METHODS OF FORMING A NEEDLE AND HUB ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATIC INJECTORS
First Claim
1. A method of forming a needle and hub assembly for automatic injectors, the method comprising:
- forming a first hub portion having a forward section and a flange section, the forward section defining a needle-receiving channel;
inserting a needle in the needle-receiving channel;
forming a cap having an engaging portion and a needle supporting portion, the engaging portion configured to engage a medicament cartridge of an automatic injector, the needle-supporting portion having a wall that includes an opening therein, the wall defining interior and exterior surfaces opposite each other;
arranging the cap over the needle and the first hub portion such that;
the needle and the forward section of the first hub portion extend through the opening in the wall of the cap, andthe flange section of the first hub portion extends along and abuts the interior surface of the wall of the cap; and
forming a second hub portion over the needle and first hub portion, the second hub portion having a forward tapering section and a plurality of radially-extending structures, the forward tapering section defining a needle-receiving channel in alignment with the needle-receiving channel of the first hub portion, the forward tapering section of the second hub portion engaging the forward section of the first hub portion, and the radially-extending structures abutting the exterior surface of the wall of the cap and extending outwardly across the wall to form a contiguous structure of the second hub portion, the wall, and the first hub portion in a direction parallel to the aligned needle-receiving channels of the first and second hub portions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A needle and hub assembly for automatic injectors includes a cap or skirt that has a forward surface interposed between and reinforced by first and second engaged hub portions. A needle is received in a contiguous channel formed in the two hub portions. Methods of forming the assembly include molding the first hub portion, placing the cap over the first hub portion, inserting the needle into the channel in the first hub portion, and then overmolding or otherwise forming the second hub portion on the exterior of the first hub portion and cap such that the second hub portion engages the first hub portion. An assembly created by this “two-shot” process can be used to seal a relatively large opening in a medicament cartridge and to support the needle more effectively than a conventional assembly.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming a needle and hub assembly for automatic injectors, the method comprising:
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forming a first hub portion having a forward section and a flange section, the forward section defining a needle-receiving channel; inserting a needle in the needle-receiving channel; forming a cap having an engaging portion and a needle supporting portion, the engaging portion configured to engage a medicament cartridge of an automatic injector, the needle-supporting portion having a wall that includes an opening therein, the wall defining interior and exterior surfaces opposite each other; arranging the cap over the needle and the first hub portion such that; the needle and the forward section of the first hub portion extend through the opening in the wall of the cap, and the flange section of the first hub portion extends along and abuts the interior surface of the wall of the cap; and forming a second hub portion over the needle and first hub portion, the second hub portion having a forward tapering section and a plurality of radially-extending structures, the forward tapering section defining a needle-receiving channel in alignment with the needle-receiving channel of the first hub portion, the forward tapering section of the second hub portion engaging the forward section of the first hub portion, and the radially-extending structures abutting the exterior surface of the wall of the cap and extending outwardly across the wall to form a contiguous structure of the second hub portion, the wall, and the first hub portion in a direction parallel to the aligned needle-receiving channels of the first and second hub portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of forming a needle and hub assembly for automatic injectors, the method comprising:
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forming a first hub portion having a forward section and a flange section, the forward section defining a needle-receiving channel having a stop formed therein to limit the insertion depth of a needle inserted therein; inserting a needle in the needle-receiving channel until the needle abuts the stop; forming a cap having an engaging portion and a needle supporting portion, the engaging portion configured to engage a medicament cartridge of an automatic injector, the needle-supporting portion having a wall that includes an opening therein, the wall defining interior and exterior surfaces opposite each other; arranging the cap over the needle and the first hub portion such that; the needle and the forward section of the first hub portion extend through the opening in the wall of the cap, and the flange section of the first hub portion extends along and abuts the interior surface of the wall of the cap; and forming a second hub portion over the needle and first hub portion, the second hub portion having a forward tapering section and a plurality of radially-extending structures, the forward tapering section defining a needle-receiving channel in alignment with the needle-receiving channel of the first hub portion, the forward tapering section of the second hub portion engaging the forward section of the first hub portion, and the radially-extending structures abutting the exterior surface of the wall of the cap and extending outwardly across the wall. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification