Abstract:
A clamshell case with a first portion and a second portion that are connected by a hinge. The first portion has one or more structures that are each adapted to removably hold a medicine vial, and the second portion has one or more structures that are each adapted to removably hold the barrel of a medicine applicator. There is a releasable case closure system that releasably maintains the two portions in a closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Application 62/240,996, filed on Oct. 13, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     background 
       [0002]    Naloxone is an example of a medicine that sometimes needs to be carried by first responders such as police officers, firemen and EMTs. Naloxone comes in a small vial and can be administered with a nasal applicator/atomizer or a medicine atomizer/applicator. First responders thus need to carry one or more vials of naloxone (and/or other medicines) and one or more applicators. Often medicine vials are carried in a cardboard container in a uniform pocket, where they are subject to degradation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Featured in this disclosure is a clamshell-type case; a container that opens and closes. The case is constructed and arranged to hold medicine, and one or more applicators for the medicine. In the specific non-limiting embodiment shown in the drawings, the medicine is naloxone, which is a liquid that can be administered nasally or IV/IM. The applicator can be a syringe or a nasal applicator or any other type of applicator for the medicine that is carried in the case. The case is also constructed and arranged to be carried by a police officer, military, security, EMTs or other first responder in a pouch of the type that is often carried on the utility belt of such first responder. One example of an appropriate pouch is a pouch that is used to carry a pepper spray canister (e.g., an OC pouch), the pouch being a leather pouch with a top flap closure to allow for easy access. The case can be carried in such a pouch that is typically used for pepper spray. 
         [0004]    The case in the non-limiting examples disclosed herein in detail is a hard-shell, one piece construction made by injection molding of an appropriate plastic such as polypropylene or the like. The case protects the medicine and the applicator(s) from degradation due to sunlight and weather. Also, the case provides crush and impact protection to the medicine and applicators, which is particularly important when medicines are in glass vials. Further, the case can be used to store the medicine and the applicator in a home or business or the like, and also is a convenient means to hold used components for disposal. The shape of the container fits into most hands and offers a secure grip when hands may be cold or wet. The container snaps shut, thus securing its contents. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, the disclosure includes a clamshell case with a first portion and a second portion that are connected by a hinge. The first portion has one or more structures that are each adapted to removably hold a medicine vial, and the second portion has one or more structures that are each adapted to removably hold the barrel of a medicine applicator. There is a releasable case closure system that releasably maintains the two portions in a closed position. The portions may be generally semi-cylindrical. 
         [0006]    The closure system may include a latch system that comprises a pair of latch tabs that have enlarged ends and are in one of the portions, and a pair of tab end receiving structures in mating parts of the other portion. The latch system may further comprise a pair of guide tabs located outside of and on either side of each latch tab. The latch system may further comprise a pair of posts proximate each tab receiving structure, where when the case is closed the guide tabs fit just outside of the posts to help properly align and seat the latch tab in the tab receiving structure. 
         [0007]    The case may also include a case opening/closing flange comprising flange parts on each of the case portions. The opening/closing flange may allow the user to manipulate the case into the open or closed position, wherein from the closed position the user can push the flange parts apart in order to release the closure tabs from the tab receiving depressions and allow the case to open via the hinge. 
         [0008]    The structures that are each adapted to removably hold a medicine vial may each comprise a saddle. There may be two essentially identical saddle vial holders that each have at least one small projection that is located such that it sits above the center of the vial when the vial is pushed into the saddle so that the vial is positively retained in the saddle. 
         [0009]    The structures that are each adapted to removably hold the barrel of a medicine applicator may each comprise a saddle. There may be two spaced aligned saddles, wherein the saddles are each constructed and arranged to hold part of the barrel of a medicine applicator that can be used to inject the medicine, wherein the saddles are slightly deformed when a medicine applicator is pushed into them so that they tightly grip the medicine applicator, and wherein the saddles encompass more than 180° of the medicine applicator barrel so that the medicine applicator is positively retained in the saddles. 
         [0010]    The clamshell case may further include an upstanding wall that in part defines an empty cavity that can be used to store a nasal atomizer or other medicine atomizer/applicator. The clamshell case may further include a top and a bottom, wherein the bottom has an essentially flat surface that allows the case to stand up on a flat surface, and wherein the top is more rounded than the bottom so that the case doesn&#39;t easily stand on its top end. The bottom end may have a taper leading to the essentially flat bottom surface, where the taper helps the case to be more easily inserted into and removed from a holder or pouch. The top may include one or more circumferential projecting rings that provide finger grips to allow the case to be grasped and removed from the holder or pouch, and wherein the rings provide a surface on which the case will roll generally in a circle if it is dropped on the ground, instead of rolling away from the user, 
         [0011]    In another aspect the disclosure features a clamshell case with a first portion and a second portion that are connected by a hinge, wherein the first portion comprises one or more saddles that are each adapted to removably hold a medicine vial, and wherein the second portion comprises one or more saddles that are each adapted to removably hold the barrel of a medicine applicator, a releasable case closure system that releasably maintains the two portions in a closed position, wherein the closure system comprises a latch system that comprises a pair of latch tabs that have enlarged ends and are in one of the portions, and a pair of tab end receiving structures in mating parts of the other portion, and an upstanding wall that in part defines an empty cavity that can be used to store a nasal atomizer or other medicine atomizer/applicator. 
         [0012]    The clamshell case can further include a case opening/closing flange comprising flange parts on each of the case portions, wherein the opening/closing flange allows the user to manipulate the case into the open or closed position, wherein from the closed position the user can push the flange parts apart in order to release the closure tabs from the tab receiving depressions and allow the case to open via the hinge. The clamshell case may have two essentially identical saddle vial holders that each comprise at least one small projection that is located such that it sits above the center of the vial when the vial is pushed into the saddle so that the vial is positively retained in the saddle. 
         [0013]    In another aspect the disclosure features a clamshell case with a first generally semi-cylindrical portion and a second generally semi-cylindrical portion, where the two portions are connected by a living hinge. The first portion comprises two essentially identical saddle vial holders that are each adapted to removably hold a medicine vial and that each comprise at least one small projection that is located such that it sits above the center of the vial when the vial is pushed into the saddle so that the vial is positively retained in the saddle. The second portion comprises two spaced, aligned saddles that are each adapted to removably hold part of the barrel of a medicine applicator, wherein the saddles are constructed and arranged to hold a medicine applicator that can be used to inject the medicine, wherein the saddles are slightly deformed when a medicine applicator is pushed into them so that they tightly grip the medicine applicator, and wherein the saddles encompass more than 180° of the medicine applicator barrel so that the medicine applicator is positively retained in the saddles. There is a releasable case closure latch system that releasably maintains the two case portions in a closed position, wherein the latch system comprises a pair of latch tabs that have enlarged ends and are in one of the portions, and a pair of tab end receiving structures in mating parts of the other portion, wherein the latch system further comprises a pair of guide tabs located outside of and on either side of each latch tab and a pair of posts proximate each tab receiving structure, where when the case is closed the guide tabs fit just outside of the posts to help properly align and seat the latch tab in the tab receiving structure. There is a case opening/closing flange comprising flange parts on each of the case portions, wherein the opening/closing flange allows the user to manipulate the case into the open or closed position, wherein from the closed position the user can push the flange parts apart in order to release the closure tabs from the tab receiving depressions and allow the case to open via the hinge. The case has a top and a bottom, wherein the bottom has an essentially flat surface that allows the case to stand up on a flat surface, wherein the top is more rounded than the bottom so that the case doesn&#39;t easily stand on its top end, wherein the bottom end has a taper leading to the essentially flat bottom surface, where the taper helps the case to be more easily inserted into and removed from a holder or pouch, and wherein the top includes one or more circumferential projecting rings that provide finger grips to allow the case to be grasped and removed from the holder or pouch, and wherein the rings provide a surface on which the case will roll generally in a circle if it is dropped on the ground, instead of rolling away from the user. There is also an upstanding wall that in part defines an empty cavity that can be used to store a nasal atomizer or other medicine atomizer/applicator. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Each of  FIGS. 1-18  illustrate a case in accordance with one non-limiting example of the present disclosure, while  FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate aspects of a different example. Like numbers are used for like elements of the drawings. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one side of a case in its closed position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the other side of the case in its closed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the outside of the case in the open position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the outside of the case in the open position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the inside of the case in the open position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the inside of the case in the open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a right side view of the outside of the case in the open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a left side view of the outside of the case in the open position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the closed case. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the outside of the case in the open position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the case. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is another cross-sectional view of the case. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is another cross-sectional view of the case. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a cross-section through the hinge. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a cross-section through a closure latch. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  shows the case open and holding the medicine vials and applicators. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a top view of the case open and holding the medicine vials and applicators. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the closed case holding the medicine vials and applicators. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 19 and 20  are both partial views, illustrating a different closure system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Case  10 ,  FIGS. 1-18 , has a clamshell-type construction with first portion or half  20  and second portion of half  30  that are connected by living hinge  40 . The halves may each be generally semi-cylindrical so that the closed case is generally cylindrical as shown in the drawings. A positive closure of the two halves is accomplished in this example using closure/latch tabs  33  and  34  in one half  30  that have enlarged ends  35  and  36  ( FIG. 8 ) which fit into tab end receiving depressions  27  and  28  ( FIG. 6 ) in the mating portions of half  20 . Opening/closing flange  50  comprising flange halves  51  and  52  allows the user to manipulate the case into the open or closed position. From the closed position shown in  FIG. 2  the user can push outward or pull apart on the flange halves  51  and  52  (e.g., with both thumbs, or a finger and thumb of one hand) so as to release the closure tabs from the tab receiving depressions and allow the case to swing open via the living hinge. 
         [0035]    Case half  20  includes vial holders (saddles)  21  and  22  ( FIG. 5 ), each of which is constructed and arranged to hold a  2  milliliter glass vial of naloxone ( 60  and  61 ,  FIG. 16 ). The saddles can have another size/shape to hold different size, shape or volume vials. Case  10  includes two essentially identical vial holders  21  and  22  in case two vials are necessary, but only one, or more than two, vial holders could be included, depending on the medicine that is to be carried in the case. Saddles  21  and  22  each include at least one small projection  25  and  26 , respectively ( FIG. 6 ). Projections  25  and  26  are located such that they sit above the center of the cylindrical vial when the vial is pushed into the saddle so that the vial is positively retained in the saddle. Since the plastic of the saddle can be flexed, the vial can be removed by grasping it and pulling it out of the saddle. Upstanding wall  24  ( FIG. 5 ) (which sits close to the ends of the vials (not shown in this drawing)) in part defines an empty cavity  29  within the upper part of half  20  that can be used to store a nasal atomizer or other medicine atomizer/applicator (e.g., applicator  62 ,  FIG. 16 ), which can be stored in its protective plastic wrap in order to maintain sterility. Wall  24  also prevents the vials from sliding into cavity  29 . 
         [0036]    Case half  30  includes spaced, longitudinally-aligned saddles  31  and  32  that are constructed and arranged to hold a medicine applicator (e.g., medicine applicator  63 ,  FIG. 16 ) that can be used to inject the medicine. These saddles are slightly deformed when a medicine applicator barrel is pushed into them so that they tightly grip the medicine applicator barrel. Saddles  31  and  32  also encompass more than 180° of the medicine applicator barrel as shown in  FIG. 18  so that the medicine applicator is positively retained in the saddles. Generally triangular tabs  37  and  41  located just behind saddle  31  help to constrain movement of the applicator when it is pulled out of the saddles so that it pushed away from the side of the case half  30  rather than toward the side of the case; the applicator is thus less likely to bind in the saddle. Case half  30  also includes a thin upstanding end peripheral wall  38  ( FIG. 10 ) that facilitates proper alignment of the case halves during closure by sitting just inside of the upper periphery  39  of case half  20  when the case is closed. 
         [0037]    Case  10  has top  12  and bottom  14 . Bottom  14  has flat end surface  17  ( FIG. 1 ) that allows the case to stand up on a flat surface, while top  12  is more rounded so that the case doesn&#39;t easily stand on its top end. This feature helps to keep the case upright when it is set upright on bottom  14 , which minimizes the chances of the medicines being spilled. Also, the bottom end of the case has a taper  18  leading to bottom surface  17 . This taper helps the case to be more easily inserted into and removed from its holder or pouch (not shown). Top  12  includes circumferential projecting spaced rings  15  and  16  that provide good finger grips to allow the case  10  to be grasped and removed from the pouch. Also, the rings provide a surface on which the case will roll almost in a circle if it is dropped on the ground instead of rolling away from the user. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 16 through 18  show case  10  with two vials of naloxone  60  and  61 , a nasal applicator/atomizer  62 , and a medicine applicator (with a needle protective cap)  63 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate a variation of the closure system. Latch tab  33  has the same construction and fit into depression  27  as set forth above. In this example, though, additional external guide tabs  84  and  85  are located just outboard of latch tab  33  and on either side of it. Guide tabs  84  and  85  fit just outside of posts  86  and  87  to help properly align and seat latch tab  33  in depression  27 , whereby rim  81  sits on top of ledge  82 . The second tab/depression (not shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 ) can have the same construction. 
         [0040]    A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.