Container for an automatic injector

Abstract

A container for an automatic injector provides safe, quick, and easy access to an automatic injector stored therein. The container includes tactile features that allow a user to easily determine the orientation of the container by feel alone. A hinged cap with an automatic spring assist feature allows a user to single-handedly open the container quickly and easily to remove the injector from the container without interference from the cap. The container is structured to receive the automatic injector needle end first and has a puncture resistant bottom to prevent the needle of the injector from piercing through the body wall of the container. The container also provides safe storage of a discharged automatic injector, with the hinged cap spring assist feature automatically closing the cap enough to prevent the discharged injector from falling out of the container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 925,283, filed Apr. 18, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to containers for carrying, storing, and protecting automatic injectors. Specifically, the invention relates to containers that allow users to open and close the containers quickly and easily and to carry and store used and unused automatic injectors safely. The invention also relates to an attachment device for carrying two of the containers together.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Many individuals unfortunately must carry medication with them at all times. In some cases, the medication is contained in an automatic injector. An automatic injector is a device that performs intramuscular or subcutaneous administration of a therapeutic agent. An advantage of automatic injectors is that they contain a measured dose of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is about containers for automatic injectors that protect them from damage and contamination. The containers allow users to safely store and remove used injectors, and they can be easily attached to clothing or other items. The containers have a hinged cap that allows for easy opening and closing, and they prevent accidental activation of the injector. The body of the container has contours and textures that make it easy to identify the type of injector and to attach the containers to each other or to individual clothing. The technical effects of the invention are improved safety and ease of use for automatic injectors."

Problems solved by technology

In those cases where an automatic injector is carried by an individual at all times, the injector is likely to be exposed to various physical and environmental stresses that may damage the injector or the therapeutic agent stored inside.

For example, exposure to heat and light may cause the therapeutic agent stored inside the injector to degrade.

Also, an automatic injector may inadvertently activate if dropped or jostled.

Unfortunately, many soft carry packs are not puncture resistant and thus cannot be used to store a discharged automatic injector with an exposed needle.

These known automatic injector carry packs have the disadvantage of requiring two hands to open the carry pack, whether to unzip the carry pack or to unscrew or pull off the cap of the carry pack.

Such actions can be difficult or even impossible to perform when a user is suffering from an attack and needs to quickly access the automatic injector contained in the carry pack.

Images