Ring-puller

Abstract: A ring-puller tool for quickly and effectively removing a prophylactic shroud having a flexible ring attached thereto and positioned on a vial containing medicament.

Description: Field of the Invention This invention relates to tools for engaging and pulling flexible rings and more specifically to engaging a pull ring attached to a prophylactic hood or shroud on the top of a vial in a drug delivery system. Background of the Invention U.S. Patent 4,614,515, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a drug delivery system which, in one of its embodiments, includes a prophylactic hood or shroud for protective placement on the top of a vial containing flowable medicament. The hood or shroud has a flexible pull ring to assist in its removal from the vial when the contents of the vial are to be administered. In the course of a day, health care or pharmacy personnel may, individually, be required to remove the hood or shroud from numerous vials. There is a need for a tool for efficiently and quickly removing the hood or shroud from such vials. Summary of the Invention Provided is a tool or flexible ring puller having a grippable elongated element with a proximate end and a distal end, and a ring engaging member attached adjacent the distal end, the ring engaging member having means shaped to distribute force created in the pulling action on a ring to a sufficient area of the ring to avoid breakage of the ring. Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is an exploded partial view of a drug delivery system as described in U.S. Patent 4,614,515. Fig. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a ring puller. Fig. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of the ring puller of Fig. 2. Description of the Invention Turning to Fig 1, shown is a vial 10 having a lower portion 11 and an upper portion 12 which includes a stopper 14 . The stopper 14 has a piercable diaphram 16 through which a cannula (not shown) may be inserted when the medicament contained in the vial 10 is to be disbursed. Further shown in Fig. 1 is a prophylactic shroud 20 which is sized to snuggly fit over the upper portion 12 of the vial 10 . Positioned at the top of the shroud 20 is a flexible pull ring 22 having a width W1. In most instances the shroud 20 and pull ring 22 are integral and formed of plastic. The pull ring 22 has an inside diameter which will easily allow a human finger to be inserted therein, and at least about 3/4 of an inch. Fig. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the tool to assist in removing the shroud 20 from the vial 10 , and is designated generally 30 . The tool 30 includes an elongated member or handle 32 which has a proximate, gripping end 34, and a distal end 36. The handle 32 defines a longitudinal axis, A-B. The handle 32 also includes a textured section 38 for assisting in gripping the tool 30 . In this embodiment, the texture is provided by a plurality of ribs. The handle 32 also includes a pocket clip 40 which is attached to the distal end 36 of the tool 30 . This clip 40 allows a user to conveniently keep the tool 30 in a pocket along with probable numerous other pens and pencils, for ready use. At the distal end 36 of the tool 30 is a ring-engaging member 42 spaced from the handle 32 . The ring engaging member 42 includes an arcuate or convex channel 44 facing toward the proximate end 34 of the handle 32 for engaging a ring, such as shown in Fig. 1, and has a width W2 wider than W1 (Fig. 1). The channel 44 is defined by a first outer ridge 46 and a second inner ridge 48 of the ring engaging member 42 . Both ridges 46, 48 are arcuately shaped and correspond to the shape of the channel 44 . More clearly shown in Fig. 3 is the substantially oval shape of the outer portion 45 of the ring-engaging member 42. In operation, the user grips the proximate end 34 of the handle 32 and positions the ring 22 in the channel 44 . The user, holding on to the bottom portion 11 of the vial 10 , then pulls the tool 30 away from the vial 10 , substantially along its longitudinal axis, from A to B. It is an important feature of the invention that the ring engaging member 42 be shaped to distribute the force on the ring 22 (Fig. 1) from the pulling action to a sufficient area of the ring 22 to avoid breaking the ring 22 . For example, when the ring 22 has a diameter of about an inch, and is formed of a flexible plastic, the convex channel 44 may have a radius of about 3/8 of an inch to engage a substantial portion of the ring 22 when the pulling action occurs, to avoid breakage. Other shapes and sizes of the ring-engaging member 42 , and more specifically the channel 44 , may be used, it being understood that an arcuate or convex channel 44 is preferred as it corresponds more directly to the shape of a ring 22 . The tool 30 is preferably of one-piece integral construction and may be formed by injection molding using a plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinylchloride.

Claims: A flexible ring puller comprising: a grippable elongated element having a longitudinal axis, a proximate end and a distal end; and a ring-engaging member attached adjacent said distal end, said ring-engaging member having means shaped to engage said ring and distribute force from a pulling action on said ring to a sufficient area of said ring to avoid breakage of said ring. The ring puller as recited in claim 1 wherein said means comprises a convex channel defined by a first inner ridge and a second outer ridge. The ring puller as recited in claim 2 wherein said ridges are arcuate. The ring puller as recited in claim 3 wherein said ring-engaging member has an outer substantially oval portion. The ring puller as recited in claim 4 wherein said channel is positioned facing said proximate end of said elongated element. A flexible ring puller comprising: a grippable handle having a longitudinal axis, a proximate end and a distal end; and a ring-engaging member attached adjacent said distal end of said elongated handle, said ring-engaging member having a convex channel distanced from said handle for receiving said ring, said channel sized to distribute force from a pulling action on said ring to a sufficient area of said ring to avoid breakage of said ring. The ring puller as recited in claim 6 further comprising a textured section between said proximate and distal ends. The ring puller as recited in claim 6 further including a pocket clip. The ring puller as recited in claim 6 wherein said ring-engaging member is substantially oval in shape. The ring puller as recited in claim 9 wherein said convex channel is positioned facing said proximate end of said handle.

Inventors: BONICELLI DERITO JAMES JNR, BONICELLI, DERITO JAMES, JNR.
Applicants: LILLY CO ELI, ELI LILLY AND COMPANY
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B67B7
IPC codes: B67B7, B65B43