered jaws at least partially enclose the hub. The cavity arrangement is described as interdigitated to reduce overall device volume, and the document also describes after-use return for safe disposal and recycling.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a pen-needle storage container with multiple cavities and rings that retain a pen needle in a first position and a second position using flared outward features and inward-extending protrusions. Across the independent claims, the core inventive features differ in how the hub is mechanically engaged using tapered jaws, hub castellations, and hub-to-ring engagement or disengagement behavior, including locking in the second position.
Flared cavity openings with position-dependent ring-arm locking
A container comprising a plurality of cavities (each having a closed end and an open end) and a plurality of rings (each ring having a plurality of arms configured to retain a pen needle in a first position and in a second position), wherein the open end is flared outwardly, and the plurality of arms flare outwardly when the pen needle is in the first position and come together to lock the pen needle in place in the second position.
Inward-extending protrusions extending from arms
The container wherein a plurality of protrusions extends inward from the plurality of arms.
Inward hub engagement using tapered jaws in the first position
The container wherein the plurality of arms of each of the plurality of rings each includes a tapered jaw to form a plurality of tapered jaws, the pen needle includes a hub, and in the first position, the plurality of tapered jaws of one of the plurality of rings engage the hub of the pen needle.
Hub at least partially enclosed in the second position
The container wherein in the second position, the plurality of arms and the plurality of tapered jaws of one of the plurality of rings at least partially enclose the hub of the pen needle.
Disengaged and engaged ring status across positions with castellations-to-tapered-jaw interlock
The container comprising a plurality of cavities each having a closed end, an open end, and a plurality of protrusions that retains a pen needle in a first position and in a second position, and a plurality of rings each including a plurality of arms configured to engage a hub of the pen needle, wherein in the first position one of the plurality of rings is disengaged from the hub of the pen needle and in the second position one of the plurality of rings is engaged to the hub of the pen needle, wherein the hub includes castellations that engage a plurality of tapered jaws of the plurality of rings in the second position.
Overall, the independent claims define a pen-needle container that uses flared outward openings and arms to support a first position and a second locked position, with inward-extending protrusions and hub-level mechanical engagement. Additional independent-claim scope specifies hub retention using tapered jaws and hub castellations, including disengagement in the first position and engagement/interlock in the second position, and in some embodiments at least partial enclosure of the hub in the second position.
Stated Advantages
Reduces needle-stick risk by positioning the needle deeper inside the container in the used second position than in the first position.
Provides a locked used second position that is less accessible and described as non-reusable.
Reduces overall device volume by using an interdigitated cavity arrangement.
Supports safe disposal/recycling via after-use return.
Documented Applications
After-use return for safe disposal/recycling of the container.
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