US20030132128A1 - Container for syringe - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for a syringe is provided which comprises a container top secured to a container body wherein either the top or the body is secured to a ring. The ring is sized so that a conventional key chain or key ring can be passed through the ring.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to a portable protective container for a syringe. More particularly,, this invention relates to a portable protective container for a syringe that can be housed on a key carrier such as a chain or ring.[0001]
• At the present time syringes containing a drug, such as epinephrine for treating a patient for an allergic reaction are available in a flexible protective housing. The syringe conventionally is an auto-injector providing an epinephrine injection for emergency intramuscular use. The syringe provides an emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions (Type I) to insect stings or bites, food, drugs and other allergies. Epinephrine, when given subcutaneously or intramuscularly has a rapid onset. The strong vasoconstrictor action of epinephrine through its effect on alpha adrenergic receptors acts quickly to counter vasodilation and increased vascular permeability which can lead to a loss of intravascular fluid volume and hypotension during anaphylactic reactions.[0002]
• It is necessary that the epinephrine be readily available in a temperature controlled environment and that the syringe provides protection against breakage. Currently users of the syringe conventionally store and transport them in handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, automobile glove compartments or the like. Since these storage choices position the syringe out of sight of the potential users, their position can be forgotten by the potential user or they can be placed in a temperature environment which degrades the drug. For example, makers of epinephrine-containing syringes recommend a storage temperature between about 15° C. and 30° C. These events of losing the syringe or placing it in a degrading temperature environment such as in an automobile at freezing or extremely high temperatures, can create a life threatening situation for those that depend upon the drug being viable in emergency situations.[0003]
• Once a syringe has been issued from a physician, the user or guardian of the user must determine a location for the syringe that is easily accessible for the user. Unfortunately, as the user relocates from home, school, work, restaurants, etc., the syringe sometimes is forgotten and left behind. If the user has an anaphylactic reaction due to an allergy, fatality can occur as quickly as 1-2 minutes, if the drug is not administered.[0004]
• Accordingly, it will be desirable to provide a means for storing a syringe containing a drug which is readily accessible, which is storable in a desired temperature environment and which is positioned so that its position can be readily sensed by sight or by touch.[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention provides a storage container for a syringe which is formed of a rigid material, which can be opened by hand and which can be stored on a carrier for a key such as a key chain or a key ring. The container also can include a thermal insulating layer positioned either on the outside surface or on the inside surface of the container. A ring is positioned on an outside surface of the container. The ring is sized to accommodate a carrier for a key such as a ring or chain. The ring permits the container to be carried on the key carrier so that it can be positioned in a pocket or in a lock for a key positioned on the key carrier. Thus, the container is either within the sight of a potential user of the syringe or it touches the potential user while in the potential user's pocket. In either position, the syringe is readily available to the potential user and it is safe in a temperature environment that is controlled by the potential user.[0006]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a side view of the container of the invention.[0007]
• FIG. 2 is a side view of an alternative container of this invention.[0008]
• FIG. 3 is a partial view of a path or a container top sized to accommodate a key or a container body.[0009]
• FIG. 4 is a side view of a ring that can be positioned on the container of this invention.[0010]
• FIG. 5 is a partial side view of an alternative wall construction for the container of this invention.[0011]
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
• The container of this invention comprises a container body, a removable top that can be secured to the container body and a ring that is secured to or formed integrally with the body or top. The ring is sized to accommodate a conventional key carrier such as a chain or ring. The top is secured to the body in a manner which prevents premature detachment of the top form the container body such as with a screw connection or a key and key guide connection. In one embodiment, a second ring can be slideably mounted on the ring connected directly to the container. The second ring permits freedom of movement of the container while avoiding stress forces on the ring directly connected to the container.[0012]
• Referring to FIG. 1, the container of this invention[0013]10 comprises a container body12, a removable top14 and aring16. Thering16 includes an opening (hole)18 sized to permit passage therethrough of a conventional key carrier such as a chain, ring or the like. Thering16 can be fixed to the top14 or pivotally mounted, such as on hinges, on the top14. An alternative container of this invention is shown in FIG. 2 which includes acontainer body20, a top22 and a ring24 fixedly mounted on the top22. The ring24 has an opening26 through which a key chain or key ring can be passed. The ring18 or ring24 also can be positioned on thebottom surface13 or15 ofcontainer body12 or20.
• The body of the container is formed of a rigid material such as a metal including aluminum or steel or a rigid polymeric material such as high density polyethylene.[0014]
• The top[0015]14 or22 can be screwed onto the body12 or22 with a conventional screw connection. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, a key and key path connection can be utilized to connect the container top and container body. The key can be positioned either on the container top or the container body while the key path28 can be positioned on the opposing top or body. The key path includes a path portion30 that permits vertical movement of the key as depicted by arrow32 and a rotational movement inpath portion34 as depicted by arrow36. The screw connection or the key path connection prevents removal of the top from the body by a pulling force on the top as depicted by arrow40 (FIG. 2.).
• Referring to FIG. 4, a second ring is shown comprising a conventional key ring[0016]41 which includes threelayers42,44 and46. Thelayers46 and44 can be separated by hand from the layer42 so that a hole in a key such asholes18 or26 can be positioned aboutlayer46 or44 while the ring41 is moved so that all threelayers42,44 and46 are positioned within hole18 orhole26. This ring41 permits movement of the container10 on the ring41 while eliminating stress force onring16 or ring24.
• As shown in FIG. 5, the body wall can be a composite wall comprising a rigid substrate[0017]48 such as a metal and a thermally insulating layer50 such as polystyrene foam. The insulating layer50 can be positioned either on an inside surface or outside surface of rigid substrate48.
• Because the container of this invention is designed to attach to a key ring, the user has their keys readily available in a location that is at room temperature. The body used to manufacture the container is durable enough to withstand most punctures or damages. Also, it will protect the syringe from extreme temperatures from outdoor use.[0018]
• Typically, the container of this invention is sized to be approximately 6¼ inches high and 1 inch in diameter. This allows the user to easily fit the syringe in the housing for easy insertion and release.[0019]
• Thus, in one aspect of this invention, there is provided a combination of the container described above and a syringe positioned within the container wherein the syringe includes a drug to be delivered by the syringe by injection.[0020]

Claims (14)

1. A container for a syringe which comprises:

a hollow tube sized to house a syringe,

said hollow tube having a first open end with a first connection means,

a hollow top having a second open end with a second connection means,

said first connection means and said second connection means adapted to connect and disconnect from each other,

and a ring positioned on either said hollow tube or said hollow top,

said ring being sized to connect to a key ring.

2. The container ofclaim 1 wherein said ring is pivotally mounted on either said hollow tube or said hollow top.

3. The container ofclaim 1 wherein said ring is fixedly mounted on either said hollow tube or said hollow top.

4. The container ofclaim 2 wherein said ring is mounted on said hollow top.

5. The container ofclaim 3 wherein said ring is mounted on said hollow top.

6. The container ofclaim 1 wherein said hollow tube includes a thermal insulating layer.

7. The container ofclaim 2 wherein said hollow tube includes a thermal insulating layer.

8. The container ofclaim 3 wherein said hollow tube includes a thermal insulating layer.

9. The container ofclaim 4 wherein said hollow tube includes a thermal insulating layer.

10. The container ofclaim 5 wherein said hollow tube includes a thermal insulating layer.

11. The container ofclaim 1 wherein said first connection means and said second connection means are mating screw threads.

12. The container ofclaim 2 wherein said first connection means and said second connection means are mating screw threads.

13. The container ofclaim 1 wherein said first connection means is a key and said second connection means is a keyway.

14. The container ofclaim 1 wherein said first connection means is a keyway and said second connection means is a key.

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