Abstract:
A container ( 1 ) for a hypodermic syringe ( 3 ) and of the type which allows it to be seen or observed in another manner that the container has been opened. The container ( 1 ) comprises a plug ( 5 ) having more than one tamper-proof mechanism. This ensures both that the hypodermic syringe ( 3 ) can reach the user in a state which allows it to be seen whether it has been opened, and that, after use, it can be disposed of in such a state that re-use is impeded considerably.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a container for a hypodermic syringe of the type defined in the introductory portion of the main claim. 
     Hypodermic syringes are used both in medical environments (hospitals, health care centres, etc.) and in the field (at home, accidents, in the open, etc.) It is essential in both situations to ensure cleanliness and an indication as to whether the hypodermic syringe has been used before. This has manifested itself in a wish for several levels of safety mechanisms, also called tamper-proof or tamper-evident mechanisms. There is also a wish on the part of the users for simple disposal after use of the hypodermic syringe. This results in so-called waste management initiatives from the manufacturers. 
     Separate blister packaging of syringes and needles is known, where the parts must first be assembled, injection liquid must be taken from an ampoule, and the parts must be separated after use. Various types are available from e.g. Becton Dickinson, Sanosafe and Owen Mansfort. It is also known to use rigid packages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a container for a hypodermic syringe which may be supplied to the user as an assembled whole, and which may be disposed of as an assembled whole by the user after use. Before use, the assembled whole comprises hypodermic syringe with needle, injection liquid, container, plug and closure. After use, the injection liquid has been injected and the hypodermic syringe is totally or partly empty and may have been rendered unusable. The needle need not be bent, broken or be made unusable in another possibly hazardous manner. 
     According to the invention, the container for a hypodermic syringe of the type which allows it to be seen or observed in another manner that the container has been opened, is characterized in that the container comprises a plug having more than one tamper-proof mechanism. This ensures that the container for a hypodermic syringe may be supplied to the user as an assembled whole and be disposed of as an assembled whole by the user after use, it being ensured that the container has not been opened before it is to be used, and that later attempts at use are rendered difficult. 
     According to the invention, the container for a hypodermic syringe may be characterized in that the plug includes both a full or divided film connection and a plurality of flaps, each of which constitutes a tamper-proof mechanism. At least two mutually independent mechanisms are obtained hereby. 
     It has been found particularly expedient in the container for a hypodermic syringe that the plug includes an annular film connection and two flaps. 
     According to the invention, the container for a hypodermic syringe may be supplied to the user with the hypodermic syringe with injection liquid and needle ready for use. This provides a disposable injection system which is easy to use and dispose of by the user. 
     Moreover, it has been found expedient that the plug is provided with a plurality of film hinges, a plurality of film connections, a plurality of projections and a plurality of knobs. It is hereby possible to form several different tamper-proof mechanisms. 
     When two film hinges are provided between the body of the plug and the lid formed by separation at the film connections by opening of the container, and projections are provided between the film hinges and are capable of being engaged with recesses in the body of the plug, and knobs are provided at the film hinges and engage the body of the plug only when the projections are in engagement with the recesses, a particularly expedient embodiment of the container according to the invention is achieved. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawing, in which 
     FIG. 1 shows a container seen in a three-rectangular view, 
     FIG. 2 shows the container with plug and hypodermic syringe seen in perspective, said parts being pulled apart, 
     FIG. 3 shows the plug in detail in a three-rectangular view and in perspective, 
     FIG. 4 shows the container and the hypodermic syringe seen in section in two mutually perpendicular and centrally positioned planes, 
     FIG. 5 shows a package with the container with hypodermic syringe partly in section, 
     FIG. 6 shows the package in perspective, 
     FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the container, 
     FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the plug, and 
     FIG. 9 shows the plug in section, with the lid pressed 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows the container  1  in which a hypodermic syringe generally designated by  3  (see FIG. 2) may be arranged. The container  1  is shown in FIG. 1 in a three-rectangular view. The container  1  is made as an injection-molded article of polypropylene. By suitable selection of parameters, polypropylene may form articles which are almost transparent, thereby allowing it to be seen whether there is something in the hypodermic syringe  3 , and an optional label or print on the hypodermic syringe  3 . The container shown in FIG. 1 is edged so as to be a tight fit in the package  7  (see FIG.  6 ). 
     FIG. 2 shows the container  1 , the hypodermic syringe  3  and the plug  5  which is used for closing the container  1 . When the hypodermic syringe  3  is packed, the injection liquid is filled in a known manner into the hypodermic syringe  3 , a piston  11  is inserted, and a needle (not shown) is covered by a needle case  12 . The hypodermic syringe  3  is then placed in the container  1 , and the plug  5  is applied. 
     FIG. 3 shows the plug  5  both in a three-rectangular view and in perspective. The plug  5  is injection-molded of polyethylene, which, by suitable selection of parameters and colour, may be provide properties that enable pilfer-proof, tamper-proof and tamper-evident properties. There is thus a film connection at  6 , which may be injection-molded such that it may be broken without difficulty, and when it has been broken, it is easy to see that the container  1  has been opened. After use of the hypodermic syringe  3 , it is moved down through the plug  5  into the container  1 . The lid  9 , which is formed by opening the plug  5  along the film connection  6 , and which may tilt long the hinge  10 , is then pressed so far down into the lug  5  that the flaps  16  and  17  hold the lid  9  in a position which does not readily allow re-opening of the container  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the hypodermic syringe  3  in the container  1 . The hypodermic syringe  3  is unused, and the lid  9  is not removed from the plug  5  by rupture along the film connection  6 . The needle case  12  is positioned over the needle (not shown). After opening of the container  1  the needle case  12  may be put back into the container  1 , since the piston, after use, is pressed completely or partly down, thereby making room in the container  1  so that the needle need not be positioned in the needle case  12 . This reduces the risk of e.g. the user getting unintentionally pricked by the needle. 
     FIG. 5 shows a plurality of containers  1  juxtaposed in a package  7 . When the container  1  is suitably shaped, stacking possibilIty before the hypodermic syringe  3  is placed in the container  1  and the plug  5  is applied as well as a small packing volume in the package  7  may be achieved. 
     FIG. 6 shows a plurality of containers  1  with plugs  5  positioned in a package  7 . 
     In a particular embodiment of the invention in which the container  1  with plug  5  is used for storing the hypodermic needle  3  when this is not in use, the plug  5  is constructed in the manner described below with reference to FIG.  8 . 
     In FIG. 8, the plug  5  is provided with two hinges  10  for the connection between the lid  9  and the part of the plug  5  which forms the engagement with the container  1 . This part of the plug  5  is called the plug body  25  below. When the plug body  25  and the lid  9  are connected with more than one hinge (see FIG. 8) constructed as a film hinge, it is ensured that the lid  9  is controlled better, so that it is more difficult to work open when the hypodermic syringe has been used and again been arranged in the container  1 . In this embodiment, the number of film connections  16  which are broken when the lid  9  is opened, is six, arranged such that there are three on each side of the film hinges  10 . In the embodiment shown, both film hinges  10  and film connections  26  are discrete, which means that they are separated from each other so that their mutual position and number may be determined. However, the number and position are not as essential as the function, it being important that the lid may be controlled, and that it is clear to the user whether the container  1  has been opened before. A boss  28  is provided between the hinges  10  shown in this embodiment, said boss  28  being capable of cooperating with the plug body  25  in a radial direction when the lid  9 , after completed use of the hypodermic syringe, is pressed down in the plug body  25 . Moreover, a second boss  29  or projection is provided in a diametrical position with respect to the previously mentioned boss  28 , said second boss  29  serving as a finger grip when the lid  9  is opened. This finger grip cooperates with a groove  31  in the plug body  25  when the lid  9  is pressed down in the body  25  after use. When the finger grip cooperates with the groove  31 , the lid  9  is locked, thereby making it difficult to re-open the container  1 . The number and the position of radially positioned bosses  28 , projections  29  and finger grip are not more essential than their function. 
     Two knobs  33  are arranged on the lid  9  in an axial direction near the hinges  10 . These knobs  33  are to make re-opening of the lid  9  additionally difficult. The number and position of the knobs  33  are likewise less essential as long as the function is achieved. 
     The lid  9  itself is not necessarily round or circular. It may be oval or elliptic so that the hole in the plug is filled as best as possible when the lid  9  is pressed down in the plug after use. It is almost oval in FIG.  8 . The underside of the lid may be provided with various ribs or grooves which can inter alia contribute to controlling the hypodermic syringe when it is in the container. 
     The container itself may be formed with a writing field  37  (see FIG. 7) which has been obtained by spark machining or sand blasting in the mould. Notes on the individual treatment may be written in this writing field  37 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a plug  5  in section. The lid  9  is shown in two positions, one before use of the hypodermic syringe, the other after use of the hypodermic syringe. After use of the hypodermic syringe, it is placed in the container and the lid  9  is pressed down in the plug body  25  so that flaps  16  or  29  engage the body  25 . 
     The invention is not restricted to the above-mentioned embodiments, but may be modified by a skilled person in many ways within the scope of the claims. Thus, the hypodermic syringe should be adapted to the container if it is desired to achieve the greatest amount of safety. The selection of material is not critical, as long as the functional requirements are satisfied. It is thus expedient to use ethylene for the plug, since this gives some good breaking properties. On the other hand, it is expedient to use polypropylene for the container, as this gives a solid, dimensionally stable container which may be made almost transparent by injection moulding. There may be one or more flaps, and the film connection may be divided into segments. The injection liquid need not be a liquid proper, it must merely be in a form that may be passed from a hypodermic syringe through a needle-like device into a body. The injection liquid may thus be a powder.