Auto-injector storage and dispensing system

• US 7,434,686 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mylan Incorporated (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Michael Prindle
• Inventors: Prindle, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Gehman; Bryon P
• Application Number:
  US11/009,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20060169611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 206/364, 206/570, 206/571, 206/317, 206/365, 206/367, 206/349, 206/363, 206/366, 206/370, 206/446, 220/476, 220/478, 211/60.1, 211/85.13, 248/309.1, 248/311.2, 312/209, 604134-136, 604154-156
• 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

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 a latch 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 support structure.

Claims

1. A storage system for a device that auto-injects a medicine, comprising:

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

a releasable holder secured to the base that holds the device adjacent the front surface in a generally vertical orientation when stored;

a cover having a free edge adapted to be substantially continuously adjacent the base to substantially enclose the device when the cover is in a closed position with respect to the base, said cover being both substantially opaque to UV light and at least partially transparent to visible light and said cover having vents formed therein that create an air flow path around the device; and

an attachment mechanism that secures the cover to the base to allow the cover to move between the closed position and an open position that presents the device for removal from the releasable holder with the cover extending laterally from the base at a lower portion of the base and positioned and adapted to support a device removed from the releasable holder and dropped.

2. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism 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 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.

5. 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.

6. The storage system as recited in claim 5, wherein the coating is substantially transparent to visible light.

7. 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.

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

9. 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.

10. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein the releasable holder 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 the device while allowing the device to be easily removed.

11. The storage system as recited in claim 10, wherein the platform and support wall are formed integrally with the base.

12. The storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises a latch that releasably secures the cover to the base, said latch secured, in part, on said free edge of said cover, and said cover being sized and structured to flex laterally in response to a finger-and-opposed-thumb grip to release said cover to move from said closed position.

13. The storage system as recited in claim 12, wherein said latch includes laterally projecting mating hooks and notches that engage said hooks to secure the said cover to said base in said closed position.

14. 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 substantially vertical support surface.