Auto-injector storage and dispensing unit

• US 20060169611A1
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mylan Incorporated (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Michael Prindle
• Inventors: Prindle, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,434,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/364
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/002 Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. for syringes or needles, kits for diabetics needle protection, e.g. caps, A61M5/3202; for sharps A61B50/3001

Abstract

The subject invention is directed to a surface-mountable storage system for an auto-injection device. The storage system includes a base and a cover. The base has a back surface adapted to be mounted to a generally vertical surface. A support structure secured to the base releasably holds an auto-injection device on end and adjacent the front surface. The cover has a free edge adapted to be substantially continuously adjacent the base. This allows the cover and base to substantially enclose the auto-injection device when the cover is in a closed position with respect to the base. The storage system also has means for securing the cover to the base to allow the cover to move between the closed position and an open position that presents the auto-injection device for removal from the releasable holding means.

Claims

1. A storage system for an auto-injection device, comprising:

a base having front and back surfaces, the back surface being adapted to be mounted to a generally vertical surface;

means secured to the base for releasably holding the auto-injection device adjacent the front surface;

a cover having a free edge adapted to be substantially continuously adjacent the base to substantially enclose the auto-injection device when the cover is in a closed position with respect to the base; and

means for securing the cover to the base to allow the cover to move between the closed position and an open position that presents the auto-injection device for removal from the releasable holding means.

2. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for securing the cover to the base is a pivotal attachment.

3. The storage system as recited in claim 2, wherein the pivotal attachment is configured such that gravitational forces urge the system into the open position.

4. The storage system as recited in claim 2, wherein the pivotal attachment is configured such that the cover, when in the open position, sits below the base and acts to support articles removed from the means and subsequently dropped.

5. The storage system as recited in claim 2, wherein the pivotal attachment comprises protrusions formed integral to the cover at opposing positions, the protrusions engaging opposing holes in the base to allow the cover to rotate on the protrusions.

6. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover is substantially opaque to UV light.

7. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover is at least partially transparent to visible light to allow objects contained in the system to be viewed.

8. The storage system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a coating on the surface of the cover that is substantially opaque to UV light.

9. The storage system as recited in claim 8, wherein the coating is substantially transparent to visible light.

10. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover has a concave surface and is oriented such that, in the closed position, the concave surface faces the base.

11. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the perimeter of the cover is substantially matched to the outline of the base.

12. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover includes a vent hole for allowing air flow around an auto-injection contained in the storage system.

13. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the back surface of the base includes a plurality of mounting holes for affixing the storage system to a generally vertical surface using fasteners.

14. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for releasably holding the auto-injection device comprises:

a platform extending substantially perpendicularly from the front surface of the base, the platform having an upper surface with a substantially vertical normal direction; and

a support wall extending upwardly from the upper surface of the platform, the wall being of suitable height and defining a cavity of suitable size for stably containing an auto-injection device while allowing the device to be easily removed.

15. The storage system as recited in claim 14, wherein the platform and support wall are formed integrally with the base.

16. The storage system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for releasably securing the cover to the base in a manner that requires both pressure and dexterity to release.

17. The storage system as recited in claim 16, further comprising a latch attached to the cover and wherein the means for selectively securing the cover to the base is a notch formed in the base for engaging the latch.

18. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the back surface of the base is adapted to releasably mount to a substantially vertical support surface, thereby allowing the system to be repeatedly removed from and replaced on the surface.