Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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CONTAINER FOR AN AUTOMATIC INJECTOR
Cross Reference to Related Application
[0001] This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/925,283,
filed
April 18, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference thereto.
Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to containers for carrying, storing,
and
protecting automatic injectors. Specifically, the invention relates to
containers that allow
users to open and close the containers quickly and easily and to carry and
store used and
unused automatic injectors safely. The invention also relates to an attachment
device for
carrying two of the containers together.
Background of the Invention
[0003] Many individuals unfortunately must carry medication with them at all
times.
In some cases, the medication is contained in an automatic injector. An
automatic injector is
a device that performs intramuscular or subcutaneous administration of a
therapeutic agent.
An advantage of automatic injectors is that they contain a measured dose of a
therapeutic
agent in a sealed sterile cartridge. Automatic injectors allow for quick and
simple injection of
the therapeutic agent in emergency situations without the user having to
measure dosages or
see the needle as the agent is being injected. Automatic injectors are used,
for example, to
treat anaphylactic (severe allergic) reactions and to administer antidotes for
certain poisons,
such as chemical nerve gas.
[0004] In those cases where an automatic injector is carried by an individual
at all
times, the injector is likely to be exposed to various physical and
environmental stresses that
may damage the injector or the therapeutic agent stored inside. For example,
exposure to heat
and light may cause the therapeutic agent stored inside the injector to
degrade. Also, an
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automatic injector may inadvertently activate if dropped or jostled. And once
the automatic
injector has been discharged, exposure to the used needle is a risk that
should be prevented in
those injectors that do not have a needle cover to automatically extend over
the used needle.
[0005] Many automatic injectors are therefore stored, before and after use, in
a
container referred to as a carry pack. In general, there are two types of
automatic injector
carry packs. The first type is a soft carry pack, usually made of neoprene or
other soft
material. These carry packs are usually large in size and attach to a belt or
other item of
clothing. To access the stored injector, the user must unzip the carry pack.
Unfortunately,
many soft carry packs are not puncture resistant and thus cannot be used to
store a discharged
automatic injector with an exposed needle.
100061 The second type of carry pack is a smaller, tube-shaped container that
can fit
easily into an individual's pocket. The tube-shaped containers are usually
made of a rigid
material and are generally equipped with one of two types of caps. The first
is a screw cap
which requires the user to unscrew the cap, and the second is a push-cap which
requires the
user to remove the cap completely from the body of the container.
[0007] These known automatic injector carry packs have the disadvantage of
requiring
two hands to open the carry pack, whether to unzip the carry pack or to
unscrew or pull off
the cap of the carry pack. Such actions can be difficult or even impossible to
perform when a
user is suffering from an attack and needs to quickly access the automatic
injector contained
in the carry pack.
[0008] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a container that safely
accommodates an automatic injector before and, depending on the type of
injector, after use
and that allows a user to easily and immediately access the injector contained
therein.
Summary of the Invention
[0009] In accordance with the invention, containers for automatic injectors
store and
protect the injectors from damage and protect the therapeutic agent stored
inside the injector
from degradation and contamination. Also, containers of the invention help
prevent the
automatic injector stored therein from accidentally activating. Furthermore,
the containers
allow the user or caregiver to quickly open the container and remove the
automatic injector
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stored therein and then, depending on the type of automatic injector, safely
store a used
injector with an exposed needle after use until proper disposal can be made.
[0010] The automatic injector containers have a cylindrically-shaped, enclosed
hollow
body having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end
is
preferably puncture resistant, and the open end is sized to receive an
automatic injector there
through. The body of the container includes a lower portion extending from the
puncture
resistant end that is preferably sized and shaped to receive only the needle
end of the injector.
[0011] The containers of the invention include a cap that has a top portion, a
bottom
portion, and a hinge connecting the top and bottom portions. The bottom
portion is affixed to
the open end of the body and the top portion is sized and shaped to close the
open end of the
body. The cap also has a front and a back, with the hinge located on the back.
The front
bottom portion of the cap may extend farther along the body in a direction
toward the closed
end than the back bottom portion of the cap to facilitate tactile
identification of the front of the
container.
[0012] The hinged cap advantageously allows the user or caregiver to single-
handedly
open the container and access the automatic injector. The hinged cap has
automatic spring
assist features that help open and close the cap. When the user or caregiver
applies sufficient
force to initially open the cap (i.e., unsnap the cap from the container), the
hinge causes the
cap to automatically spring farther open to a position that creates a clear
path unobstructed by
the cap. This allows the automatic injector to be easily and quickly removed
(as compared to
known containers where unsnapping the cap only partially opens the cap,
leaving the path at
least partially blocked by the cap). Additionally, when the user or caregiver
applies sufficient
force to initially move an open cap towards closure, the hinge causes the cap
to automatically
spring farther to a partially-closed position that prevents the automatic
injector from falling
out of the container, such as, for example, when the container is tilted or
held at an angle that
would otherwise allow the injector to slide or drop out of the container.
[0013] Other advantageous features of the container include a body that has a
shape to
(1) prevent or inhibit the container from rolling on a slightly inclined
surface and (2) receive
the automatic injector in preferably only one orientation -- needle end first.
The body also has
a puncture resistant bottom end to (1) prevent an unused automatic injector
from piercing the
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container should it unintentionally activate while in the container and (2)
ensure that
discharged automatic injectors with exposed needles can be safely stored. In
one
embodiment, the puncture resistant end is contoured in such a way as to bias
the needle end of
the automatic injector off-center, thereby making the needle more likely to
bend or cripple
than to penetrate the bottom end of the container.
[0014] In some embodiments, the body includes contours and textures that make
grasping and handling of the container easier and help the user or caregiver
identify the
orientation of the container by feel alone. The contours and textures may also
help identify
the type of automatic injector stored inside the container and may help
differentiate between
the packaging and the automatic injector itself.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the containers include a
first pair
of contoured areas and/or a second pair of contoured areas on the exterior
surface of the body.
The first pair of contoured areas are preferably positioned opposite each
other on the body and
are sized and shaped to facilitate attachment to an optional attachment device
of the invention,
which can be used to attach pairs of automatic injector containers together
and/or one or more
containers to an individual's belt, jacket, or other article of clothing or
personal possession
(e.g., a backpack). The second pair of contoured areas may also be positioned
opposite each
other on the body and are sized and shaped to facilitate grasping and/or
orienting of the
container by hand. Furthermore, the first and second pairs of contoured areas
are positioned
preferably opposite each on the body of the container.
[0016] The invention is also directed to automatic injector kits that include
an
automatic injector, a container for the automatic injector, and an attachment
device.
Brief Description of the Drawings
(0017] The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with
the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts
throughout, and
in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of an automatic
injector
container according to the invention;
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[0019) FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of an
automatic
injector container according to the invention;
100201 FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an opened cap attached to a body
of an
automatic injector container;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an opened cap;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a top view of an opened cap;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the automatic injector container of
FIG. 2;
100241 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a body of an automatic
injector
container;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a puncture resistant
bottom end
of an automatic injector container;
100261 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an attachment device according to the
invention;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container attached to an attachment
device;
and
[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two containers attached to an
attachment
device.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0029] Automatic injector containers of the invention can store many types of
automatic injectors, such as, for example, the EPIPEN automatic injectors by
Meridian
Medical Technologies, Inc. Typical automatic injectors have a housing that
contains a
cartridge. The cartridge has one or more chambers containing a therapeutic
agent. The
housing has a needle end that usually contains a needle assembly attached to a
chamber. The
housing also has an activation end opposite the needle end that usually
contains an activation
assembly. The activation assembly includes a stored energy source such as a
compressed
spring. Activation of the activation assembly typically causes a sequence of
internal
movements within the housing that forces the needle into a user and the
therapeutic agent
through the needle.
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[0030] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an automatic injector container according
to
the invention. Container 10 includes a preferably cylindrically-shaped,
enclosed body 12 and
a cap 14. Body 12 has an open end (not shown) covered by the cap and a
preferably puncture
resistant bottom end 20 opposite the open end. Body 12 preferably has a first
pair of
contoured areas 22 positioned opposite each other on the exterior surface 24
of body 12.
Body 12 also preferably has a second pair of contoured areas 26 positioned
opposite each
other on exterior surface 24 (note that only one of the second pair of
contoured areas 26 is
shown in FIG. 1). Contoured areas 22 and 26 are further preferably positioned
opposite each
other on exterior surface 24. Body 12 has a preferably cylindrically-oval
shape to prevent or
at least inhibit container 10 from rolling on level and slightly inclined
surfaces. Alternatively,
the body can be of other shapes including, but not limited to, cylindrically-
spherical,
triangular, rectangular, octagonal or other geometric shapes that prevent or
inhibit rolling.
[0031] Container 10 is sized to receive and enclose an automatic injector
therein. In
some embodiments, the container is longer in the longitudinal direction than
an automatic
injector received therein. A user is then encouraged to tip the automatic
injector out of the
container rather than reach into the container to grasp the automatic
injector. This is preferred
because some automatic injectors have a safety pin located at the end of the
injector nearest
the open end of the container (i.e., opposite the needle end). Thus by having
the user or
caregiver tip out the injector from the container instead of reaching into the
container to grasp
it, the chances of accidentally activating the automatic injector are less.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of an automatic injector container
according
to the invention. Container l OX, which is substantially similar to container
10, also includes
enclosed body 12, cap 14, puncture resistant end 20, and first pair of
contoured areas 22.
However, unlike container 10, container l OX has a second pair of differently
shaped
contoured areas 25 positioned opposite each other on exterior surface 24.
Contoured areas 25
do not extend down to puncture resistant end 20 on the sides of the container
where contoured
areas 22 are located as do contoured areas 26 of container 10. This difference
allows the
thickness of the tube wall section in those areas to be increased, which may
help maintain
wall symmetry during a molding process of the container.
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[0033] Cap 14 includes a top portion 30, a bottom portion 32, and a hinge 34.
Hinge 34 connects top portion 30 to bottom portion 32. The cap has a front 16
and a back 18,
and hinge 34 is located on back 18 of cap 14. In certain embodiments, the back
of cap 14 is
aligned longitudinally with one of the second pair of contoured areas 25/26,
and the front of
cap 14 is aligned longitudinally with the other of the second pair of
contoured areas 25/26.
Bottom portion 32 is affixed to the top, open end of container 10/l OX
(referred to collectively
hereinafter as "the container" or just "container 10"). The cap can be any
shape, provided it
uses the hinge mechanism of the invention and securely attaches to (and in
some cases
provides an airtight seal with) the body of the container when closed. The
front 16, bottom
portion 32 of cap 14 preferably extends farther along body 12 in a direction
toward puncture
resistant end 20 than the back 18, bottom portion 32 of cap 14. Cap 14 also
has a flap 35
located on the front 16, top portion 30 and has a contoured area 38 located on
the front 16,
bottom portion 32. Contoured area 38 allows the user to identify the front of
the cap, as well
as easily engage the flap to open the cap for easy access or disposal of an
automatic injector.
Also, such a feature advantageously allows the user to single-handedly open
the container for
access or disposal of an automatic injector.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows cap 14 in an open position. Bottom portion 32 of the cap
is
affixed to open end 36 of body 12. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3,
open end 36
extends beyond (i.e., above) bottom portion 32 of cap 14. This extension
protects the
automatic injector from accidental activation while cap 14 is opened or
closed. A rim 40
located on the front 16, top portion 30 of the cap snap-fits into a groove 42
located on the
front 16, bottom portion 32 of the cap. Other fastening mechanisms can be used
provided that
they secure the top portion of the cap to the bottom portion of the cap so the
container body is
closed and in some cases sealed. Cap 14 advantageously provides for repeated
opening and
closing of open end 36 of body 12.
[0035] In accordance with the invention, the spring assist feature of the
hinge provides
the cap with an automatic spring-open state and an automatic spring-almost-
closed state. The
spring-open state allows the automatic injector to be easily removed from the
container,
because the injector is not obstructed by the top portion of the cap when the
cap is in the
spring-open state. The spring-almost-closed state prevents the injector from
falling out of the
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container, such as, for example, when the top of the container is tipped
downward or while a
person holding or carrying the container is running or otherwise moving,
because the position
of the cap in the almost-closed state blocks the exit path of the injector.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows the cap in an open state. Hinge 34 includes a primary
support 50
and a secondary support 54. Once the angle between the bottom portion 32 and
top
portion 30 of the cap increases to about 85 -95 , such as when a user
initially opens the cap by
unsnapping the top portion from the bottom portion, the top portion of the cap
will
over-center the hinge causing the top portion to automatically spring farther
open to an angle
of at least 115 , and more preferably to about 125 -135 , without further
action by the user.
Conversely, once the angle between the bottom portion and top portion of the
cap decreases to
about 75 -85 , such as when a user begins to close an open cap, the top
portion of the cap will
over-center the hinge causing the top portion to automatically spring farther
closed to an angle
of at least 30 , and more preferably to about 15 -25 , without further action
by the user.
[0037] Additionally, in some embodiments, when the cap is closed (i.e.,
snapped
shut), the container is not air tight (i.e., not hermetically sealed). In some
of these
embodiments, the cap includes a vent hole. FIG. 5 shows an open cap 14 with
top portion 30,
bottom portion 32, and hinge 34 with primary support 50 and secondary support
54. Cap 14
has a vent hole 48 located on hinge 34. A vent hole allows the container to
vent and alleviate
any pressure that may build up within the container, as well as prevent any
volatiles that may
be present from affecting the therapeutic agent in the injector. The vent hole
can be
alternatively located on other areas of the cap, such as on the top or bottom
portion of the cap
or on the body of the injector container. Also, containers of the invention
may have more
than one vent hole.
[0038] The cap preferably include features to prevent an automatic injector
from
rattling (i.e., moving freely) within the container. As shown in FIG. 5, cap
14 preferably has
two internal walls or ridges 56. As the cap is closed, ridges 56 contact the
top of the
automatic injector and, if needed, push the injector fully into position in
the container. When
the cap is closed, intemal walls 56 continue to contact the top of the
automatic injector to
secure the position of the injector within the container and prevent the
injector from moving
around within the closed container.
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100391 FIG. 6 shows body 12 of the container. Body 12 is a cylindrically-
shaped,
enclosed hollow structure with an exterior surface 24, an open end 36 and a
puncture resistant
end 20 opposite the open end. Open end 36 is sized to receive an automatic
injector there
through. The lower portion of the body extending from the puncture resistant
end is
preferably sized and shaped to receive only the needle end of the automatic
injector. Thus,
the automatic injector can only be fully received within the container if
properly oriented
needle end first when inserted. This advantageous feature helps avoid injury
or contamination
by preventing a user from first handling the needle end of the injector upon
removal from the
container or from handling the needle end upon return of the used injector
back into the
container.
(0040] Located on exterior surface 24 of body 12 is at least one contoured
area. As
shown in FIG. 6, body 12 has a first pair of contoured areas 22 positioned
opposite each other
on exterior surface 24 (note that only one of the first pair of contoured
areas is shown).
Contoured areas 22 are sized and shaped to facilitate attachment to an
attachment device and
are positioned on exterior surface 24 preferably somewhat higher than midway
between open
end 36 and puncture resistant end 20. The body also includes a second pair of
contoured
areas 25 positioned opposite each other on exterior surface 24 of body 12
(note also that only
one of the second pair of contoured areas is shown). Contoured areas 25 are
positioned on
exterior surface 24 preferably proximal to puncture resistant end 20 and are
sized and shaped
to facilitate grasping of the container by hand. In some embodiments, the
contoured areas can
have different textures than the rest of the body. For example, the second
pair of contoured
areas can have a rougher texture than other areas of the body. Varying the
texture can
increase tactility and help encourage grip. Also, varying the texture can
prevent the user or
caregiver from becoming confused between the packaging and the injector. For
example,
rough or "sparked" areas (that create, e.g., a frosted finish) can obscure or
blur the label of the
automatic injector itself and thus make the user or caregiver aware that the
container is not the
automatic injector and that the injector is inside the container. FIG. 6 also
shows another
contoured area 601ocated adjacent open end 36 of body 12. Contoured area 60
enables the
bottom portion of the cap to securely attach to the body.
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[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, puncture resistant end 20 preferably has a base 64
with a
raised middle portion 65. This form of puncture resistant end causes the
needle end of an
automatic injector to be off center. Off centering the needle end of the
injector weakens the
puncturing force of the needle, thus the needle is more likely to bend and/or
cripple than
penetrate the container. The base of the puncture resistant end may be
alternatively of other
shapes that cause the needle end of the automatic injector to be off-center.
For example, the
base can include raised portions, peaks, troughs, dimples, or rough textures.
Additionally or
alternatively, the puncture resistant end may have a body wall thicker than
the rest of the
body. The body wall of the puncture resistant end should be thick enough to
withstand the
force of a needle driven by an inadvertent activation of an automatic injector
inside the
container (i.e., thick enough to prevent the needle from piercing through the
puncture resistant
end as the needle extends outward from the injector under the force of the
injector's activation
assembly). The increased thickness of the body wall at the puncture resistant
end can be
formed by the same material as the body or, alternatively, the increased
thickness may be
formed by an insert made of a different material than the body.
[0042] As also shown in FIG. 7, body 12 preferably includes additional
features such
as at least one internal rib 66 that extends longitudinally from open end 36
toward puncture
resistant end 20. Rib 66 provides clearance for a safety pin or release of an
automatic injector
(i.e., so the safety pin or release is not dislodged by the wall of the
container as the injector is
inserted) and ensures correct alignment when inserting the injector into the
container. Rib 66
also prevents the automatic injector from moving within the container. Rib 66
further allows
the automatic injector to safely and easily slide into and out of the
container by reducing drag,
friction, and/or snagging.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of puncture resistant end 20 of body 12 that
includes a pair of ridges 68. Ridges 68 advantageously protect the components
of an
automatic injector stored within the container from shock loads.
100441 FIG. 9 shows an optional attachment device of the invention that can be
used
to hold together a pair of injector containers. The attachment device is an S-
shaped clip 100
having a first section 110, a middle section 120 and a second section 130. The
first
section 110 and middle section 120 are sized, shaped and spaced apart from
each other such
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that a container can be securely held via a friction fit between the first and
middle sections.
The middle and second sections 120, 130 are also sized, shaped and spaced
apart from each
other such that a container can be securely held via a friction fit between
the middle and
second sections. In particular, the spacings between sections are slightly
less than the width
of the container, thus requiring the sections to be flexed apart somewhat when
attaching the
container. The clip has a spring-like resiliency that holds the container(s)
securely in place.
The attachment device may be formed from any suitable material that permits
clip 100 to flex
and engage the side of the container with a friction fit. Moreover, the first
and middle
sections 110, 120 may have a different radius of curvature than that of the
containers. The
different radiuses of curvature between the first and middle sections 110, 120
and the
containers allow clip 100 to engage a container with minimal contact between
the first and
middle sections I 10, 120 and the containers. Such minimal contact reduces the
likelihood
that first section 110 and middle section 120 will scratch the contours of the
container. The
same is preferably true for the radiuses of curvature of the middle and second
sections 120, 130.
[0045] The overall "S" shape of the clip reduces the amount of force needed to
remove a container from the clip, as compared to a more conventional double C-
clip. The "S"
shape of the clip allows the containers to act as levers, making removal of
the containers easy.
Additionally, texture on the outer surface of the attachment device makes the
device easy to
grip and preferably encourages users to replace the containers in the
attachment device once
the automatic injector has been used. The attachment device can also include a
suitable
attachment assembly for carrying the device on a belt or otherwise securing
the device to an
article of clothing or personal possession, such as a back or fanny pack.
[0046] FIG. 10 shows one container secured within an attachment device.
Container l OX is securely held via a friction fit between the first and
middle sections of
S-clip 100. First section 110 engages one of the contoured areas 22 of
container 10 and
middle section 120 engages the other contoured area 22.
[0047] FIG. 11 shows a first container and a second container secured within
an
attachment device. First container 150 and second container 160 are securely
held via
respective friction fits within S-clip 100 simultaneously. First container 150
is held between
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first section 110 and middle section 120 of S-clip 100. First section 110
engages one of the
pair of contoured areas 122 of first container 150 and middle section 120
engages the other
contoured area 122. Second container 160 is held between middle section 120
and second
section 130 of S-clip 100. Middle section 120 engages one of the pair of
contoured areas 124
of container 160 and second section 130 engages the other contoured area 124.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 11, first and second containers 150,160 are held in S-
shaped
clip 100 such that respective caps 152 and 162 of first 150 and second 160
containers are
adjacent to each other. Also, first and second containers 150, 160 are held in
the S-shaped
clip such that hinge 154 of first container cap 152 faces a direction opposite
the direction in
which hinge 164 of second container cap 162 faces. Alternatively, the first
and second
containers can be held in the S-shaped clip such that the hinge of the first
container faces the
same direction as the hinge of the second container cap. Further still, the
first and second
containers can be held upside down with respect to each other. In any case,
both containers
can be advantageously opened and closed without having to remove the container
from the
S-clip.
[0049] The containers of the invention can be made of any suitable material.
Suitable
materials include those that can form a container as described herein and that
will safely
contain an automatic injector before and, depending on the size and type of
injector, after use.
Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, polymers. Suitable
polymers include, but
are not limited to, polyurethanes, polyisobutylene and its copolymers,
silicones, polyethylenes
and polyesters. Other suitable polymers include polyolefins, polyisobutylene,
ethylene-
alphaolefin copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinyl halide polymers
and
copolymers such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ethers such as polyvinyl
methyl ether,
polyvinylidene halides such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene
chloride,
polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl aromatics such as polystyrene,
polyvinyl esters
such as polyvinyl acetate; copolymers of vinyl monomers, copolymers of vinyl
monomers and
olefins such as ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene
copolymers,
ABS resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamides such as Nylon 66 and
polycaprolactone, alkyd resins, polycarbonates, polyoxyethylenes, polyimides,
polyethers,
epoxy resins, polyurethanes, rayon-triacetate, cellulose, cellulose acetate,
cellulose butyrate,
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cellulose acetate butyrate, cellophane, cellulose nitrate, cellulose
propionate, cellulose ethers,
carboxymethyl cellulose, collagens, chitins, polylactic acid, polyglycolic
acid, polylactic acid-
polyethylene oxide copolymers and combinations of the foregoing.
[0050] The cap and body of the containers can be made of the same or different
materials. For example, in some embodiments, the cap may be made of
polypropylene and
the container may be made of polyester or poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET).
[0051] Additionally, the cap and body of the containers are preferably made of
a
material capable of blocking, absorbing or otherwise inhibiting the
transmission of at least
some wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light. For example, a UV absorbing agent
can be added
to the polymer from which the cap and the container are formed. UV blocking or
absorbing
capability helps to ensure that the therapeutic agent within the automatic
injector is not
degraded or otherwise compromised by exposure to UV light, even if the
container is
significantly light permeable.
[0052] The containers of the invention may also be made of a transparent,
translucent
or opaque material, or any combination thereof. For example, the caps of the
containers can
be made from an opaque, colored material. Using colored caps can help a user
or caregiver
easily identify which type of automatic injector is in which container.
Additionally, the body
can be a combination of transparent material and translucent material.
Transparent material
can form windows through the container so that the user can (1) identify what
type of
automatic injector is in the container, (2) determine whether it has been used
and/or (3) read
the instructions on the injector.
[0053] The containers of the invention may also serve as product packaging for
an
automatic injector and can thus be distributed with an automatic injector
inside. Additionally,
the exterior surfaces of the body of the containers, as well as the caps of
the containers can be
used for product labeling, usage directions, or other necessary indicia. Such
labeling can be
printed on labels and then affixed to the containers or printed or otherwise
directly imposed
on the surfaces of the containers during manufacture. For example, transparent
windows can
be used as branding areas to display trademarks or other branding materials.
[0054] Also, translucent textured material may be used to form particular
portions of
the container, such as, for example, the contoured areas where the user is
most likely to grasp
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WO 2008/130583 PCT/US2008/004936
or hold the container. Using a textured surface on portions of the container
increases the
user's ability to grasp and hold on to the container.
[0055] Containers of the invention may have other useful features. As shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 10, and 11, body 12 may have a pair of oppositely positioned
semi-spherical
nubs 27 on the lower portion of exterior surface 24 (note that, because of the
particular views
shown, only one nub is seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 10, and 11). Nubs 27 help
prevent the
containers from nesting or interlocking with other containers during
manufacturing, assembly,
and packaging.
[0056] The invention has been described in connection with the preferred
embodiments. These embodiments, however, are merely examples, and the
invention is not
limited to them. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other
variations and
modifications can be easily made within the scope of the invention and that
the invention is
limited by only the following claims.
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