Abstract:
A closure container that can house a preset drug applicator in an easily accessible manner with tamper evidencing means. The closure container contains a plurality of dosing ribs and a retainer to retain the syringe in a preset dosage amount and preferably has a window to view the barrel of the syringe.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/599,202 filed Jan. 16, 2015 and entitled “Tamper Evident Closure Container”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Success rates with respect to action taken in response to an emergency situation almost always improve with proper preparation, access to the proper equipment, and speed. This could not be more true than in the case of providing a dose of fluid (e.g., epinephrine to a patient experiencing a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)). According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, early treatment with epinephrine is beneficial to patients having an anaphylactic episode because the patient could experience a rapid decline in health or death within 30 to 60 minutes. Such early treatment may also be beneficial in patients experiencing seizure activity. 
         [0003]    In addition to quick administration of treatment, accurate dosing is crucial because not enough medicine may be ineffective and too much may cause health risks, such as dangerously high blood pressure, stroke, or death. During an anaphylactic event, for example, a health provider may need a larger or smaller dose depending on the size or age of the patient and fumbling with a vial and a needle may add precious seconds before treatment and potential dosing errors. 
         [0004]    Further, sterilization is important whenever it comes to administering a drug to a patient through a needle and a health care provider has to know if the needle being used and the drug being administered have not been tampered with. Accordingly, the art of emergency treatment could benefit from a device that promotes quick access to a drug applicator which may be stored in pre-set doses and provides evidence of tampering. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to a closure container, and more particularly to a container that can house a preset drug applicator in an easily accessible manner with tamper evidencing means. 
         [0006]    According to an aspect of a system according to the present invention, such system may include a first casing member and a second casing member, configured to cradle a syringe containing a predetermined amount of fluid. The container further includes a fastener having a tamper-evident pull-tab, the fastener being connected to one of the first casing member and the second casing member and configured to releasably maintain closure of the container. The container may be formed as a unitary injection-molded piece with the first casing member and second casing member hingedly connected by a living hinge. 
         [0007]    According to yet another aspect of a tamper evident closure container according to the present invention, the fastener may depend from the first casing member and include a barb, which is receivable in a slot formed in the second casing member. 
         [0008]    According to yet a further aspect of a system according to the present invention, a window surface may be formed on one of the first casing member and the second casing member, wherein the window is formed on the first casing member by masking a window portion of the first casing member with a mask material, surface treating at least a portion of each of the first casing member and the second casing member, and removing the mask material from the window portion. The window surface may be positioned on the container to enable visual access to a barrel of a retained syringe. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a tamper evident closure container according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container shown in  FIG. 1  in an open state and holding a syringe. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the container shown in  FIG. 1  in an open, empty state. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a rear elevation view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a right side elevation view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a left side elevation view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the container as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the container as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of the container as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a rear elevation view of the container as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a right side elevation view of the container as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a left side elevation view of the container as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0024]      FIGS. 16-19  depict a progressive method of enclosing a syringe in the first embodiment of the container according to the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a plurality of containers according to the first embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. 
           [0027]      FIG. 22  is a selected cut-away view of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a tamper evident closure container according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a plurality of containers according to the second embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. 
           [0030]      FIG. 25  is a cut-away view of selected section  FIG. 25  of  FIG. 24 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0032]    Turning first to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment  10  of a closure container according to the present invention is shown. The closure container  10  preferably comprises a single injection-molded piece having a first casing member  100  hingedly attached to a second casing member  200  by at least one hinge  12  (see  FIG. 2 ), which may be a living hinge. 
         [0033]    The first casing member  100  may generally be formed along a longitudinal length between and including a first end  102  opposite a second end  104 , an outer surface  106 , a peripheral edge portion  116  ( FIG. 2 ), a fastener  118 , and an inner surface  132  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0034]    The outer surface  106  of the first casing member  100  extends from the first end  102  to the second end  104  and to the peripheral edge portion  116 . The outer surface  106  has a planar portion  108  with a window  110  preferably provided therein and a plurality of catches  112  projecting therefrom. 
         [0035]    Each catch  112  preferably has an L-shape profile and extends outward from the planar portion  108 , whereby an arm  114  of the L-shape is spaced from and substantially parallel with the planar portion  108  of the outer surface  106 , and all of the catches  112  are oriented preferably in the same direction. 
         [0036]    The fastener  118  is flexibly connected at or near the peripheral edge portion  116  of the first casing member  100  opposite the hinge  12 . The fastener  118  has a width  120 , a thickness  122 , an exterior surface  124 , an interior surface  126 , and a tamper-evident pull-tab  130 . A barb  128  projects from the interior surface  126  distal to the outer surface  106  of the first casing member  100 . 
         [0037]    The tamper-evident pull-tab  130  preferably extends substantially perpendicular from the fastener  118  between the barb  128  and the outer surface  106  of the first casing member  100 . The tamper-evident pull-tab  130  is preferably offset from the exterior surface  124  of the fastener  118  in a direction away from the container  10  when the fastener  118  is in an engaged position, as discussed further below. 
         [0038]    The inner surface  132  of the first casing member  100  can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The inner surface  132  extends from the first end  102  to the second end  104  and to the peripheral edge portion  116 , and preferably has an at least substantially planar portion  134 . As shown here, a bridge  136  with a notch  138  projects from the planar portion  134  of the inner surface  132  near the first end  102  to or near the peripheral edge portion  116 . 
         [0039]    A retainer  140  extends from the planar surface  134  to or near the peripheral edge portion  116  and comprises a first wall  142 , with a first wall notch  144 , and a second wall  146 , with a second wall notch  148 , substantially parallel to the first wall  142 . 
         [0040]    A plurality of dosing ribs  152  project from the planar portion  134  to or near the peripheral edge portion  116  and are spaced between the second end  104  and the second wall  146  of the retainer  140 . Each dosing rib  152  has a notch  154 , an innermost side  156  (hidden), and an outermost side  158 . The spacing between the dosing ribs  152  relates to the predetermined dosage provided in a syringe  50  ( FIG. 2 ) to be contained within the closure container  10 . The preferable dosing amounts for which the ribs  152  will be spaced are 0.25 mL, 0.5 mL, 0.75 mL, and 1.0 mL, but other dosing amounts are contemplated. 
         [0041]    The second casing member  200  may be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3  as well. The second casing member  200  has a first end  202  opposite a second end  204 , an outer surface  206 , a peripheral edge portion  216 , and an inner surface  232 . 
         [0042]    The outer surface  206  of the second casing member  200  extends from the first end  202  to the second end  204  and to the peripheral edge portion  216 . The outer surface  206  preferably has an at least substantially planar portion  208  with a plurality of holes  260  ( FIG. 5 ) therein which are sized, positioned, and configured to be mateable with the catches  112  of the first casing member  100  of another closure container  10 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the outer surface  206  of the second casing member  200  has a recess  262  with a width  264  slightly greater than the width  120  of the fastener  118  and a depth  266  preferably similar to the thickness  122  of the fastener  118 . A slot  268  sized and configured to receive the barb  128  of the fastener  118  is provided within the recess  268 . 
         [0044]    Looking back to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the inside surface  232  of the second casing member  200  is shown. The inside surface  232  of the second casing member  200  is preferably substantially similar to the inside surface  132  of the first casing member  100 . As shown here, the inner surface  232  extends from the first end  202  to the second end  204  and to the peripheral edge portion  216 , and preferably has a planar portion  234 . As shown here, a bridge  236  with a notch  238  projects from the planar portion  234  of the inner surface  232  near the first end  202  to or near the peripheral edge portion  216 . 
         [0045]    A retainer  240  extends from the planar portion  208  to or near the peripheral edge portion  216  and comprises a first wall  242 , with a first wall notch  244 , and a second wall  246 , with a second wall notch  248 , substantially parallel to the first wall  242 . The first wall  242  is spaced apart from the second wall  246  a distance  250 . 
         [0046]    A plurality of dosing ribs  252  project from the planar portion  234  of the inner surface  232  to or near the peripheral edge portion  216  and are spaced between the second end  204  and the second wall  246  of the retainer  240 . Each dosing rib  252  has a notch  254 , an innermost side  256 , and an outermost side  258 . The spacing between the dosing ribs  252  relates to the predetermined dosage provided in a syringe  50  ( FIG. 2 ) to be contained within the closure container  10 . The preferable dosing amounts for which the ribs  252  will be spaced are 0.25 mL, 0.5 mL, 0.75 mL, and 1.0 mL, however, other dosing amounts are contemplated. 
         [0047]    Additionally or alternatively, the dosing ribs  152  of the first casing member  100  may be staggered from the dosing ribs  252  of the second casing member  200  to provide more dosing options while still providing secure support of the syringe  50  and the plunger  52 . 
         [0048]    Additionally or alternatively, the first casing member  100  or the second casing member  200  may not contain the respective dosing ribs, retainer, or the bridge; instead being configured simply to cover the other casing member  200 , 100 . 
         [0049]    Looking back to  FIG. 1  and also to  FIGS. 4-9 , the closure container  10  is depicted in from various views with the syringe  50  positioned within the container  10  and the fastener  118  engaged with the second casing member  200 . As shown, when the container  10  is in a closed position, the fastener  118  preferably resides substantially within the recess  262 , with the barb  128  received within the slot  268 . 
         [0050]    The material from which the closure container  10  is formed is preferably initially transparent. The window  110  is preferably formed by covering the area in which the window  110  will be located, treating at least the outer surfaces  106 , 206  of the first casing member  100  and the second casing member  200 , respectively, to decrease the transparency of those surfaces, and removing the covering to reveal the window  110 . The treatment may be performed by any process now known or later discovered, including but not limited to, chemical etching, mechanical etching (e.g., sand blasting), or during the molding process using textured dies. 
         [0051]    Continuing to look at  FIG. 1 , a syringe  50  can be viewed through the window  110  in a pre-set dosage configuration, ready for use. The window  110  is preferably located at least radially outward from the barrel  64  of the syringe  50  to provide a care provider with a view of the syringe  50  and preferably the dosage amount provided in the barrel  64  without having to open the closure container  10 . 
         [0052]    Directing attention to  FIGS. 16-19 , the installation of the syringe  50  into the container  10  is shown.  FIG. 16  illustrates the syringe  50  with a predetermined dosage provided in the barrel  64  prior to placement within the second casing member  200 ; however, the syringe  50  may be placed within the first casing member  100  as well, as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0053]    Looking to  FIG. 17 , with reference to  FIG. 16 , the flange  60  of the syringe  50  is placed within the retainer  140  of the first casing member  100  with a portion of the barrel  64  received by the notch  144  of the first wall  142  and another portion of the barrel  64  received by the notch  138  of the bridge  136 . Preferably, the distance  150  between the first and second walls  142 , 146  of the retainer  140  ( FIG. 10 ) is preferably slightly greater than the thickness  62  of the syringe flange  60 . 
         [0054]    The top  54  of the plunger  52  has a topside surface  56  and an underside surface  58 . When installed within the container  10 , the underside surface  58  of the syringe top  54  preferably resides against or near the outermost side  158  of the respective dosing rib  152 . The placement of the flange  60  within the retainer  140  and the top  54  against the dosing rib  152  reduces the likelihood that the syringe  50  will be accidentally discharged prior to use. 
         [0055]      FIG. 18  illustrates the closing of the container  10  with the first and second casing members  100 , 200  rotating about the hinge  12  ( FIG. 17 ) and adjoining the first casing member peripheral edge portion  116  ( FIG. 17 ) with the second casing member peripheral edge portion  216  ( FIG. 17 ). The barrel  64  of the syringe  50  is thereby also received within the bridge notch  238 , the retainer  240 , and the respective dosing rib notch  254  of the second casing member  200  (see  FIG. 17 ). 
         [0056]    Looking to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the engagement of the fastener  118  is shown. The fastener  118  is wrapped around the outside surface  206  of the second casing member  200  within the recess  262 . The barb  128  is engageably received within the slot  268  to retain the fastener  118  in the engaged position. 
         [0057]    When the time comes for the syringe  50  to be removed from the container  10 , the health care personnel will pull the tamper-evident pull-tab  130  away from the container  10  which will tear through the fastener  118  and sever the fastener&#39;s connection between the first and second casing members  100 , 200 , thus allowing the container  10  to be opened and the syringe  50  to be removed. 
         [0058]    Removal of the tamper-evident pull-tab  130  permanently detaches at least a portion of the fastener  118  from the first casing member  100  when pulled to gain access to the syringe  50 . Therefore, tampering with the fastener  118  or the tamper-evident pull-tab in an attempt to gain access to the syringe  50  will be visibly noticeable by a tear in the fastener  118 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 21 and 22  demonstrate how multiple containers  10 A, 10 B, 10 C may be stacked one on top of the other. 
         [0060]    As shown in greater detail in  FIG. 22 , a mateable stacking interaction between a catch  112 A and a hole  260 B is shown. The interaction allows the containers  10 A, 10 B to be removably interlocked. The catch  112 A, along with the other three catches (not shown), of the first container  10 A are inserted within the holes  260 B of the second container  10 B and the containers  10 A, 10 B, are slid in opposite directions relative to one another to place the arm  114 A of the first container  10 A adjacent to the inner surface  232 B of the second container second casing member  200 B. These actions are depicted by the dashed lines in  FIG. 21 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 23  illustrates a second embodiment  20  of the closure container according to the present invention. The closure container  20  has tabs  470  projecting from the planar portion  408  of the second casing member outer surface  406  and apertures  390  ( FIG. 24 ) provided through the planar portion  308  of the first casing member outer surface  306 . The apertures  390  are alignable and mateable with the tabs  470  of a corresponding closure container  20 . 
         [0062]    Each tab  470  has a width  472  ( FIG. 24 ), an inward face  476 , and an outward face  480 . The tabs  470  preferably extend substantially perpendicular away from the outside surface planar portion  408  and comprise a protuberance  478 , or similarly shaped protrusion, on the inward face  476  at or near the distal end portion  482  ( FIG. 25 ) of each tab  470 . Alternatively, it is contemplated that the protuberance  478  may protrude from the outward face  480 . 
         [0063]    The apertures  390  have a width  392  and an abutting surface  396 . The width  392  of the apertures  390  is preferably slightly greater than the width  472  of the tabs  470 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 24 and 25  demonstrate how multiple containers  20 A, 20 B, 20 C may be stacked by inserting the tabs  470 B of a second container  20 B within the apertures  390 A of a first container  20 B. This action is depicted by the dashed lines in  FIG. 24 . In this fashion, stacking of these embodiments  20  require only a singular directional movement, rather than the compound movement that may be utilized to stack cases according to the first embodiment  10 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 25  more closely illustrates the interaction between a tab  470 B of the second container  20 B is received within an aperture  390  of the first container  20 A to provide a releasable connection between the two containers  20 A, 20 B. Preferably, the inner face  476 B of the tab  470 B is substantially flush with the abutting surface  396 A of the aperture  390 A, whereby the protuberance  478 B of the tab  470 B is in contact with the planar portion  334 A of the first casing member inner surface  332 A and the first container&#39;s second casing member outer surface planar portion  308 A is flush with the second container&#39;s first casing member outer surface planar portion  408 B. 
         [0066]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.